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Barbecues, fireworks, lots of beer and red and white all over the city. That’s what I see on Canada Day. Even when I’m not looking, I can hear the “Oh, Canada” chants from a kilometre away. But what are you really celebrating? Reflect on that for a minute. Patriotism? Pride? Freedom? Or maybe you just like a good party. I, however, cannot find a reason to celebrate alongside you.
In my opinion Canada Day is a hypocritical joke and no reason for fireworks, given its dark and fragmented history. I choose to not celebrate because of its colonial history and the untold human suffering it revels in. As an indigenous woman, I see Canada through a cracked, bloody lens, not through the rose coloured maple leaf-shaped glasses this country provides. I know there are indigenous and non-indigenous allies that share this sentiment, so I know I’m not alone.
Every day, we are forced to live with the continued theft of our land and resources—the broken treaties, the staggering number of missing and murdered sisters, the genocide of our peoples and the refusal to recognize our place in this nation. But on Canada Day, it hurts me to see people celebrating this country so blindly and forgetting the atrocities and lifetime of oppression that they’re praising.
We know this country was founded on corruption, lies and the dispossession of my ancestors, but still today it is not easy growing up indigenous. Why would I celebrate a country that is OK with the fact that I am three times more likely to go missing than a non-indigenous woman? Or that I am five times more likely to die a violent death? We live in a country that believes that proper housing, water, food and schooling are a privilege for a few and not a RIGHT for ALL. In a country where one in three people aren’t aware of the attempts made to exterminate our identity through the Indian Residential School system, where the political design was to assimilate us (along with the ongoing trauma and legacy it has left).
If what I’ve written comes off as a false representation of Canada Day, then I ask you to take a look at your way of life, your access to opportunities and your privilege.
If you have benefitted from colonialism in one way or another, than those responsibilities are yours to own. (To new citizens:, I encourage you to immerse yourself in learning about the history of this country and its indigenous peoples)
Ideally, for me, Canada Day would encompass everything it pretends to be: freedom, sharing, unity, prosperity and a healthy nation-to-nation relationship. But the relationship between Canada and its indigenous peoples today remains broken with an urgent need to be repaired.
Still, if you must celebrate Canada Day, make it a day to commemorate the lives lost as a result of this colonial system. Make it a point to learn about our history and its continued effects. But don’t be proud of it. Reflect on what this day means to the indigenous people on the land you are living on that has given you so much. Lastly, don’t forget to ask yourself, “How am I contributing to the nation-to-nation relationship?” and how we can work together to remedy the colonial legacy of this country so that one day it can be a place worth celebrating for us all.
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â¨Voice of the City is a platform for any and all Halifax individuals to share their diverse opinions and writings. The Coast does not guarantee the accuracy of, or endorse the views of those published. Our editors reserve the right to alter submissions for clarity, length and style. Want to appear in this section? Submissions can be sent to voice@thecoast.ca.
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This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2015.
if you stop celebrating things because of death corruption and back stabbing that is pretty much how society has been built. Every single culture. Just celebrate and enjoy all the positives rights and freedoms that exist
I suppose we have colonialism to thank for inculcating a good , old-fashioned Judeo-Christian martyr complex in our First Immigrants (Bering Land Bridge – woohoo!)
Don’t want to celebrate Canada Day – don’t. It’s your choice. Please don’t try and lecture me about what I should, or should not be celebrating, or what I should be doing to make your life easier. Because the minute those abstract buzzwords of cultural marxism rear their ugly heads – colonialism, oppression, privilege – I know what’s about to follow. Someone with a well honed sense of grievance is going to try to piss all over my shoes and lecture me about why I should suck on it. Call it racism, call it compassion fatigue, call it a bovine scatology phobia. I don’t care. If it’s White Guilt you seek, you’ve come to the wrong shop , sister.
Thank you for writing this, I share these sentiments exactly.
Enjoy your 15 seconds of Coast celebrity this will bring you.
After I quit drinking 6 years ago I DONT CARE to celebrate Canada Day as its a reminder to all aboriginals the unfairness we receive to tHIS DAY! Of course all the non aboriginals are going to get offended by this because of course they have reason to celebrate robbing alongside the govt with land and resources and yes I’m going to say it WHITE PRIVELAGE is alive and well in this country so suck it if we don’t celebrate we have every reason!!
Renaming schools, tearing down statues and refusing to acknowledge Canada Day will not change the past. Further, we need to acknowledge there were atrocities on both sides. I do not feel guilt or remorse for the actions of my ancestors. I will not be held accountable for their actions. This type of tripe only serves to annoy me, not build any form of compassion.
Preach it, sister! The history of Western “progress” is one of amnesia and white-washing. Our accomplishments and contributions have been downplayed or outright erased, in favor of creating a linear narrative of societal development that strives to legitimate colonial dispossession and assimilation. Those who insist on measuring cultures strictly by Western standards are ever-engaged in moving the goal posts to suit their narrative of superiority. As a Mi’gmaw, I can say that our attempts to disrupt this fallacious narrative and its signposts (such as Canada Day, for example) are generally not rooted in a sense of cultural superiority, as the attempts to disrupt and destroy our cultures have been; rather, our efforts are informed by a sense of justice in how we relate to, and respect, one-another. The fear that identifies the specter of “White Guilt” as a paralyzing cultural phenomenon is no different in substance or in form than the gnawing anxiety held by the privileged that the oppressed could visit their oppression upon their oppressors. In years to come, we’ll see this backlash as a growing pain and your voice will ring like the hammer that struck the idol. Wela’lin e’pit!!
If you are more focused on being “annoyed” in your “regular” everyday lives than you are missing the point. Not everyone gets to live life the same way. Under the same government and structure yes, but not having the same experiences. Canada Day means a reminder of atrocities for a lot of people in this country. Like the genocide that happened in this country and is now even acknowledged by government justice ministers, and current issues. You don’t have to be accountable for what your ancestors did, but you do need to acknowledge it and stop this “business as usual” rhetoric. It continues the harm from the past, its holding this country back and its getting old. Canada Day can be a celebration of what this country CAN be. Appreciate instead of get annoyed and hate. Not everything is going to speak to you but it doesn’t have to for it to still be right. We have a long way to go in repairing relationships. We can all do it together. It has to be together. In my opinion.
