Canadian society can no longer be viewed as an innocent and peaceful society

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Canada in the 18^th Century; depending where you lived it was very Anglo Saxon in nature. That is to say: the government, the elites of society, education, business and pretty well every aspect of our nation’s management.

Problems abound in our developing nation, forever growing in population and economy. Every sector of society was scrutinized and studied.

The elites of society envisioned a society based upon the previous British model. What greater gift can wealthy people do but pass their gift of righteousness/sameness to those less fortunate. The Aboriginal Communities of Canada were scattered throughout the nation, in every province and territory. The government using the various churches, charities and local agencies applied a proven policy that could/would transform former colonials into useful members of Canada.

Whenever a conquering nation takes control of another, they make an effort to manipulate, educate and transform this population. In America, the Natives were warred upon, starved, relocated, scattered throughout the land. Later American education was given to these Native communities. Every effort was made to transform them into Christians and Americans like everyone else.

In 18^th Century Canada, our nation faced terrible relations with the Aboriginal Peoples: The Metis Uprisings, American Natives being transplanted into Canadian territory, running from avenging American forces, and a large number of tribes with no land they can call their own. The Government realized that Aboriginal Peoples held onto their culture and traditions. They did not grasp onto European and Canadian values as was hoped.

Well what to do? So they could not change the ways of the adults, elders of these communities, but they could affect change within the children. A child is like a sponge, absorbing the knowledge and education given them. So the British and then the Canadian establishment put into effect a policy of internment. Not a surprise, since it was the British who invented the first concentration camp, used during The Boer Wars in South Africa.

I don’t know if you could call it kidnapping, or forceful separation, but children were taken from their families and communities and placed in “School” communities.

There the children were trained in religion, the three R’s and western traditions. Their native language was disallowed, and contact with their clans also limited. English or French were the languages of the day. Today we would call this effort brainwashing, propaganda and cultural cleansing.

Did their efforts work? I do not know. Some Aboriginals may have become less themselves, and more like Canadian society. This history is alive and popular among Canadians. Why? Well terrible things happened at these “Schools.” The children lived in close quarters, hundred’s at a time per school. Many diseases were inflicted upon these closed communities. Many children died of disease. There may have been other reasons that resulted in children dying. The investigations of their remains may bring new information to light.

Why would there be unmarked mass graves at such schools? Why did I hide my report card from my parents so long ago? I knew what bad news would bring. So I would hide it.

A government, charity or Church right establishes every school. The money that is allotted to these schools is based upon the number of residents in each school. So if a child dies, and their allotment annually is say a thousand dollars, that money could disappear right away. If the child is not there, the money allotted to the child is taken away. Perhaps the establishments running these schools assured their budget by not telling the authorities these children had died. Therefore the greater community and the children’s family would also not be told.

I guess the problem I have is with those most responsible for the auditing of these schools, and the safety and welfare of these children. The British and Canadians did not protect these youngsters. Why not?

Well I guess you could say that society did not put a true value on these children. They were not of any value to the society of the day. The last “school” closed in 1995. What does that say about us? This is not a problem of the past, it is a present cultural crisis.

I know all Canadian society has shown their concern and respect for our aboriginal neighbours and the treaties that bind us. With the discovery of the 215, much more is needed. Canadian society can no longer be viewed as an innocent and peaceful society. Behind the curtains bad things have happened and true justice needs to be applied. We need to accept that reconciliation truly needs to be achieved with our aboriginal brothers and sisters.

Either they must receive their freedom and separate from us, or Canadians must become truly colour blind. Real equality and trust among all Canadians no matter their race, creed, sex or colour must happen no matter the cost. Acceptance of the difference has become a Canadian tradition. We need to work at it daily.