I heard a brief interview on CBC today with an Indigenous woman from the nation near New Hazelton. Their church was burned down last night even though they had arranged security to try to protect it after it was first attacked last week. These acts are causing more grief to the indigenous communities.
my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
As a Canadian and a historian, I’m going to explain some of the key facts you need to know about the Residential School graves making international headlines. A French translation is here: https://tinyurl.com/7zp4sb6h
I see lots of comments from people around the world who either a) think this is an overstated and politicised 'woke Liberal' story or b) had zero idea about this part of Canadian history. Some are wondering why there's talk of 'cancelling Canada Day.' So, let's talk about it.
I want to start by saying that for Indigenous people, this topic is incredibly distressing. The gaslighting in comment sections is equally disturbing. If you are Indigenous and are struggling with this news, you can call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. If you are Indigenous and think I have misrepresented any of the following information, please let me know.
For the rest of us, let me explain a few things. Canadian and unsure about the history of Residential Schools? Non-Canadian and not sure what's going on? This is for you.
In Canada, the term Indigenous comprises First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. 1876's Indian Act gave the Federal Government full control over most aspects of Indigenous life. Much of the Indian Act is still in place today.
Residential Schools were a government-mandated policy officially enacted in 1880 with the passage of the Residential Schools Act. (However, French missionaries' efforts to isolate and 'educate' First Nations children date back to the late 18th century.)
These schools were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child." Laws dictated that families must send Indigenous children as young as four to these boarding schools. There were no exceptions. RCMP officers forcibly removed children from families who would not comply.
The schools were often in isolated areas or on islands, as otherwise, children would constantly try to escape and go back to their families. If geographically possible, parents would camp near schools to catch a glimpse of their children and would be driven away by RCMP under threat of violence.
The schools were operated by churches. Approximately 50% were Catholic, and the remainder were Protestant denominations, including Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, United, and Baptist. Children were not allowed to speak their language or practice any of their cultural traditions under threat of beating. Religion was used as just one form of abuse.
The schools were overcrowded and often unheated. Children were underfed due to budgetary constraints, and also as a form of both control and punishment. Sexual assault was sickeningly commonplace and often doled out as punishment. Many otherwise healthy children wasted away from depression and homesickness. Some drowned trying to swim home. Others froze to death as they tried to walk home.
In 1907, the Department of Indian Affairs' 'Bryce Report' documented a 40-60% mortality rate at these institutions, mainly from tuberculosis. The same report showed that 90 - 100% of children suffered severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Despite this information, the schools remained open for another 90 years.
Again - this is all documented fact. None of this is up for debate. Even the most right-wing Canadian understands this as fact.
The graveyards we are finding are filled with unmarked graves. Some include mass graves, in which more than one body was buried at the same time. This is not new information. Residential School survivors have been telling us they're there for generations.
From 2008 - 2015, Canada engaged in one of the largest Truth and Reconciliation Commission processes ever undertaken. It concluded with 94 calls to action, most of which have not been actioned, further eroding Indigenous people's trust in Canada. Many rightfully believe that the TRC was lip service.
Call to Action 75 states: "We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of Calls to Action| 9 appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children."
See, they were telling us those graves were there. I learned about Residential School cemeteries in the early '00s in journal articles. The information has been readily available. No one was listening.
On May 27, 2021, the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc Nation hired the services of a ground-penetrating radar team and confirmed what was already known. The remains of 215 children lay beneath the soil. "We had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,” stated Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “Some were as young as three years old."
On June 4, 104 potential graves were discovered by the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation at Brandon Indian Residential School in Manitoba. Of these, 78 may be accounted for (but that does not mean that those children were not also abused and/or died of preventable disease). Chief Jennifer Bone says, “We must honour the memory of the children that never made it home by holding the Government of Canada, Churches and all responsible parties accountable for their inhumane actions.”
And most recently, as many as 751 unmarked graves were located near the former site of Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, associated with the Cowessess First Nation. Again, some of these may be accounted for. That does not diminish the horror. “This was a crime against humanity, an assault on First Nations,” says Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan.
I'm not qualified to speak at length about the generational trauma that has ravaged Indigenous communities. Generations of people are struggling with substance abuse as a direct result of the Residential Schools Act, yet many other Canadians don't cut them much slack.
Many of the homeless people in Western Canada’s tent cities are residential school survivors. There is also an ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women. Despite making up only 10% of the population, Indigenous children represent 52% of those currently in social services care.
For the non-Canadians reading this, you should know that open racism towards Indigenous people in Canada is common and often socially acceptable. (I know this goes against our international reputation.)
Finally, you will see people arguing that these graves are the result of sickness and disease, as if that's somehow okay. You'll even see some people arguing that the number of graves isn't all that high, as life expectancy 'was lower back then.'
Yes, tuberculosis and childhood diseases do account for many of these deaths. But these diseases were allowed to run rampant through filthy and overcrowded institutions. Little malnourished, homesick bodies couldn't fend off the disease. So, they died alone, crying for their mothers.
And then they were buried in the place they hated most, with no record of their death. Some parents were never actually told what happened to their children. They just never came home.
To counter these bad-faith arguments about disease and ‘the number of graves not actually being that high’, we can again look to contemporary sources, such as The Bryce Report. 90 – 100% of children were abused. The schools had a documented mortality rate of 40 – 60%.
Of course, the childhood mortality rate in Canada in 1907 was high, around 25% - 30%. However, these figures include infant mortality, which is much higher, therefore skewing the data. A very conservative estimate puts the mortality rate from TB at Residential Schools (children aged 4 - 18) around three to four times higher than the general population.
Also, remember that these graves do not represent all of the children who died at Residential Schools. We have many oral reports of priests, nuns, and teachers incinerating bodies (especially of those beaten or abused to death) in furnaces, or disposing of them in other ways.
