I became a Canadian citizen today, nineteen years after I left my home-country, fourteen years since I first landed in Canada 😭 I actually cried during my oath (which I really wasn't expecting, but I guess this all makes sense). During the ceremony, the judge spoke at length about it being Indigenous History Month, explicitly naming the historic and ongoing violence towards Indigenous peoples of these lands, inviting us as soon-to-be citizens to think through the question of reconciliation with regards to the privilege of living on these territories. The judge also spoke about it being Pride month, which also struck a meaningful chord. As my first act as a Canadian citizen, I want to publicly recant the first 25 words of my citizenship oath. I disavow the words that ask me to "be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Her Successors." In doing so, I hope to honour the resistance of my ancestors and my family, as well as my own convictions and values. In this new journey, I hope to keep contributing meaningfully to the places, people, communities & milieus where I have made a home 🇨🇦🇲🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #citizenship #citizen #canadian #canada #unceded #nativeland #immigration #immigrant #decolonize #lgbtq #lgbt #lgbtq+ #trans #transgender #femme #queer #mauritian #artist (at Moncton, New Brunswick) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cezbc9hLjj4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
