July 1st closure in solidarity with the Lekwungen Peoples
In previous years, we tended to be open on stat holidays that fell on weekdays, but for this year, we’re doing things differently.
In light of the ongoing investigations at former residential school sites, I have chosen to follow suit with Victoria City Council to close on July 1st (Canada Day) to take the day to reflect, mourn and to decompress from the recent tragic events happening nationwide, compounded by the everyday stress of pandemic practicing.
In a country that regularly reminds me that I never really quite belong, while I am grateful to hold Canadian citizenship and some of the privileges it affords me such as socialized medicine, I am reminded of the bloodshed, genocide, white supremacy and racism that is the foundation of this land we have stolen and continue to occupy.
Not to mention that PoC in this country are still regularly othered, scapegoated, targeted, attacked and killed. Some days, it honestly feels like PoC are walking around with a target on their backs, simply because a portion of our “society” is built on the lie that whiteness is the default and the true definition of being “Canadian”.
And to our city council and other cities around this nation, this is a step in the right direction. Do not adjust course, do not give into intimidation, do not look away at the ugly history of this country.
I hope July 1st is a solemn day of which you can stand in empathy and solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of your respective lands, to learn about and hold to heart the brutal history of which this nation was founded.
We will be back to our regular schedule Friday July 2nd, 3-7pm.
If it is within your means, please donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. We have already donated $480, which was 25% of Community Acupuncture revenues collected each Thursday in June. It is of the utmost importance as settlers that we support our Indigenous community across the country during this retraumatizing, devastating time. It is the LEAST this country can do for reconciliation.
May these stolen young lives will finally be properly put to rest.
This is Curtis Wilson’s interpretation of our nation’s flag, created in 2011. Curtis was born, raised and lived in Campbell River. His family came from the four corners of the Kwakwaka’wakw territory.
