The tears of two Catholic Métis sisters spilled onto the sidewalk outside Vancouver's Holy Rosary Cathedral today after they were yanked out of mass by police for objecting to a statement read by the priest.

Ellen and Tatyana Dobrowolski, who were removed but not arrested, said they made plans to attend the Sunday Easter Mass at the cathedral without prior knowledge of a scheduled native protest that was under way when they arrived.

The protest, one of several organized in recent months by a group called Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared, was held to draw attention to alleged "germ warfare" that lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of native children in residential schools between the 1890s and 1970s.

A female protester is led by police from Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver on Easter Sunday, after more than two dozen people gathered there to protest the Catholic church's handling of the residential school issue.

Jason Payne - The Province

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More than a dozen aboriginal protesters stood outside the cathedral beating drums and chanting "shame! shame!" and loudly calling the parishioners "murderers."

Friends organizer Kevin Annett handed out copies of an April 2007 newspaper article stating that for four decades after a Department of Indian Affairs warning was issued in 1907, residential schools "made no effort to separate healthy children from those sick with [tuberculosis]."

The resulting death toll, Annett claims, was over 50,000 and amounting to "genocide" by the churches, including the Catholic, Anglican and United, that ran the schools.

"We want full disclosure from the church as to what happened and we want the remains of the children brought to their homes and for justice to be done," said Annett. "A lot of the perpetrators are still alive."

Inside the church Rev. Glenn Dion, the rector of Holy Rosary, was delivering a message from Vancouver Archbishop Raymond Roussin that was repeated at Easter masses throughout the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver.

"Mr. Annett . . . has spread false information and has been making bizarre allegations about genocide against natives for many years," Roussin's letter read.

The letter also said the Squamish Nation issued a statement last week saying Annett does not, as he claims, represent them.

That prompted Ellen and Tatyana Dobrowolski to stand up, uninvited, and address the reverend in front of the entire congregation.

"I said, 'Excuse me . . . discrediting the protesters is not deleting the truth,'" said Ellen after being escorted out by police, who were on site in apprehension of a disturbance caused by the protest.

Ellen claimed neither she nor her sister, who also made disparaging remarks during the priest's statement, are affiliated with Annett's group, and that she takes First Nations studies at Simon Fraser University.

"It was infuriating," she said. "Obviously they can't deny what happened, and so they tried to discredit the protests.

"We don't blame the people in the church because they are just listening to people they trust."

Paul Schratz, spokesman for the Vancouver Archdiocese, could not be reached, but wrote in a recent editorial for the B.C. Catholic newspaper that "Catholic bishops from Vancouver and Whitehorse offered apologies for wrongs committed at residential schools within their jurisdictions."

He also said work on a national Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission between church and native leaders is about to get underway, which will give those who suffered under the residential school system a chance to safely share their experiences.

Dion called the disturbance caused by the two Métis parishioners "pretty aggressive and pretty not-what-we're-about on Easter morning."

He said of the Friends protesters: "When you start using the word 'murdered,' you're taking a partial truth about the situation with the residential schools and a health crisis and you're escalating it to a non-truth."

kwebb@png.canwest.com

© Vancouver Province 2008

COMMENTS ON THIS STORY

Add Your Comment

D.J. McKnight

Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 08:47 PM

Whatever happened to freedom of speech? I wouldn't put it past the people in charge of the schools to ignore a health crisis. And no, I have no connections to the First Nations or anything like that, but I am a historian.

James Alexander

Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 08:56 PM

Who do I hold accountable for introducing TOBACCO into my great grandfathers life. The natives, of course. He died of cancer. This is the same argument. To protest about that is a ridiculous as this. When the natives invent a time machine from stone tools and buffalo hides, somebody call me. Until then , please shut up. Yes it happened, but there is not a damn thing we can do about it.

