Sacrosanct

The Foundation

Native protest, what the heck is the beef? Living in the lap of luxury will never allow you to identify with those less fortunate. One face or side of Canada is about the riches amassed and the progress that is taking place, the darker side of Canada (which by-the-way is never openly admitted) is its relationship with its Native people. Unfortunately the (native) reality is always marginalized, always segregated to places in the hither land: It is covered up, opposed and treated like an isolated incident. Put in the context of Canadian life it is often a minor issue; but if it is the major reality of native people, then in that case it must be addressed. If native people are kept helplessly dependant, than the umbilical cord must be cut to create an independence: This dysfunctional relationship, needs a healthy dose of liberty. No governing body can function at its full capacity, unless they become the driver. This whole political domination, is anachronistic, it has outlived its purpose. The more you hold down a people the more they want to be independent. Native people have tried to fit into Canadian society, but they have been opposed, and treated like they are nothing more than outsiders. What, I ask, is the alternative but to make your own environment to stand up and make a statement? Native people are the foundation on which this country was built; you cannot separate Natives from Canada. They have to be given their rightful place, and allowed to prosper; they should never be treated like a threat. All such thoughts and rhetoric have perpetuated the colonial way of domination; never was it about helping native people come to their full potential and to be a part of Canada, to be moreover the success story that grew from a barren land. Native people are the true pioneers that settled this country. They again are the foundation on which Canada was built. (Treaties attest to this truth)

A catch-22; protest and stay oppositional, which we should recognize that when we do protest we end up being a minority and quite frankly being in opposition further exacerbates our position, it makes us the disadvantaged people: Native people can either stay a minor issue, or they can pursue developments that will benefit them as a people. Hence, resources are the only alternatives to a brighter future.

If native people prospered, then we can say, as Canadians that we are all proud to live here. No other country has this opportunity.

Do you ever notice how some people fit in, they can learn the game and fit in that way, or they can take over and set new rules, it may work or you could be put out of the game completely. But playing the game does not mean you are true to the game. For one thing, people do not necessarily care about your life, especially if the game they are playing is giving them great dividends. In the end, you might fit in but chances are you will have to start a new group.

So Canada is unique, in that we have two nations who founded this country, it is the epitome of multiculturalism worldwide. Evidently the only way to function was to give a little independence to the lesser of the two, allow them to achieve some sort of independence. Sounds like a great country, but a third founding member has been overlooked. What is wrong with giving independence to another group? Is prosperity limited to the chosen few? Or could Canada become even better? Native people are just beginning to reach a potential that has once been denied.

Fittingly the protest started off at the First Nations University, and ended off at the Legislative Building; The reason being that our beginning is at the education level and the ending is at the political level.

And so the story goes as if done in din, it is not a lesson rather it is about a problem that is not addressed. It is becoming sacrosanct to question the plaguing injustice, the lack of moral fortitude that is often in the hands of the majority. Rather than seriously examine this daunting reality, it is hardening hearts, with no response calculable and it is a problem that is left to a new generation. To a new fire, a new breath of life, that sees the reality of today and looks to a better and brighter future.

Will Canadians ever awaken to see the injustice?