June marks the beginning of National Indigenous history month in Canada. It’s a time for Canadians to learn and celebrate the rich and distinct heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
It’s also a time to acknowledge colonialization’s harmful effects and advocate for necessary change. For example, Canadians need to support rewording the national anthem to recognize Indigenous peoples who lived on the land now known as Canada before European colonization.
Canadian R&B singer Jully Black sang the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game this past February. She made a slight change to acknowledge Indigenous peoples during the performance: swapping “our home and native land” for “our home on native land.”
This one-word change drew a primarily positive reaction, as the hashtag #OurHomeOnNativeLand circulated on Twitter following Black’s rendition.
Black was later honoured by the Assembly of First Nations with a blanketing ceremony and eagle feather during the Special Chiefs Assembly opening in Ottawa.
The lyric change has also garnered support from a municipal government leader. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie recently proposed a motion “to advance reconciliation by advocating for an amendment to the National Anthem.”
The motion was deferred, but if eventually passed, the city would write a letter to the federal government pushing for the lyric change’s formal adoption. More municipal government officials must support this change and call upon the federal government to implement the new lyric countrywide.
In light of National Indigenous history month, there is no better time for Canadians to advocate for a change that reflects the country’s true history. The lyric change could also spark conversations on this often hidden portion of Canadian history.
Canadians should support the national anthem change to acknowledge Indigenous peoples and actively work towards truth and reconciliation.
Feature graphic from files