Patrick

Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 09:11 PM

Here we go again. Natives think they have found yet another manner in which to separate hard working Canadians from they're tax dollars. Enough of this nonsense already. Put the liquor bottles away, get a job, & pay your own way like the rest of us have to.

Connie Kidd

Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 09:47 PM

Father Dion is "just listening to people he trusts" too. Canadians are 'just listening to government's they trust' too. The Government of Canada, via INAC, has not disputed that 30-50% of the children died in Canada's 'Indian' Residential Schools, over the 100 years they were overseen by the government (approx. 1890-1990.) The words "murderers" "genocide" and "holocaust" are the words of children, now adults, who know because THEY WERE THERE. They are the people who barely managed to survive and often lived on the streets. They are people who saw their siblings murdered, saw children deliberately exposed to disease. They know. I hope the Vancouver Province, Father Dion and the people of his church will join us in asking the Archdiocese to verify the facts by answering these fundamental questions: How many children are buried at the sites of the Archdiocese's former residential schools? Who are these children? How did they die? When will their families be informed of their fate? The Government of Canada has not disputed that over 50,000 Indigenous children died or disappeared. The Catholic, Anglican and United churches MUST inform the families of the burial locations or fates of their lost children. I hope also that the Catholic, Anglican and United churches will have the courage to allow the survivors and families to speak their truths in the church, speak to congregations, to Canadians, the real truths about Canada's 'Indian' Residential School system. Why hide the truth?

A. Reasoner

Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 11:12 PM

Let's turn history around for a minute and pretend what is now Canada was first inhabited by "Europeans" who were incredibly intuitive stewards of the land happy with their culture, traditions and economics. And then let's say a bunch of red-skinned raiders in canoes showed up, branded the Euros savages and forced them off the land and into these hellacious residential schools and onto reserves, where they were stripped of their traditions and told they'd amount to nothing unless they embraced the culture, traditions and economics of their red-skinned conquerors. Maybe, just maybe, would we then even begin to comprehend the levels of injustice, perceived and real, native North Americans have experienced at the hands of their European conquerors. While it might have been noisy and of concern to local parishioners, I commend the two Metis women for standing up and being counted for what can never be swept under the carpet -- a very transparent mistreatment of native North Americans, from Mt. Cashel to Metchosin, by their European conquerors. And while an Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a nice idea, it will do little to mitigate more than a century of mistreatment of native North Americans at the hands of those who arrived here in their tall ships all those years ago. Just who are the real savages here, anyway?

tina lagrotteria, BC, Canada

Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 11:51 PM

Somebody is angry, it's an emotion, neither right or wrong. People certainly get all worked up over 2 girls from a so-called Popular University. They stood up for what they want....Bravo young Chicks!

Henry from Winnipeg

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:31 AM

I believe that an overwhelming majority of Canadians acknowledge the harm caused by Residential Schools. This is a sad part of Canadian History and continues to draw emotional debates from everyone involved. Today, Canadians have another difficult task at hand, and that is to decipher the difference of fact from sensationalism. Unfortunately, the media and legal system prefer the sensational approach; it draws more attention. Case-and-point, the attendance to a documentary based on fact will pale in comparison to the attendance to a Hollywood version with explosions, flash, scantly clad and sex. Let us all listen to our conscience rather that the narrow minded views of those representing sensationalism. I'm sure the outcome will be much more rewarding and productive, and we don't have to sell off our souls.

Kevin

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 01:46 AM

Religion and Greed is the prime motivator of all wars. The Catholic church has proved to me that it and it's leaders are the most Neanderthal bunch of heathens around. Galileo's eventual house arrest by the inquisition, and the boys who's souls were mutilated by the highly esteemed priests with sexual predator criminal behavior. I hold the Catholic Church even lower than the worst Muslims, at least the Muslims do there actions in open defiance of whom they hate, they don't rape little boys in the behind, and try to hush it up with criminal actions. I have Metis blood in me, and I think the Catholic Church should own up to the injustice, and let the winners whom attend this particular church in on the truth.