You need to know that these discoveries will continue. There were 139 residential schools in Canada, and nearly 150,000 children attended them over the course of 117+ years. But the graves are not the only horror. The true horror is the fact that we've known about all of this for generations, and that we allowed it to happen until 1997. The shame is the ‘schools’ themselves. The graves are just a physical record of what happened.
This is not about ‘left’ or ‘right.’ Nothing I have written here is disputed. These are facts. The Federal Government, RCMP, local police forces, the courts, and many churches worked together to systematically abuse and eradicate entire generations of kids.
If you feel bad, that’s normal. But sitting around feeling guilty helps no one, especially not Indigenous people. Instead, consistently challenge these comments about ‘short 19th-century life expectancies' and ‘that’s not a mass grave.’ Challenge the people in your life who use racial slurs or anti-Indigenous rhetoric.
If you’re Canadian, write to your MP and demand that they action the 94 TRC Calls to Action. Share and amplify posts by Indigenous people, and include the Survivors' hotline. Listen to what local Indigenous people are asking for, and then help in any way you can – that includes donating generously to Residential School survivors. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/how-to-support-survivors-of-residential-schools-1.5453277
And at least for this year, consider skipping Canada Day 'celebrations.’ But whether you celebrate or not is less important than insisting on systemic change, donating to survivors, and advocating for the 94 TRC Calls to Action.
As a US citizen, I recognize the history of racism in my own country. That being said, I am shocked and disgusted by what is being found in Canada…Unfathomable how the Canadian government allowed these things to go on for so long into semi-recent history. What the actual fuck…
Canada is far more racist than most Canadians will admit. Our federal government is racist, our prime minister was caught in photos of him wearing blackface…in one photo he was wearing black body…
These photos were taken in the 90’s. Liberals are just as racist as conservatives can be.
Church burnings have been taking place for a couple weeks…Lytton BC essentially burned down…town totally evacuated. The RCMP are investigating and claim the wildfire nearby the town and the town burning down are separate incidents…makes me wonder if someone set a church on fire…
The Prime Minister and Premiers need to stand up and be leaders and call for an end to these senseless statue toppling and church fires..none of this helps indigenous peoples with their cause…I just hope no one died in the Lytton fire…to soon to tell. The Police say it’s unsafe to search.
An Indigenous affairs minister sent an indigenous MP a racist tweet recently…
In your opinion, what should the Canadian government do to “make things right” for kidnapping and killing and ignoring/covering up their actions?
The very 1st thing should be getting clean drinking water 💦 to all indigenous reserves…
Then I would say the government needs to convene a meeting with our indigenous leaders and discuss what they want and need. Because in the end their needs are what should matter…
I’ll discuss more later. I’m just sitting down with a glass of wine, the hockey is at 8…
As a Canadian and a historian, I’m going to explain some of the key facts you need to know about the Residential School graves making international headlines. A French translation is here: https://tinyurl.com/7zp4sb6h
I see lots of comments from people around the world who either a) think this is an overstated and politicised 'woke Liberal' story or b) had zero idea about this part of Canadian history. Some are wondering why there's talk of 'cancelling Canada Day.' So, let's talk about it.
I want to start by saying that for Indigenous people, this topic is incredibly distressing. The gaslighting in comment sections is equally disturbing. If you are Indigenous and are struggling with this news, you can call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. If you are Indigenous and think I have misrepresented any of the following information, please let me know.
For the rest of us, let me explain a few things. Canadian and unsure about the history of Residential Schools? Non-Canadian and not sure what's going on? This is for you.
In Canada, the term Indigenous comprises First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. 1876's Indian Act gave the Federal Government full control over most aspects of Indigenous life. Much of the Indian Act is still in place today.
Residential Schools were a government-mandated policy officially enacted in 1880 with the passage of the Residential Schools Act. (However, French missionaries' efforts to isolate and 'educate' First Nations children date back to the late 18th century.)
These schools were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child." Laws dictated that families must send Indigenous children as young as four to these boarding schools. There were no exceptions. RCMP officers forcibly removed children from families who would not comply.
The schools were often in isolated areas or on islands, as otherwise, children would constantly try to escape and go back to their families. If geographically possible, parents would camp near schools to catch a glimpse of their children and would be driven away by RCMP under threat of violence.
The schools were operated by churches. Approximately 50% were Catholic, and the remainder were Protestant denominations, including Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, United, and Baptist. Children were not allowed to speak their language or practice any of their cultural traditions under threat of beating. Religion was used as just one form of abuse.
The schools were overcrowded and often unheated. Children were underfed due to budgetary constraints, and also as a form of both control and punishment. Sexual assault was sickeningly commonplace and often doled out as punishment. Many otherwise healthy children wasted away from depression and homesickness. Some drowned trying to swim home. Others froze to death as they tried to walk home.
In 1907, the Department of Indian Affairs' 'Bryce Report' documented a 40-60% mortality rate at these institutions, mainly from tuberculosis. The same report showed that 90 - 100% of children suffered severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Despite this information, the schools remained open for another 90 years.
Again - this is all documented fact. None of this is up for debate. Even the most right-wing Canadian understands this as fact.
The graveyards we are finding are filled with unmarked graves. Some include mass graves, in which more than one body was buried at the same time. This is not new information. Residential School survivors have been telling us they're there for generations.
From 2008 - 2015, Canada engaged in one of the largest Truth and Reconciliation Commission processes ever undertaken. It concluded with 94 calls to action, most of which have not been actioned, further eroding Indigenous people's trust in Canada. Many rightfully believe that the TRC was lip service.
Call to Action 75 states: "We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of Calls to Action| 9 appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children."
See, they were telling us those graves were there. I learned about Residential School cemeteries in the early '00s in journal articles. The information has been readily available. No one was listening.
