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How can this photograph provide opportunities
for us to expand our notion of what citizenship/identity is now?

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How can this photograph provide opportunities
for us to expand our notion of what citizenship/identity is now?

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I believe often the geography of Canada’s Northern position is the one thing that presents itself in discussion of Identity and even stereotypes. I think this photo of the mountains and the prairies reminds us that Canada’s geography is so much more incredibly diverse that just “North” and that even though the geography differs vastly coast to coast, that intrinsic relationship with the land is something that we all share. Additionally it is easy to get isolated in our one or two defining geographic qualities, but it is important to look outside our immediate location and realize that even if we live in Prince Edward Island, Manitoba’s lakes and the fresh water they provide still contribute greatly to their identity as a Canadian.

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What does this picture tell us about your
understanding or beliefs about citizenship/identity today?

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What does this picture tell us about your
understanding or beliefs about citizenship/identity today?

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The Geography of Canada is inextricably tied to the geography of the nation. Personally, the lake country of Manitoba and Ontario, and the Mountains of Alberta hold a very deep connection with my identity as a Canadian, and I believe that each region has its own intrinsic relationship with the land that defines their Canadian Identity. Albertan’s have the mountains and the prairies, British Columbia has the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Saskatchewan has the prairies, Manitoba and Ontario have lake country, the Maritimes have the Atlantic Ocean, and above all we all have our position of being in the North and bonds us all in our ability to withstand the harsh winters. Each region has their geographically unique qualities, that they seem to claim as their own, and boast with pride as a key factor in what shapes them as Canadians.

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I took this picture because it captures both the elegance of the prairies, but also the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, and is an excellent depiction of the diverse and vitally important geography that characterizes Canada.

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The clouds are rolling over the Rocky Mountains in the background of a few acreages just East of Priddis in Southern Alberta.

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Many acres of land just outside of Priddis just West of Calgary. The Rocky Mountains can be seen in the distance as the clouds start to roll over them

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How can this photograph provide opportunities
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How can this photograph provide opportunities
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While Canada is largely incredibly accepting and open to people from all walks of life, there is still plenty of room for us to grow and expand in that respect. There is still a significant stigma towards the Aboriginal citizens of Canada and rather than encouraging them to practice and be proud of their beliefs a lot of people still sweep them under the rug of discourage their practices. It is somewhat backwards in a way that we as Canadians are so willing and excited to celebrate the beliefs and practices of people coming to Canada from all over the world, but are so hesitant to do the same for the people who have been here all along.

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What does this picture tell us about your
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What does this picture tell us about your
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While no country’s record is completely blemish free, Canada generally has long held a reputation for being incredibly accepting in relation to the immigration of foreign refugees and foreign nationals to come, stay, and seek safety, work, or a future for their families. When we think about what defines a Canadian citizen, our general acceptance of others is something that we feel sets us apart from so many others. Whether in relation to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political beliefs, Canada is open to allowing everyone to live free to do their own thing.

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I took a picture of this open sign because it represents Canada’s general acceptance, and openness as a nation.

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A Blue and red open sign hanging in the window of a local Indian cuisine restaurant.

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A blue and red open sign

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How can this photograph provide opportunities
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The inherent safety of Canada is something that can easily be taken for granted and the image of a lifejacket sparks so many connotations of safety within the country, that it really forces an authentic examination of just how safe Canada is in comparison to so many other countries.  While we easily connote physical safety with Canada, I think it is also incredible important to remember the financial security we are granted as Canadians.

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What does this picture tell us about your
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When I think about what is means to be a Canadian citizen, our ability to feel safe in the country we live in comes immediately to mind. I believe that largely Canada is a country where people can feel politically and socially safe to hold and practice their own beliefs, whatever they may be. Additionally, unlike so many countries around the world Canada and its citizen’s feel safe and protected from autocratic dictators, terrorism, and war. On home soil, on a day-to-day basis our physical safety as Canadians rarely enters our thoughts. Finally, I think our economic safety is a characteristic of Canadian citizenship that we boast, especially in comparison with our southern neighbours. Like a life jacket, our social welfare programs, and free public healthcare keep us afloat even in harsh times. These programs offer us a certain amount of safety from drowning in the oceans of debt that we see in America can consume and ruin lives.

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Personally I believe that safety is an incredibly significant piece of Canadian identity, and a life jacket metaphorically represents that inherent security we feel as Canadians.

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A Buoy o boy life jacket hanging on the wall of my garage?

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A red, blue and yellow Buoy o boy lifejacket

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How can this photograph provide opportunities
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While I believe that multiculturalism and diversity have long been a key component of the Canadian identity, the constant rotating of the flags (except the Canadian flag) reminds us that our identity is continually changing. Sometimes it is easy to forget that identity is not a static concept. New cultures and influences are forever being injected into our cities, and towns, and little by little we grow and change as a country, and as a nation.

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What does this picture tell us about your
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Presently I believe that a significant portion of Canadian Identity is derived from our strong multicultural/multiethnic composition. When you watch the current debates for Republican representative the Republicans lash out against illegal immigrants and resultantly, perfectly legal immigrants feel ostracised and disliked in America. In Canada we pride ourselves on our willingness to support and encourage immigration as a way to stabilize our economy and develop our nation. Fundamentally, outside of our First Nations citizen’s, Canada is an incredibly young country founded on immigration and the collaboration of individuals from every culture to build a country from the ground up. Unlike the United States that has seemed to half forgotten that, we have not forgotten our roots and celebrate our diversity as a significant portion of who we are.  I believe the many flags that stand in front of Spruce Meadows symbolize that willingness of people from around the world to come together for a common cause.

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I drive past these gates every week on my way to work and the flags change depending on which event is currently being hosted, and the counties of the competitors. The pride in displaying the flags of the countries we host instils a sense of pride in our willingness to welcome them into our city and showcase their talent.

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The flags representing the various countries that gather from around the world to complete in equestrian events at the world-renowned Spruce Meadows equestrian center in Southern Calgary

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The flags of Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Ireland, Uruguay, Australia, Italy, France, Mexico, and Columbia standing at the Entrance to Spruce Meadows.