First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities are not immune to colourism. When we look at who's being murdered by police and who is going missing the vast majority of the time it's Indigenous people who look a very specific way. Darker skin, dark hair and eyes and "native" features

Compare that to who is more likely to get a job? Sit on a board? Be an internationally acclaimed author or artist? These folks are usually lighter, with light hair and eyes and with predominantly western or European features that play into a certain standard of beauty

When we think of who is the "model minority" of Indigeneity it's often times Métis people due to many's proximity to whiteness and their access to white privilege. The closer you are the more respectable that you appear to the larger society

Now this isn't to negate the fact that white passing folks can and do face violence. That they can be passed over for jobs or harassed by the police or be murdered or go missing. But the reality is that darker skinned Indigenous peoples are more likely to face this violence

So how do we do better? Speak up when you hear family or friends make negative comments about people with darker features. Combat colourism in your work place by advocating for others. Give or share opportunities with folks who wouldn't have gotten them because of their features

And remember that colourism is a product of anti-Blackness.