Canada Day is approaching, and as hundreds of graves of Indigenous children are being found at former residential schools in various provinces, there are questions about the most appropriate way to acknowledge the holiday this year.

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, received an invitation from the mayor of Fort Providence to participate in the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 festivities on July 1.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think Canada Day is a good opportunity to reflect on the country and its accomplishments,SA国际影视传媒� McLeod said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut I think this year there is also an opportunity to face some of the negative parts of our country and what governments have done with different populations, and ISA国际影视传媒檓 speaking of Indigenous people and the realities we have had to endure.SA国际影视传媒�

McLeod said itSA国际影视传媒檚 important to remember that this issue goes beyond political affiliation and that all Canadians have to face the harsh reality of the abuses that Indigenous people have experienced.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have not been good to Indigenous people and I think Canadians as a whole, weSA国际影视传媒檙e ready to acknowledge that and reconcile with that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are dealing with fires lit a long time ago and putting out those fires are not easy ones. I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e heading in the right direction.SA国际影视传媒�

McLeod said itSA国际影视传媒檚 not up to him how First Nations, Metis or Inuit groups approach Canada Day.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 not my call, but I think I want to be able to celebrate Canada Day and also be able to acknowledge a lot of the wrongs done to Indigenous people because ISA国际影视传媒檓 one of them,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 grew up angry about what has happened to Indigenous people and sometimes I still feel that way. But ISA国际影视传媒檓 also very much committed to seeking clarity and trying to see that Indigenous people are able live to the Canadian standard of living.SA国际影视传媒