“The article below is the first in a series of four reflections on the residential school issue in Canada that will be published every day in the following week in Critical Perspectives and Reflections.
The discovery of the 215 bodies of Indigenous children in unmarked graves signaled the beginning of what many of us hope will be a genuine awakening in this country of the long standing colonial wound that has been festering since even before Confederation. The first article, by Wayne Johnston is a plea for us to Wake Up! to the profound seriousness of the issue? The second, by Darryl Newbury focuses on the need for education in our history. The third, by Bill Lee, considers the issue of the responsibilities of the Church and the State to right the wrongs. The forth is a compilation of ten Indigenous voices with their individual reactions to the specific news of the 215.”
* * *
Like most Canadians I am saddened by the discovery of 215 little souls buried at a former Residential School. However, I am sad to say, I am not shocked, and while I am proud to be a Canadian, of this I am so very ashamed.
I have stayed remarkably quiet on this matter as I wanted to collect my thoughts and not lash out.
The Roman Catholic church, and any other involved in the Residential child prison system, must be held to account, they had the first hand of responsibility for the care of these poor souls. Instead, they were a large part of tearing these children away from their parents and families only for them to be subjected to such inhumanity. Indeed, the various churches’ feet must be held to the fire, unlike in the past where they were given a pass. Not this time! I cannot imagine the conditions and cruelty these children endured. I’m actually quite disappointed by the reaction of government at all levels and all parties. I’m also saddened by the general tepid reaction of the Canadian people.
I hate to say this but had these kids been everyday garden variety white and not Indigenous, the reaction would be different. Where is the anger, why aren’t folks calling their MPs? If there was ever a reason to protest in support of our Indigenous sisters and brothers this would be it. Surely these children and their families are entitled to Justice, after all they were our nations sons and daughters.
All that said I find it hard to believe that the government was unaware of these atrocities at the time and certainly over the years. I guess it’s much easier to hide history, no matter how evil, than face up to it. When I say government I include all parties, this is no less or more our present PM’s fault or responsibility than past PM’s. Indeed, we the Canadian people bear a level of responsibility and guilt. As we speak, many Indigenous communities don’t even have potable water. Yet do we as a people make an election issue out of it? NO! We don’t as it doesn’t impact us or our families. Be it infrastructure, access to clean drinking water, programs for suicide, alcohol/substance abuse, unemployment, justice, homelessness, food insecurity, the list is endless, by every measurement socially, economically, Justice, incarceration, education, access to healthcare etc., those related to FN’s rank worst nationally. Is it me or does that sound familiar (think BLM)? Yet we say and do nothing. Of course, we post memes and such on FB, Twitter etc. But in the end, we always go back to the status quo.
Maybe, just maybe, this news will be a wake-up call for all Canadians, as it impacts us all. Canada and Canadians have a stellar world reputation, for fairness, decency, for being open, welcoming and friendly. Canada is known for being a good place to live and raise a family etc. By and large we live in a safe country. But now we have taken a major hit and we need to do some soul searching. We hardly hold the moral high ground on our treatment of Indigenous people.
I honestly don’t know how it is possible to ever make this right. Sure we can give appropriate compensation. But what is a child’s life worth. I would gladly give my life for my granddaughters or sons. I for one cannot put a monetary number on a life needlessly taken and cut short.
The institution of the Roman Catholic church, and any other church involved in the Residential prison system, must issue an unreserved apology at the international level. This would mean that the heads of the respective churches would be issuing the apologies. Perhaps then it might have meaning as something less than window dressing.
These churches need to do some reflection on the past and face up to their histories of wrongdoing. Most important they must own them as institutions, make appropriate restitution and change course. This horrid, nasty, church business isn’t just a Canadian problem. One just has to look at the RC church’s transgressions in the Republic of Ireland, with their then government’s blessing. Nor is this just a RC problem, or a Christian problem. Yes, the evil that these men and women of God do happens everywhere.
These “men and women of God”, who surely are well aware of their churches’ histories, must be held to account. As well, the RC and other churches must be held financially responsible for restitution. The government of Canada should seek to freeze the national assets of the respective churches until financial restitution is made. But even then, it hardly wipes the slate clean, as the 215, and no doubt others, had their lives cut short. I fear this is but the tip of the iceberg. I strongly suspect that there are children buried coast to coast at these residential schools.
