Reconciliation handled poorly

Dear Editor:

Re: “Spending what we don’t have,”

(Okanagan Weekend, Letters, March 21). Regarding Helen Robertson’s letter, I would like to address first of all that though I am Canadian, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not my prime minister as he has abdicated his responsibility to all constituents, not just those who voted for him.

What concrete measures has he completed towards reconciliation?

Money and true consultation has to be part of meaningful attempts because of all that the governments of Canada and colonial Britain stole from First Nations.

Often those who are asked for accountability, reconciliation or who need forgiveness act as if words are enough when words are insufficient if they are even heartfelt.

Pipeline protests wouldn’t have happened if companies and governments acted ethically with understanding.

To assume that consultation with colonially imposed “democratically elected” councils was sufficient is the height of arrogance, if not embedded or ingrained racism.

The defacing of the RCMP statue was a crime. How Canada has treated First Nations is a crime. How RCMP acted in enforcement of an unethical court judgment is also a crime, the police acting like criminals.

Her words about worrying about what who did to who are the words of a person seemingly lacking empathy or sympathy for those worse off than her.

Stop and forgive when Canada and Trudeau continues to be unjust?

Arrogant of you, Helen Robinson. Patrick Longworth

Penticton