“A good mix of my people on this side of the reserve and those who live with us on the other side of the cattle guard.”
Folks these are not my words – a statement familiar to Chief Clarence Louie and audiences that have heard him speak. A long one for sure late Friday afternoon in the foyer of the Frank Venables Theatre.
Chief Louie in a lengthy speech that even had indigenous people squirming – more than an hour – made one important point. If you want reconciliation with Canadian native Indians – talk land and the return of same.
Louie says he wants the return of about 4200 acres stolen during the period 1870 to 1920. He called the Haynes years when land was taken including IR 2 in Okanagan Falls. “I will be coming to see you both” in reference to Osoyoos and Oliver councils present at Friday’s celebration.
I may not accomplish this in my lifetime – but kids here today want to know that the land agreed to by my people and the British government of 1870 will be restored to them.
Chief Louie – the majority of his remarks on the subject of co-operation of whites and Indians and how that continues to this day on business deals that are to the benefit of both parties.
“I was raised with the Indian Act, my mother and my people raised with the Indian Act. Tough for us to change to aboriginal or indigenous” said Louie.
“I believe in race difference – we cannot be homogenized. I want my people to be proud. Despite lands stolen, residential schools, decimation of my language and way of life – we are Number One – Indians in Canada. Treat us with respect.”
“We will treat you better than we have been treated in the last 150 years.”
Editor’s Note: the word stolen. Stolen as in a treaty, an agreement, reached between the Indians and the White Government but then BROKEN by the white government when it was convenient. CL is not talking about all of the land taken in the name of the settlers. Just the land taken after agreement reached. I think ‘stolen’ is a good word that describes exactly what happened.
Truth and Reconciliation encompasses the word Truth – find the facts, respect them – address them and maybe then reconciliation.