The claims about Canadian Indian mass graves faced significant skepticism, prompting some radicals to attempt to discredit those who critiqued the narrative, often labeling them as “denialists.” A new propaganda effort, named “Northland Tales,” is being produced for major media channels like the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Aboriginal People’s Television Network.
As per the Indigenous Screen Office, this show is described as “an unscripted half-hour comedy series that follows three Indigenous activists engaging in pranks as a form of social commentary.”
“This deception is occurring with our own tax money,” a critic pointed out.
Sources indicate that the creators of this series may be using misleading identities and fraudulent companies to bait critics of the mass grave allegations into staged confrontations.
While conservative politicians and critics have condemned this campaign as misleading, advocates counter that it’s a way to foster reconciliation and a deeper understanding of past injustices.
Background
Residential schools were created in Canada starting in the 1880s as part of a government initiative to educate and assimilate Indigenous children, who had few educational alternatives available. These institutions, often managed by various religious organizations, operated until the late 20th century. Estimates indicate that around 150,000 children were enrolled over the years.
Thousands of children are reported to have died in these institutions, with tuberculosis identified as a primary cause among others.
In the aftermath of the last school’s closure, a grievance industry emerged, focused on accusations of abuse and mistreatment, with former newspaper publisher Conrad Black labeling it “an outrageous libel” against Canadian citizens.
The Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced in May 2021 that they found a child’s remains in an apple orchard near a former Catholic residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. However, no child’s remains have been verified to exist until now.
Even in the absence of concrete evidence,
- Progressive media outlets and various academics have propagated a misleading narrative.
- Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other officials expressed deep sorrow and held a moment of silence for the supposed discovery, condemning Canada.
- Radical members of Congress pushed for motions calling on the Canadian government to recognize what occurred in residential schools as genocide.
- Various Canadian institutions lowered flags in remembrance of the allegedly missing children.
- Many Canada Day celebrations were canceled in response.
- Statues honoring historical figures were removed.
- Numerous churches were vandalized or set ablaze.
After spending considerable taxpayer money on investigations related to the Kamloops allegations, authorities are expected to tighten laws in Canada against what they term “denialism,” effectively criminalizing any public recognition that these allegations might be fabricated.
Currently, there are no existing laws against such beliefs. To move forward seems daunting.
Those pushing this narrative appear unable to silence dissent and seem focused on humiliating their critics.
Puppet Master
Lindsay Shepherd, a well-known critic of the unmarked graves narrative, was reportedly fired from her position after opposing a display honoring boarding school survivors in the legislature.
Shepherd has often discussed the actions of John A. Macdonald, regarded as a principal architect of the residential school system. She mentioned being approached by what she later discovered to be a deceptive production team under false pretenses, pretending to discuss her book only to later turn the conversation against her.
Frances Widdowson, a political scientist who lost her university position for her revisionist views on residential schools, also fell victim to this propaganda initiative. She highlighted being invited to discuss historical portrayals, only to be trapped in a setup where activists disrupted the interview.
Activists had been led to believe in the existence of unmarked graves, placing children’s shoes at various government sites to represent their assumed suffering.
Upon realizing she was part of a staged event, Widdowson began recording her experience.
One individual related to the propaganda project claimed Widdowson was part of a “social experiment,” suggesting it wasn’t a targeted attack against her.
Widdowson stated that this approach seems to be a tactic aimed at sidelining dissenting individuals.
Reports indicate these propagandists have sought to mislead other critics and perceived foes, including veterans of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who were unjustly critiqued for their past experiences.
Response
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney remarked, “It’s alarming that this deceit is being funded through our taxes.”
Conservative politicians have expressed disbelief that public funds are being used for this misleading campaign targeting innocent Canadians, including veterans.
Critics argue this situation exemplifies how historical narratives can be manipulated at the expense of the truth.
Thompson, a CBC spokesperson, defended the initiative as part of an established form of media that aims to explore historical injustices and foster dialogue.
Both CBC News and APTN stated they had no prior knowledge or involvement in the production of the series.
