Jonathan R. Schmidt

Honestly, I don't know how to respond to the Caledonia stand-off involving members of Six Nations. I wish I could go down there and stand alongside the members of Six Nations and say 'Despite all the racism you may be feeling, I'll stand with you.' But the voices gather: 'I'm too busy. I have to go to work. I'm moving in a few days. I'm busy." or "It's not my battle. They can stand on their own, why would they need me?" or "Well, even the elected officials from the Band Council aren't backing the standoff. I don't know enough about the issue to make a stand either way."

I think what infuriates me most is the lack of understanding in the public and even the media to print quotes such as this "However, the Henning brothers told CBC.ca they have clear title to the land." The members from Six Nations ALSO believe they have clear title to the land, hence the standoff. The members from Six Nations don't really care if the Henning brothers think they have clear title to the land. They believe it is a nation to nation issue, that is between Canada and Six Nations. If I stole something and then sold it to someone the person I sold it to would be holding that item illegally, regardless of whether the transaction between him and I was legit. At least that's my infantile understanding of our laws and the issue at stake here. Developers who would like to build and make a profit on land under dispute between the Federal Government and First Nations groups in Canada should be very very cautious. They shouldn't claim 'They simply want to do business and don't want to be political' - a line that reveals their ignorance and desire for only profits. Being a developer in Canada is developing on land that we took,stole,confiscated or otherwise from the Aboriginal people of Canada. It is an inherent political exercise and it always has been. We desperately need greater understanding on the issues. We need to talk more, interact more and listen much much more.

Along that note above, I had a wonderful time touring Stoney Point/Kettle Point F.N. last Friday with Darlene's Western University 'Teaching Aboriginal Students' class. It was very interesting to tour the school and see how the community is developing their young children to be their very best, to be proud of their heritage and to gently balance both the traditional and the modern. I wouldn't be surprised if some amazing Aboriginal leaders come from the Kettle Point education system in the future. Granted, they will have to overcome a hoard of racism and barriers within our larger society. Grab your hammer, let's break down the walls. Or better yet, grab a piece of the floor and sit and listen to an elder for an afternoon.

The above image comes from a flash movie on cancer that Darlene's mom showed me last weekend. The movie is done extraordinarily well. Through the use of images, music and text it provies a glimpse of life with cancer. The beautiful images and text show the struggles, the fight, the determination and all the other emotions that are linked to the cancer fight. If you know of anyone that is going or has gone through cancer I'd recommend watching the movie. It's touching, difficult and inspiring all at once.
Watch the movie

Want to help fight cancer? I'm collecting donations for the 10k Terry Fox Run I'll be completing on September 18. Help keep Terry's dream alive - donate online

In France Muslim girls are being turned away from school for wearing headscarves, also known as hijabs. This follows legislation in France that banned all overtly religious dress and signs, including Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses in schools. Yet, most of the media attention has been on the banning of Muslim headscarves or hijabs. Over 600 students have violated the act since it took effect on September 2, 2004. The French government is claiming that it is simply holding to its commitment to separate religion and state. In the words of Jacques Chirac, President of France "Secularism is one of the great successes of the Republic...It is a crucial element of social peace and national cohesion. We cannot let it weaken." Personally, I think these words are ridiculous and fail to take into consideration the major role that faith and religion play in society. I feel Mr. Chirac is saying that denying the practice of religion is one of the greatest steps to peace and social cohesion a country can take. While I'm not proposing a state religion, I am proposing that national cohesion and peace will not be accomplished by intolerance and the prevention of freedom of religion. True peace will only be accomplished when nations and individuals attempt to understand and tolerant the religions of their citizens and neighbours.
Click here to read the CBC article.

Last week I co-led a soccer camp for children in grades 1-6. Myself and the other lead instructor had a difficult time trying to create games that would reinforce teamwork instead of competition. Yet, in many ways it seemed natural to create games that were focused on competition. In fact, many children seemed to enjoy the competition of some of the drills we tried. This debate about whether competition is healthy or harmful has been in my mind a fair bit, heightened by taking a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Waterloo. Henri Nouwen in his book "The Return of the Prodigal Son" views competition as a distraction from our God-given right to belong to God's kingdom. Nouwen in his fiinal chapters suggests that much of competition in this world tellls us that we need to jump higher, run faster or get better grades, etc. in order to be worthy of anything. In essence, Nouwen is suggesting that competition portrays to us that we need to earn everything in life, and that if we are not the best, or close to the best, then we deserve very little. Many of you reading this are probably noticing the contradictions between the philosophy of competition and the basic Christian theology of grace. God tells us that we deserve the kingdom of God and deserve to be a part of God's kingdom, not because we are spiritual giants, or we read our Bible more than other people, but simply because you or I as a sinner asked for forgiveness. I truly believe that Nouwen's understanding of how the world makes us feel inadequate by its competition and how God wants to tell us that we belong to him just for coming to him is a deeply profound word that we all should hear. I pray that I would be able to listen more to my belonging to God, instead of the competition of the world.