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| I am "THEY"- Part 2, Letters, Ben Gets Home Safely. | |
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I am
“THEY” – Part 2
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On June 29, 2007 the Native Canadian movement angered sympathetic Canadians, and diminished their own public esteem. Any man functioning outside the law is a criminal, nothing less. Blocking roads with barricades and fire is no longer a valid dispute resolution mechanism. Let us get something straight. The Dene nation got robbed when white society took this land --- 300-plus years ago. However I feel no personal liability today for that crime nor is today’s Native is responsible for any number of massacres. I believe we have carried the concept of collective guilt past a sensible point to where both our guilt and our tolerance of insurrection are ridiculous. White society has made mistakes but we cannot license terror acts by thugs. Nor should we throw money at the problem forever. Before branding me a racist, I would suggest that our grudging, involuntary tolerance, (underlined by our obscene system of monetary reparations-bribery) and our failure to fully include Native Canadians within Canadian society is the most racist reality of all. Racism abides within both the Native and non-Native constituencies. As long as we maintain our insulting ‘patriarchy’ there can be no mutuality of interests. The Canadian Native has been wrongly stereotyped. We read and hear with regrettable regularity, stories of crime, prostitution, addiction and suicide. We are led to feel that Reserve Natives seemingly squander the guilt-driven largesse provided by non-native taxpayers. Native self-reliance has been replaced by a system providing no benefit or dignity to anyone. Nothing prolongs this societal dysfunction more than the Indian Act and associated legislation; and the ghetto-ization it has created. All “Indian Acts” should be repealed: They serve no constructive purpose. Repeal over a period of seven years would allow changes to be gradual, would clearly tell Native Canadians that they deserve an equal place in society and are equally obliged to participate in and support all the laws of Canada. This would still preserve the culture and language of our native peoples. Reserves would become municipal entities equivalent to any other town or village, subject to the laws and regulations that govern every community within a county, province and nation. Joining mainstream Canada need not make Native Canadians disappear or be assimilated. They are part of us and always will be. Will any politician dare to propose what is suggested here? No. For good things to happen, good people must speak out. This provides political shelter to the elected politician. Then and only then will they attempt to lead (or follow) us towards a too-long unfulfilled social accommodation with other Canadians.
© 2007 - Barrie P. Richardson. |
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B. Conley wrote: Hi, Elizabeth! With respect to our earlier telephone conversation today, regarding the announcement for an upcoming public recreational event to be placed in the next ApsleyVoice publication. I contacted Gary Geraldi, following our conversation and he has informed me that the construction of the new Apsley Public School may start sometime in late September or early October of this year. He is waiting to hear from education sources for confirmation for our use of the 'old' school gymnasium, until the new school facilities are available. He expects some reply in this matter within one or two weeks. In light of these circumstances, perhaps it would be more appropriate to enter a public notice for generating feedback from adult local North Kawartha residents, who would be interested in participating in playing a 'casual, friendly game of volleyball' at the local public school gymnasium for 2-3 hours Thursday evenings, September through to the following June. Teams will be formed from those who show up to participate on any particular evening. What a better way to beat the Winter blahs and keep fit while enjoying good social fun! Contact Brian Conley at 705-656-2695 for further information and to confirm date of commencement! This type of notice will hopefully generate some inquiries, and as a result I can better access whether or not there will be sufficient participation available from within the community to make this venture successful as soon as the facilities are made available. Thanks Very Much, Your Friend & Avid Reader Brian Conley
Brian, Your message to me and the A.V. is well received the only comment I have is that participation should not be limited to residents of North Kawartha but all taxpayers in Ontario which would include our neighboring townships.
Liz |
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My friendly lab named Ben is well known to local residents along the waterfront where we live. He often visits them and frequently swims in the lake. One Thursday, Ben didn’t return when I whistled but I wasn’t too concerned. He often took his time. When he hadn’t returned by the time the family came for the weekend, search was carried out. After canvassing the area, we learned he was seen following a lady in a blue van like mine. She was on Tanager Lane and Ben was last seen at Balmer Rd. Even though we posted the loss on the internet, Ben didn’t come home. By Tuesday I was thinking the worst when I got a call from a lady in Brooklin. I could hear Ben in the background. We agreed to meet in Peterborough the next day. She never came even though when I returned home after waiting 4 hours, she left a message saying that she had come and didn’t find me. After finding her address through Mapquest, my son went and got Ben back. These people had rented a cottage for a week and had taken Ben with them when they returned to the city.
Even though this outcome is a good one, always
remember, if your pet wanders, make sure to have tags with a local contact
number. And a reminder to our visitors: even though a pet may look lost,
often it is not. Please call all local agencies before leaving the area
with an animal. |
