Cancel Canada Day Reading List

Many white settler Canadians think that racism does not exist here, or that it's "not as bad" as it is in the United States. However, that is simply false. Canada as it exists now is a country founded by colonizers. Racism has been part of its story since those first colonizers arrived. In the wake of these recent tragedies, there are growing calls for Canadians to learn more about Indigenous history and the experiences of Canadian people of color. A movement called #CancelCanadaDay, led by Indigenous group Idle No More, urges communities across the country to cancel planned Canada Day celebrations on July 1 and make it a day of mourning, education, and activism. In that spirit, here's a #CancelCanadaDay reading list to learn more about Canada's history, colonization, and the lived experiences of people of color in this country.