It seems that cross-country road trips are all the rage these days. If you haven’t gone yet, I encourage you to plan one!

I saw this article in the Globe and Mail on the long weekend: Plot a road-trip to Canada’s best child friendly historic sites, by John Lee. We’ve been to a number of those and I agree, most of them are pretty fun! However, I thought he missed an opportunity to include some aboriginal historical sites – including a few we were lucky enough to visit. Below is the email I sent to him (along with a shameless plug for our site). I haven’t gotten a reply yet, but I’ll definitely post it if I do. If you have any sites you’d recommend, add them in the comments. Those Johnston Kids will be heading east (though Holly is petitioning hard for Florida – “It’s 34 degrees in Orlando!”) and I’m sure they’d appreciate the suggestions.

Hi John– I just read your article on fun, kid-friendly historical sites in Canada (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/activities-and-interests/what-are-some-fun-historical-sites-for-kids-in-canada/article25783340/). My husband and kids (7 & 9) are on a cross-country road trip, as we speak. They left from Toronto on June 29 and are currently in Banff, working their way back from Vancouver Island. The goal was to see the country, hang out with their dad and maybe have a few exciting adventures. We wanted them to feel it was as much their vacation as ours (I was only able to join for the Saskatoon – Vancouver leg) and they are keeping a blog of their adventures at http://thosejohnstonkids.ca/.

As it happens, we’ve been to a number of the sites mentioned and, while it’s nowhere near an exhaustive list, it provides a good exploration of Canada’s history. However, notably absent is anything of import around native history which is, I believe, a gross oversight. Sure you’ll find some mention of natives as an aside at many historical sites or in relation to trading at historic HBC outposts, but it does not cover the historical fact that there were people here before colonists arrived. My husband, who is Anishnaabe, takes great pains to explain to our children that the Europeans who colonized Canada were not “pioneers” as pioneers implies they were the first people here. Canada, and indeed North America, was populated long before the Europeans arrived and many parts of Canada are still unceded – meaning the land has never been surrendered – including the majority of BC. While many would say this is a small point on which to base an argument, I firmly believe that the words we use to define a people and an experience shape how we see it. Any journalist, politician or writer would tell you the same. Continually referring to colonists as “pioneers” changes how we see them – and ourselves. I would much rather say I was the descendant of pioneers, which implies adventure and hard work. Pioneers were the first to settle Canada. Contrast that with colonist and its less flattering definition of being the one  to appropriate land not belonging to them; to exploit other cultures; to settle in order to gain political control. I can see why many sites prefer to call themselves “pioneer villages” – but it is changing our history. To fully integrate and create a cohesive society, you need to acknowledge the truth of what happened and then you can move forward. Refusing to acknowledge our treatment of the culture that was here before we arrived supports the continuing systemic racism within Canada.

A rather heavy response to a simple, light article on the fun travel opportunities in Canada, I know. But important to encouraging conversation on our history and evolution as a country.  

To round out your list, I would add these attractions to your list of places to visit that will help create a truly Canadian experience:

• Xatsull Heritage Village– just south of Quesnel, the Xatsull Heritage Village provides a window into the spiritual, cultural and traditional way of life of the Xatsull people.
• Tuckkwiowhum Village – experience a Nlaka’pamux village before the arrival of European culture.
• Wanuskewin Heritage Park– located above Opimihaw Creek and the south Saskatchewan River near Saskatoon, Wanuskewin contains some of the most exciting archaeological finds in North America and provides a record of cultural development over the last 6000 years.
• Memorial for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women – The Forks, Winnipeg.
• Woodland Cultural Centre– Located in Brantford Ontario, you can arrange a tour of the last residential school in Ontario. This is a heavy – but important – one. Part of denying our history is refusing to see it. You may not consider this one  kid friendly, but keep in mind, this is where we sent native children.

 Sincerely, Stephanie MacDonald, Toronto, Ontario