"Holding Court" John A. Macdonald Statue

Tell us what the Holding Court statue means to you?

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  New Knowledge

  by Anne , over 5 years ago

  For most of my 56 years, all I really knew about Sir John A. Macdonald was that he was Canada’s first Prime Minister, and he is on our $10 bill. I now have new knowledge about him. Now I know about his key role in Canada’s horrific treatment of our Indigenous People. I am at a loss to understand why having his statue (in front of the library of all places - where knowledge is stored!!) is even a topic for discussion?? There are so many other good options for us to choose from for a statue on our Main... Continue reading

  For most of my 56 years, all I really knew about Sir John A. Macdonald was that he was Canada’s first Prime Minister, and he is on our $10 bill. I now have new knowledge about him. Now I know about his key role in Canada’s horrific treatment of our Indigenous People. I am at a loss to understand why having his statue (in front of the library of all places - where knowledge is stored!!) is even a topic for discussion?? There are so many other good options for us to choose from for a statue on our Main Street. Someone / something ALL Canadians can be proud of. What a wonderful way to unite everyone! No one can win when we are arguing over whether or not to continue having a person hold a place of prominence in our town who we know did not treat all Canadians with respect. He certainly was not “Holding Court” for our Indigenous People! It is a fact that his policies, and the damage done by his actions, continue to cause great pain today. We just cannot he ok with this - not now that we all know about it! Right!!?
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  FRATERNITY AND GOVERNMENT

  by Brenda Everall, over 5 years ago
  I‘ll add my opinion here, though I am loathe to engage with my former community due to a severe oppression campaign that I experienced from members of that community, which subsequently alienated me away from that area in poor health and extreme poverty.

  
  

  My attempts to blow the whistle on sexual abuse in foster care were met with serious opposition from a network of people in PEC. I eventually found a document called “Blessed Be The Tie That Binds“ that revealed a shadow government to me and how it was affecting the community. I eventually went on to discover a... Continue reading

  I‘ll add my opinion here, though I am loathe to engage with my former community due to a severe oppression campaign that I experienced from members of that community, which subsequently alienated me away from that area in poor health and extreme poverty.

  
  

  My attempts to blow the whistle on sexual abuse in foster care were met with serious opposition from a network of people in PEC. I eventually found a document called “Blessed Be The Tie That Binds“ that revealed a shadow government to me and how it was affecting the community. I eventually went on to discover a book titled “Murder by Decree” by Kevin Annett. I tried to have this book made available at the Picton Library, however, the Library refuses to obtain the book for public access. Murder by Decree is a valid counter-report to the corrupted TRC and it’s ‘findings’. When I finished that book I knew we had a serious problem in Canada with a corrupt government, beginning with John Macdonald as first P.M.

  There is a shadow government in Canada. The Jesuits and the Freemasons have directly influenced Canadian politics, from my perspectice. John Macdonald and Joseph Brant, the infamous Mohawk Chief (Masonic apron from King George) were serving an agenda for the shadow government and not so much for the people of Canada, or so it seems to me through my research.

  Understanding the history of the shadow government and all of the crimes it has enabled against the people of Canada is the real issue at hand, at least in my opinion, and John Macdonald is part of that deception.

  The Old boys and their ‘heritage’ are alive and well in PEC. Their genuine history should be known, in deed, for they are so darn proud of it and because it has most definitely made The County what it is today. I don’t believe, however, that the history should be celebrated. John Macdonald was a toxic, racist person who participated in the creation of the policies targeted towards the native population. Period. The County can not continue to minimize, excuse or celebrate the crimes of John Macdonald in a quest for genuine reconciliation. It’s absolute hypocrisy!

  The County has a well preserved history and a sustainably developed future, seemingly for the ‘elite’ and the future kin that will ‘inherit‘ their ‘legacy‘. I believe these connected friends and families will continue to control the narrative in the County if people like me don’t speak up, even at the risk of further ridicule or oppression. It is what it is. The history of John Macdonald is a convoluted one. Sure, he performed some actions that some may consider to be ‘good’, but I can not respect or condone what has been done in secret. We will get to genuine reconciliation once fraternity is recognized by Canadians for the role that it played, and continues to play, in the shadow government that creates genocidal policy for an agenda indifferent to Canadian values and rule of law.

