(Quotes are included in their original language)
“Garden Hill First Nation Chief David Harper wondered aloud what Ottawa’s message was…”Is Canada giving up on the First Nations?” he asked. “This says to me they’ve given up.” In many native cultures, he pointed out, to prepare for death, as Health Canada did, is to invite it.” (Toronto Star Editorial, Sept 18, 2009)
“The people in our nursing stations are telling us they have never seen a body bag shipment, so there’s nothing routine about this,” Mr. Harper said. “We do not accept his apology. We have seen these mistakes time and again. He has to go.” (Grand Chief David Harper, Globe and Mail, Sept 18, 2009)
“Don’t send us body bags, help us organize, send us medicine.” (Grand Chief David Harper, Nickel Belt News, Sept 18, 2009)
“Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says she was disturbed when she heard body bags had been sent to some aboriginal communities, but she did not offer an apology. It’s hard to imagine a case where an apology should be offered immediately and sincerely. We’re not saying Aglukkaq knew anything about this fiasco, but she is ultimately responsible. That’s what leadership is all about.” (The Sault Star Editorial, Sept 18, 2009)
“I was hoping that it was a rumour but it turned out to be true,” (Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans, Winnipeg Free Press, Sept 18, 2009)
“I was very disturbed and actually frightened that they’re actually shipping that number of body bags to the communities.” (Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans, Winnipeg Free Press, Sept 18, 2009)
“MINISTER STOPS SHORT OF APOLOGY FOR BODY BAGS” (Winnipeg Free Press, Sept 18, 2009)
“En chambre, les ministres du gouvernement Harper ont dû répondre à de nombreuses critiques de la part des partis de l’opposition, notamment sur le manque de préparation à la veille de la saison de l’influenza.” (Malorie Beauchemin, La Presse, le 18 sept 2009)
