I understand that the Syrian refugees are in dire need of assistance. I understand the generosity of helping some of them come to Canada. What irks me is the utter neglect of our own indigenous people. Many who live without clean, running water. Who live in abject poverty. Who disappear into the night and no one cares. Who face terrible abuse at the hands of those who are supposed to uphold the law.
The infant mortality rate is higher than many third world countries. What a terrible thing to have to admit...that malnutrition is even an issue is a damned shame.
It's a smear on Canada and all we represent. We're supposed to be the good guys. So why has nothing been done? Apologies only go so far.
I truly hope our new prime minister holds his word, that Justin Trudeau will make the changes so desperately needed to improve lives. Especially in a country that holds clean drinking water as a basic human right. So it should be for everyone who lives here.
I don't understand the apathy towards the indigenous peoples' plight. But then, you know what they say, every finger pointed has three fingers pointing backwards. God forgive me for not having done more. Lead me to where I can make a difference.
Help us, Lord, to set aside the deep seated prejudices against these people. Help us overcome the attitudes cemented by ignorance. Lord, help the indigenous peoples rise above the challenges of mental illness, addictions, violence and neglect. Help them be healed of the wounds inflicted upon them over the past several hundred years. Send Your angel armies to watch over them.
Help us, Lord, do right by these men, women and children who have suffered so much for so long. In Jesus' Name I pray.
God forgive us.
"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stand watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at the time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book, and many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake., some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." Dan 12:1-3
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Boundary Study Part 2
"Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy...
Please do a little research on what provisions and funds are already given to the First Nations. I think you will be surprised. Then look at the squalor and disease, and wonder how the funds are being handled. Where the accountability is. I live in a place that has many Nations. They resides on prime real estate and have the rights to that land to develop pretty well as they desire. I have seen new homes built and fall apart repeatedly. I have seen new lodges and schools fall into disarray - with the request for new ones. I have sat in on school discussions where dealing with children with one mother and multiple dads make it hard to communicate. I have been a part of free dental and medical to many Nations. (Do you know they get free dentistry, but the dentist get paid about 1/3 for their work, with no ability to recoup the difference? Yet with free dentistry, the wee children have terrible decay.) I have had pets attacked by marauding dogs, unchecked for disease or reproduction. I have worked with people who "marry" into a First Nations group for the benefits. There are a lot of opportunities for First Nations at the Federal and Provincial level. Even those that I have worked with at an adult education level live with a sense of entitlement, and if challenged, pull the First Nations card. Their ancestors may have made some bad decisions. So did some of mine. The apologies have been made, as well as compensation. Join Canada and be part of all of us. Bring the pride of your culture into the mainstream. No one should be able to do what they want when they want all the time - and get paid for it. Sorry. I have worked in the prison system too, and guess how many residents were First Nations. I am all for praying for them, working with them just as I would for any other group, but I am tired of working "for them" so they don't have to. If you bulldozed every single dwelling and built every family unit and new house - I challenge you to go back in 5 years and see what happens. The people here were a "conquered" people. They chose to work with various groups, intermarried, traded. Our country has moved on welcoming people from all over the world, it is time they move on and join the growth. Touchy point for me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's easy to forget there are two sides to every story. Thank you for sharing.
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