The phrase ‘we must do better’ is emerging as non-Indigenous Canadians’ go-to phrase when discussing Indigenous issues and fast becoming this country’s ‘thoughts and prayers.’
Indigenous Peoples made the announcement this week in Ottawa, in the wake of the 10th anniversary of Canada’s apology for the horrors of the residential schools system. In the days following the anniversary, politicians and public figures of every stripe made statement after statement that Canada ‘must do better.’
“Whether it’s an opposition leader taking a swipe at the Liberal government or the head of some think tank, people really like to say that Canada needs to better when it comes to Indigenous Peoples,” said Melissa Morris, a member of Black Duck First Nation in Saskatchewan.
“While we appreciate the sentiment, you could actually just do better instead.”
While those same politicians and public figures agreed that Canada ‘must do better’ they were adamant that it didn’t in any way mean giving even some of the land back to Indigenous Peoples.
