Opinion: Framing Canada as Indigenous 'Traditional Territory' Marginalizes Long-Settled Canadians
The column argues that labeling Canada as Indigenous “traditional territory” turns non-Indigenous citizens into “uninvited guests,” undermining their sense of belonging.
In this opinion piece, the writer contends that the dominant narrative of Canada as merely Indigenous “traditional territory” serves to delegitimize non-Indigenous Canadians by casting them as “uninvited guests.” He highlights the emergence of a unique Canadian culture among early settlers, referencing remarks by Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil and General Isaac Brock that distinguished colonial-born people from European officers.
While acknowledging Canada’s immigrant population, the author emphasizes that many citizens have multigenerational ties to places like Newfoundland, Alberta’s foothills and the Ottawa Valley. He argues that institutional rituals at universities and major banks, which label staff and students as guests, amount to psychological dispossession. The article warns that such language erodes the legitimate attachment Canadians have to their land and cultural heritage.
Why it matters
It challenges how national identity is framed, affecting how Canadians perceive their own belonging.
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