a pause on canada day
When I think about summer in Ontario I think about lakes, green forests and spectacular sunsets. I think about BBQ's, sweaty drink glasses and lounging outdoors. I think about planning a vacation to explore somewhere I haven’t been and going to up north.
For me, Canada Day has always been a big part of the start to summer. It has signalled the beginning of a stretch of time where schedules were loose, days stretched on endlessly and shoes were optional. It was as much a celebration of summer as it was a day to remember the country I have called home all my life.
This year, Canada Day feels different.
Like many, I am struggling to reconcile the colonial history of Canada and the atrocities towards Indigenous peoples. Recent discoveries of well over one thousand unmarked graves at residential "schools" have shaken and sickened me. Children, taken from their families, homes and culture. Children, who were subject to unimaginable abuse. And, children, who were exposed to the ravages of diseases such as tuberculosis who died leaving their families to wonder what had happened to them.
This part of Canada was something I never knew growing up. There was barely a breath of Indigenous history taught when I was in school and, I am ashamed to say, I did not even know residential schools existed until well into my teens. With the last residential school closing in 1996 this isn’t a thing of the distant past. The horror and trauma of residential schools spans generations.
If I hear "this is a dark period in our nation" or we send "thoughts and prayers" by an elected official one more time I might break my screen. Seeing Members of Parliament offering free Canada Day lawn signs on their Instagram feeds is yet another example of how out of touch they are with the work that needs to be done. I grew up trusting that people who were elected to public office had our best interests in mind. I grew up thinking that the media was committed to a balanced approach to storytelling. Wow. Was I naive. In so many ways.
I have always known that it is my responsibly to seek out the truth. This feels truer than ever right now.
I am committed to digging deeper, learning more and raising my voice with my elected officials. Understanding the past helps us all walk toward a better future. I have included a few things below that I am reading and doing and would welcome other suggestions in the comments.
I will observe Canada Day this year but rather than celebrating I am pausing to mourn the children who were taken from their families and never came home. I love Canada and I am proud to be Canadian but we need to do better for the Indigenous people of this land today and tomorrow.
This Canada Day I stand in solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples of the land now called Canada.
I hope you will join me.
The photo at the start of this essay is from a few years ago of my three babies who, unlike mother's of children who were sent to Residential Schools, I get to hug each day.
The picture was taken on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki of the Mississauga First Nation.
A few resources I am reading, have read and plan to read:
Executive summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
https://native-land.ca/ - to learn about the traditional territory I live on and the people who were here long before me
I made a donation to the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society to help survivors and their families in dealing with intergenerational traumas.
Books:
"21 Things You May Not Know about The Indian Act" by Bob Joseph
"Indian Horse" by Richard Wagamese
"From Where I Stand by Jody Wilson-Raybould
PS - if you want to create a life & home you love subscribe for more inspiration - I share even more in my Letters from Sarah that I send regularly