Letters, May 27

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/05/2023 (1212 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Education call-out

Re: Education is more than the sum of its parts (Think Tank, May 26); Tories under fire for court posting (May 26); Youth ‘brainwashed’: Bergen (May 26)

I am an aboriginal Elder age 85. I was also a teacher from 1959 to 1998.

In answer to Jim McCrae’s remarks, I wish he wore my shoes for a day. I spent 11 years in an Indian Residential School, 1944 till 1958. I am an aboriginal that was denied my identity and culture. I was raised in a pygmalion situation. I did not know whether I was to be an Aboriginal or some half-ass European. I was killed in those abstracts. That is genocide, Mr. McCrae. Where do I to fit in?

Bergen’s comments about “brainwashing” is an insult to all teachers, students and parents. That takes in most of Manitoba’s population. Teachers are obligated by law to teach the contents of what the department of Education in each Canadian province and territory directs teachers to teach, in the curriculum they set up.

Put the blame for your interpretation where it fits, Ms. Bergen. Blame the governments of which you are a part.

Jerry Storie’s article articulates what a teacher is portrayed as in the modern world.

Ralph Paul

Winnipeg

McCrae’s statements disrespectful

Re: Tories under fire for court posting (May 26)

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen, in a statement to the Free Press, said that he was unaware of Jim McCrae’s articles outlining his perspectives on the impact of residential schools in Canada.

A Google search easily located several of these articles, including one published in the Western Standard on March 5 of this year. In the article, Mr. McCrae questions the harm done by the residential school system, as well as compensation paid to the survivors of that system. He further questioned the testimony provided by the survivors.

Mr. McCrae’s conclusions reflect a profound lack of respect towards the children who were sent to residential schools. Minister Goertzen’s lack of awareness of Mr. McCrae’s position reflects either sheer incompetence or a willingness to knowingly disregard Mr. McCrae’s public stance on this issue.

Zana Lutfiyya

Winnipeg

Not much changes in health system

Media reports and recent personal experiences with health care leave me with a sense of déjà vu.

I practised ear, nose and throat surgery in Winnipeg from 1962 until I retired in 2008. I was in private practice and worked in both community and teaching hospitals. I held administrative positions both in teaching hospitals and in the medical faculty.

When I stopped hospital practice in 1998, complaints about health care centred about hallway medicine, crowded ERs with long wait times, long waits lists for non-emergency surgery or diagnostic procedures, a shortage of family doctors and a bloated bureaucracy with a seeming inability to make decisions. Nothing much seems to have changed.

Since 1969, medical care has been administered by Liberal and Conservative governments in Ottawa, and by Conservative and NDP governments in Manitoba. If you are unhappy with medical care now, you can blame the party you like least.

Perhaps the time has come for a serious evaluation of health care in Canada. Two-tier medicine has become a pejorative, especially when compared to the U.S. However, we each pay for dental care, drugs, ambulances, glasses and hearing aids. If we are unable or unwilling to wait long periods for hospital-based services, we are able to access physiotherapy, audiology, speech and language pathology or occupational therapy privately.

Worker’s Compensation Board patients needing surgery have a much shorter waiting list than someone injured while self employed, because WCB patients are not dependent on government funding of hospitals. A self employed individual who doesn’t work because of an injury doesn’t have any income and therefore doesn’t pay any income tax.

Ironically, if I needed a knee replacement, for example, I could pay privately if I went to Calgary or Toronto or Vancouver. They can’t accept patients from Alberta or Ontario or B.C. and I can’t pay privately in Manitoba.

Among developed countries Canada has high health-care costs and mediocre outcomes in terms of life expectancy or infant mortality. Perhaps we should look at the systems in countries like Australia, France, Spain, and others — but not the U.S. They all have lower costs and better outcomes, unlike the U.S.

Unfortunately, I’m pessimistic that I’ll see any changes while I’m still around.

David Brodovsky

Winnipeg

Don’t accept a ‘no’ on heart issues

Re: Grave uncertainty (May 23)

I read the article in the Free Press about Michelle Logeot’s heart problems. I am very sorry to hear about the trouble she had. I am happy she is feeling better now.

Last year, I had a heart attack and my outcome was much better. The paramedics and the hospital were wonderful. I was put on meds and had an angiogram at St. Boniface. I had a small blockage in one of my arteries.

Menopause can be a large factor in heart health. Maintaining our health and watching our diet and exercise all play a big part.

If you feel really ill, call an ambulance and don’t take no from the medical staff. My symptoms were taken seriously and I had excellent care. I am so appreciative from everyone who took such good care of me.

Nadia Bjorklund

Gimli

Gargoyle great

Re: Back from the brink (May 25)

Thank you for the story on The Gargoyle reopening with the world premiere of the pop rock musical Breaking Up With Me.

I attended opening night May 25. It was funny and heart-wrenching. The performers and songs were brilliant.

Anyone who either lives with mental illness or knows someone who does will gain a new perspective from this show where three common illnesses are brought to life and through therapy, the young man Brennan struggles to learn how to survive with them.

I hope Winnipeggers support this talented group of local artists writers and musicians by attending a performance. It is worth it.

Vivian Hilder

Winnipeg

Rest in peace, Queen of Rock

Re: We will need another hero (May 25)

Tina Turner was so powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetically herself — speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.

Tina Turner, RIP.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Fla.