Aaron Pete: As an Indigenous person, Trump’s annexation jokes are no laughing matter. I’m proud to be Canadian – The Hub
22 January 2025
For the past few weeks, we’ve watched Canadian-U.S. political relations intensify with looming fears of 25 percent tariffs. We’ve watched Premier Danielle Smith and Premier Doug Ford lead the way in advocating for Canadians to find some way to avoid these costly tariffs. While many of us breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when they weren’t found in President Donald Trump’s executive orders on his inauguration day, it seems like they could still be imposed next month.
All the while, Trump continues to make jokes about Canada becoming the 51st state. Although this is clearly a troll from a man teasing and mocking soon-to-be former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for many, the joke has gone on long enough.
While we’ve heard a lot of reactions from Canadians from many walks of life, one perspective I haven’t yet heard is the perspective of Indigenous Peoples. And if others aren’t willing to give it, I might as well give it myself as a First Nations council member with the Chawathil First Nation out in B.C. Similar to every other Canadian, Indigenous people should be equally concerned about the idea of being swallowed by our neighbours to the south.
