Robert Horton continues political activism journey

by: Andrea Ledding - Special to Wawatay News

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It has been said that a candle loses no light by lighting other candles and that education is merely passing the spirit of progress and hope to the next generation.

February 18, 2010: Volume 37 #4, Page B3

Regarded by many as a rising leader, Robert Animikii Horton (“Bebaamweyaazh”), a member of Rainy River First Nations, is one of Turtle Island’s indigenous scholar-activists working for such outcomes.

Horton, an Anishinaabe of the marten clan, has built a reputation as a progressive and outspoken activist and respected orator on an international scale, speaking on topics such as community organizing, political/social/economic justice, and youth empowerment.

Shirley Horton-Kampa and Robert Animikii Horton are both activists. -submitted photo

“It’s incumbent upon our generation to deliver not only who we are, but the spirit of leadership, continuity, and legacy to our People of tomorrow,” Horton said.

A recognized political philosopher and supporter of social justice organizations and Turtle Island’s Warrior Societies, he is currently completing his Masters of Sociology; advocating bringing First Nation youth voices forward to increase educational and cultural support towards academic success through support of families, communities, and educators.

Horton is considering a doctoral degree to utilize for the betterment of coming generations and has stated possible interest in educating and governance.

Horton moved to the Twin Cities at a young age. Discovering the value of educational opportunities, choosing to return to the area where his family is rooted. Majoring in Sociology at St. Cloud State University, Horton was inducted to Alpha Kappa Delta’s International Honours Society for sociologists. His recent article, ‘Irony of our Time,’ was published in “Protecting the Circle: Aboriginal Men Ending Violence Against Women.”

A wake-up call to Indigenous men, Horton’s main assertion in the article is: “One cannot respect the future, our future, or Seven Generations forward without truly respecting those that make the future, our future, and Seven Generations forward possible; our women.”

Awarded the National Aboriginal Role Model Award and the Assembly of First Nations Heroes of our Time Award in 2008, he has been recently involved with the Treaty 3 Language Revitalization Project, assisted with Grand Council Treaty 3 federal coordination, and keynoted the Chiefs of Ontario Leadership Summit alongside Ontario Grand Chiefs and Kenora’s mayor, and he continues his work as a sociologist and spoken-word poet.

Horton will be speaking Feb. 23 at Lakehead University’s “Catch Your Dream” conference and the National Aboriginal Youth Violence and the Changing Times Conference in Victoria, March 10-12. Horton will serve as the keynote and master of ceremonies at the upcoming Ontario Native Educators and Counselling Association (ONECA) Conference in Sault Ste. Marie from May 18- 20 and for the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) conference in Niagara Falls from Sept. 27-30.

Horton stresses that progressive and pro-active leadership, follow-through, social and political awareness, community solidarity, strengthening cultural identity foundations at every level (family to political representation), empowering youth, self-sufficiency, embracing education and opportunities, and building bridges of understanding will yield positive results.

“In honouring our ancestors, we must hold our historical and inherent rights as sacred, to not forget that those rights do continue to be violated, and to hold those who do so, accountable,” Horton said. “Before we are defined or define ourselves by program, policy, or protocol; we must remember we are Indigenous first. It must reflect who we are rather than the other way around. If it does not, we can become co-architects in our own further colonization and assimilation; hands that pull our future generations away from who they really are. We have the spirit and strength to maintain legacy; but also the means to be counterproductive by letting our own community or federal policies supersede who we are as Anishinaabe. If we choose.”

Horton’s family, a legacy of leadership, has been his inspiration. His mother, a 20-year Native family advocate and educator, was born and raised in Manitou Rapids.

His uncle Delbert, an educational leader, created an education institute. His aunt Laura is a director of post-secondary education. The Horton family roots stem from Chief Mawedopenais, prime spokesperson of Treaty 3 at Northwest Angle in 1873.

‘Modern day warrior’

Horton was greatly influenced by political leaders such as Paul Wellstone, Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X and a diversity of writers such as Vine Deloria, Taiaiake Alfred, Chomsky, Parenti, Locke, and Brzezinski.

“From a young age, progressive and socially-conscious visionaries, activists, free-thinkers and revolutionaries, as well as social-critics like Christopher Hitchens, Bill Hicks, George Carlin, Bill Maher, and Zach de la Rocha really inspired me to use my voice and speak truth.”

Chief Carol Copenace, of Big Grassy First Nation, regards this Indigenous scholar-activist and others like him as “modern day warriors.”

Virginia Handorgan, (Naongashiing) expressed similar sentiments about the young leader.

And that is what it boils down to. As more candles of inspiration are lit across Turtle Island, we can expect the small flickers of flame to become a steady beacon, lighting our way.

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