Still learning...

I am often pleasantly surprised to learn something new an unexpected source. Today I learned more about Samuel de Champlain the first French Governor of New France. The source was an op-ed piece on the New York Times website. The author is, David Hackett Fischer teaches history at Brandeis University.

In his piece Fischer offers an insightful comparison between two visionary men, Thomas Jefferson and Champlain. According to Fischer each man struggle to overcome the limits of their own time and place and to create an environment in which future citizens of their new nations, the United Sates and Canada could grow in ways that were at that time not possible to truly imagine.

Each man desired to overcome the social and cultural limitations of their own times and to inspire people to dream great dreams.

Champlain, appalled by the religious wars in France and revolted by the manner in which the Spanish abused the indigenous peoples of their New World colonies was determined that New France would be founded on the principles of peaceful coexistence and religious freedom.

While his dream remains at the heart of our nation of Canada today, his respect and admiration for the indigenous peoples who helped him and his men survive has faded from our land. If Canada is truly to fulfil Champlain's vision then we must first restore it in full measure. We must unconditionally recognize the unextinguished sovereignty of the First Nations people.