Shed your aggressive image, Prime Minister

Page 7

An open letter to Prime Minister Jean Chretien:

I feel that some wise Aboriginal should set you in your place. I will do my best to do my part.

First: You are a human being, just as any one of us is. A few people are greedy that is all. It goes against the law of our land.

Second: You must shed your aggressive image. Just because your school teaches that the majority wins and believes in survival of the fittest, does not mean you have to be a sovereign government. This is pure ideology that is self-serving, and avoids responsibility for others.

Third: There is no such thing as some people wanting to be poor. There is enough to go round, but civilization fails due to NAFTA, and so on.

Fourth: APEC may be good for you and your rich friends, but it will cause harm to many more suppressed nations. . . due to our low wages, we are unable to buy almost anything and it means people in business will go out of business. You are being your own worse enemy without being aware of what you are doing.

Fifth: Destroying Earth Mother means destroying ourselves. You cannot eat your money and that is the bottom line.

Sixth: People are not as gullible as you think. They are turning to alternative medicine because they are finding out that medication just stops the symptoms and does not heal.

Seventh: We talk and see our chiefs. They do not avoid us by using such excuses as "I have nothing to do with it. It is the government's policy." Our chiefs would take time to listen and talk to other chiefs, especially clan mothers who are the care givers.

Eighth: Our ancestors were proud people, because they knew how to be collectives in their governing ways. At the same time people are free to express themselves, and do whatever they wanted provided it does not harm themselves or others. They are individuals who like to practice their sacred ways to our Creator. No one forces their religion on others by using fear to control.

This is all I can type out for now.

All my relations

Lilac Robinson

Terrace Mental Health Centre