Canada’s 150th? Indigenous people won’t be celebrating. Page 8 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
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A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
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48TH YEAR — NO. 10
A ‘CAN-do’ attitude
CANstruction helps boost local food donations BY RILEY LINSEMAN
CANstruction is a unique charity art exhibition that raises funds, food and awareness for food banks. The international event was hosted locally by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. From March 10 to 19, great structures built from unopened cans and other food items stood proudly in Conestoga Mall. Fifteen teams each built a structure, many featuring a theme on Canada’s 150th birthday. Many participants incorporated Canada’s strength and unity as part of their theme, and how we welcome people from all around the world, treating them as if they were our own. This might not have been obvious in the appearance of every structure, but each was accompanied by a story. “It was wonderful to read your descriptions about the strength we find in our diversity and the importance of uniting for a common goal,” said Bailey Armitage, community event manager at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region in a speech for volunteers. Several awards were given out at the event to honour people’s hard work. The structure with the most votes was given the People’s Choice Award, in this case, Fortifying Against Hunger by National Cash Register. Volunteers who worked on the event posed with a cheque showing the total number of meals (700,000) that the fundraiser has provided over
its 10-year history. Food items used included cans, bags of rice, Kraft Dinner and water bottles. The event started on March 10, when the teams, including Conestoga’s architecture – construction engineering technology students, were given 10 hours and a 10 x 10 square to build their structures in. Conestoga built a Paw Patrol structure featuring the characters Rubble (construction), Chase (police), Marshall (fire) and Skye (air rescue). The description accompanying the piece said the four dogs work together to save the hungry people of Waterloo Region, collecting and delivering healthy food for all. The description also indicated how many cans were used to build the structure, and the team members who worked on it. Professor Jim Gerrard and his students have been participating in CANstruction since it first started in 2008. The structure this year was built out of 1,800 cans and created excitement in just about every kid who passed it. Judging from the statistics shared by the food bank’s Bailey Armitage, CANstruction has been a successful event not only in terms of turnout, but in meals raised as well. “This year, your creativity, energy and fundraising efforts raised enough food and funds to provide 93,000 meals for our community. This means that in the 10 years of CANstruction Waterloo Region, we’ve raised 700,000 meals,” said Armitage.
PHOTO BY RILEY LINSEMAN
Sean Habermehl, from left, a first-year Conestoga architecture - construction engineering technology (ACET) student, his son (getting a piggy-back ride), Natalie Whiteside, a third-year student, and Lindsay Markle, ACET faculty, stand behind their PAW Patrol structure for CANstruction in Conestoga Mall on March 19. The structure featured four PAW Patrol members including Rubble (left), a construction dog, and Skye, an air rescue dog.
PHOTO BY RILEY LINSEMAN
Above: The large number of volunteers who worked on CANstruction 2017, held in Conestoga Mall from March 10 to 19, stand with a cheque for 700,000, which represents the number of meals the event has provided since its inception in 2008. PHOTO BY DEEANNA ROLLINS PHOTO BY DEEANNA ROLLINS
“CANadian Parliament” was made with 2,100 cans by Rombald Inc. for Canada’s 150th birthday.
Left: “Feed a Region – Grow a Nation” is the name of this piece, made with 2,100 cans by Quadro Engineering.
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Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, March 27, 2017
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
Where would you hide a giraffe?
“My chimney, because his head can go right up it.” Sean Heaney, first-year business marketing administration
Sleeping with the elephant BY MATTHEW EVANGELISTA
“In a forest, if the trees were tall enough they’d be easily concealed.” Brynn Dolfi, first-year bachelor of public relations
“In a shipping container.”
