I find it very telling that there is no conversation about the real genocide taking place of the Huron/ Algonquin / Mississauga by the Iroquois at the time that Champlain had made it to just east of Belleville (to which these oppressed peoples flocked to for protection). The History of the County of Peterborough Ontario by Mulvaney / Ryan published in 1884 goes into great detail of this reality, but alas, seems lost to a more convenient history.
The author writes: “Our federal budget is dedicated to payments to Indigenous groups (to reach 7.7% - $74.6 billion annually by 2026-27)…more than $40 thousand per year per each Indigenous person?” That taxpayers go along with this is a form of masochism.
It amazes me how history can be rewritten from generation to generation. I have read multiple accounts and essays written when politics didn’t seem to have as much influence as today in regard to the “Indian Wars”. All across this country there is evidence of warring tribes trying to wipe out their neighbours. There are accounts from every region of Canada detailing some, but certainly not all of those struggles. The accounts talk about what happened in these conflicts, the death, the destruction, the stealing of possessions and supplies, the slavery of the captives and on and on. There never was a time of piece. The evidence is in the names of many locations, Battle Creek, Battle Island, Battle Hill and so on. This doesn’t appear anywhere in today’s school curriculum.
Canada did not commit genocide of the indigenous population as was the plan of our neighbours to the south of us. The are documented evidence that the US army of the 1800s were actually in the process of wiping out the indigenous population. Many tribes migrated to Canada for the protection offered as sanctuaries here. Why aren’t those facts being taught to the present generations.
Another good article in a great series, Igor. I do have one tiny quibble, and it concerns this statement: “They knew it would not do much, if anything, to help the average Indigenous person, but that was the beauty of it! This was their ticket to keep demanding more and more money – forever.”
I would caution against attributing that kind of (blanket, assumed) intent to the early activists – simply because, well, it’s unknowable. Many no doubt believed their advocacy WOULD lead to positive results for indigenous people. (Remember idealism? It often goes hand-in-hand with delusion, and ultimately morphs into a lust for power and status.)
I’m only raising this because as you know, we colonialists really bristle at having our ancestors’ intentions maligned by accusations of a blanket, malevolent intent, which is not a fact but rather an opinion, espoused in service of an agenda.
The implied criticism in your sentence might more justifiably be applied to TODAY’s indigenous leaders and activists, who have the benefit of 50 years of seeing what doesn’t work, and yet they obtusely persist in actions that are clearly for their own aggrandizement.
It’s a viewpoint, Greg. Some writers like feedback, and like to know that their readers are not just nodding along. I’ve expressed my appreciation for Igor’s work all along, in comments on this and most of his earlier articles.
I find it very telling that there is no conversation about the real genocide taking place of the Huron/ Algonquin / Mississauga by the Iroquois at the time that Champlain had made it to just east of Belleville (to which these oppressed peoples flocked to for protection). The History of the County of Peterborough Ontario by Mulvaney / Ryan published in 1884 goes into great detail of this reality, but alas, seems lost to a more convenient history.
The author writes: “Our federal budget is dedicated to payments to Indigenous groups (to reach 7.7% - $74.6 billion annually by 2026-27)…more than $40 thousand per year per each Indigenous person?” That taxpayers go along with this is a form of masochism.
These are no longer schools but indoctrination centers where children are imprinted with politically correct falsehoods.
"The longer I live, the more convinced am I that this planet is used by other planets as a lunatic asylum."
George Bernard Shaw
It amazes me how history can be rewritten from generation to generation. I have read multiple accounts and essays written when politics didn’t seem to have as much influence as today in regard to the “Indian Wars”. All across this country there is evidence of warring tribes trying to wipe out their neighbours. There are accounts from every region of Canada detailing some, but certainly not all of those struggles. The accounts talk about what happened in these conflicts, the death, the destruction, the stealing of possessions and supplies, the slavery of the captives and on and on. There never was a time of piece. The evidence is in the names of many locations, Battle Creek, Battle Island, Battle Hill and so on. This doesn’t appear anywhere in today’s school curriculum.
Canada did not commit genocide of the indigenous population as was the plan of our neighbours to the south of us. The are documented evidence that the US army of the 1800s were actually in the process of wiping out the indigenous population. Many tribes migrated to Canada for the protection offered as sanctuaries here. Why aren’t those facts being taught to the present generations.
Where is the Truth in “Truth and Reconciliation”?
A great precise of the current situation. I am going to send this to everyone I know.
Another good article in a great series, Igor. I do have one tiny quibble, and it concerns this statement: “They knew it would not do much, if anything, to help the average Indigenous person, but that was the beauty of it! This was their ticket to keep demanding more and more money – forever.”
I would caution against attributing that kind of (blanket, assumed) intent to the early activists – simply because, well, it’s unknowable. Many no doubt believed their advocacy WOULD lead to positive results for indigenous people. (Remember idealism? It often goes hand-in-hand with delusion, and ultimately morphs into a lust for power and status.)
I’m only raising this because as you know, we colonialists really bristle at having our ancestors’ intentions maligned by accusations of a blanket, malevolent intent, which is not a fact but rather an opinion, espoused in service of an agenda.
The implied criticism in your sentence might more justifiably be applied to TODAY’s indigenous leaders and activists, who have the benefit of 50 years of seeing what doesn’t work, and yet they obtusely persist in actions that are clearly for their own aggrandizement.
Joan we are honored to have such clarity of truth from this educator. You are being picky to a fault. The big picture gets lost in your weeds.
It’s a viewpoint, Greg. Some writers like feedback, and like to know that their readers are not just nodding along. I’ve expressed my appreciation for Igor’s work all along, in comments on this and most of his earlier articles.