For decades, Indigenous activists have been pushing to boycott Canada Day across the nation, pointing to the continuous injustices faced by the community in the past and present. July 1 is often seen as a day for celebration and patriotism among settlers, neglecting racial injustice and inequity faced by the Original Peoples of the very land they are on. 

The recent mass graves found in Kamloops, Saskatchewan, and other Indian Residential Schools has reminded everyday folks that Canada remains a country that has built its foundation on the erasure and genocide of Indigenous nations, including children. We refuse to sit idle while Canada’s violent history is celebrated. 

The City of Calgary as our municipal government body acknowledged systemic racism in June of 2020. We petitioned, marched, and rallied to get them to hold a consultation. So far, they haven't delivered much. However, they committed to anti-racism. Now is their chance to show it in a significant way. 

How insensitive and racist can a government be to possibly hold a celebration at a time of national mourning? The whole world is watching us as we continuously disregard our abhorrent history and present, yet deliver on performative words. 

We understand the last year has been difficult due to COVID-19 restrictions, however we instead ask Calgarians to use July 1st as a time to reflect. To understand the long standing history that has brought settlers to reside on the land, and to seek to understand their place within that history. Colonialism is a current ongoing process, and settlers need to build mindfulness of their present participation in order for reconciliation to actually happen. 

We are once again calling on Indigenous land, water and sky protectors and all allies to come together and disrupt this celebration by signing our petition in asking The City of Calgary to #CancelCanadaDay. Instead of spending money on fireworks, we ask The City of Calgary to donate that money to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. 

Do the right thing.