I thought long and hard before writing this article and almost didn’t. I know that many people will disagree with me, and some will be angry. But there are times when things must be said, however unpleasant they are to hear, and to me this is one of those times.
We recently observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It has become an annual day of reflection and remembrance. I am good with that. The history of Indigenous peoples is an important part of Canadian history as well. Like many others, I wore an orange shirt on Thursday, and I spent some time reflecting on what truth and reconciliation really means.
One thing that has become clear to me is that you cannot have real truth if you sprinkle it with revisionism and you cannot have reconciliation without forgiveness.
The first truth is that Canada is a nation built on colonial principals. This country was settled, if not invaded, primarily by the English and French. Unless we are fully Indigenous, our ancestors were not born here. They came here and they colonized Canada. The fact is that we have a colonial past. We can be ashamed of it if it suits our current woke agenda, but we should also remember that most of us would not be here without it.
That Indigenous peoples have been treated woefully in Canada, not just in the past but in many aspects to this present day, cannot be disputed. In recent months, I have come to realize that it is much easier for us to deal with this unescapable inequity by focusing on the misdeeds of previous generations than it is for us to come to terms with the reality that in a time in which we are directly accountable, little has been accomplished to reconcile important and significant disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.
Of course, the sad tragedy of residential schools should never be forgotten, and it is more than appropriate to grieve those injustices and others like them, and to remember them. But to focus solely on that, and to revise aspects of our history, as we have, to support that narrative is in itself an injustice. It is an injustice, because it allows us an arms-length opportunity to express our indignation related to our treatment of Indigenous peoples, to effectively blame others without accepting responsibility ourselves, or really doing anything about the inequities and racism that exists today.
One of my early memories as a young child was playing with my sister in the back yard of my great-grandfather’s house in Calgary when an Indigenous woman, dressed in traditional garb, popped out of the bushes with a large bowl in her hands. My great-grandfather had spent much of his career working with Native people and this woman, knowing he was ailing, had walked for miles to bring him food and comfort. I have never forgotten that.
I have an Indigenous daughter and, without going into detail, I have seen firsthand how cruel life has been for her, both within and outside of the Indigenous community.
And so as we talk about truth and reconciliation, it is at least equally important to me to talk about the present as it is about the past.
Why are so many Indigenous communities in Canada, more than 65 of them, still without safe drinking water? Why have only 14 of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission been implemented? And why, in this day and age, do statistics show an inordinate rate of poverty, crime, incarceration, suicide, and substandard housing, healthcare and education among Indigenous people in Canada? And why, for Heaven’s sake, was the antiquated Indian Act not repealed decades ago?
The easy answer, of course, is to blame all of this on our current federal government and those that preceded it. And no doubt there is much for which they should be held accountable. But that is not the whole story.
It takes two to tango and the hard truth is that the Indigenous community in Canada has its own strong forum of complicated politics, often fractured and frankly focused less on actual reconciliation and forgiveness than it is on using these as a political platform to get the best bargain and achieve as much as they can, in relation to Indigenous issues, as they see them.
That is why the decision of Prime Minister Trudeau to leave the Canadian flag at half-mast until Indigenous leaders say it can go up is so wrong. For Indigenous politicians our national flag has just become another bargaining tool with which to negotiate. On that basis, it will sadly stay that way for a long time.
As columnist Lorrie Goldstein says, “When you lower flags indefinitely the gesture becomes meaningless in that it becomes commonplace, as opposed to being an exceptional practice about an exceptional event, in this case an exceptional tragedy.” Both the prime minister and First Nations leaders should think about that.
Indigenous politics in Canada are not perfect. I have seen the dark side of that for myself. It was reinforced to me when reading former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould’s book, Indian in the Cabinet.
While it may not be popular to say, I believe that both Canadian and Indigenous politicians are accountable for the lack of real progress when dealing effectively, fairly, and expeditiously with First Nations matters.
That needs to stop. We cannot just keep spinning our wheels. We cannot blame our lack of real action on the past. Nor can we use the past as a smokescreen to do nothing now. We are in our time, and we have collectively the power to effect significant change both for Indigenous peoples and for our country as a whole.
That would put real meaning into truth and reconciliation. The question is, are we up to it?
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Thank you Hugh,
This needed to be written and well written it is.
Hugh Holland: I do like the ‘unscramble an egg’. 529 yrs. and counting; years which both sides have used to twist and squirm.
And now, countless voices with opposing views; no one able and others not wanting, to dispense with a structure which is fractious in itself. I know the word is generally used when describing children, but that is the way most of these players will present.
I suppose that there are many who will point out that everyone will have to be ‘enlightened as to the true history’. Well good luck with that. If written history is questionable, oral history will certainly fare no better.
The reservation system and the various acts that have supported it will have to be replaced. I can’t imagine there are many who feel that it works well. Jean Chretien proposed dismantling the act about 1969/70 and drew flack from all sides.
Europeans never invaded Utopia. They were more advanced technologically than the people they encountered and the rest, as they say, ‘is history’. That can’t be changed. But the future can be, but it ain’t going to be easy. Or pretty.
There will be little truth to be reconciled for many years to come as the sides maneuver for advantage.
And there is going to be a dearth of open minds, good will and co-operation.
For a long time.
Well said Hugh. In the 2016 census, indigenous peoples numbered 1,673,785 or 4.9% of Canada’ population. That was an average of 2,656 people in each of 630 communities with 11 languages in 65 dialects. 2,656 people is the size of Bobcaygeon. 56% live in urban areas where the expected services are generally available and there are many examples of success in virtually every field. But 44% live in even smaller remote areas where it is extremely difficult and costly to provide the services that are needed.
