I identify with my settler Canadian culture and ancestry, and I deeply love it, but it's partly because of that love that I've tried to support Indigenous rights and restitution and educate other non-Native Canadians about the parts of our history we either don't know or prefer to ignore.

The issue I have is the notion that we have no moral right to take pride in our roots or our heritage. Everything from personal bonds of family and friendship to family histories to cultural legacies are, by implication, morally tainted and illegitimate.

I celebrate Canada Day, but I also advocate for restoration of land as Indigenous territories. I might try and show other Canadians the overlooked parts of our history that we can take pride in, but I also try and show the parts of our history we'd rather not acknowledge.

For me, these are two sides of the same coin, that of my love for Canada and my wanting it to actually live up to its reputation. There's no contradiction between these actions.