Canadians uninformed about Native issues-survey

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Most Canadians aren't 'rednecks' or 'bleeding hearts,' they are just ignorant of native issues and problems, says a Calgary university sociologist.

Speaking during the first day of the Alexander Education symposium, August 17, Rick Ponting told delegates that generally, Canadians are not extremists, and in fact, there are more 'bleeding hearts' than 'rednecks'.

"The 'redneck' element makes up less than two percent of the population, whereas 40 percent are volitile, or inconsistent," he said.

Ponting's findings are based on two surveys, one in 1976 and one taken last October when 1,834 people were surveyed.

Most Canadians have little "knowledge of native people," said Ponting, who noted the average Canadian was not aware that the Constitution had already been amended to include the recognition of aboriginal rights or were even aware of this year's First Ministers' conference.

"However, I must add that the majority of Canadians were not aware of Ernst Zundel or Jim Keegstra, two extremists who deny Nazi attrocities," he told delegates.

Ponting also pointed out that ten out of 12 Canadians are in favor of native self-government, but not in favor of any 'special' rights.

"The emphasis on equality is very dear. The majority go against special status, just as they are against special status for Quebec," he said.

In an interview after the conference, Ponting said he first became interested in native issues during the 1970s when many protests by Indian people were taking place in the Calgary area.

"I was curious to see what affect, if any, it would have on the general public," he said. He undertook the first survey in 1976 and found that the average Canadian had not been influenced negatively by the protests.

"I found no backlash, in part because Canadians are not aware and even those who were aware, didn't form negative opinions," he said.

"The average Canadian is no wrapped-up in his own daily routine and interests that they rarely think of native issues,"

However, Ponting says that because the majority of Canadians are volitile, they can be influenced and with the right public relations campaign, may be persuaded to take more interest in native affairs.

"There is no reason why a communications campaign could not be successful. You could have an impact. There is ample evidence that public opinion can be changed."

Ponting uses examples of the environmentalist movement in the 70s ? comprised of people who were labelled as 'tree-huggers.'

"Today the movement is generally accepted by most Canadians. Look at the capital punishment debate. That changed within a matter of days. And of course, the NDP who are now on top of the opinion polls."