Have Your Say

Instructive words

Re: The words we have inherited (Jan. 24). By writing an evocative letter to the editor of the Morris Mirror, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair has earned a place in the Canadian literature of our era. His ardent account of native history is a masterpiece.

I predict that "The Letter Tacked on the Door" will be required reading in the middle and high schools of the future.

ANTHONY PITTARELLI

Winnipeg

It is important to note that the number of letters in support of Reed Turcotte's commentary in the Morris Mirror came from outside of the community of Morris. Having officiated at several funerals in Morris, I can tell you that the people in Morris believe strongly in differentiated otherness. The kind and caring people of Morris do not deserve to be painted with the same racist brush with which Reed Turcotte has painted himself.

In seeking to perpetuate the "us versus them" dynamic, Lindor Reynolds (Poison in a small town, Jan 26) does a disservice to the dialogue regarding prejudice and racism. The response from Niigaanwewidam Sinclair is the one which I applaud. The best way to conquer racism is to build relationships and to continue to educate.

Blessings to him and to his continued work.

Rev. Dr. Lesley Fox

Altona

What was printed in the Morris Mirror was wrong, and any responsible organization would not have done so. That does not mean we should not care and speak our minds. But to equate this incident and the town of Morris with the U.S. South during the 1960s is totally irresponsible journalism. We do not have laws and practices that are any where near what went on in those locations at that time.

I think the Free Press is more interested in stirring things up with directed reporting such as this and not interested in helping search for solutions and understanding in what could be the most important discussion our nation has ever had.

Dwight Iwan

Winnipeg

Kudos to Bill C-45

Re: Idle No More: In conversation with Tanya Kappo (Jan. 25). Kudos to the Harper government for dragging stubborn aboriginal leaders kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

After reading Bill C-45 and the arguments for and against it, I have a clearer understanding of what this omnibus bill does and why there is opposition to it. This bill essentially cuts through the red tape of the Indian Act, making it easier for bands to approve economic development, something that must occur in order to improve living conditions on reserves.

Understand that no development can occur on reserves without aboriginal approval. What has changed is band members must step up and make their voices heard when the government calls a meeting to negotiate. In the past, no-shows have impeded the process and with it, any potential for economic development. That won't happen anymore when Bill C-45 officially becomes law.

This bill essentially democratizes bands, making the chiefs and band councils more accountable to band members.

Gordon Warren

Winnipeg

Pray she gets help

Re: I do pray to God to die, Jan. 28. I read the comments, and having researched for over a year the impact of medical mesh on people's lives, it is obvious there is not enough information in the media regarding the horrendous results of medical-mesh rejections for both men and women.

Polypropylene is what most surgical medical meshes are made of for prolapse, hernia and incontinence repair. It is not an inert, biologically compatible material for many people. Thirty per cent allergic response is not an acceptable rate of complication.

With transvaginal mesh like Christine has, this is a wound inside that is constantly raw, feeling like a fresh burn at the mercy of chemical and mechanical irritation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The more you move, the more you hurt. I can describe this vividly, as I too had an adverse reaction to medical mesh.

I pray Christine's community rallies around her and helps her get to UCLA.

Nonie Wideman

Rose Prairie, B.C.

Not all Americans

In her Jan. 26 review of The Untold History of the United States, by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, Lesley Hughes says, "In the U.S., patriotic hearts are seething and patriotic teeth are gnashing." I would remind Hughes that American patriots have a diversity of views regarding their county's history. Thus, there are many American patriots whose hearts are not seething and whose teeth are not gnashing over the viewpoint and content of this book.

Richard Foster

Winnipeg

Something's wrong here

Re: Heat cold comfort for tenants (Jan. 25). The caretakers obeyed the law and did what was ethically responsible, and they got fired and served with an eviction notice. The building owner(s) and the property manager broke the law and did the unethical, and all that happens to them is that they are told to keep the heat up.

The silence from our legislators whose law is being broken, and the reaction of the law-enforcement people ensures that the powerless will be forced to freeze or move.

Is this how Manitobans look out for one another?

Robert Kury

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 30, 2013 A10