APTN InFocus with Cheryl McKenzie
Kahanus Manuel grew up knowing that her Secwepemc and Ktunaxa people are the Title holders to the land that nurtured them and still does to this day. It’s the knowledge that was passed down to her and her siblings from their grandfather the late George Manuel and their dad the late Arthur Manuel.
In this edition Kanahus shares her perspective of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
We are also joined by historian, John S. Milloy, known for sharing his truth in a way not always openly received by politicians and some Canadians.
Plus, a policy analyst, known as “Truth Bomb” Russ Diabo shares his counter views of #Canada150 with a vision shared by the Manuel family, Unsettling Canada – a call to action on July 1st, 2017.
And acclaimed Métis artist who speaks her mind to an ever growing audience, Christi Belcourt tell us what’s missing from the frame surround Canada’s big celebration.
I am not an Aboriginal person, but I have studied Canada’s treatment of its Indigenous peoples during my grad studies and now as a teacher. Studying historical papers has taken me down a proverbial gopher hole. Forget the stereotypes of the “any Indian”…I am a very angry bush woman from northern Saskatchewan. The more I study John A. Macdonald, the more I am sickened that his face adorns our money. He should have been tried for genocide, along with DC Scott and a host of others. The fact that Indigenous peoples are not recognized as founding nations with the French and English speaks to the indifference of our parliamentarians to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The fact our government has not petitioned for the Pope to rescind the Doctrine of Discovery reveals that things have changed little since colonization began. The money spent on “Canada’s 150th” is unconscionable when one treaty partner is so wealthy and the other is under boil water advisory.