Action: magic word

Page 5

Dear Editor:

For some time I have had concerns with the justice system. It seems to me that every time an Aboriginal person comes in contact with justice officials it becomes a safety matter.

There have been harrowing stories of brutality and police initiatives known to target Aboriginals.

For the most part, I am interested to know about the quality of cultural sensitivity training police offers undergo, its effectiveness and the screening of police officers. Do our police leadership do their share to weed out racists from their force and stop racial profiling and initiatives that harass and brutalize our people? All levels of government should take a national microscopic examination of any police force associated with questionable harassment or racism issues.

The Aboriginal leadership should be more active about racism and advocate tirelessly for the quality of life, both at the community level and in the urban centres, because we want our fair share of resources.

Let's all start talking openly about racism, what we can do about it and the issues that affect our lives.

For the ignorant who cloak themselves comfortably in denial, yes, we are first peoples. We are the keepers of the earth and this is our land. It is our responsibility to care for this land and to ensure modern technology does not destroy it.

I am asking all people to dedicate your gatherings this year to strengthening and empowering our communities and to celebrate our accomplishments and to stand together on issues affecting us. To participate once yearly in a poorly attended flag raising ceremony in honor of elimination of discrimination day will not make this issue go away or minimize it. The magic word here is action, and this is our responsibility for the sake of our society.

J.T. Fox

Thunder Bay, Ont.