July 1st represents the end of National Indigenous History Month (June) and a day often celebrated – Canada Day. However, the histories of these two are greatly and devastatingly intertwined in a dark, colonial nightmare that has implications even to this day.
It’s important to remember that although June as National Indigenous History Month is done, our learning and action towards reconciliation must continue.
Canada Day: Balance & Reconciliation
Sol Mamakwa shares a powerful message of balance, and a kind reminder to honour reconciliation using that balance in how (and if) we choose to celebrate Canada Day.
A key takeaway in this message is that “EVERYONE WHO LIVES ON THIS LAND ARE TREATY PEOPLE”. This means that we have responsibilities. A dear friend of mine, Noreen Demeria, impressed on me the importance of seeing all people living in Canada as treaty people. This is the understanding that we each have a set of rights and responsibilities towards to building stronger relationships and greater understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. These responsibilities include the learning and understanding of the social, economic and political devastation of Indigenous communities as a result of betrayal and perversion of treaty obligations [READ MORE HERE: Honouring National Indigenous Month].
We are all Treaty People
Sol acknowledges a common experience for many people living in Canada: conflicting feelings. The reality is that Canada Day represents different things to different people. It can be bring memories of reminders to be proud, both or neither. This is dependent on what you know and your intersectionality.
My parents, like many, are immigrant or newcomers to Canada. What they feel is gratitude to be here (where they are afforded more and new opportunities), but also pain and confusion in their learning of genocide and oppression both past and present [please note that I acknowledge this is not the experience of all immigrants, and that it is simplified – these feelings and why they feel them are complex].
As a daughter of immigrants, I feel similarly. I am grateful for our lives they built in Canada but recognize that as someone living in Canada (a treaty person) I need to understand it’s history and present day injustices. In comparison to my parents/grandparents, I think this is easier for me to understand because I have had more time with and access to resources and tools (e.g., internet connectivity, education, resources in my first language, learning networks) that contribute to my unlearning and relearning. I try to use what I’ve learned to share with my parents in a way that they’ll understand too.
Reimagining Canada Day
In Sol’s message, one word resonated deeply: Balance. Even if we are newcomers to Canada, as Canadians and treaty people we inherit the history of genocide, colonization and oppression. That is to say, even if it was not us who committed these injustices we play a role in its continuance if we do nothing. It is our responsibility to listen to and learn from Indigenous communities, and collectively work towards the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. This is part of our identity as Canadians, as treaty people.
To end this reflection, I want to share some resources I’ve come across as I rethink how to spend July 1 (I will continue to add):
Articles
- Canada Day celebrations take new approach to honour Indigenous people (Malone & Hobson, 2022)
- An immigrant reckoning: What Canada Day is and what it isn’t (Dongol, 2021)
- For an immigrant like me, the meaning of Canada Day keeps evolving. This year, what is there to celebrate? (Paradkar, 2021)
- Why you Shouldn’t be Celebrating Canada Day- and what to do Instead (The Indigenous Foundation, 2022)
- Indigenous peoples mark Canada Day in diverse ways (Becker, 2020)
- Indigenous communities mark July 1 with residential school awareness events (Richard, 2022)
- As an Indigenous person, Canada Day celebrates the start of the worst days of our oppression (Jago, 2021)
Social Media
- I won’t be celebrating Canada Day (justaskjenny, 2022)
- Why we’re skipping Canada Day (oncanadaproject, 2022)
ABBEY RAMDEO 