Why I’m Supporting #CancelCanadaDay by Wearing Orange and Reflecting
Trigger Warning: This post mentions Residential Schools in Canada. The national crisis line is noted below for anyone affected by their experience and those triggered by the extensive coverage.
More of Canada’s ruthless history of genocide towards indigenous, first nations, and Metis people has been uncovered at Cowesses, Saskatchewan former residential school site. One of my family members cabins is less than a kilometre from this site. I’ve been going to this lake in the Qu’Appelle Valley every year since I was a babe. I’ll be there July 01.
Learning about our countries horrific history was difficult in university. The discovery at Kamloops a month ago was hard. This too, right where I come from, hurts deeply. I mourn for the generations of people, history, traditions, and identity forever lost. I mourn for the families of these children and adults. I mourn for the a$$hole$ that thought taking children away from their families was a good idea in the first place. I’m pissed at my teachers presumably stymied by their white-washed, colonial positive curriculum and I’m furious at the government’s response to date.
How many children have to die for the rest of us to care?
The answer should be one. One child ripped from their family is too many.
If you’re just learning about our history, I get it: it’s a lot. I read this recently in the Calgary Herald and provided both comfort and a call to action:
“What I like to tell my fellow Canadians is their ignorance is not their fault. The very fact that they don’t know much about us as Indigenous people was intentional but the responsibility of learning how things actually are is on them.”
-Evans Yellow Old Woman
When you know better, you can do better. We all know the truth now. Various groups are asking for support to skip Canada Day celebrations this year – from individual towns to activists. I think they are saying that it’s time we take pause. Like right now. This cannot and should not wait longer.
Instead of celebrating our country’s birthday – a date and history based on the erasure of existing culture and attempted genocide of its people – we could take a minute to reflect.
Evans Yellow Old Women shares this simple insight in the above Calgary Herald article:
“If you knew that your neighbour was grieving a lost loved one, you wouldn’t throw a huge party in your backyard and set off fireworks.”
Right? Perhaps this year, you can take pause and take time to learn more about where we have been, so that together, we can move forward. It’s hard to get somewhere good if you don’t know where you’ve been and where you are.
Again, like I listed a few weeks ago, you can do something:
Contact your MP and MLA and demand reconciliation action for all Canadians.
Sign a Change.org petition.
Familiarize yourself with 2015’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and resources.
Wear orange on July 01 for awareness and support of #CancelCanadaDay
Talk with loved ones about this horrid truth.
Learn more about National Aboriginal Day.
Update your socials with Indigenous creator content.
Check in with your friends.
Support your local first nations, Metis, and aboriginal peoples.
Grieve alongside our neighbours.
On July 01, Wearing a orange t shirt, I’m going to dig further into the truth. Canada’s truth. Are you?
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Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools and those who are triggered by the latest reports. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national “Indian Residential School Crisis” line: 1-866-925-4419.
