Why National Indigenous Day is important for all Canadians

It’s time for Canadians to let go of the lines that residential schools were run by 'the federal government,' or 'it was the Catholic Church.' Absolutely, they certainly committed some serious horrors. But consider this: the truth is that 215 children were buried in secret unmarked graves by Canadians. They were somebody’s relatives, grandmothers, uncles, and ancestors. No Canadian is free of history.

An Indigenous woman, pictured at a drumming circle on June 3, 2021, on Parliament Hill honouring the 215 Indigenous children whose remains were discovered last month at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. National Indigenous Day on June 21 is not just for Indigenous peoples. It is a day for Canadians to pause and consider the experience of Indigenous peoples in Canada, both the good and the bad, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

June 14, 2021

OTTAWA—June 21 is National Indigenous Day, the summer solstice. Many Indigenous organizations and businesses will close. Some Indigenous people will pay more attention to this day than to Canada Day. And it’s not just for Indigenous peoples. It is a day for Canadians to pause and consider the ex...

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