Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #203, 8912-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2
February XXIst, MMX
Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud
Dear David:
While I do not agree with Peter C. Goldring, MP & his comments against native culture & Mr. Louis Riel in particular, I defend his right to the death to say them. But he should have done so in a private capacity as a citizen in an open blog. Then tagged off the MP designation behind his name. To use a Goverment of Canada Website which is taxpayer funded to spread these bigoted & revisionist comments is clearly an embarassment to him, Lorraine Goldring (his wife) & Her Majesty's Government & the Conservative Party itself. And Peter wonders why he's never been in Cabinet?
Normally I like Peter very much. He has helped me on constituency matters for Edmonton-Centre voters when Laurie Hawn, MP hasn't been available. I think Pete's for the most part a stand up guy. But to attack Louis Riel who was clearly a patriot & essentially the founder of Manitoba & Saskatchewan through his rebellions is wrong. There isn't one other so called "Father of Confederation" who can claim that two Province status. And Louis Riel died for his country, as did Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Sir John A. Macdonald's good friend.
These two men were good people & even though I am a John A. fanatic, it was 100% wrong for the Prime Minister to brutally assasinate Riel when all he was trying to do was stand up for aboriginal & for metis cultural ideals. School kids are taught this & know that Riel was in fact a great man, proud of his heritage & willing to risk his life for aboriginal rights. Which of course is a great thing. I mean look, it took another Tory Prime Minister in Steve Harper to apologize to aboriginals with a healing ceremony & powwow right on the floor of the House of Commons.
If Steve & Her Majesty's Government could see how wrong it was to screw over aboriginal peoples (who clearly were in North America before John A. & his white compatriots), then children should in schools be taught that Louis Riel was treated wrongly because of his mixed race. All aboriginal kids should be taught to be proud of Louis & his contribution in officially adding their sublime mosaic to our nation. Without aboriginal heritage this country would be much worse off.
His racial insensitivity in a riding (Edmonton-East) that has many aboriginal constituents is unbecoming a man of his stature. Whats funny is Pete has done many reachouts to aboriginal outlets & Native Friendship Healing Society's. Students need to know that racial intolerance against Mr. Riel is wrong when done in an official Government format without Governmental backing. Mr. Goldring should not fight aboriginals & their symbols, he should cater to them as they are a large voting block. Plus they have a lot to be proud of.
Native Pride,
Rory
Source: Www.PeterGoldring.Ca
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