Some believe politics is the only answer, whether Federal or Provincial. Others, based on decades of Politicians standing on a podium, waving their fists in determine speeches that rarely come to be, see politics as “smoke and mirrors”!
As Drew Hayden Taylor, an Anishnawbe writer from Curve Lake First Nation, just north of Peterborough, ON. wrote, “Let’s face it, politics is drama. It’s all timing, choreography, dialogue, and motivation. Sometimes wardrobe, sometimes good lighting helps. And all the candidates have their hour to strut upon the national stage”.
Taylor also reflected on promises of the past, in a somber comment, “We’ve danced this dance before. Many times. In our language, we call this time the Moon of Many Promises. Lots of promises. There will be the traditional dangling of clean water… so close we can almost taste it. Promises of adherence to Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. And, most recently, promises to address the discovery of unmarked graves of residential school children. Despite the tragedy, there was the beginning of some meaningful conversation developing. Most of the country even was willing to accept a muted Canada Day in respect. Then the election was called and the discussion suddenly became muted. Residential School Interruptus.”
Is Taylor correct when he writes, “You listen to the mainstream media and it’s full of politicians saying “Canadians want…,” “Canadians need…,” Canadians deserve…” and the list goes on. The cool thing is Indigenous people are being recognized as a sizable and important voting block. In some ridings, they may even control the balancing vote.”
Right up to the election call, for a brief moment, it seemed the majority of Canadians were on their way to reaching a breakthrough, a realization of what horrific history had been forced upon Indigenous peoples all across this country. Canadians were awakened to the undeniable evidence surrounding Residential Schools. As the election platforms are made public, there seem to be many Indigenous hot points being brought forward by each Party. Will they be acted upon or become more Moon of Many Promises?
With his sizable sense of humor Drew Hayden Taylor ends his comments with “And for whoever loses, there’s always that job opening on Jeopardy!”
