To the Editor,
Like everyone in Canada it is hard not to follow the news that has a supposed First Nation leader (Theresa Spence) on a hunger strike. At first she wanted a meeting with the prime minister. When this was granted she then stated that she also wanted the Governor General at the same meeting.
I understand her need to try and bring about change for the people that she represents in the north. Anyone who has spend any time living in Canada knows how hard our winters can be on the places we live in.
I have a simple question: for a leader who was receiving the funds reporters say she was...why weren’t these funds put towards substance rehab or new home construction for members who had need of a safer place to raise their families? And why were not monies set aside to help send children to university to help raise the next generation of youth?
The reason for this letter is what I have seen on the television news. Leaders banging on the doors to the prime minister’s office and threatening to block roads, rail and any thing else to get their picture on the news has lost a great deal of support in general.
I was a member of a union, serving as a chief steward for many years. I can say at times such anger needs to be expressed to start a diologue, but once granted it is time to bring forward the concerns that were a result of the anger.
Ms. Spence’s reason for doing what she started has been long lost in the noise of other leaders who have hijacked her protest with the federal government.
My heart goes out to her and the people she represents.
Terry Short,
Port Alberni