I’d have a modicum of respect for the author’s stance, if she didn’t try to turn it into a sermon about how we,- indigenous, non aboriginal Canadians, born and raised- need to think about ourselves and our history. If you truly want to “decolonize” yourselves (to use yet another bullshit fake word) you really do need to wean yourselves from this notion that you are owed something. I’m not saying the past wasn’t horrible and the present scarcely less so. But, if you can only view your forward progress through the lens of what you can get from those you label “settlers” – be it material benefits or self-abasement, you will be perpetually disappointed.
“Land Bridge” – LMAO, someone hasn’t been keeping up with current genealogical / archaeological findings. Sorry, I couldn’t keep that one in.
Anywho ~
I won’t lecture you about what to celebrate or on what you currently believe to be true. I would point out, holding onto understands and getting caught up in abstract buzzwords. I think you would be missing out on a point of interest to all. Without uplifting each other, everyone looses. Personally, I’m not looking to cultivate White Guilt or even looking for an apology. I don’t hold anyone accountable for their ancestors actions or understandings/beliefs. But if we can’t agree to this country’s history regarding Aboriginals. The good, the bad and the ugly. How do we truly progress as a country? Not all Aboriginals are in dire circumstances just as not all Non-Aboriginals are privileged. But Stats Canada shows Aboriginals are doing worse in nearly all aspects. Not everyone would agree with me (nor do I expect them to), but my understanding this is an epidemic of western values/beliefs being imposed onto the Aboriginals for hundreds of years. Imposing all aspects of life, where to live, how to live, how to speak, how to pray, how to think. Told for hundreds of years, “Our way is the only way”. Your ancestors and my ancestors brought us to the state we are in today. Whatever you wish to label the current state of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada. To progress the country, we must uplift everyone regardless of our understandings of any peoples. You want a easy answer to the “Indian Problem”? Proper education without the mess of the education system. We, Aboriginals can take care of the rest. To be clear, I don’t have an issue against the educators. I have an issue with the cookie cutter style, everybody learns the same way.
I’ll be celebrating Canada Day the same way I celebrated National Aboriginal Day… NOT
Wait. What? The Bering Land Bridge Theory has been discredited? Next you’ll be telling me that Indians and dinosaurs didn’t co-exist, rendering my collection of Turok: Son of Stone comics useless as a historical source.
It’s not cultural genocide but this is a bummer.
Thanks.
We’re even.
I have not missed the point Coty; have you missed mine?
2 things – my facetious previous comment was my smart-assed way of acknowledging that Mise’l got me good. Whatever my many faults, I do value education, as he does and would hope to always have the grace to wear it when I am factually in error.
2) Mise’l’s take on this larger issue is far and away the most intelligent and reasonable comment so far, and will, no doubt, hold that title until the Moderator freezes all commenting on this particular thread.
Yeah, I agree. Let’s stop celebrating Canada Day and instead all get cucked. Also, I think we should legalize weed. Killa, you inspired me to light up some dank memes and think about the deep historical past. I think I will go make some pancakes soon as I am getting hungry. Does anyone else like to eat pancakes while thinking about history?
We have our treaties with the Crown, so i guess we should start celebrating when the Queen of England celebrates their country…lol Jk 🙂
You celebrate this country because even though you may be 3 times more likely to go missing, or 5 times more likely to suffer a violent death, you are ignoring how bad it is in to live in many other dictatorial, unfair, war torn, abusive countries, where people are starving to death, mutilating each other, and so on.
We celebrate the positives, and we all know there are things that need to be fixed.
As a Caucasian person, I agree with this article 100% !! Are we really this dumb to think this country started when a bunch guys came along, dessimated the original caretakers of the land, held a meeting and said “We’re gonna start a new country”. Screw those guys!!! Our First Nations people have always been here, it is their land, and they deserve every bit of your friggin respect – every bit!! If people are that ignorant to ignore the actual history of Turtle Island, I feel sorry for you because the government neglected to put it in the history books. So what you don’t know won’t hurt you… But it makes you seem really dumb when you have an open dialogue in a public form.
To the people concerned here about ‘paying for what their European ancestors did’, I’d like to fill you in on a conversation I’ve had with an Elder recently. I expressed those same views to the Elder because I felt horrible about what has happened since colonialism. The Elder looked at me and said ‘You didn’t do this, you didn’t directly do this. What you are doing now by showing respect, helping our people, – that is how you help right the wrongs that have happened. You will help no one by feeling sorry for what your ancestors have done”
This blew my mind!! What a wise answer! Compassionate, caring, respectful from an Elder. For all those expressing the views of their ignorance, I challenge you to stop and do something to help our First Nation’s people. Just help… Love trumps hate every time. Stop the ignorance, stop the hate and fix the wrongs!
I think the key is education. I once got into a conversation with a well dressed American businessman who said he thought all aboriginal people had been wiped out by the whites. Although I am British and have the accent to prove it, this bozo had me delivering him a history lesson for the rest of the train journey we were on. Moreover this was in 1973, so Wounded Knee took up a great deal of the lesson. I cannot believe how ignorant Americans and Canadians are about First Nations people. Perhaps if school children were told about the dreadful ways First Nations people were treated until quite recently in residential schools they would grow up with a bit more compassion. They also need to be taught how despicably the governments have treated them, broken treaties and broken promises. They should be shown maps indicating how tiny the lands they now have are and how much was stolen from them. Let the children see that whatever money they get is meagre when compared with what was taken from them. It would go a long way in explaining the rates of suicide, alcoholism, broken homes, diabetes and other problems that currently, the white majority doesn’t understand. I have invited First Nations friends to dinner on Thanksgiving because as a white immigrant, I feel a great debt of gratitude to the original (and proper) owners of this land for the privilege of living here, particularly as I came from an affluent country and was not in any way a refugee. In the forty years I have been here I have tried to show my appreciation in concrete ways to those who needed my help. I highly value the unique cultures of my hosts, to be found nowhere else in the world, and although I will always have a great deal to learn I find this to be the most interesting and rare of the world’s cultures. First Nations are the jewel in Canada’s crown and must be preserved, funded, nurtured and celebrated.
