Dear Editor:

Here is a letter I, John Joe Sark, sent to Prince Charles.

“Dear Sir:
My name is Dr. John Joe Sark, LLD, Keptin of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council. The Mi’kmaq Grand Council is the traditional Government of the Mi’kmaw People of the Atlantic Region in Canada, as well as parts of Maine, the Gaspé Region of Quebec, the Magdalene Islands and St. Pierre and Miquelon, France. Please see attached letter explaining my role.

Your Royal Highness, I understand that you and The Duchess of Cornwall, will be visiting our Epekwitk (the English/Canadian-occupied Island, renamed after Prince Edward) on May 19th and 20th, to take part in the 150 Anniversary celebration of the Conference that led up to the Confederation of Canada. I am certain that many Canadians will joyfully celebrate the historic event. I can also safely assume that you, Sir, have a similar expectation. I am however, not so certain that you have been thoroughly informed and aware about past atrocities and ongoing suppressive behaviour by the Canadian government, the same government that likely invited Your Royal Highness to our lands. As a Mi’kmaq Grand Council member, I am aware that, – contrary to the joyful celebration by many Canadians, it is the sentiment of the majority of Mi’kmaw, and of other Aboriginal people in Canada, that we see no cause to celebrate, since we were not invited to any of the meetings that lead up to Confederation.

C ...

 

Tags: 1496 Royal Charter of the Church of England, British Colonial History, Church of England, cultural genocide, Doctrine of Discovery, economic marginalization, Epekwitk, France, Gaspé Region, genocide, Isle St. Jean, John Cabot, John Joe Sark, King Henry VII, Magdalene Islands, Maine, Mi’kmaq Grand Council, Miquelon, Papal Bulls, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Simon Howden, St. Pierre, The Duchess of Cornwall