Tag Archives: Indigenous Peoples

On Canada Day, why I love Canada

July 1 is Canada Day – every year.  It’s the birthday of Confederation, the date in 1867 on which Canada ceased to be a British colony and become a country in its own right.  On July 1, 1867 this new … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Life stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Lessons from a “gift economy”

Braiding Sweetgrass, an engaging book by botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer that marries the science of plants and nature with Indigenous teachings, gives its readers insight into two polar-opposite ways of viewing the world in which we live. Beautifully and compellingly … Continue reading

Posted in Odds and Ends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Orange Shirt Day has a new name

Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 as a day for all Canadians to reflect on Canada’s long and painful history of the Residential School System, of forcibly removing Indigenous children from their homes and taking them to Residential Schools far … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

A different kind of Canada Day

As I’ve expressed on previous Canada Days, Canada is my country by choice, and I feel privileged and proud to be able to celebrate it every year.  But, as I’ve been posting during this month now past of Indigenous History … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

June 2021: non-Indigenous Canadians now understand only too well why we need National Indigenous History Month

This has not been a happy time in Canada.  We have been confronted with the Truth, or maybe one could say we’ve been hit over the head with a sledgehammer called the Truth.  The Truth of the cruel, inhumane, criminal … Continue reading

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Indigenous Peoples Day, lessons in environmental stewardship and more

Today is not just the third Monday of my postings for National Indigenous History Month, it’s also National Indigenous Peoples Day.  It’s a day for celebrating Indigenous knowledge and culture, and Indigenous contributions to our planet.  [You can find some … Continue reading

Posted in Climate change, History and Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Indigenous History Month: What do baby steps in Reconciliation look like?

Last week’s post in recognition of National Indigenous History Month focused on one of the ugliest truths of the Canadian government’s heinous assaults on the Indigenous Peoples, the residential school system.  There’s a long list of egregious government policies and … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Map Monday: indigenous history around the world, pre- and post-colonization

Today is the last day of May, the day before the beginning of June, which is National Indigenous History Month in Canada.  There can be no more chilling reminder of why Canada needs to have a National Indigenous History Month … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Map Monday | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments