It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, in response to Diane Fuller's letter, written on Friday, December 7/2012. If you didn't get a chance to read it, it was an ignorant rant comparing herself getting a 'disciplinary strap' at a non-catholic school, and getting no compensation because "it was the 'norm' during that time"; to the unthinkable, repetitive, physical, mental and sexual abuse, First Nations children had to endure while attending residential schools.
First off, I would like to point out that these children, now referred to as "residential school survivals" are labeled as such, not because they received discipline at school, but because they survived torture that was forced onto the First Nations people, by the government and the Catholic Church.
Secondly, the cash settlements these survivors receive, is hardly compensation for what was stolen from them as children. No amount of money can replace their dignity, self-esteem, loss of language and culture, or erase the horrible memories that haunt them, each and everyday.
So please, educate yourself, before making such ignorant and hurtful assumptions.
E. Erickson
Fort St. James.
