StillKim

Canada Day! What does it mean to you?

I’m a typical Canadian, which means my celebration is usually low key; however, given the state of the world these days, my latent patriotism is peaking through. Elbows up!

But it’s a day that evokes both good and bad reflections as I think about its importance to me and to Canada. 

July 1 actually has a sad, personal memory for me – it’s the date in 1994 when my beloved father passed away. He was a proud Canadian, served his time in the air force during World War II, and took an interest in the growth and development of his country over the years. As a product of his time, he was not taught about the tragedies that marked that development, and of which we are so aware of today. 

Some might attribute that to being “woke,” but I suspect my father would have supported acknowledging this dual perspective, as we can only truly appreciate what we have when we consider all of the sacrifices and acknowledge the errors of the past.  This post is not intended to be a finger wagging exercise, nor a summary of all the ways in which we have failed each other, but I want to acknowledge a couple as I recall some happy personal July 1 celebrations. 

Eleven years ago my husband and I enjoyed a train trip through the Canadian Rockies and it was breathtaking, in a way the mountains can be only when you see them in person. Travelling through them was a feeling like no other as I sat in wonder of this natural creation. 

It was made particularly memorable when we slowed down at Craigellachie, in Eagle Pass, British Columbia, and if you recall your Canadian history, you will know this is the site of the last spike. On November 7, 1885, a ceremonial last spike was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway at this location. The railway was a massive undertaking designed to connect this country like a ribbon of steel across prairies, farmland, and mountains. Sounds poetic, eh? 

As it happened, the date our train travelled by this historic site was July 1, and one of the young waiters on board sang O’Canada as we passed through. It is probably the most memorable Canada Day I have ever experienced. The pride in my country ran deep. 

But, I am not unaware of the dark side of this history, and the fact many lives, in particular those of Chinese labourers, were lost due to falling rocks, landslides, or avalanches. The Chinese men were purposely brought from China to do this dangerous work on the railway, and they were paid less than other workers. And subsequent to this, our government’s treatment of Chinese immigrants was shameful.

I hope to add to the list of varying Canadian locales as I am able. Next on the list is to go north around Lake Superior and possibly into Manitoba! (by car, not bike!)

I am also aware, as I celebrate what this great country has to offer, that there are others who don’t feel the same. In particular, the ancestors of the original inhabitants of this land who had their lives, their livelihoods, and even their children stolen in the name of colonial progress.

Again, I will be considered “woke” by some, but after having the privilege to research and write my own family history, I was struck by the thought: what would this experience of looking back be like for someone whose past is either difficult, or even unobtainable because it was obliterated by colonist actions and attitudes. 

Truth and Reconciliation, as I understand it, asks that we educate ourselves about this history. It does not ask that we don’t enjoy or celebrate what is good about our country, but that we do so while acknowledging and recognizing it can’t be the same for others. And by promising to do better in the future. We can’t erase the past, only recognize it and commit to doing better. I also sense a bit of a turning of the tide in that we may be starting to recognize that many of the Indigenous ways were better and we have much to learn as we move into a changing future. I hope to share more about this thought in a future post; in the meantime,  consider this article about Indigenous people taking climate action to everyone’s benefit.

So, however you acknowledge this day, I hope we can agree that the land bordered by Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic oceans in its natural state is beautiful, worth celebrating, and worth preserving. 

It isn’t a perfect society, but its pretty damn good compared to many others. So I plan to wear my red and white with pride, and hope that as a society we continue on the path to make the necessary amends so we can be unashamedly proud of a true north, strong and free. 

Here is a final link to a song I just heard that captures much about Canada and it may just make you smile and feel pride in who we are as Canadians. It’s published on YouTube with the request that it be shared wide and far. It was written by an 87-year old man! Read his inspiring story here!

Canada Day 2025 – what does it mean to you? Please share!

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1. CBC, What Does Canada Day Mean to You, YouTube, June 27, 2025

2. The Canadian Encyclopedia, The “Other” Last Spike, by James H. Marsh, last edited January 17, 2017. 

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-other-last-spike-feature

3. Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo https://nstattoo.ca

4. CityNews, Indigenous Perspectives on Canada Day, July, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAbCj8j8uMk

5. CBC News, What-On-Earth, What it looks like when Indigenous people take control of climate stewardship on their land

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/what-on-earth-land-back-climate-1.7571644

6. YouTube, We Are Canadian! As One We Stand

We Are Canadian! As One We Stand

Lyrics: Ellis Pringle Craig

Music: Carey Leonard Blackwell

Vocals/guitar: Brant Garratt

Arrangement, piano, organ, bass, drums: Bruce Ley

Recorded, mixed & mastered: Bruce Ley Studios

Producer: Leisa Way Video production: Ellis Pringle Craig (Royalty free photos)

Song licensed by SOCAN

7. We Are Canadian! As One We Stand, by Ellis Craig, published by 55 Plus Lifestyle Magazine.

WE ARE CANADIAN! AS ONE WE STAND