What's good for the goose, isn't necessarily good for the gander

Page 9

The Referen-dumb is done and finished. Thankfully this particular nail biter has bitten his last nail. For now at least.

Decisions have been made, careers won and lost, an old country saved and a new country prevented. But in this land still called Canada there is one last question left to be answered.

When are Lucien Bouchard and Jacques Parizeau going to be hung for treason?

Don't get me wrong. I personally am not calling for Bouchard and Parizeau to be hung from the neck until dead as legal tradition dictates. I'm sure they're both wonderful and truly dedicated people, though as a person of Native ancestry I belong to one of those troublesome "ethnic groups" the separatists have a problem with.

Unlike some people living in Canada, part of me admires them for their tenacity and dedication. But my point of issue here is it sure would be nice to have a sense of continuity or of equal justice in these difficult times.

I am, of course, referring to the year 1885 when, on the orders of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald himself, Louis Riel was tried, convicted and finally hung for the crime of treason ? treason being defined as "a violation of the allegiance owed to one's sovereign or state; betrayal of one's country."

As any student of Canadian history is aware, Riel's crime of treason was his struggle to band together the Metis and various Native nations of the west into an independent sate, defiant and autonomous. And again as most Canadians are aware, they failed after a valiant attempt.

And since the British system of law (like many others) has a very low tolerance for treason, Mr. Riel was strung up for daring to envision a separation from Canada. For having the dream of setting up an independent country based on distinct culture, language and land base. Does any of this sound familiar?

Little did he realize all of this would come into vogue a mere century or so after his hopes and life were ended. Perhaps Riel was just ahead of his time. Nowadays, instead of engaging in bush battles and fleeing from government forces to the States, he'd be elected head of the Opposition in the House of Commons. And instead of holding referendums, they'd be using such age old Aboriginal tricks as blockading roads. What would Sir John A. Macdonald have to say about that, I wonder.

Now all this begs the question, why was Louis Riel hung as a traitor while Bouchard collects an impressive salary in Ottawa? Examining the issue, both, have French ancestry, both have an American connection, both have cultures they were struggling to preserve. Yet Riel lies in his grave disgraced to some (a hero to others) while Bouchard may get promoted up the political ladder as a hero (and I suppose, a disgrace to some.)

A cynic might say it was because Riel was Metis and Bouchard was French. A historian may believe times have changed, though evidently the wish to separate from Canada hasn't. Me? I just blame it on Canadian politics. I long ago gave up expecting reason and logic when it comes to running this country.

So here we are. Two people who have tried to do the same thing. Both failed, receiving two different responses to their efforts.

If I am to understand that history repeats itself, but winners and losers change with the wind, who knows, maybe the politics of Brian Mulroney will live again. Stranger things have happened.

And as for Lucien, a word of advice. Politics and times change. I'd stop wearing those neckties so tight if I were you.