Canada Day

Distinctly Chilly

Thu Jul 1st

With temperatures back down to near normal on the coast (17 C), we were able to enjoy a long walk this morning, just over 7k.  Jack and I walked up through Blueridge to the Hyannis trail, via a couple of connecting trails to Fishermans Trail, which runs alongside Seymour River.  It was a public holiday, so the outward journey was quiet, a few more walkers and runners were out by the time we walked back.

Inland, temperatures have remained high and  contributed to more forest fires.  

The town of Lytton was evacuated only fifteen minutes before being largely destroyed by fire.   'According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, there are 82 wildfires burning across the Province Thursday, with 52 of them starting in the past 48 hours. Lightning strikes, gusty winds and high temperatures have contributed to already intense conditions.'

Camp fires, fireworks, lanterns and all other fire risks have been banned across BC other than Canadian Standards approved outdoor stoves.

Canada Day has reignited the debate about whether it should continue to be a day of celebration, particularly amongst the indigenous community.  Many see it as symbol of the repression of First Nation communities by colonial Europeans. 

It has brought the The Indian Act of 1876 back to the fore, the legislation that sought to force First Nations to lose their culture and become more like European Canadians.  It was also the legislation that forced children into the residential schools that are the centre of controversy since the discovery of unmarked children's graves at a number of schools.

CBC has been re-running a meeting between Pierre Trudeau (the father of current Premier - Justin Trudeau) who was debating the Act with First Nation leaders and trying to make a distinction between 'integrating' indigenous communities rather than assimilating.

Many want to see the Act repealed, but successive governments have been slow to act, partly because they are unsure what to replace it with.  

Canada Day was marked by a number of demonstrations in towns and cities across Canada over the deaths of children in the residential schools.  The sad history surrounding Canada's colonial past is likely to remain front page news for some time to come.  The Catholic church, which ran many of the schools have now agreed to release documents associated with the schools, though there is some suspicion it will not be a complete reveal of all material.  A number of Catholic Churches have been burnt down in BC.  

On the Cronk domestic front, preparations continue for the move back to Gibsons on Saturday.  Damaged new chair replaced, bed linen acquired, kitchen knives and some basic tools (for assembling furniture) purchased.