I am... a settler

Settler (noun): a person who arrives, especially from another country, in a new place in order to live there and use the land

The whole idea of retribution towards our Indigenous people, is not something I heard about during my childhood and early adulthood. Being Canadian was (and still is) a positive badge I carry.

Who wouldn't want to be Canadian? This is more so if you are a Canadian living in Germany. At least we are not American. 

Unfortunately, there is a strong anti-American sentiment in German media, especially when it comes to culture (or lack of), education (university education is free here), medical care (the social medical system functions for all, yet is far from perfect), and social infrastructure (good public transport systems exist throughout the country). 

It is not that the media is pro-German; they are definitely critical about all that goes on here. Yet, they are also critical of the "America the Great" mentality. And like many countries worldwide, they spend a lot of energy reporting on the happenings in the States. Especially over the last ten years with a certain President, now running candidate with a criminal record, hogging the headlines and the weakening of the demographic system.

Okay, now back to settlers... 

Recently, I had a discussion with a dear friend in Montreal. They mentioned they felt cornered into being a "Canadian settler" rather than "Canadian". Their forefathers and foremothers immigrated centuries ago to Montreal. They felt frustrated, even angry, at being labelled a settler.

In my case, my great-grandparents on the maternal side and my great-great-grandparents on the paternal side settled in Canada. The first came as poor Irish fleeing the potato famine. The others were tradesmen seeking opportunity. 

So, even though they were not individually responsible for the tragedies and crimes committed toward Indigenous people, they were settlers. On top of that, on the paternal side, it can be argued they were colonialists.

So, as someone who is truly sorry for the destruction the Indigenous people suffered, and the role European settlers played in the past, I am (at the very least) a settler. I do not see it as a badge of shame, though I am deeply ashamed of how ignorant I have been believing the history I was taught. Instead, I endeavour to carry the badge of truth as best I can.