A guest editorial in a small Northern Ontario newspaper by a recognized lawyer/activist from Sudbury Ontario caused a mild flurry of letters apparently by First Nation writers after the essay appeared.
Letter writers Northern Fire and Dog Soldier have valid points and should not be hiding behind anonymity. These protesters should let readers know their names when standing up for those rights. What is there to fear in a free society? Only G8 and G20 gatherings trample on the rights of Canadians for ego mongering politicians.
The guest editorial apparently sanctioned by the Sun Media editor suggested First Nations should accept assimilation. The arguments by the essay writer are academic and far from a solution since the problem is as old as Canada and won’t be resolved as suggested. The writer seems to feel the plight of native Canadians are only those reported in the media about the plight of the less fortunate of the native population that fell through the cracks ending up in prison. Statistics indicate the First Nation jail population surpasses every other segment of the population, as does the national suicide rate. There is a reason for those numbers that have to do with the reservation system imposed on First Canadians by our ancestors and perpetuated by every elected government since and before confederation.
The reserve system is deplorable outside of the Great Lakes corridor. First Nation leaders fought and won concessions near heavily populated regions allowing their people access to education, employment and government funding to establish profitable business ventures while improving living conditions. Some projects failed, but many succeeded providing a great deal of employment and self-respect to native Canadians that would have probably otherwise have stumbled along the edge of those previously mentioned cracks or tumbled into the abyss.
The imposed reservation system is imperfect. Native administration on the other hand accepted the adversity of the system turning it into a secure base for all First nation people. Where non-Native children have the security of the family home when facing adversity, Native youth have the support of the entire reserve community when needing help and support. Does that sound like a system that should be caste aside or integrated into today’s imperfect society? Canadians allowed our most treasured institutions to rip apart First Nation communities in the past by removing children from the family home. Are we prepared to try another heartless experiment by destroying the last vestige of native Canadian identification?
The reserve system might be imperfect but if communities can access deserved funding programs and encouragement from government, and their own successful people, a new way of life can immerge. Cultural and political Native organizations are now emerging to offer native Canadians a new way of life within the traditional reserve system. Native organizations trying to improve life in isolated native reserves should be able to access a fair share of the billions in taxpayer funds currently available to immigrants and refugees coming to Canada to escape homeland injustices. To be a truly a shining example of a country leading the world in overcoming poverty and inequity Canada must deal with the problems running rampant on our “Indian” reserves, especially outside the Great Lakes development corridor.
