The problem is that addiction and dysfunction is a direct result of residential schools and the policies of the past. I know native women who were victims, who had no nurturing in the schools and were incapable of even hugging their children. They managed to beat their addiction but suffer from the guilt of not being able to be good mothers.
Yep. It sucks, royally. But, social services still can't leave the kids there when they're getting no nurturing because mom is drunk. It's a vicious cycle that people are working hard to break. It's just not going to be broken instantly.
I don't think Canadians themselves did apologize but I think the apology that was issued was as symbolic for us as it was for First Nations peoples. Because it's about the acknowledgment.
Don't you think they (we) should? That's not going to happen without bringing it forward and acknowledging it.
Don't misunderstand me, I don't think any UN resolution is going to radically alter Canadian internal policy and affairs, nor should it simply on that reason alone. But this is something that needs to be faced head on. Even though it mostly happened long ago (although as Karrie already pointed out, not so very long ago in some cases) when something is as monumental as this, it can stop you from moving forward. For First Nations peoples themselves and for Canada as a whole.
I think it's also important to understand why people from other countries look at us like we're hypocritical morons. For a lot of people that first shock of learning how we look to others can be brutal. I think that's where people are approaching the UN. For lack of a more eloquent way of putting this.... the white countries are beyond criticism, but the dark countries had better watch their step or we're wagging our finger at them. And I think globally that's starting to not fly.