Dear Editor:
I see the celebration of May Day here as adding insult to injury by celebrating our British colonial history while ignoring the suffering and environmental destruction colonialism brought worldwide (disease, slave trade, genocide, opium wars, industrial revolution/global warming … ).
“The Qayqayt First Nation, also known as the New Westminster Indian Band, is a band government located at New Westminster, British Columbia. Qayqayt is one of the smallest First Nations in Canada and is the only First Nation without a land base.”
I would find it much more appropriate to educate children about the many horrors of British colonialism worldwide and teach them a Qayqayt First Nation dance than a European one.
I wonder what Qayqayt First Nation chief Rhonda Larrabee might think of settlers dancing (effectively celebrating the spoils of colonialism) on their land.
Now, to do something about all those offensive Eurocentric street, school and place names in our city, not to mention changing our anthem to “we live on native land” from “our home and native land.”
Paul Esslinger, New Westminster
