Point Pelee juBilee A ChAnCe to heAl
Re: 100-year-old Point Pelee National Park finds a balance between playground and preservation, by Sharon Hill, March 19.
While this article contains some interesting historical information in advance of the centennial celebrations for Point Pelee, it omitted some cold, hard and perhaps uncomfortable facts about our great little national park. The Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action tasks federal agencies like Parks Canada and the media to report the truth about Indigenous culture, history and tradition. It is difficult to understand then how the article neglects to even mention how Canada acquired such a geo-significant and endangered parcel of land. Centuries ago, Indigenous Peoples, like Caldwell First Nation, understood the importance of the Point as a gift from the Creator. The Caldwell Peoples shared the Point’s aquatic abundance, unique flora and fauna with colonists. They used and preserved its medicines, bounty and strategic location with the British Navy, only to be forced off their homeland years later. How could the Windsor Star have reported that Point Pelee was “at risk” and “could have been completely destroyed by recreation” without including an authentic, Indigenous voice in this conversation? I’m afraid the Star missed a critical opportunity to accurately write about the park’s complete history.
Point Pelee’s 100th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate, but it is also a rare opportunity to educate our students and Windsor-Essex citizens on the value of a true and accurate local history, to reconcile with neighbours and community partners and to continue to protect our national park.
Most importantly, it is an opportunity to heal the community and build capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect. To quote from The Land is Our Teacher, a 2015 Parks Canada publication: “There is going to come a day, and that day is probably now, that the park will not run without First Nation support.” Darlene Marshall, Indigenous education lead, Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board