Jason

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 02:10 AM

Must be a slow news day. I just lost 2 minutes of my life reading this article.

Vikki

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 02:22 AM

Protesters who blame the current generation for the sins of their fathers are no different than Nazis who blamed contemporary Jews for the sins of their fathers two thousand years ago. It looks like the local Catholic church has accepted responsibility "for wrongs committed at residential schools within their jurisdiction[s]." This violation of Easter services is counterproductive to movements for Truth and Reconciliation. Which brother Canadian will stop hitting the other first in this sibling squabble? Or does the Squamish nation require "an eye for an eye"? Celebrants of Easter are grateful to have replaced that literal Old Testament justice system with a New Covenant of mercy.

sm

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 02:32 AM

I think enough is enough. Everytime we turn around the Aboriginals are protesting something else. They never seem to give up. And it is all about money! In this instance, I truly believe they have been drinking too much alcohol, smoking to much dope and watching to many movies. That number of unaccounted for children is a little out of whack, impossible, in Canada and especially in the Catholic Church. A Devout and Proud Catholic.

V for Vendetta

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 02:56 AM

Good for those two. No matter who is making the address, if the facts are wrong and in this case something that would very anger many first nations who know of the past wrongs committed, they have an obligation to stand up and refute or say something about it. Enough of this "we can't be rude or hurt others feelings attitude in the Vancouver area. Truth is truth and if you dont like it, then dont lie about it and think that someone out there wont stand up and say, "AH excuse Me". For the parishioners who didnt like it, tough luck. Deal with it. If you cant handle the truth go hide your head in the ground and shut up.

Leon Dobrowolski

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 03:11 AM

as a fellow Dobrowolski, hailing from Native, Jewish, a Negro back ground i am one of many that know what the the word "murder" means. So i ask every one who reads this to know that the residential schools almost took out an entire race, which is horrible just the thought about that. once you take away kids from their parents and FORCING them not to speak their native language. lets think about that......now what? You get people who know what happened, seen what happened heck had people they know do this horrible thing to these humans, come out and "say its not our fault.....it was our old family members". But you still hear about this type of torture now a days.NO. you don't do you know why? The true natives fought for the right to have this privilege which should already be something that should be a right but to speak their native language. which reminds me of something a lot like that....slavery. yes slavery. taking people from there homes and FORCING them to use different names and talk like a white man. even thought it is wrong it is still happening today. look at haiti and the dominican repubulic. people from haiti are going to the dominican to find work and the dominicans take their passports so they can't leave and give them one dollar for a days work and charge them 90 cents for food room and bathroom privileges thats right bathroom privileges. which is making owe money so they can't leave the country.

Violates Universal Declaration

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 06:35 AM

of Human rights , Police violated International Law from Universal Declaration of Human Rights , Article 18. & Article 19. as stated below : Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. the only people should have been taken away to jail were the police for violating international law !!!

steve m

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 09:34 AM

It just goes to show how the church still thinks they are holier than thou. My attractive sister was booted from church because two ladies there felt threatened that she would steal thier men..GUESS WHAT the two that raised the stink were the ones cheating on thier husbands. But thats Ok because they were forgiven and now they can continue to destroy other lives because tey have a belief in thier mind..The only reason why I can't defend these girls is what the heck were they doing in church,they obviously need to look in other areas for guidance because they can't handle reality on thier own

MrH

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 09:42 AM

Just a question - Why stir up an unrelated issue at an Easter event of a religious gathering?