I in no way want to distract from the present day problem of Aboriginal women being killed, the statistics are available on many web pages. but I did read a Globe & Mail article that 70% of those women murdered are killed by indigenous men , a position dismissed by Chiefs as unsubstantiated & demeaning. the RCMP then released statistics proving the 70% number was correct, that 25% were killed by non aboriginal , 5% were of unknown ethnicity.
Also 62% of the murdered women were killed by Spouse,family member or intimate relation.
Aboriginal Chief’s are as expected now calling for an independent inquiry, as they believe that the RCMP are , I suppose lying what else can you call it .
I would also like to point out Canada didn’t exist back then, this was a land of many people’s, tribes that were in some cases at war with each other.
Yet time after time I see these indigenous people wailing about all that was stolen from them. Going on as if they had sole claim to this country , & it was a paradise & we owe them … When not one of us living today have anything to do with what happened in the past.
Not that that excuses the murders of today , the broken treaty’s etc . I’m just tired of their comments on what was done hundreds of years ago by others is some how my fault. It isn’t .
No more than my family being starving Irish / Scottish/ English Immigrant farmers, serfs who came here from abject poverty in an attempt to work to build for themselves a better life. Is some how to blame . It’s done, get over it, move on & look to building the future. Stop whining about all the so called wrongs & start making the changes to make now better. one need look no further than the Millbrook First Nations here in Nova Scotia. Who are hosting the Mi’kmaw Summer Games this summer. I hope their positive growth & development continues. More so called chief’s need to follow their example, instead of moaning for more handouts from the Federal Gov.
@More
I’m assuming you know the full history of Residential Schools in this country.. Actually, I bet you don’t. In fact, I’d bet a lot of money that you don’t because you wouldn’t make the horrible statements such as ‘Get over it’.
Hmmm, get over what? Stealing young Aboriginal children from their communities as young as 4, sending them to convents only to be Physically, Sexually, Verbally abused and/or murdered. This is the cultural genocide that has been designated just recently.
Imagine if I told your children to just ‘Get over it’.
Rethink your thoughts before you open thy mouth please.
@more
History is relevant. Our society was built in a way that benefits white people while oppressing others. It’s called systematic racism. Don’t tell us to “get over it” while you bask in your white-privilage that you probably aren’t even aware of.
My grandmother was a residential school survivor, she was beaten her whole childhood and had her language taken from her. Would you tell her to get over it?
That was not “hundreds of years ago”. I do not want some sort of financial restitution for what happend. I would just like people to educate themselves, acknowledge the real history of this country, and be compassionate and respectful.
It seems that there are more than a few people reading this who could benefit from stretching their views from a little to quite a bit.
There are a series of articles circulating right now that maybe all of the “not me, but these are my ancestor’s issues’ mentalities that are in desperate need to grow up within the realities of the current situations in North America. These people say, “Not me”, but they sure ignore how much they still benefit from the actions of their ancestors.
‘As a start I’d suggest looking through these two articles to see how many of your internal points match up with what is being explored:
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/11-ways-white-america-avoids-taking-responsibility-its-racism
http://www.alternet.org/culture/why-white-people-freak-out-when-theyre-called-out-about-race
http://novascotia.ca/just/public_safety/re…
82 Missing or murdered, 43 males.
the person who was putting out statistics about indigenous women and their murders and how 70% of the murders are by indigenous men…. how can you for sure know this???
did you make this percentage yourself??? and if you did, what is it relying on??? police knowledge or the government’s knowledge?? so many question marks in the post i am writing because to tell the truth who really does know?? How many young aboriginal girls not only woman go missing and are just swept under the rug. are they counted in this poll?? but all you see on the news is how we kill each other …. so thats what we supposedly are. I do believe in bettering the future… all mankind alike. but the real question is ‘Is the rest of this nation willing to do the same’?
no lil beep… inbox me if you want to discuss politics…. or whateva u call indifference
Ithink that you need to stop making the assumption that white people have no compassion for what has happened in the past; we do.
But please get this through your head: no amount of reparation for erasing of history will undo what was done.
Donna Segerts, globe & Mail article. RCMP gave those numbers. You are obviously capable of finding this page on your computer google that subject & see what turns up.
Just to add to what Jesus SOB said, I have a personal family history of what it means to be taken from your family and placed in the tender hands of the vatican’s penguins. Now, what happened to my father and his siblings doesn’t qualify as cultural genocide, although he did witness two brothers receive the infinite love and mercy of a steel ruler for speaking Ukrainian to each other, as they did in their family home. But I don’t need to hear my Dad’s stories to imagine the terror, loneliness and despair of the the children delivered into the residential school system. “Kill the Indian to save the child” was an atrocious idea, badly handled. Two images from the TRC come to mind – a tiny set of iron shackles and the ex-nun telling how she and her fellow bloodless brides of christ were ordered to show no affection to the children. Horrific. And yes, we are still feeling the affects of it in society. The government refusal to sanction a Royal Commission of inquiry into missing and murdered women makes sense. They know, what the R.C.M.P. verified recently – that the statistics for murder and sexual assault for aboriginal women do mirror those of society in general in ONE very important factor. The majority of these crimes are committed by spouses, family and acquaintances. This doesn’t make it acceptable, in no way should it be tolerated and the root causes are absolutely linked with the destruction of culture, poverty and addiction. But this fact does make it difficult to reconcile with an ongoing physical genocide narrative.
So propose the reasonable solutions. As Mise’l said, education, education, and education. Stop looking outward for bandaid fixes. If the money that we pour into that fiscal sinkhole called aboriginal affairs isn’t being spent well, or accountably – demand a change. The taxpayer wil back you. If a reserve has a housing crisis, demand that the media show pictures of the houses of the chief and band council. If a reserve has a drinking water crisis, demand to know who got the job of running the treatment plant, and why.
And knock of that ‘settler’ bullshit. Insulting epithets aren’t going to make you any friends.
Good luck.
Now I understand why ‘Muricans get so upset when you diss the ole’ red, white, and blue.
