Does renaming promote reconciliation?
We applaud Chief Matilda Ramjattan of the Lennox Island First Nation and Chief Brian Francis of the Abegweit First Nation for the position they have adopted with respect to dealing with the names and commemorations of historical figures that may be considered offensive to Indigenous peoples. The Chiefs, who are co-chairs of the board of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I., made their views known to the CBC, which broadcast and posted the news item on September 15. In this regard Chiefs Ramjattan and Francis have endorsed recent statements of Justice Murray Sinclair, former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Justice Sinclair spent six years delving into the matter of truth and reconciliation while documenting the impacts of the residential school system. Sinclair is a very highly respected Aboriginal person, being the recipient of eight honourary university degrees for his work in the field of Aboriginal justice. During the work of the Commission, Sinclair heard the views of many, perhaps hundreds, of Aboriginal people from across the country. The Commission’s report listed 94 recommendations or “calls for action” in relation to reconciliation. Not one of them mentioned the renaming of sites, buildings, highways, etc. or the removal of statues.
In an August 29 interview with The Canadian Press, Justice Sinclair said that tearing down tributes that are considered offensive to Indigenous Peoples would be “counterproductive” because it smacks of revenge or anger, not harmony. In Justice Sinclair’s view, reconciliation is not about removing names and statues; it is about honouring and elevating Indigenous heroes, not vilifying historical figures who have stains on their record; it is about including “shameful information,” if applicable, in interpreting the deeds of historical figures, e.g., on plaques; it is about “trying to create more balance in the relationship” between Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. Justice Sinclair’s comments strike the right balance.
A contributor in the Ottawa Citizen (September 12) wrote these words: “Anger at monuments and memorials misunderstands our history and misdirects our energy. It is not with the dead but with the living that lies the responsibility to realize further the promise of Canada.” The writer might well have added “and the promise of reconciliation.” While we would not presume to speak for Justice Sinclair, these sentiments seem consistent with his expressed views.
A contributor of an opinion piece in The Guardian on September 7 stated, “it is time … to listen to our Indigenous peoples.” We trust that the contributor in question is among those listening.