I wish everyone a Happy Canada Day. It's been different this year with covid 19 keeping us tied down.
I'm happy with my country. We have many different people here and for the most part they are very well accepted and can join in our celebrations and daily life. We work hard and have many resources to use to our advantage.
At one time this was called Dominion Day. That came from a time when we were still a colony and part colony. In other words we belonged to another country. They took advantage of us and used our resources . They didn't pay very much for the resources. In 1867 we were classified as an independent country but not quite. Our High court was still in England. Foreign affairs were controlled by the mother country.
Colonialism was an awful thing. Many of the world's problems are a result of colonialism,. European countries stole the resources or else got them very cheaply. When the colonizers left they left many problems. Problems in Africa and the Middle East result from colonial rulers leaving and leaving different borders than the aboriginals had. The African people have been fighting ever since.
Here in Canada, the land was taken from the aboriginals. Trinkets were given or the aboriginals were treated badly in many ways that the colonizers hoped the aboriginals would die .
I find it difficult to celebrate when our history is full of misdeeds. We are trying to make amends but I don't think it will ever happen. We are still offering beads for a solution.
In many places aboriginals are dressed in their regallia to celebrate Canada Day. I feel badly that the land was taken and now the aboriginals join in the celebration.
So my apologies for raining on your party but I feel we have to acknowledge some serious issues with our history.
Happy Canada Day Red to you and your loved ones. Thank you for the history lesson. I knew some but not all of it. I do understand your mixed feelings when it comes to the aboriginals. It is the same here in the US with the American Indians. We treated them very badly. None of us can change our history but lets hope we can improve our present and future.
ReplyDeleteYes, you suggest a good way forward. In case you didn't know, my daughter is an American
DeleteI agree about our treatment of the first people of this land.
ReplyDeleteI also want to celebrate this country as imperfect as it is. I am happy to live here and want to help make it better.
That's way things will get better.
DeleteSorry I am late, Happy Canada Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe colonism was not a good idea I agree, it didn't bring the original people much prospect...
ReplyDeleteAboriginals all over the world we less better off. Now I'm curious about aboriginals who lived in Holland long before there was a Holland.
DeleteOur ancestors did some frightful things out of ignorance and greed. We try to do better. It's a process.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long and tortuous process.
DeleteI hear you, Red. With so much racism around, it just causes pause for thought.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Red. It's important to remember Native people who had their lands taken away from them. I wish they did the same here in the US.
ReplyDeleteJust when I think things will get better , they slip back again.
DeleteWe walk past a house everyday here that has a big cardboard sign in the window that says: We Are On Stolen Land. It's an underlying truth of the modern world.
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day!
Here , many speakers and writers will acknowledge whose land they are on. Kinda neat!
DeleteWell put, Red. I think in many places Canada Day is just a day off work and an excuse for partying and over-eating; it's not about being patriotic or thankful for the bounty of the land. The history of most "modern" countries is shameful for the violence and unfairness visited on original inhabitants. We can't change the past, but we can try harder to make amends and move forward as better people.
ReplyDeleteYou have the right idea. we just have to find more people to buy into it.
DeleteNative people were taken advantage of just like others today. Racism shouldn't be allowed but we have it everywhere. We got to make the world a better place for future generations so they will have a better life.
ReplyDeleteI read the Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd. It certainly enlightened me when it comes to land being taken from people.
DeleteI don't see how we can entirely make up for what's been done in the past, but at least we're continuing to have conversations about doing right by people. And gradually, painstakingly, making changes.
ReplyDeletethe past is done but we can make things much better now.
DeleteOh yes! It’s the same over here and the Hawaiian people continue to fight for their culture ever since. At one time the Hawaiian language was banned from schools and government. And on the mainland... well... you know... it was horrible for Native Americans. It’s good of you to acknowledge this sad history while celebrating Canada for the country it is trying to be. We are trying hard in the U.S. and it’s NOT easy with this administration.
ReplyDeleteNot very many politicians are willing or able to deal with this situation.
DeleteSerious issues make it tough for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThere are many Divisions . We have to get rid of divisions.
DeleteWell, on Saturday, our Independence Day, I will celebrate having family with me, but I don't feel much like celebrating our country right now. While I have always felt blessed to be an American, I can't say I am a proud American. With the same kind of mistreatment of our native peoples plus the legacy of slavery, and the added deplorable current president and administration, I can do without the parades and flag waving this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm fortunate to live in my country because we have things very good.
DeleteRed, you have said things which I have said privately for years but which I've never had the guts to say publicly. Not just in relation to Canada but in relation very much to Africa as well. Britain is as wealthy as it is because it exploited others. Every empire is the same.
ReplyDeleteAnd we still have so much work to do to make up for it.
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) Canada Day! We live in a beautiful country but there is still so much work to do. I hope the upcoming generations continue to pave the road.
ReplyDeletei am so happy to know you dear Red
ReplyDeletei respect you as humanist a lot!!!!!!!!!
i think there are few in millions like you who think similarly
you have a beautiful blessed heart and i read in holy book in such heart God lives !
i share your grief you have for aboriginals
recently when in Netflix show Anne with E i saw such cruelty against aboriginals family your words from one of your previous post suddenly came in my mind ,it is sad that people treat others the way they never will like to be treated ,while playing game of power they forget that there is most powerful who make us face what we think have left behind sooner or later
happy independence day :) stay blessed and positive