Dear Editor:
As we all know, Canada is celebrating 150 years of Confederation this year. What we may not all realize is that there are fallacies and blatant untruths in the history we have been taught about our country.
We learned that Canada was founded by the British and French, a statement which doesn’t recognize the role that indigenous peoples have played in settling and forming this land.
As national First Nations leader Phil Fontaine has said, “We have been outside looking in, not really a part of Confederation, not really full citizens. We have no protection of our languages … our laws … our cultures.”
Now is the time to adopt legislation that formally recognizes the role of indigenous peoples in Canada’s formation and history.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to implement all the 94 articles of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to establish “right relations” with our indigenous companions.
There is no more appropriate time than this year when Canada celebrates its 150th birthday to expect the government to move forward on its promises.
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing some action to go with his words.
Now is the time to turn recognition to action.
Learn more at Recognition2Action.ca
Kerry Brewer
Oliver, B.C.
