Body bag shipment - prepare or beware

A n honest mistake or subliminal racism? We're all judging that question now thanks to Health Canada.

Some of our non-native neighbours can't understand how native people can think that sending body bags in flu preparation kits is an insult. Looking through the native social lens of residential schools, the Indian Act and unresolved land claim issues, what else could it be?

It took decades for a Canadian prime minister to apologize for the oppressive educational strategy of residential schools. Although this was a monumental move, it was only the tip of the iceberg. Consider: contaminated water, substandard housing, poverty, substandard health care, dishonoured treaties, unresolved land claims and the constant political redefining of Indian.

Dr. Evan Adams, aboriginal health physician adviser in British Columbia, works with First Nation communities in that province.

"I thought the time of government workers making decisions without aboriginal input was over. Apparently not," he states.

"This would never occur in B. C. -- we have formal agreements to consult, co-operate and collaborate between our three levels of government. One partner can't make arbitrary decisions without the other's knowledge.

"You do have to wonder if the body bags were sent out to intentionally offend First Nations in Manitoba. Which is worse: Health Canada workers being unaware of their inflammatory actions, or being completely aware they were reinforcing mistrust between government and First Nations?"

Indeed, in this new era of "consultation" with First Nation communities, one wonders how such an incident could occur. The perception that such action creates reflects on the country's entire government.

Just months from Canada taking the world stage when the Olympics begin, yet another peek into the psyche of the Canadian government is splashed all over the national media.

Will heads roll? Will top government officials be fired? Will the worker who packed the boxes of supplies to the Manitoba be suddenly relieved of their duties? Does that really matter to First Nations people in this country? Probably not. Mistrust of the government can't be eliminated as easily as firing someone. It runs too deep.

We can look at this action as yet another opportunity for the Canadian government to examine its attitude and treatment of First Nation people. There are reasons why the media run with a story like this. They occur far too often. Is this the situation in a long line of many that facilitates real change? I hope so.

In only a few months, the Olympic torch will arrive in Canada and start its journey through cities and towns. In some places it will be carried by First Nations people. They will do so with respect for ancient traditions, all the while knowing that the Canadian government has not shown that same respect to theirs.

As world focus approaches, the media will arrive to listen to the story of Canada. As indigenous people to this land, we are very much a part of that story. Whether you believe that sending body bags to remote Manitoba First Nation communities was an honest mistake or unconsciously racist, the Canadian government needs to change its attitude and do it fast.

L. M. VanEvery is a journalist from Six Nations of the Grand River.

Article ID# 1760281


	Body bag shipment: prepare or beware?
	Posted By L. M. VANEVERY Brantford Expositor September 19 2009

	A n honest mistake or subliminal racism? We're all judging that question now thanks to Health Canada. Some of our non-native neighbours can't understand how native people can think that sending body bags in flu preparation kits is an insult. Looking through the native social lens of residential schools, the Indian Act and unresolved land claim issues, what else could it be? It took decades for a Canadian prime minister to apologize for the oppressive educational strategy of residential schools. Although this was a monumental move, it was only the tip of the iceberg. Consider: contaminated water, substandard housing, poverty, substandard health care, dishonoured treaties, unresolved land claims and the constant political redefining of Indian. Dr. Evan Adams, aboriginal health physician adviser in British Columbia, works with First Nation communities in that province. "I thought the time of government workers making decisions without aboriginal input was over. Apparently not," he states. "This would never occur in B. C. -- we have formal agreements to consult, co-operate and collaborate between our three levels of government. One partner can't make arbitrary decisions without the other's knowledge. "You do have to wonder if the body bags were sent out to intentionally offend First Nations in Manitoba. Which is worse: Health Canada workers being unaware of their inflammatory actions, or being completely aware they were reinforcing mistrust between government and First Nations?" Indeed, in this new era of "consultation" with First Nation communities, one wonders how such an incident could occur. The perception that such action creates reflects on the country's entire government. Just months from Canada taking the world stage when the Olympics begin, yet another peek into the psyche of the Canadian government is splashed all over the national media. Will heads roll? Will top government officials be fired? Will the worker who packed the boxes of supplies to the Manitoba be suddenly relieved of their duties? Does that really matter to First Nations people in this country? Probably not. Mistrust of the government can't be eliminated as easily as firing someone. It runs too deep. We can look at this action as yet another opportunity for the Canadian government to examine its attitude and treatment of First Nation people. There are reasons why the media run with a story like this. They occur far too often. Is this the situation in a long line of many that facilitates real change? I hope so. In only a few months, the Olympic torch will arrive in Canada and start its journey through cities and towns. In some places it will be carried by First Nations people. They will do so with respect for ancient traditions, all the while knowing that the Canadian government has not shown that same respect to theirs. As world focus approaches, the media will arrive to listen to the story of Canada. As indigenous people to this land, we are very much a part of that story. Whether you believe that sending body bags to remote Manitoba First Nation communities was an honest mistake or unconsciously racist, the Canadian government needs to change its attitude and do it fast. L. M. VanEvery is a journalist from Six Nations of the Grand River. Article ID# 1760281