To the Editor,
I was shown a recent article that was published in the print version of your publication and asked my opinion as a journalist. The article in question is the piece by Kevin Annett on the subject of sled dogs.

I'm aware the author was attempting irony in his depiction of a society in which we value pets more than our human population, and it's not a bad point ... but the article's approach to the subject is so insensitive to the deeply-personal issues inherent in the subject as to be extremely offensive. Regardless of its ironic intentions, phrases like "dead little Indian kids" should be refused publication on the basis of racism, insensitivity, and offensiveness. I'm shocked, frankly, to read it in print. Perhaps Annett had good intentions with the piece, but his approach is misguided. Irony is a subtle tool, not a literary device that excuses journalistic integrity.

It's my professional opinion that you should offer a public apology and a retraction.

Thanks

Hi Matt,

We have received a few complaints on this piece but find no need to apologise. Yes it was a provocative piece, we acknowledge this, but it provoked exactly was intended to provoke, getting people to become aware of 20,000 dead native children who have to date received no justice. Annett has provoked so much in the past, Harper felt he'd better at least deliver an apology.

And that is the only place an apology should come from, our government and churches. The apology should be in the form of a declaration of an international forensics team to dig up, document and charge those responsible.

"Dead little indian kids" was exactly the style of words and language used by the government and health inspectors when they discovered over 50% were dying in their schools. In response the government cancelled the inspections. More died.

Read more HERE With another cynical provocative headline Flipping Indians Should Just Get Over It? 1850 to 2010.

You will find our publications risk delivering the hard goods at the expense of advertising revenue.

There are many other publications that deliver content more similar to pablum. We serve up meaty chunks. We intent to inform and enlighten, at the risk of offending, rather than conform too the ‘dumbing us down’ style of the mainstream media.

Thank you for taking the time to offer your criticisms, we do appreciate it and learn from all communications.

Merv Ritchie