CONCERNS

                    Canada 150

 

         The celebratory mood of Canada 150 has been diminished by subtle messages by groups of disrupters. The most effective have been the Indigenous people mocking other Canadians as ‘settlers’. The intent appears to make the ‘others’ feel guilty by telling of times gone by from their perspective. The most aggressive don’t appear to accept that the ‘settlers’ have created a wonderful country for everyone. One cannot imagine what they would have done on their own but it is unlikely to be better than what we now have. 

           I grew up at a time when little was known or even heard about indigenous people. The situation is changing and ‘settlers’ are beginning to recognize the progress Canadians claiming indigenous roots have made in many fields. 

          Populations identified as Indigenous represent about 4.3% (2011) of the population of Canada of which 851,560 are First Nations. There is space for everyone in Canada and I hope as they continue to weave their thread into the fabric of the nation together we will create a brighter future for all Canadians.

         It has taken the non-indigenous population far too long to become aware of and denounce the religious dogma that permitted ‘settler’ forefathers to act so badly with indigenous populations around the world. The result is a dark smirch not yet atoned for at the highest levels of Christian hierarchy.

The opinion expressed are those of the author.