July 1

CW: death, neglect, violence, abuse, murder, residential schools

“For too long, people have marked July 1 with proclamations of Canadian exceptionalism. As someone who identifies as a first generation Canadian, it is evident to me how false these narratives are and how shamelessly the government has marketed the ‘Canadian’ dream. The ramifications of these revisionist claims come at the expense of everyone, but most egregiously continue to harm the Indigenous, Metis and Inuit Peoples who called this land home long before the rest of us arrived. 
Generosity, kindness and a willingness to accept others with open arms are not inherently ‘Canadian’ traits. On the contrary, minorities in Canada have increasingly become targets of hate crimes perpetrated by fellow citizens. On June 7, 2021, three generations of a Muslim family were struck and killed by a 20-year old in an Islamophobic terrorist attack in London, Ontario. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, an exponential increase in anti-Asian hate crimes has been reported in cities such as Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal—locales often touted for their vibrant and diverse populations. Given the fact that genocidal practices served as a cornerstone of the nation’s founding, it is sadly no surprise that these are the circumstances we face today. As someone who has worked alongside newcomer and refugee populations all year, these issues hit extremely close to my heart and they all stem from one place: the harms of violent colonial practices tied to this land’s history and inflicted upon its first inhabitants. We must feel something from this. We must learn from this. And we must take responsibility, both as individuals and as a society, to create a better future.” – Ema Shiroma-Chao, Assistant DEI Director, writing from the island of Ktaqmkuk (commonly known as Newfoundland), the unceded, traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq and Beothuk Peoples, the latter of which are no longer with us

Commemorated since the passing of the nation’s Constitution Act in 1867, July 1 marks Canada Day, a federal holiday for those of our members north of the border. While there are many things that are worthy of celebration on this day of unity, we at MLQ also recognize that this is a July 1 like no other. In recent weeks, hundreds of bodies of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit children have been identified in burial sites near the residential schools they were forced to attend. The fact that these children passed away was never in question, but as a consequence of continuing neglect exercised by government and church authorities, where these children were laid to rest, was unknown until now. Although discussions surrounding Indigenous issues have more recently taken space in our collective consciousness, the findings of these investigations serve as a stark reminder that the journey of truth and reconciliation is an ongoing process that requires persistent action from us as individuals and as a collective organization. It is also critically important to recognize that Indigenous peoples across North America share similar histories of colonization. The lessons we learn and the actions we take to redress the harms of past and current colonial practices must transcend borders.

According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commision of Canada, more than 150,000 Indigenous, Métis and Inuit children were separated from their families and sent to residential schools between the 1870s and the 1990s as part of a nation-wide strategy to eradicate their cultures, customs and ways of being. As in the US, children were stripped of their possessions, stripped of their language and many were stripped of their lives at these so-called schools, unable to survive the neglect, violence and deplorable conditions that have been recounted over the decades and through to our present. The dispossession of Indigenous land and peoples extends today, as First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations continue to experience high poverty rates; the need for basic infrastructure; disproportionate representation in prisons and foster care; lack of due process in the case of hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women; and other blatant acts of discrimination whether perpetrated by actors in the healthcare system, the police force or the general public.

For the many people who have come to Canada more recently seeking refuge from situations similar to the ones described above, we appreciate how Canada Day may signify an opportune moment to celebrate a sense of hope, safety and community. However, such a celebration must also come with an acknowledgement of how we have all gathered here on Turtle Island: by way of colonization. For many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada, the idea of a festive Canada Day disregards their histories, their rights and their current realities. Out of respect for their communities and in support of their fight for reparations, we at MLQ call upon our members and the greater quidditch community to take this occasion to listen to and learn from Indigenous voices. 

“I will ask that you remember all Survivors out there who did not and still do not have a voice. Their silence does not mean acceptance or acquiescence. Too often, silence results from that terrible pattern of harm repeating itself over and over again. This is the pattern that needs to be broken.”

Eugene Arcand of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Residential School Survivor

Take Action

The Hope for Wellness Help Line provides immediate help to Indigenous peoples in Canada, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, French and English. The Help Line can be reached by calling toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or by visiting hopeforwellness.ca. Residential School survivors and their families can also at any time call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

Ema Shiroma-Chao is the MLQ Assistant DEI Director. She joined the sport of quidditch in 2009 and has been active as a volunteer ever since. Previous experiences include serving as Quidditch Canada’s Gameplay Director, serving as a member of the IQA Rules Team and contributing in leadership positions on local teams. She has also rostered for three IQA World Cup teams and traveled to Mexico City in 2017 to officiate their national tournament. She is passionate about making space for people in the sport and, through her work in DEI, hopes to open up opportunities for others to enjoy it as much as she has.


Sources
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action,” accessed July 1, 2021. https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, “Lessons Learned: Survivor Perspectives,” accessed July 1, 2021. https://nctr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Lessons_learned_report_final_2020.pdf