David said a whole lot, and he may well believe what he says
to be true, he does convey it so convincingly. However, with the
last line I believe he sums up the entire problem with his
arguments which paint a comfy picture for native rights in
Quebec, which I happen to disagree with hardily. If the
Miskitos and their supposed status as red herrings (despite
*native* support from impeccably pro-Indian leaders like
Means) mirror Indian groups within Quebec, I suppose this
means that Quebec nationalists are the equivalent of the
Sandinistas. There may be some truth to that (and not necessarily
a pretty one), but I would point out that Indians' aims are not
synonymous with those of yet another failed European ideological
movement.
As for "educational freedom" for natives in Quebec, I recall
so well just a couple of years ago that the well-armed Surete
invaded a Reserve when the Indian parents refused to have their
children be spoken to and taught in French only,
which is now required by Quebec law. Federal troops were
required to restore order during an armed confrontation provoked
by Quebec nationalists.
>From personal experience, I can tell you that the French police are
often bigoted and fascistic when dealing with Indians. And despite
what anyone might wish were true for ideological consistency, I do not
think the shocking view that the world got last year of Quebec racism
in Oka will be very easily misted over with misleading arguments.
It may be interesting to note that any Indians convicted by
Europeans for actions defending themselves in that shameful
Quebec incident will not likely serve time in Quebec penitentiaries,
for fairly obvious reasons. That puts an entirely brighter light on
certain alleged statistics.
David, I think your ideological reference point is so narrowly focussed
that you cannot understand, let alone identify with the Indian.
I think it has been some of our wisest counsel, historically, to remain
aloof from taking sides in the family fights Europeans have waged
since coming to these shores.
- One of "Les sauvages" ...
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