Ignorance doesn't help reconcilation

It appears many Canadians are ignorant of the facts surrounding the Chilcotin War of 1864.  In fact, many are unaware of how the country was governed in 1864, hence the vilification by some of my comments on the inappropriateness of Trudeau's apologia to BC natives in the House yesterday. 

One native called me spiteful, hateful and ignorant for questioning why a Canadian prime minister would apologize for something which had happened before Canada was even a country and BC a province.  At the time of the hangings, "Canada" did not exist; the territory was a colony of England.  If anyone should apologize (which in my view they should not), it would be the prime minister of Britain.

Crown Land began with the reign of George III in 1760 and continues to this day in Canada and many other countries around the world -- although the ownership and administration of the land now lie with the federal government.  The war chiefs who attacked the British were attempting to raid Crown Land and take back what they had lost.  This, however, does not negate the fact that the land was in the hands of the Crown at the time.

Calling the executions "wrongful", Trudeau said, "We recognize that these six chiefs were leaders of a nation, that they acted in accordance with their laws and traditions and that they are well-regarded as heroes of their people."  Trouble is, the land at the time was in the possession of the Crown and so they were illegally trying to claim it.  Crucially, the natives did not deny they had killed whites, but maintained it was an act of war.  Precisely, which is why they were hanged.   

That was the law of the time and colonial governor Frederick Seymour agreed their actions had constituted open war.  Trudeau now wants to revise all history -- from the names of buildings to the law of the land.  Who does he think he is?  At the very least, he needs a constitutional expert in the PMO who can fill him in on annoying details -- such as reality. 

To this day, 94% of all land in BC is provincial Crown Land.  That's just a fact, conveniently ignored by natives, politicians, journalists and many ignorant Canadians who spout bromides instead of truth.  To point out historical and constitutional accuracy does not make one ignorant, hateful or spiteful.  It just makes one correct.