  In the interim of public input on this matter, The County generates a bi-polar message to the world. The message says “We abhor racism and Genocide while celebrating racism and Genocide.“ From the outside looking in, the PEC collective is mentally ill. I hope it can recover. There are still Many good and decent people in the County who deserve the truth and a better way forward.

  “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds“ and “Murder by Decree“ are available to read online. I also have copies of Murder by Decree available for lending to anyone interested in the truth about Genocide in Canada. Thank you for reading.
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  Our Community

  by Sharon, over 5 years ago

  I have worked in many indigenous communities across Canada. I have learned about and witnessed the effects of inter generational trauma. I can tell you first hand that the statue is a trauma trigger for some in our community. Commemorating this man does harm. It does not belong on our Main Street.

  I have worked in many indigenous communities across Canada. I have learned about and witnessed the effects of inter generational trauma. I can tell you first hand that the statue is a trauma trigger for some in our community. Commemorating this man does harm. It does not belong on our Main Street.
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  Genocide and Nation-destroyer

  by Paul Allen, over 5 years ago
  When Holding Court was erected on Picton Main Street in July 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRCC) had already started publishing its findings and recommendations, including John A. Macdonald's political ambitions and racist attitudes lead him to initiate and prosecute a campaign of cultural genocide against Indigenous Peoples. The TRCC's findings with regard to Macdonald's priimary responsibility for the creation of Indian Residential Schools in Canada were perhaps the first glimpse that many Canadians had of Macdonald's dark legacy as their first Prime Minister and Superintendent-General of Indian Affiars. The TRCC's findings in 2015 re: Macdonald's cultural... Continue reading

  When Holding Court was erected on Picton Main Street in July 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRCC) had already started publishing its findings and recommendations, including John A. Macdonald's political ambitions and racist attitudes lead him to initiate and prosecute a campaign of cultural genocide against Indigenous Peoples. The TRCC's findings with regard to Macdonald's priimary responsibility for the creation of Indian Residential Schools in Canada were perhaps the first glimpse that many Canadians had of Macdonald's dark legacy as their first Prime Minister and Superintendent-General of Indian Affiars. The TRCC's findings in 2015 re: Macdonald's cultural genocide against Indigenous children and families across Canada joined a longer-standing awareness among Canadian historians of Macdonald's campaign of physical genocide, including his deliberate, widespread, and ongoing use of hunger and starvation, against First Nations on the Prairies.
  

  
  

  Macdonald's cultural and physical genocide against Indigenous Peoples was a matter of public record and, therefore, should have been known to every member of the municipal council of Prince Edward County when they approved the installation of Holding Court in July 2015. Macdonald's cultural and physical genocide against Indigenous People were undeniably known to every member of council when they ignored calls for public consultation and went ahead with the re-installation of Holding Court on Picton Main Street in December 2019. This deliberate act betrayed Indigenous Peoples and made council complicit in white-washing Macdonald's crimes against humanity.

  In the wake of Black Lives Matter's protests in the United States, Canada, and around the world, council was forced to make-good on its months-old promise of public consultation about Holding Court. The process has fallen short of what was promised - even what was promised a few weeks ago.

  Nonetheless, let's hope council will finally act honourably and do what's right, not merely what's popular or expedient.

  I suggest:

  1. Holding Court be removed immediately from Picton Main Street.
  2. Holding Court should not be re-installed in Prince Edward County until there is public consensus about:
     1. the statue's relocation, and
     2. the wording and other content of interpretive panels that will be displayed prominently alongside the statue.
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  You can't erase history (which is why it has to go)...

  by Matthew Sheahan, over 5 years ago

  The discussion that is happening around Holding Court on Main Street Picton is one that this community, this province and this country needs to have. There is a misconception that history is a static and firm thing. We are “erasing history” by removing a statue that was placed in 2015 (ironically the same year as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their 94 Calls to Action - timing is everything, and I don’t think that this decision to put up the statue really “read the room” so to speak). To argue that history is erased by removing a statue erroneously... Continue reading

  The discussion that is happening around Holding Court on Main Street Picton is one that this community, this province and this country needs to have. There is a misconception that history is a static and firm thing. We are “erasing history” by removing a statue that was placed in 2015 (ironically the same year as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their 94 Calls to Action - timing is everything, and I don’t think that this decision to put up the statue really “read the room” so to speak). To argue that history is erased by removing a statue erroneously presupposes that statues teach history. What we have to get to the bottom of is what is the true purpose of erecting a statue. Is it to teach history, or to glorify individuals? Think about who we erect statues of in public spaces and why we put them up in the first place. Is your personal understanding of history constructed from a tour of statues? If we look deeper at all of the arguments and all of the reasons being shared in this forum, it is clear that the purpose of the statue is veneration and glorification, not the teaching of history. For those who say put a plaque up for people to read, survey your neighbours and find out how many take time to read plaques attached to statues in public spaces.

