A Day for Reflecting on Indigenous Resilience

On Canada Day, we will reflect on our Indigenous members and others who have valid reasons to feel excluded or disrespected by Canada Day traditions. As was the case with the recent Canada 150, Canada Day celebrations send mixed and complicated messages. In this mix are messages that celebrate prosperity and achievements that were built on colonial genocide, racism, imperialism, patriarchy and other oppressive practices that continue today. We need to express greater solidarity with Indigenous peoples, and learn to be better allies with all those who bear the pain, grief and hardship inflicted by the dark edges of Canada’s history.

We must make space for grief, promote healing, practice mutual respect, and build unity in order to build a future society that we can all wholeheartedly celebrate.