VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

Imperial Shadows critically examines London’s memoryscape, which is dominated by colonial monuments and narratives that glorify British imperialism while marginalizing London’s present Indigenous histories. This research explores how the grandeur of London’s cityscape is tied to the resources and labor of colonized lands, particularly from the Dominion of Canada, yet the Indigenous peoples from Canada’s contributions and their lived experiences remain absent in London’s commemorative practices and recognition of its former colony. To address these erasures, this study combines site visits across London with an engagement with Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors on memory studies and decolonial theory. A catalog of memorials in London and beyond, documented through photographs, provides the foundation for analyzing the ways existing colonial narratives can be challenged. Personal reflections as a Canadian living in London shape this analysis, offering an intimate perspective on the city’s memoryscape. These are complemented by photographs from diverse sources, which provide historical and contextual insights to enhance the site analysis. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Imperial Shadows advocates for integrating missing Indigenous histories into London’s public memory. It draws on examples of truth-telling monuments, counter-monuments, and participatory projects to propose alternative strategies for commemoration. By fostering dialogue and challenging entrenched imperial ideologies, this research seeks to contribute to the decolonization of London’s memoryscape, offering a model for more inclusive and equitable commemorative practices globally.