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Steps towards addressing injustice

Remembering, when all I needed for Christmas was my two front teeth.

Remembering, when all I needed for Christmas was my two front teeth.

Now all I need is a reminder of where I left them, and  what needs doing in our community.

Such a reminder came by email the other day, in the form of a poster in a seniors’ residence. “Our  residents do not live in our workplace,  we work in their  home.”   Elder abuse comes in many forms.   The most insidious being psychological.

Our prime minister reminded us, we too live in someone else’s home. He called for a total renewal of Canada’s relationship with aboriginals, promising to honour all treaties, as well as implementing the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation commission report, by Justice Murray Sinclair.

I am very pleased to have been reminded of my obligations to all Canadians.

Especially at this time of year, when the spirit of compassion, understanding and sharing are flowing so freely.

To be reminded to take another look at the very first treaty made between the British nation, and the indigenous people (nation), who were already living here.

It is called the Treaty of Niagara 1764, and Wampum belts, which expressed, spelled out their interpretation of the treaty, which was then signed by both parties.

Their hope was for each nation to be able to live together in peace and harmony, each respecting the other’s way of doing things their way, while maintaining an attitude that we are all family, brothers and sisters, traveling down the river of life together.

My hope for the future is that each of us will take this great opportunity to apologize for past injustices, make amends where possible, and dedicate ourselves to work tirelessly for real true peace with justice toward our indigenous brothers and sisters.

Dan MacQuarrie