Supporting aboriginals

Re: Don’t Ignore Aboriginal Men, editorial, Jan. 7.

There are two key questions on the missing and murdered aboriginal women file: how did Canada fail the perpetrators of these crimes, as well as victims; and, what conditions enable some aboriginals to become rich, while retaining their aboriginal identities?

First answer: it’s almost impossible to deliver education, skills training and support systems for a healthy and productive life in the modern world, no matter how much money you pump into far- flung reserves, and support systems for urban aboriginals are woefully inadequate. For example, there’s not even a single ad dictions counsellor at the Wabano Health Centre in Ottawa.

Second answer: we can find common themes that helped certain aboriginals — like Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Murray Sinclair, former cabinet ministers Leona Aglukkak and Ethel BlondinAndrew, and aboriginal lieutenantgovernors Ralph Steinhauer and James Bartleman — to become successful.

We should start by strengthening and replicating Vancouver’s Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society. It has rescued thousands of troubled people and directed them toward housing, training, detoxification and employment. But why does it only exist in Vancouver?

It’s so obvious that almost every victim and almost every perpetrator was once a child deprived of a whole range of necessary support s yst ems. Strengthening these systems will make a world of difference.

Colin Alexander, Ottawa.