Senior Year essays and other nonsense

Readers response to "I am Canadian" By: Duke Redbird

The Poem "I am Canadian" by Duke Redbird, I think, truly captures the essence of who Canadians may, or may not, identify as, or what they do. Canada is an extremely culturally diverse country, in regards to all the different religions, immigrants, social and economic status, and so on.

"I am a picnic, I am a banquet", a phrase like this one sparks many memories in my mind. When my family travels, we always stop somewhere for a picnic. I've seen many other families, across Canada, do the same. I feel like this embodies Canada In a way that is not necessarily common in other countries. It shows a huge sense of community; especially when larger groups of people come together to eat and spend time together. Whether it be a church potluck, or thanksgiving at KCS, it forms friendships and creates a community that lives and works together as a single unit. I think that's what makes Canada so great, and so strong. Our strong communities unite all of us, causing all of us to band together in great times of need. When the rink fire of 2010 happened, or when the Fort McMurray fire happened, many communities banded together to combat the issue at hand. If that isn't proof enough, when the tragedy of Riley Volk's passing, KCS united as a whole to not only honour Riley, but in support of Jared as well. We stood together, and helped one another. Instances like this are seen all over Canada. Making Canadians a huge community of people who will lend a hand when needed.

"I am a wheat field and a sunset" this reminds my of all the road trips past the golden wheat fields, whether it be a family trip or a school trip, I always smile when those fields come into view. It also reminds me of all the hardworking farmers, and for Saskatchewan farming is huge. it not only provides income and food resources, but It also shows how hard working Canadians are. The farmers are only an example of the many different hard working people. Whether it be the farmers, the oil field workers, or general workers who man all the other shops in your town; they all work tremendously hard to ensure we have what we need to survive. I have spent many evenings just sitting in a wheat field, with those I love, just watching the sun set. Nothing compares to watching the colors, of a sunset, shift and morph, and just watching the suns rays bounce of the wheat swaying in the gentle prairie breeze. The sunset reminds me of how beautiful Canada is, from the British Columbia Rocky Mountains, to Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Canada is full of breathtaking sights to take in. Each province has something beautiful to offer, each one different than the last.

"I am Canadian and I am free" this quote almost speaks for itself. Canadians have many more opportunities than some countries may not have. My family has been Canadian for quite a few generations before me, and we cant think of anywhere better to call home. Sure, we all love to visit where our ancestors, and some family, lived. But we always find ourselves coming home. Although, some Canadians may not agree with this statement. Take Newfoundlanders for example, before they joined Confederation in 1949, the, then country, was at a complete divide on whether or not to join Canada. They joined only by a 52% vote. That being said, many of them to this day don't consider themselves Canadian. Whereas some think of themselves as Newfoundlanders first, and Canadian second. But for those of us on the western side, and even central Canada, we vary in what we call ourselves. For many in my family, we are Canadians first, and Saskatchewans second. You can move from city to city, or province to province, but one thing that remains the same is Canada and all that it is. Canada doesn't change, the place might, but Canada is the same.

Canada is truly an amazing place. From the community, the hardworking people, and generally pleasant people, I couldn't think of anywhere better to be. And I think Duke Redbird feels the same way. he writes in a way that almost symbolizes Canada not changing, no matter where are. a travel log style shows how truly diverse and complex Canada is. We, as Canadians, are allowed to relish in the fact that freedom reigns supreme. We aren't lead under an iron fist. Mr. Redbird shows an insight into Canada that shows how amazing Canada is. Many can learn from this poem, just as I did. it forced me to delve into what Canada is, and not necessarily in geological sense. I mean, sure, we live on a piece of land above the USA, and we have oceans, and lakes. But geology doesn't define a country, its the people and what the people do. This poem forced me to look beyond the geology, and look into what Canada is to me. and what it may be to other people, who may or may not live in Canada. And Mr. Redbird shows that in this poem.