Look – it’s been a pretty bad few weeks up here in the Great White North. Among the ‘highlights’:
- Remains of 215 children discovered on site of former residential school.
- 751 unmarked graves found at residential school.
- How Thousands of Indigenous Children Vanished in Canada.
- Forensic experts say identifying the remains of Indigenous children and adults buried at former residential schools is a painstaking process that could take decades.
So I’m not going to pretend that there isn’t some national soul-searching going on in the wake of all this. All of which, naturally, has put a damper on the annual celebration. (I assume some activist was arrested for trying to throw paint on/at/near Justin Trudeau at the national celebration in Ottawa.) I’m going to use some of my time here to bring people up to speed so you can understand why there’s protests outside the Cup games in Montreal.
For lack of a better expression, this issue will become, over the next couple of decades, Canada’s reckoning with slavery. In short, the Residential School system operated for over 100 years – between 1879 and 1996 – under the auspices of the Indian Act (1876) and in that legal capacity removed over 150,000 kids from their homes to centralized learning institutions, with the dual purpose of trying to eliminate their culture (government) & save their pagan souls (religious). That’s why you are hearing stories about Catholic schools coming out of this – the federal government, because education is a provincial power, contracted religious orders to run these schools because they could operate within their own curriculum & without provincial funding. Beyond the Catholic Church, there were schools run by the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and United churches.
They based this principle of the research of Egerton Ryerson, whom the university is named after. Ryerson recommended that domestic education and religious instruction was the best model for integrating the Indian population into the greater population. This was reinforced by the 1879 Davin Report, which studied Indian schooling in the US and Canada & recommended the partnership with the churches, because they had a common goal to, to quote Rudyard Kipling,
Take up the White Man’s burden –
And reap his old reward,
The blame of those ye better,
The hate of those ye guard.
The federal government had a “don’t ask; don’t tell” policy towards how the schools were run. As long as the common end result was pursued, there was little concern for the ancillary damage.
In 1920, a civil servant & Canadian poet named Duncan Campbell Scott pushed the government to make attendance mandatory, believing that indoctrination would be the best way to assimilate the aboriginal population into the greater society. He couldn’t have been more clear with what he was doing,
“Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.”
but the stereotype of the uncolonized Indian allowed many people to rationalize the situation. Even in the age of official multiculturalism (brought in by Justin’s father), most Canadians preferred to live with their heads in the sand about the whole thing.
Until I was in my 20s & taking courses at university, I was basically one of them. From then, obviously, I know better.
In 2007, and modeled on the post-Apartheid South African “Truth & Reconciliation” Commission, the Canadian government began hearings into the Residential School system. What came out was horrific – you can read the whole report here – and has been the basis under which this historical reckoning is coming to light. Unmarked graves is just the beginning of what will come to light. A friend of mine’s wife was a recording secretary for the Commission, and she’s still in therapy five years later.
If you like, Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip worked on a solo project before his death called the “The Secret Path“. It grew out of his researching a Maclean’s story called, “The Lonely Death of Charlie Wenjack.” It was about a boy who tried to escape a residential school, only to freeze to death walking the track tracks to what he thought would be his freedom.
As much as I can’t stand The Tragically Hip & their overblown place in Canada’s rich musical landscape, I can’t deny that this is an important entry point to many people learning about Canada’s national shame. So if you’re inclined, give it a look. If nothing else, it’ll give American commentists an answer when a Canadian brings up slavery & tries to act morally superior.
Sorry to be dour on a day of national celebration, but it’s too important a teaching moment not to pass up. Canada is a good country, but we can’t deny some bad things were done to the people supposedly under our care.
Tonight’s sports: (it’s a holiday, so I prepped it early. Apologies if schedules changed.)
- NHL:
- no game. Stupid Gary Bettman.
- NBA:
- Atlanta at Milwaukee – 8:30pm | TNT / Sportsnet
- MLB:
- Mariners at Blue Jays – 7:00pm | Sportsnet360
- Canada Day in Buffalo!
- 2021 Google MLB All-Star Starters Reveal – 9:00pm | ESPN / TSN4
- Giants at D-backs – 9:30pm | ESPN / TSN4
- Mariners at Blue Jays – 7:00pm | Sportsnet360
- Futbol:
- MLS:
- Austin vs. Portland – 9:30pm | TSN3
- Copa:
- resumes Friday
- MLS:
- Wrestling:
- IMPACT – 7:00pm | AXS / FiteNetwork Canada
Well, I hope July 4th isn’t as traumatic to your national psyche. Enjoy the futbol tomorrow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlRPEfACJhw&ab_channel=CSSavage
If it’s Canadia Day, even subdued, it calls for RUSH.
Unlike some people downthread, I’m not going to spoil the Top Chef finale, other than to say… Gail Simmons in an off-the-shoulder top. We are all winners.
They’ve also given Gail her own show, where she can speak the innuendos Padma normally bogart’s for herself.
