World

Liberal shame and the Arctic Gulag

by Barry ORegan | December 6, 2009 at 06:01 am

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Barry O'Regan

This story reminds me of an old 1970s episode on WKRP Cincinati TV show where a thanksgiving promotional gig of tossing live turkeys out of the traffic helicopter, resulted in the deadly carnage and the anxious station owner exclaiming "As god as my witness,I thought turkeys could fly"!

This story, like the TV show is an example of how people act without understanding the consequences of their actions.

The forced relocation of Inuit families across the arctic in 1953 by the Federal Liberals under Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent certainly is a fine example of acting without thought of the consequences, thinking that Inuit people are the same all over and would survive the forced relocation from one desolate area to another. It is said if not for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who found them and cared for them, these Inuit would have perished soon after their arrival.

Certainly makes one wonder what went on in the minds of men elected to ensure the safety and welfare of it's constituents. The residential school system that festered when First Nations were forced to give up their language and customs is another example when good intentions result in "As god as my witness I thought turkeys could fly"!

Let's hope the Conservation Government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper will immediately correct a wrong, by the sins of our forefathers.

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Barbara McPherson

at 06:18 on December 6th, 2009

But how can it be corrected? that's the question. We can't pack them up and dump them back where they were snatched from. Do we move them all to Toronto? Maybe it's time to ask the Inuit what they want.

Barry ORegan

at 06:30 on December 6th, 2009

They have made this area their home, but I am sure some cash thrown their way may make up for past grievances by past liberal wrongdoing.

eastvanray

at 13:53 on December 15th, 2009

Hey Barry, any other causes you want to force me to pay for?

Hugh Askew

at 07:36 on December 6th, 2009

liberal wrongdoing? not certain that is possible, Barry. The rules would need to be re-written. ;)

a211423

at 08:46 on December 6th, 2009

The stories of relocation of indigenous people around the world is sadly the same whether it was in the U.S., South America, Australia, Africa, Alaska, or Bangladesh to name only a few. The reasons can fill volumes ranging from acquisition of land to stealing valuable resources. The people are rarely appreciated for their language or culture; therefore, preservation is ignored while so-called progress marches on to secure their land and resources with wreckless disregard.

There are many stories dramatizing the attempts to assimilate indigenous people, but one of the most poignant for me is Rabbit Proof Fence that tells the story of the aborigine in Austrailia. We should have progressed since these practices have proven to be detrimental.