Episode 30: When Trump Sounds Familiar
He's called Canada the "nastiest country to deal with" and the "51st state". Trump's rhetoric is alarming - threats of annexation and assimilation by force. But if we are really honest, these threats are as old as Canada itself.
In this episode of Canadian Salad, we unpack Trump's rhetoric and how it echos of historical colonization - where threats led to actions, broken agreements and eventual assimilation. We'll look at the varied reactions among Canadians and Indigenous peoples—highlighting how most privileged Canadians view Trump's threats as merely 'crazy,' while Indigenous leaders regard his sentiments as a serious, and all-too familiar threat. We'll emphasize the stark contrast in impact, where Indigenous communities will face grave circumstances to their sovereignty, land and access to resources should Trump's force take place.
If you can't fight fire with fire, you certainly can't fight colonization with colonized perspectives. It's a matter of Truth and Reconciliation, of working with Indigenous People and listening. There are generations of people who have known what it took to survive, to stand up and to keep speaking truth to power - and we are long overdue to listen and to learn.
Episode Sources
Indigenous People Know What Trump Is Like - Toronto Star
Reconciling History: A Story of Canada - Book by Jody Wilson-Raybould
What is Colonization? - Oxford Dictionary
'One of the nastiest countries': What Donald Trump said about Canada to Laura Ingraham - National Post
Signs of resistance: Trump threats inspire patriotic displays in Greater Victoria - Times Colonist
Ontario Suspends levy on US-bound electricity as Ford set to meet with Trump officials - CBC News
US pauses water-sharing negotiations with Canada over Columbia River - The Guardian
Poll suggests Canadians are growing more alarmed by U.S. tariffs and aggression - Times Colonist
Indigenous leaders want in on talks about Canada’s territorial sovereignty, response to tariff threats - Global News
Indigenous leaders say Trump’s threats to make Canada a 51st state challenges inherent sovereignty - RCI Canadian News
Nothing about us without us - United Nations
Quiz Sources
Seven Time the US/Canada Border Wasn’t Peaceful - History
Indigenous People Globally - Amnesty International