by Nancy M. Hansen

Created on: May 10, 2008   Last Updated: February 11, 2009

Aggressive Assimilation vs. Canadian Aboriginal Genocide

Harry Leforme wants to paint you a picture. He knows the kind of picture he wants to paint but he is not sure of the details and what colours it will have. But he certainly hopes the picture ends up a masterpiece.

"The Indian residential school system was an act of aggressive assimilation to remove Indians from the landscape of Canada," Justice Laforme summed up. "We must learn from this experience by building understanding, empathy, support and unity."

"As a judge, I have seen all too often this painful process but we must always keep in mind that the settlement, CEPs, TRC and everything else is where the survivors themselves got us to through their lawsuit," Justice Laforme responds. "What must be done may not be the best for everyone but we must embrace where we are at in the process right now. Some of the fashion may not be comfortable but there is no "one size fits all". Bottom line, this issue has been neglected for far too long."

"The exact role of churches, who were responsible for delivering the residential school program of behalf of the Canadian government is also yet to be determined."

"The justice system is not the ideal forum for redress. It is how we got into this strange relationship between First Nations and the main stream, which results in far too many incarcerations and a disproportionate representation of First Nations citizens in the justice system.

Day of Protest against Canadian Borg's Aggressive Assimilation or Cultural Genocide, May 29

Chief Justice Harry Leforme of the Ontario Court of Appeal, Canada's highest ranking Aboriginal justice official, doesn't sound like a lawyer. And that will serve his purpose well as he takes on the job as Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which will spend the next five years uncovering and telling the stories from a black period in Canada's history the experience of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in this country's residential school system.

"The Indian residential school system was an act of aggressive assimilation to remove Indians from the landscape of Canada," Justice Laforme summed up.

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine called for a peaceful day of national demonstrations on May 29 to raise awareness of aboriginal issues, such as poverty and land claim,and disregarded treaty disputes. He said a similar day of action last June, involving rallies and protests across the country, which was a great success.

"First Nations activists

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