Who is a Canadian? That question might have some of us “doing a Google” for a legal definition or search for immigration requirements.
But
it’s much more than a dictionary definition, more than just a person
who happens to hold a passport with a maple leaf on it and certainly
more than what America isn’t.
What do we — as a country — stand for?
What do we fight for, what do we represent and what values do we have
that are unique in the world?
The answers aren’t so hard to find. As Canada Day approaches, it seems the perfect time to investigate and appreciate the answers.
Here is one suggestion: Take a look at how our National Mint and government represents our collective identity to Canadians, and the rest of the world, in our sovereign currency.
Our messages of who we are and our identity are more subtle than the American Trinity on United States coins (E Pluribus Unum, Liberty and In God We Trust), but powerful nonetheless.
Canada
appreciates its nature and the environment: as proof, we have the maple
leaf, beaver, moose, loon and bears on our coins. On the toonie is
written “Knowledge/Le Savoir” — testimony to Canada’s great
intellectual resources that transcend our borders.
On the $5 bill, Roch Carrier’s poem waxes eloquent about “the school, the church and the skating rink”, illustrating the veneration of education, our multicultural beliefs and team spirit.
Peacekeeping forces and the national war memorial
grace our $20 bill, a testament to our incomparable reputation and will
to protect others’ freedoms. On our $50 bill are the Famous Five and Thérèse Casgrain — they who fought hard in the 1920s for women’s rights in Canada — and an appropriate quotation from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Canada
Day is rapidly approaching and there’s so much for us to ponder while
we watch fireworks, have fun in the park, play a round of golf, go to
the lake or fire up the ubiquitous barbecue.
Apropos of this
significant day, why not help pass on, discuss and explain these and
other valiant, unique Canadian heroes and values to your children?
Though
it might make for an awkward, corny, grill-side conversation, it’s a
small thing we can do one patriotic day of the year. We should remark
and remember every week how blessed we are and how fortunate we are to
live in Canada.
May God continue to keep our land glorious and free.
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