At least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured in an apparent stabbing rampage in Canada targeting members of the Indigenous community. The attacks took place on Sunday in Saskatchewan, a predominantly rural province with a significant First Nations population, and at least some of the attacks appear to be completely at random. The authorities have named two suspects and are still searching for them, as the James Smith Cree Nation has declared a state of emergency until the end of the month.
Much like the Indigenous population of the US and around the world, members of the First Nations are some of the most overlooked and underserved people in the country, and they’ve been fighting for justice for generations. Canada’s treatment of Indigenous groups has been described as cultural genocide, as forced assimilation was standard operating procedure for many years. Just last year, evidence was discovered indicating a possible mass grave on the grounds of a reeducation school in British Columbia. For decades there has been increased campaigning and activism to overturn colonial conquests and recognize Indigenous sovereignty.
Police continue to search for the suspects in these attacks, but the message the perpetrators are sending is loud and clear: they are only interested in contributing to the cultural genocide. I consider myself ardently opposed to capital punishment, but attacks like this always test the limits of my compassion.
Side Items
Chilean voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed left-leaning constitution that would have reshaped the country with ~62% of voters saying no. This could be seen as a letdown for leftists everywhere, but my counter-argument is that 38% of voters wanted something that’s never existed before. Let’s just worry about growing that number of people who want a different future
The Conservative Party in the UK is preparing to announce its new prime minister, and it looks like Liz Truss is the favorite. Knowing little about her, other than her former role as foreign secretary, I can confidently say I "Truss” this woman to ruin the lives of millions while in power. She replaces Boris Johnson, the disgraced politician with the worst haircut imaginable
Today is Labor Day, and I’d be remiss not to mention the origins of this bank holiday. Late in the nineteenth century, labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions workers have made to this country. Without their hard work and sacrifice, we’d all be struggling through another Monday, and it speaks to what workers can achieve when they stand together