Growing calls to cancel Canada Day following discovery of mass grave at former B.C. residential school
Jack Saddleback, a Cree two-spirit transgender gay man, says he has lived in a society that tells him he isn’t supposed to exist.
As July 1 approaches, Saddleback is calling for a Canada that loves and accepts everyone.
“I want to cancel that aspect that says we are not supposed to be here as people, when in actuality, we are,” he told CTV News.
“It’s cancelling the outdated notions of these societal norms that have been placed on our state. Let us cancel that and move into a space that is intersectional, that looks at all aspects of people, that is accessible to all different backgrounds, different socioeconomic backgrounds, different abilities.”
That’s part of the reason why Saddleback and his husband decided to get married on the 150th anniversary of Canada.
Courtesy Jack Saddleback
Jack Saddleback, right, is calling for a Canada that loves and accepts everyone. (Submitted photo)
“We wanted to change that narrative. When I was younger, and not being able to think about getting married, to not thinking I’d have rights as a trans person to now being in spaces pushing for these rights,” he said.
Saddleback is among the voices calling to cancel Canada Day celebrations this year.
Similar calls have been made in years past. Last year, a demonstration was held on July 1 in Saskatoon where people voiced their concerns with celebrating Canada’s history.
Those calls growing stronger this year following the discovery of 215 children’s remains on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
RALLIES PLANNED
The hashtag #CancelCanadaDay has gained traction on social media in recent days.
Indigenous protest movement Idle No More has also planned several rallies for July 1 in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, parts of Ontario and other cities.
According to its website, the rallies will focus on honouring the lives lost to the Canadian state, including Indigenous lives, Black lives, migrant lives as well as women, trans and two-spirit lives.
“The recent discovery at Kamloops residential school has reminded us that Canada remains a country that has built its foundation on the erasure and genocide of Indigenous nations, including children. We refuse to sit idle while Canada’s violent history is celebrated,” the Idle No More website said.
Priscilla Settee, an Indigenous Studies professor at the University of Saskatchewan, said she understands why some people don’t want to celebrate the the greatness of a country when there is still so much that needs to be rectified.
“I applaud the groups that take the time and energy and daringness to really show that there are other ways and other explanations, and are not pretending that life is just the same today as it was yesterday or the day before,” she said.
“There are many things that need to be corrected ... people aren’t happy just to sit back and leave things as they are, but we need to educate and deal with those issues.”
Settee said the main thing she would like to see heading into July 1 is for the average Canadian to educate themselves and understand why there is so much inequality and racism.
“The proof lies in the realities and we have a long way to go here in Saskatchewan. We have extreme racism against our people and against other cultures of colour. And that should concern everyone, it should concern every person who possesses institutional power.”
'BE ALL THAT YOU ARE'
Saddleback agrees, saying reconciliation cannot happen without truth.
“When I look at residential schools and what has happened, this is in my own family, this is in my own siblings, this is even within my own story of going to day school. These things are not history. They are living embodiments that are here in today’s society.”
For Saddleback, this July 1 marks four years of marriage — a day he will proudly celebrate.
“To reiterate that we are stepping forward with Indigenous love, with queer love, with trans love, and simply with the love for everyone around us that you can be all that you are and not have to hide any sort of aspect on these lands.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.