Cancel Canada Day: 'Stolen Indigenous Lives Are Not Things to Celebrate'

Canadians have celebrated their country's confederation on July 1, 1867 since 1868, but this year, planned celebrations of the holiday have led to cancellations and protests due to the discovery of hundreds of Indigenous children's remains in unmarked graves at three former residential schools.

"As National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and to help mark Canada Day 2021, I encourage all Canadians to learn about our shared history and the many contributions First Nations people have made and are making every day," AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde said in a video message posted on Twitter. "I urge everyone to reflect on the darkness of the past, and commit to doing better as a country."

At least 70 cities, towns, and villages across 10 Canadian provinces and territories have canceled, postponed, altered, or scaled back their Canada Day events in response to the discoveries, according to the municipalities and reporting from CBC News, CTV News, and other Canadian media outlets. The municipalities include Victoria,

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/cancel-canada-day-stolen-indigenous-lives-are-not-things-to-celebrate