Sept 24, 2007
Brantford Expositor
This is in response to Robert Thompson's letter, "Reserve system like apartheid," Sept. 15.
Thompson's letter leans to one outcome and only one: the age-old attempt of the Crown, in tandem with the Canadian government to assimilate us natives into the mainstream of the body politic. We have successfully resisted this farce for more than 200 years!
It won't be changed by wishing it so. In fact, the harder the white bureaucracy pushes, the more we'll resist.
Thompson also professes to be desirous of providing a "bright future for all of our children . . . etc." I guess he believes then, that his progeny seven generations down the road, will flourish on a steady diet of pavement, chrome and glass and desert made from money.
Well intentioned? By all means, it is. That's what got you into this mess in the first place - Europeans always knowing what is best for us "heathens." Your linear thinking will be your undoing.
Apartheid? Consider: in the late 1800s or very early 1900s, the white South African government sent a delegation to Canada to observe (and learn) how Canada dealt with its "Indian problem." They had heard about it and wanted to see for themselves how effective it was. One of the things that impressed them, was the "pass" system. It was required by any native in Canada to be given permission by the Indian agent by the issuing of a pass, to leave his or her reserve for any reason, even to visit family in another territory.
Harsh penalties were inflicted upon any native who violated the conditions and time constraints stated on the pass. Apartheid? Yes! And Canada was one of the originators of that system.
I am simply asking those who wish to offer comment with regard to the ages-old "Indian problem" to get informed before putting pen to paper.
C.O. Garlow
Brantford