There is one MPP in Ontario you won’t see singing “God Save the Queen” when it’s sung in parliament.
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says this song represents a difficult time of colonialism for First Nations in Canada.
“It was totally a step backwards. And I need to point out in this government, reconciliation is dead. I think that’s kind of the message I provided just because of the way Indigenous people have been treated,” says the member of provincial parliament.
The province has introduced it for the first Monday of each month, but the NDP MPP choose to be absent for the first time it was sung, saying it reminds him of when Indigenous culture and language was erased.
“I see the impacts of colonialism. I see the impacts on a daily basis when we talk about residential schools, when we talk about education. It’s a celebration of perhaps a hurtful and violent past,” says Mamakwa.
He’s also received plenty of response, with lots of phone calls, emails and social media messages supporting him, but also those that don’t.
“But unfortunately there are other people as well who don’t agree, with that process. Racism is alive and well in Ontario, and it’s something I’ve learned to live with,” says the northern representative.
