The idea of Canadian identity always triggers a memory in me of the "Our Heritage" vignettes and shorts which were apart of PBS for a long while (and possibly are still in existence?). These vignettes always spoke to Canadian history, and often were primarily focused on the "nature" and "braving the wilderness" aspects of Canada. I think both of these speak to an identity different from the Tim Horton's and Hockey identity, but are still wholly Canadian.
Canadian wilderness, and exploring it's "frontiers" are and have always been a large part of Canada's identity. As Margaret Atwood proposes in her book Survival, "survival" in nature is a key theme and symbol in Canadian literature, and by extension, Canadian identity. Within the Canadian survival narrative, there will also be a victor, whether it be a human who conquers nature,or succumbs to it.
The theme of survival which Atwood speaks of as Canaidan identity I think is reinforced by the popular summer outdoors camp and camping culture in Canada. This identity also contributes to how Canada is perceived on a global scale. Algonquin Park is a very popular tourist attraction, in which people come specifically to experience and follow the portage routes that were taken by Tom Thomson and others.
I think the idea of "facing the great white north" has strong connections to how Canada has built its identity, through many shapes and mediums, and how we create use nature and our history to create an identity that creates a unique identity in order to differentiate and appeal to others on a global scale.
Here's a Canadian Heritage Vignette which I think offers a good example of the element of survival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_YsuqkkBa8
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