Stephen McCabe, third-year business administration management
“In a forest.” Julia Leblanc, accounting and business
On March 15, Conestoga hosted Lucie Edwards, a retired foreign affairs officer, whose talk was titled “Sleeping with the Elephant: Surviving and thriving through the Trump administration.” The atrium was filled with students and faculty as Edwards talked policy and fielded questions from the crowd on Canadian/ American relations, as well as foreign relations. Edwards spoke from her 33 years’ of experience working for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. She served in the Canadian embassies in Tel Aviv (1977-1980) and in South Africa, under apartheid (1986-89). From 1993-1995, she was the Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya. She currently teaches global politics, Canadian foreign policy and environmental
policy in the political science department at the University of Waterloo. Contrary to the title of her talk, there was less focus on Trump and more on Canada’s unique position in the world. Like how our land mass is gigantic compared to our overall population, or how one of our biggest exports to the United States is fossil fuels. “The United States pretty much has two partners, and we all live in North America together,” she said, adding the average American doesn’t understand how important Canada is to their economy. Students responded well to the topics of discussion, and contributed heavily to the question and answer period Edwards hosted after her talk ended. Some students were just glad it was more than what they’re used to when the topic
of Trump is brought up. “I thought it was very informative, and I liked how she branched out to numerous areas – both economics, international politics, some social issues, and I thought she delivered a very informed opinion on how we should act in terms of Canada and our place in the world in relation to what’s going on in the U.S. and the Trump administration,” said one student. Another student had similar sentiments. “I found it a little different than what I expected, but it was still very informative and interesting and relevant.” The event ended with a catered lunch and with a small quote by Margaret Mead. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
“My backyard in Goderich. I don’t feel like anyone would notice.” Dalton Macadam, first-year protection/security investigation
“A zoo, with other giraffes blending in its natural habitat. No one would figure it out.” Mathieu Kothe, first year protection/security investigation PHOTO BY MATTHEW EVANGELISTA
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
Sleeping with the Elephant speaker Lucie Edwards educated Conestoga students on Canadian/ American relations on March 15 in the atrium.
NEWS
Monday, March 27, 2017
PUPS, ADVICE
AND EVERYTHING NICE
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CONCRETE VISIONS AT WILFRID LAURIER
PHOTO BY SHAFAQ PARWEZ
Denise Fung, a second-year basic performance student at Wilfrid Laurier University, plays the harp during a concert titled Concrete Visions by the Wind Orchestra on March 18 at Laurier. For video story, go to spokeonline.com.
RACISM FELT WHILE SHOPPING IN GUELPH
PHOTOS BY NICOLE CLARK
Emily McCarthy, above, a first-year Conestoga practical nursing student, gives Mac, a black lab therapy dog, a scratch on the back during a destressing event in the Blue Room at Doon campus March 17. The event was held by a group of event management students in an effort to combat stress and promote mental health awareness. Below, Diva, a purebred golden retriever therapy dog, receives a pat during the event.
PHOTO BY JOY STRUTHERS
Indu Arora, second from left, shared her story about her recent experience with racism while shopping in Guelph. She is shown with her daughter Jasmine, left, and her sister-in-law Harshika and her daughter Manreet. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
FRIENDLY BARES ALL FOR SCIENCE
PHOTO BY JOY STRUTHERS
Andy Robinson, a professor of animal biosciences at the University of Guelph, shows off a cow named Friendly at the College Royal open house on March 18. Friendly has a fistula, or hole, in the rumen chamber of its stomach so food can be examined and digestion better understood.
NEWS
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Weekend party cleanup a success BY ANDREW BENNEY
After the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Ezra Avenue in Waterloo came to a close, the event’s focus changed from excessive drinking to something a little more orderly. Over 25 volunteers took to the streets on the morning after the parties, doing their part for the community by cleaning up the solid layer of garbage on the street. On top of this, the volunteers were also forced to trek through the vicious mud pit the streets had become. The wet weather and a full day of young, drunk people parading uncaringly was not a recipe for a clean street. Empty bottles, cans, cups, countless pieces of green trash and ruined St. Patrick’sthemed apparel were picked up and disposed of by the group of individuals, who, for the most part, were simply people looking to make a difference. “No, I’m not part of any team or club that, like, plans to go out and do this,” said Jamie Bate, a knowledge integration student at the University of Waterloo, while gesturing to the seemingly unlimited amounts of waste on the road. “It’s just something a couple of my friends and I decided on
last second to be honest. I live close so it wasn’t a big deal coming over and I just figured that any older people living around here would probably appreciate any help getting rid of all of this.” Although some people felt helping with the tidying was a small price to pay, overall, it was no small task as this St. Patrick’s Day weekend may have been one of the biggest that Kitchener-Waterloo has ever seen in terms of numbers. Waterloo Regional Police estimate that approximately 15,000 people showed up to Ezra Avenue to take part in the green-coloured festivities, which would be a record number for the celebration. The City of Waterloo reported there were no major incidents, just a very busy night for emergency crews and bylaw officials as most incidents were liquor or public nuisance offences. The volunteers were mostly made up of students from the area, as well as a few kindhearted citizens and passersby. Kelsey Ward, a business accounting student at Wilfrid Laurier University, said it’s really just common courtesy, especially if you live in the area. “I live in an apartment
FAMILY FUN FOR ALL IN WATERLOO
PHOTO BY BRANDY FULTON
Jamie Richter, 5, dressed in her finest St. Patrick’s Day attire and celebrated in the Waterloo Public Square March 17. Activities such as dancing, singing, crafts and games were provided at the family-friendly celebration.
