Language aids assimilation

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The English language is as flexible as a wet noodle. It can be shaped and reshaped to effectively communicate any situation. Unfortunately, the fragile language often is manipulated beyond the breaking point.

The English language is probably the most effective tool for communicating, both orally and in writing. The formulation of terminology is critical to a proper presentation of fact and fiction. Addition or deletion of single letters can have an adverse effect on the message we are communicating. Such is the case of the missing 's' in the draft of the UN's Vienna Declaration. From 'peoples to people', on paper, only represents a single type space. But the reality of the implications of this deletion involves the rights of an entire race of people.

The case of the missing 's' segregates the First Nations people and individually defines them - very convenient to Ottawa. I guess it's another form of neglect in terms

of recognizing the sovereignty of the original inhabitants of Canada as a nation. It seems incredible that this universally accepted form of community is constantly manipulated to accommodate government bodies, providing them with the tools to individualize a nation.

Strength is in numbers. Individualizing our people weakens the centuries-old bond. Very clever. Assimilation tactics come in many forms.

Words on paper are lifeless and don't carry the emotion of verbalizing. traditionally, verbal agreements held a very strong position in Native communities. Social evolution has significantly changed the process of communication in the world today. "Get it in writing:" has become a popular phrase that emulates the bond of trust.

Recently, a non-Native gentleman asked why Native people don't record the various tales and legends. He thought it peculiar that the traditions were passed orally rather than in text form. His concern was that through time the legends would alter from the original. I explained that Native people had an internal protection plan called trust. This trust system was spiritually implanted hundreds of years ago and that same spirituality bonded the people together. I suspect it's difficult for some people to understand the silent communication that unifies our people and provides a protection from misconception.

At least they are more subtle with their tactics. Instead of disease-contaminated blankets, they use words to destroy us. The problem with words is the future generations will suffer from the ramifications of their historical documents. They don't pass motives and agendas down through generations, just tactics.

I don't quite understand why the rights of human beings have to be written. I think we all know what our rights are and self-definitions should be left up to the individual, not the bureaucratic system. And as for the missing 's', perhaps it will show up in the archives attached to success.