Canada Day, July 1, 2015. This is what I celebrate. I don’t want to hear pessimistic, negative, hate from the past. Canada is a broad, diverse, great country. Lets put this article into context. What’s so wrong with being mindful, living in the moment, and being optimistic about the future? If you don’t want to celebrate Canada day, I feel really sorry for you. To live life in the past and focus on negative issues, well, how fun are you to be around? Positivity attracts. And as for the poor me s. Why don’t you learn about the Acadians who were deported from NS? Do we hear Cajun people in the US complaining? No, they are making the best of a bad situation. Instead of constantly complaining, they are thriving, because that is their will. What about the underground railroad and what Canada did to help free slaves? Is that not celebration worthy? Like, stop being so negative!!! If you want to live life as a victim, go ahead. See what type of people you attract and what type of energy that brings. I see Canada as a wonderful country, because I choose to celebrate the good, without ignoring what is wrong. Canada day is a celebration. Not a debate.
Robyn Lawson, Thank you for the lovely posts and your input.
At least you understand the deeper problem 🙂
You said it best, Killa: “I see Canada through a cracked, bloody lens”. That is a very sick and unbalanced perspective, and I suggest you get some professional mental help, to find peace and balance from within. Otherwise, I fear you will spend the rest of your life in a toxic mess of resentment, irresponsibility and blame, rather than inspiring others from a positive, more progressive perspective.
You’re not “forced” to live here. You’re not “forced” to celebrate Canada Day, or sing the praises of the greatest country on earth. You’re certaibly free to set off and search the world for someplace better. Good luck.
People have to stop living in the past and whining about shit that happened a long time ago and work together as one of the most culturally diverse and globally influential nations. I’m not saying that past atrocities should be forgotten or condoned but we are too busy focusing on things we can’t change instead of things we can change and start building a better future for humanity and the rest of the planet. So Killa; good for you for bitching and complaining about something that has nothing to do with you. You can however decide you actually want to be positive in life and celebrate the many great things that is Canada today and get away from the history and start contributing to a positive future, because history is just that…history. It can not be changed. Other than that, I might suggest you go live on the moon and see how you like it there.
Lol, look at the two last comments from Scooby Doo and Stephen Harper… Both ignorant and can’t even leave their real names because they’re too embarrassed of their own uneducated opinions. That’s laughable and it showcases the insensitivity we that still remains to this day. You two commenters were taught this hatred and ill-informed ways.
Facts are facts: This land was stolen from our First Nations. Many of our First Nations were tricked into signing some of the treaties which exist.. There is documented proof. May I suggest the documentary “Trick or Treaty” which was released this year.
It’s also funny that these people state “If you don’t like it, live somewhere else”… Hmmm, well, the land belongs to the First Nations.
I have a house in a piece of property that I purchased from the government, but you know what? I know that this is Mi’Kmaq territory.. I know I’m not the rightful owner or caretaker of this land. How do I make this ok? I take care of my land as best I can – not taking anything from Mother Earth that I don’t need, ensuring the fight against pesticides, oil & gas extraction, etc, etc is all kept in check. I think ahead 7 generations so that my family at that time can inherit a clean Mother Earth.
So I ask @Scooby Doo, what the hell are you doing to make Canada a more respectful place towards our original protectors of the land? What are you doin to take care of Mother Earth? What are you doing to ensure that in 7 generations from now, all will be well??
Because if you can’t answer that brother, YOU need to close thy mouth and DO SOMETHING instead of hiding behind a fake name!!
much gratitude and love to the first peoples and caretakers of Turtle Island… even to this day and after all the hurt I know by personal experience that the traditional people still keep a very open and generous heart and will always help and take care of anybody that comes from very far… as it was taught to me by the head man of a nation declared extinct… “it’s just what any human being will do for someone that is far away from their own family” ^_^ so in their traditional language I want to say to them and all indigenous peoples:
lim-limt Sin’ixt (thank you Sin’ixt )
We must end Saint Valentines Day!
As a result of Valentine’s Day and the celebration of heterosexual love, this creates conditions which breeds homophobia. As a result of this homophobia, I have been attacked and left for dead, I have been mugged and robbed, I have been ridiculed, treated as a secondary citizen, discriminated against in employment situations, etc.
By ending Saint Valentines Day, we will erase the horrors I and others feel.
Pride is upon us! End Saint Valentines Day and end our suffering! Do it today!
And if you’re a heterosexual person who disagrees with me, then I ask you to check your privilege.
http://novascotia.ca/just/public_safety/re…
Murdered December 1955
People in Canada are not collectively responsible for what the ‘Church & State’ pulled off in genocidal psychopathic behaviour that continues today … I wish humans would wake up to the divide and conquer … I came here as a child and miss my roots .. but I believe Canada offers a great life for those willing to work, contribute, and cooperate… if a group of natives continue to call themselves ‘first’ we are not going to progress into peaceful coexistance.. and judging by the ‘moves’ being put on the public with “Canadians for a New Partnership” led by none other than Paul Martin [ex-Prime Minister] and native elders .. there are more interesting developments to come for the white settlers .. bet on it … classic Hegelian Dialectic … If I were to call people out for real I would call out the Zionists for creating the problem in the first place … did any of you people write such an atrocious document called the “Indian Act” .. the answer is no.. you did not .. stop taking the guilt trip folks – and really come together in compassion for one another .. no one in Canada owns lands .. the Queen has her name on all the Titles and you are her ‘tenants’ .. so if you can to attack anyone for being your ‘slave trader’ re-direct your focus… its the logical thing to do.
First: ‘natives’ came from asia some 15,000 years ago. About the same time as european and north african explorers first did as well.
Second: today’s non-natives are very tolerant and sympathetic to the native plight. However, these types of comments only make it hard to continue supporting their cause.
Third: No ‘colonialist’ ( a racist tag if there ever was one ) can be held responsible for the deeds of people 75, 150, 300 years ago, nor are we on the hook for bad church issues.
I’ll stand there and support natives in their fight to get better education, better health care, better housing and even a cut of resource revenue. But I will not support the endless blockcades over supposed burial sights. Also, the anger this writer shows is indicative of a people that fought within their own race for thousands of years, in a fashion as violent as any colonial army- including forced slavery of women captured in battle.
Glass houses are tough to live in, but this young lady needs to remember that the stones she’s tossing are breaking as many ‘longhouse’ windows, displaying a need to move on from the past on join the here and now.
I understand the author’s general point: that Canada Day masks a history of colonialism. Absolutely. I’m onboard with that, and recognizing that the wonderful ‘diversity’ and ‘multiculturalism’ so beloved of the mainstream is imposed upon the original indigenous peoples of this land without their consent. Broken treaties, an Indian Act system that creates incentives to remain on tiny reserves.
