Hundreds lined Thunder Bay’s water front, draped in orange to show their support for the Indigenous community, and question the celebration of Canada Day.

The demonstration began at Waverley Park where the sound of drums echoed through the area before the crowd travelled down Red River Road at 2:15 p.m. to honour the 215 children discovered at the former Kamloops, B.C. residential school. The crowd got dozens of honks from passing cars in support of the cause during the march.

The group eventually set up along the lake, where even more people showed up to show their belief in the protest.

Once there, various organizers, Indigenous Elders, and anyone who wanted to have their voice heard gave speeches based around Canada’s dark past, and the need for more education.

Cynthia Nault is one of the organizers of the event, and explains why it was so important to protest Canada Day this year.

“The corporation of Canada was built on the oppression, the displacement, and the land theft of Indigenous peoples, so for me it’s very hard to celebrate that, especially with all the recoveries currently happening across Turtle Island.” explains Nault, “It’s really important for people to come out and do some listening and learning about what’s really going on in their own backyard.”

Nault goes on to say it is shameful for anyone to be celebrating the holiday this year.

Ma-Nee Chacaby is an Elder and two-spirit educator. She spoke multiple times during the protest.

“I’m hoping this will open peoples’ eyes, I mean they’ve been saying that especially everytime something bad happens. When something like this big happens we still don’t see anything change.”

Chacaby goes on to say the importance of educating everyone, especially the younger generation about Indigenous history in Canada.

“I work with a lot of young people, and young people want to learn what it was like a long time ago, and I have a lot of things to teach them.”

The Elder concludes by saying this Canada Day is about reflection.

“For me, Canada Day is not something to celebrate because of all of the children that were found, and the residential schools, and all the promises.” says Chacaby, “The government made promises that aren’t happening.”

Vigils and protests across the country this year replaced fireworks and celebration, Thunder Bay just one of the many cities standing with the Indigenous community.

 

WATCH: 215 “HEARTBEATS” FOR THE 215 CHILDREN FOUND AT THE KAMLOOPS RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL: