LETTER

Our country cannot be built on a lie

 

The Aboriginal teepee at Canada Day events on Parliament Hill reminded us all why it’s essential to recognize Indigenous peoples’ history and the impact our history has had on their communities. They have, as Phil Fontaine said, "been outside looking in, not really a part of Confederation, not really full citizens." PM Justin Trudeau committed to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 final recommendations -- but many before him have expressed good intentions while, like him, continuing to resist the follow-up needed. (Shamefully, his government is STILL disputing their rights in courts and before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.)

Now is the time for Government to support legislation recognizing Indigenous peoples' history and their role in founding Canada -- and to celebrate their survival, their youth & arts and their way of honouring the land, the animals, and each other. Now is the time to live up to our promises, to ensure clean water and the necessary health and educational services, and to put an end with concrete steps to systemic discrimination and harassment of Indigenous peoples -- as we saw in the ridiculous display by the "Proud Boys" (with Canadian military personnel) in Nova Scotia this past weekend or, even worse, racist killings of the kind occurring in Thunder Bay -- students whose bodies are turning up in the river or targeted murder by an 18 year old (throwing a car hitch) at a woman walking along the street. We could start this process by teaching more about their history in our schools.

Now is the time to turn recognition to action. Learn more at Recognition2Action.ca.

Denise Giroux, Aylmer