Canada Day and Indigenous identity often live in tension with one another. As someone with both Métis and European ancestry, July 1st brings up a familiar mix of emotions. On one hand, it’s a day when people across the country gather to celebrate community and shared identity. On the other, it’s a stark reminder of the harms—past and present—committed against Indigenous Peoples in the name of nation-building.
At Embodied Resilience, we believe healing begins with honesty. This blog is not about assigning blame—it’s about making space for both celebration and truth.
For many Canadians, Canada Day is tied to backyard BBQs, fireworks, and moments of national pride. And for settlers or those disconnected from their Indigenous roots, that may feel simple and unproblematic.
But for those of us navigating Canada Day and Indigenous identity, it’s far more complicated. The creation of Canada in 1867 was not a celebration for Indigenous Peoples—it was a line in the sand, marking the beginning of intensified efforts to assimilate, displace, and erase us.
If you’re unfamiliar with how this legacy still affects Indigenous communities, you can read more in our article on reconciling Indigenous Identity Confusion.
It’s a dangerous myth that the impacts of colonization are buried in the past. The truth is, for many Indigenous communities, the wounds are open and active:
Acknowledging these realities doesn’t cancel joy—it expands our capacity to hold Canada Day and Indigenous identity in one breath.
As someone with both settler and Indigenous ancestry, I feel this divide in my bones. I’ve benefited from certain systems while also being hurt by them. And July 1st amplifies that duality.
But there’s strength in dual identity. Many of us walk two worlds. Our existence is proof of both survival and complexity. And in holding space for both our joy and grief, we reflect what true reconciliation can look like.
Want to engage more meaningfully with this day? Here are some accessible, non-performative steps that allow space for both celebration and reflection:
Whether you’re a settler or reconnecting Indigenous person, understanding land acknowledgements is a start. We recommend visiting native-land.ca to learn more about the territory you reside on..
You can still enjoy fireworks or time with friends while also naming the history and present harm of Canada’s formation. Post something real—not just a flag emoji.
Buy from Indigenous artisans. Share Indigenous-created content. Follow voices like Chelsea Vowel, Jesse Thistle, and Pam Palmater.
Feeling uncomfortable is a sign you’re growing. Ask yourself what narratives you’ve inherited about Canada Day and Indigenous identity, and whether those stories honour the full truth.
To my fellow Métis, First Nations, Inuit, and mixed-ancestry kin: this day can be painful. You don’t owe anyone a polished narrative or a teachable moment. Whether you choose to celebrate, mourn, disconnect, or reclaim—it’s your choice.
Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. At Embodied Resilience, we work with clients who are navigating these same tensions. We offer therapy rooted in cultural humility, lived experience, and a deep respect for the stories that shape us.
At Embodied Resilience, many of our practitioners carry intersecting identities. We know what it’s like to live in contradiction—to want to belong while holding pain, to honour tradition while questioning the systems we were raised in.
We offer a space for:
Whether you’re Indigenous, settler, or somewhere in-between, we invite you into a conversation that makes space for both compassion and accountability.
Canada Day and Indigenous identity don’t have to be at war with each other. But they do require us to slow down, reflect, and listen deeply.
It’s okay to feel pride and pain.
It’s okay to participate and to question.
It’s okay to grieve and to celebrate.
What matters most is that we keep doing the work—inside ourselves and in our communities—to make space for all of it.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
