Dear Elon: A Letter from the Ground

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Dear Elon,

I see what you’re doing.

You’ve launched a political party — the “America Party” — and you’re trying to position yourself as a new kind of leader. But let’s be honest: you didn’t get here because of brilliance or vision. You got here through exploitation, privilege, manipulation, and harm. That’s your legacy — so far.

Your rise has left a trail of abuse, broken trust, silenced voices, and displaced communities. Your actions have often been cruel, erratic, and deeply disconnected from the lived realities of people on the ground. I don’t excuse any of it. And I won’t pretend you’re misunderstood.

But I’m still writing you this letter — not because you deserve a second chance, but because humanity might deserve one if even people like you can wake up.

Now that you’ve launched this party, you face a choice:
Will you create a new machine of control and ego — or will you finally do something that serves more than yourself?

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The world doesn’t need another narcissist playing savior.

What it does need is someone with resources willing to shut up and listen. To support kids who are learning to grow food and reconnect with land. To fund tiny homes built by youth who have no homes of their own. To finally honour Indigenous wisdom, not mine it. To step aside and resource healing instead of control.

Forget Mars. Earth is burning.
Forget your public feud with Trump. The real battle is with your own conscience.
You want to lead? Start by repairing the damage you’ve caused — not with PR, but with truth, accountability, and concrete support for the people your system has failed.

You’re not a genius. You’re not a rebel. You’re not the answer.
But you do have money, a platform, and a rapidly shrinking chance to prove that you’re not just another man who abused it all for nothing.

We don’t need kings.
We need people willing to redistribute power — not hoard it.

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So here it is, Elon.

This is a line in the sand.
This is your opportunity to turn toward something real.
But make no mistake: we are watching.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead

Prove us wrong — or step aside.

Sincerely,
Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
Artist, Writer, Advocate — Ground Level Observer
www.tinawinterlik.blogspot.com | @zipolita

How the Royal Legacy Impacted Indigenous Families

 

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From Queen Victoria to Residential Schools: How the Royal Legacy Impacted Indigenous Families

Did Queen Victoria ever visit British Columbia?
The answer is no — Queen Victoria never set foot in what is now Canada. Yet, her name is everywhere: British Columbia, Victoria (the capital city), schools, parks, and public buildings. She ruled during a period when the British Empire rapidly expanded, including deep into Indigenous lands across Turtle Island (North America).

But if she didn’t come here… who did? And how does her family tie into what happened to Indigenous children?

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The Royal Web: How Queen Victoria’s Legacy Shaped Canada

Queen Victoria (1819–1901)

• Reigned during the establishment of colonial British Columbia (1858).
• Her government oversaw policies that enabled the dispossession of Indigenous lands, the Indian Act, and laid the groundwork for the residential school system.
• While she may not have signed every policy herself, the Crown’s authority under her name was used to enforce them.

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Key Members of Her Family & Their Role in Canadian History

Prince Arthur (Duke of Connaught) — Her Son

• Governor General of Canada (1911–1916).
• Symbolized Crown authority; visited Indigenous communities ceremonially.

King Edward VII — Her Son

• Continued Victoria’s imperial legacy.
• His reign coincided with increasing enforcement of assimilation policies.

King George V — Her Grandson

• Oversaw the height of residential school expansion.
• Canadian policies under his reign continued to strip Indigenous rights and identities.

King George VI — Her Great-Grandson

• Visited Canada in 1939.
• His time saw Canada’s wartime unification but colonial policies remained intact.

Queen Elizabeth II — Her Great-Great-Granddaughter

• Longest-reigning monarch until 2022.
• Represented Canada’s head of state throughout decades of survivor testimony, hearings, and truths emerging around residential schools.

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Why This Matters

This isn’t just history — the legacy of Queen Victoria and her descendants is deeply tied to how land was claimed and governed in Canada. The systems put in place under her reign and continued by her family caused real harm to Indigenous families — especially through the removal of children, their placement in residential schools, and the attempt to erase Indigenous languages and culture.

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Take Time to Learn

If you live on this land — whether it’s called British Columbia, Turtle Island, or another name — take the time to learn about the real history of how it came to be under colonial rule.

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Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that this post was written on the unceded, ancestral, and occupied territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. We honour the Indigenous peoples of these lands and their ongoing connection to land, culture, and community.

Learning history means listening to Indigenous voices — past and present.

A Call to Stand Against Human Rights Abuses

A Call to Stand Against Human Rights Abuses

Dear Friends and Allies,

As a Canadian, I am deeply alarmed by recent statements from political leaders, particularly those from former President Trump, who, in his latest tweet, mentioned his absence from the hockey game while suggesting that Canada could soon become the 51st state of the U.S. This rhetoric, coupled with his desire to be viewed as a “king” over nations, threatens the values of equality, respect, and human rights we hold dear.

The idea of Canada being absorbed into a country that promotes racism and human rights abuses is not only disturbing but fundamentally unacceptable. I stand with my fellow Canadians and our allies, including those in Mexico, to firmly oppose any form of discrimination, hatred, or division.

Let us advocate for a world where:

Human Rights Are Respected: Every individual deserves to live free from discrimination and violence, regardless of their background.

Racism Has No Place: We must challenge and dismantle the systems that allow racism to thrive, fostering inclusivity and understanding among all cultures.

Solidarity Prevails: Together, we can create a powerful voice that demands accountability from those in power and champions the rights of the marginalized.

As a parent of a child with Mexican heritage, I feel a strong responsibility to raise awareness about these issues and foster a more inclusive future. I call on my fellow Canadians and our friends in Mexico to join me in this fight for justice. Together, we can forge a future that respects and upholds the dignity of all people.

Let us raise our voices and take action against human rights abuses. Stand with us in solidarity to create a world where everyone is treated with respect and fairness.

In unity,

Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita