Getting off reserve required permission – The Chronicle Journal
September 6, 2016
I recently had two separate conversations with women over the age of 50. They both repeated the same story. The aboriginal people could have made something of their lives. After all, each of them said, I started out with nothing, and now I own a house and car, and have everything I need.
What these ladies did not realize is that until 1969 an Indian Agent lived on every reserve and before any person could attempt to leave the reserve, for any reason, they had to ask permission from the agent. Failure to do so would mean punishment by fines or a jail sentence.
So you see folks, the Nishnabe people did not have the same opportunities and freedoms that we all enjoy here in Canada.
This brings to mind a saying from Mother Theresa: “If we judge people we have no time to love them.”
