Virtual online event held to honour Residential School victims and survivors

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is no doubt that Canada Day, July 1^st, 2021 will be forever etched in the minds and memories of Canadians as a time of reflection, introspection and reconciliation.

Thousands marched in Toronto wearing orange and black in an Every Child Matter Walk. The march started at Toronto Council Fire on Dundas Street and ended at  Nathan Phillips Square. In addition, there were marches held across other cities in Canada and worldwide to draw attention to show support for residential school survivors. It was about the discoveries of the remains of over 1,000 victims of residential schools in Canada; 251 in Kamloops, British Columbia,751 in Saskatchewan and 182 again in British Columbia.

Elyssa Rose, co-organizer of the Turtle Island Healing Walk in London, Ontario where 10,000 people showed up shared with the media, “It’s beautiful. It shows we’re supported. The goal is for people to learn hope, healing, love, kindness and unity.. And a better understanding of how we can move forward in Canada.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in his Canada Day message, “While we can’t change the past, we must be resolute in confronting these truths in order to chart a new and better path forward. Together, we have a long way to go to make things right with Indigenous peoples.”

On June 30^th, 2021, Yahoo Canada changed its logo according to its Canadian editors “To mark Canada’s birth with an acknowledgment that celebrating our nation must hand-in-hand with listening, learning and healing from its difficult history of inequities and abuse, most notably against Indigenous Peoples. With knowledge and acceptance of all people, we will create a more inclusive and enlightened future.”

The  Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity and Workplace Equity(CCIDWE) held a virtual online event titled, “A Canada Day Reflection on Truth and Reconciliation” between  3 p.m. – 4. pm. Alex Ihama, Executive Director of CCIDWE who is also a member of the Indigenous Lives Matter movement, hosted it.

There was a lively and engaging conversation conducted between Haudenosaunee educator Kelly Fran Davis at the CCIDWE and  Davis, Director of Indigenous Education and Enlightenment settler academic Dr. Stephen Svenson of Wilfred Laurier University. They stated clearly that this is a crucial time for deep reflections on the painful legacy of  Canada’s genocidal past in order to ensure that the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)  are totally and fully implemented.

Sol Mamakwa, a member of the Kingfisher First Nation and an Indigenous New Democratic Party Member of Provincial Parliament for Kilwetinoong state that it is important to take time to reflect and not cancel Canada Day. He believes that it is important to stand with Indigenous people as allies. He stated that it would be a great idea to have a Canada Day report card to evaluate how Canada is doing with respect to the implementation of the TRC’s recommendations

There were discussions with respect to the fact that many Indigenous communities do not have access to clean drinking water, although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had promised a few years ago. Jay Nair notes that it is important to get the labour movement on board as an ally to support Indigenous people.

Parents of Black Children released a statement, which reads, “We take time today to reflect on the disturbing and disgusting legacy of colonialism. All of us at  PoBC stand in solidarity with our Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, Metis brothers, and sisters. We call on everyone to listen to what Indigenous communities have been saying for generations and to take the time to reflect on what it costs to occupy the land on which we stand. This must be the time to ACT.”