SYMBOLS OF CANADANAME: KRISTAL LOKTEACHER: MR. MILLS

PERIOD 3

Symbols of Canada - Example #1

The Peacekeeping monument in Canada

This monument commemorates Canada’s role in international peacekeeping and the soldiers, living and dead, who have participated and is participating in Canada’s peacekeeping efforts. The monument symbolizes the resolution and peace that peacekeeping provides. Since 1947, Canadian peacekeepers have served in a multitude of task forces such as the UN. Lester B. Pearson won a Nobel Peace Prize for his idea of helping establish a UN force. Ever since the Suez Crisis of the 1950s, Canada has been determined to contribute to international peace efforts. In 1988, UN Peacekeepers were awarded the Noble Peace Prize, an international acknowledgement of its effective efforts, with great help from the contribution of Canadians. Peacekeeping also established Canada as a formidable world power, as it was viewed as insignificant in the world’s traditional powers. However, Canada’s role in the Suez Canal Crisis established the country as a nation fighting for the good of all nations, and not just its allies.

Image Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacekeeping_Monument#mediaviewer/File:Peacekeeping_Monument_in_Ottawa.JPG

Symbols of Canada - Example #2

The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Added to the war memorial in 2000, it holds the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died during World War I. Originally meant to represent all dead whose remains were not identified, an Unknown Soldier in London’s Westminster Abbey represented the unidentified dead from Canada and other Commonwealth states. The tomb honours the approximate 116,000 Canadians who died in combat. It also honours the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have died, or may die in the past, present and future. On Remembrance Day, people would place poppies on the tomb, an act of spontaneity which developed into a tradition. On Canada Day, attendees leave small national flags on the tomb. It is a way to honour the sacrifices on which Canadians’ freedoms were built. Of the 116,000 Canadians who died in all of the wars since the creation of Canada, 28,000 have no grave. The grave of the Unknown Soldier was chosen from the 1,603 unknown Canadians, whose graves are located near Vimy Ridge, the World War I battle where Canadian troops fought together. Canadian veterans wanted to see a tomb built to see the consequences of war brought home to them. The National War Memorial that the Tomb is placed in front of reminds Canadians of the human cost of Canada’s commitment to peace. This memorial contributes to the representation of Canada’s coming of age as a proper nation during World War I, when it attained a place in the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles. It also represents Canada’s participation the achieve stability and democratic values.

Image Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Tomb_of_the_Unknown_Soldier#mediaviewer/File:Canadian_Tomb_of_the_Unknown_Soldier_with_poppies.jpg

Symbols of Canada - Example #3

Last Spike (Canadian Pacific Railway)

The Last Spike was the ceremonial final spike put into the Canadian Pacific Railway. It represented the end of a time of natural disasters, financial crises, as well as the lives lost. It is also a symbol of national unity in Canada, as it fulfilled a commitment made by the Canadian federal government to British Columbia which wanted a railroad to connect the Pacific province to Central Canada. The promise of the railway contributed greatly to British Columbia’s final decision to join the Canadian Confederation. When the deadline of its completion was pushed back, it caused threats of secession by BC politicians. It was the completion of the CPR that was instrumental to the settlement of Western Canada. Building the railway was the first largest project undertaken by Canada. During World War II, CPR moved 86 million passengers, with 280,000 being military personnel. It represents the determination of Canadians to complete the nearly insurmountable task of joining Canada together. It proves to the rest of the world that a newly formed country can still come together to achieve difficult projects. An object of both praise and dislike, it is an icon of Canadian nationalism.

Image Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Spike_%28Canadian_Pacific_Railway%29#mediaviewer/File:LastSpike_Craigellachie_BC_Canada.jpg

Symbols of Canada - Example #4

“Wait for Me, Daddy”

Taken on October 1st, 1940, it was the most famous Canadian photo of World War II. It represents the pain of separation and the value of duty. It shows the emotion turmoil of men heading to war. When taken, the photo touched the public’s nerve and defines the war experience, of the connection between soldiers and home. This photo has a lot of international recognition, due to the emotions that it suggests, as well as the idea that it is not about war, or blood, but the families that get left behind. It remains one of the most famous Canadian photos to date. The photo remains relevant today, as it is a constant reminder to families that a soldier’s departure to foreign conflicts are no less emotional that from October 1st, 1940.

Image Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wait_for_Me,_Daddy#mediaviewer/File:British_Columbia_Regiment_1940.jpg

Symbols of Canada - Example #5

Terry Fox

A symbol and martyr for his cause, Terry Fox’s efforts remains a world-wide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run is the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research, showing the impact of his cause. A national hero, he was Canada’s Newsmaker of the Year in 1980 and 1981. At Fox’s death, Pierre Trudeau said “It occurs very rarely in the life of a nation that the courageous spirit of one person unites all people in the celebration of his life and in the mourning of his death…We do not think of him as one who was defeated by misfortune but as one who inspired us with the example of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. His determination united Canada, as people everywhere gives their support, and instills pride throughout the country. His ambitious vision, and his difficult feat, would give him the title of Canada’s greatest hero.

Image Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox#mediaviewer/File:Terry_Fox_Denkmal.jpg