I couldn't be happier to see that one of the most prideful and boisterous days of the year is making its rightful return in 2021.
We know it as Canada Day. Or maybe you just go with 'July 1st'. Or perhaps you're of the generation that remembers when it was called Dominion Day.
Whatever you want to call it, it's a day in which Canadians of all races, backgrounds and walks of life celebrate all things Canada, and this year, due not only to the recent headlines being made across the country, but because of the fact that this COVID thing is virtually in our rearview mirror, it means perhaps so much more than in years past.
When we were kids, my friends and I used to talk about when we considered the summer to "officially" be here. My take was that it was on the day you picked up your report card from school, somewhere around the very end of June. My buddy Chris was adamant that summer didn't launch for him until Canada Day on July 1. Looking back on it now, he makes a very solid argument based on the history of previous years.
I can remember the events and happenings of so many past Canada Days that it's almost as if they all meld together into one giant memory. There are so many cherished moments from when I was a kid: ball tournaments down at the Elks Park in Conquest, games of Bingo, watching the fireworks behind the rink in Outlook.
Nowadays, Canada Day is different for me because I'm approaching it from a professional point of view instead of someone participating in it. I'm here, there, and everywhere around town, armed with my camera and capturing all that's going on in the community. Parades, cake-cutting, presentations, casts of performers, and yes, once again, the show-closing fireworks display (I'm sensing a theme here). I'm there, I'm capturing all of it, and I'm ready to show our readers just how Outlook and area celebrated July 1st. Yes, it's technically work, but you know what? I enjoy it so much that I barely consider it work. Because of my profession, I always feel like I'm getting the front-row treatment as far as capturing how we celebrate Canada Day. I don't take that responsibility lightly.
A responsibility, I should say, that I feel just a little bit more this year because as you remember, there was no Canada Day in 2020. We were thick in the midst of the pandemic a year ago, and public events such as those held on July 1 were a big no-no. But that was a year ago. This year, it's full steam ahead and I'm looking forward to being the go-to guy who captures THIS, THIS, and THAT happening in our community.
But while I'm anticipating July 1, I can't help but compare the goings-on of previous years with this year's event with a bit of a lump in my throat. My mom loved Canada Day, and it would've been amazing to have her with us as we looked to celebrate Canada's 154th birthday with next to no restrictions and a full plate of things to do and see. She so loved this day because it meant people coming together to share their love of where they called home. I think she enjoyed it because it felt like as if we were all one unified Canadian. We put away our differences, we turned the blathering 6:00 nightly news off, and we just enjoyed our country. Mom loved that, and I loved that mindset about her. She was very much a "stop and smell the roses" kind of woman who appreciated even the simplest of things in life that gave you joy, as momentary as it could be at times, and I feel that we need more people like her.
What we don't need, or rather what we don't want to see, is what's been taking the top spot on the nightly news lately. Canada Day has been in the news recently, but not because some town or city is highly promoting what they're doing. No, it's because of the growing number of mass graves that have been found, shedding light on the history of residential schools and the mistreatment of First Nations people in our country. The discoveries of these graves have caused a few communities in Saskatchewan to cancel or postpone their Canada Day events. To this, I say to each their own because I absolutely support the right of any given community to make the decision over whether or not to hold festivities on July 1.
But while I support the right to have any community make that decision for themselves, I can't say the same for actually moving forward on canceling or postponing said events. I've been saying it on social media for weeks and I'll say it here again - why can't two things be accomplished at once here? Why can't a town hold Canada Day celebrations like they normally would, but perhaps bring in an Indigenous aspect of the event to shed light on what's being talked about from coast to coast? Right here in Outlook on July 1, there is going to be an Indigenous hoop dancer and drum band performing, and I applaud the organizers for reaching out and having that on the itinerary.
I know that I'm just looking at this as another white guy who doesn't know the horrors that have been faced, but I'm TRYING to look at this as a human being who doesn't necessarily believe you have to be ONLY for this side or ONLY for that side. More often than not, there are ways to appease both sides to make sure we all benefit, but those just don't get explored. Too bad.
Regardless, I look forward to Canada Day this week and I hope you do, too. This Thursday, July 1, I will celebrate my country for the land that it is today and for the land that it will be in the future. I'll watch the parade, I'll take in the family entertainment, I'll view the fireworks, and I'll do it all behind a camera lens, capturing life in this West Central part of the province. I'll smile, I'll laugh, and I may even wipe away a tear or two. As my mom often did, I'll stop and smell the proverbial roses. Life can be about something as simple as the little things, and I'll always remember that.
But on that note, let's remember and acknowledge all that has happened in our country in the past because it's impossible and downright ignorant to ignore history. However, that being said, let's also remember to celebrate this great nation for the incredible place it is today. We've come so far, and all we can do is continue to go further.
No "cancellation" necessary. Only understanding and only moving forward.
For this week, that's been the Ruttle Report.
