I think both views presented so far have been very short-sighted. First of all,
I recognize that the residential schools were devastating to many indigenous
families. Some of them managed to get over that and become contributing members
of society. I know, because I employed some who were excellent employees; one
was among the best technologists I ever worked with.
Others did not do so well; the system totally failed them, and they became the
problem ones. And we are still not serving them well.
Second, I resent being called part of any group that is “unacceptable”. Every
post to this site is the responsibility of the individual posting, and does not
reflect the attitudes of the group. We can each have our own views on this or
any other topic, but closing the door to a view you don’t like is not going to
change anyone’s opinion.
We have come from many backgrounds, some much more privileged than others but
we in this group have been given some very good opportunities, having lived a
relatively sheltered life and having chosen to obtain an above-average
education. That was not available to most indigenous people because of the way
they were thought of and treated by their “conquerors”.
We have all made our beds, and now we lie in them. What anyone has made of
himself is his own issue. But we need to consider the background when we relate
to indigenous people. In general, they lost far more than any of us.
Bob Ramsay
bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Feb 20, 2021, at 10:02 PM, richardmathias <mathias@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Our group has just made the unacceptable list and will now be listed as junk
mail
May you go to residential schools with their abuse and mortality. I had hoped
that a university education would allow a much more critical appraisal than
this.
Good Bye
Richard
On Feb 20, 2021, at 11:28 AM, Norm Larkins
<normlarkins@xxxxxxxx<mailto:normlarkins@xxxxxxxx>> wrote:
[CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]
*Trudeau, what do Seniors get in the new Budget?*
These alleged truths will offend some and get support from others.
After reading this, I want you to think about those Residential Schools -
while we small town and country kids were going to one-roomed schools that
housed eight grades with only one teacher and our parents were buying our
books, school supplies and clothing, the Indigenous native kids were in
schools where they got a more balanced education, free room and board, free
school books, free supplies (pencils, notebooks, etc.) and clothing.
We were also abused and bullied by the heads of the schools. Oh yes, they are
complaining that they lost their language. Do they think that we, the
immigrants from Eastern Europe, were able to continue to speak our native
tongue in schools? No! We all learned to speak, read and write in English
and were proud to have the opportunity and contribute to the development of
this great country.
So, Mr. Trudeau, what do Seniors get in the new Budget?
Seniors outnumber Natives, so maybe you will resolve Seniors grievances
sooner if Seniors choose to block the Trans-Canada Highway or the CN Rail
lines?
When reporters ask the protesting Seniors what they want, the Seniors can
answer "The same as the Natives have been getting for years." (which is free
dental, free eye care, free prescriptions, free post-secondary education,
free transportation, no tax on gas and other commodities, no income tax, no
tax on vehicles, free housing and many other things, all paid for by us, the
tax payer.)
Seniors have paid taxes all their lives! Natives do not pay taxes !!
And recently, now 600,000 Metis are considered Natives. Well Canada is also
my home and Native land so I should be considered a Native since some of us
too, were born here.
Seniors want the same as the Attawapiskat Band Members received from the
Federal Government in 2014, $34 million for just 1500 people (that's $22,666
each) TAX FREE!
Instead, the Federal Government pays Seniors $7,200 in Social Security (and
they still have to pay tax on that) after working 50 plus years, and AFTER
they've paid their own way, their own kid's way, AND the Natives' Way.
And the natives are demonstrating "Idle No More" and "Pipelines". Really??
It is time for seniors to react! *We are just as entitled to protest as are
the Natives.*
*Something is very wrong with this picture.*
Send this to every senior you know.
