So Long, Queen: The Rise of Anti‑Colonialism, One Fist at a Time
Lidia Thorpe, a freshly elected Indigenous Australian parliamentarian, kicked off her oath in a style that left everyone in awe. Picture a fist rising like a superhero salute over her head – she didn’t want to “kneel” to the “murderer” she calls the former monarch.
“It was like kneeling to a murderer,” Thorpe confided to Reuters. “I was handed an oath to a colonising power that’s scarred our people for generations.”
The queen’s passing has opened a floodgate for first‑nation voices worldwide. From Toronto to Trinidad, the conversation is pure and passionate: monarchs, slavery, and the big bill of apologies.
Who’s Calling for a New Head of State?
- Canadian First Nations leaders want the monarchy to tackle historical injustices and step up with fresh accountability.
- Caribbean nations are demanding reparations for the brutal legacy of slavery.
- In Australia, Thorpe is advocating for an official Indigenous voice in Parliament – but she’s not comfortable with a government that still marks a day of mourning for the Queen while ignoring Aboriginal histories.
Professor Veldon Coburn, an Anishinaabe scholar at the University of Ottawa, spoke truth. “We’re confronting injustices everywhere, especially those carried out in the name of nations that have exploited Indigenous peoples.” He noted the wave of resistance that began in the 1950s – a time when colonial empires were cracking and people were calling for change.
Why the Monarch? The Debate Grows
With the rise of anti‑colonial sentiment, people are questioning whether the Crown still fits into a modern democratic landscape. The revelations of Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure have added a new layer: alleged racism and distance from the people they claim to represent.
Australian Prime Minister’s choice to hold a day of mourning for the late Queen – while Indigenous communities feel “as if they never existed” – has become another “nail in the coffin” for those who feel sidelined.
So, as the Commonwealth countries re‑evaluate their ties to the monarchy, the voices of Indigenous peoples are louder than ever. Whether it’s a throne party or a new parliament, one thing’s clear: history is keeping its story, and the past isn’t ready to hand it over without a good fight.
Republic debate
Barbados Declares Independence from the Crown… And the Caribbean Gathers Hype
Back in November 2021, Barbados decided to finally cut the off with the queen as its premier. The move felt like a power‑up for the republican vibe and sparked a similar buzz in Jamaica and Bahamas. Australia, New Zealand and Canada are watching the trend, and a growing swirl of opinion polls suggests that the people might want to ditch the royal ties once Queen Elizabeth steps out of the spotlight.
New Zealand’s Indigenous Voice on the Matter
- Maori makes up roughly 17 % of New Zealand’s 5 million‑person population and enjoys strong representation in Parliament.
- The country has recognised Māori as an official language and it’s a staple in the school curriculum.
- Still, the Maori community lives behind bars more often than most people and remains the poor avocado of the nation.
“If we can’t take a stand against colonisation now, what point is it to wait for Prince William or his kiddo?” asked Debbie Ngarewa‑Packer, co‑leader of the Maori Party. “No one who holds the crown, whether king or queen, can truly forget how colonialism wrecked our lives.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s hope? New Zealand eventually becoming a republic, but she’s not putting it on the next election cycle.
Australia’s Plan: A Quiet Republic Roadmap
- Labor’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese openly sings the republic song and has handed the baton to a minister to chase the dream.
- Getting out of the monarchy needs a referendum, and it seems only if the government clinches a second term.
- Albanese’s recent radio chat highlighted that King Charles’s ascension could be the chance “to reflect on the system that we have over a period of time.”
Canada’s Quarter‑to‑Quarter Opinion on the Queen
- Roughly 50 % of Canadians believe the country should break ties with the monarchy following Queen Elizabeth’s death.
- Indigenous people—under 5 % of the 38 million population—face earnings, unemployment, and health gaps that could make the monarchy feel like a white‑washed old guard.
- Still, constitutional whack‑downs on the monarchy would be a lofty legal climb.
In Summary
The Caribbean’s bold leap has nudged the republic conversation beyond the UK’s shores. From Barbados to New Zealand and Australia, it’s clear many folks want the monarchy to leave the scene once Queen Elizabeth calls it a day. Yet moving the constitutional needle remains a giddy walk through both politics and law.
Message for the King
Indigenous Voices: What Canadian Leaders Want from the New King
When King Charles turned the spotlight on Canadian skies, the Indigenous community took the chance to speak up. The calls weren’t about tearing the monarchy down. They’re about holding the crown accountable to promises made long before cars were invented and sunsets were fiery.
The Big Requests
- Apology for colonisation: RoseAnne Archibald emerged on the front‑lines, demanding an honest and heartfelt apology from the monarch for the birth of colonisation.
- Reconciliation matters: Lawyer Sara Mainville believes the king should play a supportive role, arguing that a chairman of the “Reconciliation Club” could actually do good.
- Retirement of the old doctrines: Chief Judy Wilson wants the new sovereign to ditch the “Doctrine of Discovery,” the medieval playbook that gave European powers the green light to claim Indigenous lands.
- Whole‑hearted apologies: She also asks for formal remorse over the abuses of residential schools, which destroyed families, cultures, and futures.
- Respect for artifacts: The king should recognise that many Indigenous treasures are now in private or foreign hands, and do something about it.
- Climate action: Finally, she calls for a proactive, climate‑conscious stance, because the planet will feel the results of the king’s decisions.
What These Leaders Actually Expect
They’re not asking for “the monarchy to be shackled and scrapped.” What’s on the menu is a conscious, respectful relationship where the crown acknowledges its past transgressions and works actively to mend the fracture lines.
Why the Royal Imagery Still Matters
“King Charles could step up,” Wilson declared. “He’s got the world’s eye on him now. The tone he chooses to set is crucial.”
That’s the simple truth: In Canada, the future of our shared history is still written partly by the King. Indigenous leaders prefer a partnership built on accountability, respect, and action rather than a straight pull of the crown’s thumb.
Next time you hear the news of a monarch, remember: the real story remains intensely rooted in those who held the earth for ages—today’s Indigenous leaders pushing for redirection.
