Manitoulin Island First Nations leaders ask people not to celebrate Canada Day

When July 1 comes around, Patsy Corbiere will not be doing anything to celebrate. And she hopes her neighbours on Manitoulin Island and Canadians at large will follow suit.

Corbiere is the Chief of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, and Tribal Chair of the United Chiefs and Council of Mnidoo Mnising (UCCMM). 

UCCMM is asking people not to celebrate Canada Day this year. Instead, the group is asking people to use the day to educate themselves about the history of residential schools and the continued impacts. 

“We don’t want to scare people, you know, not to celebrate Canada Day,” Corbiere said. 

“But what they