On May 27, 2021, the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc Nation hired the services of a ground-penetrating radar team and confirmed what was already known. The remains of 215 children lay beneath the soil. "We had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,” stated Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “Some were as young as three years old."
On June 4, 104 potential graves were discovered by the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation at Brandon Indian Residential School in Manitoba. Of these, 78 may be accounted for (but that does not mean that those children were not also abused and/or died of preventable disease). Chief Jennifer Bone says, “We must honour the memory of the children that never made it home by holding the Government of Canada, Churches and all responsible parties accountable for their inhumane actions.”
And most recently, as many as 751 unmarked graves were located near the former site of Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, associated with the Cowessess First Nation. Again, some of these may be accounted for. That does not diminish the horror. “This was a crime against humanity, an assault on First Nations,” says Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan.
I'm not qualified to speak at length about the generational trauma that has ravaged Indigenous communities. Generations of people are struggling with substance abuse as a direct result of the Residential Schools Act, yet many other Canadians don't cut them much slack.
Many of the homeless people in Western Canada’s tent cities are residential school survivors. There is also an ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women. Despite making up only 10% of the population, Indigenous children represent 52% of those currently in social services care.
For the non-Canadians reading this, you should know that open racism towards Indigenous people in Canada is common and often socially acceptable. (I know this goes against our international reputation.)
Finally, you will see people arguing that these graves are the result of sickness and disease, as if that's somehow okay. You'll even see some people arguing that the number of graves isn't all that high, as life expectancy 'was lower back then.'
Yes, tuberculosis and childhood diseases do account for many of these deaths. But these diseases were allowed to run rampant through filthy and overcrowded institutions. Little malnourished, homesick bodies couldn't fend off the disease. So, they died alone, crying for their mothers.
And then they were buried in the place they hated most, with no record of their death. Some parents were never actually told what happened to their children. They just never came home.
To counter these bad-faith arguments about disease and ‘the number of graves not actually being that high’, we can again look to contemporary sources, such as The Bryce Report. 90 – 100% of children were abused. The schools had a documented mortality rate of 40 – 60%.
Of course, the childhood mortality rate in Canada in 1907 was high, around 25% - 30%. However, these figures include infant mortality, which is much higher, therefore skewing the data. A very conservative estimate puts the mortality rate from TB at Residential Schools (children aged 4 - 18) around three to four times higher than the general population.
Also, remember that these graves do not represent all of the children who died at Residential Schools. We have many oral reports of priests, nuns, and teachers incinerating bodies (especially of those beaten or abused to death) in furnaces, or disposing of them in other ways.
You need to know that these discoveries will continue. There were 139 residential schools in Canada, and nearly 150,000 children attended them over the course of 117+ years. But the graves are not the only horror. The true horror is the fact that we've known about all of this for generations, and that we allowed it to happen until 1997. The shame is the ‘schools’ themselves. The graves are just a physical record of what happened.
This is not about ‘left’ or ‘right.’ Nothing I have written here is disputed. These are facts. The Federal Government, RCMP, local police forces, the courts, and many churches worked together to systematically abuse and eradicate entire generations of kids.
If you feel bad, that’s normal. But sitting around feeling guilty helps no one, especially not Indigenous people. Instead, consistently challenge these comments about ‘short 19th-century life expectancies' and ‘that’s not a mass grave.’ Challenge the people in your life who use racial slurs or anti-Indigenous rhetoric.
If you’re Canadian, write to your MP and demand that they action the 94 TRC Calls to Action. Share and amplify posts by Indigenous people, and include the Survivors' hotline. Listen to what local Indigenous people are asking for, and then help in any way you can – that includes donating generously to Residential School survivors. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/how-to-support-survivors-of-residential-schools-1.5453277
And at least for this year, consider skipping Canada Day 'celebrations.’ But whether you celebrate or not is less important than insisting on systemic change, donating to survivors, and advocating for the 94 TRC Calls to Action.
As a US citizen, I recognize the history of racism in my own country. That being said, I am shocked and disgusted by what is being found in Canada…Unfathomable how the Canadian government allowed these things to go on for so long into semi-recent history. What the actual fuck…
Canada is far more racist than most Canadians will admit. Our federal government is racist, our prime minister was caught in photos of him wearing blackface…in one photo he was wearing black body…
These photos were taken in the 90’s. Liberals are just as racist as conservatives can be.
Church burnings have been taking place for a couple weeks…Lytton BC essentially burned down…town totally evacuated. The RCMP are investigating and claim the wildfire nearby the town and the town burning down are separate incidents…makes me wonder if someone set a church on fire…
The Prime Minister and Premiers need to stand up and be leaders and call for an end to these senseless statue toppling and church fires..none of this helps indigenous peoples with their cause…I just hope no one died in the Lytton fire…to soon to tell. The Police say it’s unsafe to search.
An Indigenous affairs minister sent an indigenous MP a racist tweet recently…
In your opinion, what should the Canadian government do to “make things right” for kidnapping and killing and ignoring/covering up their actions?
The very 1st thing should be getting clean drinking water 💦 to all indigenous reserves…
Then I would say the government needs to convene a meeting with our indigenous leaders and discuss what they want and need. Because in the end their needs are what should matter…
I’ll discuss more later. I’m just sitting down with a glass of wine, the hockey is at 8…
I think this is challenging in our society, because every time something bubbles up about how First Nations were treated, the government tries to throw money at (and we find out later one, usually less than they promised).
It feels to me that if it's always about paying money, then eventually it will cause a division in Canadian society. Mostly because a large chunk of the population is already struggling with their paycheque to paycheque bills, so paying to make up for sins they weren't involved with... not everyone is going to be on board with that.
