Moon of Many Promises ItsTimeForChange

1. MoonofManyPromises MoonofManyPromises Some believe politics is the only answer, whether Federal or Provincial. Others, based on decades of Politicians standing on a podium, waving their fistsindeterminespeechesthatrarelycometobe,seepoliticsas“smokeand mirrors”! AsDrewHaydenTaylor,anAnishnawbewriterfromCurveLakeFirstNation, just north of Peterborough, ON. wrote, “Let’s face it, politics is drama. It’s all timing, choreography, dialogue, and motivation. Sometimes wardrobe, sometimes good lighting helps. And all the candidates have their hour to strut uponthe national stage”.

2. Taylor also reflected on promises of the past, in a somber comment, “We’ve dancedthisdancebefore.Manytimes.Inourlanguage,wecallthistimethe Moon of Many Promises. Lots of promises. There will be the traditional dangling of clean water… so close we can almost taste it. Promises of adherence to Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. And, most recently, promises to address the discovery of unmarked graves of residential school children. Despite the tragedy, there was the beginning of somemeaningfulconversationdeveloping.Mostofthecountryevenwas willingtoacceptamutedCanadaDayinrespect.Thentheelectionwascalled andthediscussionsuddenlybecamemuted.ResidentialSchoolInterruptus.” IsTaylorcorrectwhenhewrites,“Youlistentothemainstreammediaand it’sfullofpoliticianssaying“Canadianswant…,”“Canadiansneed…,” Canadians deserve…” and the list goes on. The cool thing is Indigenous peoplearebeingrecognizedasasizableandimportantvotingblock.Insome ridings,they mayeven control thebalancing vote.” Rightuptotheelectioncall,forabriefmoment,itseemedthemajorityof Canadianswereontheirwaytoreachingabreakthrough,arealizationofwhat horrific history had been forced upon Indigenous peoples all across this country.Canadians were awakened to the undeniable evidence surrounding Residential Schools. As the election platforms are made public, there seem to be many Indigenous hot points being brought forward by each Party. Will they beacted uponor becomemore Moonof ManyPromises? WithhissizablesenseofhumorDrewHaydenTaylorendshiscommentswith “Andforwhoeverloses, there’s always thatjobopeningonJeopardy!”