Is Canada's "Indian Act" really an incentive for the status quo?
More from the Vive l'Alberta Libre Archives
Today I celebrate the one time my letter to an editor was actually published. For background we must travel back to a dialogue published in December of 2020 by Alberta Views Magazine.
Now, take it from an old, white, Christian male that it is no small feat to have your views published in a magazine seemingly from the progressive side of the ledger. And so, in what was my best ever jiu jitsu move, I used the resources of the Suzuki Foundation to at last get a letter past an editor. At the time, Dr. Suzuki had this page functioning - and I learned some tricks on getting a letter to the editor published. I can only assume the page no longer works because Alberta Views tipped off the foundation that they’d been compromised by an enraged citizen instead of an engaged citizen. Anyway, here’s my letter to the editor:
Dear Editor:
Kudos to Alberta Views for the balanced dialog "Should Alberta Separate?" I especially complement Lisa Young for her concerns regarding Indigenous people. Of course, Indigenous individuals might prefer to make up their own minds regarding an independent Alberta, rather than have others decide for them. Is Canada's "Indian Act" really an incentive for the status quo? I think you would have to ask a "registered Indian" (as the act says) to know.
Perhaps former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould, a member of the We Wai Kai Nation, could offer an opinion on the above, and at the same time address potential pitfalls should Albertans decide to "walk away from Canada's rule of law". Too, as a Member of Parliament, she no doubt could explain the benefits to Albertans of Canada's functioning democracy - where the worth of one's vote depends on one's province.
Stewart Jeanes
Calgary
Readers familiar with my style of correspondence (ie. filled with rage, sarcasm and run-on-sentences) will no doubt want to compliment me for the restraint shown above. I took great pains to complement Alberta Views, and hide my concern for the students of patronizing UCalgary Professor Lisa Young. I cunningly referenced an accomplished parliamentarian, as well as Canada’s rule of law, but left it for cynics to enjoy the irony - there was no rule of law for the dismissed Justice Minister (who happens to be a first nations community member). Aspiring writers of letters to the editor should note - the self application of a choke chain is merely one of the required sacrifices you must endure if you hope to be published in this realm.
I must give credit to my friend Bob, who often acts as editor for my literary pursuits. Let me share with you some of the correspondence between us:
From: Stewart Jeanes <stewart@>
Sent: January 26, 2021 10:53 PM
To: Bob <bob@>
Subject: I'm venting!
https://albertaviews.ca/should-alberta-separate/
Interesting article above. Tempted to send the following letter to the editor. Your thoughts? Editorial advice?
From Bob to me via email on 27 January 2021
Good article, weak case by Lisa Young. I like your technique of agree and amplify regarding Aboriginals. She looks to be virtue signalling and condescending because you agree with her apparent concern but take it up a notch and deflect it to “why not let them speak for themselves?”. Go ahead and send it in. Well played.
Otherwise, where to even start. One straw man after another from the Stay side. Northey acquits himself well. This is not that we lost so we take our ball, go home and pout. It’s about a fundamental difference in culture, history and worldview. English Canada is now run by a small number of Quebecers centred on the Montreal to Ottawa corridor. Just doesn’t fit. And the RCMP is Trudeau’s goon squad, sent to intimidate nonconforming journalists.
Thanks for the link to the article. And the Suzuki jiu jitsu move. Nice.
Bob hits the nail on the head regarding the cultural differences between Alberta, and the provinces that unfailingly vote to continue with a government that values winning elections over good governance.
Perhaps more historical context is in order:
Justice Minister Judy Wilson Raybould demoted from Justice Minister and Attorney General (January 2019) over her refusal to run cover for P.M. Trudeau during the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
The Liberal Party is reduced to a minority government in October of 2019. Western separatism is rekindled under various brands such as WEXIT, and the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta.
The Covid 19 Pandemic hits Canada in March of 2020.
WE Charity Scandal hits the press in April of 2020
The Liberal Party continues with a minority government after the pandemic “surprise” election of September 2020.
The Alberta views dialogue is published in December of 2020.
On February 14, 2022 the Government of Canada declared a “public order emergency” over the Freedom Convoy and invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history.
January 2024 the Federal Court ruled the invocation of the Emergencies Act violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - so much for Canada’s Rule of Law
WEXIT withers, but is seemingly reborn as the Alberta Prosperity Project after the 2025 election.
At first glance, the phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same” comes to mind. But really, nothing seems to even change with regards to federal elections in Canada. We used to be able to count on having a new bunch of federal politicians at the trough every so often, but now, no matter how inept, the Liberal Party seems to be the perennial party of government. Things don’t change; they just stay the same, except for the ever growing dissatisfaction with confederation on the part of Albertans.
Let me share with you one more piece of correspondence. (I hope you enjoy reading other people’s mail as much as I do.)
From: Evan <@albertaviews.ca>
Sent: March 8, 2021 3:14 PM
To: Stewart Jeanes <stewart.jeanes@
Subject: Re: Should Alberta Separate?
Hi Stewart,
This is a long overdue note to say thanks for your letter. We published it in our April issue.
I suspect we'll hear a lot more from Indigenous people should talk of Alberta separatism heat up, as it may well do in the buildup to and aftermath of referenda this fall.
Best,
Evan
Editor, Alberta Views
Canada's Magazine of the Year (2009), National Magazine Awards
www.albertaviews.ca
I complement Evan for his old world courtesy. It was kind of him to acknowledge my efforts. And wasn’t he prescient with regards to hearing “more from Indigenous people should talk of Alberta separatism heat up”.
Alberta independence is often framed as an Alberta vs. Canada contest. I think “Albertans vs. Canada’s Federal Government” is a more accurate reference. Keeping the above mentioned scandals in mind, let me close with a quote from Doomberg:
We find it endlessly fascinating that most Canadians believe they live in a representative democracy, where aspiring candidates engage in authentic politicking to earn their place in office. So accustomed are Canada’s power brokers to getting their way, they rarely bother to cover their tracks. A careful reading of the notoriously pliant Canadian press makes anticipating future events in the country surprisingly straightforward.