RE: The paradox of the justice system and our relationships with our indigenous brothers and sisters
It's great of you to broach this subject here @wwf. I am not comfortable commenting on it in fb. The issue of crime towards rural properties in Saskatchewan is really out of control. I was born and raised in SK. And, my grandma's and a sister and many other family members still live there. My 82 year old grandma's property has been invaded 9 times in the past few years. The last time, they got into the house. 3 young addicted men. They intimidated her, assulted her, and got away with her purse, car and terrorised her. But, they didn't kill her. Though they were high AF --they very well could have -- and, would not even know they did. These young men live on a reserve a few miles away. Got out of jail three weeks prior are watched by RCMP 22 hours per day. Guess what? They don't watch them for 2 hours and that's when all hell breaks loose. It's a shame that such brokenness burdens the people of the reserve ---- no doubt.
The problem is huge! So many levels to consider. Just as the system wants it -- as you suggest. So many souls fragmented. Not only the Indians but the generations of colonization of the 'white' people too ----so lost from the roots and ways of their ansestors. Me included. I think CULTure is actually to blame. Trying to separate individuals from their ansestral traditions to integrated them into new cultures that harm the soul and are based in consumerism. Far from Spiritual growth and support.
I pray for us all Rob. I pray we find a better way. I pray for peace, healing towards all people, and our planet. 🙏
I agree, it is a huge problem and I've found that when I invite people to come here to visit, spend time, learn, share and grow together, it changes people. Last spring we had 25 beautiful spiritual beings from Kehewin Reserve come here for 4 days. Some of them were troubled youth. One of the young men had fought with his sister for years and got into all kinds of trouble. After four days here, he went straight home, hugged his sister and apologized. His mom witnessed it all and said it was the best mothers day gift she had ever received. We can have a huge influence on people, but it takes time, effort and faith.
It cannot be done through violence, coercion, punishment or any other technique used by the state. It MUST come from each individual as we learn how to share this land for the benefit of ALL people, plants, animals, water, air, etc. This is not just here for us.
When we make that step, they will see the effort, recognize the spiritual truth of our actions and reach out. We lead by example and that is the approach that I took. I did not go to them. I waited for them to see the work that I was doing and they came to me. They came by the hundreds upon hundreds!