This year Canada as a colonized country is 150 years old. And we’re going to celebrate. I imagine that on July 1 there will be a plethora of festivities, with flags and music and who knows what else. Canada means different things to different people, for sure. You can read more …
Indigenous peoples
Christmas in the Caribbean
I’m currently in Barbados with my family, and of course, Christmas is in the air. What strikes me as we travel around and listen to the radio, is the presence of Santa Claus. Santa Claus is Black here, of course, which may surprise some people and certainly shakes up the image that is typically …
What’s in a Sign?
This morning I woke up early and was fortunate to catch the sunrise as I walked along the lakeshore. It’s one of my favourite places. As I walked, I came across this sign. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it, but it caught my attention today again, especially since I’ve been thinking a lot about …
Reconciliation in Canada
Last week I attended the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Conference – Inclusive Canada, 2017 and Beyond. It was a thought-provoking and intense two days with a strong theme of Indigenous inclusion. The opening keynote was by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada. He …
Thanksgiving…and Atonement
This week there is an interesting convergence of two holidays in Canada. While one is religious and one is not, I’m finding the timing quite meaningful. Everywhere in Canada (except in the Atlantic provinces) Monday is Thanksgiving, and in the Hebrew calendar, Yom Kippur begins Tuesday night at …
Racism in a Costume
If you haven’t heard about it already, Disney has a new movie coming out (Moana), featuring Maui – a revered figure in Polynesian culture. That’s a topic all of it’s own; that a company will take culturally significant figure (particularly an Indigenous one) and make a movie with it. But that’s a …
Why I Won’t be Saying Happy Canada Day Today
Today I put my foot in my mouth, big time. I mentioned it was Canada Day to a new American friend, and cheekily suggested he could wish me a happy one. And he is Indigenous. Yup. That's right. I will give you a moment to let that sink in. I have been doing Diversity & Inclusion work …
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