@ Home in East York 2.0

CANADA DAY 2021

Thursday, July 1st

The recent discovery of Indigenous children in unmarked graves associated with residential schools in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and beyond has shaken our country.

 

Tragically these graves was not unexpected for Indigenous communities. The reality of the residential schools and many other injustices impact the Indigenous Peoples daily.

 

Our Canadian history includes families torn apart by racist policies of assimilation, parents who never saw their children grow up, and youngsters who were abused, neglected, and killed in the residential school system.

 

The United Nations Human Development Index consistently ranks Canada as one of the world’s top countries in which to live.  It is reported, however, that when the same criteria are applied to Indigenous peoples in Canada, Canada’s rank drops to sixtieth or below.

 

This year East York Canada Day Committee is replacing previously planned celebratory events associated with July 1st with a call to our community to use the day for thoughtful reflection and a personal examination of what it means to be Canadian.

 

We urge all East Yorkers to spend Canada Day learning more about the history of colonization and the lasting effects it has had on the original peoples of this country, and how each of us can take action to support a path to truth, acknowledgment of that truth and reconciliation for the past and how we move forward following the principles of justice, friendship, and respect for all.

 

Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date.