The British Commonwealth is known as one of the greatest colonial powers in the world.

When Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday night, the reactions were many and powerful.

The biggest media houses chose to focus on the grief of the British people. But there has also been criticism of the queen on social media.

Reaction mixed in Sápmi and Norway

Tuula Sharma Vassvik is one who shares her criticism of the queen.

He has a master’s degree in indigenous studies, and has reflected on what the Queen’s death means to indigenous peoples around the world.

– It seems that some people have a very comfortable relationship with the British royal family, and I think people are getting a little blind to their history. Especially white Norwegians, he said.

Sharma Vassvik also hosts the podcast for “Vuostildanfearánat – the story of the Sámi resistance”. He was provoked by the fact that people do not reflect on the history of the British royal family.

– I also think that just because she’s a woman, people see her as a role model. I’m sharing the texts because I want people to reflect more on what the queen has actually contributed, says Vassvik

On Instagram and Twitter, several indigenous activists have expressed strong opinions about the queen and her work.

Among other things, former Stjernekamp winner, artist Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, has shared the text with her followers.

Native Canadians fear the future

Canada is also part of the British Commonwealth.

In the Indigenous community in Canada, the reactions were mixed and complex. That’s what a native writer said Rachel Snow.

– Recently yesterday, I was in a meeting with grassroots people and our parents. There, a desire was expressed to meet the Queen in person to make our agreement take effect, said Snow.

The treaty in question was written between the Queen and the First Nations in Canada. It contains, among others, the rights that indigenous peoples must have over land and water in their territory.

– The queen didn’t really do anything to help the natives here. Those who believe the treaty will be honored may be disappointed that they did not get a chance to speak to the Queen about it, he said.

“Insensitive, we only decolonize your sadness”

Indigenous peoples in Australia, who are also subject to the British Commonwealth, have reacted to the Queen’s passing with a mixture of grief, criticism and reflection. It writes National Traditional Period (external link).

Professor Sandy O’Sullivan, who is also Aboriginal, wrote on Twitter that the Queen had forced herself into the life of indigenous peoples in Australia.

Another Twitter user wrote that “we are insensitive, we decolonize your grief”.

– Must withstand criticism

Tuula believes it is important to focus on the oppression that indigenous peoples experienced due to British colonization.

– This is a clear sign of “white privilege”. You somehow don’t take the history of the colonized seriously, he believes.

He didn’t think it was insensitive to share criticism right after the queen died.

– He has lived a frenzied life, and has held positions of power. Then you have to accept the criticism. Especially because it has caused so much suffering to people, says Sharma Vassvik.