National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was observed this Thursday that has just passed
The indigenous people said they wanted to celebrate and not be downcast
They want this country to be aware of the strife that they have gone through
So the leader of our country, what does he decide to do?
He delivered his remarks on Parliament Hill on the eve of this day
Then he and his family flew to Tofino to have a holiday
Accusations of callousness is the refrain heard across our land
This is just another example of how we don’t understand
The first time we have taken an initiative to finally become aware
The leader of Canada shows how little he must care
I guess after getting an election win, he needed to unwind
The timing of this getaway has now put him in a bind
How do you defend yourself after committing such a heartless act?
This just heightened up the awareness that this observance was meant to attract
This is just another example of being insensitive in this case
Our complicity in this maltreatment is something we all have to face
Students who attended these residential schools did their talking
The remembrances of their own experiences were totally shocking
To the generations that went to these establishments being abused was just a routine
The stories they related to us were totally obscene
How could they let these institutions be allowed to operate for all of that time?
The fact that some still remain is a total crime
They murdered these children and haven’t paid any cost
We will never know how many lives have been lost
We can’t forget the women who are still missing and no one knows where they are
The efforts to locate them, don’t seem to get very far
It seems authorities don’t seem to be concerned about this fact
Thousands of them have disappeared, not many cases have been cracked
Then I watch the news of Gabby Petito who went missing in the States
She, like these indigenous women experienced a similar fate
The difference being that her whole country was alerted to this case
They had authorities looking in every single place
Why does she get this attention while these other women don’t make the news?
This is still yet another example of how we choose to abuse
So if we want to really make a difference and remedy our bigoted past
Right all the wrongs that our Canadian country has amassed
It’s time to listen up and get your head out of the sand
Take heed to what these indigenous people encounter and try to understand
This way we will truly realize how they have lived in fear
It takes a lot more effort than just wearing orange once a year
The Black Sheep Poet 