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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571ClassiOntario CommunityCanadian Communityfied Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of theOakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of Production Unauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorThank youWe are the realWhat do Oakvilles Midnight Madness, the Salvation Indian giversArmys Red Kettle Campaign, Bed Bank Challenge, United Way Oakville campaign, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Re:Director dubs 'Indian-giver'Auction, Optimist Shrimpfest, Walls of Hope, Terry Fox remark inappropriate, OakvilleRun, the Canadian Cancer Societys Daffodil Days and Beaver, April 8Relay for Life, Fareshare Food Bank, Sexual Assault and I was disturbed by the articleViolence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton, many, and the accompanying editorialmany church dinners and concerts, Oakvilles Canada Day Oops again, but for a different rea-festivities, all manner of local minor sports leagues, the Ian son than those of your readers whoAnderson House hospice and Oakvilles Community found the use of the expressionCleanup all have in common?offensive.Without dedication of volunteers literally, hundreds My wife tells me I am probablyeven thousands of people who give their time, free of the only person in North Americacharge, not one of these ventures would be as successful.who has always taken a differentIn every corner of our community, events and pro-meaning from the term Indian-grams are supported year-round by scores of unsung giver.heroes of all ages who have made giving back a part of I have always felt that who ittheir everyday lives. And we all benefit.Whether its a highwas disparaging were those of us of school student paying weekly visits to seniors at a local long-term care facility or a retiree who European stock who would givedelivers Meals on Wheels a couple of times a month, we something to an Indian and thenowe each of these civic-minded folks a huge thank you.take it back the treaties we madeAccording to numbers released by the Ontario govern-with their people in most casesment, which this week launched its fourth annual Change werent worth the paper they wereThe World Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge, 11,328 written on.youths volunteered 41,683 hours benefitting 281 not-for- We have taken their land, theirprofit agencies across the province in 2010. In total, more heritage, their religion, their life-than five million Ontarians volunteer in their communi-style, their children, their healthThe Oakville Beaverwelcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerationsties each year.Letters toand grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. and everything else they heldAccording to the Canadian Survey of Giving, Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via sacred and given them little bute-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaverreserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.the editorVolunteering & Participating 2007, some 12.5 million hardship and derision in return. volunteers give a whopping 2.1 billion hours each year to Our aboriginal citizens, as Icharitable and not-for-profit organizations the equiva-Term is hurtful slur against First Nations peopleunderstand it, lived in a societylent of about 1.1 million full-time jobs.Re:Director dubs 'Indian-giver' remarkslurs have on First Nations - many who stillwhere sharing was paramount. If The survey notes that of the total number, some seven inappropriate, Oakville Beaver,April 8feel worthless, worn down by the aspersionsone hunter was successful in bring-per cent of the population are uber-volunteers, a single The term 'Indian Giver' is not a 'colloquial-directed at them by the non-aboriginal popula-ing home game, he shared it withgroup that contributes nearly 80 per cent of all the volun-ism' nor does it have anything to do withtion.the rest of the tribe rather thanteer hours tallied.'political correct(ness)' as Paul McMahon of Ironically, I just had a meeting with twoWhether theyhoarding it for himself because he give an hour or jump in with both feet the Halton Catholic District School Boardwonderful representatives of Halton Catholicto tackle a large-scale project, all our local volunteers would have been ashamed not tobelieves. It's a label used by bigots or by thoseBoard; I would bet the house that they are justmake Oakville a very special place to live and all of them allow everyone to benefit from thewho are ignorant of Canada's First People.as shocked and concerned as I am.deserve our heartfelt thanks.largesse. I believe Paul McMahon is sincere in hisLen Fortune, Truth and Reconciliation Luckily, we have the opportunity to do so this National On the west cast of Canada, weVolunteer Weekapology for using the term. McMahon is not aCommission Ambassador and Qalipu and this month, when many organiza-even outlawed their potlatch cere-tions hold volunteer appreciation events.bigot, but he is ignorant of the hurt that suchMi'kmaq First Nationmonies where gifts were distribut-However, theres a better and simpler way to honour all ed because this went against thetheir contributions.European tradition of laying upWe can each make a commitment to share whatever Pud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.comtreasures on earth rather than giv-time and talent we can with someone who needs it and ing them to others.Volunteer Halton (www.volunteerhalton.ca) would be only The sorry state this world is intoo happy to help you find your niche.at the moment isnt because our When youre ready to help even if only for a few First Nations destroyed it; rather,hours a month give them a call at 905-632-1975 or we took their pristine land ande-mail volunteer@cdhalton.ca today.turned it into the mess its in todayThe Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite for no other reason than pure206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together greed.with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will See Political page 12be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 15, 2011 6