A fight over the word 'genocide' is no way to end the aboriginal crisis

[CDNBear]

A fight over the word 'genocide' is no way to end the aboriginal crisis

DOUG SAUNDERS

The Globe and Mail

Imagine if the Turkish Prime Minister issued this statement: “The Canadian aboriginal people experienced terrible suffering and loss of life. Our parliament has adopted a motion that acknowledges the native Canadian genocide and condemns this act as a crime against humanity. My party and I supported this resolution, and continue to recognize it today. We must never forget the lessons of history.”

Ottawa would reject it, and many Canadians would be outraged to see their country put in the same column as Nazi Germany. Many would point out the hypocrisy of such a statement coming from the Turks.

Some Canadians would cheer it. This past year has, for First Nations, been something like what 1963 was for African-Americans, and as part of that awakening, the word “genocide” has risen in popularity. In this view, the mistreatment and suffering that native and Inuit people suffered must be seen as a deliberate attempt to exterminate an entire people, and should be recognized as such internationally.

This week, when the United Nations Envoy on Aboriginal Affairs paid a study visit to Canada, prominent native and Jewish figures sent him a letter asking that Canada’s treatment of aboriginals be recognized as a genocide, encouraging him to make a statement like the one at the top of this column....


Interesting read.

 

[PoliticalNick]

If it had been an intentional genocide we wouldn't have given you some blankets and whiskey and sent you off to play in your sandbox like little children for the last 400 years, you just wouldn't be here holding your hands out to the govt.

 

[CDNBear]

No, no, don't stop, please go on, lol.

I didn't even need a boat, lol.

 

[karrie]

I find it ridiculous that using the term genocide is seen as equating us with Nazi Germany.

We're not Nazi Germany. What happened here wasn't the same. It was a uniquely Canadian blend of Australia's attempt to 'breed out' and break up families, and South Africa's Apartheid, with only a dash of Nazi'esque sterilization thrown into the mix.

Hardly the same.

 

[CDNBear]

I find it ridiculous that using the term genocide is seen as equating us with Nazi Germany.

We're not Nazi Germany. What happened here wasn't the same. It was a uniquely Canadian blend of Australia's attempt to 'breed out' and break up families, and South Africa's Apartheid, with only a dash of Nazi'esque sterilization thrown into the mix.

Hardly the same.

I agree. I don't know if you remember you, Gh and I discussing this a ways back.

I was uncomfortable with using the term, because I see it as a discussion killer, a First Nations version of the Godwin law if you will. Nothing silly like equating it to Nazi Germany.

I'm still not 100% comfortable, for the same reasons, but upon further reading, I would be hard pressed to call it anything but.

 

[karrie]

I agree. I don't know if you remember you, Gh and I discussing this a ways back.

I was uncomfortable with using the term, because I see it as a discussion killer, a First Nations version of the Godwin law if you will. Nothing silly like equating it to Nazi Germany.

I'm still not 100% comfortable, for the same reasons, but upon further reading, I would be hard pressed to call it anything but.

Yes I remember that particular round of fisticuffs.

 

[damngrumpy]

Oh yes it was intentional genocide. They handed out a few blankets etc.
but they stole everything else. It was cultural genocide and fascism of the
worst kind where government and the church team up to destroy a people
for ideological, financial and religious reasons.
In the States some say they handed out small pox laced blankets to rid
themselves of as many as they could. Our forefathers behaved in a manner
that would land them in an international criminal court today.
It was an ethnic cleansing as well as the Natives were moved to the Reservation.
The white folks were well practiced when the British stole the Maritimes and
ethnically cleansed the French shipping them off the Southern States.
Yes we can dress up history with any words we want but the disgusting practice
is still a disgusting practice. I think the word genocide is most appropriate here.

 

[CDNBear]

Yes I remember that particular round of fisticuffs.

Oh it wasn't that bad was it?

 

[gerryh]

Yes I remember that particular round of fisticuffs.

Oh it wasn't that bad was it?

I think Bear and I were the only ones that were against the use of the word "genocide" for the very reason that it is, or could be, a deal stopper.

 

[karrie]

Oh it wasn't that bad was it?

lol.

 

[Locutus]

!$#$@^$##^*&^*&(*|_)&(^*%$##@$@%$#^%&^*&^*%$%$##^$

 

[CDNBear]

Doesn't matter how many times you say it, Canada is not guilty of genocide. If we were there wouldn't be any indians left to claim those billions of dollars while paying no taxes.

Well there you have it folks, the resident supporter of genocide has spoken.

Nothing to see here, the thread is done, lol.

 

[Locutus]

Can't wait.

 

[CDNBear]

You don't! As in all law you cannot be convicted of a crime if it wasn't a crime when the act occurred. To bad, so sad. Thanks for playing, there is a board game of the show as a consolation prize for you. Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out!

I thought you were going to blow up your girlfriend and cuddle.

Why don't you go do that instead of embarrassing yourself.

"law", lol. What a buffoon.

 

[taxslave]

calling it genocide is much like calling someone a naz i. Mostly not appropiate and starts you off from an extremist position which is not a good place to start a negociation from.

 

[CDNBear]

Hey TS, I'd like to move your post over to Mr. S's thread. If that's OK with you.