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“It’s cancelling the outdated notions of these societal norms that have been placed on our state.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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.