Canada Day 2024

The past four years have seen remarkable changes as the people in Canada have experienced grief and glory, love and loss, kindness and caring, hindrance and hope, destruction and deconstruction, panic and placidness, pandemic and renewal. What is Canada now? What have we gained? What have we learned from one another?

In 2011, I sought to explore the Two Solitudes that come to us through our two national anthems and what they say about Canada by looking at translation into the other’s language. There is lots of heart swelling national pride. These do not begin to explore the relationships with indigenous people, the people who were here before. They were engulfed by most often diametrically opposed cultures just a few centuries ago. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from indigenous folks which I will expand upon later. I am grateful for their stories, hopes and dreams.

I am also grateful for the wisdom of newcomers from other parts of the world who have chosen to come and live with us and share their lives with us.

HOPEFUL CANADA DAY!

Oh Canada, indeed/en effet!

Ô Canada les paroles en français:

O Canada!
Land of our forefathers,
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As is thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights

O Canada English lyrics:

Ô Canada, notre patrie et pays natal
Objet de l’amour patriotique de tous tes fils
Le cœur heureux, nous te regardons grandir
Pays du nord, puissant et libre
De loin et de partout,
O Canada
Nous sommes prêts à tout pour toi
Dieu garde notre patrie glorieuse et libre
Ô Canada, nous sommes prêts à tout pour toi
Ô Canada, nous sommes prêts à tout pour toi.