Racism and discrimination very much exists in todays world. Most white people will experience a fairly privileged life. We know that African Americans, Indigenous people, LGBTQ+, Muslims, Jewish and many more people will struggle to enjoy the same rights that they are entitled.
Canadians can be insidious and covert in their racism compared to the U.S.A. We do know that racism is present every day, in all walks of life, and through work relations and in police inaction or through force, etc.
Today we will talk about the Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous encompass the First Nations, Metis and the Inuit. We know they experience some of the highest rates of unemployment, incarceration, addiction, trafficking, and suicides. They also live with poor housing, poor health, poor education, low income, and poor water quality.
- Did you know that there have been approximately 800 Indigenous women that have gone missing or dead since 1990? Things like mental health issues, drug and alcohol addictions and domestic violence have all contributed to this.
- Child welfare programs have been slashed.
- There is unequal access to healthcare. Did you know that Indigenous children are 2X more likely to be hospitalized for preventable diseases? What happened to “Universal Care”?
- The Long Lake Gold mining project has exploited Indigenous land for resources. (And the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline will have Indigenous impact as well)
- Residential schools damage still remains today. It is hard to believe that the last one only closed in 1996! Indigenous households saw >150,000 children removed. There were approximately 4000 deaths of children. They were forbidden to speak their language, enjoy their culture, and some were physically and/or sexually abused. The Metis and Nonstatus Indigenous will be left out of any monetary settlement after the Truth and Reconciliation.
We think about all those people that have been damaged by terrible acts that have been committed on them. Here are two true stories.
We think about Becky Michelin from Rigolet, Nfld. In 2005, she witnessed the murder/suicide of her parents. Her parents suffered from mental illness and addictions.
The children were separated and moved away from their culture. She endured nightmares and P.T.S.D. as a result of the tragic memories. She was also sexually abused by one of her care givers. Now as an adult, she uses her energy to speak out for those who can’t. She finds solace in her Indigenous roots and ceremonies and community. She is a survivor seeking forgiveness, peace and justice.
We think about Colten Bushie, a teen from Saskatchewan. In August of 2016, Colten and 4 other boys had been out drinking all day. A local farmer saw them on his property and accused them of thieving. The family says the boys stopped for help with a flat tire. Due to recent and ongoing racial unrest in the area, the farmer defended himself by shooting and killing Colten. In 2018, the farmer was acquitted of any wrong doing. Of course, the family does not feel they got any justice for their son.
What takes us so long to right our wrongs? We must do more than apologize!
What will make Canadians care? We must institute community involvement!
We must talk about it, get informed (complicated Indigenous Law and Acts), and get involved (Act)! We must have hope!
We must fight for Indigenous rights to self determination and land. The remedy is recognition and restitution. Real reconciliation will mean rebuilding the very foundation of Canada. We must exert pressure on our government to work towards Indigenous sovereignty and learn to truly share what is defined as this “Canadian Space”.
We can extend our thank you to the many people working to make this a better place.
Thank you to Bridget Tolley for continuing her fight through community awareness for justice for Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Thank you to 13 year old Autumn Pelletier, who continues to advocate for clean water.
Thank you to all health care workers that strive to provide the best patient care to all cultures. This will help stop shoddy treatment to the Indigenous people, and stop mothers from being scared to lose their children.
Thank you to all who support Bill C-262. This will ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the U.N. Declarati0on on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“It demonstrates a historical knowledge of the cost of promises not kept and speaks of hope for a dynamic and innovative future”. (U.C.C. Rev. Jordan Cantwell-2017)
Thank you to the United Church Justice and Reconciliation Fund, that has helped produce the documentary “We Are Still Here”. It presents some difficult memories for survivors of Residential schools.
Thank you to all people for under going their deep reflection and critical analysis of their own bias for or against any culture, and their yearning to learn more about cultures.
Resources: United Church of Canada Observer Magazine
(Feb./Oct. 2016, May/Nov.2017, Jan./May 2018)
: C.S.M.L.S. Magazine 2018
: Internet