Pulling out a Thesaurus, to write a feel good media release, isn't going to accomplish that, and it's the people most in need who will continue to be left behind
This morning (August 3rd) BC Government News sent out a media release on Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. The first paragraph of this release stated:
British Columbia and the Southern
Dakelh Nation Alliance
have signed a government-to-government agreement that establishes a new
relationship based on respect and recognition of rights.
For far too many years there has been talk, and more talk,
followed by more talk, about reconciliation, respect, and understanding. It seems, sadly from an observers standpoint
at least, that this is the path we still remain on.
With all-due-respect to First Nations people, some of whom
have been friends and neighbours over many years -- especially in growing up in
the Cariboo Chilcotin -- I would really like to know what was accomplished in
the meetings with government, that led up to the signing of this
agreement. When I first read the
announcement, something felt odd to me.
It took a minute or two, but then I realized it was because of the crafting
of the release -- the actual grouping and series of words.
After several more minutes of re-reading it a
few times, I thought, "WOW, whomever put this together, must have spent an
enormous amount of time using the Thesaurus."
What stood out for me? It was these words:
... establishes a new
relationship ... respect and recognition of rights ... building comprehensive
reconciliation ... government-to-government relationship ... collaborative
decision-making ... improving consultation ... working toward building strong
relationships ... advancing reconciliation ... building relationships ... respect
and recognition ...
... new ways of working, learning and collaborating ... building
an enduring partnership ... collaborative work ... working together ... working
with our neighbours and relatives ... good and healthy way ... bring about real
change ... working together ... work as partners
Do we really, after all of these years of understanding
there are wrongs to right ... responsibilities to acknowledge ... understanding
that in order to grow to our full potential, each of us need to work on
ourselves, and have the tools necessary to do that ... and acknowledge that
while not forgetting the past, the future is ahead of us, and we need to create
a path wide enough for all of us to get there
Pulling out a Thesaurus, to write a feel good media
release, isn't going to accomplish that, and it's the people most in need who
will continue to be left behind. I say
that because even now after years of talks, we continue to see far too many
individuals plagued by self-doubt about themselves, which leads to addictions, self-harming,
mental illness, and ultimately too many in jails and corrections centres.
I had a friend read this over before posting it, and they
said to me:
I'm having trouble following your logic in this. I'm not sure what
your point is. Is it that this government likes touchy-feely words with no
substance (it does, by the way), or is it that not dealing with the issues in
the First Nations community lead to societal problems?
I responded saying:
YES ... the repeated use, over too many years, of those touchy-feely words. Not getting down to brass tacks and moving forward past just words! And Yes, that we (all of us) aren't dealing with the issues. Just more of the same all over again.
I responded saying:
YES ... the repeated use, over too many years, of those touchy-feely words. Not getting down to brass tacks and moving forward past just words! And Yes, that we (all of us) aren't dealing with the issues. Just more of the same all over again.
I had a heavy heart in writing this today, and so I hope
that in reading this you did not have thoughts that I was being condemning or
harsh. I too have had my own issues with
self-doubt and addictions, and it is not a place I wish to see anyone trapped. Let's get past crafting the words I
noted above into media releases ... let's move on to building up 'whole complete
people', and creating the foundations needed for that to happen.
In Kamloops,
I'm Alan Forseth.
Alan, If they don't help themselves why should we. case in point, the reserve in Kamloops has the best growing bottom land in the country and it is barely used except to raise some hay. I worked on the irrigation system for a hundred acres or so and when the department of Indian affairs and Northern development shut down forty five years ago It fell into disrepair. I trained a person to maintain the Pump and intake system but it became neglected and the pump burned out. There is a potential there for the band to make piles of money farming that land with vegetables. I worked for them for seven years, not just the Kamloops band. My area covered about one hundred square miles. It's never too late for them to take advantage of what they have. Dale.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't support one another when it's needed, then who will be there for us when and if our need comes up in the future. I saw the same thing in the Chilcotin with irrigation systems, however the past is the past. So I ask, how do we move past platitudes such as I read in that government media release, and on to the real work that is required? You are right when you say there is 'potential for the band', let's work together to get there, or get out of their way so First Nations communities and individuals can get there.
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