I do not understand this statement, though:
“If you have benefitted from colonialism in one way or another, than those responsibilities are yours to own”
So if someone in Asia has opened a can of maple syrup, they are somehow now responsible for colonialism?
You can’t possibly trace every benefit from colonialism and impose some sort of obligation on the recipient. Imagine a person in Spain who invested in a lumber mill in BC (buying 10 shares) in 1880. Their grandchildren use the proceeds to buy a house. Their children live in the house. Did they benefit from colonialism?
In other cases (such as the Oppenheimer’s and their ownership of the diamond mines in South Africa, or the Sassoons and their control of the opium trade), it is pretty easy to tell.
You make me sad not mad I have fought for this country for 26 years beside my white,black,brown and yellow comrades we are a rainbow that makes the rest of the planet jealous ? We are not perfect but show me a country that is. there is no better Country to raise a family in. I’m a half breed a mix of amazing culture and proud of our flag I will lay tobacco for you today in hopes that you one day realize how good you have it here. I m sad for you it seems your gold bar is not shiny enough.
You can really tell the educated and uneducated people from their comments. Great piece. Definitely something to reflect, from both lenses (provided the intelligence is there of course). It’s unfortunate that the ones that reply generally come from the most ignorant lot of ‘Canadians’…
Every country has its skeletons. I’m of Chinese descent and we know what happened to those Chinese who built the railroad and the ridiculous head tax. Yet I’m glad and proud to be a Canadian. I believe we have grown from the past. Hopefully we will continue to grow from our mistakes.
no offense, but that is a text book example of misappropriated activism. I am fully in support of proper treatment of Original Nations women, acknowledgement of past crimes and guarantees for a better relationship and workign partnership moving forward. The young woman who wrote the original article is misplacing her resolve. Her repeated use of the term “Colonial System” as a derogative, perjorative and inflamatory insult proves to me, the reader, that she, the writer, has no interest in betterment or advancement. Her only concern is for the advancement of her own flawed narative. She is trying to “Be Right” instead of focusing on “Getting It Right”.
Canada Day is not June 21st (which happens to be National Aboriginal Day), Canada day is July 1st and it is meant to act as reminder of our sovereignty from the UK and, obviously, as the birth of our gloriously imperfect Country. Her flimsy argument of Canada day turning into a day of drinking and rowdy antics is about as meaningful and impactful as pointing out that Chirstmas has become over commercialized.
I have no problem with any person sharing thier beliefs and values and opinions. BUT when someone begins with a flawed premise and then takes it so absurd measures to prove an already invalid point I, apparently, get pretty upset about it.
Canada Day itself may have been reduced (in popular culture terms) to a day to drink and be goofy, but that doesnt NOT reduce the importance of the day and the recognition of the Constitution itself.
Is Canada a perfect nation with spotless history (is any country…?)? of course not. Are the acts she alludes to disgraceful? Absolutely Yes. In fact, I would actually suggest that the crimes against humanity carried out in the residential schools against First Nations children could be considered one of the darkest and most regretful times in the history of OUR nation.
But to tear down Canada Day, and by the transitive property, the men and women and families who were lost forever, fighting for our freedom overseas against opressors, dictators and worse, is just plain mis guided and wrong. And seeing as how the writer is interested in righting wrongs, maybe she should lead by example.
The author lists a long list of grievances but has said nothing about how to restore what she thinks was robbed. Anyone can lash out and bitterly complain; without a well-thought out plan of making things eight, it’s nothing but invective.
As a long-practicing and still learning non-indigenous ally born to this country to parents from Northern Ireland, I totally agree with every single one of Ms. Atencio’s sentiments in this article. I will waver toward being more proud of this country when treaties are respected, when there are no more MMIW, and when reparations for past racist atrocities (i.e., Africville) are paid in full to every survivor’s satisfaction. Until then I refuse to buy into this glorified, genocide-ignorant holiday. In fact, wouldn’t it be awesome if there was an alternative Canada Day, a small step to remembering the gross past of this country in order to build a better future without the booze and BBQs. Always wanted to do something similar with my other much-maligned holiday, St. Pat’s. El Jones provides the perfect place to start thinking about such a holiday. Down with Churchill and the Queen FOR SURE!
http://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/the…
BTW: can we stop saying ‘our’ First Nations, like they belong to Canadians or something. Got to get rid of the ‘our’ in this way I think.
I agree that how persons of Aborigional decent have been treated in the past and to a large extent today is absolutely horrible. from the treaties, the violence during the colonial period, and the abuses and attempted assimilation through residential schools in our more recent history. It is unrealistic to assume that the forced removal at at least an entire generation of young people, and the forced breakdown of family, culture, language, sense of self, and self worth will not have done major damage to those it affected And the children that have come after them being raised in the shadow of its effects. Add to this the continued discrimination by both the government and Canadian citizens today. As a non aboriginal Canadian I have not experienced the hurt, the shame, the pain, the loss or the anger of the above mentioned atrocities and so can’t possibly relate.
I do know that the past cannot be changed.
I do know that hate and blame will fix nothing.
I do know that healing often comes from growth, support, strength, and pride. I believe that only when people work together, have respect for one another, and celebrate each other’s value and beauty will there be any hope of healing. I also get that without trust, empathy, acceptance etc a strong and supportive relationship between aboriginal communities and non aboriginals is not likely to foster. So I am not sure where that leaves us.
I am encouraged by the pride and celebration I see within aboriginal communities themselves that was not as visible even just thirty years ago. Young people are proud of their culture, heritage, music etc and many people seem to be learning and celebrating traditions. i believe this to be evidence of strength and healing. I belevieve this will have a major impact on today’s generation and those yet to come. I think that is absolutely wonderful.
As a non aboriginal Canadian do I feel that what my ancestors did to the people they colonized is my fault?
No.
Colonization, genocide etc happened all over the world not just in our country and not just to aboriginals.
Was is right?
Of course not.
Regardless of how it came about, at this point, this land is Canada, and we are all Canadians. Who was here first or second or third is no longer relevant. As Canadians we come from many different heritages which should be celebrated respected, and passed on to our young. The past should never be forgotten or minimized. But it is the culture, traditions, hope etc that we need to pass on to our young people. Not anger and resentment. Not discrimination.
