Happy Canada Day!
Originally Published on July 1, 2024
Happy Canada Day!
In Canada, there is more that unites us than divides. Canada Day reminds us of this.
Today, Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast will join together for pancake breakfasts, picnics in the park, backyard BBQs, and gather to watch fireworks.
Canada Day celebrates what we are proud of as Canadians. To list just a few things: the Creation of Insulin, the Telephone and other innovations of technology; our love of hockey, soccer, lacrosse, football and curling; the pride in our athletes - Olympian and ParaOlympian; participant in the Commonwealth or Pan-American Games. No one can deny our passion for nature, such as the Boreal Forest, the Rocky Mountains, and our many beaches; or perhaps our rich culture from music like Great Big Sea and Jann Arden and TV shows like The Littlest Hobo, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Schitt’s Creek. Not to mention our love of food, from Butter Tarts to Nanaimo Bars to Poutine. We have so much to contribute as Canadians.
Canada is also a country that in its 157 years, has a history that we must acknowledge and collectively make amends for. In Calgary Signal Hill, we live in the land known as Moh’kinsstis and is the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the îethka Nakoda Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, Goodstoney), and the Tsuut’ina Nation. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta Districts 5 and 6. On this day and everyday, may we strive to work in a spirit of truth and reconciliation.
We must take the time to acknowledge the contributions of all Canadians that built our country: the original nation builders and connectors.
To me, Canada Day emphasizes one thing: although Canadians occupy the second largest country, by land, in the world; we have the ability and the pursuit to share a common story. We are truly greater together. I am honoured to have friends and family in every province and territory. My husband Scott and I have been lucky to be able to drive across and travel to every province (except Newfoundland); and ,we are proud to say that there is so much to see and explore across our amazing country. I truly hope that you have the opportunity to do so. You will not regret it.
Whether it is going to the Burwood Distillery Market, laughing at the playground at Edworthy Park, enjoying a pint at one Calgary Signal Hill’s local pubs or being entertained with loved ones, while watching the fireworks from one of our many viewing spots; I wish you Happy Canada Day!