Canada Day 2021: Reflection, Land Rights, and Restitution
Reflection, remembrance and mourning are important. So too is restitution. And the best way to do that, is to respect indigenous rights, including land rights. Returning significant portions of land to indigenous peoples is both a moral obligation, and a necessity for healing and true reconciliation. It also makes good sense ecologically. Placing all national/federal park land – in Canada, the US and elsewhere, where it clearly applies – and all provincial/state/territory park land, under indigenous management for cultural use and wilderness protection, would be a major positive move. I would say it is both ecologically wise and morally imperative to do so – and now. Much more needs to be done, but this would be a good start.
Canada has much to celebrate; and this year in particular, also much to mourn. Let this Canada Day mark reflection; and also, the beginnings of real, tangible, meaningful restitution for severe wrongs done.
JTR,
June 30, 2021
A start:
Writings of J. Todd Ring 
July 1, 2021 at 4:37 pm
Can we combine a celebration of the good with reflection and mourning? We can, and I think we should. It used to be that funerals were very sombre, and everyone was sombre, grieving, or expressing sympathy and condolences. But in Canada, there has been a shift towards a celebration of life. Grieving, mourning, sympathy and condolences are still present and expressed, but so too is a celebration of the person’s life expressed. Both sets of emotions are acceptable and respected and shared: the celebration of the good things, and the mourning and reflection along side it. I think we should honour both aspects. We cannot, however, try to sweep the dark side under the carpet. That has been done for far too long.
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July 1, 2021 at 4:54 pm
Further reading:
Custer Died For Your Sins, and, God Is Red – Vine Deloria Jr.
Stolen Continents – Ronald Wright
Elders’ Wisdom – David Suzuki
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July 2, 2021 at 9:13 pm
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