As a non aboriginal Canadian do I think it is my responsibility to try and promote healing and healthy relationships?
Yes.
I am just not sure how it will work when we have created an us vs them dynamic, with continued anger of past wrongs on one side and discrimination on the other. And I do believe that as long as this set up continues, and All of the damage it creates, the current wrongs will continue to take place.
Canada is a nation under God! I am blessed to celebrate Canada Day as it is a day of celebration for our freedom given to us by all the soldiers who lived and died of us to be free. God gave us freedom through his son Jesus who died so we can be free now on earth and for eternity as we pass from death going into eternal life. God bless Canada everyday is my prayer! God bless Harper for standing with Israel. God bless the Jewish people who have a eternal covenant with God.Amen
WOW. Almost every single commenter on this article is a shithead. The amount of hatred and racist ignorance posted here is repulsive, and the total inability to grasp reality & actual history is just plain sad. The pride in that ignorance is sadder still, not to mention disgusting.
Appalling.
Maybe us “white Christian colonizers” should have welcomed the United States to become the proud owners of Canada when they tried to invade and take over in 1812!! Maybe if we hadn’t landed on the shores of Canada, Russian czars would have invaded from the North and the official language here would now be Russian and we could be wallowing in the glory of being part of the former Soviet union and all of it’s glorious past and wonderful present day quagmires!! As the old saying goes “Be careful what you wish for”!!
Many aspects of Aboriginal life in this country have been improved upon due to the pragmatism of Donald Marshall and the wonderful people who believed in him and represented him during his wrongful conviction for murder. The inquiry that followed that terrible injustice changed everything for Aboriginal people in Canada. We still have a long way to go but the positive changes are occurring. Sorry this young lady does not see the whole picture!!
This makes me sad. Nothing against her…just sad that she is so full of hatred for what happened over 200 years ago. How can we be united as a diverse country when we, as a country, are still not treating them equally? I am proud to be Canadian! There is not a perfect country out there…but ours stands out even more because of who we are as Canadians.
The amount of ignorant and racist thought being displayed here is both disgusting and discouraging. Perhaps if every settler were compelled to donate a week of voluntary service at their closest First Nation they might appreciate the both the consequences of their genocidal colomnialist actions and the enormity of the gift that the First Peoples have provided in generously sharing Turtle Island with those who so clearly, are unworthy.
Maybe , just maybe this article was written with the intention to get people talking. Maybe this article was written to help those First Nations people who have not had potable drinking water in over a decade. Maybe this article was written to start changing how we treat others. Maybe this article was written for the rest of Canada to take a look in the mirror and realize that by how we speak, act , etc is a reflection on how we think of First Nations people. Maybe, just maybe this article was written with words that come from the depths of a Nation’s soul, a nation that should be concerned about the number of murdered and missing Indigenous women, and maybe just maybe there should be some kind of forum that can come up with answers to this dilemma. Maybe just maybe, those of us who descend from the white European culture can learn to be more tolerant, more accepting, and realize that under our white privilege skin, we bleed red, the same as First Nations, and maybe with enlightenment, talking with open minds and open hearts, we can become a country that lead other countries in the way to treat all of its citizens and not just the priviledged few
You can choose to only complain and do nothing else or help to make the changes necessary, all sides need to keep the info open and accountable . It is easy to blame the present generation but remember there is more then enough blame to go around on all sides. It is time for the present generation of natives to move on to something productive(some are doing quite well) but too many are passive and living on blame. The government should demand accountability of tribal councils but in return governments must develop a long turn plan to have vast improvements in education, basic living conditions and hopefully job prospects beyond government make work projects. In return each tribe must become responsible for its actions and government with tiny tribes maybe becoming part of larger groups, it is not reasonable for a tribe of 50-60 people to be dealt with as nation.
As it has been said, “You can really tell the educated and uneducated people from their comments.”. But when things like “This makes me sad. Nothing against her…just sad that she is so full of hatred for what happened over 200 years ago.” are still being said in this day and age. We have been continually been put down for over 500 years, from the broken treaties of the 1600s to the broken treaties of the new millennium. Canada would have been just an extension of the US if it wasn’t for a Shawnee leader named Tecumseh. We/They won the war of 1812 only because of his help. The Harper government has an agenda to erase us and our identity from existence and is in violation of indigenous rights as charged by the United Nations. Also, most importantly has an agenda to sell out our environment to the highest bidder by taking millions of lakes, rivers and streams off the protected list so as not to impede the Gas and Oil industry. We have always lived in harmony with nature and are apparently the only peoples who care about protecting it. Harper protecting big business, giving them billions of dollars in subsidies all the while stealing monies that were designated for Canadian natives, Canadian pension plans, hospitals and schools. We have 20% of the worlds fresh water and he wants to pollute it, but natives are in his way.
Should we be proud of Canada. Not in its present state. We went from being loved world wide, safe when we travelled(proudly wearing our flag on our backpack), Peace keepers of the world to an American wannabe who partakes in unjust wars to protect the interests of big business and now hated by many nations worldwide while oppressing our own indigenous peoples and taking away civil liberties of its population. Just another opinion. Alcide – Native and Proud.
Ahneen, Wachay, Sago, Boozoo, Tansi: Keep saying the truth, Killa Atencio and First Nations Voices. “Shit” (as per Scooby Doo Doo) is still happening every day to indigenous people – that means people who are on the land before anyone else stole it! Poisoned water, wrecked forests, murder of innocents, lack of inclusiveness. When the Aboriginal people have what a regular Canuck citizen gets, and are recognized as the very important, however reluctant, first party of the founding of Canada due to pressure by English Canada (via JH Macdonald) then the past wrongs and the stinging hurt they cause, will be put aside for a current reality of a better present and future of prosperity, health and well-being. When this happens, The People will move on to new prospects with a new agenda. When the settlers (newcomers, all) stop the diatribe of ignorance against FN plaints – legal, emotional, physical, spiritual, generational – all real and justifiable, then real change will be in motion and positive movement will go in the right direction for everyone. Not until then, on our home on Native Land. meegwetch from this fortunate white woman who is honoured to know many Anishinaabe, Cree, Inuit, Salish folks and more to come.
