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Aboriginal issue has deep roots

Dear Editor: I just finished reading your Dec. 14 Our View entitled "Finger-pointing won't help Attawapiskat.

Dear Editor:

I just finished reading your Dec. 14 Our View entitled "Finger-pointing won't help Attawapiskat." However, "your view" was exactly about - finger pointing! To blame the plight of aboriginal peoples', spanning 400-plus years, on the federal Conservatives, is extremely ignorant and shortsighted and, coming from someone who has the power to communicate to many, irresponsible and shameful.

There is no quick fix in correcting the conditions in which many, not all, aboriginals live in, but probably a first step would be to admit that we're not doing things right!

I think our admittance should start with confessing that reservations and the soon-to-be-created First Nation Authority is a "prettied" Canadian version of apartheid. Segregation of a people does not incite prosperity, let alone a sustainable economic future that is conducive for a population, a nation, to survive. If we are sincere about helping aboriginals, we should give them a future.

What has happened in Attawapiskat is not shocking if we were to look at many reservations across the country. There are many reservations in similar states of poor condition.

Like the saying, "Give a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish he eats for life," we need to stop sending money. We need to stop making the reservations the only viable option for survival. We need to wean, we need to help to give aboriginals the skills, the tools, the education and the opportunity to survive without reservations, without government cheques.

We need these people to be empowered and walk proud. If we can do this - I think we can - aboriginals will be able to thrive within one nation, Canada.

Craig Thompson, New Westminster