For many people, today is a holiday that allows them to extend their celebration of Canada’s 145th birthday. For those who missed it, the loonie $1 coin celebrated its 25th birthday on June 30th, and the Globe and Mail published Drew Hayden Taylor’s apologies: “White people, here’s your one-time Canada Day special: Native people apologize back!”
Canada Day has always been a mixed bag for Canada’s native people. . . . For some, though, it’s a reminder that it was four years ago when Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to the first nations, Inuit and Métis inhabitants of this country for the imposition and effects of the infamous residential-school system. . . . some in the native community feel that perhaps we are being a little lax in not issuing an apology of our own. So in the spirit of cooperation, I would like to offer up these apologies to the people of Canada on behalf of the NAFNIP (native/aboriginal/first nations/indigenous people):
We hereby apologize for being so inconsiderate as to occupy land that, one day, your people would want. Even though we did not have a postal system or an Internet, this was an inexcusable oversight. We hope you are enjoying it. . . .
Finally, and perhaps most of all, we apologize for helping Canada/Great Britain win the War of 1812 against the Americans. There are many in the native community who feel Barack Obama would be a far more interesting leader than Mr. Harper.
But in our defence, who could have guessed?
There is more. Go ahead; read the whole article: Drew Hayden Taylor has provided Canadian food for thought.