Why these Ottawa businesses are closing their doors (or donating their revenue) on Canada Day

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Some businesses in Ottawa are using this year’s Canada Day to show their support for Indigenous communities by closing their doors in an act of solidarity or using the proceeds from the holiday to support Indigenous non-profit groups.

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The Artery Community Roasters, a small business and social enterprise in Ottawa, is one of several businesses that are vowing to donate 100 per cent of their sales on July 1 to Assembly of Seven Generations, an Indigenous owned and youth led non-profit organization and social enterprise. The organization works to empower and support Indigenous youth in Ottawa. Will Wells, owner of The Artery, said as a social enterprise he sees intersectionality between the rights of people with disabilities and the rights of Indigenous people.

“There is a lot of overlap because Indigenous people are 30-35 per cent more likely to be disabled due to historic and ongoing lack of adequate health care and infrastructure,” he said.

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The Artery roasts small batches of ethically sourced direct trade speciality coffee and employs people living with disabilities, paying them a living wage.

A number of businesses in Ottawa closed their doors or donated all proceeds they made last Canada Day in a sign of support for Indigenous communities following the discovery of unmarked grave sites at residential schools across the country.

The discovery of the sites prompted calls from activists to use Canada Day as an opportunity to focus on what many call the Canadian government’s racist and discriminatory treatment of Indigenous peoples.

Little Jo Berry’s, a queer owned vegan bakery and coffee shop, is also donating all sales from their baked goods and coffee bar on July 1 to the Assembly of Seven Generations.

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“It’s easy to get stuck in the day to day as a business owner and often we forget about our own footprint and the space we take up,” said Jo Masterson, owner of Little Jo Berry’s. “Understanding that July 1 is not a day for celebration, however a day to recognize the ongoing colonization and oppression of Indigenous peoples.”

This is the second year in a row Little Jo Berry’s has donated its Canada Day revenue. Its move has drawn positive feedback from customers, according to Masterson.

“Our customers love it. It’s a good reminder for people to learn more about local indigenous businesses and initiatives and it creates a convenient way to encourage people to donate if it’s something they have never done before or don’t know where to start.”

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Meanwhile, Moo Shu Ice Cream and Kitchen on Bank Street is closing its doors on Canada Day for the second consecutive year. Instead, staff will be spending the day with Anna Cote, Mike Diabo and other Indigenous knowledge keepers at Minobideg Learning, Moo Shu said in an Instagram post.

Moo Shu also said it would stay closed on July 2 as a safety precaution for their staff members due to ongoing threats that the “Freedom Convoy” will be returning to the downtown core.

Wells acknowledged his own privilege is what has allowed his small business to thrive and that in these times, it’s hard for every business to commit to donating an entire day of sales. However, he encourages businesses and individuals to find a way to take action, whether monetary or educational, despite possible scrutiny.

“This is not about being unpatriotic or judging people that want to celebrate on July 1,” said Wells. “It’s more so just a day to find an opportunity to do some collective good that also adds to nation to nation building and true reconciliation — which we still have a lot of work to build towards.”