Eckhardt’s legacy not so simple
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/01/2024 (609 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
With a stroke of the pen, Premier Wab Kinew cancelled the concept of truth and reconciliation.
Contrary to popular belief, the Nazis were not cartoon villains. In the 1930s, many Canadians were racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic and had a callous disregard for the most vulnerable members of society.
Ferdinand Eckhardt was unaware that his enthusiastic endorsement of xenophobic patriotism would lead to one of the worst genocides in recorded history.
When Mr. Eckhardt moved to Manitoba in the 1950s, many Canadians were still racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic. Yet the permanent collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery is eclectic with a strong focus on Inuit art. As curator, Mr. Eckhardt supported diversity and showcased the Indigenous people of his adopted country. After participating in the atrocities of the Holocaust, he could not change the past or bring back the dead, but he could shine some light in a small area of the Prairies. It is up to qualified historians to determine if this was all a charade.
According to the media and his own admissions, Mr. Kinew had a somewhat storied past. He now has the privileged position of premier of the province of Manitoba.
The stories of these two men should be both an inspiration and a warning. Evil regimes and big mistakes start with a series of bad decisions. It is important to remember and learn from the past. It is also possible for each of us to strive to do better, to do our part to fix a broken world.
DEBORAH CAPLAN
Brandon