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Canadian History & Culture

Canadians VALUE . . . (Part 2 of 2)
Canadians VALUE: Peace, Justice, Tolerance, Loyalty, Humanity / Human Rights, Respect for Authority, Vision, Equality, Strength, Beauty, Spirituality, Non-Violence.
Canadians VALUE . . . a True North Dozen
What do Canadians value? Where do these values come from? One writer's opinion. To be continued next month.
Re-Visiting The English Patient
The great Canadian novel The English Patient has much to say about these sad days.
Service (Remembrance Day 2001)
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the warring nations of Europe agreed to lay down their arms. The date for the armistice was chosen as it represented Old November Day, the "Day of the Dead" or "All Saints / All Hallows / All Souls" Day on the "old calendar," when loved ones who were gone were remembered and graveyards were tended. In this year 2001, let us again remember, and come together in ritual, in symbol, in music, to reaffirm our connections as part of the continent, part of the main, part of humanity. "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind." (John Donne, Meditation XVII)
Another Referendum
BC residents will be voting on a referendum about the provincial approach to treaty negotiations.
The U. S. Constitution and Canadian History and Culture
Preamble: Americans are notoriously self-confidant and not shy about stating that they think their system is the best in the world. Canadians can be a bit more objective about the U.S. Constitution, knowing it was a good model both for things to avoid and for things to emulate.
Lesson One -- Day Is Done
A recent drive through summer storms reminded me of a typical Canadian cultural experience that happened when I was younger and thought I knew.
Sir Edgar Dewdney, Nation-Builder
Like many other immigrants, Edgar Dewdney came to a new land to establish himself in a career. He stayed to help build a province and a nation.
The Man with the Axe
Memories of my father include glimpses of rural life and work from times past.
Election Ennui
The provincial election campaign fails to inspire.
Law vs. Justice -- The Robert Latimer Case
The Robert Latimer Case pits Law against Justice and forces Canadians to grapple with an ethical conundrum.
Margaret Laurence, Canadian Writer 1926 - 1987
Margaret Laurence was a great Canadian writer whose stories place us--women, Canadians--centre stage in all our dignity and humanity.
Firearms Act -- Part 2
The Firearms Act addresses Domestic Violence and violence against women. It seeks to keep guns form unstable individuals. It could accomplish both without imposing Registration on all gun owners. Media coverage avoids addressing the use of guns to commit suicide. All Canadians are in denial of this major cause of death in our society.
Firearms Act
Implementation of the Firearms Act on January 1, 2001, requires the gun owners to be licensed and, by December 31, 2002, to register the long guns they own. There are pros and cons to this change of law for Canadians. Does it address the underlying issues? Will it make a difference?
Celebrate the Season -- Winter Solstice Greetings
The snow is always whiter and the moon shines brighter in our memories. Celebrating the season can increase our sense of pride and identity as people who choose to live in this land, Canada.
Re-Visioning Louis Riel
Louis Riel is one man whose image has been re-visioned to celebrate his achievements. Riel brought Manitoba into Confederation as a province rather than as a colony in 1870. He is an important Canadian symbol that lets us measure the growth of our nation in the 115 years since he was hanged.
Getting There--Childhood Memories
As children we do not always appreciate the riches our lives offer. Growing up on a farm, travelling across the nation, offered important life lessons.
Prairie Pilgrimage--St. Victor's Petroglyphs
Certain places call us back. A rocky outcrop on the Saskatchewan prairie offers lessons of its own.
You Could Be A Canadian
An homage to Jeff Foxworthy, with an eye to Canadian culture. Sometimes we have to leave home in order to be able to appreciate what we have.
July 1 and July 4
Children of one mother, Canada and the United States are the same but different. As we each celebrate our nation's birthday, let's compare and contrast some history.
BC Land Claims -- Part 2
BC is different. Why are the land claims issue so complicated in this one province?
Making the News--Cheam Band Blocks Road
To make news, to get public attention, groups stage demonstrations and actions which cause inconvenience and threaten violence. It is the price they must pay to buy interest from television and press reporters.
Visual Artists
The visual arts are alive today and enjoy a presence on the Internet. Check out some of these!
Emily Carr -- Canada's First Woman Artist
Emily Carr, Canada's first woman artist, created British Columbia by forcing us to see the beauty and energy of her "beloved land."
Recap
A recap of one year of articles about Canadian History and Culture. Where to from here?
A 4-Fold Final Report
Like a 4-way stop, the Year 2000 marks a 4-fold end--of the year, of the decade, of the century, and of the millennium. I was determined to resist the hype, to maintain a cool, to remind myself calmly that it's only one calendar, one way of counting the days. But my resolve has failed. It is a big deal. What can I do to mark these endings? A 4-Fold Final Report.
A Season to Celebrate
Canada is by law and constitution a multicultural nation where the rights of all religions are protected equally. The application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms continues to evolve.
Gifts for a Millennial Hope Chest
The last turn-of-the-century lives in favourite books and stories and in the memories we cherish of people we knew who were alive in 1899.
Kissing Francois
Nations like individuals are defined by our relationships. The possibility of change in the relationship between Quebec and Canada can be frightening.
Back to School!
Do schools meet the needs of today's students, their parents, and of society? Back to School is a cultural ritual. What is its history? Would you change it if you could?
The Culture of Summer
Culture is the way we live and grow together. If life is a highway, culture is the intersection of people and place. What have you done on your summer holidays?
The Pre-Canadian Enlightenment
Although Canada did not exist as a country during the 18th Century, many events that happened then still have an impact on this nation today. The Enlightenment party brought everyone together.
Quick Quiz on Hockey History
Try this Quick Quiz on Hockey History only if tests are fun for you.
Fun and Games - Hockey Culture
Hockey has been part of Canadian Culture for as long as winter has been part of our lives. Hockey brings us together. Hockey helps us figure out who we are and what is important in our lives.
The Constitutional Attic
In the season of Spring Cleaning and Getting Back to the Land, is it time to re-consider some old ideas stashed in the constitutional attic? Does Canada need a shared king or queen?
Big Bear - The Mini-Series CH&C#2
The mini-series Big Bear takes us to the Canadian prairie at a time when cultures were conflicting. Big Bear (1820? - 1888) saw what was happening and did what he could to make others see.
Nellie McClung, one of the Famous Five, and Women's Suffrage in Canada
Before women in Canada were Persons, socially conscious women who recognized a wrong were moved by the suffering of others to create change. Nellie McClung was one of those Canadians.