National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada – June 21

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. Canadians are making progress. We truly are.  My morning TV news show was chock full of interviews of successful, highly accomplished First Nations, Inuit, and Metis movers and shakers, business owner entrepreneurs. I am taping the Indspire Awards on Tuesday, where they honour those who have made a mark. 

Some mayors are trading in Canada Day celebrations for a day of reflection. I'm for that. When someone in your family is facing a funeral, you don't carry on as if life is normal.

In the meantime, there are many white settlers still claiming that our founding fathers weren't all bad. We know better. Not that Canada was any worse than the US, or any other colonial settlers, but we must come forward. Like this: A convoy of trucks rolled through Ottawa to Parliament Hill as a 'Convoy of Reconciliation.' 

Cindy Blackstock – an amazing Indigenous leader.

"Please learn from history, so we don't repeat the mistakes Speak up when you hear wrongdoing, and keep speaking up until someone listens. "

We've about 70 Indigenous Languages, being revived, especially during the pandemic as people have the time and the technology to do virtual learning. 

Lest you think Canada is the only country that did this, the United States had American Indian Boarding Schools, 5 Meriam Report of 1928, also UK colonies did this. 

What can Canadians do?

• Honour the unceded lands on which we live,
• Go to a Pow Wow,
• Read. Anything. History or biographies, fiction or non. 
• Watch videos (see below), 
• Listen. Just. Listen.

     From Maureen Bostock, a mover and shaker here in my region:

Celebrate Summer Solstice 2021 with Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin

As a way to give back, I encourage all non-Indigenous people living on unceded Algonquin territory to make a donation  to Omamiwinini Pimadjiwowin - a charitable organization which works to revitalize Algonquin language and culture at Pikwakanagan.  

Such deep, rich cultures, with strong values, and traditions. Respect for the land and one another.

The Next 150 Years: Unsettling the Settler Within

Paulette Regan

#Canada150

I have been reading an excellent book, written by a fellow colonial settler (as we settlers are called), who served on our Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.   I had no choice in how Canada began, but Canada does have a choice in how it moves forward. So say many Canadians.

 "Asking me to celebrate Canada 150 asking me to deny 14,000 years of indigenous history on this continent." said one First Nation woman.

Canada, and our 'founding fathers' negotiated treaties which they have failed to uphold.



 This is part of the Truth and Reconciliation that all of us, across North America must face. In the US, it is more focused on black slavery than First Nations, but the result is the same.
It was in 2008 that the Canadian government apologized to First Nations. According to a survey (.doc), it was revealed:

• 32% of Canadians feel unfamiliar, and 17% admitted they were unaware of Aboriginal issues,
• 37% knew that students were abused and molested,
• 20% knew about the 60s scoop (taken from their families),
• 10% knew Aboriginal children were not permitted to speak their native languages,
• 9% knew about the settlement agreements, 3% knew lawsuits were filed,
• 7% knew Indigenous Residential Schools were about assimilation,
• 4% knew schools were run by governments and religious institutions.

Racism endures in North America

Few of us know about Africville, a black settlement in Halifax, N.S., demolished in the 60s.
In the US, the Dakota people, at the end of the US–Dakota War of 1862, were relocated from their homelands. This is the root of the Dakota Pipeline issue, as well.

Dakota pipeline, all about money and profits

Truth is the difference between Knowledge and Acknowledgement.

“Each of the adults had suffered in an institution that tried to scrape the Indian out of their insides, and they came back to the bush raw, sore and aching,” 

– wrote Richard Wagamese, a writer and poet, who inherited their trauma.

Indigenous Residential Schools Agreement: Click here to learn more about the settlement.

Government propaganda of the time.

More good reading

Click icon for more
book review blogs
@Barrie Summy

refuses to wear 'discriminatory' jersey

I have also read this book, several years ago. Another sad reflection of the ignorance of colonial settlers.

Three Arapaho boys who died at Carlisle "Indian" school will soon return home https://t.co/tCgqV21VI7 pic.twitter.com/rrg3GJx80j

— 90.5 WESA (@905wesa) August 10, 2017

Indian Country Today

Mother Earth Weeps on #Canada150

Here, in southeastern Ontario, we have pouring rain. I read a long thread on Twitter.

A First Nation Man Speaks, By Robert Jago‏ @rjjago

It bears witness to our First Nations. Going forward, the next 150 years, Canada has a lot to accomplish.

12 Easy Steps For Canadians To Follow If They’re Serious About Reconciliation

There is no question that Indigenous Peoples have many reasons NOT to celebrate Canada's 150th. This is when colonial settlers took over their lands, fooled them into signing treaties, lied and cheated them out of their rightful lands. They poisoned them with infected blankets, masquerading as gifts.

Here is a picture of Heavy Head. Last to be a true Sundancer at our Sundance, and was jailed for it when our Ceremony was illegal #Canada150 pic.twitter.com/A4G3sVlLKT

— Martin Heavy Head (@mheavyhead) July 1, 2017

On their reserves there are homes in which people should not live, water they cannot drink.
Jails are overpopulated with disproportionate numbers of Indigenous People.

Canada's MMIW is a terrible demonstration of racism, and the lack of money put into RCMP protecting Indigenous women, for example.

Roberta Jamieson 
"There is a growing awareness at a glacial pace.
History is tragic, there are gems that have to be brought forward, such as treaties.
Gesture politics."

"It has in fact been the worst 150 years in the lives of Indigenous peoples," - @Pam_Palmater on #Canada150 https://t.co/M77Z3Ycxsm pic.twitter.com/Kgk6GuVY4I

— CBC's The House (@CBCTheHouse) July 1, 2017

And the tipi has reoccupied new place in the heart of Algonquin territory. #Reoccupation pic.twitter.com/ClNmaXKFhG

— Veldon Coburn (@VeldonCoburn) June 30, 2017

Blowing out Canada’s birthday candlesRecognizing mistakes and victories for our futureBy Aaron Paquette

Yellowknives Dene air 'mistrust' of mine remediation projects at public meeting https://t.co/G1tJaYK4pb pic.twitter.com/ioDeUT2n0C

— CBC Indigenous (@CBCIndigenous) June 30, 2017

It's about time

Suicides

For Indigenous peoples, Canada 150 recalls a dark history: https://t.co/iNzA0kS95n by @charneland pic.twitter.com/yYK58AMrX2

— The Agenda | TVO (@TheAgenda) July 1, 2017

Cultural Genocide - official policy

Residential Schools

Government propaganda photo

Nation to Nation Treaties Across North America

Many deceived Indigenous leaders. Others took many, many years, and exploited First Nations. They stalled land claims in the courts, costing all of us millions and millions of dollars.

Canada’s First Nation communities represent 50 Nations and speak 50 Indigenous languages. Wow! #Canada150 pic.twitter.com/oHb8SOLwll

— Canada (@Canada) July 3, 2017