In 1977, President Jimmy Carter's presidential pardon offered a chance for thousands of Americans, including war resisters who fled to Canada to escape the Vietnam draft, to return home and move forward from the conflicts that had torn the nation apart. With around 60,000 Americans lost to the war, Canada stood as a beacon of refuge for those opposed to the conflict, welcoming draft dodgers with open arms and minimal scrutiny.
However, many of these individuals, labeled as war resisters or draft dodgers, experienced profound personal consequences from their decisions—broken familial bonds, lost friendships, and an enduring sense of shame. While some admired their resolve, others could not comprehend their flight from what was perceived as a national duty.
Now, as the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam conflict's conclusion arrives amidst a new wave of turbulence, these American expatriates reflect on both their past and their future in a nation that may again face challenging relations with its southern neighbor. With the rising economic tensions and threats to Canadian sovereignty posed by President Trump's administration, many resisters grapple with feelings of unease regarding their homeland.
I traveled to multiple provinces across Canada, meeting with approximately a dozen Americans, now in their 70s and 80s, who shared their reflections on their decisions to leave America and their perspectives on the socio-political climate of both countries today. Their stories reveal a nuanced landscape of regret, hope, and a desire for reconciliation as they look back at the sacrifices made decades earlier.
