07/01/2026
Was just sharing these same sentiments with my brother, as he heads into the 150th celebration of Colorado and 250th celebration of the US. All of these celebrations are needing to be balanced with the impact those years have had on our first peoples... I will take some time overlooking Semiahmoo Bay to contemplate these words below... I invite you to do the same, in whatever way you will be spending July 1st.
What does July 1st look like for you this year?
In the lead up to this year’s Canada Day, it’s been heartwarming to see Canadians come together during the FIFA World Cup to cheer on our national team with the world watching. There is something to be said about how sports can bring people together, across the political spectrum, especially in a time when division and polarization seem to be at its peak. Unity and a shared sense of identity is what Canada Day is meant to celebrate.
At the same time, we can’t forget how Canada came to be. It’s hard to centre a celebration around something that originated from stolen land and genocide. This isn’t something that can be left in the past to remain in our history books. Indigenous people across the country are still experiencing the harmful impacts of colonization and systemic racism today. There is still so much work that needs to be done when it comes to reconciliation.
Whether you celebrate Canada Day or not, we invite you to reflect on the truth of Canada’s history and commit to reconciliation in any of the following ways:
-learning about the Indigenous people of the land that you live, work and play on
-participating in Indigenous-led community events and cultural expressions
-donating to Indigenous charities that support healing
-supporting Indigenous-owned businesses in your area
-calling on all levels of government to implement the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