I feel honored today. One of my comments was deleted. I don’t actually have a problem with that. The arguments I made were so spot on that thecoast.ca was unable to come back with an argument which refuted my comments. I expressed my opinion for my benefit, because we all know that winning an argument with a smart person is hard. But winning one with a stupid person is impossible. SO, I guess they only way thecoast.ca could argue was to erase my comments.
I understand the author’s sentiment and she is, of course, fully within her rights to not celebrate Canada Day. However, this shouldn’t become an attack on every Canadian who is proud of his/her citizenship. I’m a Canadian expat living in the US and I quietly put on my Canadian flag pin every July 1st as a personal reminder of the country that I call home. The country where rampant racist, sexism, and gun violence isn’t the norm as it is in even “liberal” American cities. Where the country’s biggest political problems involve intelligent discourse surrounding Aboriginal treaties and crime bills (as problematic as those issues are) rather than confederate flags and shooting up schools. Where even a politician as conservative as Harper isn’t dumb enough to re-open the ridiculous debate about abortion in the 21st century, while the US Supreme Court just reviewed for the umpteenth time a challenge to Roe v. Wade.
So if your issue is with politicians, take it up with the politicians. If it’s with the church, take it up with the church. But there are a lot of reasons that Canadians can choose to celebrate Canada Day besides it being just another day to skip work and get drunk.
I commend the author for her courage to speak truths in the face of obvious ignorance. All too often the whiteness (white privilege & supremacy) can only respond from a fragile position seeking to make things right again after truths hit them where they live. Their comments simply prove her to be spot on.
What I want to know now is what the hell is happening to the $750,000,000. a year that the Canadian taxpayers are paying to the Aboriginal Bands? This is not a one time event. This is every single year and has been paid all of my life. Even detracting inflation and at a reduced amount averaged down to $600 million a year, what the hell have you got to show for these handouts of more than $28,800,000,000? Yes that is $28.8 billion in my lifetime alone. How has this money been invested? obviously not wisely as it never seems good enough. Give and give and yet it is still not good enough. I have also yet to hear what will be good enough. Should you not be questioning your band leaders and ask them what they have done with YOUR money? we can’t make your leaders help you. You need to ask them where the funds have gone.
Happy Canada Day
Thanks to Canada… thinking about what we have got from our land, and what we can give to the land we are living today… day by day.
Yes this is right!! I am too a First Nation Women!! But, today is Canada’s 148th Birthday Lets put things aside and celebrate our country for one day. It is still beautiful. I am proud to be a Canadian First Nation Woman. I will celebrate and enjoy the day. We should all unite together all nationalities and celebrate this day. Hostility will only bring heavy hearts. I feel bad that you cannot recognize what a joyous day this could be for you instead your hurtful. Knocking down fellow human beings is not right. Hope you can fine inner peace. It is only one day!!
Look what you have now, then think, would you have the same, if not for Canada easy to speak, but it is the same for everyone, we all have our tribulations, happy Canada day
geez people. Happy Canada Day!! Put aside our differences, oh no wait, we are ALL CANADIANS, no difference. I love you all. We all know “racism” exist, not only for Aboriginals, but African Americans, Arabs, etc. But we must stand together and unite.
The name of Canada has been in use since the earliest European settlement in Canada, with the name originating from a Saint-Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata (or canada) for “settlement”, “village”, or “land”. The name Canada is pronounced /ˈkænədə/ in English, [kanada] in standard French of France, [kanadɑ] in standard Quebec French.[1] In Inuktitut, one of the official languages of the territory of Nunavut, the First Nations word (pronounced [kanata]) is used, with the Inuktitut syllabics ᑲᓇᑕ
Can hear your agony, pain & frustration.
As an old white Canadian woman who is just in the early stages of awakening to FN realities that were happening in my life time–my prayer is that I am able to be part of the reconciliation, be a worthy ally, educate myself & those in my orbit, & work with you & FN to heal our peoples and bring justice to our land….
the way i see it, and your views are valid, is that Canada is like the abused dog. everyone forgot about it, beat it up, starved it, misused it….but, inside it all is still a beautiful creature…worthy of being saved. steve harper, the dictator, did alot in his time in office, but, it was also the industry that lied to us about safety, regulations, etc. we need to take it back and nurse it back to health. and for you guys that say, ‘stop driving your car then, cause it uses oil’ shut the hell up..what an infantile response to a complex problem….HAPPY CANADAY…
http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=6876736
Being proud of your Canadian heritage is to be proud of your government. Being Canadian means nothing else. I just showed up here and you called me something. Pride should be reserved for personal accomplishment, not for being glad you don’t live somewhere worse. Nationalism does nothing but teach you to hate people you’ve never met. Often Canadians make fun of flag waving Americans for their patriotism, but are they any different with our maple leaves and shitty beer commercials and aboriginal hating? Just look at some of these terrible comments. Aboriginals have everything given to them? No amount of money can ever fix hundreds of years of abuse, neglect, alcoholism, drug abuse, and systematic racism. Grow up.
Im not proud of the current affairs of Canada right now, I’m also not proud of the actual Canadian history that many express pride in (genocide is real) ..same oppressive shit different place. I pity the mind of the man who thrives on hate.
I always hold onto the belief that we are stronger as a whole. So I wish this line would stop being drawn in the sand since we all call this place home for generations now. There are things about your culture I like, and I hope there are things about being Canadian that you like. I think we need to stop separating our communities. There’s a little Italy and chinatown in the city but no native neighbourhood or restaurants…I want some fried bannock
Canada’s First Nations people have a right to be angry with the Government of Canada. Since the beginning of time, we’ve been trying to kill them off.
It started long before Residential Schools, but when that didn’t work, we human trafficked their children out during The 60’s Scoop, forced them to live on Reserves, under The Indian Act,etc.
Now their women & girls are going missing at high rates and the same Canadian Government refuses to have an inquiry into the situation.
If that happen to me or my people, I wouldn’t want to celebrate Canada Day either.
While the writer, Killa Atencio, certainly has the right to dismiss Canada Day because of her heritage, it does not follow that the rest of us must do the same. Atencio has a very particular experience of Canada, and she is entitled to that, but I have a different view of my country and one that, dare I say, is broader and more positive. I see Canada as part of a global community, and a country that has been remarkably successful in maintaining a constitutional democracy longer than most other countries. I see a set of public institutions (eg. health care, education) that are undeniably imperfect and under fire, but are nevertheless remarkably successful compared to the rest of the world. Our degree of safety and personal freedom are, again, imperfect and under fire, but are relatively quite advanced. We have a beautiful country that is physically and demographically diverse, and therefore is extraordinarily gorgeous.
