Is Harper capable of listening? - Lynne Monk

Editor’s note: The following is an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

I am writing to you as a Canadian citizen who considers herself a patriot. My observations regarding Attiwapiskat and Chief Teresa Spence, for what they’re worth, are below.

I fully expect to get an automated response “form” letter from your office. Cynical person that I am, I am really wondering if I do live in a democracy, especially when Parliament keeps getting hijacked. But I digress.

For anyone living in Northern Ontario, Attawapiskat conjures up many images, many of them not very positive. The chief has drawn a line in the sand, and is saying, “enough is enough.”

I believe she is our Rosa Parks. Remember the African-American civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger after the white section of the bus was filled?

Wanting to hold a meeting of all the levels of government involved in the issue, including First Nations leaders, seems to me to be a very reasonable, and practical approach toward dealing with the issue in a different way.

In one definition, insanity is when you keep repeating the same actions over and over, expecting different results.”

Well, Spence is proposing something different. Something sane. No more passing the buck to the government representative who is a specialist in “bureaucratese,” and who has no power to change a damn thing.

First, you dug in your heels and refused to meet with her. The Idle No More movement took advantage of your stand and quickly rallied to come to her support.

When someone in your office finally realized you would have to meet with her or face the wrath of Canadians, the announcement came you would meet even earlier than what was asked.

I actually admired you there for a moment. Then — surprise, surprise — the leaked document announcement. Sigh.

Mr. Harper, I urge you to meet with Chief Spence and all the other indigenous people who are asking to be heard, and to listen with an open mind and heart.

We all know you can hear, Mr. Harper. But can you listen? Can you set aside partisan politics and lead this country in a positive direction for a change? Just wondering.

Lynne Monk
Greater Sudbury