London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

‘Ongoing colonialism’: Indigenous groups call to ‘Cancel Canada Day’ in light of mass grave discoveries, but not everyone agrees

‘Ongoing colonialism’: Indigenous groups call to ‘Cancel Canada Day’ in light of mass grave discoveries, but not everyone agrees

Ahead of Canada’s annual celebration of nationhood on July 1, calls by indigenous groups for a day of reflection instead – after the recent discovery of the graves of nearly 1,000 indigenous children – have drawn mixed reactions.

Intense debate has erupted in recent days over ‘Cancel Canada Day’ campaigns, with several Canadians claiming that hosting fireworks displays and parties would be tone-deaf at a time when the reality of mass graves and the impact of the infamous residential school system has just begun to set in.

A number of demonstrations and vigils are being organized under the viral hashtag #CancelCanadaDay in solidarity with First Nations communities in provinces across Canada, including British Columbia where the remains of what is believed to be 215 children were found at a former school site last month.

Following a month-long outpouring of grief and anger over that discovery, last week’s revelation of an estimated 751 unmarked graves at another old school site in the province of Saskatchewan added to the national gloom.

“We will not celebrate stolen indigenous land and stolen indigenous lives. Instead, we will gather to honor all of the lives lost to the Canadian state,” said indigenous rights group Idle No More, under whose banner more than 15 rallies will take place nationally.

The group said the discovery of the graves is a reminder that Canada is a country “that has built its foundation on the erasure and genocide of indigenous nations, including children” and urged those who want to “challenge and disrupt Canada’s ongoing colonialism” to disrupt the celebration.

At least 150,000 indigenous children are believed to have been forcibly removed from their families to attend the schools, which operated into the 1990s. They were given new names, forcibly converted to Christianity, and even forbidden from speaking their native languages.

Idle No More co-founder Sheelah McLean said some 50 cities and towns across Canada had decided to cancel planned Canada Day events “out of respect for the grief indigenous peoples are going through.” She also said every other city and town “should follow suit.”

However, some social media users expressed skepticism about the level of commitment from the cities ‘canceling Canada Day,’ with one person suggesting that some might be using it as an “excuse for an event they intended to cancel due to Covid anyway.”


In a speech last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested using the holidays for “reconciliation, on our relationship with indigenous peoples... [and] on our past.” He added that could be done while respecting those “for whom it’s not yet a day of celebration.”

On Wednesday, Trudeau said the flag at Canada’s parliament would be flown at half-mast to honor the lives lost and “reflect on the tragedy of residential schools.” Several Canadians accused him of “virtue signaling” while ignoring the actual needs of indigenous communities.


On the other hand, one tweeter said Trudeau was “causing a rift between Canadians” and said the country was “under attack by a woke government.”

Leader of the opposition Conservative Party Erin O’Toole said that injustices of the past were being “seized upon by a small group of activist voices” who were using it to “attack the very idea of Canada itself.”

Many reacting to his comments accused O’Toole of having a “cultish” sense of patriotism and criticized him for whipping sections of his voter base into a frenzy by “fanning the flames” of their “racism and intolerance.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×