If we have a genuine weakness in our country, it’s giving cultural priority to Canadians who, through the accident of birth, are deemed more worthy than other Canadians. We have thankfully moved beyond the British and French “two founding races” nonsense, but I fear that Atencio and her ilk would like to reinsert a new political and cultural priority for Aboriginal people. And this I will resist categorically and to the end of my life; no other persons in Canada – Aboriginal, British or French – are politically and culturally superior to others, including recent immigrants. The pejorative label of “colonist” is just another way of saying “latecomer”, and that just drips with second-class status. And you know what? It’s very similar to the same racist, hate filled, first-class vs. second-class categorization that we saw in Yugoslavia in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
So I don’t like second-class status, do I? Well, what about the Aboriginal peoples? Am I not being a hypocrite?
Well, all I can say is that Aboriginal people have indeed been treated poorly in the past and in the present, but mutual denigration will only make things worse. Atencio’s argument is a diatribe because I see no space in it for reconciliation; it’s simply a matter of Aboriginal good, non-Aboriginal bad. And as a result, it only hardens both sides. My rights, work and heritage are as important to me as hers are to her. Yet, since she utterly denigrates my rights, work and heritage, what does she realistically expect other than bewilderment and hostility?
When I pick up the dirt beneath my feet and sift it through my fingers, it is as much my land as hers. I’m not going home; this is my home. If people want to insinuate that I am a visitor, well, we have a serious problem.
This Canada Day comes on the heels of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I have been shocked by things I’ve learned this year. I hadn’t thought that there was any colonialism in Canada, but having heard so many voices tell of stories I hadn’t known, I do see it now. I understand that you have excellent reasons to feel the way you do about Canada Day. I personally want to see huge changes in Canada and the relations between all our peoples. I hope to see Canada become a place where Aboriginal people are respected and valued. It’s obvious that Aboriginal people have a legitimacy and relationship to the land unlike anyone else, regardless of politics and laws. I hope to see that mantle taken up more fully, both as a cultural & philosophical fundament, and as treaty and land disputes to be worked out in an atmosphere of respect (and hopefully we will soon have a federal government actually capable of respect.) Forging a new relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people is going to be a new experience. On the one hand, the habit of prejudice lies across the country like a palisade with few entrances, as evidenced by many of the comments on this post. And on the other hand, I have to imagine that many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, having received the short end of one stick or another for the entirety of Canada’s history, might not have a huge appetite to forge links with the non-Aboriginal community. Perhaps it is a process that will happen slowly as our children and grandchildren learn new attitudes and relationships. I hope that people with vision will find a way to lead the rest of us, and I do hope that in your lifetime and mine, there might come a Canada Day when there is a little less pain in your voice, and there might be a change in Canada worth celebrating.
Theresa Turnbull ; You should not be so quick to demonstrate your blatant ignorance of this topic. You have absolutely NO idea of what you speak. Our status card is not Willie Wonka’s Golden Ticket. If that were true, we’d own your asses and you would be working for us.
No country is guilt-free. Every country committed “atrocities” in its inception. Sadly, even today (!!!) millions are abused all around the World. Whining about the past, pointing fingers and blaming will not make the World a better place. People living today are not responsible for what others did many years ago. Canada Day is a celebration of what Canada has accomplished and built on the past including its mistakes. Canada Day is not the celebration of a military victory over anybody (unlike July 4th). No system is perfect, but Canada is still doing much better than any other part of the World. Happy Canada Day. Enjoy this wonderful country that many just dream about. 🙂
Thanks for a frank and earnest posting. Canada Day should celebrate what Canada can be, as well as offer a time to reflect on what it has been. Canada’s history should be remembered, and Canada’s future should include respect and compassion for all peoples.
This land belongs to everyone and no one. Ownership is imaginary. Everyone’s ancestral past includes displacement. The past of every individual and nation includes actions that caused more harm than good. We should each be mindful of our wrongdoings and attempt to not repeat past mistakes, but we should not let the burden of our shame hold us back from pressing forward together. Earth is a hostile environment, and every living thing must struggle for survival, but some places are relatively less hostile than others. Some of us celebrate Canada Day because, of all the possible countries we could live, we are grateful to live here and we wish to express our gratitude.
I’m non-indigenous and I had a nice time on my day off today, but I have mixed feelings about Canada. I’ll get more jazzed about the day when we implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, and the long overdue recommendations from the RCAP (Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples).
I realize that people don’t think Canada Day should be tied to all this, and there’s lots of good things to celebrate about Canada, etc. But the day is ultimately, inescapably about our history too, and our governments that we elect have historically (and presently) related to a major and original part of the population here in a way that is aptly described as ‘cultural genocide’ – deliberately extinguishing a people. I like fireworks as much as the next person, but I would love to celebrate Canada Day five or ten years from now, proud of how we turned the current situation around.
I think that starts with people actually reading the TRC recommendations or Introduction to the RCAP and making demands on our governments to implement them.
Many of the responses to this posting are deeply upsetting – self-righteous, condescending, angry, even violent and obscene. That is telling in and of itself. A nerve has been struck, obviously, and people are lashing out in a way far less thoughtful and articulate than the original posting. If any progress is to made, these issues must be considered with a cool head and a compassionate heart.
I am Native and proud of it..I choose to celebrate Canada day because my Father fought in WW2 for our country…Yes my ancestor suffered and we are still fighting for our rights but i choose to celebrate on the account of my Dad i am so proud of him ..He passed away 2010 but I will always celebrate for him.
I can’t stand the ignorance being displayed here. Get the facts before you start spouting your ill informed prejudices. Educate yourselves. It is such ignorance that has this country in the state it is.
In total, the Canadian government spends faaaar less, on ALL things Aboriginal, than they do on the gen-pop. And much of the moneys used to run First Nations communities, and programs, belong to the First Nations already….held in trust.
http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100…
Here is a great site for all concerned Canadian tax payers, who like to claim First Nations are funded by their tax moneys:
http://www.fin.gc.ca/taxdollar06/text/ht…
It breaks down the percent of each tax dollar, that goes to which service.