  
  

  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls for building “capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect” (TRC 7). Before reconciliation, there must be truth. Whether you are Indigenous or a settler, or a newly minted Canadian citizen, we are all treaty people. The treaties are not just historical documents, but living documents. The policies espoused by Canada since confederation can still be felt. Those policies have rippled throughout history. As Chief Justice, now Senator, Murray Sinclair said, “It’s education that got us into this mess, and it’s education that will get us out.” We need to learn history, not glorify complicated individuals.

  
  

  There have been a lot of half truths and misinformation shared on this public forum. The assertion has been made that the atrocities people “claim” JAM made have no scholarly documentation, and that people have “never seen a single well-documented article or report that even attempts to summarize Macdonald’s so-called “evil doings.”” This statement in an important debate such as this is dangerous. Not only because it is false, but mostly because it is misleading and muddies the waters at a time when we need clarity. Visit the University of British Columbia’s Indigenous Foundations page for several well researched and well sourced articles and papers on Sir John A and his/Canada’s colonial history (https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/), or the Indigenous Corporate Training Inc (https://www.ictinc.ca), or read Bob Joseph’s 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. The Indian Act was enacted by the Liberals, but has Sir John A’s fingerprints all over it, especially since the Indian Act combined policies put in place under John A’s leadership and before Confederation. Another great source is Clearing the Plains by James Daschuk, which is left out of some suggested reading lists. All of these sources should not be taken as proof themselves, but the plethora of sources listed in the notes, works cited and bibliographies provides further scholarly and academic research giving us a better look at the whole picture of Sir John A. If you’re not the reading type, listen to “The Secret Life of Canada” podcast and their episodes on Sir John A, statues and the RCMP. Although they admit themselves (the hosts) to not being historians, they consult with and learn from historians to construct each episode. There are a lot of well put together resources to enhance and develop your overall view of Sir John A and Canadian history.

  
  

  There is no legitimate scholarship from today that would attempt to refute these facts. Claiming residential schools came after Sir John A or was not put in place as national policy under his leadership neglects the policies and statements made by the man himself. His actions lead to cultural annihilation and genocide. Those are well documented facts. But that’s not what we are debating here.

  
  

  We are not here for a history lesson or to debate history. We are led back to the original conundrum - do statues teach history? What is their purpose? Would the removal of a five year old statue erase Sir John A from our collective memory? No. Of course it wouldn’t. Statues are not created to teach the fullness of history or add to the narrative. They are created to venerate and glorify. There are a lot of things wrong with glorifying JAM in the way that we have downtown Picton. But this statue reinforces a colonial narrative that is alive and well in “Loyalist Country” (I say as a person who has direct roots to the Loyalist settlers arriving post American War of Indepence and I am a lifelong resident of the area). Referring to this area as Loyalist Country is not a defence, it is part of the narrative that has to change.

  
  

  The statue needs to move. If we talk about statues in context, then no one can deny that it should be at the courthouse, possibly well curated and put in appropriate context. It should not be where it is downtown Picton.

  
  

  The narrative of this country is not the one that most people were taught in school. The more we learn the more we have to respond to what we learn. As many have said before, you can’t erase history, and that is what happens when we continue to venerate politicians such as Sir John A in these prominent positions and places.

  
  
  
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  Let's celebrate all aspects of Canada's history

  by Keenan Sprague, over 5 years ago

  It's past time that non-indigenous Canadians take a fresh, candid look at our history from the perspective of North America’s indigenous peoples. In doing so, many will be confronted with uncomfortable and ugly facts that were glossed over or omitted entirely from the histories many of us were taught in school.

  
  

  Here’s the difficult truth that everyone needs to come to terms with: since the beginning of the colonization period and for centuries thereafter, Europeans systematically murdered, displaced, tortured, and subjugated indigenous peoples all across the planet, including here in Canada. During those times, Europeans, in large part, held views... Continue reading

  It's past time that non-indigenous Canadians take a fresh, candid look at our history from the perspective of North America’s indigenous peoples. In doing so, many will be confronted with uncomfortable and ugly facts that were glossed over or omitted entirely from the histories many of us were taught in school.

