Update: In my Blog below, I mention the fact that the real issue in all of this is the quest for more money. This was confirmed in today's Nat'l Post (April 5th) in an article by Anna Paperny where she writes "Pope Francis' long-awaited apology ....should be followed by millions of dollars in compensation...". If money was the answer to the Aboriginal Issues / Problems, they would have all been solved many, many years ago. Victimization only begets more Victimization.
Second Update: I often wondered whether Canada's Natives were cultural misappropriators. I always knew that many American Indian Tribes wore Feathered Head-Dresses but did not think our own Natives ever did. So I looked it up... especially since several of the Canadian Aboriginals who came before Pope Francis last week wore such Head Pieces. Sure enough it is well documented online that Canada's Natives did not get into Feather Head-Dresses until modern time.
I AM LOSING COUNT.
But Priest and Writer Raymond De Souza has kept count: the most recent before Francis was Pope Benedict XVI.
Sad to say but the real reason I believe that fuels this industry is the quest for more money...but more on that another time.
I was pleasantly surprised though by an article in the weekend paper by Claudette Commanda a member of the Algonquins' and a self professed Indian Day School Survivor - not quite sure how that differs from the Residential Schools but must assume it too was a terrible place to be.
Anyway, I was prepared to dislike her article but found myself agreeing with much of what she wrote:
1. "Pope Francis' apology feels like a box checked from the 94 calls for action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission". I too feel that way.
2. "We're still wards of the Crown...we're still under the Indian Act". Once again Commanda is bang on.
3. And finally "You need to hold these sexual perpetrators accountable". Exactly. For some reason the Church and our Governments are withholding the documentary evidence that would prove or disprove that abuse was widespread. I say - get it out ...get it all out and expose those who committed crimes that are now dead and charge criminally any and all who are alive and who lowered themselves to do such evil. Put them behind bars and throw away the key.
If the documentation release shows widespread abuse I too will apologize to our Aboriginal Brethren.
As I See It...
'K. D. Galagher'
