Bill Spence

Yesterday, I received an email from my 8 year old daughters school informing me that she has been selected to perform the "land acknowlegent" in her schools upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony. While my initial reaction was "the hell she is!", I had a night to sleep on it, and crafted my response seen below. We will not be a part of this virtue signalling that is now quickly becoming a slippery slope across Canada. *********************************** Dear Ms. ------ and Mr. ------, I am writing as the parent of ------ ------, a Grade 3 student at ------ Elementary, regarding the upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th. Ms. ------recently informed me that my daughter ------has been selected to deliver the land acknowledgement at the start of the event. While I appreciate the school's efforts to honour this significant day and involve students in meaningful ways, I must respectfully request that she not participate in this portion of the ceremony. After careful consideration, our family has decided that ------ will not be delivering the acknowledgement, and we will be excusing her from school that morning to attend a personal family observance at a local cenotaph. As a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran who has served our country, and with a family history of military service dating back to the 1700s - long before Canada was a nation - I hold Remembrance Day especially close to my heart. Many of my ancestors, including my great grandfather - who made the ultimate sacrifice overseas during WW1 and both of my grandfathers who thankfully survived WW2, fought to protect the freedoms we cherish today. This day, in our view, is sacred in its singular focus: to remember and honour the over 110,000 Canadian soldiers who died in the World Wars, the thousands lost in other conflicts, and the countless veterans who returned bearing the invisible and visible scars of their service. It is a time to reflect on those who built and defended this land, ensuring its safety for generations, including our own children. We recognize the importance of cultural education and reconciliation efforts, and Canada thoughtfully designates National Indigenous Peoples' Day on June 21st and National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30th for such observances. These dedicated days allow space for those vital conversations without overshadowing other national commemorations. On Remembrance Day, however, introducing elements like a land acknowledgement - even with the best intentions - feels like it dilutes the day's profound purpose. For families like ours, who have contributed to the very fabric of this nation through generations of service, it can inadvertently suggest that our shared history begins elsewhere, rather than celebrating the collective sacrifices that unite us. Daily land acknowledgements at school, while well-meaning, have also begun to weigh heavily on ------. At just eight years old, she is internalizing messages that frame her - and by extension, her family - as outsiders or "colonizers" on the land her ancestors helped defend and develop. This is not a narrative that aligns with our lived history or values, and it risks eroding her sense of belonging in her own community. We are committed to teaching her about Canada's diverse histories in age-appropriate, balanced ways, but we believe Remembrance Day should remain untouched by these broader discussions. On November 11th, instead of the school ceremony, we plan to take ------ to the cenotaph to meet with fellow veterans, including a surviving relative who served. This firsthand experience will help her connect directly with the human stories behind the day, fostering a deep, personal appreciation for sacrifice and service. We hope the school will accommodate this absence without issue, as it aligns with our educational goals for her. I kindly ask that you and the school community reflect on these perspectives. At its core, this is a plea from one CAF veteran's family: please, let us have this one day - one achingly difficult day - to grieve, remember, and honour without the intrusion of political or performative elements. It would mean the world to those of us who have worn the uniform, and to the children we raise to understand its weight. Thank you for your understanding and for the compassionate work your team does every day. I am happy to discuss this further if helpful and remain grateful for the supportive environment ------Elementary provides for ------. Sincerely, ------ Father of ------ ------