Don Urquhart
Times-Chronicle
Since the Kamloops Indian Residential School news broke, essentially confirming what many First Nations people have known all along, the country has been rightly gripped by the horror of Indigenous children in unmarked graves.
It’s only truly a surprise for many non- Indigenous people who, by and large have remained blissfully ignorant of the residential school system.
For nearly 80,000 survivors this is still a very personal living memory and only one element of a host of injustices perpetrated against this land’s original inhabitants by successive governments, churches and Canadian society.
We are at a tipping point. Canadian society and the federal government could slip back to the status quo after yet another round of grand statements, hollow promises and meagre action. Or we can seize this moment once and for all and truly embark on a path of righting this country’s shameful cultural genocide.
The watershed Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada set the stage for action going forward, but progress is lacklustre, and why does the government persist in its hypocritical legal battles with First Nations?
The situation looks dubious. An outpouring of sympathy, pledges of support, apologies, promises and lots of words. All too familiar.
The RCMP are investigating which at least suggests a crime scene. Let’s be honest, it is a crime scene. The Mounties have already been criticized for insensitivity in their approach, perhaps another demonstration of their long-standing systemic racism.
The government also appears to be slipping into auto-pilot, avoiding responsibility and feebly pressing the Catholic Church for an apology and documentation. It’s time for domestic legal processes and international pressure on the Vatican. The Church, including the Pope, need to fully engage.
Canada is globally lauded for its promotion of human rights and many other things. But shining the hard light of day on the darkness of the past reveals this glowing reputation to be badly tarnished by racist attitudes and policies that were the cornerstone of these heinous acts. The legacy of that discrimination continues today in varying forms and it must be rooted out.
If the Canadian government feels it’s not up to the task, then it’s time for the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples to step in. Wouldn’t Canada call for the same elsewhere?
We must move forward, positively, concretely and show not just the world what a caring, progressive and just society Canada can be, but more importantly to demonstrate to the Indigenous peoples of Canada that we care enough to right the wrongs of the past, and build a better future together.
