Comments on: “Canada” — Dealing with the Hate Crime: Prime Minister’s Apology to Aboriginals this Wednesday (2.2)

By: Neetu

Neetu — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:01:15 +0000

I came acroos an aboriginal during my visit to canada who was sittig across the table with his father and in a very cultured, polite and well behaved manner telling his father in a teary voice that he had been removed from his job because he was an aboriginal’s son and yet was consoling his father that he would be okay. From one of the most liberated nations in the world this was pathetic. I don’t know that aboriginal young boy’s name and I am not a canadian but whereever he is I pray for him and his success and I am glad on not being a canadian because in our third world countries we are atleast open and honest about our loyalties and are not HYPOCRITES like the so called honest westerners. God bless you aboriginal friend and hope I can meet you someday. I know this is not part of this forum but I felt the need to share with all of you who might read it that there are people in this world who care. I am a Hindu-sikh from India.

By: Accepting the Might to Exist: Some Israeli Lessons for Anthropology « OPEN ANTHROPOLOGY

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:18:46 +0000

[...] barely mask my belief that the Canadian state ought to be ruptured and dissolved (see here, here, here, here, and here, ). Now, what would have been truly surprising is if I had not adopted similar [...]

By: Maximilian Forte

Maximilian Forte — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:42:21 +0000

Thanks very much. I agree with most of the statements above in fact.

By: Mohammad

Mohammad — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:02:22 +0000

I am shocked to learn that Canada was involved in genocide, and how it was covered up for years. This one incident makes Canada a #1 historical story of human rights abuse. The government textbooks must reflect the truth about the religious persecution of the indians that happened so recently. I am shamed to be from Canada because I have always opposed any involvement in world wars, especially where someone may be hurt. These indian peoples must be compensated by the Government, possibly with money, foodstamps, better healthcare, community development, free college education, and land.

The following steps must be done now:

A full International War Crimes Tribunal with the powers to prosecute those who can be held responsible for crimes or cover-ups at the native schools.

A nationwide search for the remains of children – Mr. Annett estimates some 50,000 – who died at these schools, by neglect or abuse, and were never given proper burials.

The creation of a National Aboriginal Holocaust Museum so Canadians will never forget the crimes against humanity that took place in these schools.

An official nationwide “Day of Mourning” for all victims, both dead and living, of residential schools.

An end to any federal tax exemptions for churches that had any involvement in establishing and running such institutions.

The abolishment of the Indian Act, the winding down of the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs – and the return of all “stolen lands and resources” to Canada’s indigenous nations.

By: Maximilian Forte

Maximilian Forte — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:21:02 +0000

Thanks Jeremy for taking the time to post your message.

On past occasions I have taken students through the various comments appended to G&M stories surrounding the Six Nations reclamation in Caledonia, during the first four months. Though by no means exact and precise, we did note the overwhelming majority of posted comments were of an extreme, anti-aboriginal nature, and some called for retaliatory violence (I am not a lawyer, but I believe inciting violence may not be legal in Canada). Voices of moderation and opposition were very few, and what stood out for all of us was the one message where the writer exclaimed something like, “trying for three days to get my comment on one of these boards, I hope they allow this.” My own comments were far more moderate than anything I have posted on this blog — thank you WordPress — rather tepid perhaps, and not one was ever accepted. The CBC on the other hand has minimal moderation, and I believe it is automated rather than human-mediated.

Anyway, I am sure that others, such as yourself, have had better experiences with the G&M, and I am very glad to hear that you managed to make headway there.

You’re right, I would not enforce a gag order either, I would just make sure it is lifted from all parties.

By: Jeremy Fewster

Jeremy Fewster — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:54:00 +0000

I just had a comment about what you said about the Globa and Mail comments pages. I do agree with you when you say that the paper allows hateful comments to be posted (be they about aboriginal issues, Quebec seperatism etc), but as one who has posted rebuttals to these comments, I don’t think it’s fair to say that they delete critical remarks, be they of governent positions or otherwise – I’ve written and read many. As an anthropology student, I am glad that they allow these comments to be posted, even though I find them offensive, as they allow one to realize how so-called debunked social theories are alive and well outside the confines of the university. This is only to say is that I’m not sure the answer lies more censorship. I would rather take my bigoted opponents notions seriously enough (within a certain limit, to be sure) to rebut with evidence, reason, and passion, then to simply enforce a gag order, and then act as if the problem didn’t exist. Anyhow, I’m enjoying your blog, although it’s distracting me from working on my thesis. Keep up the good work.