on Ezra, so I actually get to avoid dealing with a lot of the trash on the day of. But, I still have to walk to school and everything and no one wants to be walking through broken glass regularly. It only makes sense to come out and help clean. If more people did it then it would be less work for everyone individually,” she said. This fact definitely rang true as the small cleaning crew made their way through the war zone that was Ezra Avenue, over to Bricker Avenue and finally even combing over the Laurier campus, located only a few short blocks away from the site of the celebrations. Not much could be done about the mud on the following day, but there was indeed a considerable difference in the amount of visible litter by the end of Saturday, hopefully leaving any disgruntled residents a bit more satisfied. “It’s a little bit of cleaning up for hours and hours of public partying. I can understand why people don’t want to come out, but if they really appreciate the city and police and people living here letting everyone use Ezra as a playground, then picking up a couple of dirty cups is nothing,” Bate said.
Monday, March 27, 2017
THE MUDMEN TAKE MAXWELL’S STAGE
PHOTO BY JOY STRUTHERS
The Mudmen rile up the crowd for St. Patrick’s Day at Maxwell’s Concerts and Events in Waterloo on March 17. This Celtic rock band has local roots but an international resume. Band members are Mike Meacher, Sandy Campbell, Dan Westenenk, Robby Campbell and Jeremy Burton.
FEATURE
Monday, March 27, 2017
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It’s all about the process
Conestoga grad understands that things take time and patience is key BY JAMES WELLS
“I have always respected the process, it’s been a motto I’ve lived by even before I started up Respecting the Process.” There is a level of understanding and respect needed to appreciate the way things work in life, how events unfold before you and what you accept into your life, disciplines that Adam Rochon, founder and owner of the media company, Respecting the Process, has learned over the years. A Kitchener native, Rochon, 27, has lived in the city most of his life. Studying journalism and working in the world of media was not the first educational path Rochon aimed for. Originally, he believed a life to serve and protect as a police officer was for him. After realizing it just wasn’t the right fit, he dropped out of Conestoga’s police foundations program after attending classes for only a couple of months. “I just wasn’t one of those guys who wanted to spend all of their time in the gym working out and wanting to arrest people,” he said. With spare time on his hands he could think ahead and plan his next move. With a passion for film and a sense of creativity, he believed dipping his toes into the world of media would be his next step. “It took a lot for me to understand what I wanted to do, but I found the process very rewarding, hence the name of the company,” said Rochon He first enrolled in the media studies certificate program at Humber College in Toronto, moving away from Kitchener for the first time. It was in his dorm at Humber where the words “Respecting the process” really developed and shaped his mindset and work ethic. “I moved into my dorm at Humber and for some reason there was green tape in my room and so I taped ‘respecting the process’ to my wall,” said Rochon. “I must have been asked about 200 times what does respecting the process mean? And I found my best answers to things were coming out of that question.” Having completed the program with excellent marks and a newly developed passion for journalism, Rochon wanted to follow this newfound passion to see where it
PHOTO BY JAMES WELLS
Adam Rochon, 27, is the owner and the only employee at Respecting the Process Inc. His company is three years old and excels at video and media marketing, branding and promoting small to large businesses. would lead him. However, the thought of going to university and spending another four years was unsettling. A faster track seemed like the more affordable and less timeconsuming option, especially when aspirations of starting his own media company began to occupy his thoughts. So, Conestoga College, a school that offered two journalism programs at its Doon campus, seemed just like what Rochon was looking for. After being accepted into Conestoga’s journalism – broadcast program, two years of education, a job at 570 News, a podcast and a successful video produced for the CSI board of directors at Conestoga College, Rochon was well on his way to a career in the world of media. The beginning of Respecting the Process began during Rochon’s time at Conestoga College. His video that was produced during the Conestoga CSI board of directors’ trip to Costa Rica was later discovered by staff at the City of Kitchener. They loved his work so much that they offered him a 14-video contract. In a meeting to discuss the job, Rochon was asked for a business card, which he didn’t
