Today is ‘Native Veteran’s Day’!
I have vivid memories of 1975. At the time, I was a regular at the Ritz Tavern on Bank Street in Ottawa. The oldtimers, men in their 60’s and 70’s, weren’t too keen on the symbol featured on the Canadian flag. “A red maple leaf is a dying leaf of autumn,” they declared, “what a foolish symbol for Canada to have on her flag.”
In the USA at this time, a government under Donald Trump, is hoping to make Canada its 51st state. If the unhinged president has his way, the red maple leaf will indeed die and be replaced with the stars and stripes … UGH!
I was sharing my feelings about this last week with high school students. “The maple leaf gracing Canada’s flag will only die,” I told the students, “if Canadians allow her to die.” I let the students know that it will only happen over my dead body! I am a proud Anishinabe Algonquin man but also very happy to live in a Canada today where I am blessed to have the love, respect and support of fellow activists of European ancestry by my side. Canada, a country where we are healing together!
A country that produces human beings like Terry Fox needs to live. “The world needs more Canada,” President Obama ……. Millions of Canadians agree!
Keep the Circle Strong,
South Wind (Albert Dumont)
