Last month, Chief Isadore Day, Serpent River First Nation, wrote an open letter to Parliament asking that April 12 be set aside as an Annual Day for a National Dialogue on Ending Racism. He asked that a motion and private member’s bill be brought forward in the House of Commons regarding this matter.
In the letter Chief Day writes:
“Truth be told; many cultures and ethnic groups that seek to affix to the mosaic of Canada’s multi-culturist society, face racism on a daily basis and have faced it for many years. What complicates racism in this country is that its effects are often compounded by attitudes and values that re-enforce the violence of racism, making worse issues such as gender inequality and discrimination in institutions.”
In the opening paragraphs of his letter he writes:
“Racism is often overlooked and underrated as a major societal ill. It has plagued this country for decades. There is no argument; racism must be eradicated. As much as racism is evidenced by its destructive impacts, there currently exists no national strategy to deal with this malady. All citizens and visitors to this land deserve a society free from racism.”
Read the full letter here.
On March 21, the world will be commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Meanwhile in Canada, the Harper government is continuing to starve First Nations of resources and develop crass and dangerous anti-Muslim policies. In order to keep building a Canada that we want, on this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, let’s support Chief Isadore Day’s call for an annual dialogue on racism.
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