Some Canadians want to change some words of O Canada.

“Our home and native land”

would become

“Our home on native land”

The Prime Minister says it will be up to Canadians to decide.

Well I vote “NO” to that change of wording.

Why?  There are a few reasons:

• In the original wording, “home and native” are paired together, suggesting a national identity.  The words “home on native land” suggest a specific place, rather than an identity.  The proposed words do not invite unity.
• In the original wording, “native” is easily understood as “one born, reared or living” in a particular place.  The proposed wording expresses “native” as an “indigenous inhabitant”.  “Native” used in that context is considered offensive by some, implying a primitive culture and lifestyle: “He’s gone native!”
• My most serious objection is that the proposed wording suggests that Canadians should feel accountable because their forebears appropriated indigenous property through colonization.  While colonization is part of our history, ongoing accountability for actions of the past is inconsistent with equal citizenship in the population today.  It casts aspersions on the property and moral rights of non-indigenous Canadians.  Canadians live in a democratic country with a Charter of Rights.  Their use of the land is consistent with law.  There is no justification for an insinuation of guilt – especially in a national anthem!

Canadians are renowned, it is said, for saying “Sorry”.  But I don’t think we should say “Sorry” in our national anthem.