I have no idea how to fix it. Our society and how it's ended up are a bit crazy. We have a reserve system, that feels like a semi-volunteered system of segregation. To me it's how do you make First Nations self sufficient, integrate with the rest of society, and maintain their culture.
If it's keep them segregated, throw money at the problem from time to time, it feels to me like the wheel keeps churning. If it's ever truly to be solved I don't think it's by throwing money at the problem.
That's my thoughts. It's easy to wear an orange shirt. It's tough thinking of ways to change our country.
We don't have to think of ways to change, Zod, the proposals have been made are in varying stages of implementation. Mickeyrat provided links to some reports including TRC and MMIWC on page six. We're making further policy changes, too, such as UNDRIP. Are you, on an individual level, able to implement any of these calls to action? Do you know what they are?
Life expectancy rates for men on reserves can be 9 years less than other Canadian men. What factor is associated with good health? WEALTH. Therefore, I respectfully disagree with your post, although it seems your heart is in the right place.
^ Also, Zod, without doing any research on this matter, because I'm on a brain break from investigating Indigenous equity and social justice within BC educational institutes, I recall recently reading how the latest money, to help identify the buried, meets one of the TRCs calls to action.
Meeting action 74, would require contacting my family to see if we would like the brother of an ancestor, whodiedatschool, reburied with an appropriate marker. Who should pay for that endeavor, if ever embarked upon?
the church operating that "school" or the government or both.....
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
^ That pertains to genocide how? The fire started around dinner time, after a train rolled in? Aren't churches being torched under the cloak of darkness?
I don’t know…maybe churches bring torched and a small town with a Catholic Church getting burned to the ground should properly be investigated…seems awful coincidental to me…
oh and your premier stated the town fire was separate from the wildfire…suddenly it’s just a wildfire. And 2 people are dead. There is no harm in a proper investigation.
And if it was caused by the railroad then the company should be liable for damage, not the taxpayers…
Meeting action 74, would require contacting my family to see if we would like the brother of an ancestor, whodiedatschool, reburied with an appropriate marker. Who should pay for that endeavor, if ever embarked upon?
The federal government can demand the church pay or they should be taxed…it’s not that hard to figure out…the Catholic Church is worth, how much, billions or trillion…they are greedy fuckers and should be forced to pay one way or another…
Give Peas A Chance…
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mickeyrat
up my ass, like Chadwick was up his Posts: 35,689
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
As a Canadian and a historian, I’m going to explain some of the key facts you need to know about the Residential School graves making international headlines. A French translation is here: https://tinyurl.com/7zp4sb6h
I see lots of comments from people around the world who either a) think this is an overstated and politicised 'woke Liberal' story or b) had zero idea about this part of Canadian history. Some are wondering why there's talk of 'cancelling Canada Day.' So, let's talk about it.
I want to start by saying that for Indigenous people, this topic is incredibly distressing. The gaslighting in comment sections is equally disturbing. If you are Indigenous and are struggling with this news, you can call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. If you are Indigenous and think I have misrepresented any of the following information, please let me know.
For the rest of us, let me explain a few things. Canadian and unsure about the history of Residential Schools? Non-Canadian and not sure what's going on? This is for you.
In Canada, the term Indigenous comprises First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. 1876's Indian Act gave the Federal Government full control over most aspects of Indigenous life. Much of the Indian Act is still in place today.
Residential Schools were a government-mandated policy officially enacted in 1880 with the passage of the Residential Schools Act. (However, French missionaries' efforts to isolate and 'educate' First Nations children date back to the late 18th century.)
These schools were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child." Laws dictated that families must send Indigenous children as young as four to these boarding schools. There were no exceptions. RCMP officers forcibly removed children from families who would not comply.
The schools were often in isolated areas or on islands, as otherwise, children would constantly try to escape and go back to their families. If geographically possible, parents would camp near schools to catch a glimpse of their children and would be driven away by RCMP under threat of violence.
The schools were operated by churches. Approximately 50% were Catholic, and the remainder were Protestant denominations, including Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, United, and Baptist. Children were not allowed to speak their language or practice any of their cultural traditions under threat of beating. Religion was used as just one form of abuse.
The schools were overcrowded and often unheated. Children were underfed due to budgetary constraints, and also as a form of both control and punishment. Sexual assault was sickeningly commonplace and often doled out as punishment. Many otherwise healthy children wasted away from depression and homesickness. Some drowned trying to swim home. Others froze to death as they tried to walk home.
In 1907, the Department of Indian Affairs' 'Bryce Report' documented a 40-60% mortality rate at these institutions, mainly from tuberculosis. The same report showed that 90 - 100% of children suffered severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Despite this information, the schools remained open for another 90 years.
Again - this is all documented fact. None of this is up for debate. Even the most right-wing Canadian understands this as fact.
The graveyards we are finding are filled with unmarked graves. Some include mass graves, in which more than one body was buried at the same time. This is not new information. Residential School survivors have been telling us they're there for generations.
From 2008 - 2015, Canada engaged in one of the largest Truth and Reconciliation Commission processes ever undertaken. It concluded with 94 calls to action, most of which have not been actioned, further eroding Indigenous people's trust in Canada. Many rightfully believe that the TRC was lip service.
Call to Action 75 states: "We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of Calls to Action| 9 appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children."
See, they were telling us those graves were there. I learned about Residential School cemeteries in the early '00s in journal articles. The information has been readily available. No one was listening.
On May 27, 2021, the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc Nation hired the services of a ground-penetrating radar team and confirmed what was already known. The remains of 215 children lay beneath the soil. "We had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,” stated Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “Some were as young as three years old."
