By Bryan Eneas

Canada 150: An Indigenous perspective

Jun 30, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Canada 150 is a divisive topic in the Indigenous community across this country; some will celebrate, some will protest, and some will educate.

Three Indigenous women from the Treaty 6 territory say they will use the anniversary to educate people about the history of the original peoples of this land, and why marking 150 years of colonialism isn’t a reason to celebrate.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Kimberly Johnathan said the historical truths of Indigenous people need to be acknowledged during Canada 150.

“A lot of first peoples understand our history very well – we live it every day,” Johnathan said. “It’s challenging when we’re trying to heal as individuals, families, communities… when there’s not that understanding from the rest of society.”

The vice chief said she’s heard remarks like “get over it,” from others when it comes to raising these topics. She asks people to remember Indigenous peoples didn’t place themselves on reserves, or in systems of dependancy; rather the systems were imposed upon Indigenous people.

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She acknowledged many will celebrate Canada 150 and she doesn’t want to disrespect, or take away from others who may have benefitted by being a Canadian citizen.

“We’re happy for them,” she said. “We also have realities we can’t sweep under the rug, we have realities that we have to look right in the face and be honest with each other.”

Prince Albert’s 2016 citizen of the year Sheryl Kimbley also said she can understand why those who want to will celebrate and she respects their decision.

“I have a lot of people in my life that are coming out and saying ‘yes, let’s educate and let’s share,’ and this is our chance to do that,” she said. “For those that are angry, I honour them, because there’s pain out there.”

Kimbley mentioned the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women, but also brought up the treatment of Indigenous veterans in Canada.

“They tell me it was not so long that they fought for their country, and were told that they weren’t wanted even,” Kimbley said. “They were turned away from places of businesses when they came into restaurants and things like that, in this country.”

She called the 150th anniversary of Canada Day an opportunity for education.

“Now is the time to do it,” she said. “Let’s show all of our strengths and say ‘Canada 150, we’re still here, we were here before, and we’re going to be here a long, long time,’ we’ve got so much to contribute.”

Author and co-founder of Idle No More Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum will not be celebrating Canada Day. Instead, she’s hosting a prayer walk on her family’s traditional lands, which is open for anyone to attend.

She said one of the pillars of Idle No More revolves around the education of non-Indigenous people about the historical struggles and traumas Indigenous people have faced.

“We reached out to the public, and part of that reaching out was educating people,” she said. “We recognized the burden shouldn’t be on [Indigenous people] to do all of the educating; the non-Indigenous people need to step in.”

She said it’s been a slow process, but there are allies in the non-Indigenous community who are working toward change.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @BryanEneas