Letters To The Editor – Why Can’t We Talk About These Things?

From: Al Neitsch
Sent: July 18, 2022 3:18 PM
To: Scott Strasser
Subject: Possible LTE – Why Can’t We All Talk About These Things?

Why Can’t We All Talk About These Things?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. There is much that can be said about the (TRC) which was implemented in 2007 and resulted in the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history.

The intention of the commission was to bring to light the sad history of the indigenous people of Canada and initiate healing, understanding, and restitution. Between 2007 and 2015, the Government of Canada provided about $72 million to support the TRC’s work. In June 2015, the TRC held its closing event in Ottawa and presented the executive summary of the findings contained in its multi-volume final report, including 94 “calls to action” (or recommendations) to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous peoples. Evidently one of the “calls to action” did not include safe drinking water. This is a related matter.

  So what happened?

  September 30, 2021 marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

  This past summer, hundreds of remains were allegedly discovered at a known but neglected gravesite near a former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Local authorities said they belonged, in some cases, to children as young as three. Weeks later, another 751 grave sites were said to have been found near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

  To date, there seems to be no evidence that one student has been identified and that no grave has been identified as belonging to a student. Any evidence to the contrary would be welcome but so far, no body has been carefully and respectfully exhumed or examined, or carefully and honorably re-interred in a properly marked grave. Even so, without the facts to temper public opinion and action, and of course the political positioning response, at least 68 Christian churches in Canada have been vandalized, burned down or desecrated. The matter has become something that must not be discussed or questioned. The orange flags that municipal governments, Airdrie included, and other displays are fading. They are losing their impact and if anything, offer a further disservice to the people they are intended to support.

  Rocky View Schools has recently announced the appointment of a new Director of Indigenous Learning to presumably further the work of the TRC and has also unveiled an Indigenous art installation.  

  There can be no truth or reconciliation without the truth or transparency provided by facts. If further education and understanding is the goal of any initiatives to support Indigenous issues, then surely truth should be the key to reconciliation and moving forward. Less political virtue signaling, bureaucracy and posturing would allow more, real progress in resolving these ongoing issues. Let the successful and thoughtful Truth and Reconciliation of Indigenous history and people be the template for any future initiatives that may well be required in the future.

Al Neitsch

Airdrie, Alberta