On June 4, 104 potential graves were discovered by the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation at Brandon Indian Residential School in Manitoba. Of these, 78 may be accounted for (but that does not mean that those children were not also abused and/or died of preventable disease). Chief Jennifer Bone says, “We must honour the memory of the children that never made it home by holding the Government of Canada, Churches and all responsible parties accountable for their inhumane actions.”
And most recently, as many as 751 unmarked graves were located near the former site of Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, associated with the Cowessess First Nation. Again, some of these may be accounted for. That does not diminish the horror. “This was a crime against humanity, an assault on First Nations,” says Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan.
I'm not qualified to speak at length about the generational trauma that has ravaged Indigenous communities. Generations of people are struggling with substance abuse as a direct result of the Residential Schools Act, yet many other Canadians don't cut them much slack.
Many of the homeless people in Western Canada’s tent cities are residential school survivors. There is also an ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women. Despite making up only 10% of the population, Indigenous children represent 52% of those currently in social services care.
For the non-Canadians reading this, you should know that open racism towards Indigenous people in Canada is common and often socially acceptable. (I know this goes against our international reputation.)
Finally, you will see people arguing that these graves are the result of sickness and disease, as if that's somehow okay. You'll even see some people arguing that the number of graves isn't all that high, as life expectancy 'was lower back then.'
Yes, tuberculosis and childhood diseases do account for many of these deaths. But these diseases were allowed to run rampant through filthy and overcrowded institutions. Little malnourished, homesick bodies couldn't fend off the disease. So, they died alone, crying for their mothers.
And then they were buried in the place they hated most, with no record of their death. Some parents were never actually told what happened to their children. They just never came home.
To counter these bad-faith arguments about disease and ‘the number of graves not actually being that high’, we can again look to contemporary sources, such as The Bryce Report. 90 – 100% of children were abused. The schools had a documented mortality rate of 40 – 60%.
Of course, the childhood mortality rate in Canada in 1907 was high, around 25% - 30%. However, these figures include infant mortality, which is much higher, therefore skewing the data. A very conservative estimate puts the mortality rate from TB at Residential Schools (children aged 4 - 18) around three to four times higher than the general population.
Also, remember that these graves do not represent all of the children who died at Residential Schools. We have many oral reports of priests, nuns, and teachers incinerating bodies (especially of those beaten or abused to death) in furnaces, or disposing of them in other ways.
You need to know that these discoveries will continue. There were 139 residential schools in Canada, and nearly 150,000 children attended them over the course of 117+ years. But the graves are not the only horror. The true horror is the fact that we've known about all of this for generations, and that we allowed it to happen until 1997. The shame is the ‘schools’ themselves. The graves are just a physical record of what happened.
This is not about ‘left’ or ‘right.’ Nothing I have written here is disputed. These are facts. The Federal Government, RCMP, local police forces, the courts, and many churches worked together to systematically abuse and eradicate entire generations of kids.
If you feel bad, that’s normal. But sitting around feeling guilty helps no one, especially not Indigenous people. Instead, consistently challenge these comments about ‘short 19th-century life expectancies' and ‘that’s not a mass grave.’ Challenge the people in your life who use racial slurs or anti-Indigenous rhetoric.
If you’re Canadian, write to your MP and demand that they action the 94 TRC Calls to Action. Share and amplify posts by Indigenous people, and include the Survivors' hotline. Listen to what local Indigenous people are asking for, and then help in any way you can – that includes donating generously to Residential School survivors. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/how-to-support-survivors-of-residential-schools-1.5453277
And at least for this year, consider skipping Canada Day 'celebrations.’ But whether you celebrate or not is less important than insisting on systemic change, donating to survivors, and advocating for the 94 TRC Calls to Action.
As a US citizen, I recognize the history of racism in my own country. That being said, I am shocked and disgusted by what is being found in Canada…Unfathomable how the Canadian government allowed these things to go on for so long into semi-recent history. What the actual fuck…
Canada is far more racist than most Canadians will admit. Our federal government is racist, our prime minister was caught in photos of him wearing blackface…in one photo he was wearing black body…
These photos were taken in the 90’s. Liberals are just as racist as conservatives can be.
Church burnings have been taking place for a couple weeks…Lytton BC essentially burned down…town totally evacuated. The RCMP are investigating and claim the wildfire nearby the town and the town burning down are separate incidents…makes me wonder if someone set a church on fire…
The Prime Minister and Premiers need to stand up and be leaders and call for an end to these senseless statue toppling and church fires..none of this helps indigenous peoples with their cause…I just hope no one died in the Lytton fire…to soon to tell. The Police say it’s unsafe to search.
An Indigenous affairs minister sent an indigenous MP a racist tweet recently…
In your opinion, what should the Canadian government do to “make things right” for kidnapping and killing and ignoring/covering up their actions?
The very 1st thing should be getting clean drinking water 💦 to all indigenous reserves…
Then I would say the government needs to convene a meeting with our indigenous leaders and discuss what they want and need. Because in the end their needs are what should matter…
I’ll discuss more later. I’m just sitting down with a glass of wine, the hockey is at 8…
I think this is challenging in our society, because every time something bubbles up about how First Nations were treated, the government tries to throw money at (and we find out later one, usually less than they promised).
It feels to me that if it's always about paying money, then eventually it will cause a division in Canadian society. Mostly because a large chunk of the population is already struggling with their paycheque to paycheque bills, so paying to make up for sins they weren't involved with... not everyone is going to be on board with that.
I have no idea how to fix it. Our society and how it's ended up are a bit crazy. We have a reserve system, that feels like a semi-volunteered system of segregation. To me it's how do you make First Nations self sufficient, integrate with the rest of society, and maintain their culture.
If it's keep them segregated, throw money at the problem from time to time, it feels to me like the wheel keeps churning. If it's ever truly to be solved I don't think it's by throwing money at the problem.
That's my thoughts. It's easy to wear an orange shirt. It's tough thinking of ways to change our country.
