Reflecting On Truth And Reconciliation Day 2026

 I saw a photograph a few days ago of a group of hateful, ignorant bigots, all wearing masks to conceal their faces, standing on a bridge in Kamloops, which is a city that sits about 3 hours driving time from my living room, in British Columbia, Canada, holding a sign that read "Got Bones?", in reference to the former residential school for native children in Kamloops, and the belief, held by many people, that children who attended the school were murdered and buried there.

Beyond the fact that these cowardly, insecure, emotionally stunted men traffic in hate and denialism as a matter of course, and are obviously pathetic losers, what really made my heart ache was the fact that it didn't really seem to raise the ire of a lot of people, at least not in my orbit. I am afraid that we are becoming inured to this kind of sad, sick display, or worse, that more people feel the  same way as these losers than I thought, and are tacitly supporting them. As Canadians, we like to tell ourselves that we are tolerant and accepting as a nation, and that the resurgence, or rebirth if you like, of white supremacy in the United States, is unique to America, and isn't a problem here. On this Truth And Reconciliation Day 2026, I would like to see a little more reflection and self examination, even if only for a few moments, from all of us here in Canada, and maybe we can start by admitting that this notion of Canada as a tolerant, accepting place, is a myth, and that we have a long way to go, as a nation, to get to a place where we can call ourselves anything close to that. I start with myself with this reminder, lest you think I'm just wagging my finger at everybody else. I, as much as, if not more than anybody, have a lot of work to do in educating myself, changing my thinking, and passing that knowledge on to others, so, yes, this is a polite request, if it is anything at all.

So, my polite request on this Truth And Reconciliation Day 2026, is that you take a moment to think about the very real history of racism and settler colonialism that is a part of Canada's legacy, and the consequences of that, and the work that remains to be done, by all of us, to first admit, then understand, then begin to take seriously the truth and reconciliation part of this whole thing. It doesn't mean you're a bad person, so try not to get your back up in response. In fact, it takes some strength and character to admit that this is a part of our shared history, and that it would be a good thing to be part of a reckoning and, maybe, a healing, so try to embrace it in that way instead. 

My sincere best wishes to all on this Truth And Reconciliation Day 2026.

 

Paul