As Canada Day approaches this year, the problems with this holiday have been brought to mainstream attention. This is mostly due to the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Residential School in May and the discovery of an estimated 751 unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan later in June. With the residential school system being the work of the federal government and many churches, it seems incredibly inappropriate to shoot off fireworks in celebration of a country that is founded on stolen land and genocide. Meanwhile, Indigenous communities mourn the discovery of the remains of hundreds of their own and still fight for justice and reconciliation.
The Indigenous children in residential schools were ripped from their homes and brought to the government and church-run schools. In these schools, they were neglected and stripped of their Indigenous heritage. The primary goal of the schools was assimilation into settler culture. Many children died of tuberculosis resulting from poor living conditions and lack of health care, malnutrition, accidents, and more. Since many records from the schools have been destroyed or hidden, we cannot be sure how many children died and how. As we focus on these despicable tragedies that have come to light, the idea of hanging a Canada flag outside, watching fireworks, or even having a great day off in the sun seems wildly wrong. With that, many are calling on the federal, provincial, and municipal governments to cancel Canada Day to show respect to the Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The city of Victoria has listened to the guidance of the Lekwungen people and has canceled their Canada Day celebrations. As of May, Victoria’s celebrations were planned to be all online. Even with just online events, the estimated budget was $65,000. Most cities in Canada shell out thousands and thousands every year for this holiday. But what if — even just for one year — the money was used for something else?
As of November 2020, 41 Indigenous communities across Canada do not have clean drinking water. If the government wants to show solidarity and support to the Indigenous peoples, why not direct those funds directly toward helping these communities get clean drinking water?
As of now, the city of Abbotsford has not acknowledged the calls to cancel its celebrations. The city is hosting a Drive Across Canada event at the Tradex, virtual fireworks, a food truck festival, and a Canadian Spirit Contest. Mayor Henry Braun has not made any public statement as to the city’s choice in continuing with the Canada Day celebrations.
The idea to cancel Canada Day may seem radical to some. But the idea to direct funds that would be used to host virtual events to Indigenous communities in need should not be. The idea to call for a day of mourning, honouring, and remembrance for those who died in the residential school system, rather than a day of country-wide colonial celebrations, should not be.
If your city decides to go with Canada Day celebrations this year, I urge you to decline the events. Maybe spend the day learning about the land we live on, connect with your elected leaders to demand change, and read about the Truth and Reconciliation report.
Image: Brielle Quon / The Cascade
