Handout: Racial Questionnaire for Indigenous People

Part A:  Reflect — the past

  1. When you were growing up, did you have white friends? If you did, what activities did you do together? Where did you play and at whose house? What messages did you get from your parents about these friendships? Remember that silence can also be a message. What messages (remember that messages can be subtle or not so subtle) did you get from your white friend's parents about these friendships?

  2. When you were growing up, did you have friends who were people of colour? If you did, what activities did you do together? Where did you play and at whose house? What messages did you get from your parents about these friendships?

  3. When you were growing up, did you have Indigenous friends? If you did, what activities did you do together? Where did you play and at whose house? What messages did you get from your parents about these friendships? What messages did you get from your friend's parents about these friendships?

  4. What was your most significant childhood experience involving people of colour? What did you learn from that experience?

  5. What was your most significant childhood experience involving white people? What did you learn from that experience?

  6. With respect to race, what was your most significant experience that involved white people? What did you learn from that experience?

  7. What are some other thoughts about your exposure or lack of exposure to childhood experiences with other Indigenous people?

  8. What are some other thoughts about your exposure or lack of exposure to childhood experiences with white people?

  9. What are some other thoughts about your exposure or lack of exposure to childhood experiences with people of colour?

Part B: Think — today

  1. Do you have white friends? If you do, what are the ethnic/cultural heritages of the white people included in your friends?

  2. Do you have friends who are people of colour? If you do, what do you know about the ethnic/cultural heritages of the people of colour who are your friends?

  3. Were there Indigenous people at the last party you hosted or attended?

  4. Were there people of colour at the last party you hosted or attended?

  5. Were there white people at the last party you hosted or attended?

  6. What are some other thoughts about racial/colour diversity as it exists? Or does not exist in your life today?

Part C: Imagine  — the future

  1. Will there be people of colour at your funeral and who will they be?

  2. Will there be Indigenous people at your funeral and who will they be?

  3. Will there be white people at your funeral and who will they be?

  4. Will you be more or less likely to develop friendships with Indigenous people over the next few years? Why do you feel this way?

  5. Will you be more or less likely to develop friendships with people of colour over the next few years? Why do you feel this way?

  6. Will you be more or less likely to develop friendships with white people over the next few years? Why do you feel this way?

  7. What are some other thoughts about your current and future relationships with racially diverse people?

Adapted from: Katz, J.H. (2003, 1978). White Awareness: Handbook for Anti-Racism Training (2nd Edition) Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.