Hope

I remember hope and what it means. I had such great hopes when the report by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples came out in 1996. I had such hope when the Kelowna Accord was produced in 2005. I still have such hope that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will mean change for the future of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. But do I expect my hopes to achieve reality or see action that will have a meaningful result?

Unfortunately, the past tells me what I hope for is not what usually happens. And in truth I think humankind is somehow diminished by that. We all grow up with stories of the hero or heroine who wins all while showing the best we can be. It is not only in Cree culture, but in every culture or people living in this world. I see my son, Hunter, laugh and feel something special when a character in his favourite shows overcomes challenges.

All these things teach values everyone agrees with and tries to pass on. Because of this the question arises why do we see actions in this world that do not live up to those lessons? Why are their people like Hitler, Stalin and others who have tossed aside those values? Why are those who make money off the suffering of others? Why can some people or governments (i.e. the people by the people) not live up to the standards we try to install in our youth?

It seems hope is something for the movies and reality has got a bad reputation. A nice guy is not always something positive and to be taken advantage of. A trustworthy politician is not the norm and that’s what we expect rather than fight to change that. Dreams of making things better are usually crushed rather than nurtured.

The 90 plus recommendations of the TRC are a dream, not a great dream but still one nevertheless, that cost Canadian taxpayers over $12 million. It would be a waste and shameful to see the conclusions and recommendations become nothing more than a just a dream.

One must give Harper’s administration credit though for the TRC and the hope it brought to residential-school survivors. For many survivors simply being able to tell their stories was something that was unheard of in the past. For others, it was a sign that Canada was finally willing to come to grips with the legacy of the residential-school system imposed upon Aboriginal peoples.

It was also a brilliant political move on the part of the Conservatives. If they lose the next election and the recommendations aren’t carried out they have plenty of ammunition against their successors. If the recommendations are carried out they can claim credit for the results. If they win then they can implement the recommendations in a timely fashion and saying some are aspirational.

Still there is a tiny flame of hope that the dark chapter of Canada’s history involving the residential-school system can finally be laid to rest. Sometimes all you have is hope and that is what sustains us all.