Today is Canada day. There are still Covid restrictions in place and large gatherings and celebrations will not take place. This is a perfect opportunity to pause jubilations and reflect on some of the cost and pain that built this country.
More specifically, this Canada Day we need to reflect on the fate of First Nations children who went through residential schools. Thousands did not survive. Those who did, suffer to this day along with their families.
About 150,000 children were placed in institutions run by the government and churches. Abused and neglected, many died scared and alone. Most lost in unmarked graves that are only now being identified. If you are not familiar with this history, you can read about it here.
The goal was assimilation; take the “Indian” out of them.
Some countries dedicate a memorial day adjacent to their independence day celebrations; there is always something to mourn and reflect on and regret. Why not do the same here?
We choose to reflect this Canada Day.
We visited a nearby park where a large Huron-Wendat village used to be. One of many large Huron-Wendat villages in Ontario. I know many of their descendants, but how many others never had the chance to grow old?
The signs are in English
and the Iroquoian language, Wyandot .
There is a subdivision here now with immigrants from many countries. They retain their cultures and languages. The descendants of Indigenous First Nations were not as fortunate.
At the bottom of the signs are items place in memoriam.
The shoes are for the children that never came back from school.
The local museum has a display about the site and we’ll make sure to visit and post about it soon.
What a beautiful post! I have to admit I’ve only recently started learning about this facet of Canadian history. I’m going to go back later today and read about it from your link. Thanks for highlighting this sad part of history. “Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it.”
It’s a sad and shameful history and not exclusive to Canada. Here is a link to the American ones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_boarding_schools
Happy Canada Day! I like the reflective tone of your post and look forward to the museum post.
Thank you!
Looks like a lovely park to go and reflect 🙂
It is.
A good remembrance on why we have what we have as Canadians. It is long past time to stop the persecution of those different from us. Different does not mean better or worse, it just means different. Why is it that all colonizers seek to put their stamp on history, rather than telling the whole story, warts and all. A somber Happy Canada Day indeed. Hopefully, the required apologies, contriteness and assistance will be forthcoming from all parties to begin the healing process. Stay well. Allan
Indeed! Hopefully we can all move forward with respect and compassion!
It is indeed a very sad commentary on our history, I have also chosen to reflect on this Canada Day. I just don’t have the heart to celebrate when so many are mourning.
I’m with you!
I find myself mourning all the lives lost and the lives that continue to be adversely impacted by systemic policies and regulations. But, I have hope that as more people become aware of the tremendous cost paid by indigenous peoples that change can and will happen. At least that is my hope.
I hope so too!
<3 as sad as the discovery of all those graves has been it may be the catalyst we need to make changes Perhaps starting with writing our MPs and MHAs
Happy Canada Day. We all need a little reflection time now and again. Enjoy that beautiful park.
Thanks, Linda!
What a beautiful blog you have. I’ve read a few of your posts this afternoon. Thank you for all the info on Huron. I’ll be planning a trip soon.
Thank you so much! I hope the info on Lake Huron will be useful and that you will have a wonderful trip! We love it there. I am heading over to your blog to cheque it out 🙂
Thanks so much. Yes, your posts have given me some great places I now have on my list. Thank you! Very helpful.
Fantastic!
Wonderful reflection. I am surprised how little most people know. I read many accounts over the years, but common knowledge it is not.
I remember vividly the day that I found out about it in 1997. I was shocked that it wasn’t common knowledge at the time, but as time passed I was even more shocked to see that it always remained in the background.
Yes it has been in the background for a long time. Going forward will be interesting.
We have to own our past. I say this as a proud American. As such I do not want to run from my nation’s history. Nor do I want to perpetuate a whitewashed version of it. But neither do I ignore my country’s greatness and its contribution to great things. Where there can be atonement, there should be, or at the very least, the willingness to try.
Absolutely! Even Germany was able to own it’s past and live with this great shame. We can do this too.
We don’t have a national day as such, but if we did I’d hope it would be an occasion to remember those who have been badly treated by our country – the list is long! A beautiful post.
I agree! Almost every country or nation has a dark past. It just needs to be owned and acknowledged!
Something which we’re not good at, especially with our current government, who don’t understand the concepts of recognising when we’ve done wrong, apologising, and attempting to make suitable recompense.
Hopefully this will change!
Happy Canada Day!
Thank you!
Sad. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Happy Canada Day from your American neighbor! Looks like it was a wonderful day for you! 🙂
Thank you
Happy Canada Day!
Thank you
Here in Australia we have the same or similar problem. But this week we celebrate NAIDOC week. You may find this interesting. https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/history
Both countries have a British legacy…Australia is a bit ahead of the pack when it comes to consultation and recognition. When I was still working as an archaeologist in cultural heritage management, I used a lot of the groundwork that was done in Australia years before. I like that the day of mourning was held right before Australia Day. I wonder why they changed it.
Such a sad history; it’s happened in other places as well. The shoes are a moving monument to those children. Appropriate to tone down the celebrations this year.
Indeed. Those shoe monuments are very touching and you can find them now all across the country. Very powerful!
What a thoughtful way to spend Canada Day. It’s sad that we have such a dark history, but good to be mindful of what has happened in the past instead of shrugging it of and attributing it to the old way of thinking.
I agree! The good, the bad, and the ugly are all part of our history and it should be acknowledged as such.
I can definitely see why this would be a sobering place to visit. The good, bad and ugly are all a part of our history and should be acknowledged as such. Thanks for sharing.
Great post Margie. We spent our Canada Day in quiet reflection here in Port Dover, a town very proud of their longing running Canada Day parades which began in 1867. Very few seem to understand the significance of losing their culture and just want the old ways to continue. Understanding that “History” is written by the victors can be difficult.
Thanks, George. I hear what you’re saying about small town mentality. There is no reason why they can’t do both celebrate and reflect, but as you say, many prefer to look away and keep things as they always were. I sometimes wish that I had a magic flashlight that when you shine on someone, it will light up the dark corners where they hide all of the things that they don’t want to face…
We were not able to celebrate Canada Day here in NS..but we did it on our own.
The best way!
Hi Tony and Margie, This Canada Day was subdued for good reason. Like you say, a time to reflect on some of the cost and pain that built this country. As Pete indicates in his comment “Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it.” I look forward to reading information about your local museum.
Indeed! And thanks for reminding me about the museum!
That seemed like an appropriate way to spend Canada day. I am sorry to hear about the fate of First Nations children…
Yes. Very tragic!
Such a sad story, one we all need to know. Thank you for posting about it!
It really is and we really do! Thanks for stopping by!