I read with some optimism that our council was trying to build a bridge to reconciliation with local First Nations. After a bit more thought, I got to wonder why now – or was this just paving the way for further exploitation?
When I think about it, growth in our society is based on the exploitation of some group or another.
Can the descendants of the original immigrants even survive without causing harm to someone else?
I wonder.
There were things that were done to the First Nations that proved without a doubt that this was a systematic effort meant to eliminate or convert the natives.
There was never any intention to coexist. Just have a brief look at the tactics used in residential schools, alcohol introduction used as a weapon to weaken, blankets, the smallpox virus meant to kill.
Fast-forward, our government has made treaties with First Nations – broke them. Made more treaties – broke them. Made more – broken. You get the idea.
We seem to think all the injuries were done in the past by our forefathers but they continue.
We seem to have very little problem putting the blame on the church, but what about us? By doing nothing and saying nothing, aren’t we complicit?
We have a lot to be sorry for and the political double-talk appears to me to be part of some more exploitation. We still push the same philosophy now as then. In order to save something we must destroy it first. It never worked then and it won’t work now.
In a column in the June 1 edition of The Squamish Chief, the mayor was careful to say this is not about responsibility or blame – really? Look at the environmental shape of North America and we have nothing to apologize for? It looks to me as if she is trying the “old chestnut, shiny beads.”
The only inroads that have been made are pushed by ulterior motives. Is this different?
I really hope so, but I fear not.
Further lip service and double-talk doesn’t help the problem.
