Dear Bari, I feel it is unfair to call the mass grave claims a hoax. The word suggests the people who made the claims were trying to deceive the public, and there is no evidence to support such an assertion. While it may seem strange to most of us that no bodies have been exhumed, we must take into account the cultural sensitivities around respect for the deceased in Indigenous communities. There has been disagreement within the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation in Kamloops about whether the bodies should even be exhumed. Remember ground-search radar suggesting hundreds of people were buried at former residential school properties was done in 2021. The Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced a plan to repatriate remains of the people allegedly buried in Kamloops on May 25, 2022 - just a day before Terry Glavin wrote his provocative piece for the National Post. In my opinion, that article was premature. Perhaps there are not 215 bodies buried there and hundreds more at other locations. But I would be shocked if there were none. One was too many. Also, this First Nation does not have to proceed according to a skeptic's timetable. They must take the feelings and well-being of families and communities into account.
If you look into the eyes of Indigenous people who speak about this issue, you see a world of hurt. Yes, the New York Times and others got it wrong by using the term "mass graves." But those errors do not negate the possibility that children wrested away from their families and home communities died at residential schools and may have been buried there. So, let's be more careful about our language and avoid calling the whole thing "a false story." This piece would have benefited from the voice of an Indigenous person. May I suggest you have a conversation with Duncan McCue, an Anishiaabe former CBC journalist and now a professor at Carleton University's School of Journalism in Ottawa.
Bari, I love the Free Press and most of the work you do. But I encourage you to seek a different perspective on this issue.
I have been bothered by the word hoax for a long time. It’s a very loaded word. I think the information was incomplete. But a complete denial of the possibility of unidentified children burried just because remains have not been exhumed is not balanced either. And then ascribing motive instead of any attempt at cultural understanding or sensitivity is upsetting to me. I am not knowledgeable about this topic which is why I am interested in accurate information that is not agenda driven.
The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation project has zero truth and will not reconcile anything. Our alleged constitution and its interpretation by various supreme courts, had essentially given the approval of all development projects to wildly corrupt first nations (what we are supposed to call Indians) tribes. The chiefs of these tribes are not stupid, so they play an endless game of negotiate/renegotiate to extract more money as adjacent tribes get better deals than them. Because they claim that every square inch of Canada was once inhabited by them (a giant lie) various groups will claim that a project, often hundreds or even thousands of mile away, somehow effects them and demand compensation from the proponents of the project.
The mafia would be ashamed to be as rapacious as these guys are.
Despite this reporting - Canada continues to steam ahead with the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on Oct. 1. It is a Canadian federal statutory holiday recognizing and commemorating the tragic history of Canadian residential schools.
I listened to the podcast. It was interesting but I remain unclear what exactly was the catalyst for the original article. I am well aware "why" the NYT would want to publish an article like this but what prompted it? What sources were used? Who were the references? Also I don't recall any discussion of photos which usually are a key component of reporting.
To sermonize a bit, Pilate asked Jesus "What is truth?" There are those who know the problem is with "those people over there" but don't get "Wherever you go, there you are".
Why doesn't this show up in the podcast feed? That would be the most natural place for it and I would be able to listen when driving etc. Having to install the Substack app can't possibly be the answer. I have a podcast app for all the things I listen to. Please make this work.
I was relieved to read that the Atlantic Council was on the job and found lots of potential Chinese propaganda...lolol. Perhaps the Atlantic Council was reporting on the Chinese who were reporting on the Atlantic Council...nahhhh.
Dear Bari, I feel it is unfair to call the mass grave claims a hoax. The word suggests the people who made the claims were trying to deceive the public, and there is no evidence to support such an assertion. While it may seem strange to most of us that no bodies have been exhumed, we must take into account the cultural sensitivities around respect for the deceased in Indigenous communities. There has been disagreement within the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation in Kamloops about whether the bodies should even be exhumed. Remember ground-search radar suggesting hundreds of people were buried at former residential school properties was done in 2021. The Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced a plan to repatriate remains of the people allegedly buried in Kamloops on May 25, 2022 - just a day before Terry Glavin wrote his provocative piece for the National Post. In my opinion, that article was premature. Perhaps there are not 215 bodies buried there and hundreds more at other locations. But I would be shocked if there were none. One was too many. Also, this First Nation does not have to proceed according to a skeptic's timetable. They must take the feelings and well-being of families and communities into account.
If you look into the eyes of Indigenous people who speak about this issue, you see a world of hurt. Yes, the New York Times and others got it wrong by using the term "mass graves." But those errors do not negate the possibility that children wrested away from their families and home communities died at residential schools and may have been buried there. So, let's be more careful about our language and avoid calling the whole thing "a false story." This piece would have benefited from the voice of an Indigenous person. May I suggest you have a conversation with Duncan McCue, an Anishiaabe former CBC journalist and now a professor at Carleton University's School of Journalism in Ottawa.
Bari, I love the Free Press and most of the work you do. But I encourage you to seek a different perspective on this issue.
I have been bothered by the word hoax for a long time. It’s a very loaded word. I think the information was incomplete. But a complete denial of the possibility of unidentified children burried just because remains have not been exhumed is not balanced either. And then ascribing motive instead of any attempt at cultural understanding or sensitivity is upsetting to me. I am not knowledgeable about this topic which is why I am interested in accurate information that is not agenda driven.
I am sorry, but why would I take an hour out of my day to listen to this? I can read this much more quickly.
The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation project has zero truth and will not reconcile anything. Our alleged constitution and its interpretation by various supreme courts, had essentially given the approval of all development projects to wildly corrupt first nations (what we are supposed to call Indians) tribes. The chiefs of these tribes are not stupid, so they play an endless game of negotiate/renegotiate to extract more money as adjacent tribes get better deals than them. Because they claim that every square inch of Canada was once inhabited by them (a giant lie) various groups will claim that a project, often hundreds or even thousands of mile away, somehow effects them and demand compensation from the proponents of the project.
The mafia would be ashamed to be as rapacious as these guys are.
Interesting listen! Checked out this article after the fact. Posting it here as just one more perspective.
https://www.canadaland.com/terry-glavin-residential-school-graves/
Ditto!!’
Despite this reporting - Canada continues to steam ahead with the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on Oct. 1. It is a Canadian federal statutory holiday recognizing and commemorating the tragic history of Canadian residential schools.
Transcript please.
I open a news site to read. I don't have time in the morning to listen to audio recordings. Can you please provide an article alongside? Thank you.
I listened to the podcast. It was interesting but I remain unclear what exactly was the catalyst for the original article. I am well aware "why" the NYT would want to publish an article like this but what prompted it? What sources were used? Who were the references? Also I don't recall any discussion of photos which usually are a key component of reporting.
To sermonize a bit, Pilate asked Jesus "What is truth?" There are those who know the problem is with "those people over there" but don't get "Wherever you go, there you are".
Concur - Transcript please! I am rarely in a position/ location where I can listen but very can read even if in fits and starts.
Transcript please!
Why doesn't this show up in the podcast feed? That would be the most natural place for it and I would be able to listen when driving etc. Having to install the Substack app can't possibly be the answer. I have a podcast app for all the things I listen to. Please make this work.
Thanks for linking Glavin's article.
I was relieved to read that the Atlantic Council was on the job and found lots of potential Chinese propaganda...lolol. Perhaps the Atlantic Council was reporting on the Chinese who were reporting on the Atlantic Council...nahhhh.
It's about placing advertising in the podcast.
We truly live in a post truth world.