CANADA DAY
Canada day
All those who celebrate Canada as their home and native land celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. The day commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, which consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada, way back in 1867.
The anniversary of this date was called Dominion Day until 1982. Since 1983, July 1 has been officially known as Canada Day.
Facts about Canada:
Did you know?
Canada is the second largest country in the world, after Russia, though Canada is just 1.5% larger in land than the U.S.A.
Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world’s lakes combined.
The beaver is Canada’s national animal, and it was once proposed thar a beaver appear on the redesigned Canadian flag.
How people usually celebrate Canada Day:
Canada is celebrated widely, with pancake breakfasts, patriotic parades, and celebratory festivals. Many people paint their faces red and white, which are Canada’s national colors.
2021
This year, Canada Day is not being celebrate as usual. Instead, it is a time of solidarity, respect and support for residential school survivors and to honour the children who did not come home.
More than ever, Canada Day is an opportunity to learn and reflect on our history and culture.
Canada Day in Sunshine Coast – July 1, 2021
“On July 1st a virtual protocol ceremony will be presented on the District of Sechelt Facebook page featuring the shíshálh welcome song, performed by kwayimin Andy Johnson; teachings by shíshálh elders Teta’lus Audrey Joe Angelene Valerie Joe, and the singing of O Canada by Sara Douglas. In addition, the District has been sharing educational resources on Indigenous culture, art and history on the District of Sechelt Facebook and Instagram pages. Those posts began on Indigenous Peoples Day and will continue daily until Canada Day.” (District of Sechelt).
“The march through the shíshálh Nation, on July 1st has been opened to the greater Sechelt community and the march route has been extended.
Following today’s announcement from the province, that large outdoor gatherings will be allowed as of Thursday, shíshálh council representatives and the District of Sechelt council representatives planned a march that would bring the shíshálh community and Sechelt community members together for a walk. Organizers are hoping people will wear the colour orange to show support for all Residential School survivors and to honour the children whose unmarked graves were found at the former Kamloops Residential School and those at Cowessess.
Marchers will gather at the Grieving Mother statue, behind the shíshálh government administration building at 11 a.m. on Thursday and proceed along xweus to memmiman and then down swiykals to the waterfront, through friendship park and down to Trail Avenue to Hackett Park.” (Shishalh Nation).
Want to sing along on Canada Day? Here are the lyrics to “O Canada,” Canada’s national anthem:
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
–from “O Canada,” orig. by Robert Stanley Weir (1856–1926)