As a diversity and inclusion consultant and Indigenous person based in Abbotsford, B.C. I?ve been asked a lot about what Canadians should be doing about Canada Day this year. I?ve spent the last 19 years of my career working with issues relating to and alongside Indian Residential Schools survivors. A holiday celebrating colonization is difficult most years, but this year is particularly tough in light of the hundreds of children that have been found buried at residential schools. It is a time of great mourning for the Indigenous community and Canada Day celebrations in many cities, in the absence of time to arrange something more suitable under the circumstances, have been cancelled. Navigating conversations around Canada Day with our kids, both non-Indigenous and Indigenous can be a challenge. Here are my thoughts on how to handle these discussions. Start the conversation
Kids may not understand why their friends and families are not celebrating Canada Day this year the way they normally do. They also may be becoming aware that not everyone celebrates Canada Day to begin with. They might have heard people talking about cancelling Canada Day celebrations this year and feel sad and disappointed.
Start with explaining the feelings that are happening for Indigenous people and allies: sadness, grief, loss, and anger. Help them put themselves in their friends? shoes by asking them how they might feel about celebrating a day that represents colonization and a celebration of a co...