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by Tom Sindlinger (Author)
High and unequivocal praise for Mike Mountain Horse, an inspiring and courageous Canadian who was buried for four days and wounded three times in World War I. After his service, he was elected a minor chief of his tribe and elected a president of a local railway union - an astounding combination for his era.
Official Indigenous discrimination and separation in Canada continues. It is perpetuated by The Indian Act and by Section 33 of The Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Substantial separation started with Indian Reserves and Indian Residential Schools in 1883. It is repeated by things like a separate Remembrance Day for Indigenous soldiers; "Indigenizing" university (a goal of Mount Royal University, Calgary); and, Truth & Reconciliation (one hand clapping).
The consequence of official discrimination is a cultural calamity. Open and beneficial discourse, often taken for granted, are threatened by parliament considering things like 'criminalizing denial". Public influence leaders speak against such legislation. In England, the world-famous actor Mr. Bean, in an address to Parliament, said that if offending someone were criminalized, he would be in jail many times over.
Laws, regulations, and programs, the purpose of which is social engineering like that for Indigenous, too often result in loss of personal responsibility. They become racial crutches that substitute for personal responsibility for success or failure.
Mike Mountain Horse needed none of these crutches. In World War I he was wounded three times, once buried by a shell explosion for four days. He was elected a minor chief of his tribe while being elected president of a local railway union - an astounding achievement for his era. A school is named after him.
Canada needs more like Mike Mountain Horse. He lived the beautiful image the world has of Canada.
