Awesome Canada! Celebrating 150 years, one trading card set at a time

Canada’s amazing people, places and moments in history, artfully crafted into nine limited-edition sets of collectible trading cards

With Canada’s momentous anniversary now upon us, Canadians from coast to coast are reflecting on what it truly means to be a Canadian and what our country means on the world’s stage. It’s no secret that many parts of the world are in an eerie state of political turmoil, war, economic instability and anarchy—yet Canada still continues to enjoy a sense of prolonged stability, calm and compassion.

What is the secret to our success? What makes our country so darn awesome to the point that Canada is voted— on just about every international list conceivable—as one of the “Top 10” best countries to visit or live in year after year, decade after decade?

It’s questions of this nature that prompted me to create a concept meant to celebrate the core of what makes Canada, well, Canada! I wanted to create and launch a Canada 150 concept that would be more than just a passing trinket. A concept that would educate multiple age groups, would become a cherished memento and could share our nation with people around the world in an easily digestible way. As a fan and publisher of collectibles, making a comprehensive and limited-print trading card set became the answer. Thus, to help celebrate Canada’s 150 anniversary, I have launched a trading card hybrid concept called 150 Years of Awesome Canada. Instead of making one standard big bulk set, the cards are split into nine subset booklets of six to 13 cards each, based on specific subjects and content. By no means can a trading card set feature everything there is to know about Canada—such a set would weigh more than a vat of Montreal’s best poutine and all of our maple syrup reserves combined! The cards within each subset booklet do, however, shed light on many features and facts about Canada that everyone should know. We as a nation have achieved so much to better ourselves and the world

in such a short period of time that I believe Canadians should put aside our famous humility and show off a wee bit!

In addition to showcasing many of Canada’s noble deeds and pursuits, among the nine available booklets is one set that reflects some of Canada’s most controversial and shameful moments. While we can all agree that Canada is an amazingly progressive country, we cannot ignore or choose to forget the dark moments in our history, such as residential schools, the infamous bathhouse raids, slavery (yes, it did happen here) and the Chinese head tax. Thankfully, as a nation, we have learned from these past mistakes and have apologized when appropriate, charting a more inclusive and tolerant path forward.

As a first-generation-born Canadian of African and Jamaican decent, and a confirmed aficionado of pop culture in general and comic books and trading cards in particular, the creation of 150 Years of Awe

some Canada has been a deeply personal journey for me. Every card made has shown me why I love my country. No matter where I travel abroad and how many times my family in the United States invites me to move south of the 49th, my heart is always here. I couldn’t imagine living, working and raising my family anywhere else.

I researched and created all the card booklets myself as a one-man business and I continue to enjoy every second of the process. Only 150 booklets will be made for each subject. I’ve signed, sealed and numbered each and every one. This is my love letter to a country that has given me a safe and nurturing atmosphere to grow into the man I am today. I want Canadians and people worldwide to know they’ve purchased something truly unique, which was handcrafted with dedication and conviction by a passionate Canadian.

I am proud to note that 150 Years of Awesome Canada was granted the official licence to use the Canada 150 logo by the government of Canada. My concept has also received letters of support from Saskatchewan’s premier, the Honourable Brad Wall, and that province’s minister of central services, the Honourable Christine Tell. Likewise, the city of Hamilton’s mayor, Mr. Fred Eisenberger, and Canadian comic book legend Dave Sim have also provided words of support.

We live in one of the world’s most prosperous, educated and safe nations, and Canada has achieved so much international respect and power in just 150 years. I hope my fellow Canadians will join me in celebrating this great nation, one card booklet at a time. Happy Canada Day, everyone! ■