Globe editorial calls for concrete action to address tragedy of residential schools

Canadians need to be educated about trauma of residential schools

by Globe and Mail Editorial staff, 24feb12

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s historic apology to survivors of the residential schools was a fundamental first step toward acknowledging the agony of their experience.

But now, more concrete action must be taken to address the tragic consequences of forcibly separating 150,000 Inuit, Métis and First Nations children from their families, consequences that continue to reverberate in aboriginal communities today.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s interim report makes several specific recommendations, which Ottawa and the provinces would be wise to implement, among them making sure that every Canadian learns what went on in these institutions, and the extent of the abuse, neglect and cultural loss. The commissioners found that many Canadians remain ignorant about those events. A massive public education campaign is needed, including the development of an authoritative curriculum and teaching materials for schools.

Imagine the horror of being scooped from your home, sent to live in a boarding school hundreds, or even thousands, of kilometres away, subjected to physical and sexual abuse, forbidden to speak your native tongue or practise your religion, and having your name changed to a number. Imagine dying without ever seeing your parents again.

Knowing this will help school students better understand the legacy of such trauma in native communities, which today takes the form of addictions, family breakdown, sexual abuse and poor educational and health outcomes.

The commission recommends that mental health facilities in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories be built that specialize in childhood trauma and traditional healing methods. With a suicide rate that is 12 times higher than the national one, it seems cruel that such facilities do not already exist. Parenting programs are also a worthy investment.

Commissioners Marie Wilson, Chief Wilton Littlechild and Justice Murray Sinclair are not being hyperbolic when they say residential schools were an assault on aboriginal culture, families and society. “People are angry at being told they should simply ‘get over it,’” the report observes. “Canadians have been led to believe that Aboriginal people were and are uncivilized, primitive and inferior.... This lack of education and misinformation has led to misunderstanding and... hostility between aboriginals and non-aboriginals.”

The government-funded residential schools operated for a century; the last ones didn’t close until the 1990s. Reconciliation will take generations. But the healing process will proceed more quickly if all Canadians understand the stories of despair – and of survivors’ heroism – from this regrettable chapter in the country’s history.

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY feat. Eagle & Hawk, TUE at Casino Rama

Eagle & Hawk Concert at Rama June 21st

This year's entertainment is Eagle & Hawk. One listen to Eagle & Hawk's distinctive sound and you'll be hooked. By blending inspired vision with musical talent, Eagle & Hawk have created a progressive style of 'rock' steeped in roots, fusion, and solid songwriting that continues to gain fans - and loads of fanfare - worldwide.



Rama Hall

From 12noon until 10pm First Nations vendors will be selling a wide variety of products including wood carvings, stained glass, clothing and much more.


Ballrooms - First Nations Workshops

Three unique workshops will be featured in the Ballrooms of Rama Hall running at various times, each lasting one hour.

These unique workshops are as follows:

Dreamcatcher Workshop 1 & 4pm

Dance Presentation with the Taabik Singers 2pm & 5pm

Hoop Dance workshop at 2pm

First Nations Cuisine Presentation 3pm & 6pm

500+ Quebec Police raid Mohawk reserves; Over pot???

QPP/RCMP overkill for tobacco and marijuana offences

According to ca.news.yahoo.com, in OKA, Quebec today there was a major police anti-drug operation, involving about 500 officers including the RCMP, is taking place today in Mohawk communities around Montreal.

A number of searches and arrests have been made in Kanesatake, Akwesasne and Oka.

Police say the operation involves organized crime and drug-trafficking — but they can't provide specifics yet on things like the number of arrests and the quantity of drugs seized. They are saying that 38 arrest warrants have been handed out, and that the seizures primarily involve marijuana.


Full Yahoo.com article on police raids at Mohawk reservations in Quebec