Canada Day is not a time to celebrate, but hopefully to reflect

This year, health professionals called for restrictions on Canada Day celebrations, including in many cases, the outright cancellation of events for the safety of people during COVID-19. In response, it is likely we will see a Canada Day that looks much different than it has in years past.

Perhaps less fireworks, parades, or neighbourhoods painted red and white. And while COVID-19 is one legitimate and pressing reason we shouldn't be gathering in mass numbers to celebrate on July 1, this year especially, there are so many more.

Over time the media has covered more and more activism and advocacy from Indigenous people, especially post-Canada 150, calling for the condemnation and cancellation of Canada Day. Canadians have often not taken very enthusiastically to these calls.

Whether it is a genuine love for Canada, the parties that take place, or simply gratitude for a day off work, Canada Day is a day to look forward to for so many people living here. But for many Indigenous people, including myself, Canada Day is not a time to reflect on our pride for this country, but rather how much it has and continues to take from us.

When I see people waving their flags and celebrating with their families, I can't help but wonder how deeply they've thought about this celebration.

Just last year, the Final Report of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry concluded that there is an ongoing genocide taking place in Canada; as of tomorrow's celebration only nine out of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have been implemented; COVID-19 has illuminated how Canada's neglect of poor, racialized, isolated, and institutionalized communities has left them especially vulnerable during this pandemic; and we are currently seeing one of the biggest civil rights movements of our time putting a spotlight on the systemic racism and violence against Black and brown bodies in the United States, and in Canada, too. I fail to see a country to be proud of. I fail to see how we can justify a celebration.

I'm hoping that the state of the world, and the extra time many of us have this year, will allow more Canadians to reflect on why they look forward to Canada Day. It may be perceived fairness, progressiveness, and a kind reputation - but considering all the reasons above, and others, aren't these reasons are more aspirations then they are realities? Is any reason worthy of more emphasis than those reasons of injustice Indigenous communities, allies, and other marginalized groups have put forward?

On Canada Day I promise to wake up, call other Indigenous people in my life and check in. The day is always a taxing, and often harmful, one. I will reflect on the 153 years my communities have resisted and survived in spite of genocide and injustice, and I will talk about the future we need and must fight to see - a future in which holidays aren't celebrating a day which only exists at the costs of others lives. I hope Canada can do some reflecting and fighting too.

Riley Yesno is an Anishinaabe writer, public speaker and student at the University of Toronto.