Are there problems on some reserves?

Are there problems in certain neighborhoods?

Obviously.

Is the past an excuse for anything done today? No. However, the past is the foundation of our present situation.

Too dependent on the Government? Consider that it wasn’t that long ago when indigenous people were forced to leave their home and go to reserves. In Canada they had to get a permit to even leave the reserve.

Too hostile to the ways of the white man? Consider that it wasn’t that long ago when indigenous people were picked up by force and forced to listen to priests and preachers. Priests and preachers who did a whole lot more than just preaching and teaching. This is well-documented.

Is this what Jesus actually taught people to do? Is this historic early Christian teaching and behavior? No. Jesus actually said things like, whoever harms one of these little ones it would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be thrown into the sea! There’s a buzz killing sermon topic if there ever was one. Hmmm…By the sound of the news these days, maybe this verse should be preached on more often.

Too many people feeling alienated from society? Consider that in Canada it wasn’t that long ago when there were separate washrooms for indigenous people like my brother-in-laws and skinny white dudes like me.

Now, should we dwell on the wrongs of the past?

Did I do the things listed above personally?

No…but if we understand the past…if we make an effort to understand the foundation that was laid, we can better understand why the house that was built on that foundation is leaning a little.

Would we be a little ticked off if the Government did the above things to us and our families?

Would I like it if Government goons came by to haul me off to Church?

No.

Should the Government be deciding if people should go to Church in the first place?

Should the Church be busy doing the bidding of the Government?

These are separate issues. Back to our main subject, consider as well, despite all that has happened. There are reserves who are becoming completely self-sufficient. Drunken Indians? Hmmm…Maybe so, but consider, there’s probably more reserves that are dry than white communities. There are artists like Don Amero, who have made a career out of crafting songs and encouraging others to do good and rise above their circumstances.

Are there bad apples? For sure…but it isn’t reasonable to say entire communities are bad because of the actions of a few. Do I know I few white bad apples? Perhaps. Have I been a bad apple? Honestly, yes.

In any case, punishing people who are busy doing good for the bad behavior of other people doesn’t encourage them to carry on being good.

Since pointing fingers and complaining has accomplished surprisingly little so far…maybe a different plan is needed.

A plan to rebuild relationships.

Any healthy relationship is based on honesty, so, perhaps there should be honesty about the wrongs done.

Maybe for true reconciliation, there should be forgiveness and a turning away from the evils of the past.

Of course it is easier said than done, but wouldn’t healing be worth the effort by all of us?

Yes, yes, I know. You and I aren’t the ones who did all these things…so why should we do…anything?

Consider this, in a healthy relationship it is often helpful to consider what the other party in the relationship has gone through, what they consider as important or valuable. If doing something on our part would help lead to healthier relationship with another person or community, would it be worth it to make an effort?

Would reconciliation be worth it?

For all our communities?