A New Take On Canada Day

With today being Canada Day, it's notably felt different as I've become older, learned about our true unsanitized history and especially since thousands of Indigenous children were unearthed, buried in residential school graves- three words that should have never been strung together. A stain on our country for a cultural genocide, a generation stolen and generations following forever changed.

Nostalgic memories come to mind of glow sticks, fireworks and the maple leaf. I certainly can understand why people celebrate. However; having Indigenous family and friends, and just a general awareness, this holiday no longer brings celebration to the forefront of my mind but rather a need to reflect.

As a descendent of colonizers I have to acknowledge that the benefits I reap today came at the cost of Indigenous people today and before my time. Many people like myself can't "go back where we came from." I'd have to be dismembered send my legs to Ireland, big toe to Norway, pinky finger to Estonia, head to France, arms to Russia and Mexico lol! It's a gory depiction, but it shows that it's true that while Canada is my only home, it came at a steep price to others.

After wrestling with this holiday in recent years, I've landed on an attitude of reflection and gratitude. I am thankful to call this beautiful country home BUT I will always remember at what cost. Jully Black put it best when she put her spin on the national anthem, “Oh Canada. Our home on native land.” I can't go back generations in time and change the trajectory of history, but what I can do is stand for equality today.

Sending love to all those who call Turtle Island home- regardless of how you came here.

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