Rudy

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:00 PM

I'm suprised that people even go to church given the past autrocities (including sexual, cultural genocide, what is mentioned above and others) committed by both the Catholic and Anglican churches, not only in this province but in other parts of this country (and the world) as well. I say that lightly as there are probably still autrocities going on. A large number of holier than thou priests, ministers, brothers etc hiding behind their robes have proven to be lying, sexually perverted, cheats and good on these people. I don't see a problem with someone speaking their mind when something they believe/know is BS is being spouted whether it is a letter from some grand exhaulted catholic poh bah or not.

arne

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:12 PM

shame on the cathoick and the POPEall know the kits was miss tredet by the prist RAPE

E.Bitterman

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:36 PM

Good Morning. I would like to Comment on your Article quoting that these women are METIS. Please research the Term Metis, citizens of recent descendancy, from a First Nation and married to non-aboriginals are NOT Metis. The Metis Nation is a Historic Nation within Canada, and recognized under Section 35 of the Constitution. Our Origins are from Central Canada, and traced through the "Scrip" Systems of the Half Breed Commissions in the Development of Canada. In your article it was quoted, "The letter also said the Squamish Nation issued a statement last week saying Annett does not, as he claims, represent them." It is in question that they may be past members of the Squamish Nation and Off Reserve. Currently our Metis Nation is undergoing re-identification and the Citizenship registry Identifies our Nation. Please have this clarified as to not point to our Metis Nation with the usage of the term "METIS" E. Bitterman

martin

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:36 PM

There were injustices and many problems at residential schools, run by all kinds of denominations, most notably the Catholic, Anglican, and United churches. But to claim that this was a deliberate genocide and to call the parishioners "murderers" is disgusting. The schools were run for over a 100 years. Tuberculosis was rapant in society as a whole at the time. Of course children in boarding schools died of TB, so did many outside. I hope the Truth and Reconciliation Comission doesn't turn into a Kangaroo court. Is every statement of sexual abuse and genocide to be accepted at face value? What about all the long dead priests, nuns, and teachers who have no way of defending themselves from accusations? There were abusers and wrongs, absolutely, but this kind of blind fanatical hatred, divorced from facts, on the part of some of these protesters is very disturbing. Take a balanced careful historical look at what went on. And that goes for the media as well.

jan janke

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:38 PM

When natives can claim that their children are properly cared for in currant times, then maybe they can worry about aledged child abuse in bygone days. They don't have much to boast about with drunken parents letting their children freeze to death.

Kevin Annett

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:48 PM

Vancouver, Squamish Nation territory: In response to claims that our action last Sunday "disrupted" services at Holy Rosary cathedral, and that an element of the Squamish band leadership disagrees with our action, I wish to make the following statement: 1. At no time have I claimed or attempted to "speak for the Squamish nation", as Squamish band chief Bill Williams has alleged. In participating in the memorial vigil at Holy Rosary Cathedral last Sunday, March 16, I have spoken and acted solely under the authority of hereditary Squamish Chief Kiapilano and not as a spokesperson for the Squamish Nation. My aim was and is to speak to my own Euro-Canadian culture and its churches, and to urge them to take responsibility for the deaths of chidlren in their Indian residential schools. 2. Despite the distorted portrayal of our action by some media as a "disruption" of the mass at Holy Rosary, in reality our action was peaceful, respectful, and an integrated part of the service itself following a verbal welcoming of us by presiding priest Rev. Glen Dion. Lasting barely ten minutes, our action consisted of a silent procession to the front of the church, where we were welcomed by Rev. Dion and where we stood in silent prayer. We then left the church sanctuary, led by aboriginal elders and Chief Kiapilano, at which point the entire congregation stood as we passed. At no time did we slow the progression of the mass or interrupt its normal functioning. Further, at no point prior to or during our action did police or church staff interfere with our action, or warn us not to enter the church sanctuary. 3. We welcome the public discussion generated by our action, which was taken solely because of the refusal of Archbishop Raymond Roussin of Holy Rosary Cathedral to answer our Letter of January 13, 2008, asking him to help identify the burial sites of children who died in local Catholic Indian Residential Schools. To resolve this issue amicably, we are willing to meet with Archbishop Roussin at any time to discuss our concerns. Failing such a meeting, our actions will continue. We invite all aboriginal people and members of the Squamish Nation, along with Chief Bill Williams, to join us in this effort to bring home the children who died in Indian residential Schools, and to bring to justice those persons responsible for their deaths. Kevin D. Annett (Eagle Strong Voice) Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared (National Committee) 253 B East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6A 1P4 ph: 1-888-265-1007 email: hiddenfromhistory@yahoo.ca

islander

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 12:49 PM

The sisters just happened to be at the mass that was being "targeted" by protesters. Yeah right! If you want to get to the truth you have to start telling the truth, it works both ways.