  
  

  Here’s the difficult truth that everyone needs to come to terms with: since the beginning of the colonization period and for centuries thereafter, Europeans systematically murdered, displaced, tortured, and subjugated indigenous peoples all across the planet, including here in Canada. During those times, Europeans, in large part, held views that we now know were wicked and wrong. These included ideas that indigenous peoples were inherently inferior, uncivilized, and needed to either be assimilated into Christian civilization or eradicated.

  
  

  All Canadians have a moral duty to recognize this legacy of racism and systemic oppression and we must do better, be it through ameliorative government policy, enhanced education, or community engagement. This struggle for justice has itself been a long and hard march, but it is absolutely necessary if we as a society are to heal and reconcile over the long term. Although we have made undeniable progress through the years, there’s no doubt that racism and prejudice towards indigenous peoples and other non-white people persist. There is much work still to be done.

  
  

  In recognizing these truths, the question becomes: where do we go from here? How do we reconcile our good-faith desire to celebrate our local history with the immeasurable pain and suffering caused by white settlers? There are no easy answers to these questions, to be sure.

  
  

  In the context of historical statues, in my view, the best we can do is to engage in informed and well-represented dialogue and make decisions on a case by case basis together as a community, which is exactly what we are doing in this case. Again, this exercise is really hard, and no matter what the decision, some people will inevitably be left feeling disappointed or worse irrespective of the outcome.

  
  

  In this case, I personally oppose the removal of Sir John A. from Picton Main St. for a number of reasons:

  
  

  1. Historical significance: As our first Prime Minister, there’s no doubt that SJAM is an important figure in our history. But at the same time his legacy is complicated. Aside from enacting racist government policy against indiginoes peoples, SJAM was probably guilty of shady dealings in the Pacific Rail Scandal. Still, he played a significant role in Confederation, helping to create Canada. There should be no shame in celebrating Canada or the people that brought it into existence. In other words, we can celebrate the good, without covering up the bad.

  2. Local connection: SJAM has a real connection to Picton having worked and lived here as a young lawyer. His statue is a reminder of Picton’s history as a police village during the nascent settlement of Upper Canada.

  3. Historically accurate: The statue is not some kind of propagandized glorification of SJAM, depicting the conquest of British North America or something gratuitous like that. Instead, it's a fairly subdued depiction of him in Picton court as a young barrister, which is a plain historical fact.

  
  

  As a resident of Picton with deep roots in the area, I do find personal inspiration in learning about my family’s history in the County, and about our local history generally. When I walk by the statue, I am reminded of when I was a newly called lawyer arguing matters in Picton court not so long ago. I can’t help but feel a tangible connection to the past, which I suppose was one of the intended purposes of the statue in the first place. I am also reminded of the pioneers in my family who left the US in search of a better life in Canada in the early 1800s. More recently, when I see the statue, I am also reminded of many of the dark aspects of our past, in large measure thanks to the current debate of SJAM across Canada. In this way, the recent controversy has made a positive impact, at least to me.

  
  

  Ultimately, I don’t accept that celebrating one aspect of our history is mutually exclusive with celebrating other aspects. I say that we should fund a public memorial commemorating the history of indigenous peoples in the County and ensure that it is prominently displayed. At the same time, I also think SJAM’s statue should continue to stand, warts and all. This is not a zero-sum game.

  
  
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  Proud of our Canadian heritage

  by Marg Tripp, over 5 years ago

  I am proud of Canada and all that has been accomplished as a nation. The statue of Sir John A is a reminder of our roots and the Fathers of Confederation who did so much to establish this wonderful country. No one is 100% perfect or without fault and we choose to focus on the good or bad. The present trend of "cancel culture" doesn't help us learn from the past as we must do.

