In Our Words

During my time at Our Canada and More of Our Canada, I’ve come to appreciate the manner in which many, dare I say most, of my fellow Canadians express our shared love for the land we all call home. I see ours as a quietly inclusive form of patriotism—especially around Canada Day. While there’s plenty of flag-waving and hoopla to be had, the focus is on individuals, families and entire communities coming together to do what we do best—have fun and celebrate in an atmosphere where everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part. With that in mind, why not make it a point to get out there and enjoy your local festivities this summer—and, of course, send us your best photos afterwards! Speaking of which—check out our Canada Day tribute, beginning on page 44.

One of the greatest things Canada has going for it is its regional diversity, which creates travel opportunities that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Turn to this issue’s Our Travels selection on page 20—“Aurora Hunting in Yellowknife” by John A. Barrett—and you’ll see what I mean.

Then, there’s a shared love and respect for the great outdoors, and an innate sense of adventure, which many Canadians harbour. In his photo essay, “Heart of the Continent,” Hap Wilson adds a decided appreciation for history and geography to the mix, as he maps out a canoe route that takes him from Lake Superior into Manitoba (page 8).

As Dorothy Creighton points out in her It’s Tradition story of page 28, the real strength of our nation begins with family and always has. From the pioneering days through to modern times, our country has in many ways become a family—and that’s worth celebrating! Gary George, gary_george@rd.com