They danced not for Canada Day but instead for an indigenous resistance movement happening across the country.
On Canada Day in downtown Kelowna, the Rethink150: Indigenous Truth Collective hosted an alternative to the Canada Day events happening around them.
It included traditional dancers from the The St害羞草研究所檃t害羞草研究所檌mc Bear Dance Group which spoke and danced powerfully to drums and traditional songs on the lawn in front of the Rotary Centre for Arts.
The performances were meant to challenge those who watched it.
Constitution Song is 害羞草研究所渕eant to make you all feel a little uncomfortable,害羞草研究所� said Rethink150 spokesperson Dixon Terbasket, noting the lyrics communicate indigenous resistance to stolen lands and assimilation, with lines such as 害羞草研究所楥anada is all Indian Land害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所榃e don害羞草研究所檛 need your Constitution.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e are not performers,害羞草研究所� one of the Bear Dancers stated in a release. 害羞草研究所淲e did not come here to perform for you.害羞草研究所� The group instead said it danced in solidarity with the resistance movement happening across Canada.
害羞草研究所淭his movement resists the dismissive celebrations of Canada害羞草研究所檚 sesquicentennial, bringing attention to indigenous perspectives and struggles. These struggles, and the colonial process which created them, require understanding from all who live on these lands we now call Canada, so we may move forward in a positive and healing way.害羞草研究所�
It was another in a series of events held by the Retink 150 collective, which included the , public discussion and a spoken word/poetry event.
With the publicity bedind Canada 150 events across the country, the Rethink150 group launched their own campaign. It was a public effort to make people think about Canada害羞草研究所檚 history. Their events have received positive reaction but also plenty of negative with comments on the 害羞草研究所 Facebook page representing both sides of the issue.
害羞草研究所淵es, historical wrongs were met upon the indigenous peoples, but that was a sign of the times害羞草研究所e have acknowledged, and apologized for these tragedies,害羞草研究所� wrote Merry Erin Edwards.
害羞草研究所淲hy do we keep trying to right the wrongs when they won害羞草研究所檛 even acknowledge the effort,害羞草研究所� stated Donna Mae Lee.
While the bear dancers were outside, inside the Alternator Gallery for Contemporary art was a large image depicting colonial oppression. Discussions were held with indigenous perspectives shared regarding the last 150+ years.
