It has been a while since I’ve had the time to sit down and write, but I’m back for more blogs!
Let’s jump in before I lose my train of thought. Does anyone remember when Harper apologized for Canada’s involvement in the residential school system that assimilated and abused Natives? Remember how disappointed some Natives felt about how cold and bland the apology was?
Well, ol’ Stevie is at it again. On Sept. 26, while attending the G20 gathering in Pittsburgh, Harper told the audience that “Canada has no history of colonialism.” Now, I know I failed Intro to Native Studies, but even I know that is a full twist of the truth.
Word of this statement gets back to Canada and has some Native leaders demanding he apologize. One such angry Native is Ghislain Picard, the grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador.
“Denying the history of colonialism in Canada is like denying the holocaust,” Picard said. As intense as that statement is, this is something I believe to be true.
What the hell is wrong with Harper? Did he sleep through history class? No colonialism in Canada? I will argue that Canada today is still responsible for racist and genocidal actions against us, but why is it so hard for some people to understand this?
It seems that when confronted with the truth about Canada’s grim past and the current state
of affairs that Aboriginal issues are in, most people become hyper-ignorant and decide that it is all a lie or not an issue at all.
Harper’s office says that the comment was taken out of context. His statement is said to be about past global empires and their hold over financial affairs.
“It was in response to a question from Reuters about Canada’s voice and role in the international financial market. Basically, the prime minister was giving some context and saying that unlike past global empires, Canada does not have a history of colonialism with respect to the financial market,” said Harper’s spokeswoman Sarah MacIntyre.
A simple apology from Harper, despite what he meant, would be a gracious act of respect toward Aboriginals.
Any thoughts? I am always up for discussion. My email is [email protected], so feel free to email me your thoughts, questions, comments or complaints (put Native Issues in subject box) and I will get back to you as fast as I can.
