National female political and cultural leaders "temporarily" off stage?...we can hope!

A currently running public service announcement from MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving) asks viewers to drop the "a" word "accident" formerly applied to a drunk-driver's killing of the host's brother. Deliberate decisions to drink and drive, she contends, and kill someone should not be categorized as accidents.

Reframing our consciousness to place responsibility where it belongs, however, is a cultural change not easily or readily accepted. We like those familiar categories, even if we have not given them much critical attention.

In yesterday's Toronto Star, Dr. Jane Philpott writes an elegant and poignant thanks for her relationship with Jody Wilson-Raybold, whose departure from federal politics saddens Philpott. Nevertheless, it's the unique world view of the first indigenous woman to hold the office of Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada that prompted a deep and reflective consideration of Philpott's privileged 'white' framing of the world.

The highly touted first female indigenous cabinet member held and continues to hold "different" views from those of a colonial establishment. And, for some her "difference" was reduced to "difficult" rather than complementary and supplementary and diverse, thereby enriching the national dialogue and debate.

Wilson-Raybold's courage and conviction under extreme pressure to intervene in the SNC Lavelin matter also impacted Philpott deeply and positively.

Time together in deep and authentic reflective conversation while walking the Ottawa-Gatineau bridge bonded these two women for life, as only such conversations can and will.

Our nation is the poorer for their departure from the political arena and we can only hope that neither of these women will remain silent and disengaged from federal politics.

As for reframing one's attitudes and conventional perceptions, the relationship between these two women illustrates the only truly effective method for transformation.
Empathy, proximity, curiosity, trust and the courage to questioned assumed and presumed positions...and then to "see" the hurtful impact of many cliches on others can cause each of us to squirm...as it has Dr. Philpott.

Curiously, and not incidentally, these two strong and authentic women of different backgrounds and trainings were not "in competition" as is the case with too many men in similar circumstances.

They made lasting marks on federal transformative law, Bill C-14 on medical assistance in dying, after “wrestling sometimes through tear, with massive ethical questions to land a bill balancing the court-affirmed requirements of personal autonomy and the societal requirements to protect vulnerable people” (from the Philpott piece in the Star, July 13, 2021). Together they also worked on “Bill C-37 reintroducing harm reduction into Canadian drug policy and paved the way for commnities to establish supervised consumption sites, saving the lives of countless people.” (From the Star piece quoted above)

Innovation, positive evolution, a deeper level of commitment and care to those historically ignored and dismissed, as indigenous people have been, and still are, can and will come only if and when the nation's people under go a similar transformation to that of Dr. Philpott.

Dedicated to the hard work of full embrace and comprehension day a deep personal level, not merely a glib response to opinion polls is at the core of credible and authentic leadership.

Here, in Dr. Philpott’s words, are some of the things she learned from Ms Wilson-Raybold:

“Through all this I learned from you: about Indigenous history, the long-standing denial of the rights of Indigenous peoples and the need to reset the relationship between them and the Crown. Listening to you, I began to comprehend phrases about the ‘full box of rights,” enshrined in Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982, and “free, prior, and informed consent,” the right to self-determination articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Inspired by the weight of your commentary, I studied the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the history of the establishment of Section 35 and UNDRIP, and the findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples…..Your Indigenous world view and experience motivated me to picture our country from your perspective. Health outcome gaps experienced by Indigenous peoples are not only rooted in the social and structure determinants of health, but should be traced to the denial of rights and the ongoing colonial reality. Access to clean water isn’t simply a social service; it’s a human right. Access to land and language—so essential for health—are inherent rights confirmed in international law, the Constitution and treaties…”

This is not and never was a superficial, transactional relationship, of the kind we see far too often especially in public and political life. This is and will always be a stable, permanent, sustainable and mutually embraced and enlightening relationship, infrequently documented by people in public life, unless perhaps in memoirs.

We need these two women to return to Ottawa and to hold many    transformative conversations, lectures, podcasts, and to write more letters, essays and full texts not only on policy visions but more importantly on leadership in schools, universities, and corporations if Canada is to realize a glimpse of its full potential...

And to accept whatever efforts emerge to persuade them to offer their shared strength and vision as national leaders however and whenever such initiatives spring up.

Dr. Philpott is confident Jody Wilson-Raybold will not remain quiet. 

Can we also be confident that Dr. Philpott will not remain quiet?