Wide-eyed patriotism is an Indigenous value

When former prime minister Jean Chrétien says we have to stop looking back at the problems in Canada instead of looking forward at the potential, his statement smacks of denial instead of a sense of history.

Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien's comments at a recent event in Ottawa ignore the damage he caused to Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples during his time in government, Rose LeMay writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

February 9, 2026

OTTAWA—Too often, there’s an embarrassing old uncle at a family event, and some of his comments elicit an awkward grimace.

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