David Harvey

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 01:34 PM

Murder means you planed to kill them. How would you like me to protest the "murder" of non natives by natives of past times?I could even come to your holy place of worship and interupt an important ceremony to bring attention to the cause.How do you think I would be recieved by them? By the way,I am also of native heritage and I lost all respect for the protesters over this issue.

leki

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 01:39 PM

Not-what-we're-about on Easter Morning. ..Sorry Dion, but the topic was introduced by you if I read this correctly. So if Easter morning is not the time(to quote your comment), perhaps you could have chosen to read Roussins letter at a later date? Or, not at all. I am not an indigenous person and I find your lack of understanding offensive-and find the reading of this letter inappropriate, and leaves you wide open for someone to finally stand up and confront what is actually an "aggressive" letter. A letter meant to instill in a population an assumption and jusdgement based on partial truth. You had an opportunity to address this, in the moment, faced with the real feelings of the sisters. It is unfortunate that you were unable to meet their needs in that public forum. That opportunity may not come again. ....Leki leki

Ellen

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 02:37 PM

The protesters weren't calling the parishioners 'murderers', they were calling the Catholic authorities murderers. They were also calling for shame on the Catholic church, NOT on its members. The protesters were actually extremely friendly to all Catholic members who passed by them.

disrupted

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 02:47 PM

Given that easter is the most significant day in the Catholic faith, it is disturbing to think that there is such a lack of respect for cultural values in our society, that people will disrupt a cultural ceremony. Above this, this disruption appears supported by the media, with camera men entering the church during prayer and pushing parishioners in the pews to get a good angle of the "action" If the situation was reversed, and Christians disrupted the most important aboriginal ceremony of the year, I am certain that the media would paint a completely different picture of the event. There are forums for voicing injustices, and as I understand, this issue was brought to the authorities(the police) and should be addressed as such. If there are bodies found, then let the courts deal with the issue (Afterall, isn't that why we have a system of justice?)

Kay Goodnow

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 03:06 PM

There is no doubt in my mind that thousands of lives have been shattered and broken and/or destroyed by "chiristianity" in it's most malicious form. Although most victims are interested in truth and justice, remuneration would certainly help. For bishops to continue to deny what they did, and blame their own victims, is absolutely beyond belief. No wonder they have no credibility.

me

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 04:43 PM

the catholic church should be dis banded and its money divided amongst its victims... fairy tales and perverted old men......

Monica Dobrowolski

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 05:36 PM

I am Tatyana and Ellen's mother. Thanks for allowing my daughters to explain themselves. They have being raised to respect life and to have social responsibilities towards those whom don't have a voice to defend themselves. I am very proud of Tatyana and Ellen. They had a good Catholic Education.

Freddy

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 05:50 PM

So much for free speach. The congregation at the church can listen to the archbishop's rationalizations about many things but heaven forbid if someone speaks against it!!! I'm not an aboriginal person but I have alot of respect and admiration for the culture they once had and am outraged at what certain religions have done to these people. You know, the big thing in the news now is the cultural genocide taking place in Tibet. Make no mistake, that is exactally what is happening there. As well, make no mistake, that same cultural genocide, took place in BC/Canada as well. It is time to let these people get back to what they belive in. They did perfectly well for centuries before we came here and brought our sanctimonious "all knowing" christian beliefs and forced them, many times through laws to loose their culture, their spirituality etc. It is a disgusting legacy!!!! It is absolutely no different than what China is doing to Tibet....just as potlach and all those cultural things were banned in BC a century ago, currently Tibet's spiritual idealology is being denied by the Chinese. This is completely unacceptable!!!!!

