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Uncivil dialogue in Canada is alive and well, if only as indicated by the nature of the statements and conversations that take place in the comments section of online news articles related to Indigenous Peoples. The consistent vitriolic statements on some items on CBC Indigenous online news unit caused the editor to temporarily shut down the comment section.

“We've noticed over many months that these stories draw a disproportionate number of comments that cross the line and violate our guidelines. Some of the violations are obvious, some not so obvious; some comments are clearly hateful and vitriolic, some are simply ignorant. And some appear to be hate disguised as ignorance (i.e., racist sentiments expressed in benign language).” [1]

While listening to Justin Trudeau’s inspiring acceptance speech on the night of October 19th, 2015, I was filled with a sense of cautious optimism. When the then Prime Minister designate evoked the Royal Proclamation in his reference to “nation-to-nation” relations with Indigenous Peoples in Canada I felt encouraged that here was a leader who could move the Crown-Indigenous Peoples relations from litigious to reconciliation.

We were very interested to hear Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau, in his victory speech, reference an intention for a "renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples that respects rights and honours treaties". As far as we know, he is the first prime minister to ever acknowledge, in their victory speech, the “nation-to-nation” relationship which dates back to 1763 when the Royal Proclamation was signed by King George III.

The myth that Indigenous People do not pay taxes is one of the more enduring misconceptions regarding how easy Indigenous People have it and generates a lot of resentment with non-Aboriginal Canadians. Other myths concern free education, free housing and others.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”. - Benjamin Franklin

By Tanya Laing-Gahr

While Idle No More has brought national and international attention to Aboriginal issues, those within Canada’s resource sector have been keenly aware that the old ways of approaching engagement with Aboriginal communities are changing. Many resource companies are taking proactive approaches to engage early and engage often. However, there is still uncertainty about how to approach conflict when negotiating agreements, largely due to clashing worldviews.

I wrote this article because I frequently see postings on Facebook asking people to “like” the “Merry Christmas” greeting and denounce the “Happy Holiday” greeting.

At this time of year, it is important to realize and recognize that Christmas is not a cause for celebration for everyone and that for some it is a stark reminder of the historic relationship between churches, the celebration of Christmas, and residential schools. The following letter to parents of the Kamloops Indian Residential school children provides some interesting insights into the relationship.

When it comes to a handshake and Aboriginal Peoples what could possibly go wrong?

Many people like to shake hands and always offer a hand when meeting and working with people. This works most of the time, but we do have to remember that when we are working with Indigenous Peoples we are working across cultures with individuals in their own right and that some Indigenous People do not shake hands and therefore are not expecting, or are comfortable with a handshake. With this in mind, we have to understand and be prepared to offer a hand and not have one offered in return.

Bob Joseph
Aboriginal Peoples did not have written languages although many of the Indigenous Peoples of North America relied on oral histories instead of a written language to pass down their history. For example, there were Peoples who were recording historical events in the form of pictographs in various materials. The Maya and Inca were recording history in stone while some of the plains peoples were recording historical events on buffalo hides.