Picture this: You're walking in a museum somewhere in Europe when you spot another Canadian traveller, a red maple leaf patch sewn prominently on their backpack.
Thanks for this insight into our beloved flag. Always a good reminder to remember how we got to such a beautiful, natural, and national symbol.
I have run across American travellers “hi-jacking “ our flag, and while I understand they are embarrassed about their national shadow, being Canadian is not some costume one puts on. It’s a birthright- or a choice. Get yourself a not - maga hat instead. More effective as people would be incredibly supportive of any American wanting to point out the difference.
Thanks, Jinks. I was lucky to have grown up in a political milieu. It is good to reconnect with those experiences and seeing the contrasts with today's environment. I enjoy participating in this Postcard project which allows me to have a voice along with Alice, Kris and now dozens of interesting contributors.
this is truly a wonderful message about Canada and our flag. I wish we could be emblazoning it everywhere on this day as a symbol of our new found feelings of pride and gratitude in the ways our country . We are grateful to this autocratic President to the south who woke us out of our slumber to state who we really are as a wonderful nation called Canada.
We have a great flag design. Simple, distinctive and bold. Surprising that this excellent design is the result of a nasty partisan process on one hand and engaging outreach to citizens for design ideas on the other hand.
Bonne Fête du Canada! Merci pour ces rappels de l'histoire de notre drapeau, reconnu à travers le monde comme un symbole de paix, qualité de vie et tolérance. Il reste beaucoup à faire... profitons de cette journée pour célébrer et nous rallier autour ces objectifs fondamentaux pour tous.
Wonderful, especially today. I feel a little aggravated about these flag thieves though. Americans are always the first ones to get high and mighty- and so moral - about any dishonouring their own flag. Can you imagine their reaction if someone pretended to be American? This flag thievery is akin to wearing a soldier’s uniform without having served - it is stolen valour.(and that’s valour with a u).
Recently relatives were in Europe and May, June and we're often asked when they were in a restaurant if they were Americans. They said no we're from Manitoba, Canada and the service would change, the whole atmosphere of the staff was much friendlier.
And that's what happens with Canadians because of our openness and our willingness to accept people.
There have been people in the US that have accepted immigrants over the years, people from other lands, but that has changed.
Most of those people forget that unless they are of the land or indigenous to the US that they are all immigrants, including the president.
Sylvie, I think your father would be so proud to know that his daughter is continuing his work of contributing to our nation’s unity and well-being. Happy Canada Day - people like you make us better!
It has always been the flag of eastern Canada, and irrelevant to the west.
We don’t have the red maple leaves east of Ontario.
The west isn’t even part of our national flag. And that doesn’t surprise us.
Thanks for this insight into our beloved flag. Always a good reminder to remember how we got to such a beautiful, natural, and national symbol.
I have run across American travellers “hi-jacking “ our flag, and while I understand they are embarrassed about their national shadow, being Canadian is not some costume one puts on. It’s a birthright- or a choice. Get yourself a not - maga hat instead. More effective as people would be incredibly supportive of any American wanting to point out the difference.
I agree, Cindy. I like the notion of a not-maga hat! Much more transparent and ethical.
I love reading of your family history, Sylvie. It's at least as interesting to me as the story of our wonderful flag!
Thanks, Jinks. I was lucky to have grown up in a political milieu. It is good to reconnect with those experiences and seeing the contrasts with today's environment. I enjoy participating in this Postcard project which allows me to have a voice along with Alice, Kris and now dozens of interesting contributors.
Happy Canada Day!
Excellent article!
this is truly a wonderful message about Canada and our flag. I wish we could be emblazoning it everywhere on this day as a symbol of our new found feelings of pride and gratitude in the ways our country . We are grateful to this autocratic President to the south who woke us out of our slumber to state who we really are as a wonderful nation called Canada.
We have a great flag design. Simple, distinctive and bold. Surprising that this excellent design is the result of a nasty partisan process on one hand and engaging outreach to citizens for design ideas on the other hand.
To Americans: you’ll NEVER be Canadian, so stop flag-jacking!
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! 🇨🇦
Bonne Fête du Canada! Merci pour ces rappels de l'histoire de notre drapeau, reconnu à travers le monde comme un symbole de paix, qualité de vie et tolérance. Il reste beaucoup à faire... profitons de cette journée pour célébrer et nous rallier autour ces objectifs fondamentaux pour tous.
Happy Canada Day, Canada! Fuck trump, fuck fascism, chinga la migra, we ❤️ Canada!
The Steen Family
Pittsburgh, PA
Happy Canada Day to all my friends up North!
Great piece, Sylvie. It is befitting to be reminded of our flag’s journey on this Canada day.
And it is significant that you are carrying that story today, adding on to your dad’s footsteps.
Our flag’s simple design and vibrancy is a powerful symbol of resilience, openness, kindness, adaptability, beauty and humanity.
Bonne fête du Canada ! 🇨🇦
Wonderful, especially today. I feel a little aggravated about these flag thieves though. Americans are always the first ones to get high and mighty- and so moral - about any dishonouring their own flag. Can you imagine their reaction if someone pretended to be American? This flag thievery is akin to wearing a soldier’s uniform without having served - it is stolen valour.(and that’s valour with a u).
I can't blame Americans for wearing a maple leaf while in other countries because if i was an American I, too, would be ashamed to admit it.
Recently relatives were in Europe and May, June and we're often asked when they were in a restaurant if they were Americans. They said no we're from Manitoba, Canada and the service would change, the whole atmosphere of the staff was much friendlier.
And that's what happens with Canadians because of our openness and our willingness to accept people.
There have been people in the US that have accepted immigrants over the years, people from other lands, but that has changed.
Most of those people forget that unless they are of the land or indigenous to the US that they are all immigrants, including the president.
Sylvie, I think your father would be so proud to know that his daughter is continuing his work of contributing to our nation’s unity and well-being. Happy Canada Day - people like you make us better!
Happy Canada day..... wish you the best and may God continue to grow your country