Money from taxpayers is clearly not the answer. The churches can be taxed to pay restitution for the damage they caused. The government should settle up with the children as well for their involvement…instead of wasting money on lawyers and court settle that lawsuit…
The other negotiations need to focus on settling their non monetary issues from the federal government. And this racist federal government will not do that. Trudeau is a lazy racist fuck who’s afraid of any work…
I have no idea how much each reserve receives in funding…but just like our politicians are corrupt and greedy, you can be assured their are plenty of chiefs and councils with 1st nation reserves are corrupt.
But, come on. Really, you are worried about being strapped because we throw 1st nation reserves a few bucks there way when our feds spend 27 billion annually on child benefit…really…now they want to add 100 for daycare. Seems there is all kinds of money for settlers needs..But fuck anyone else who needs help, like seniors, the disabled, older adults who need retraining…etc,. Lots of money for Trudeau refugee’s who show up here with a batch full of kids like child making is an Olympic sport..With their hands out…
I don’t know…maybe churches bring torched and a small town with a Catholic Church getting burned to the ground should properly be investigated…seems awful coincidental to me…
oh and your premier stated the town fire was separate from the wildfire…suddenly it’s just a wildfire. And 2 people are dead. There is no harm in a proper investigation.
And if it was caused by the railroad then the company should be liable for damage, not the taxpayers…
BC has been in the middle of an extreme heatwave that is only now receding. There are 139 active wildfires burning in the province right now, many new in the last 24 hours. Many other communities have had to be evacuated. The cause of each should be properly investigated in order for us to get a better handle on fires but to the best of my knowledge there is not thought to be a link to any church burning at present. Most communities in BC, small and large, have Catholic churches so it’s no surprise that Lytton had one as well, so yes, very likely coincidental.
my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
As a Canadian and a historian, I’m going to explain some of the key facts you need to know about the Residential School graves making international headlines. A French translation is here: https://tinyurl.com/7zp4sb6h
I see lots of comments from people around the world who either a) think this is an overstated and politicised 'woke Liberal' story or b) had zero idea about this part of Canadian history. Some are wondering why there's talk of 'cancelling Canada Day.' So, let's talk about it.
I want to start by saying that for Indigenous people, this topic is incredibly distressing. The gaslighting in comment sections is equally disturbing. If you are Indigenous and are struggling with this news, you can call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. If you are Indigenous and think I have misrepresented any of the following information, please let me know.
For the rest of us, let me explain a few things. Canadian and unsure about the history of Residential Schools? Non-Canadian and not sure what's going on? This is for you.
In Canada, the term Indigenous comprises First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. 1876's Indian Act gave the Federal Government full control over most aspects of Indigenous life. Much of the Indian Act is still in place today.
Residential Schools were a government-mandated policy officially enacted in 1880 with the passage of the Residential Schools Act. (However, French missionaries' efforts to isolate and 'educate' First Nations children date back to the late 18th century.)
These schools were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child." Laws dictated that families must send Indigenous children as young as four to these boarding schools. There were no exceptions. RCMP officers forcibly removed children from families who would not comply.
The schools were often in isolated areas or on islands, as otherwise, children would constantly try to escape and go back to their families. If geographically possible, parents would camp near schools to catch a glimpse of their children and would be driven away by RCMP under threat of violence.
The schools were operated by churches. Approximately 50% were Catholic, and the remainder were Protestant denominations, including Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, United, and Baptist. Children were not allowed to speak their language or practice any of their cultural traditions under threat of beating. Religion was used as just one form of abuse.
The schools were overcrowded and often unheated. Children were underfed due to budgetary constraints, and also as a form of both control and punishment. Sexual assault was sickeningly commonplace and often doled out as punishment. Many otherwise healthy children wasted away from depression and homesickness. Some drowned trying to swim home. Others froze to death as they tried to walk home.
In 1907, the Department of Indian Affairs' 'Bryce Report' documented a 40-60% mortality rate at these institutions, mainly from tuberculosis. The same report showed that 90 - 100% of children suffered severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Despite this information, the schools remained open for another 90 years.
Again - this is all documented fact. None of this is up for debate. Even the most right-wing Canadian understands this as fact.
The graveyards we are finding are filled with unmarked graves. Some include mass graves, in which more than one body was buried at the same time. This is not new information. Residential School survivors have been telling us they're there for generations.
From 2008 - 2015, Canada engaged in one of the largest Truth and Reconciliation Commission processes ever undertaken. It concluded with 94 calls to action, most of which have not been actioned, further eroding Indigenous people's trust in Canada. Many rightfully believe that the TRC was lip service.
Call to Action 75 states: "We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of Calls to Action| 9 appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children."
See, they were telling us those graves were there. I learned about Residential School cemeteries in the early '00s in journal articles. The information has been readily available. No one was listening.
On May 27, 2021, the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc Nation hired the services of a ground-penetrating radar team and confirmed what was already known. The remains of 215 children lay beneath the soil. "We had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,” stated Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “Some were as young as three years old."
On June 4, 104 potential graves were discovered by the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation at Brandon Indian Residential School in Manitoba. Of these, 78 may be accounted for (but that does not mean that those children were not also abused and/or died of preventable disease). Chief Jennifer Bone says, “We must honour the memory of the children that never made it home by holding the Government of Canada, Churches and all responsible parties accountable for their inhumane actions.”
And most recently, as many as 751 unmarked graves were located near the former site of Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, associated with the Cowessess First Nation. Again, some of these may be accounted for. That does not diminish the horror. “This was a crime against humanity, an assault on First Nations,” says Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan.
I'm not qualified to speak at length about the generational trauma that has ravaged Indigenous communities. Generations of people are struggling with substance abuse as a direct result of the Residential Schools Act, yet many other Canadians don't cut them much slack.
