Genocide and colonialism are related and they are global issues.
The world is still hurting from their wounds and they are hindering the growth and advancement of humanity. If we can demonstrate that healing is possible, we establish a powerful precedent for the world. We establish a protocol that can be adapted to any cultural context and thus promote the healing and growth of humanity.
My work experience has been primarily in two places, northern British Columbia and to a lesser extent the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both places experienced the devastation of colonialism, though in different ways. The negative impacts, however, have been similar. The healing process can be similar as well. This is where Canada has a great responsibility to the Congo and to the rest of the world.
Colonialism devastated both Canada and the DRC and the wounds of these crimes continue to fester.
The primary difference is that in Canada the truth has been spoken and the healing process has begun.
In the DRC and in their colonizing country of Belgium, the issue remains far from the social conscience. The deaths of millions under the tyranny of Belgian King Leopold II in the Congo Free State was whitewashed by colonizers when they took over the country in 1908. As a result, tyranny continues to reign in a country torn apart by civil war and corruption, despite nearly 60 years of independence.
In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to the aboriginal peoples of Canada for the crimes committed. In 2015, a government appointed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and declared that what happened here was indeed cultural genocide. There is no more denial. There is no more whitewashing of history.
Since 2008, we have established educational programs which teach our children the truth and we have begun to celebrate aboriginal culture in our schools. We are now seeing these efforts bear fruit. Children are showing real pride in who they are and aboriginal graduation rates are on the rise in school districts like our own here in Prince George.
We still have a long way to go, however. There is still tremendous disparity in Canada and this becomes obvious when we look at statistics which compare our aboriginal populations with those of other Canadians. Incarceration rates are higher, income levels are lower, risks of violence to women are much higher, as are infant mortality rates and numerous other health indicators.
We can be confident that through continued effort, these social indicators will begin to improve for First Nations people. Much excellent research is being done. Many programs are in place which are producing promising results. The key is for problem areas to be addressed.
When we are truly honest with ourselves, we can find ways to heal our society. This is the lesson that we must live and this is the lesson that we must share on a global level.
If we want to also see world peace, if we want to see the end of conflict and the beginning of prosperity for the people in the DRC and many other countries, we need to come clean regarding the crimes of colonialism. We need to teach our people the truth and we need to make reparations.
Canada has a responsibility to itself and to the world. We need to continue to heal our wounds in order to bring peace to our region.
If we were to impose what we are doing onto other countries, that would simply be another form of cultural imperialism. We can, however, establish a global precedent that others can look to, yet adapt and improve to fit their own cultural context.
In doing so, we not only make our country better, we bring lasting peace to the world.
For more of Gerry's writings, go to
www.gerrychidiac.com.
