Is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission the best way to move forward from the legacy of the Indian residential schools?

Guest host David Gray's introduction to the June 27, 2010 program:

Our question today: "Are you satisfied with Canada's hosting of the G8, G20 summits ...and the results?"

What should we make of the images and sounds coming from Toronto and broadcast across the country? The tidy rows of flags, the smiles of world leaders, and of course the contrast of burning police cars and vandals in black, smashing windows.

On a quiet summer afternoon here in Calgary it all seems a long way away and difficult to fathom.

Today we want to talk about the G8 and G20 summits that have taken place over the past few days. The meetings matter because anything that involves so many leaders of so many countries getting together in one place is significant. Even some of the strongest critics of the events -- the protestors on the streets -- agree, although in a different way. They spend a lot of energy trying to put their own stamp on these summits.

It's important to note that the vandalism and violence in the streets come from a very small group that has been planning to create havoc. They are greatly outnumbered by protestors who maintain peace and march with dignity.

When the temporary cells are emptied, the security fences come down, and the last news conference is held, the real measure of success will be in what comes out of those sequestered meetings. Not the promises made, but the progress delivered.

What is your reaction to all this? Do the protests ..and the vandalism ..and the now huge cost of security argue against these kind of events? Or do the benefits of so many world leaders getting together face to face outweigh the disadvantages?

The G8 leaders pledged to spend $5-billion dollars over five years on maternal and child health ...that's not small change ...and Canada alone has proimised $1.1-billion of that.

The G20 leaders are trying to find common ground in strategies to stabilize the world economy in the aftermath of the worst global recession since the 1930's.

They're all worthy goals but we want to know if you think the whole G processes are paying dividends. What about Canada's role in hosting these two events back to back? Did Canada do a good job? Did the protests detract from the events ...or are they now simply part of the landscape of international summits?

I'm David Gray ...on CBC Radio One ...and on Sirius satellite radio channel 137 ...this is Cross Country Checkup.

Links

• CBC.ca
  • Native healing hearings open in Winnipeg
  • Residential school stories move from shadows
  • Boy, 11, slams residential schools legacy
  • Truth & Reconciliation
  • Canada seeks global forum on truth commissions
  
  
  
• Winnipeg Free Press
  • Special Coverage: Truth and Reconciliation
  • 'Important day in our history'
  • Truth process rushed: activists
  
  
  
• Globe and Mail
  • Residential schools: stories to tell and re-tell
  • Religious leaders share their side of residential school stories
  • Ottawa to repeal parts of Indian Act that cover residential schools
  • Give first nations the power to help themselves, by Gary Mason
  • First nations property rights: Going beyond the Indian Act, by Tom Flanagan
  • Denouncing past wrongs gives society a way forward
  
  
  
• National Post
  • Ottawa intends to amend Indian Act
  • Q & A with Shawn Atleo: Canada opens dark dialogue
  
  
  
• Vancouver Sun
  • Strahl breaks down at hearings into residential schools
  • Ottawa makes own gesture of healing at Truth and Reconciliation event
  • Residential school survivors to share sorrow as reconciliation events begin
  
  
  
• Toronto Star
• Reconciliation commission is not enough, says author