To the editor:
I can't hold back anymore and continue reading these letters like O.E. Olynyk's "Reserves need better plans" without being furious at the absolute ignorance out there amongst the general public it seems in regards to the aboriginal people's of this wonderful country in which we live.
I can't believe this person and the absolute trash he or she is writing about Natives and the leaders of this country, and furthermore dropping names of certain chiefs in his observation of some of our lands.
First of all, to think that he or she knows all the answers as to how Natives are this way and are certainly free to live the way they choose to begin with. I know that living a traditional way of life for most aboriginals is pretty much impossible. It is also "deplorable" that these folks can't live off the land like their father's before them because the fish is so full of mercury that
it is not even fit for human consumption on a lot of lakes nearby their reserves.
I personally have gone out and shot moose on more than one occasion only to find that they were full of tumors.
Aboriginals can't trap for fur because nobody wants to buy fur anymore because of public outcry on inhumane harvesting practises. These people are so poor it is pathetic.
They are paying 1,000 percent mark up on most things necessary to survive and have nowhere
to work and are forced to live off of the system.
As far as the garbage goes I can't speak for everyone out there, did this person actually see
this party of Caribou hunters leaving their litter behind? Who knows, eh?
I think tO.E. Olynyk should take a trip to every major Canadian city to the parts of town where the less fortunate live and try giving all the answers for these people, because I've been there too and they definately need answers. Perhaps this person can go and help a dying addict whose just over dosed, or put up a drunk vagrant for the night and give him a fresh shower in the morning.
Would you help people by race only? thats what I believe, that perhaps this is a race issue. We Canadians as a whole have problems, not just Natives.
If O.E. Olynyk is concerned then why do I get the feeling that this is purely race motivated?
I hope you take my advice and go to the inner city's of Canada and try to solve their problems because these Aboriginal issue/issues are far far deeper than you can ever imagine. If you did a little homework you'd understand exactly what I'm telling you...
I feel sorry for your and many others ignorance in regards to this issue.
Mike Johnstone
