It’s been another historic year for Canada, especially with the ascension of a new King.
This has created an opportunity to question the role of the Crown in Canada’s future as this country’s democracy continues to grow and evolve. Everyone should question the role of the British Monarchy and whether it has a place in the future of this country.
These topics seem to have struck a chord, judging by heated reactions in response to changes to Canadian currency and passports. I’m happy to see this debate, which has people talking about important questions of Canadian histories, cultures, and values.
I’m also happy to see greater awareness of, and interest in, the history of Indigenous peoples. Recent years have seen increasing inclusion of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples in the symbolism of this country. There are many histories of Canada – and the Indigenous ones have been suppressed by racist government laws and practices. Some of those prohibitions and practices have ended, and there is greater room for Indigenous pride in our history as well as hope for our future.
I think about the change since my mother’s experience of residential and day school and the shame she was made to feel as a First Nation woman.
I was the first in my family to solely attend public school. I graduated from Delta Secondary with my heritage largely invisible. Today, my daughters don’t have to hide their heritage; they are proud of it. There are no more prohibitions preventing them from practicing our culture. It must not remain hidden. My daughters won’t be beaten for speaking our language or for being proud of their heritage.
Today I am proud to see our cultural resurgence – welcomed by my daughters and by most of the youth of my community. They are embracing our language and cultural practices with an appetite I’ve never previously witnessed or even imagined. I celebrate this.
On this Indigenous Day, I also celebrate being a scəw̓áθən słéni (a Tsawwassen First Nation woman) with the right to uphold our identity and our way of being as scəw̓áθən məstéyəxʷ (Tsawwassen people).
Our cultural resurgence is in its early stages. While much work lies ahead to reverse the impacts of colonization, on June 21, I will pause to enjoy and celebrate the survival of our culture, and the survival of all Indigenous cultures across Canada.
I hope you will too, and I hope that as Canada’s identity evolves it embodies respect and inclusion for all.
