(The following article is from the June 16-30, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

People's Voice Editorial

As we go to press, the Conservative federal government is preparing to issue a long-overdue apology to Aboriginal peoples for the Canadian state's policy of placing generations of children in residential schools. In another development, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is about to begin its work.

     However, it remains doubtful whether these steps will truly address the scope of this country's horrendous genocidal history. Just as crucial, such symbolic gestures come at a time when the Canadian colonial state remains determined to crush Aboriginal resistance against the corporate invasion of traditional territories, both unceded lands and areas covered by broken treaties.

     Welcome as any apology may be, it would be more significant to see a determined effort to uncover the extent of deaths in residential schools, and to punish those guilty of criminal acts. Nor is the situation greatly improved today, when more Aboriginal youth are removed from their families than during the residential schools era. Housing conditions and poverty rates for First Nations, Métis and Innu families are abysmal right across Canada.

     As for Truth and Reconciliation, how can this goal truly be achieved when the Canadian state refuses to respect the full inherent rights of Aboriginal peoples, including their right to protect traditional territories?

     Truth and reconciliation are noble aims. But to have any practical effect, they must be accompanied by justice. So far, there is no sign that the federal and provincial governments are prepared to move from words to deeds.