Being Canadian

What does being Canadian mean? Everyone has a different answer, and different idea on what being a Canadian means to them. For an outsider being a Canadian is probably defined by a beer ad: we are people who live in the cold, play hockey, wear fur, say 'eh' a lot, drink beer, and have policemen that ride horses.

Of course, being a part of Canada, we know that this is far from the truth. Some of these stereotypes do apply, but more importantly one of the greatest things about being a Canadian is the acceptance of being whoever you are. It is in Canada that all the different cultures of the world have come together, to mix, and build new traditions, and systems. To many families, including mine, Canada was the place you could come to make a better life, and where working hard meant that you would eventually become successful.

In 2007, a journalist once wrote, "The Canadian Identity, as it has come to be known, is as elusive as the Sasquatch. It has animated--and frustrated-- generations of statesmen, historians, writers, artists, philosophers, and film... Canada resists easy definition."

But maybe it is our resistance to be defined, that allows us to maintain our true identity of being a nation that accepts everyone, allowing people to maintain their culture and traditions while building new ones.

Anyways, on that note, I just wanted to leave people with this video I was sent a few weeks ago, about the "average American" view on Canada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXjih-WBqqM