This is an analysis of the Wet’suwet’en RCMP raid and who is ultimately responsible for the raid and the RCMP policy towards FN activists who are protecting their land and treaty rights.
It differs significantly from the article from the guardian that is embedded within the thread.
Why? Because it reviews how Canadian laws govern the behaviour of every Canadian, including the governing party.
Why? Because it reviews how Canadian laws govern the behaviour of every Canadian, including the governing party.
If you are unaware what the actual power of the PM & governing party is when it comes to decision making, I suggest you read this thread or review separation of powers within Canadian Westminster Parliamentary system in general.
It’s lazy journalism that assigns blame to the sitting government without recognizing every Canadian, including the PM, has limitations to their authority in a system governed by the rule of law.
It’s fine to assign blame, but assign it to the people responsible for creating the situation.
The face of government changes after every election. We do not have a dictator that can arbitrarily remove laws that are troublesome. The governing party actually has to replace it.
The face of government changes after every election. We do not have a dictator that can arbitrarily remove laws that are troublesome. The governing party actually has to replace it.
Replacing legislation is a complicated and time consuming process in a pluralistic and healthy democracy. It’s meant to be.
Expecting sweeping changes overnight to address reconciliation is unrealistic & if this is continued to be propagated, will only result in disappointment.
Expecting sweeping changes overnight to address reconciliation is unrealistic & if this is continued to be propagated, will only result in disappointment.
Personally, I believe some are trying to create that disappointment and disaffection for the current governing party. Using disinformation (partial truth) and provocation of the indigenous community.
People have agendas. It’s foolish to believe some FN peoples, or any indigenous peoples in Canada for that matter, do not have an agenda.
Just like mainstream society, indigenous peoples are represented on all locations on the political spectrum.
Just like mainstream society, indigenous peoples are represented on all locations on the political spectrum.
Believing all indigenous peoples think, believe and value the exact same thing is racist and condescending. As is believing all indigenous people just want to remove discrimination.
Indigenous peoples have a different world view. A different culture. Information is interpreted through a different lens.
Political beliefs and views are as varied within indigenous peoples’ communities as it is within mainstream communities.
Political beliefs and views are as varied within indigenous peoples’ communities as it is within mainstream communities.
Please don’t get stuck or hung up on the belief that all indigenous people are benevolent victims of discrimination. We are just as human and prone to human frailties as all other human beings.
Reconciliation requires people in the mainstream to seek to understand an indigenous world view. It means you have to want to explore alternate ways of viewing the world and it’s meaning, and accept them as just as valid as your own. It is the same in reverse.
Not all mainstream settlers are rabid colonial overlords. And not all indigenous people are apolitical victims of colonialism. The operative word being “apolitical,” not “victims.”
Indigenous politics is as varied and full of agendas as mainstream politics.
Indigenous politics is as varied and full of agendas as mainstream politics.
Indigenous peoples are also master storytellers. So controlling the narrative is an area of expertise.
Accurate analysis of indigenous political narratives is required, just as it is with any political rhetoric.
Accurate analysis of indigenous political narratives is required, just as it is with any political rhetoric.
It’s only possible if one takes the time to look through the indigenous lens.
And for indigenous peoples to look through a mainstream lens.
That’s reconciliation as far as I’m concerned.
And for indigenous peoples to look through a mainstream lens.
That’s reconciliation as far as I’m concerned.
The inability to stand in each other’s shoes and look through each other’s lens is the source of animus that needs to be addressed before any reconciliation can be successful.
Each individual is responsible for their own reconciliation.
Each individual is responsible for their own reconciliation.
Using inability or a lack of knowledge, of how to view the world through different lenses, to manipulate policy and assign blame indiscriminately, has contributed greatly to our current political division in Canada.
Fed by disinformation and half truths, it’s used globally and called populism. Populism is being used by politicians in mainstream AND indigenous communities. Because we are all human and we all have our own agendas.
Peaceful coexistence in a pluralist society requires cooperation and compromise.
To achieve peaceful coexistence, we must develop the ability to look through other’s lenses. It is only through compassion and empathy that reconciliation can be achieved. In both worlds.
To achieve peaceful coexistence, we must develop the ability to look through other’s lenses. It is only through compassion and empathy that reconciliation can be achieved. In both worlds.
Others have asked if the allegations about RCMP are true. I recognize this is hard to comprehend that law enforcement priorities are to protect property, not people.
They were changed under Harper govt. Our complacency and indifference allowed this to happen.
They were changed under Harper govt. Our complacency and indifference allowed this to happen.
But in case there is any doubt, here is a report released before Wet’suwet’en making the same claims.
Canadians need to wake up to the dismantling of Canadian protections that Harper committed in plain site.
journals.library.ualberta.ca/cjs/index.php/…
Canadians need to wake up to the dismantling of Canadian protections that Harper committed in plain site.
journals.library.ualberta.ca/cjs/index.php/…
