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From the May 1998 shooting at Thurston High School to the Robb Elementary School slaughter is a period of 24 years. During that bloody era there have been at least 245 school shootings in the US, which averages to more than 10 per year. The National Rifle Association expounds, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” but I say that the gun-worshiping American culture is the culprit. Unless that changes, the brutality will continue to plague America.
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F. Ron Yorston, Delta
The tragedy of residential schools
The tragedy of the mistreatment of Indigenous children in residential schools is difficult to comprehend. The way these innocent children were mistreated by the people in charge of running these schools is extremely painful. The Province newspaper must be commended for highlighting the deplorable treatment of the victims and survivors of residential schools.
The issues that have come to the forefront, especially since the discovery of unmarked graves of First Nations children last year near Kamloops and elsewhere, have shocked people in Canada and around the globe. The survivors are still dealing with their trauma. Our governor general, Mary Simon, has articulated this tragedy very well: “It is unimaginable that a place of learning was so cruel.” It has been reported that as a result of the harsh treatment at these schools at least 4,100 children lost their lives.
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In this context, it is very encouraging to note that this issue has captured the attention of every level of government and Canadians as a whole. We must continue our efforts at accommodation and reconciliation with the Indigenous community in healing these wounds.
Balwant Sanghera, Richmond
Garbage beckons bears
Re: Bear calls jump this spring as cold, wet weather has animals out and about
“Bear calls jump” stresses the importance of not getting bears habituated to “people food.” Unfortunately, many municipalities have switched to large multi-colored garbage bins, which homeowners don’t have room for in a secure location. As a result, these enticing “food” containers sit outside 24/7 and become attractants for wildlife.
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We have had incidents of animals raiding these containers locally, and it’s only a matter of time before these habituated animals will have to be destroyed. Although local politicians have been notified about this problem, no action has been taken. These numerous large bins may be great for recycling, but the issue of keeping them secure has not been addressed.
SI Petersen, Nanaimo
