Like many Indigenous people, I have struggled with Canada Day in recent years. I struggled with the acceptance of what my ancestors faced and with the knowledge that I was leading a life led by the intergenerational trauma that was passed onto me. I often expressed these emotions in very strong ways. What most call Canada, we as Indigenous people call Turtle Island.
When asked recently what my issue with the Canadian flag was, I struggled with my answer. My immediate reaction was to revert to my usual brand of sarcasm and mention “colonialism.” But, I decided to look a little deeper instead.
I wound up “Googling” the meaning of the Canadian flag and fell down a rabbit hole regarding the history of our current flag.
I learned that the current flag was designed by a Canadian historian named George Stanley and was adopted in 1965. I learned that, in a memorandum, Stanley had warned that any new flag “must avoid the use of national or racial symbols that are of a divisive nature.”
At the flags inauguration ceremony, Governor General Georges Vanier stated that this flag “will symbolize to each of us—and to the world—the unity of purpose and high resolve to which destiny beckons us”
Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, said at that time; “The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief, or opinion.”
I was in complete and utter shock when I read this and so much more about a flag I had felt very strongly about. I realized that I truly knew nothing about this flag.
In recent years, we have seen many flags being flown.
The Every Child Matters flag to remind us all that all children are important, including the ones left behind and the survivors who are still healing from the trauma of Residential Schools and Indian Day Schools.
The various Pride flags to represent love for the diversity in gender, identity and sexuality.
The Ukrainian flag to show support and solidarity for the Ukraine and many others, more often than not, to show unity in one form or another.
It never occurred to me that the Canadian flag could represent the same unity I see in awareness flags.
The Canadian flag is intended to represent hope, prosperity, peace, tranquility and neutrality.
Those are all things I teach my own children. Those are things I, myself am still learning. Those are things I choose to focus on today.
Today, I hope everyone here is reminded of that one thing in their life that gives you hope and helps you feel grounded.
I hope everyone remembers the many ways that help you live a prosperous life and do so with humility also in mind.
I hope you find peace with the things in your life that bring you difficulty and pain.
I hope you find tranquility in the simple things in this life.
Above all else, I hope everyone here, no matter your race, gender, identity, orientation, beliefs, political views or opinions, treats others with the same level of respect you yourself deserve.
I haven’t celebrated Canada Day for over a decade. This year, I have found meaning in celebrating the land, the people and the importance of unity that I am convinced we all truly want. Truth and Reconciliation is a two way street. The purpose behind this concept is listening, learning, healing and growth. All with unity in mind. Reconciliation starts with an act. Today, my act towards Reconciliation is listening and learning what Canada Day means to the community outside of the Indigenous community I try to surround myself with. I feel most comfortable around my people but today, I’m stepping outside of that comfort zone.
Canada Day can have different meaning for different people and that’s okay. The way we express ourselves and our opinions will always matter. The way we fight for our beliefs and our rights will always matter. We each have the right to do those things so long as we are mindful of the rights of others that all of our ancestors fought for, many who paid the ultimate price.
I think today is a good day to remember them and the unity I believe they had in mind and that I believe played a role in where we are today and where we can be in the future, whatever that may be.
I hope all of you have a wonderful day, however you choose to celebrate or acknowledge this day.