Rudy

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 06:32 PM

This seems very unjust considering the Catholic and Anglican churches systematically took away the British Columbian aboriginals' spirituallity and culture!!!!!! That this archbishop or whatever rank system they have in the catholic church had the audacity to have his feelings read to the congregation by a second party is par for the course. What a lame way to do things. But very typical given all the rest of the catholic church rationalizations on all the other things we read in the news about them including corruption, sexual issues etc etc. The catholic church sits in a deeper spot than China currently sits as far as human rights go.

Bill

Mon, Mar 24, 08 at 07:30 PM

I have to preface by saying I am not an aboriginal person nor do I have one drop of aboriginal blood flowing in my veins. I think if asked, and based on information I have received from media, research etc I would be totally on the side of the aboriginals on this issue. For centuries the aboriginals of this province have experienced cultural genocide. It is time the churches came totally clean on their part of this genocide and made good for it. Very historically typical of the catholic church to remove anyone who was contrary to their beliefs. I'm suprised they were only removed from the church, that is not historically what met someone who dared deny or argue with the archbishop and his say on the world. Why is it that in a church people are not given their rights to freedom of speech?

Canadian Norwegion

Tue, Mar 25, 08 at 04:48 AM

wasn't it somewhere in the 85 to 90 million range of north american natives lives lost due to liberization?lol and who said 6 million jews and hitlers splash was big?

Connie

Tue, Mar 25, 08 at 09:49 AM

Good for the two women for speaking out!! There is no such thing as freedom of thought or speach in the Catholic Church though, do as your told or else. Over the course of history the numbers of deaths, screwed up lives, genocides etc that can be attributed to the church is staggering.

Kat

Tue, Mar 25, 08 at 02:44 PM

Wow, after reading some of the ignorant comments left on here, it still blows me away how racist Canadians are! James Alexander, Patrick, Jan Janke to name a few. Also, to "Disrupted". I'm sure that the Catholic church showed a lot of cultural respect to First Nations people across the country when they were beating children in the residential schools for speaking their native language. I think that you need to read more before you voice your ignorance.

Jocelyne

Tue, Mar 25, 08 at 08:32 PM

Unfortunately,what was published is not what happened. First of all both women are Metis. Secondly, both women politely tried to address the disparaging comments that were read initially via a letter that Father Dion read to the parishioners only after he addressed the parish. They were then told to shut up by the parishioners.Which I would say was rude! They addressed the parish by politely saying " EXCUSE me but discrediting the protesters cannot delete the truth" It was then that the parishioners assumed that they were not Catholic.They then said they had the right to be there as they are Catholic and are Metis. The protest became inflamed after they were grabbed and lead out of the church by the police. Both women are inteligent women who stood up for those whose voices have been silenced!I am getting tired of peolple who say Aboriginal people should get over and are to blame for their current legacy!! Wake up people if you could directly trace responsibility for horrible abuse to any organization that continued to deny their responsibilty for their crimes; you'd be choked too!! $8000 as a survivors benefit seems a paltry amt for crimes that have decimated a group of People. But oh some would like to believe it's all about reimbursement and monetary settlements. How about recognition,obviously if a letter is read to the "masses" by the Archbishop seems to me that he was the one to "start this". How would you feel about seeing your sacred items and family members head labeled and in a museum? Until there are sincere apologies I know that I and both of those women won't ever have a desire to be in any church!!!

