A genocidal swipe at Natives

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There's a small, weathered had drum that graces my living room wall. It's made from the skin of a moose and its frame is made from the trunk of a tree. Circular in shape to reflect the circle of life, it was given to me by the old man who helped connect me to my inner reality and who helped me relate it to everything around me.

The drum represents the heartbeat of the people. When we were babies in our mother's womb we were comforted by her heartbeats. As we moved out into the world the Creator granted us the drum to remind us the Earth too, is our mother. Because of that we are to respect, honor and protect her just as we would our human mother.

Whenever the drum is heard, it serves as a reminder to aboriginal people of the special relationship they have with the land. It's a comforting sound because it stirs that special something inside us that recalls our mother's heartbeat. That unique place that exists within, around and upon the land.

The land is a feeling. When aboriginal people talk of the land it's referred to as a living, breathing, growing thing. From it spring all things that define and sustain us physically, spiritually, philosophically and emotionally. It's part and parcel of being an Indian.

That's why the decision handed down by Chief Justice Allen McEachern regarding the Gitksan Wet'suwet'en land claim in B.C. is such a genocidal swipe at Natives.

Despite hearing firsthand about the vital link to the land, McEachern rebutted the elders' stories, teachings and philosophies as a "romantic view" of themselves and their history. He believes Native peoples suffer from a "serious lack of reality" and they need to grow up and get a job.

The lack of reality is his. By refusing to contemplate the honest cultural offerings the Gitksan Wet'suwet'en elders gave him, McEachern sent a message to both Indians and his legal fellows.

They've always refused and will continue to reject that alternative. They still seek to impress upon the judiciary, the politicians, academics and citizenry that the history of North America had its beginnings long before the arrival of Europeans.

He referred to reserves and reserve lands as mere "fishing footholds and ethnic enclaves." Native peoples, according to the justice, should leave the reserves and move into the cities. In other words, reject completely those things which continue to define and sustain us as individuals and nations, and plunge into the Canadian melting pot.

Ultimately this means, accept the inevitable, cast aside any claims to traditional lands, forget our history, reject our cultural and philosophical roots and become faceless, rootless Canadians.

Be a Canadian. If the price tag for being a full-fledged member of this country is the loss of the ability to define yourself, aboriginal peoples refuse. They've always refused and will continue to reject that alternative. They still seek to impress upon the judiciary, the politicians, academics and citizenry that the history of North America had its beginnings long before the arrival of Europeans.

Because of that there is a moral responsibility to honor and settle the legitimate grievances of Native peoples. While the Spicier commission wends its way across the country seeking that elusive cohesive element that will bubble up as unity Canada's denial of aboriginal rights makes unity impossible.

The truly sad part of the whole B.C. fiasco is that McEachern will sit as Chief Justice of the B.C. Court of Appeal. That, of course, is the next step in the Gitksan Wet'suwet'en search for justice. He brings with him a jaundiced view of the rights and aspirations of B.C.'s Native people and the future is not bright for them.

As I sat in my living room and considered everything the drum represents, I felt sorry for Mr. Justice McEachern and people like him. Their whole idea of the country is completely removed from reality. Dollars, revenue, resources and legislation is not what defines Canada. It's how we relate to each othr. It's the ability to allow freedom to define itself through our actions and motivations. It's the equal sharing of the territory both geographically and metaphysically.

The drum, the common heartbeat, reminds Native people of that. They will continue to press for recognition of their rights despite the efforts of politicians and the judiciary to prevent it.

Eagle Feathers: To CBC's Wild Rose Country for the biweekly aboriginal panel that gives a voice to the issues in Indian country.