text: Everyone involved in this situation needs to grow up and dial it down. As possibly the first aboriginal graduate of the Royal Military College I can both appreciate and condemn various aspects of Cornwallis' conduct. Removing statues or attempting to sterilize our history in a nation where most already have an inexcusably inadequate knowledge of it will only serve to undermine a broader understanding by all Canadians.
  
  In Latin America statues of controversial figures like Cortez, Pedro de Alvarado and Francisco Pizzaro are not far from aboriginal figures like Cuahetmoc, Tecun Uman and Montezuma. Let Cornwallis be accompanied by other meaningful historical figures whether Mi'kmaq or otherwise and let us know them all and both their achievments and failings.
  
  Thin skinned over reaction by Haligonians, the military or the aboriginal community helps no one. Canada's history is rich, diverse and fraught with good and evil. Try and understand that, not condemn what cannot be changed.