There has been a lot of talk about Sir John A. Macdonald this week, and I think that’s a good thing.
Whether or not people agree with Victoria city council’s decision to remove the statue from in front of Victoria City Hall, our city, province and country have all been discussing Macdonald, his legacy, his leadership and his mistakes.
I know a lot of people are upset with the process Victoria city council took and the lack of public consultation in the process. Members of city council met representatives from Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, the two Nations whose traditional territory the city of Victoria resides on, including city hall.
I work in Indigenous relations, and I know how important it is to take the time to listen, understand and take action where needed when working with Indigenous communities. It’s a crucial component to building meaningful relationships.
Last year, I was a world café facilitator at the Western Indigenous Consultation and Engagement Conference hosted by the Canadian Institute. I spoke with representatives from more than 30 Indigenous communities from across Western Canada about how governments and organizations can engage better. The No. 1 complaint was a lack of action, followed by a lack of understanding and respect.
The City of Victoria took the time to listen — over the course of a year — and it took action.
Yes, city council could have done a better job of informing the public, or extending the timeline in which this all took place.
Maybe city council wanted to demonstrate that through the reconciliation process, there are some things that need to be decided by the Nations themselves.
The City of Victoria publicly committed to a reconciliation process. Reconciliation is an important and serious thing. It’s a word that a lot of people use in conversation, but I am not sure people have a full understanding of what true reconciliation is.
People in Victoria have been voicing concerns over the lack of consultation. There was consultation regarding the removal of the statue; it was with Indigenous communities.
For hundreds of years, Indigenous communities have been undermined and treated unfairly by various levels of government. These are the reasons the statue was removed.
Macdonald was the man behind implementing residential schools. The residential-school system is a key player in the damage that has occurred, and the damage wasn’t erased or diminished when the schools closed. It has affected and is still affecting generations.
We probably won’t ever know for sure if he knew about all the abuse, mental anguish and unspeakable things that occurred in the schools. There were many players in the tragedy that residential schools left behind, not just Macdonald.
When I think about this issue, I think about the victims of residential schools, the victims of historical injustices and racism that existed back then and is still around today.
During the time when Macdonald was our prime minister, no one listened to, respected or valued Indigenous people. Again, that was how things were then; it wasn’t just Macdonald.
If removing the statue from city hall can let Indigenous people know that they have been heard and understood, and their opinion is important, it is something I support. It’s a small act demonstrating the City of Victoria respects and values Indigenous people.
Macdonald isn’t being removed from Canadian history; his name isn’t going to be forgotten. I think we need to put things in perspective and identify that the statue is just being moved. Where to? I am not sure if there is an answer yet. We do know he won’t be relocated to Ontario.
If Songhees and Esquimalt Nations’ representatives requested it be moved, I support that. After all, we are all on their traditional territory: our homes, our schools, workplaces, parks, grocery stores and recreation centres.
Sir John. A Macdonald will always be Canada’s first prime minister. He will always be a big part of Canadian history, and nothing is going to take that away. I think it’s a safe bet that more people have been talking about Macdonald this week than have thought about him all year.
Charla Huber works in communications and Indigenous relations for M’akola Group of Societies.
