A way forward

Deputation by Peter Lockyer to the Macdonald Working Group

I am here to speak on behalf of history. I believe we need to have more history, not less; we need more public education, not less; and we need to harness the very best of us – not the least or worst – as we examine our complicated past, learn from it, and shape a new way forward.

I have been a journalist all my life – a job that has taken me across Canada, Europe, and to other parts of the world. I’ve reported on many stories involving indigenous peoples and minority groups in this country and elsewhere; I worked at Indian Affairs on the land claim of the Labrador Inuit, was a radio and tv trainer for First Nations Communication Societies, was part of the Special House of Commons Sub- Committee on Indian Self-government in the 1980s that recommended the elimination of the Department of Indian affairs and the Indian Act, and worked as the Interim Manager of the journalism program at the First Nations Technical Institute in Tyendinaga when I first returned to my hometown of Picton 20 years ago.

I’ve been telling stories of Prince Edward County for 40 years beginning with my master’s thesis in journalism on the canning industry of The County.

In May 1884, in the same courthouse in Picton where John A. Macdonald held his first court case 50 years earlier, we had another trial of two men charged with a murder in Bloomfield at Christmas in the previous year. Much like now, there was very heated interest in this case.

Some people including local clergy and a prominent lawyer became convinced that the trial was a travesty of justice. But their voices were drowned out. The community wanted revenge. And they got it. We hung the two men on a June day in 1884 at 8 o’clock in the morning as the town’s church bells rang. We even botched their hanging – and they died horrible, slow deaths from strangulation. The community had their revenge. But it had nothing to do with justice.

I believe in our decision about what to do with our history – and the fate of the John A. Macdonald artwork on Picton’s Main Street – we need to ensure we aspire to justice rather than revenge.

Macdonald is not my hero. He is not my villain. I have always described him as an imperfect man living in imperfect times – just like us. But he is a dominant historical figure. He died in June, 1891, but here we – almost 130 years later – still talking about him in an animated, passionate fashion. That’s because it is not possible to talk about the history of this special place, the Quinte region, the country he helped create, and the many First Nations issues of land claims, treaty rights, residential schools, and other issues we are still living with, without talking about Macdonald.

There are moments in this country’s history that were turning points. Without Macdonald and others before him like Tecumseh, and his followers, and General Brock and his militia during the War of 1812, the fortunes of this country would have been very different. I believe the U.S. doctrine of Manifest Destiny would inevitably have made us American citizens. When we look at what is happening in that divided, tumultuous nation today, would we really want that? I know I wouldn’t. So as imperfect as we are as a nation, we have inherited a lasting gift. Let’s build on these efforts and make this country better.

I also believe it’s true that Macdonald – and successive governments after him – made tragic mistakes including policies that were devastating to First Nations. So, the key question is what can we do now with all this history we have inherited? And what history will we make in our time?

I was to read from a book by award-winning author, playwright and teacher, Lee Maracle, at St. Andrews Church in Picton this winter. That event and Ms. Maracle’s lecture at the library were unfortunately cancelled. But the occasion gave me the opportunity to read one of her works, – a book called My Conversations with Canadians written in the 1970s. It’s a small book, but I found it very difficult to read – not because I disagreed with her comments or the anger she felt. I just found it so discouraging. It made me feel hopeless – except for one short sentence of advice she offered to Canadians – to people like me. She wrote “Do something about us, with us, and for us.”

So here are my thoughts on a way forward – based on doing something about First Nations, with First Nations, and for First Nations.

Councillor Bill Roberts has been advocating that we assist in repatriating Foresters’ Island to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. The property is largely owned by the Independent Order of Foresters, who have been trying to give the land back for many years. One of the impediments has been Prince Edward County. We started the process about 15 years ago, but we have never completed it.

Councillor Roberts has also encouraged The County to celebrate Indigenous Month next June. Why don’t we host our First Nations neighbours and arrange a number of activities and discover each other while breaking down the solitudes in which we now live?

We have many new housing developments underway in the county. Why not consider working with First Nations to name these new streets with street signs in multiple languages?

Why don’t we work with the Gord Downie – Chanie Wenjack Foundation to explore creation of First Nations architectural structures and spaces at key entranceways to The County?

One of the great examples of hidden history here is The Gunshot Treaty cairn at the stoplights at Carrying Place – a National Historic Site. It is currently in a terrible location and dangerous to visit. This is important living history created when British officials signed land treaties with First Nations to secure lots for Loyalist settlers in the 1780s, and the treaty was used two centuries later by the Nisga’a people of northern British Columbia – whom I have visited – to establish the legal land rights of indigenous peoples. Why don’t we work with First Nations, Quinte West and our political representatives to have this cairn moved to a better, safer location at the Murray Canal with more interpretive services?

Why don’t we consider commissioning another piece of art work undertaken in consultation with First Nations and First Nation’s artists to depict their story of this country? This new work will stand beside the Macdonald statue at its current location.

We are not the only community struggling to reconcile the past. Last month in Manitoba, the Metis declined to sign a petition to take down statues and street signs honouring Field Marshall Garnet Wolseley, who led the forces sent to quell the Red River Rebellion. David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Metis Federation, stated his people wanted to have all Canadians remember this soldier and the man who sent him, John A. Macdonald. “We can’t hide this history,” he said. ”We need to tell the truth about that history and I think that would be more healing than trying to rip down statues.”

The City of Kingston embarked on an 18-month consultation process led by a First Nations’ facilitation firm. The result is that the city is keeping their statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, and beginning an ambitious range of initiatives to do a better job of telling the story of his complex legacy.

Macdonald’s former Kingston home, Bellevue House, a museum operated by Parks Canada, has also undergone an extensive community and First Nations consultation, and is expanding their programming to be mor

Chief Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte has consistently stated we need to “add to history; not delete it.”

Of all the voices clamouring to be heard, I hope we listen most to the thoughts of our First Nations neighbours. Because only they can truly answer the key question of the working group’s mandate. What do we do now with this history we share?

On a personal note, I have been left very discouraged by our efforts so far. I have been labelled a racist by people I have never met and who know nothing about me. I had my car vandalized when I parked it by the library one day this summer. I have been the target of a vicious campaign of bullying, intimidation, attempts to silence my voice, and harassment that has forced me to take legal action. I don’t know what any of this has to do with truth and reconciliation.

had higher hopes for this community discussion. I view it as such a unique opportunity for us as a community to be fearless about our shared past and to be respectful, civil, and creative in jointly fashioning another way forward to make history in our time. I am saddened by what this has become. Because it is a wasted opportunity to do something remarkable…together.

These are extraordinary times. So, I am asking you to do something extraordinary. I am asking you to release us from being perpetual prisoners of the past; to focus on efforts to learn from the past while going forward together towards a different, better future. Create solutions that unite us rather than divide us; that are constructive rather than destructive; that bring out the best of us – not the least or worst.

Can we be thoughtful, and respectful enough to bring about profound, enduring, enlightened, and lasting change?

Peter Lockyer,