STW

Tue, Mar 25, 08 at 08:43 PM

Fyi tobacco was only used in sacred ceremonies it was the Europeans who processed it and added all of the Carcinogenic chemicals. This is what caused all of the addiction issues. You need to get your facts straight. Also, it was the Europeans that outlawed Ceremonies which was one of the ways that the people used to promote Health & Healing.Come to think of it the Europeans banned all Ceremonies! The Aboriginal people were attacked in their homes with their young and old. Kind of hard to run away when you are responsible for your elderly and young have all of the weak. So yes maybe some Europeans were ambushed as that was the only means of trying to balance the scales.You need to consider the historical facts! Can't blame Aboriginal people for your Grandfathers death or any one elses.

CHRIS

Tue, Mar 25, 08 at 10:33 PM

Nuts! Stalin was responsible for the genocide of over 28 million Ukranian Catholics during the communist era.I guess as a Catholic I should be asking for compensation to be paid to my people as well.Maybe as a european Canadian I should ask the Mongolians for compensation for when they invaded Europe and raped,pillaged and burned half the continent in the dark ages.The whole world could just compensate itself for thousands of years for that matter and it would never end.

USA Reader

Wed, Mar 26, 08 at 06:20 PM

Holy Mass is not the proper venue for protests! Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia it is against the law to disturb or interrupt a religious meeting or worship service. People should have the right to free speech. But one should not use a religious worship service as the place to protest or object. One is always free to leave. To me, it is the obvious line between the right to free speech and "shouting 'FIRE' in a crowded theater." Do that, and you are arrested, period! The common good has to take precedence at times. Yes, those women have a right to their opinions. I personally do not believe they have a right to express them in church, regardless of the religious denomination in question. That is not in keeping with what the majority of people come to church for.

David

Sat, Apr 5, 08 at 01:42 AM

Like most Canadians, I would like to know how much is enough before the indians are satisfied? Everything is already free for them. They do not pay taxes, yet they get to drive on the same roads we all drive on. Perfectly capable candidates are turned down for jobs because they are not indian and the organization needs to fill their indian hiring quotas. Indians have the biggest opportunity of all - FREE EDUCATION - but they more often then not choose the alternative of being drunk and on welfare. How much do we need to contribute to their societies before they can contribute to ours? More importantly, the tension regarding this issue will only continue to escalate unless we decide as a country that no one person is due priveleges unavailable to others simply because of their race. Good for the sisters to speak their minds, but until Canadians of non-indian descent can honestly feel like the indians' free ride is over, the point the sisters (and others like them) are trying to make will get pushed to the side.

Just Someone That Cares

Sun, Apr 20, 08 at 06:46 AM

I am appalled by the stereotypes of pardon my term "brainwashed bigots" Get a job, put the booze away, stop looking for handouts etc etc etc. Do you that say such things really believe a handout is all that is being looked for? Try over 100 years of systematic de-culturation in a country on land you believed you belonged to. Yes First Nations did not believe they owned the land per say - they believed they were an extension of it "all is connected" we are all one. How could loving people whom sanctified these lands for thousands of years leaving Mother Earth pristine only taking what was only necessary and giving back tenfold with love and rituals that praised Mother Earth. Alcoholism, crime, domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape pillage and plunder were almost non-existent before the almighty settlers came and brought "progression" to this sanctuary. Imagine being told you are savage and Christ will save you when you have been ripped from those you love and those who loved you. Being told to believe in a God that saw fit to take you from your home and ten months out of each years - beat you, molest you, and maybe even murder someone you held onto while trying to endure and comprehend what kind of God could be so cruel?. 25+ years ago a Snobby British gynecologist told me I should have an abortion because the love of my life whom perished shortly after was First Nations. This man of medicine tried to convince me having my "half breed" would be an unjust act I would be imposing on my baby if I allowed him to be born. Reasons being if for any reason whatsoever I could not care for the child what life would he have? The "whites" nor the "Indians" would want him. This was not said to me in a concentration camp during a the Nazi regime but rather in an 11th floor posh office in the comfort of Canada the supposed True North Strong and Free. Lest we Forget!

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