Oh My!

Canada is a unique country. It is defined as a 'melting pot' when it comes to its identity. Take a walk in any major metropolitan and you will see a diverse culture. It is not uncommon  to see  4-5 people from different cultural identities 'breaking bread' together.  Yet, it is unfortunate that there are still communities in this beloved country of Canada that have an 'only us' mentality.Take a look at one community in particular -Dryden, Ontario.
 Here is the story in a nut shell: Native leader from an organization called Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) had approached the City of Dryden to establish a transitional highschool for Native youth.  The Native communities that KO represents are only accessible year round by air or an ice road during the winter months. The idea was to set up a school and housing facility to a recently closed public school in Dryden. As a result many teenaged youth whose only chance for a highschool education in a classroom setting would leave their homes, go to Dryden where they would both live and attend school. Their  school and residence would all be housed under one roof.   A public meeting was called to bring forth a proposed by law to re-zone the school for such accommodations. Public outcry was apparent. A petition with 600 plus names was presented to the City council opposing this idea. Residents who addressed the city council brought forth their concerns  'for the students' leaving their home to attend school 1000's of kms from their home.  Hearing their concerns as reasonable as they did sound could have been easily addressed to easy any concerns. Unfortunately,  the concerns that were presented were masks hiding the real issue - their fears, their prejudices.
I have a dream that one day a transitional highschool will be established in Dryden, On. so that Native youth will have an equal opportunity for a quality highschool education.
I really thought that this city  was moving forward instead is being held back by a percentage of it residents.
I leave you with a quote from a great man Martin Luther King Jr.:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Chi-Meegwetch

Baamaapii

Here is a link to the news article in the City's WEEKLY newspaper.

http://thedrydenobserver.ca/2012/05/ko-withdraws-from-pinewood-school-project/