Advertisement

News

Hunger strike over Canadas treatment of Indigenous peoples proves valuable education for Queen’s Park visitors

Davyn Calfchild (in red) with native elder Vern Harper (seated centre) and supporters.

Under the nose of Edward VIIs horse at Queens Park, an array of colourful First Nations flags ripple in the morning breeze.

Swaying among the banners is an upside-down Canada 150 flag and trademark Hudsons Bay sweater. Neatly printed in thick marker between the trademark horizontal stripes: #Shame150.

On Wednesday, June 14, hereditary Blackfoot Chief Davyn Calfchild lets the ceremonial fire in front of his encampment burn out, ending his 13-day fast. For nearly two weeks, Calfchild has camped in the shadow of the Ontario Legislature to draw attention to the devastating conditions facing Indigenous communities.

Propped up under the flags, next to the footpath, is a handmade sign listing the issues Calfchilds fast seeks to highlight: murdered and missing women (and men), youth suicides on reserves, Indigenous victims of violence in Thunder Bay and #genocide150. Wedged into the cracks on top of a nearby picnic table, one of the whiteboard signs reads: 20,000 years in the hood.

Calfchild wants it known that the cultural genocide continues in Canada. Childrens Aid Society has replaced residential schools in taking away Native children and assimilating them, he says.

Calfchilds wife, Anishinabe song keeper Cathy Tsong Deh Kwe, has been by her husbands side throughout the fast.

In order for us to become more visible, people have to learn more about us. One of the things we have been doing here is educating the public.

A helmeted cyclist arrives on his bike and empties a bag of firewood onto the pile donated by supporters. Hes told that the fire is burning down but the wood wont go to waste one of the fire keepers will take it home. Miigwetch.

John Scully has cycled past Calfchilds camp every day on his way to work.

Scully, who has worked with Indigenous artists and students, says, We need to support Indigenous people in their autonomy. Theyve been making decisions for 20,000 years, and we need to stop being the colonizers. We need to stop telling them what to do.

As Canadians, we are so ignorant of Indigenous issues, says Scully. Events like this will help make people aware. Ive learned a little bit about the process of colonization and about the Two-Row Wampum treaty Davyn was talking about.

The Two-Row Wampum is a belt made from white and purple beads, the preferred way for First Nations to mark treaties and covenants at the time of first contact.

The treaty, made in 1613 between Dutch settlers and the five nations of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), was later extended to include American, British and French settlers and other First Nations. The white beads represent truth, and the two rows of purple beads represent two vessels travelling in parallel: a canoe for the Onkweh:onwhe (original people) and a sailboat for the settlers.

Onondaga Nation Chief Irving Powless Jr. puts the significance of the Two-Row Wampum in context in his 1994 essay:

As we travel down the road of life together not only with each other, but with the whole circle of life the animals, the birds, the fish, the water, the plants, the grass, the trees, the stars, the moon and the thunder we shall live together in peace and harmony, respecting all those elements.

We shall not pass laws telling you what to do. You shall not pass a law telling me and my people what to do. The Haudenosaunee have never violated this treaty. We have never passed a law telling you how to live. You and your ancestors, on the other hand, have passed laws that continually try to change who I am, what I am and how I shall conduct my spiritual, political and everyday life.

Calfchild promotes the Two-Row to campsite visitors every chance he gets.

Its the key to the future, he says. The two nations have to work together side by side, not one dictating to the other.

John Croutch is an Anishinabe educator who specializes in cultural identity and culinary practices. Hes come down to the park to check in on Calfchilds fast. He points to the symbols of colonialism all around us.

This is the original territory of the Wendat and later the Haudenosaunee people, says Croutch. Whats been happening here for the last 13 days speaks to the fact that laws were passed to prevent us from living on our land.

A tour group from the Ministry of Education makes its way to the campsite and stops in front of the flags. Calfchild, surrounded by supporters, welcomes the visitors before he launches into a lecture.

When it comes to the education in this country what happened in the residential schools, the 60s scoop, the colonization of our territories, the dishonouring of the treaties, things that need to be renegotiated its the responsibility of Canadian citizens to understand what truly happened to our people and not cover it up.

The visitors listen quietly, some with their heads bowed.

Were not here as enemies were here as your friends. Were here to help you if you want that help, Calfchild finishes up. We have to think about the children and the world we want to leave them. If you cant be honest in the education system, how can they trust you? How can they trust us? So its time for our people and your people to start educating the people properly and start being honest.

Calfchild thanks the group, and Tsong Deh Kwe announces the protocol for the potlatch celebration that will break the fast. Three community members have joined the fast in solidarity over the last few days.

Before the feasting begins, 81-year-old urban elder and Cree spiritual leader Vern Harper has a few encouraging words for the gathering.

Harper, who experienced a cycle of residential schools and foster homes as a boy, remembers having his mouth washed out with soap as a five-year-old for speaking Cree.

When we say were going to do something, sometimes people will say, Ill be there in spirit. My uncle used to say, Get your ass over there. Here I am. Laughter all around whats left of the fire.

Harper is the sixth-generation grandson of Big Bear, who fought the last battle between the Cree and the Canadian government in 1885.

We need to take care of our families and take care of Mother Earth. When we have food, be thankful. I love all of you, and we got to keep struggling, never give up. Dont be a worrier be a warrior. Miigwetch.

Cheers and whoops ring across the park.

news@nowtoronto.com | @nowtoronto

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.