Skip to content

Feeling grateful and conflicted on Remembrance Day

I was born in the Netherlands and moved to Canada 36 years later, in 1999.

I was born in the Netherlands and moved to Canada 36 years later, in 1999. Since then, I have dedicated a lot of my time to protect the natural beauty of the lands and waters that surround us, I have been active to bring the plight of the Indigenous people to the forefront and support the work of reconciliation.

My drive is rooted in the appreciation for the courage and sacrifices of Canadian soldiers for the Liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War. This sincere appreciation is linked to the understanding I have acquired since moving here, that Canada was able to play the role of liberator, because it had access to the ‘fruits’ of land and resources it had claimed through the colonization of Turtle Island’s land and waters.

What I learned about colonization, before and after I moved to Canada, has only strengthened this understanding – that a great right to the Netherlands was made possible through a great wrong that was done to the people of Turtle Island, the Indigenous people of Canada.

I deeply feel the right that Canada did to the Netherlands, and also deeply feel the wrong that Canada has done to the Indigenous people: my mother is one of the few surviving members of a Jewish family decimated by the Nazis.

Similar happened to the people of Turtle Island who suffered greatly just because the British and French wanted the land they were living on. Many were murdered and many perished due to European diseases known to be lethal for the Indigenous people. We all can get a better understanding what took place at the Residential Schools, yet many Indigenous people still suffer greatly due to the impacts of the schools and a deep-rooted racism within a society that remains very colonial.

Canada and its people have a big problem that must be addressed. Canada never broke or breached the treaties with the nation that did so much wrong to the Netherlands and the Jewish people, yet Canada broke and breached pretty much all the treaties it has or had with the Indigenous Nations of Turtle Island.

Just as I have feelings of deep appreciation and respect for Canada and its soldiers who liberated my country of origin, one would expect appreciation and respect towards the people who were already living here and whose suffering made Canada possible in a very heart wrenching way.

Slowly, Canada, its governments and its people are coming to terms that they have to make right what is so wrong. That the time of exclusion is over and that we must work together to liberate this society of its colonialism and racism.

On Remembrance Day we show our deep appreciation for the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace.

I hope one Remembrance Day soon, Canada’s colonial past is truly the past, and I won’t have these conflicted feelings when attending the ceremony. I hope by then the people of Canada have embraced the right we must make and give it a place ... also on this day.