Today I reflect on what it means to me to be Canadian. I
grew up in Saskatchewan on a farm where my father loved the land. Planting and
harvesting was in his blood and his family had been on the continent for a
hundred years already. My mother’s dad Grandpa John Cerniuk was a first
generation Ukrainian immigrant. The oldest of 16 children who married a bride of
English decent and raised 5 kids of his own. My Grandpa had a profound effect
on my life growing up. He was Ukrainian so I took Ukrainian dancing for nine
years. He took me and my brother fishing and gave us a love of the outdoors and
for camping. He had fought in the Second World War so I joined Cadets and then
the military when I was old enough to enlist. He installed a great love for our
country into me.
Today I love all things Canadian. I paint my nails red and
white more than any other color. I cry when I hear the national anthem or the
sound of bagpipes. My teenagers know that gifts for Christmas and birthdays
will be more meaningful to mom if they come from Canada, display the flag, or
are red and white.
One of the things that I enjoy the most on Canada Day is not
necessarily the parades and the community events. Those are nice and I do take
them in sometimes, but my favorite thing to do in Canada is enjoy the national
monuments, the historical places and the beautiful outdoor locations. Bar U
Ranch, Fort McLeod, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and Frank’s Slide are a few
that I like here in Southern Alberta. Every summer we take road trips to Banff
or even just through the Kananaskis on a weekend. I feel it is important to
remember who we are and what we are all about. When I travel to other parts of
Canada it is those things that I love to see. Where did we come from? It is a
good question that helps to anchor us so we know where to go next.
Always Loyal2U,
Kerry George
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