Editor:
Re: Letter from Marianne Pfister (Coast Reporter, Aug. 31).
All changes came with a price to pay. My people and I paid a big price for a so-called education.
In the residential school, we were taught very strict discipline and obedience that ended up in death, sexual, physical and mental abuse for many.
For you, no price was too high for a good education. I'm happy for you. For us in the residential school, we did not receive a proper education. We were forced to go to that school. I doubt that you were forced to go to your school.
The settlers came on the New Continent and brought their beliefs and values, but they were not our beliefs and values. They believed that integration of different peoples when developing the New Land was the best way to success. Today we are waiting for that day to come.
Integration with us, the Native people, did not become a reality, Ms. Pfister. Try living on a reservation.
Integration with my education started with killing the Indian in the child, and yes, the harsh treatment became the issue for all the abuse we went through.
All we want is our day in court, for some compassion and maybe an apology.
Yes, there was free education and health care, but I would give back all that free stuff for my rights and land back.
Randy Joe
Sechelt
