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Here's an on topic book review:
I have been trying to understand what role John A. Macdonald played in the native residential schools and what reconciliation means.
The short report is that I couldn't find anything tying Macdonald to the creation of the residential schools as they appear to have been established about 1830 and at that time Macdonald was a child living in the highlands of Scotland under the care of his Gaelic speaking mother and busily emigrating to the wilds of Upper Canada.
At confederation, education was made the responsibility of the provinces and responsibility for the natives a federal responsibility. The churches continued to take responsibility for native education. I did find an excellent book about confederation and Macdonald that draws a vivid picture of that era. Richard Gwyn's two volume "John A. the Man Who Made Us/Nation Maker" is a gift to anyone wanting to understand confederation. Gwyn researched the chaotic times and the problems that preceded confederation.
Highlights of Macdonald's personality always include his drinking.
Macdonald, with his totally unrestrained drinking, was able to forge alliances, persuade people who need persuading and move plans ahead. He used alcohol at a psychedelic drug level. Notable too, his first wife (Isabella) was an invalid who was opium dependant. His first son died young in 1850. Isabella died in 1857.
In February 1867 Macdonald married for the second time (Agnes) and promised to cut down on his drinking; with confederation in July, 1867 was a big year for him. He seems to have kept his promise to moderate his drinking and managed to live another 25 years.
We can’t go back and change the past but we can try to understand what happened and why.
Making our future with an understanding of the past can only help.
Thank you John A.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Kitskid.
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WARNING:
This book is full of information anti-confederationists and separatists will find useful.
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