Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Is there anything more Canadian than Mounties on Canada Day? I think not! 
Happy Canada Day!
- Thread starter Lisa
- Start date
Is there anything more Canadian than Mounties on Canada Day? I think not! 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Happy Canada day!
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Happy Canada Day 
Day 
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Happy Canada Day from GGJ and me!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Happy Canada Day !
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Seeing the Mounties brought back a memory of school, one of our teachers was an ex Mountie and we were very impressed and excited.
Happy Canada Day !
Happy Canada Day !
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Thanks everyone. It was fun to go to the parade. Missed the fireworks, though, we were in bed.
Don’t know what it’s like in Britain, but here there seems to be such negativity about daring to be proud of your country that it’s getting hard to muster up the enthusiasm.
But I will say that Canada is a pretty good place to live compared to many other places around the world!
Don’t know what it’s like in Britain, but here there seems to be such negativity about daring to be proud of your country that it’s getting hard to muster up the enthusiasm.
But I will say that Canada is a pretty good place to live compared to many other places around the world!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
That's a shame.
I was wondering, what does Canada Day actually celebrate ? Is it a particular historic event?
I suppose in the UK we have the Royal family which gives us cause for national festivities, although not popular with everyone.
- Location
- Isle of Man
Happy Canada Day. I think it's lovely to have a bit of national pride. It's Tynwald Day on Wednesday - The Isle of Man's national day. I shall hang my bunting and flags this week even though I am English (but with a Manx heart). I am proud to adopt the Isle of Man as my home.
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
It’s the anniversary of confederation, which happened on July 1, 1897. Basically the birth of Canada as a country.
There’s been a lot of angst and soul-searching about the effects of colonialism, systemic racism, etc etc on our First Nations peoples that have been simmering for quite some time and have come into sharp relief over the last few years so it’s hard to know if one is “allowed” to feel proud of our country or not.
It’s all very tricky at times and there are definitely things to work through, so it can be a bit of a minefield at times.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I guess that makes it tricky, but surely they are the bedrock of Canada. Apologies I'm not up with the political landscape in Canada. Similar in Australia/New Zealand/US I guess.
I don't think our own brand of Scottish Nationalism where we don't have that issue is covered in glory, but here too there is a culture of inclusiveness and that in many ways suppresses, or tries to suppress the nationalist pride, which unfortunately can be racist and not inclusive, just like everywhere else.
I'm sure I haven't quite expressed that right. I don't mean to offend anyone.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Yes the whole issue is very sensitive on many levels. It’s all very emotional for many people. I do think Canada is making progress in recognizing the issues that our First Nations people have but there is definitely more that could be done. How to fix it all is a debate that continues but I think we are getting better at listening to them rather than constantly making decisions for them.
I don’t want to offend either - I think most people feel the same way. It was interesting this year - one of our Alberta cities said they would ban the Canada Day fireworks out of sensitivity to the First Nations people and the ongoing issues they face and then an indigenous woman wrote an article saying basically, “hang on, did anyone consult with us before you made that decision?” (They hadn’t).
National pride can often get mixed up in racism and other negative attitudes, it can all be so depressing at times!!
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Yes it's the same here, Australia day celebrates the arrival of the First Fleet and it's always been a huge day of celebration with activities on the harbour and backyard barbies and a feeling of pride. It still is but now with much guilt and less celebration out of respect for our First PeopleYes the whole issue is very sensitive on many levels. It’s all very emotional for many people. I do think Canada is making progress in recognizing the issues that our First Nations people have but there is definitely more that could be done. How to fix it all is a debate that continues but I think we are getting better at listening to them rather than constantly making decisions for them.
I don’t want to offend either - I think most people feel the same way. It was interesting this year - one of our Alberta cities said they would ban the Canada Day fireworks out of sensitivity to the First Nations people and the ongoing issues they face and then an indigenous woman wrote an article saying basically, “hang on, did anyone consult with us before you made that decision?” (They hadn’t).
National pride can often get mixed up in racism and other negative attitudes, it can all be so depressing at times!!