On July 1st, flags will be waving, fireworks will explode, BBQs will be firing, and many will feel an impulse to wear red and white. Canada Day has always been a day to feel proud to be Canadian—and we should feel proud!! This is a great country, and most of us could not imagine living elsewhere.
A vital part of celebrating our country’s birthday is honouring the voices and stories of those who have called this land home far before most of our ancestors ever stepped foot on its soil.
Over the past few years, I have come to deeply cherish the writings Richard Wagamese, an Indigenous Canadian who captures in his words and poetry, a vision for this nation that is not based in nationalism or imperialism, but one that is open and generous and deeply respectful of the dignity of all who call our land home.
As Canada Day draws closer, I find myself revisiting this remarkable man’s words and drawing inspiration from his vision of a wild, untamed, but also intimate and inclusive Canada. Let me share a few of his words:
“Our land is so huge you can feel lost and abandoned in it or you can work to feel part of it, like you belong to it, and it belongs to you. Like part of you is rock and stream and all the open sky. You get past lonesome then, and discover that all creatures are your family, and you are family to them as well”
“We need mystery. Creator in her wisdom knew this. Mystery fills us with awe and wonder. They are the foundation of humility, and humility, is the foundation of all learning.”
“Watching the morning break, I realize again that darkness doesn’t kill the light – it defines it.”
“I’ve been considering the phrase, “all my relations”, for some time now. It’s hugely important. It’s our saving grace. It reminds us that we are all related. Not just those who look like me, sing like me, dance like me, speak like me, pray like me. ALL my relations. That means every person, just as it means every rock, mineral, blade of grass, and creature. We live because everything else does.”
“All that we are is story. From the moment we are born to the time we continue our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here. It is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind.”
Richard Wagamese is one of many voices who have helped define our nation through words, stories, poetry and music. Where will you go to find inspiration on Canada’s birthday?
To all those lucky enough to call this land their home, a very happy Canada Day!!