Oh, I’m watching Top Chef Amateurs. Gail in a zipper-top. Sigh.
I need to get to bed early so I can get my stuff done tomorrow at a reasonable time. Good night!
Just got back to my room after a lovely evening at the Low Commander domicile and I must say he has a wonderful family.
Great time with delicious food and I’m happy to report that the uber ride back was flawless. First time I’ve said that in almost 2 years.
I’m going to Legoland tomorrow!
It’s those Legoland ads that sucked you in! You are living your best life, good for you!
Littlest right is going to be 5 on the 4th of July, of course we’re going to Legoland!
That drive from LA was all kinds of fucked up and I left at 12:30 on a Thursday! I can see the 5 from my room and let’s just say driving to San Diego this weekend would be a really bad idea.
I have to go down to San Bernardino tomorrow and I wish I’d been able to do it today. The crawl up the hill is going to be a nightmare with every tourist in So Cal thinking it will be cooler up here. They are wrong! Go to the beach, it’s hot as fuck!
Man the weather is amazing here. 65 with a marine layer. I definitely lucked out weather wise.
I would kill a hobo for some of that.
I know a guy.
So, are the marines assaulting your beachhead?
They absolutely were. Of course the morons driving on the 5 south had to slow down to watch.
Greetings on this most drunkest of drunk Canuckian days.
Grey Cup Sunday?
Don’t be silly, nobody actually cares about the CFL.
Sounds like someone needs a Roughrider.
Don’t threaten me with a good time.
Gross. Wash the damn thing before you use it to protect your balls.
Man i need to pee
Make sure to ask permission first.
I have seen that movie a zillion times, and it always makes me laugh. I am 10!
How To Pick Up A Trump.
Wine list!
Anyone ever hear of Johnett? Apparently it is a Swiss single malt. I might have to give it a try, just for the hell of it
Lead singer of Concrete Blonde is Johnette Napolitano.
But their biggest hit was about alcoholism.
This info is probably not helpful.
Great song
https://youtu.be/OdpTcvSn8HQ
“Canada: We’re not as evil as America!”
This game sucked. It was never close, but it was never a big enough blowout that things were truly out of reach for the Hawks, so I never felt comfortable turning it off. And now there’s no point in turning it off because Top Chef doesn’t start for another ten minutes.
Who do you think will win? I think it will be Dawn, but should be Shota.
My money is on Gabe, actually, but I won’t be surprised if it’s any of them.
Me either.
You amd Gabe are the winners! Dawn choked again, and they couldn’t pretend it didn’t happen in the finale. It seemed like they reeeaaaallly wanted her, it wasn’t subtle. Her story is cool, Olympian in an Olympics year, but she was oddly slow for someone who’s claim to fame is speed.
How many times can you fucking forget things on plates?!
Really. You would think she could handle pressure better than anyone, but she folded like an ironing board. I bet she jumped the starter gun all the time when she was running!
Pre-departure beverage, and a pencil case with generic socks and lip balm in it!
Does it have a little pair of scissors, tweezers, and a tooth pick in it?
I wish! Although probably not a good idea to give people the means to cut their toenails on a plane
Only took me three episodes, but I finally figured out all the British actors in this BBC show are actually playing French characters, complete with British accents. Tally-ho with the camembert, eh jeeves.
So, do you think Canada will stop involuntarily sterilizing Native women now? They were still doing that as of a couple years ago when they got sued for it.
Yeah. Alberta has a reputation for that kind of thing. Their eugenics laws weren’t the most progressive.
On board and in my seat! We used the biometric gates, which was cool. They didn’t announce boarding groups, which wasn’t. ACH! The disorganization of it all!
Disney’s Jungle Cruise, in theaters July 30th.
Me: “I can’t wait for Hall of Presidents, the movie! What attraction hasn’t had a movie… Space Mountain, Splash Mountain…”
Madre Weaselo: “It’s a Small World.”
Me: “I’m not sure if I want to or really don’t want to know about what they’d do in that movie.”
I might wanna see Splash Mountain, depending upon how the splash is delivered.
“Song of the South”?
UnsteadyHotBee-max-1mb.gif (260×176) (gfycat.com)
“Two girls, one teacup ride”.
So I’m positive I almost tore my something today. Nearly hyperextended my knee in the rain, because my sneakers are basically racing slicks. Which means they lost traction and slid around on, of all things, the paint they put in the crosswalk.
Gotta ice skate across! Or go barefoot like a hobo! Or wrap your shoes in newspaper like a classy hobo!
I had my violin with me since it was getting back to my car from teaching for the first time in person since the before times. I wish I could ice skate. The one time I went was many ass-bustings.
I gotta take Senorita Weaselo to the Bryant Park Winter Village anyway, so that’s a chance to learn how slightly better. And steal the zamboni, of course.
And of course, barefoot or newspaper gets you murdered in certain parts of Ontario.
