Well it has taken us almost 500 years but it seems that as a nation of immigrants we are finally settling into sharing this space along the line we hashed out over the past few centuries. At least that is what Lawrence Martin writes in his latest column for the Globe and Mail. According to Martin this claim was made by our current Prime Minister (not one of his favourite people) but in this case the worthy scribe applauded the remarks.
It would be a wonderful thing to think of Canada as finally maturing - getting past the petty squabbles and serious differences that have long fragmented this country mainly along regional lines. No more separatism, no more Western Alienation, a more equitable division of prosperity not artificially created by Ottawa. Imagine, Alberta and Quebec not whining or Newfoundland and Saskatchewan as Have provinces! I am not sure I ever expected to see the day.
But before we get all celebratory it is time for a somber reflection on just who is still left out. Sure all of us immigrants are making out great but what about the people who really helped to make our prosperity possible, even our survival. When do we begin to truly honour and respect the First Nations people?
They have waited for centuries for us to recognize that had they chose to turn their backs on us, if they had not helped Samuel de Champlain and his men Canada might not exist. I am not going to bury you in statistics. We all know them. All I am asking is that we take some time to challenge our our prejudice. To open up a space at the table for them. We really do owe them that much and a lot more.
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