  I am proud of Canada and all that has been accomplished as a nation. The statue of Sir John A is a reminder of our roots and the Fathers of Confederation who did so much to establish this wonderful country. No one is 100% perfect or without fault and we choose to focus on the good or bad. The present trend of "cancel culture" doesn't help us learn from the past as we must do.
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  A statue is not a history lesson

  by Andrea Dawes, over 5 years ago

  I am quite confused by the number of comments that seem to equate the John A. MacDonald statue’s presence with a history lesson - arguing that by removing it, we are somehow erasing a part of history and our ability to learn about MacDonald and his actions. I am ready and willing to learn - and to have future generations learn - the facts about politicians’ roles in and contributions to Canadian history. However, I strongly believe that this education should take place in an environment designed for balanced, nuanced learning (e.g. a classroom or museum). And, in the case... Continue reading

  I am quite confused by the number of comments that seem to equate the John A. MacDonald statue’s presence with a history lesson - arguing that by removing it, we are somehow erasing a part of history and our ability to learn about MacDonald and his actions. I am ready and willing to learn - and to have future generations learn - the facts about politicians’ roles in and contributions to Canadian history. However, I strongly believe that this education should take place in an environment designed for balanced, nuanced learning (e.g. a classroom or museum). And, in the case of actions involving our Indigenous communities, this learning must include an exploration of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report’s findings on the far-reaching, devastating impact of the residential school system and other racist policies enacted by the Canadian government over time.

  
  

  The statue, in its current state, certainly doesn’t provide such a learning environment. (The interactions I’ve observed to date primarily consist of tourists slinging an arm around MacDonald’s shoulders for a photo op.) Further, I really don’t see the level of detailed information required to adequately represent all sides of this complex history fitting on an accompanying plaque. As I struggle to see a scenario in which this public art piece could be properly contextualized - where passersby learn about MacDonald’s contributions to the residential school travesty, and victims and their experiences are properly recognized and honoured - I believe it should be removed from its current location, one of the County’s most visible and visited places.

  
  

  I would also like to express my support for the development and implementation of a public art strategy, which The County has acknowledged is absent from our Official Plan. In its foreword, the City of Toronto’s Public Art Strategy explicitly recognizes “the symbolic significance of public art” and “commits to embedding truth and reconciliation as foundational principles for public art”. The MacDonald Statue’s Donation Agreement was signed on June 9th, 2015. That very same month, the TRC issued its Calls to Action, compelling citizens and institutions to take responsibility for addressing the injustices it brought to light. If the County had had a Public Art Strategy in place at the time - hopefully one ensuring public consultation on proposals and honouring the TRC report recommendations - my guess is we would not be confronting this difficult situation today.

  
  
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  Sir JOHN A Stays

  by Gordon, over 5 years ago

  I am a supporter of the Sir John A MacDonald statue remaining at its main street location.

  The Mayor has stated that the working group will not be examining the history of Canada, but rather focusing on the statue itself. With that in mind, the question becomes what does the statue represent to our community? Its original intent was to represent a moment in time where a young lawyer held a court case in the town of Picton. Little did we know that he would become an important political figure in the future building of our country.

  History aside, lets... Continue reading

  I am a supporter of the Sir John A MacDonald statue remaining at its main street location.

  The Mayor has stated that the working group will not be examining the history of Canada, but rather focusing on the statue itself. With that in mind, the question becomes what does the statue represent to our community? Its original intent was to represent a moment in time where a young lawyer held a court case in the town of Picton. Little did we know that he would become an important political figure in the future building of our country.

  History aside, lets examine our community. Prince Edward County has always been a welcoming community. Offshore workers have assisted our farming community in the harvesting of their crops for many years and continue to do so today. People of colour and different nationalities operate commercial businesses, restaurants and convenience stores within our towns and villages. We welcomed Syrian refuges providing them with a safe environment to rebuild their lives. We have a vibrant LGBQT community who have and continue to contribute to the well being of our community. We have welcomed them into our homes and social circles and celebrate their Pride activities.

  We have a Police Force that should be the envy of others. They are truly connected to the community and provide equal justice to all. We have not witnessed any protests or marches accusing our force of injustice towards any minority groups. Do we have individuals that may exhibit racial tendencies? Like any community these people exist and must be dealt with on an individual basis.

  We are good example of a community with a diverse population that has adapted to a changing landscape. Lets continue to build on our history of being a welcoming community and not join the “cancel culture train” that will surely set us back. If anything, lets use this moment to educate and teach that past history may not be what we envision todays world should be, but instead how we can learn from the decisions of the past to ensure a just future for all.

  Time to build up – not tear down.
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  Relocate this statue to a more appropiate place like the Courthouse.

  by Marilyn Toombs, over 5 years ago

  The entrance to the library is a completely inappropriate place for this statue. It will only garner more scorn and controversy if it stays.

  
  

  The entrance to the library is a completely inappropriate place for this statue. It will only garner more scorn and controversy if it stays.