Indigenous appointment might help heal wounds

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Canada has achieved much in creating a compassionate, just and harmonious society. However, it needs to go a step further and appoint an indigenous person as Governor General in September, to help heal the wounds in its relations with indigenous peoples. This would be the best sesquicentennial celebration of all, a powerful signal on the road to becoming a truly inclusive society.

The English and French settlers occupied the Governor General’s office, appointing an English-origin Canadian followed by a FrenchCanadian, until 1989, when thenprime minister Brian Mulroney broke the tradition by appointing Ray Hnatyshyn, of Ukrainian origin. Mulroney also appointed Lincoln Alexander as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 1985, the first black Canadian to occupy the post, and Hong Kong-born David Lam as Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in 1988, the first person of Chinese origin in that job.

Jean Chrétien appointed Adrienne Clarkson Governor General in 1999. She had come to Canada as a refugee from Hong Kong in 1941. Clarkson was followed by Haitian-born Michaëlle Jean in 2005.

The symbolism of all these nonEuropean-origin appointments has played a role in the evolution of Canada as a welcoming, tolerant, allinclusive society. Similarly, the appointment of an indigenous person would send a powerful signal of the respect and regard that we owe Indigenous Peoples.

The visits by these high-profile public office holders to schools have a profound, positive, lasting impact on young Canadians, symbolizing the kind of country Canada is. The appointment of an indigenous person would help dispel the negative, stereotypes embedded in our history.

Canada, unfortunately, has some nasty history. For instance, no indigenous person was invited to the three constitutional conferences that culminated in Canada becoming a Confederation, although they had been here long before European settlers. While women were granted the right to vote in 1918, Indigenous Peoples were not allowed to vote in a federal election without losing their treaty status until 1960.

Most non-native Canadians will celebrate 150 years of Confederation on July 1. Indigenous Peoples, however, consider it a continuation of colonialism, as they were forced off land and herded onto reserves. According to one Manitoba indigenous leader, Derek Nepinak: “We don’t have a lot to celebrate when it comes to 150 years of assimilation and genocide and marginalization.”

Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin acknowledged Canada attempted to commit “cultural genocide” against Indigenous Peoples, in what she called the worst stain on Canada’s human rights record.

Canada, to its credit, has acknowledged wrongs of the past. Former prime minister Stephen Harper offered a public apology to Indigenous Peoples for historic wrongs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently removed the name Langevin from the building housing the Prime Minister’s Office because Sir HectorLouis Langevin was associated with the forced removal of indigenous children from their families and sending them to residential schools.

There is much to celebrate about 150 years of Canada’s existence as a confederation. It is a country populated by immigrants, who come seeking refuge, economic opportunities and a promise of a better life. It has become an experiment on how diverse communities can play an equal role in shaping and developing a country.

Happy celebrations, Canada, for what you have overcome and achieved, and for the promise you hold for many in the future.