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Has Canada acquired a second, tuneless national anthem?

Prior to public events of all sort — city council meetings, school classes, concerts, sporting events, church services, conferences, etc. — it is now widely accepted practice to acknowledge the fact participants are on the traditional territory of various Indigenous peoples, and that the rest of us are merely guests on their land.

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Arising from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, this routine is meant to promote greater understanding between Indigenous peoples and the rest of Canada. It’s not working. Instead of conciliating, these statements are creating confusion and conflict. They’re also rife with historical inaccuracies.

These statements are creating confusion and conflict. They're also rife with historical inaccuracies

The current popularity of these statements ought to be taken as a sign many non-natives honestly care about native issues. Paying homage to Indigenous stewardship of the land in this symbolic way seems like a nice, polite and very Canadian thing to do. The Winnipeg Jets, for example, open every home game with an acknowledgement that they’re playing on “Treaty 1 land.” But what are the practical implications of such symbolism?