In Memoriam: Elijah Harper
He was a man who made a difference. He withheld his vote in the Manitoba legislature causing it to not support the Meech Lake Accord. As a result, the Accord which was an agreement between the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments to amend the Constitution to make it possible for Quebec to sign on to the Constitution failed. Elijah Harper stood alone holding his solitary eagle feather ( symbol of power and right to speak among his people) casting his No vote because his people, the First Nation's People within Canada, were not adequately represented. His action and image will forever remind us that Canada cannot move on without properly treating the First Nation's People according the "sacred treaties" with the Crown. To Canada's shame these treaties. once made were not honoured, are still not fully honoured.. Shame on us.
Elijah Harper was from a remote community in Northern Manitoba , Rd Sucker Lake First Nation, where he was born into a traditional family. He survived the residential school system, which for three generations was Canada's official effort at cultural genocide among aboriginals in Canada.. Unusual for a aboriginal person of his time, he graduated from University and served at three levels of government: Chief of his community, member of the Manitoba legislature and a member of the Federal parliament. His life, in an out of government, has been dedicated to making life better for his people.
Like so many of his people he died too soon of complications from diabetes which so many of First Nation's people contract.
Last year Elijah Harper was awarded and honourary doctorate degree by Carlton University. Below is the ceremony and a brief address by Harper in his humble and soft spoke manner.
Below is a statement by Elijah Harper reminding us all that more needs to be done to honour the treaties that are seen as sacred among us people. Canada needs to fulfill it's responsibilities now without excuses. We will all benefit from this for it will allow the growing population for First Nation's people to contribute fully in shaping Canada's future.
posted by Tossing Pebbles in the Stream @ 5:52 p.m.
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3 Comments:
Once again you've given us a bit of history that I never knew existed. Very interesting.
I am not sure I agree with you and Harper. Are native Canadians better off because of his actions? I don't think so. Is Canada worse off? Maybe. It's the same with Charlottetown. People focused on what it didn't have rather than what it did have.
There are many Elijah Harpers in this world and we would do well to follow their lead.
Hope you are well Phillip.
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