Organizers of a Cancel Canada Day protest are calling on Tri-City residents to stand with them in support of Indigenous people.
Calling the July 1 event in Port Coquitlam the “No Pride in Genocide: Cancel ‘Canada Day’ March in the Tri-Cities,” the group says people need to hear stories of injustice and to show they are allies of Indigenous people.
Although the event has been billed as a Cancel Canada Day event, Parris Abraham said the goal is to educate people about systemic abuses against Indigenous people, including residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, when children were taken by the child welfare system, often without the consent of families.
“It’s not so much about disruption [of Port Coquitlam's Canada Day] as it is about education so that people understand they are living on stolen Indigenous land and how that relates to the graves that are being found in Canada right now," Abraham said.
The march will be led by Indigenous residents and will take place at 2 p.m. at Lions Park in Port Coquitlam.
March organizer Priscilla Omulo with Tri-Cities for Justice said it’s important for Canadians to understand the truth of what happened to Indigenous people in Canada.
“As an Indigenous person, I am compelled to call to cancel Canada Day and request that allies who are looking for ways to build support, show solidarity and equally want justice to join us in rallying and marching on July 1st,” Omulo stated in a news release.
“As with the rest of Canada, the Tri-Cities have a lot of work to do regarding telling the truth, let alone reconciliation, including in honouring the lives of the women murdered in our community. There are also ongoing legal issues lead by the City of Port Coquitlam against the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation that not many residents know about.”
March organizers will be abiding by Indigenous protocols and have contacted kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation, asking if they have any directives.
“We are and will be respecting their voices,” the release further stated.
The protest will start at Lions Park with a ceremony, followed by a march to Leigh Square (south of 2580 Shaughnessy St.), then Port Coquitlam City Hall (2580 Shaughnessy St.).
Supporters are asked to follow COVID-19 safety protocols of wearing a mask, and physically distancing, as well as use heat wave safety precautions like staying hydrated and applying sun protection (hats, umbrellas, etc.).
Those who want to get involve can email [email protected] or follow Black Lives Matter Tri-Cities on Instagram @blm_tricities.
Indigenous residents looking for support can call:
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society - British Columbia toll-free line: 1-800-721-0066
- The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
- Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-888-403-3123