have. Proving that he is a man of action, Rochon said he would email them his website and contact information later that day. After concluding the meeting, he ran home, sat down at his computer, created the Respecting the Process website and sent it to them that same evening. Since Rochon first embraced the entrepreneurial spirit back in February 2014, the clients have been steadily and organically approaching the company for media assistance. Many of his clients are looking for different ways to market, brand and promote themselves in an engaging and creative way that the work at Respecting the Process provides. Rochon said he currently has approximately 10-15 clients including, Volvo, BMW, Kara’s Smart Foods, Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. However, there was one client of Rochon’s that blossomed from a client-business relationship into a brotherhood. Gerald Kara, owner of Kara’s Smart Foods, describes Rochon as “a modern-day storyteller with less talk, more action and a game changer.” Canadian professional boxer Denton Daley also sings Rochon’s praises. Rochon
followed the boxer around for more than two years, filming his life in and outside the ring. Rochon, to this very day, looks up to Daley as if he were an older brother. “These short films explained everything I wasn’t capable of doing on my own, but with his help I learned very quickly that anything is possible,” said Daley. “These videos have reached the masses worldwide and to this day I get feedback from major promoters from around the world on how compelling and interesting my story has become.” Being very pragmatic about where to put his energy, Rochon believes that we all need time to escape from the stressful nature of the day-today work life. Respecting the Process is his creation, his life, but he still likes to get away from it all. Saturdays are when he destresses and focuses on his personal life. On Sundays he’s back at it, preparing for the week ahead. “My business is only going to be as great as I can create it to be,” said Rochon. “I really just want to encourage people to do something after watching the videos, a call to action in a sense.”
COMMENTARY
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Monday, March 27, 2017
Not about race BY NICOLE CLARK
Canadian senator Don Meredith, currently the target of calls by the public and Senate to step down from his position after his two-year affair with a 16-year-old came to light, is declaring that his race is the reason for the barrage of comments. Meredith, who is also a Pentecostal pastor and a married man, is adamant that he did not break any laws, when, in 2013 at the age of 48, he began the relationship. He knew exactly what he was doing when he started flirtatious interactions with the unnamed teen. This flirtation grew to sexually explicit live videos involving fondling, where he would masturbate while the girl removed her clothes. According to a story on thestar.com, the couple had sexual intercourse both before and after she turned 18. The public and other Canadian senators want Meredith to step down because he did not uphold the highest standards of dignity and ethics that those who sit in a position of authority, especially that of the Canadian government, should. No charges have been laid as of yet, because the teenager does not want to pursue them. But the fact remains that Meredith has broken the trust of many through his actions. He also places further scrutiny on the Senate as a whole. The public already thinks that senators believe they are untouchable and holier-than-thou, which is reflected in their actions. For example, in June 2012 when Michael Ferguson, the auditor general, released a study of Senate expense claims, some senators were accused of fudging their travel and living expenses. Then, in December 2012, Sen. Mike Duffy’s claim that his primary residence was in P.E.I. raised questions due to his longtime residence in Ottawa. In November 2013 Sen. Pamela Wallin was suspended without pay for the duration of the 41st Canadian parliament for what was termed “alleged theft from the public purse.” At issue were her travel expenses – a whopping $321,000 since September 2010. She said the subsequent suspension was “baseless and premature.” These examples are proof that the Senate operates as an old men’s and women’s club. These people think that because of their position of authority, they are allowed to act any way they wish, without any realworld repercussions. This needs to change. The Senate’s code of conduct must be rewritten to include offences resulting in dismissal. Those should include poor attendance, inaccurate record keeping, any impropriety and anything that taints the image of the Senate. The views herein represent the position of the newspaper, not necessarily the author.
