We are a people in need. It is sad but this always comes up – why aren’t Canadians as outwardly loyal as others allegedly are to their nations. The Globe and Mail thinks we need a little re-education on this point. A little time out from the family for a nature lesson:
On this Canada Day, I wonder: How do you instill a love of country in your children that isn’t hand-over-heart rote patriotism? How do you help them understand they are living in a paradise of benefits and beauty? Or make them want to, as grown-ups, become good citizens and give back to their country? You start by stepping outside. American psychologist and author Mary Pipher (The Shelter of Each Other) says that as grown-ups we tend to remember three things about our childhood: special meals, vacations and time spent outdoors…
It just sad. Can’t find a Canadian authority on point to make your argument about Canadian-ness. Then use that non-national authority to make a point that applies everywhere. Having only lived in areas Canuckian settled before, say, 1830 and for the most part before 1785, I can only say that anyone who hasn’t got special local food, interesting trips to local areas of importance or trips into the bush to to the beach must be bubble babies. Isn’t that what everyone does in Canada? Go to the cottage, the camp or the cottage or camp of the neighbour or relative?
No, I think they are making that point to miss the point. The real point is that we want to be jingoistic about something but don’t have it in us, literally. We have not been educated about the important stuff that is laying around us – unless you are lucky enough to be Newf, Bluenose or Quebecois. In his speech yesterday, Harper resorted to a call to “greatness” – which is like a call to tallness. A call to nothing. Greatness is a result not a goal. Patriotism is something that arises from pride, not from rote. So while you are at the beach or the camp, how about telling the kids why they are at that beach or camp and how folks got there Everyone’s pines are tall and lands are vast. But everyone’s history lessons and lessons from history are different. Start with who lived where you were first and go from there.
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