The most contentious column of the year contained the word "savages." It tried a defence of Olympics executive Dick Pound, who was denounced for an offhand comment he'd made (in French) that Canada had once been a land of " sauvages." I tried to argue that European culture of the 1600s had in some ways been more "advanced" than North American aboriginal cultures of the same time.http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081229.wcowent30/BNStory/specialComment/homeThis was not a popular view, to say the least, nor did I argue it especially well, although it might not have made a difference if I had. Within hours, a Facebook group called Fire Margaret Wente had signed up thousands of new members. Their e-mails to the editor denounced me for ignorance, malice and racism, and didn't stop for weeks. Later, at a symposium on journalism ethics, I feebly explained I hadn't anticipated such a heated reaction. To which one seasoned professor replied: "Well, you should have." She was right.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Margaret Wente blinks!
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Two Row Wampum Treaty
"It is said that, each nation shall stay in their own vessels, and travel the river side by side. Further, it is said, that neither nation will try to steer the vessel of the other." This is a treaty among Indigenous Nations, and with Canada. This is the true nature of our relationships with Indigenous Nations of 'Kanata'.
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