Hard case for the violin I hope
Come on, I’m a professional. Of course I have a Bam case. Though I may need a new one soon, it’s been through the works and is down a strap at this point, after a good 7-8 years.
/waves at fellow White Devils
Oh and a happy Canada Day to all of you on the other side of the longest unguarded yet closed border in the world!
This was phenomenally well written, BGR.
*For a Canadian.
**in English
Thanks. If I’m going to do it, it’s gotta be done right.
On the plus side, even though it looks like it is going to be a full flight, it is a lot of families and couples traveling together, so I got one of the throne seats they usually charge extra for (yes, swiss charges for seat assignments in business) without charge!
At SFO, checked in for my flight on Swiss no problem, except I forgot to add my precheck. Not a big deal though with Clear. The Polaris LOunge is still closed so I schlepped a terminal over to the UNited club for a glass of cheap red and a prepacked pasta salad. Premium!
Cheap red or free red?
Cheap to them, free to me. Or rather, complimentary with the price of my ticket
As long as it isn’t out of a 6L box and it’s free. Drink on.
Naw it is in a bottle and would probably retail for $9.99 At a 7-11 or other fine convenience store of your choice
Beggars can’t be choosers in airports.
Says the guy who needs booze to fly
This is my Friday. I’m starting a 4 day weekend bitches!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
I love early Fridays, woooo away good sir!
Safe travels to Macedonia, good lady!
Holy shit! They did it. They selected Castellanos and Winker to both start in the OF in the All Star Game.
Someone from a Cincinnati sports team got recognition?!
Aw, hell. This is a Coma Dream is it? I’ve been in a coma since I got COVID in December. The only logical reason.
I wore orange today and was at a pool with people decked out in Maple Leaf regalia. I tried to engage one person in a conversation and before I got angry I just went and hit my vape pen to chase away the outgoing throat punch.
I didn’t know about wearing orange, or it would have been a Los Gigantes shirt, celebrating the tribal bats of Mr. Barry Bonds.
First Nations asked that as a day of reflection you wear an orange shirt.
It indeed was my orange Gigantes jersey, only orange item I own, no Bonds, but #28 no nameplate
Buster Posey. Quality jersey.
Every single game of the Dirt Chargers (FU LA) and the Dirt Bengals has a Rain Delay Breakage and this one especially sucks because Cincy’s pitcher as a no-no through 4.
This series is just like a Broadway Play, it has at least one intermission and its not on TV.
Rebuttal: Last night in the Bronx.
Some days are good days, some are bad, and some days, while reading the wikipedia article for actress Honeysuckle Weeks (real name) you come across this sentence:
That is definitely a sentence.
Words. Those are words.
Pfffft. Peasants. Gumby and I got married on Mars, with Jesus as our minister. The band was all the members of the 27 club.
I met someone who dated 27 members of the 27 club
The Bucks currently have 3x as many points as the Hawks.
BREAKING NEWS: “Commissioner Manfred has suspended some handicapped guy for four games for Conduct Detrimental to the League. He has also been fined an undisclosed amount.”
Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon to throw some Dollar General paper towels at you!
So fucking true it hurts.
and you’re NOT EVEN MURRIKAN!!!
I think my next away message will just read ***LOCATION REDACTED***
So, apparently Australia learned it from Canada, huh?
Sadly, South Africa too. The Bantustans were based on the Indian reserve system.
https://troymedia.com/viewpoint/indigenous-apartheid-system-canada/
Obligatory
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LqQCyAQBgXY
This is wonderful. I posted it on my Facebook.
Nationalism ain’t bad. It’s just that it should come after other values: generosity, understanding, respect, not promoting racism… You know, the stuff taught at home and worthwhile schools.
Thanks brother.
If you’ve eaten a cookie and wondered about your destiny, this movie is for you.
Really relating to the girl that says “not like this”.
Gonna watch “Finding Neo”* for the nth time.
*The Matrix
Whoa.
We watched it for my college “you have to take a writing course.” The topic of the course was counterculturalism.
I would’ve guessed “how to steal from the Bible without no one noticing”.
We also watched American Beauty, which is its own bunch of questions.
We did not watch Fight Club.
Sounds to me like Canada needs to come up with their own version of a really pissed off band to write and sing songs about this fucked up shit, like Midnight Oil in Australia. Aside from The Tragically Hip. They could probably sing about tar sands and fisheries exploitation too.
The problem is that the young kids just wanna be famous. Plus, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell & Buffy Ste. Marie are all 80 years old.
Is Kim Mitchell still around? Or did he go for soda and never return?
Light the patio lanterns, and he shall appear
Max Webster tells me that he’s still around, toeing the line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II8uJi21i04&ab_channel=StevenRichard
It’s been 40+ years since I’ve seen MW open for Rush. Dudes look pretty good for their age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkh59FLRkxw&ab_channel=stpierreorama