Many of the homeless people in Western Canada’s tent cities are residential school survivors. There is also an ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women. Despite making up only 10% of the population, Indigenous children represent 52% of those currently in social services care.
For the non-Canadians reading this, you should know that open racism towards Indigenous people in Canada is common and often socially acceptable. (I know this goes against our international reputation.)
Finally, you will see people arguing that these graves are the result of sickness and disease, as if that's somehow okay. You'll even see some people arguing that the number of graves isn't all that high, as life expectancy 'was lower back then.'
Yes, tuberculosis and childhood diseases do account for many of these deaths. But these diseases were allowed to run rampant through filthy and overcrowded institutions. Little malnourished, homesick bodies couldn't fend off the disease. So, they died alone, crying for their mothers.
And then they were buried in the place they hated most, with no record of their death. Some parents were never actually told what happened to their children. They just never came home.
To counter these bad-faith arguments about disease and ‘the number of graves not actually being that high’, we can again look to contemporary sources, such as The Bryce Report. 90 – 100% of children were abused. The schools had a documented mortality rate of 40 – 60%.
Of course, the childhood mortality rate in Canada in 1907 was high, around 25% - 30%. However, these figures include infant mortality, which is much higher, therefore skewing the data. A very conservative estimate puts the mortality rate from TB at Residential Schools (children aged 4 - 18) around three to four times higher than the general population.
Also, remember that these graves do not represent all of the children who died at Residential Schools. We have many oral reports of priests, nuns, and teachers incinerating bodies (especially of those beaten or abused to death) in furnaces, or disposing of them in other ways.
You need to know that these discoveries will continue. There were 139 residential schools in Canada, and nearly 150,000 children attended them over the course of 117+ years. But the graves are not the only horror. The true horror is the fact that we've known about all of this for generations, and that we allowed it to happen until 1997. The shame is the ‘schools’ themselves. The graves are just a physical record of what happened.
This is not about ‘left’ or ‘right.’ Nothing I have written here is disputed. These are facts. The Federal Government, RCMP, local police forces, the courts, and many churches worked together to systematically abuse and eradicate entire generations of kids.
If you feel bad, that’s normal. But sitting around feeling guilty helps no one, especially not Indigenous people. Instead, consistently challenge these comments about ‘short 19th-century life expectancies' and ‘that’s not a mass grave.’ Challenge the people in your life who use racial slurs or anti-Indigenous rhetoric.
If you’re Canadian, write to your MP and demand that they action the 94 TRC Calls to Action. Share and amplify posts by Indigenous people, and include the Survivors' hotline. Listen to what local Indigenous people are asking for, and then help in any way you can – that includes donating generously to Residential School survivors. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/how-to-support-survivors-of-residential-schools-1.5453277
And at least for this year, consider skipping Canada Day 'celebrations.’ But whether you celebrate or not is less important than insisting on systemic change, donating to survivors, and advocating for the 94 TRC Calls to Action.
As a US citizen, I recognize the history of racism in my own country. That being said, I am shocked and disgusted by what is being found in Canada…Unfathomable how the Canadian government allowed these things to go on for so long into semi-recent history. What the actual fuck…
Canada is far more racist than most Canadians will admit. Our federal government is racist, our prime minister was caught in photos of him wearing blackface…in one photo he was wearing black body…
These photos were taken in the 90’s. Liberals are just as racist as conservatives can be.
Church burnings have been taking place for a couple weeks…Lytton BC essentially burned down…town totally evacuated. The RCMP are investigating and claim the wildfire nearby the town and the town burning down are separate incidents…makes me wonder if someone set a church on fire…
The Prime Minister and Premiers need to stand up and be leaders and call for an end to these senseless statue toppling and church fires..none of this helps indigenous peoples with their cause…I just hope no one died in the Lytton fire…to soon to tell. The Police say it’s unsafe to search.
An Indigenous affairs minister sent an indigenous MP a racist tweet recently…
In your opinion, what should the Canadian government do to “make things right” for kidnapping and killing and ignoring/covering up their actions?
The very 1st thing should be getting clean drinking water 💦 to all indigenous reserves…
Then I would say the government needs to convene a meeting with our indigenous leaders and discuss what they want and need. Because in the end their needs are what should matter…
I’ll discuss more later. I’m just sitting down with a glass of wine, the hockey is at 8…
I think this is challenging in our society, because every time something bubbles up about how First Nations were treated, the government tries to throw money at (and we find out later one, usually less than they promised).
It feels to me that if it's always about paying money, then eventually it will cause a division in Canadian society. Mostly because a large chunk of the population is already struggling with their paycheque to paycheque bills, so paying to make up for sins they weren't involved with... not everyone is going to be on board with that.
I have no idea how to fix it. Our society and how it's ended up are a bit crazy. We have a reserve system, that feels like a semi-volunteered system of segregation. To me it's how do you make First Nations self sufficient, integrate with the rest of society, and maintain their culture.
If it's keep them segregated, throw money at the problem from time to time, it feels to me like the wheel keeps churning. If it's ever truly to be solved I don't think it's by throwing money at the problem.
That's my thoughts. It's easy to wear an orange shirt. It's tough thinking of ways to change our country.
Money from taxpayers is clearly not the answer. The churches can be taxed to pay restitution for the damage they caused. The government should settle up with the children as well for their involvement…instead of wasting money on lawyers and court settle that lawsuit…
The other negotiations need to focus on settling their non monetary issues from the federal government. And this racist federal government will not do that. Trudeau is a lazy racist fuck who’s afraid of any work…
I have no idea how much each reserve receives in funding…but just like our politicians are corrupt and greedy, you can be assured their are plenty of chiefs and councils with 1st nation reserves are corrupt.
