Cancel “Canada Day” 

Fuck Colonialism. We don’t celebrate colonizers. This isn’t just a slogan; we really mean it. Instead of celebrating death, destruction, and genocide; we choose to reimagine a decolonial future. 

As long-time organizers of the “Cancel Canada Day Movement”, Decolonial co-founders - Casey Desjarlais and Dakota Bear are encouraging Indigenous kin and our allies to commit to showing up in solidarity as we cancel “Canada Day”, turn away from celebrating colonialism, and move towards a future that is decolonial and actually built on freedom for all. 

Since 2021 Indigenous Peoples all across Turtle Island have been widespread calling for an end of “Canada Day” celebrations. But long before the first protests began, Indigenous Peoples have been mourning the loss of our way of life due to colonialism, land theft, genocide, broken Treaties, and settler violence since 1867. 

This does not mean all settlers themselves are inherently violent but that the systems set up by colonialism are inherently violent towards Indigenous People, the Land, and anyone not White, Cis-gendered, Able-bodied, and willing to uphold legislated supremacy. 

We cancel “Canada Day” as one part of our work to dismantle colonial systems. And this work involves all of us - Indigenous People and settler allies alike.

Why Cancel Canada Day

As empires continue to unravel, people are waking up to see the violence of colonialism for what it truly is. 

In 2021, over 10,000+ unmarked graves of Indigenous children were discovered at former residential school sites. Canada Day represents the system that stole children from their families in order to displace Indigenous People from our connection to the Land. This state sanctioned kidnapping inflicted immeasurable trauma that our people are still healing from. 

Children were tortured, neglected, murdered - and if they managed to survive, they were made to feel shame for being Indigenous, all while Canada refused to take accountability for its heinous crimes upon the most vulnerable children. Truth and Reconciliation may be a key component of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement but time and time again, the actions of the Canadian Government shows that it will always prioritize the colonial empire - at the expense of Indigenous Peoples. 

To that we say, Cancel “Canada Day”. 

Even today, we continuously see Treaties broken and the Nation to Nation relationship between Canada and Indigenous Peoples disrespected and betrayed. As recently as yesterday, Bill C-5 was expedited and passed by the Canadian Senate, without amendment, and without consideration of Indigenous Rights, Environmental Protections, or Indigenous consent - all so that the Canadian Government can fast-track developmental projects that puts billions of dollars into the pockets of greedy corporations through legalized land grab and climate disaster. 

July 1st marks that this country is built on stolen Indigenous Land, broken Treaties, and cultural genocide. The actions of the current Canadian Government show that they have no intention of changing this pattern. 

To that we say, Cancel “Canada Day”. 

Beyond the unmarked graves and the broken Treaties, there is widespread ongoing oppression of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous communities in so-called Canada. Disproportionate rates of poverty, incarceration, child apprehension, lack of clean water, and missing and murdered Indigenous people shows that Canadian culture truly views Indigenous People as disposable and does not prioritize our well-being. With this reality, what does July 1st symbolize and what are people actually celebrating? 

To that we say, Cancel “Canada Day”. 

This is not about hate; it is about healing. We are part of this movement because we are making space to grieve, to heal, and to build something better. 

Since 2021, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets with us, in a sea of orange shirt solidarity to protest the violent actions of the Canadian colonial government, to demand accountability, to heal, and to reimagine the world together. We invite you to join us and do the same. 

This July 1st, we are not celebrating a country built on the genocide of Indigenous Peoples. We are gathering, resisting, and creating space for truth. 

Join us at two events: 

• Decolonial Clothing - 269 East Georgia St, Vancouver from 11am-5pm for a day of art creation and resistance. There will be free silk screening, posters, and a colonial past art installation. Art and community are powerful ways to speak truth to power. 

• Sisters Sage - 1312 Kingsway from 10am-6pm for an Indigenous market pop-up, flash tattoos, and more. 

If you are wondering what to do for “Canada Day”, start here. After everything colonialism has taken from us, Indigenous People are still alive, thriving, organizing, creating, and resisting - and we do not need a colonial holiday to validate that. 

written by: Tara Teng