We have seen glimpse of Canada's nature throughout modern history: denying MS St Louis port, essentially sending 904 Jews to their death. Imprisoning 90% of the Canadian Japanese population. The Ban on Black Immigration, as well as the move to Eugenics. Despite the shameful facts of Canada's actions, there are those who truly believe Canada is a Haven of good decent folk. There are no doubt very good people all throughout the world. We don't have to go far to find good samaritans, people doing their best to treat the Earth and people with kindness, generosity and mindfulness. We are neighbours to the some of those people. So why is it we are witnessing so much ugly in the world? We see the unending wars, the displacements of people, the killing of children, the whole mindset of "just for me?"
Has the ugly always been part of who we are? I mean Canada in comparison of many other countries is peaceful, right? So why do we see the Canadian public foaming at the mouth rabid with hate for the Indigenous community? Canada is in the midst of a long going difference of opinion; who has title to the Land? Canada does not believe Indigenous peoples have Title. This is because of Canada's lust for Oil, Forestry, Water and Minerals. The lust for the resources is playing out in the public view. While people are fine with Indigenous people being showed off in museums, in displays, public ads for travel and in art; the public does not want the Indian to be seen and heard. The Indians have never stopped with their stance of belonging to the Land.
So while the Indigenous community is saying "Hey there buddy, wait up on that screwing up the Land here", the everyday laid back Canadian is saying "kill em all, little and big, nits make lice" or words to those effects. Death threats towards Indigenous youth, Indigenous Land Protectors has become very common, has become an everyday happening. There is a glee happening with the average Canadian publicly wanting Indians to be run over by trains, by Semi-trailer trucks and by "scalping" them. Indigenous folk (a few of them) are surprised their colleagues, their neighbours, their local police officer, their school teacher and their political leaders are openly calling for violence against them. Can you imagine that, Canadians are wanting Indians killed? The police are ready to shoot at Land Protecters. Most of the Indigenous population is aware of Canada's disdain and their hate. Canada has a blood lust and they are openly sharing it with the world.
Young Family Facing Death Threats |
Facebook Post:
"Just run them over.”
“Plow through them with the trains.”
“Bunch of welfare bums should be working not protesting.”
“Everybody protesting better shut off their heat and stop driving.”
“Let’s have kill an Indian day and get rid of them once and for all.”
“Bunch of criminals should just be arrested! I have the right to go from A to B! They’re infringing on my rights! They’re violating the law!”
“Kill them!”
“Shoot them!”
“Bring back scalping!”
“Plow through them with the trains.”
“Bunch of welfare bums should be working not protesting.”
“Everybody protesting better shut off their heat and stop driving.”
“Let’s have kill an Indian day and get rid of them once and for all.”
“Bunch of criminals should just be arrested! I have the right to go from A to B! They’re infringing on my rights! They’re violating the law!”
“Kill them!”
“Shoot them!”
“Bring back scalping!”
This is Canada. This is your Canada. These are the words of your fellow Canadians. These are the words and the dangerous acts of ongoing genocide that Indigenous people have to live through every single day. This is racism, it’s hate, and it’s division. And it needs to stop. When you hear someone spreading hate, put a stop to it. Tell your friends the truth that this is not ok to act like this. It’s unacceptable. But most of all their hate is founded upon ignorance and fear.
If you think these protests are about pipelines then you’re profoundly wrong and ignorant. Wet’suwet’en gave CGL three alternative routes to put their pipelines through their land that would be the least damaging to the areas they value the most such as the rivers for the salmon that feed their people. CGL refused those options because they would cost more and take longer to build. So now they’re trying to divide the country and force a pipeline through a land that doesn’t belong to them nor does it belong to Canada. So this is about Indigenous sovereignty. I repeat, the protests are about INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY!!! The right to govern our own lands as we see fit.
Most of Canada is unceded Indigenous territory. Meaning it does not belong to Canada. And the parts of Canada that have treaties were under the agreement that we would share this land so that the settlers could have the opportunity to give their families healthy long lives for as long as the rivers run clean, the grass was green, the air was fresh and the Earth was respected. It was upon those agreements that the settlers made the treaties, the laws that predate Canada, and it was under those laws that both sides knew that if the agreements were broken then that was the end of the treaty, we would no longer share our land and war would begin.
Since Canada began, those treaties have been broken over and over and over again. The genocide of Indigenous people has gone on for over 150 years. Yet, we still remain peaceful. Sure, we are blocking up railway and roads and making a big ol’ stink but we are doing so peacefully as we always have and you, you’re continuing colonialism, genocide and hatred instead of putting that energy towards something that really matters and that is CHANGE!
Now you can sit there in the past, letting the government divide you and direct all your hate towards a people who’ve done nothing to you but allow you to share in their land so you can live long healthy lives. Or you can be a better Canadian, learn about Indigenous people, learn the true history of Canada and realise that you too hold a sacred place in our medicine wheel. You too are a part of Turtle Island. You too have within you the 7 Grandfather Teachings that we live by: Truth, Humility, Honesty, Courage, Respect, Wisdom, and Love.
So Canada. This is your challenge. You either grow as human beings and begin your decolonisation journey towards a better and healthier future for all living beings on Turtle Island. Or you stay stuck in this cycle of hatred and genocide. We’ve waited over 150 years. We’ve got generations of patience. And we will continue to be your Indian Problem, until you realise that we are the Indian Solution to everything that’s messed up in this country.
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