But, come on. Really, you are worried about being strapped because we throw 1st nation reserves a few bucks there way when our feds spend 27 billion annually on child benefit…really…now they want to add 100 for daycare. Seems there is all kinds of money for settlers needs..But fuck anyone else who needs help, like seniors, the disabled, older adults who need retraining…etc,. Lots of money for Trudeau refugee’s who show up here with a batch full of kids like child making is an Olympic sport..With their hands out…
That’s an awful and racist statement about refugees. I assume you are referring to the Syrian refugees. I won’t say anything more about it right now other than it’s not surprising to read it from you.
my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
This article talks a bit about the tension within Indigenous communities over the place of Catholic and other Christian churches and the focus on Christian worship rather than Indigenous spiritual practices
Maybe Pearl Jam should stop playing in Canada until they start treating their Indigenous people humanely…?
That might not be a bad idea. Nothing else has worked. Money has been talked about, but that’s only one issue. Indigenous people's want self government, many want decolonization and they want the government to quit running infrastructure projects through their unseeded territory…all of this is hard work…our current prime minister has the work ethic of a 5 year old…he is a LAZY FUCK..
Trudeau announces that Inuk leader Mary Simon will be the next Governor General. The position itself is fraught with challenges but let’s hope that this appointment helps move things forward.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
She has big shoes to fill after the wonderful and great Julie Payette.
Hopefully, the walls have been patched from Payette throwing shit during her temper tantrums...hehehe
It does not matter to me who holds such a useless unelected position ... it's still part of colonialism and needs to go.
so when do you leave yourself? and where do you go?
Where have I said we need to leave? Do we need to leave to address our shortcomings? What's wrong with wanting to end colonization?
You guys fought a war to gain your independence? We can end colonization with Britain peacefully...but it should be done through a referendum and at the will of the people. That's not too much to ask.
Mexico is where id go...
Read up on Dieppe...operation planned mostly by Britain but sent Canadians off to get slaughtered, of course, our colonist generals agreed...The UK has a history of abandoning its commonwealth countries...
There is a good reason that the Captain Cooke statue is in the ocean now...a good reason Sir John A McDonald statues are being vandalized same with queen Victoria and Elizabeth...Pierre Elliot Trudeau's statues should come down as well...he continued building those schools and was a racist prick toward indigenous people...
I am also a Canadian citizen born here...I do not have to go anywhere. But in no way am I indoctrinated into thinking we need to continue being a British Commonwealth...even Barbados ended its colonial past with Britain.
our first family outdoor happy hour over the weekend was got pretty heated at one point; my dad brought up the statue toppling; one generation saying it's senseless destruction of property what happened (even using the term "erasing history" SMFH), the other generation saying "we can't even fathom their pain, let them take down a statue of the family that started the colonization".
guess which generation.
oh, and I am mostly liberal leaning. does that make me racist? LOL
Comments
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-skuppah-indian-band-in-lytton-bc
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-churches-arson-attacks-1.6088237
I heard a brief interview on CBC today with an Indigenous woman from the nation near New Hazelton. Their church was burned down last night even though they had arranged security to try to protect it after it was first attacked last week. These acts are causing more grief to the indigenous communities.
Then I would say the government needs to convene a meeting with our indigenous leaders and discuss what they want and need. Because in the end their needs are what should matter…
I’ll discuss more later. I’m just sitting down with a glass of wine, the hockey is at 8…
Life expectancy rates for men on reserves can be 9 years less than other Canadian men. What factor is associated with good health? WEALTH. Therefore, I respectfully disagree with your post, although it seems your heart is in the right place.
Edit: TRC calls to action - 73, 75.
the church operating that "school" or the government or both.....
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Forensic team arrives in Lytton, B.C.; investigation into deadly wildfire gears up
oh and your premier stated the town fire was separate from the wildfire…suddenly it’s just a wildfire. And 2 people are dead. There is no harm in a proper investigation.
And if it was caused by the railroad then the company should be liable for damage, not the taxpayers…
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
The other negotiations need to focus on settling their non monetary issues from the federal government. And this racist federal government will not do that. Trudeau is a lazy racist fuck who’s afraid of any work…
I have no idea how much each reserve receives in funding…but just like our politicians are corrupt and greedy, you can be assured their are plenty of chiefs and councils with 1st nation reserves are corrupt.
https://apple.news/AGys5p_8aT1GaTRMIsTLFGA
They could do a land acknowledgement as proposed last year, instead. Learning a greeting in a First Nation language gets bonus points!
She has big shoes to fill after the wonderful and great Julie Payette.
Hopefully, the walls have been patched from Payette throwing shit during her temper tantrums...hehehe
It does not matter to me who holds such a useless unelected position ... it's still part of colonialism and needs to go.
Always money for the buildings...
The Catholic Church is a criminal pedophile ring...
so when do you leave yourself? and where do you go?
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
You guys fought a war to gain your independence? We can end colonization with Britain peacefully...but it should be done through a referendum and at the will of the people. That's not too much to ask.
Mexico is where id go...
Read up on Dieppe...operation planned mostly by Britain but sent Canadians off to get slaughtered, of course, our colonist generals agreed...The UK has a history of abandoning its commonwealth countries...
There is a good reason that the Captain Cooke statue is in the ocean now...a good reason Sir John A McDonald statues are being vandalized same with queen Victoria and Elizabeth...Pierre Elliot Trudeau's statues should come down as well...he continued building those schools and was a racist prick toward indigenous people...
I am also a Canadian citizen born here...I do not have to go anywhere. But in no way am I indoctrinated into thinking we need to continue being a British Commonwealth...even Barbados ended its colonial past with Britain.
guess which generation.
oh, and I am mostly liberal leaning. does that make me racist? LOL
Cheers,
HFD