Tribal Vision I often look back at who we were, who we are today and wonder who we will become. We know from stories and oral histories how we lived in the pre-contact times. I think the clash between Tribalism and Capitalism caused the biggest changes. This happened at a time when title to land and money had no meaning to us. Unfortunately, the expansion was so fast we did not develop ways of maintaining Tribalism while being swallowed by the corrosive effects of Capitalism. They say it takes 500 years for a society to make small changes, so what changed and what stuck. Our housing, our clothing, transportation and things we trade changed. We use money but we are not Capitalists, Capitalism survives simply to acquire more capital. It has no empathy or feelings for humans, animals, plants or Shkaakmikwe (Mother Earth), we still do. We still care about things that bring us no profit, that’s Tribalism. We still care about all our children and all our elders. We still fight for causes that bring us no profit. We still do ceremonies for the water, we drum, we sing, and we smoke the Pwaagan. We still pray in Anishinaabemowin. So now it’s up to us, what will we become? I think that’s what an election is all about, what we will become. It’s up to us to make capital work for a Tribal system of values. Migwetch, fred