Letters are welcome Spoke welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be signed and include the name and telephone number of the writer. Writers will be contacted for verification. No unsigned letters will be published. Letters should be no longer
than 500 words. Spoke reserves the right to edit any letter for publication. Address correspondence to: The Editor, Spoke, 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1C30, Kitchener, Ont., N2G 4M4
Stunt balloonist Daniel Boria is deflated after being fined $26,500 on March 17 two years after flying a lawn chair over the Calgary Stampede with helium balloons.
What does right-wing even mean?
Jason Kenny, the newly elected leader of Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party, is set to continue down the path of uniting the right in Alberta. The two major right wing parties in the province, the PCs and the Wild Rose party, have been at odds despite both calling themselves “conservatives” since the latter was formed in 2002. Kenny plans to repeat the success of the merger of the Canadian Alliance Party and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, which created the Conservative Party of Canada. That party eventually broke the years of Liberal rule. While the idea of uniting the right is a daring political gambit that has the power to decide the next election in the province and retake the legislature from the NDP, it raises the important question of just how useful our political terms are. The least useful terms are by far left and right wing. The right wing includes everyone from people
Scott Blinkhorn Opinion
concerned with mounting federal debt and the crazed orange man currently occupying the White House, to Nazis. Using the same term to talk about all of these people is problematic to say the least. By giving a single name to a vast collection of often unconnected political opinions and policies, we do nothing but devalue our political discourse. Indeed, how is a reasonable conversation possible when the same words are being used to compare a person in favour of more military spending to fascism. Things are little better on the left, where a proponent of a national daycare system falls under the same general banner as Karl Marx. There are, of course, terms designed to help break down the two halves of the
spectrum, but they offer precious little in the realm of clarity. When a political commentator pops onto the television and talks about the right of or left-of-centre, we are all expected to know what exactly being part of the centre means. Where does a person in the centre stand on issues of taxation? If you are on the right you are supposed to want more, if you’re on the left, you want less. So, if you’re in the centre, you want taxes to stay the same? That seems to make sense, but when it comes to issues like abortion, it seems difficult to find a middle ground between pro-life and pro-choice. When we talk about the right and the left we do nothing but create confusion and make discourse harder, not to mention oversimplifying politics in general. As a democratic nation, I think we owe it to each other to at least make an effort to talk about the issues rather than resorting to umbrella terms.
SPOKE
IS PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE Editor: DeeAnna Rollins Assignment Editor: Robert Janes Advertising Manager: James Wells Spoke Online Editors: Scott Blinkhorn, Cassidy Foulds
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FUN & GAMES
Monday, March 27, 2017
SPOKE Page 7
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
horoscope Week of March 27, 2017
Aries
March 21 April 19 Instead of getting angry at the next person who crosses your path, give him or her a hug.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Try to remember that not everyone likes playing mind games. In fact Taurus, you’re the only one who likes it, so stop it.
Gemini May 21 June 21
Everyone thinks you’re twofaced and it’s so not fair OR true! You’ve got a minimum of five personas that you juggle. Try to keep at least one of them happy.
Cancer June 22 July 22
Instead of complaining about the same thing for five days in a row, try to find something new to complain about each day.
Leo
July 23 August 22 Things have been looking very grey for you lately. Don’t forget that spring is around the corner and the sun will soon help you out of the foggy days.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 The next task you avoid is going to haunt you in your dreams. Avoidance is a habit. Break it.
On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily (I knew it!).
Libra
The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
September 23 October 22 Your light-hearted approach to life will be a huge help to close friends and loved ones.
Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time. All of the clocks in the movie Pulp Fiction are stuck on 4:20.
Scorpio
The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates mating by ripping the male’s head off.
October 23 November 21 Everything is right on track for you, like always. Nothing is new. Just maybe let someone talk once in a while.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius November 22 December 21
Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.