In my words here, I am calling on some of the spirit of the words that I have seen my friend Lawlor Lee post on FB. I find myself in agreement with him. There is a petition going around demanding the PM Justin Trudeau undertake action. Of course, it could be any PM in the past or likely the future. So, while we demand action from this Prime Minister let’s not pretend he made the problem. This is very much a bipartisan issue.
The only time politicians at all levels listen to their constituents is if it might impact their job security and pensions. This is going to take more than thoughts and prayers. Indigenous peoples are fellow Canadians, no different than the rest of us. They are just folks like you and I who by history, happenstance, circumstance, and prejudice have been disadvantaged on many levels for a very long time. They have been self advocating since Confederation. Sadly, since then, and beforehand, government has, at best, paid lip service to Indigenous people, when in reality many live in third world conditions right here in Canada. It is past time WE, yes YOU and I, did something serious about it.
What can we do about it? Simple really, be very clear and concise with your MP and candidates no matter the party: sort out the issues facing FN people in Canada! If you don’t you will lose your temporary, government of Canada employment contract, we the voters will terminate you. Oh, you have a policy and platform on righting years of injustice towards Canada’s FN? Not just cut lines but a plan...
Understand, just like in the US where it will take more than a couple of generations to right the wrongs and bring real equal Justice and opportunities to Afro Americans, so too will it take a few generations to right the wrongs inflicted in Canada. But this is where we are, this is the place we must start from.
To my fellow Canadians I ask you to read the thoughts below, let them distill, offer feedback, do not offer hate, or blame of one party or individual. This is very much a Canadian problem. We as a nation hold no moral high ground as many of us look smugly on America, with their racial issues. Unlike Canadians, Americans have chosen to start down the long path of real reconciliation. Joe Biden is quite realistic that he can’t fix it overnight.
If you agree that as a Nation and a People, we need to do the right thing, then be vocal. Indigenous people can’t and shouldn’t be expected to do it alone. Many hands make light work, so let’s all get behind our fellow Canadians and let Federal and Provincial politicians know our FN are priority job number one.
In other words, the more of us who speak out, be it vocally or on social media, the louder it gets. Soon MPs will be talking about their constituents getting restless and outright pissed off over injustices done to Indigenous people. Before you know it, they will all be talking and just like magic it becomes an election issue. The key is to hold their feet to the fire once they have been hired into the short term, non-permanent, government of Canada contract position. If they fail to live up to the terms of the contract, next election, terminate them.
This my fellow Canadians is how to right the wrongs, or at least get a good start on the beginnings of a few generations of hard work to become a just country.
I have stayed remarkably quiet on this matter as I wanted to collect my thoughts and not lash out.
The Roman Catholic church, and any other involved in the Residential child prison system, must be held to account, they had the first hand of responsibility for the care of these poor souls. Instead, they were a large part of tearing these children away from their parents and families only for them to be subjected to such inhumanity. Indeed, the various churches’ feet must be held to the fire, unlike in the past where they were given a pass. Not this time! I cannot imagine the conditions and cruelty these children endured. I’m actually quite disappointed by the reaction of government at all levels and all parties. I’m also saddened by the general tepid reaction of the Canadian people.
I hate to say this but had these kids been everyday garden variety white and not Indigenous, the reaction would be different. Where is the anger, why aren’t folks calling their MPs? If there was ever a reason to protest in support of our Indigenous sisters and brothers this would be it. Surely these children and their families are entitled to Justice, after all they were our nations sons and daughters.
All that said I find it hard to believe that the government was unaware of these atrocities at the time and certainly over the years. I guess it’s much easier to hide history, no matter how evil, than face up to it. When I say government I include all parties, this is no less or more our present PM’s fault or responsibility than past PM’s. Indeed, we the Canadian people bear a level of responsibility and guilt. As we speak, many Indigenous communities don’t even have potable water. Yet do we as a people make an election issue out of it? NO! We don’t as it doesn’t impact us or our families. Be it infrastructure, access to clean drinking water, programs for suicide, alcohol/substance abuse, unemployment, justice, homelessness, food insecurity, the list is endless, by every measurement socially, economically, Justice, incarceration, education, access to healthcare etc., those related to FN’s rank worst nationally. Is it me or does that sound familiar (think BLM)? Yet we say and do nothing. Of course, we post memes and such on FB, Twitter etc. But in the end, we always go back to the status quo.
