While I appreciate that each person has a right to celebrate Canada Day as they wish, I am disappointed that the slate of entertainers for Owen Sound does not even include any indigenous performer. While such an invitation may have been declined in light of recent discoveries and the gravity surrounding them, as the real first Canadians they deserve to be part of any celebration and as the entertainment list has been available for some time and never showed a First Nations or Métis participant, I can draw the conclusion that none were asked.

Recently an addition to the ‘festivities‘ was announced; the sounding of emergency vehicle sirens as a ‘show of solidarity’ for one minute followed by five minutes of silence to encourage people to contemplate or educate themselves about the sad discovery of hundreds of bodies and that to be followed up with the fireworks. I am uncertain who thought that an appropriate gesture and unless the reason is widely disseminated over the next 48 hours, it will be very confusing for many.

I will let you draw your own conclusions.

Catherine Todd
Owen Sound