One of the books ISA国际影视传媒檝e pulled off my shelf since the rise of the Trump 2.0 era is Mark ZuehlkeSA国际影视传媒檚 For Honour's Sake: The War of 1812 and the Brokering of an Uneasy Peace.
Eyes may glaze over at the thought of pre-Confederation military history in central Canada, but ZuehlkeSA国际影视传媒檚 book reveals how Canadian identity was shaped under pressure SA国际影视传媒� as an American government prepared to annex French Canada, English Canada, and First Nations seeking sovereignty in the Ohio Valley.
At the time, many believed francophones would welcome the Americans as liberators, along with some of the early American settlers in Southern Ontario. Sound familiar? Canada as the 'cherished 51st State'.
Indigenous nations under TecumsehSA国际影视传媒檚 confederacy were seen by American planners as obstacles to expansion, to be removed by force or treaty violation.
But what unfolded defied expectations: French, English, and Indigenous groups remained united under the Crown and fought back, each for their own reasons. For French and Indigenous communities, minority rights were seen as more secure under the Crown. For English settlers, ties to Britain offered a separate identity from the American Revolution and stability in North America.
Zuehlke shows how todaySA国际影视传媒檚 CanadaSA国际影视传媒揢.S. borders were largely set during this time and the American government spent much of the next century expanding westward, largely to the detriment of Indigenous peoples.
I raise this history because ISA国际影视传媒檝e been thinking a lot lately about Canadian identity, sovereignty, and citizenship. In the coming days, King Charles III SA国际影视传媒� our head of state SA国际影视传媒� will deliver a Speech from the Throne. Alberta continues to simmer with talk of separation. Treaty holders are protesting across the West, including here in Yellowknife. And our new Member of Parliament, Rebecca Alty, has just been named Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations in a federal government elected to face a changing world, including a new America that appears more isolationist, hostile, and erratic, even toward allies.
Zooming out, the international picture appears gloomy. Global institutions like NATO and the United Nations are under strain. Authoritarianism is on the rise. So what does all this mean SA国际影视传媒� for Canada, and for the North?
As Parliament reopens SA国际影视传媒� and as we approach Indigenous Peoples Day and Canada Day SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 worth recommitting to the idea of a shared citizenry. That includes remembering what we already have in common here in the Northwest Territories. This isnSA国际影视传媒檛 to ignore injustice SA国际影视传媒� thereSA国际影视传媒檚 always more work to be done SA国际影视传媒� but to recognize that the screens we look through, the silos we work in, and even the noble causes we fight for can sometimes make it easier to see what divides us, rather than what holds us together.
For Indigenous people leading the charge to defend treaties in recent days, there is an opportunity to take the lead and remind all Canadians that these agreements are not only sacred and constitutionally protected, they are also central to our shared citizenship. The health of the relationship around those treaties SA国际影视传媒� and the well-being of each other SA国际影视传媒� must be nurtured if we want a more secure and meaningful country.
Much like the Crown itself, the treaties are difficult elements of our Constitution to remove, if itSA国际影视传媒檚 even possible. Yet some in our country continue to misinterpret, downplay, or dismiss the historic significance of both.
What should be emphasized in this season is that both the Crown and treaties matter. The health of the relationship we share around those CrownSA国际影视传媒揊irst Nations agreements is what we need to build if we want a healthy, positive country.
Whether youSA国际影视传媒檙e a Mark Carney supporter or not, the new Prime MinisterSA国际影视传媒檚 words in March should resonate: SA国际影视传媒淭he wonder of a country [is] built on the bedrock of three peoples: Indigenous, French, and British.SA国际影视传媒�
In uncertain times, our future as a country, and possibly the world, may well depend on how well we remember who we are.
