Long-time friends came through Belleville yesterday so we had lunch together. Actually, she is the long-timer and he is the new partner. Even though we were meeting him for the first time we struck up a good conversation immediately.
They both work for the Ontario government, in mines and energy, and his work involves negotiations between First Nations, government, and mining concerns. He freely admitted that the government of this province is behind a number of others in terms of establishing respectful conversations and protocols regarding resource development. We act as though First Nations are defeated peoples who ceded the rights to land rather than treaty partners who must be regarded with respect. It was good to hear his perspective and his hope that this is changing.
It was also good to discover that he was aware of the United Church attempts in recent years to develop "right relations" with First Nations and he has read the first General Council apology made in 1986. He has even searched out the cairn at Laurentian University in his community of Sudbury which marks the place where the apology was made.
I only had an hour over lunch to chat, but I came away feeling that whatever our shortcomings have been as a denomination, there are people who are aware that we have attempted to right some wrongs and appreciate our willingness to do so. And, unfortunately, that we have something in common with society as a whole, in terms of our shabby treatment of Aboriginal peoples.
All of us can be diligent in establishing new relationships of mutual respect.
Thoughts?
2 comments:
I was at a meeting in a First Nation community that got somewhat sidetracked.
Suddenly I had numerous Elders venting about the treatment they receive at the nearby town. Other, younger members, of the meeting also chimed in about their experiences with racism.
I do think we have come a long way, but it is still discouraging to hear these stories. We don't need to search hard to find ignorance and arrogance.
I find it interesting Roger that you, a police officer, and the fellow I spoke with yesterday and others who have actual contact with First Nations demonstrate a compassionate perspective that it so often missing in people who have never had a conversation with an Aboriginal person.
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