Stop obsessing over things you can’t control.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Being quiet and mysterious was cool in 2004, now you actually need to open up and stop putting your needs on the back burner.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
You have a serious side of you that you really just need to let go. Go pick some flowers.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 If you’re being overwhelmed by text messages just make the executive decision to throw your phone into a river. Your nerves will thank you later.
Diodonna Winona dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension. She also enjoys people watching and coffee.
Word Search
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Monday, March 27, 2017
Not everyone is celebrating Canada’s 150th BY MEGHAN WEATHERALL
When you hear Canada is celebrating 150 years of being a country, what do you think of? Do you picture a Canadian goose honking while it swims in a nearby river or Canada’s red and white flag? Does it take you back to history class where you learned about Confederation and the wars our military fought in? It can be easily agreed upon that Canada is a country worth celebrating. Things like insulin, the electric wheelchair, walkietalkies and Trivial Pursuit are just a few of the things that Canadians invented. Canada may be celebrating its 150th birthday, but the land it covers has been here and inhabited for thousands of years before the first boat of European settlers hit land. THEMUSEUM, located at 10 King St. in Kitchener, opened its own exhibit called A Cause for Celebration? First Things First. This exhibit is a collection of art done by First Nations people who hope to bring awareness to the unfortunate truths of Canada’s past. “Many museums, and many Canadians, are celebrating the 150 years of Canada,”
said David Marskell, the CEO at THEMUSEUM. “The First Nations community aren’t. The reason is they’ve been here a lot longer than 150 years, and it hasn’t been a great 150 years.” THEMUSEUM has teamed up with Woodland Cultural Centre, The Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Six Nations and The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation to do a day of action for high school students and the public. “Canada has a black mark,” said Marskell. “We have a number of partners talking about the past and hopefully through that dialogue we are provoking a conversation. We are doing our little piece to shine a light on something that happened and get to a better place.” The art on display ranges in media and messages. Nyle Johnston uses a graffiti-like style to create a picture of his community’s history. Another artist took the number given to her by the government to subtly add how her history and beliefs were taken away. Part of the exhibit is a quote on a wall. Andrea Jackman, a curator for the exhibit, said, “Over the last 150 years,
PHOTO BY MEGHAN WEATHERALL
Purple Coneflower, Solomon’s Seal & Wild Rose is an acrylic piece created by indigenous artist Nyle Johnston. He uses a graffiti style to share parts of his community. This piece is on display at THEMUSEUM in their A Cause for Celebration? First Things First: Indigenous Dialogues exhibit. many indigenous historical facts have been deliberately cited as minor footnotes, to create a skewed perspective about this country’s history. By no means is it disputed that Canada has made great accomplishments … but what is absent is an inclusive
account of the Canadian government’s relationship with indigenous peoples, communities and groups.” Across the room from Jackman’s quote are pictures of all 23 prime ministers with a brief explanation on what the relationship between the indigenous people and the government was like at that time. With the picture of Sir John A. MacDonald it was cited that the Royal Proclamation, designed by King George III aimed to protect the indigenous people and improve their living conditions. Over the years, the way of life for indigenous people got worse. Without consent, the government took control and passed treaties that were not in favour of the First Nations community. Children were torn from their homes and forced to go to residential schools to learn how to be more European. During their stay, children were abused and their nutritional needs were not met. Other Bills were proposed. First Nation people could no longer legally own land, their status was threatened and diseases were spread. It wasn’t until 1960 when Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and his
minority cabinet swayed the government to allow indigenous people the right to vote that things truly started changing. Lester Pearson used his time as prime minister to focus on indigenous economics, education and political needs. Residential schools started closing under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s watch in 1972. In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave a formal apology to the communities affected. “That is how we treated them,” said Marskell. “Imagine an indigenous person who has been here forever and the white guys show up and then say, ‘We want to get rid of you.”’ Woodland Cultural Centre director Amos Key spoke during the opening ceremony and said, “We weren’t here when it happened, but it still hurts because it’s part of our community history. And we need to learn from it.” THEMUSEUM is also hosting the First Things First: Indigenous Dialogues exhibit until the end of April. This is another way they hope to bring awareness to how the First Nations communities were treated.