Government can set example

Page 4

Like many other Native people, I've been deeply scarred by the colonial experience, but nevertheless I try to remain optimistic about the future. While recent self-government talks between Native leaders and the federal government have been encouraging, my experience with Canadian institutions has left me more than just a little bit skeptical of political processes and government motivation and reliability.

I've observed over the years enormous gaps between what happens at the governmental-political level and what actually transpires at the community level. Most Native people - at the community level - remain disconnected from political processes and legislation. Having gotten so used to existing on the fringes of Canadian society, in frustration and hopelessness, they have allowed non-Natives to organize society around them, construct "their place" for them, and determine their future. To those people, terms like "recognition" and "affirmation" of existing Aboriginal rights means nothing.

Thinking about the community, I'm reminded of a Thursday night I went shopping with my 15-year-old son. After a couple of enjoyable hours together at one of the shopping malls, we decided to indulge in some junk food at the food court. When we arrived, things were as they usually are: Native people on one end of the food court and non-Natives on the other. While that kind of thing usually frustrated and annoys the hell out of me, that particular evening was worse.

During the short time that we were there, a security guard (on four separate occasions) demanded that some Native teenagers leave. In a very arrogant and disrespectful manner, he barked "If you're not going to buy anything else to drink or eat, you have to leave right now." Noticing that there were several non-Natives without food or drink at other tables, my son Blue said "Mom, why is that guy only asking those Native people to leave?"

Immediately I thought how can I explain White supremacist ideology or bigotry to a hopeful and trusting 15-yera-old? How can I teach him the meaning of words like equality, justice, and democracy" How can I encourage him to believe in Constitutional and human rights when so-called authorities don't even respect them?

I understand that governments or their laws cannot protect against ignorance or cultural tolerance, but it can teach by example. The Canadian government might begin

by obeying its own laws, settling long overdue debts to Indian and Metis peoples, and respecting the Native political leadership by practising inclusion rather than exclusive politics.