History important, but it should not handicap future: writer

Dear Editor, For years, Canadians have been attempting to somehow correct the wrongs against Indigenous people that have occurred over history by our forefathers, long before any of us were on the scene.

It would be interesting for someone to look into exactly how much

Canadians have given to First Nations in both land and in monetary terms over the years. At some point in time the giving has to end. The worst thing we can do for our Indigenous brothers and sisters is to continue to view them as victims in need of help and handouts.

The Truth and Recon- ciliation hearings were meant to both recognize the wrongs done, as far as could be determined, and to then reconcile those wrongs so both sides can move forward in harmony together. No one seems to want to talk about the moving forward part. Until we do that, Canada will continue to wallow in guilt and under a cloud that will never go away. Factual history is important to learn because of the lessons it teaches. But it shouldn’t handicap us. That’s no way to live. It’s time to move in peace together toward a brighter future for all concerned.

John Van Dyk, Vineland