Queen's death carries mixed emotions for Indigenous, Caribbean communities in Waterloo region

For some Indigenous and Caribbean communities in Waterloo region, the death of Queen Elizabeth II has generated a wave of mixed emotions.

Some remain conflicted over the Crown's colonial history of abuse against First Nations, Métis and Inuit people and its connection to slavery and decades of colonial rule in the Caribbean. 

Last week, Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was Canada's head of state and the longest-reigning British monarch. Her funeral is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Anandi Carroll-Woolery, a board member with the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR), originally from Trinidad and Tobago said, speaking personally, she can sympathize with members of the royal family who lost a mother and grandmother.

"But the other emotion that comes up ... she represents the Crown and the British empire left its legacy of generational trauma as well," she said, pointing to the transatlantic slave trade that saw millions of Africans trafficked over four centuries.

"While she would not have been alive, of course, around the time of the slave trade, in terms of reparations that were asked for or ways that inequities could have been amended ... this was something the Crown could have done and resisted and that was under her watch," she added.

'I choose my words carefully'

On Monday afternoon, Kitchener Centre MPP Laura Mae Lindo signed a book of condolences at Kitchener's city hall. She said she understands the mixed reactions from people in the community.

"There is a person who has passed, and for that you grieve and you send love into the universe for the family," Lindo said.

"But there's also an opportunity for us to think differently about leadership, about what the monarchy has meant, to think about that history and to figure out how we can use this opportunity to make some kind of a change with the way that the system is set up."

As a Jamaican-Canadian, Lindo's parents were born and raised in a British system in Jamaica, she said. During a recent conversation with her mom, Lindo said her mom said she grew up on a throne estate, which was a plantation under British rule.

"For me, coming and signing the book — because that's part of my role as a member of provincial parliament — it's also that very clear reminder that I am also, as a Black woman, a player in a colonial system that has, in fact, harmed people," Lindo said.

"As much as I want to use my position of influence and privilege to make change, there's also these moments that become extremely complicated. And so I choose my words carefully as I write in that book."

Relationship with Indigenous community 

Myeengun Henry, an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper at the University of Waterloo, said Indigenous people's relationship with the monarchy is complicated.

He said many saw her as a representative of the Crown, which hasn't had a good history with Indigenous peoples. He said she was in power during the Sixties Scoops and residential schools.

"When I look back, really what did she do during those times of residential schools? She's made words that said she was sorry to see it happen, but I think she had a little more ability to control some of that and she didn't and that's what really bothers a lot of Indigenous people today," he said.

However, he said, on the other hand she met with First Nations communities in the past and one of her last statements was in regards to the attacks in James Smith Cree Nation.

"She thought about First Nations people, I think," he said.

Reconciliation and an equitable future

With King Charles III now as head of state, Henry said the hope is to move forward with reconciliation and honour past treaties the Crown made with Indigenous peoples in Canada.

"I think he has a good idea of what Indigenous people have gone through in this country, but I think he is more willing to listen and maybe we can come up with some ideas that'll help change," he said.

"Everybody has seen what happened with colonization here in Canada and I think this will spark an opportunity for people to understand that this country was built on partnerships with Indigenous people," he added.

As for Carroll-Woolery, she also hopes this change brings a shift toward a more equitable future.

"This could be a watershed moment to take stock of what the British empire has done and what outstanding actions need to be taken," she said.

Carroll-Woolery's husband Lannois, who is the president of CCAWR, said, speaking from his personal experience, this could spark stronger calls from his home country, Jamaica, to separate from the monarchy.

"I expect those movements to gain steam. I think a lot of people are going to have a hard time saying, 'This is the person we want to acknowledge as our head of state,'" he said.

"On the other hand, there is value in continuity. There is value in stability. As we chart a path forward, not to necessarily throw the baby out with the bath water, but to think about what works and what doesn't work, what we'd like to keep and have that reasoned discussion," he added. 

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here