Retyped for your information is the text of a column that appeared nearly a month ago in the Calgary Herald. It's points are just as valid today as they were the day they were written. ************************************************************************ Calgary Herald Tuesday, August 28, 1990 B A C K G R O U N D INDIAN WARS: Government never learns, by Richard Wagamese "War is policy continued by other means." Actually considering the current non-relationship between Indians and both levels of government the phrase might well be rewritten to mean, "policy is war continued by other means." Welcome to the modern Indian wars. Memory fails as to the identity of the philosopher, but developments in Oka bear scabrous testimony to the relevance of the idea. The war of patience is over. The province of Quebec has put forward the policy that in order to appear right in this matter it is willing to compromise the integrity of the entire country to "resolve" the Oka situation. It is willing to go to war with its own citizens. Premier Robert Bourassa's decision to pursue a military solution to a political problem isn't exactly surprising. The "civilizing" of North America was built on armed response to even the slightest rumbling in Indian country. Precedent, I believe, is the foundation stone of policy. In Canada, one need only point to the 1,000 troops sent to Batoche in 1885 to quell a rebellion of 130 Metis using stones and nails for bullets. Over-reaction, too, would appear to be a historical guideline. One can only hope that no lives are lost at Oka as they were at Batoche. Bourassa justified deployment of the troops by saying the Mohawks were not bargaining in good faith. This despite an announcement from behind the barricades that the Indians would allow one lane of traffic to flow over the Mercier bridge. And despite the observation from an international team of observers that it was government and not the Mohawks who were operating in bad faith. An Aug. 12 agreement that called for the free flow of food, medicine and advisers into the barricaded area was not being followed through. Government pointed to the angry residents of Chateauguay for the non- movement. Apparently neither troops nor police could restrain the white citizens either. The observers indicated that non-delivery on the agreement was indication of governmental bad faith. It's all been embarrassing for Bourassa. Firstly, he was not consulted prior to the police storming of the barricades on July 11. Secondly, he couldn't persuade the federal minister responsible for the Indians to take control of the problem. Thirdly, he's been unable to publicly differentiate between Quebec's pressing for "distinct society" status and the similar claims of the Indians. Fourthly, and perhaps most importantly, he's had to hide the fact that when the initial storming of the barricades occurred it was only women and children present at the front lines. The warriors were well behind them and only appeared once the Quebec police made the initial aggressive motions. Then they returned fire to protect their women and children. Wisely, the Mohawks have now returned to the status of July 11. Women and children are present at the barricades while the army ponders various hypothetical situations and how they should deal with them. It shows that nothing much has changed behind the barricades. However, in six short weeks the paranoia on the other side has resulted in troops and weaponry replacing police forces. The question arises as to who are the reactionaries? Military motions are nothing new to the Indians. Government has never known any other way of dealing with them. For all the talk about refusing to negotiate at the point of a gun. Bourassa and Prime Minister Mulroney are doing a good job of showing all of us that the democracy they say they are protecting is open for redefinition when need arises. Welcome to the modern Indian wars. However, once the Oka situation is resolved the long-term result is going to be a drastic and tragic loss of trust and communication on the part of the Indians towards governments. War and policy, evidently, are always going to be waged upon them. We await the next installment. ************************************************************************ A while ago I was asked by a supporter in Sweden to supply him with the addresses, telephone and fax-numbers of the major media organizations in Canada to enable him to directly contact Canadian media. I feel this is a great idea and this information may also be handy to others - so here they are. The list is by no means complete and could need some additions. One idea that comes to mind is addresses of Canadian ethnic newspapers or newsletters, e.g. a national german speaking paper, that supporters of native rights in Germany, Austria, Switzerland would then contact to express their concerns in their native language. Would that make sense? All information below from Benn's Media Directory, 1990, International Edition, 138 Edition, Benn Business Information Services LTD PO Box 20, Sovereign Way, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1QR ISSN: 0269 8366 ISBN: 0 86382 0964 The Canadian Press (News Agency) 36 King St. East, Toronto, Ont, M5C 2L6 Tel (416) 364-0321 TELEX 06 23299 United Press Canada (News Agency) 366 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, Ont, M5A 1N4 CTV Television Network Ltd 42 Charles St. East, Toronto, Ont, M4Y 1T5 Tel (416)928-6000 TELEX 062 2080 Fax (416) 928-0907 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 1500 Bronson Ave, PO Box 8478, Ottawa, Ont, K1G 3J5 Tel (613) 724-1200 TELEX 053 4260 Global Television Network 81 Barber Greene Rd, Don Mills, Ont, M3C 2A2 Tel (416) 446-5311 TELEX 069 66767 Fax (416)446-5371 Maclean's (Newsmagazine) Maclean Hunter Ltd. 777 Bay St, Toronto, Ont, M5W 1A7 Tel (416) 596-5311 TELEX 06 219547 Fax (416) 596-6001 Globe & Mail 416 - 444 Front St. West, Toronto, Ont, M5V 2S9 Tel (416)585-5411 TELEX 062 19629 Fax (416) 585-5275, 585-5085 Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. 1 Yonge St, Toronto, Ont, M5E 1E6 Tel (416) 869-4321 TELEX 06 23201 Fax (416) 869-4155, 869-4416 ************************************************************************ For more information contact web:car by e-mail or in writing Aboriginal Rights Support Group Committee Against Racism P.O. Box 3085, Station B Calgary, Alberta T2M 4L6