How Can You Politely Correct Someone Without Causing Guilt or Reaction?

By Bronte Phillips

Maybe you have recently taken one of our courses surrounding Indigenous Awareness and learned new facts about the history of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, or perhaps you read the book, 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. A discussion among coworkers or peers arises and you overhear or witness a myth or a stereotype being reinforced. How can you as a non-Indigenous person speak up and share your knowledge without causing shame, guilt or embarrassment and engaging people's inner defence mechanisms?