He popped the zit of the Canadian psyche. It got Canadians very angry about being forced to look at the mess. Or, maybe it's more of a case that they are angry about being forced to look at themselves. Yikes. That's quite an introduction, but a good analogy, considering the discussion is about racism - which, like a zit, is something very ugly.

Assembly of First Nations Chief, Matthew Coon Come has had a busy year making comments. Several months ago, he made comments about alcoholism within the aboriginal community. It made him the mainstream media poster boy for a while. What he said was true, there is a problem. It needs to be discussed.

Last week, he made comments about racism within the white community and Canadian Government policy. It's made him the mainstream media whipping boy. However, what he said is true, there is a problem. It needs to be discussed.

However, columnists across Canada, have instead decided to be disgusted that Matthew Coon Come would dare talk about "deplorable" conditions, such as substandard housing, poverty, unemployment and, yes, discrimination and racism. What's worse Chief Coon Come spilled the beans to the world, while at an international conference on racism recently in Durban, South Africa.

Racism. What's the easy answer? Sorry. There isn't one. Because I am a Cree/Dene woman, and a journalist, I've been asked hundreds of times - "What is the main problem that plagues native people?" It's hard to answer that. There is no main problem. There are many. However, over the years, I've thought about that question. Now, as a mother of four children, I can't help but think that helping the family might be the best start.

Over the years, there have been many Government policies aimed at destroying families. Systemic sinister plans, based on race alone. You bust up the family. It breaks up the community. That destroys people.

Here's just one policy that, the effects, we are still reeling from today.

I can't believe the numbers of Canadians who have never heard of the 1960's scoop-up. What's that?

The Government figured assimilation wasn't happening fast enough (with its Residential School policy). So, here's a grand idea. Let's take those "indian kids" away from their mothers. So they can be raised "properly" in white homes. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report said thousands of our children were abducted in this way. RCAP even suggested solutions. What's happened since? The report now gathers dust on some shelf in Ottawa.

Going back to the scoop-up....Government policy said it. Single aboriginal women were "unfit". Really? It's interesting that no other race of people in Canada were considered "unfit" by policy, in this regard.

When I bring this up, I always ask people at this point, to take part in a little experiment. Just think: You've just been blessed with a beautiful child. Good for you. You cry everytime you really think about how much you love them, because it's overwhelming. You are connected to this little person in ways no one can describe. Think about how you feel about your own children. Look at them. Listen to them laugh. They make you proud simply by being who they are. But...don't get too attached. The Government will be coming to take them away this afternoon.

This is what happened to native women in the 1960's. It was Government policy. If that happened to you right now, honestly, how would you react? Your children taken from you for no good reason.

I'm guessing...but it just might cause you to drink. It might cause you to fall apart. It might even cause thoughts of suicide. You might not ever be able to "get over it". Government policies like the scoop-up. Destroying people, destroying families, destroying communities - on purpose. And,don't kid yourself, similar policies exist even today.

As Aboriginal People we are working to rebuild. So, let us rebuild instead of calling us down when someone like Chief Coon Come calls a spade a spade. Part of rebuilding is working together - with Government and with non-native Canadians. But, one of the first steps needs to be acknowledging a major problem.

Racism.

Gawd, there are so many examples, but not enough room in this particular column to bring them up.

So, when Matthew Coon Come brings it up - racism - perhaps instead of getting angry Canadians "ought to get educated. "

Now, where have I heard that one before?

Carol Adams is News Anchor with APTN