Maybe, just maybe, this news will be a wake-up call for all Canadians, as it impacts us all. Canada and Canadians have a stellar world reputation, for fairness, decency, for being open, welcoming and friendly. Canada is known for being a good place to live and raise a family etc. By and large we live in a safe country. But now we have taken a major hit and we need to do some soul searching. We hardly hold the moral high ground on our treatment of Indigenous people.
I honestly don’t know how it is possible to ever make this right. Sure we can give appropriate compensation. But what is a child’s life worth. I would gladly give my life for my granddaughters or sons. I for one cannot put a monetary number on a life needlessly taken and cut short.
The institution of the Roman Catholic church, and any other church involved in the Residential prison system, must issue an unreserved apology at the international level. This would mean that the heads of the respective churches would be issuing the apologies. Perhaps then it might have meaning as something less than window dressing.
These churches need to do some reflection on the past and face up to their histories of wrongdoing. Most important they must own them as institutions, make appropriate restitution and change course. This horrid, nasty, church business isn’t just a Canadian problem. One just has to look at the RC church’s transgressions in the Republic of Ireland, with their then government’s blessing. Nor is this just a RC problem, or a Christian problem. Yes, the evil that these men and women of God do happens everywhere.
These “men and women of God”, who surely are well aware of their churches’ histories, must be held to account. As well, the RC and other churches must be held financially responsible for restitution. The government of Canada should seek to freeze the national assets of the respective churches until financial restitution is made. But even then, it hardly wipes the slate clean, as the 215, and no doubt others, had their lives cut short. I fear this is but the tip of the iceberg. I strongly suspect that there are children buried coast to coast at these residential schools.
In my words here, I am calling on some of the spirit of the words that I have seen my friend Lawlor Lee post on FB. I find myself in agreement with him. There is a petition going around demanding the PM Justin Trudeau undertake action. Of course, it could be any PM in the past or likely the future. So, while we demand action from this Prime Minister let’s not pretend he made the problem. This is very much a bipartisan issue.
The only time politicians at all levels listen to their constituents is if it might impact their job security and pensions. This is going to take more than thoughts and prayers. Indigenous peoples are fellow Canadians, no different than the rest of us. They are just folks like you and I who by history, happenstance, circumstance, and prejudice have been disadvantaged on many levels for a very long time. They have been self advocating since Confederation. Sadly, since then, and beforehand, government has, at best, paid lip service to Indigenous people, when in reality many live in third world conditions right here in Canada. It is past time WE, yes YOU and I, did something serious about it.
What can we do about it? Simple really, be very clear and concise with your MP and candidates no matter the party: sort out the issues facing FN people in Canada! If you don’t you will lose your temporary, government of Canada employment contract, we the voters will terminate you. Oh, you have a policy and platform on righting years of injustice towards Canada’s FN? Not just cut lines but a plan...
Understand, just like in the US where it will take more than a couple of generations to right the wrongs and bring real equal Justice and opportunities to Afro Americans, so too will it take a few generations to right the wrongs inflicted in Canada. But this is where we are, this is the place we must start from.
To my fellow Canadians I ask you to read the thoughts below, let them distill, offer feedback, do not offer hate, or blame of one party or individual. This is very much a Canadian problem. We as a nation hold no moral high ground as many of us look smugly on America, with their racial issues. Unlike Canadians, Americans have chosen to start down the long path of real reconciliation. Joe Biden is quite realistic that he can’t fix it overnight.
If you agree that as a Nation and a People, we need to do the right thing, then be vocal. Indigenous people can’t and shouldn’t be expected to do it alone. Many hands make light work, so let’s all get behind our fellow Canadians and let Federal and Provincial politicians know our FN are priority job number one.
In other words, the more of us who speak out, be it vocally or on social media, the louder it gets. Soon MPs will be talking about their constituents getting restless and outright pissed off over injustices done to Indigenous people. Before you know it, they will all be talking and just like magic it becomes an election issue. The key is to hold their feet to the fire once they have been hired into the short term, non-permanent, government of Canada contract position. If they fail to live up to the terms of the contract, next election, terminate them.
This my fellow Canadians is how to right the wrongs, or at least get a good start on the beginnings of a few generations of hard work to become a just country.
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