Reconciliation: A Fool's Errand

Another cash grab

Vincent J. Curtis

14 June 21

RE: Six Nations seek funds for residential school search. Hamilton Spectator 14 June 21

Near the end of the article, it was finally revealed that Six Nations was asking for $10 million of the $27 million committed for all of Canada to search for buried children.  Who knew that renting a ground-penetrating radar unit could be so expensive?

There are a couple of games being played by Six Nations.  The most obvious is the cash-grab.  That request for funds did not come with a budget, and $10 million is an awfully round number.  This aspect of the game is taking the “white man’s money.”  Engrossing themselves at the expense of other Indian tribes is another part of the game.

Among Indians, the Mohawks rank near the top of the social hierarchy on account of the tribe’s history of lethal violence, which we all learned about in school.  Asking for such a disproportionate share of the $27 million is way of demonstrating Six Nations dominance among First Nations.  It’s not like the problem is that big and the costs that high.

Reconciliation is a game to the Indians.  It puts the white man on a treadmill of guilt and financial support – the “white man’s money.”  First Nations are not about to become Canadians after reconciliation; they’ll remain First Nations as they have since the beginning.  Except for relief of guilt, what’s in ‘reconciliation’ for Canadians?

Reconciliation is a fool’s errand.

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