Leave Canada Day: “Nothing to celebrate” among unmarked graves News of Children’s Rights

Warning: Contains details of residential schools that may be disturbed by the stories below. The Canadian Indian School of Living and Family Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419.

“There’s nothing to celebrate.” That is the message of many Indigenous people across Canada, with the remains of hundreds of Indigenous children on Thursday as they celebrate Canada Day. found in unmarked graves.

The remains were found in finds made in ancient places of “residential schools” – indigenous children who suffered physical and sexual violence, psychological harm, starvation and other ill-treatment.

In the days leading up to Canada Day, indigenous community leaders and advocates have called on people to cancel any celebration. Instead, they demand that the day be a day to reflect on the true history of Canada and stand up for Indigenous people.

“We must recognize that there is nothing to celebrate in this country right now, especially considering the mere words and lack of government of @JustinTrudeau. It is a day to mobilize to learn how we can become a country worthy of celebrating this country,” said David A Robertson, an indigenous novelist. he wrote On Twitter.

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Council, which represents dozens of nations in northern Ontario, said the council would not accept Canada Day and instead “intends to raise awareness and spread awareness about the shameful history and destructive heritage that continues to plague the Indian Residential Schools.” today ”.

We have to admit that there is nothing to celebrate in this country right now, especially considering the empty words and inactivity @JustinTrudeau Government. It’s a day to mobilize to find out how we can become a country worth celebrating. / 6

– David A. Robertson (@DaveAlexRoberts) June 27, 2021

“As a nation of Indigenous Peoples, we need to be strong and we need to shout this out to the rest of Canada. The true history of this country is finally being revealed, and it is time to stand together and demand justice and accountability, ”Oshkaatisak Council member Mallory Solomon of Constance Lake First Nation said in a statement on Tuesday.

Several Canadian cities have canceled Canada Day celebrations in response to recent findings 215 Indigenous footprints of children Kamloops Indian Residential School and age in the province of British Columbia (BC) 751 unmarked graves At Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Jennifer Bone, Central Manitoba Province. he said in June as well the community believes there are 104 potential graves in three cemeteries on the site of the Brandon Residence School, which was open from 1895 to 1972.

The Canadian residential school system operated from the late 1800s to the 1990s. It was part of a broader colonial project that aimed to take over indigenous lands and forcibly assimilate First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children into mainstream Canadian society. Several churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, ran at least 139 residential schools across Canada.

Indigenous people across Canada, especially those who have survived residential schools and their families, have he experienced renewed trauma since the unmarked graves were found, while they were a few years old it demands real responsibility and justice They have been heard louder from Ottawa and the Catholic Church.

“While the First Nations are lamenting and finding the remains of 215 children in an old-fashioned school in the light of the difficult times we live in as a Canadian nation, the Council has decided to take the time to explore new opportunities instead of the previous one. he said Lisa Helps, Mayor of Victoria, BC, June 11th.

Dave Ryan, mayor of the city of Pickering in Ontario, about 40 miles east of Toronto, said the city would focus on “education, reconciliation and reflection” on Canada Day. The city’s flags would also be raised in the middle of the mast from June 30 to July 2, Ryan a video shared on social media.

“It’s not like it’s time to celebrate,” said Dawson City, Yukon City Council, which has also canceled Canada Day celebrations. reported By CBC News.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week that Canada Day will be a time for Canadians to reflect on “reconciliation, our relationship with Indigenous peoples and how it has evolved and how it needs to evolve rapidly”.

“I think this Canada Day will be a time to reflect on what we have achieved as a country, but more about what we need to do,” he told reporters.

Not everyone supports the call to cancel Canada Day, however, federal Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole said she was “concerned that our past or present injustices are often intercepted by a small group of activist voices to attack the very idea of ​​Canada. those who use it ”.

“As someone who has served Canada and will soon demand confidence in leading our country, I can’t keep quiet when people want to cancel Canada Day. I’m very proud to be Canadian and I know that most people are,” O’Tool wrote on Facebook message.

“We are not a perfect country. There is no country. We need to recognize where we stand. There is a difference between legitimate criticism and always choosing to throw Canada out. “

But Idle No More, a grassroots movement led by Indigenous people, has called off Canadian Day protests across the country, saying the cancellation of the events is “pure minimal recognition” after unmarked graves were found.

The group said at least 50 municipalities have decided to cancel Canada Day events this year.

“It is gratifying to see 50 municipalities cancel Canada Day out of respect for the grief experienced by Indigenous people. All other cities and towns should follow suit,” said Sheleh McLean, one of the founders of Idle No More. statement on Monday. “Indigenous land buried and indigenous life stolen are not things to celebrate.”