PROTESTERS in Canada pulled down statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth amid anger over historic treatment of indigenous people.
Demonstrations have taken place across the country over the residential schools system, which saw indigenous children made to attend Christian schools where they were not allowed to speak their own languages.
In 2008, the Canadian government apologised after confirming that students who spoke in native languages suffered physical and sexual abuse. Up to 6000 are believed to have died.
The practice of sending indigenous children to the compulsory schools came to an end during the 1970s, with more than 150,000 children forced to attend over the years.
More than 1000 unmarked graves have recently been found on the grounds of the former church-run schools, while indigenous leaders expect this total to increase amid ongoing investigations.
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has said the findings “have forced us to reflect on the historic and ongoing injustices that indigenous peoples face”.
Protesters outside the Manitoba legislature targeted a statue of Queen Victoria yesterday – the residential schools were opened under her reign.
The demonstrators chanted “no pride in genocide”, doused it in paint and pulled it down using a rope. Afterwards a statue to the current monarch was also toppled.
The residential schools system was described by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 as “cultural genocide”.
The latest discovery of the remains of 182 people on the grounds of a former residential school in British Columbia came ahead of Canada Day yesterday.
July 1 marks the anniversary of the passing of the British North America Act in 1867, when the separate colonies of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick united into the Dominion of Canada.
The tragic discovery of bodies in British Columbia prompted calls for the celebrations to be cancelled. A number of municipalities died call off the festivities, while protests continued.
Trudeau said Canada Day would be celebrated, but Canadians will “mostly reflect on the work that we all have to do”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel