Another Invasion Day is upon us. Another year has passed where change is the only constant. Another year struggling through a pandemic that has drastically altered the way we live. And so we adapt, survive and continue on.
Struggle, change, adaptation, survival: these concepts are not new to First Nations people. We’ve been in this business since well before the invasion of our Country in 1788 and for more than 200 years after.
If you know your history, your Black history, you will know we’ve thrived on this land for over 60,000 years. You will also know that we never ceded the sovereignty of this country we now all share.
You will know that since invasion, First Nations people have been pushed to the brink of extinction through genocide, assimilation, integration and reconciliation.
You will know that we continue to be denied recognition for our connection to land, our education systems, our health practices, our ways of caring for our children and Elders, our justice and our self-determination.