Monday, September 28, 2009

Canada's moral compass definitely broken

Canada's moral compass (see last post) definitely is broken, and shows signs of severe malfuntion. Is it even reliable? I don't think so, as it fails to register histories outside of the dominant national narrative. Only yesterday, our PM, Stephen Harper, told the world (reported by Reuters) that Canada has no history of colonialism:

"We also have no history of colonialism. So we have all of the things that many people admire about the great powers but none of the things that threaten or bother them," he said."

Hmmm. So, if that is indeed true, how do we explain the Residential schools dreamt up for First Peoples?

Why are First Peoples living on Reserves? Why would reserves and treaties even be necessary if there had been no colonialism?

How was the nation state of Canada created and established if not by colonial settlement? the imposition of colonial laws and policies? the institutionalization of colonial ways of being, thinking, doing? We even have roads that spell it out:

...and btw, this road still exists ... I drove down it yesterday!

How is it possible that our PM denies the history of colonialism in Canada...a history that continues to this day? A history that is literally mapped on this land? How is it possible that he has not engaged in decolonizing his psyche? Has he been reading

the wrong books?

Talk about silencing the multiple stories that indeed make up the land of what is now called Canada. Talk about wiping out histories and stories. Talk about making invisible contemporary racism and injustices against First Nations people.

Why recognize and settle land claims when there was no colonialism?

4 comments:

marja-leena said...

Dang right you are! Harper continues to anger me in ever more ways and is an embarrassment and shame to our country.

Merche Pallarés said...

I can't believe it!! That Harper is a real dude... Please, in the next elections vote him OUT. I beg all Canadians. Hugs, M.

Ari said...

It would be very fair to return the whole area of ThunderBay back to Ojibway people. Isn't it ?
No matter what is the name; it may be Harper or finnish Vanhanen, they are similar pinheads everywhere.

northshorewoman said...

yes, PM Harper continues to embarass us and tarnish the reputation of Canada. Yet, today I read that the Conservatives have a lead over the Liberals and NDP. So, who backs him? I don't know.

Well, Ari, it would be fair to turn over the entire land, but that may be difficult as it is now inhabited by many others. I think we need to work on restitution and return of some lands and work towards living together in harmony.

Maybe all politicians must be pinheads to stay in power.