LETTER: SIMON ‘EXCELLENT’ CHOICE AS GOV.-GEN. AND UNMARKED GRAVES AREN’T ‘MASS GRAVES’

LETTER TO EDITOR:

I have taken the time today to write to the University of Windsor after hearing/seeing a professor there on CTV speaking about the appointment of a new governor general for Canada.

I am very distressed to hear or read the words “mass grave” or “mass graves” used in reference to unmarked graves at the site of former residential schools.

A cutline in local newspaper refers to a mass grave, radio shows allow callers to use the term mass grave without correction.

And now a university professor on national television was not corrected.

Here follows my email to the president of the University of Windsor:

“I am taking the time to find your contact information and write this email due to the fact that I just saw Dr. Lydia Miljan on CTV news live commenting on the appointment of Mary Simon as Canada’s next governor general and first Indigenous vice-regal.

Let me say an excellent appointment in my opinion.

However, I was flabbergasted to hear Miljan refer to mass graves.

I do not believe there have been mass graves found in Canada, rather they are unmarked graves.

There is a great difference.

How is the public to obtain the true facts of the past if our professors continue to issue such blatantly incorrect statements on national television programs?

I have been noticing many referrals to mass graves by un-knowing individuals on phone-in shows, and am distressed that the correction has not been made by hosts.

However, I think the hosts are trying to allow the public to air their thoughts, and move on rather than upset individuals. This is understandable.

A university professor stating mass graves is not.

We need to work to keep our country together, not drive us further apart as we deal with the past.

I trust that I will not hear more professionals referring to mass graves.

Regards,
Lois Cooper

(Lois Cooper is a former MuskokaTODAY.com editor)