The Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women ( MMIW ) report was released a few weeks ago, and we have forgotten about it already. We are arguing about the word “genocide “ that was used in the report. The researchers and writers says that the Candian majority have committed genocide to the indigenous community, and not only to First Nations women. We, and as a person from the majority population , must accept that we have attempted a genocide against the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. From Sir John A, through the Indian Act , to residential schools and the setting up of reservations, we have tried to destroy their culture, their religion and their system of living on the land. We tried to kill them off, but they are a resilient people. And I grew up near Six Nations , and never explored what was going on. I attended Trent University, it has the largest Indigneous Studies program in Canada, and I did not explore the issues there. I did participate in the genocide of the First Nations. Let the federal government fine everyone in Canada.
I do not know where to go with the report . There are too many recommendations. They might be all good, and need to be implemented, but over 200 is too many to focus on in the society in which we live. We need a one pager, or at most a two pager that we hound our communities with every week or every day. I cannot wrap my mind around 200 recommendations. We did the same with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission a few years ago. It is another good report that sits on a shelf somewhere.
And if we would gather all the fines/money, what would we do with it. The federal governments have thrown lots of money, and it has not solved the issues. The present government said that they would make sure every First Nation community had good drinking water. That is not going to happen before the election in October 2019. I do not have any answers. I have requested a copy of the MMIW report, but I will not read all 1200 or more pages. What can we do ? There is a bill in the Senate to have Canada accept the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I am in favour of Canada passing this, but what difference will it make. It is symbolic, but symbols are important. It would say that we as a nation are interested in making the First nations issues important to the whole country. But, would it sit on another shelf in Ottawa ?
I walked in a MMIW protest in Winnipeg last summer. There were about 200 people there. We closed down the main intersection, at Portage and Main. Everyone was respectful, and the police were helpful in stopping traffic. We walked to the Forks, and took part in a smudging ceremony. We heard stories from family members whose sisters, nieces and cousins who had been killed. I am not sure, btu I doubt if any of these cases have been solved.It was important to participate, but it has not made a difference in this world. I do not know what to do. What do you think ?
Fred Redekop
Ponder Anew 