The Indian Act of 1876 effectively made indigenous people wards of the federal government. Everyone agrees that must change. But the question is what should it be changed to? What would be the best system of governance for indigenous peoples in 2021. What are the options? How do you unscramble an egg? Who should be responsible for what? What solution could the elected and hereditary leaders of the 630 indigenous communities, 10 provinces, 3 territories, and the federal government agree to today? That is the complicated question that is inhibiting progress. The answer has been evading well-intentioned leaders of all political stripes for decades. Finding the answer will take an open mind, good will, and a tonne of cooperation from all concerned.
Revision becomes necessary when we have been mislead by commonly held interpretations or myths. This applies not just to Canada’s indigenous history but to that of white peoples, immigrants, colonists and newcomers.
Unfortunately some history is propaganda, and we know from recent events that the ‘big lie’ is an ongoing concern.
Let’s not allow ourselves to be naive and
Immature about our past. Let’s not repeat past errors. We certainly do have questions to answer today.
I read this column and the comments with interest and it is heartening to find that there is genuine concern and at least some sense of urgency and collective responsibility around this issue.
I also find a great deal of self-serving minimizing of just what we are dealing with, a desire not to reckon with “the past”, as though we would say “enough grieving, it’s time to move on.”
We have no moral authority to impose this timeframe on the mourning of an entire people.
I note with, not exactly amusement, but perhaps a rueful smile, that many Canadians – we white Canadians – express upset with the prolonged lowering of our national flag, complaining that this gesture loses force as a result. I will just point out that our focus, I might say obsession, with this gesture and the obvious irritation, read thinly veiled anger and resentment, of the objections suggests quite the opposite: that First Nations’ insistence that they control this timing has made this a forceful gesture indeed. It strikes a continuous and humbling blow to the entitlement whites feel that we be in control of the narrative at all times.
But if truth is really what we want it can’t just be the truth that makes us comfortable, our white truth. We are going to, and should, squirm with discomfort, with outrage, with shame, during this process. This is necessary. Our discomfort is nothing, either in intensity or duration, compared to the heartbreak of what the Indigenous people of this land have endured. The colonizers of this land attempted a physical and cultural genocide of an entire people; if had been of white, or let’s say, European people, we would be enacting the reparations that Germany enacted as a result of the Holocaust.
And still we cannot, it seems, endure the slightest suggestion that this process is not for us to control.
It is suggested that facing the past and retelling history is of limited value. I say facing the past is both essential to healing – not OUR healing, we’re not the injured parties, the healing of the First Nations people is what is sought – and to understanding the present. We need to open our hearts and minds, close our mouths, and listen, and in humility accept forgiveness when and if it is offered.
How long is long enough to mourn for your child, partner, mother and father? Who gets to tell you that? Enough said.
David Roddis, Toronto
Thank you Hugh. Your column is well written and I agree with you. We mustn’t forget our history and it is up to us to use our knowledge to make a better future.
Mr. MacKenzie:
Well said as many of your columns are.
Dan Wilson
Decades of systemic racism and cultural genocide are the realities of Canada’s colonialism. Flags are at half mast because we mourn the death of a Canada we believed was for everyone.We must learn how to listen with our hearts to all that has been done and continues,to indigenous children and families in the name of Canadian development on our behalf, no matter how difficult or painful. Indigenous persons have been generous in reaching out to us, but we must make efforts to read, inform ourselves and reach out to support policy changes that will begin to make Canada equitable. Respect is on top in our everyday actions.We can no longer look away or pretend it is someone else’s fault/problem. This is us.
Bill Wright hit the nail on the head if we would stop trying to make everything right in far off countries and start looking after the people of our own country first it would be a great step forward not just for native people but all the people of Canada . It is a terrible travesty that any community is without clean water and proper housing but it’s also a travesty that we have people living on the streets in most cities across Canada. It’s about time all elected Govt’s started looking after the people that elected them and stop looking after themselves first and other countries second. When all native communities have decent housing and clean water and there are no more people living on the streets and no more food banks needed then we can start helping other countries but not until then. The old saying charity begins at home is so true.
Well said, Hugh, as always. No blame game, just common sense and decency need to be practiced by those in power.
The following comments are also likely to offend more than a few, but I feel that a truly meaningful discussion of the Truth And Reconciliation issue, must take some contrary viewpoints into account.
Why do statistics show an inordinate rate of poverty, crime, incarceration, suicide and substandard housing, healthcare and education among indigenous people in Canada? Because that’s the way we want it.
Racism and Social Darwinism are very efficient ways of determining those who are allocated opportunities and resources as well as those who are not. Individuals or groups who do not conform to what has been described as our way of life and cannot compete in our economic system are systematically pushed aside to the very fringes of society where they are frequently permitted less than the basics of life.
Contemporary indigenous people are a living reminder of the depths to which our ancestors have sunk to establish and build this nation. We are the present day beneficiaries of these deeds and the present state
of indigenous people is a direct result of our society’s collective refusal to face this fact.
Yes, there is fault to be found in the indigenous political system as well as our own, but who holds the most valuable cards in this relationship? It is my sincere belief that until white society is collectively
prepared to deal our part in the problem, we will never effectively improve this situation.
Gerald Mackenzie
Well, it will all be lip service only until somewhere around 50+ seats are added to parliament, to be held by Indigenous peoples only.
So far, we have seen many promises, and not enough action. If we can provide clean water overseas at the drop of an emergency hat, why are our first nations bereft? Shame!