The Fourth of July, a day prided by the red, white, and blue-blooded American, a day of scorching family barbeques and flashy fireworks that spark fear into our little furry friends. But believe or not, not everyone in the world celebrates the birth of the United States, being only one of 65 countries to be born out of the British Empire. Similarly, our northern neighbor was also born out of the Royal British grasp, yet tells a vastly different tale.
Being the friendly folk they are, Canadians did not fight a war against the British for their independence, and instead shared a much closer relationship with the Crown. Canada was officially confederated from 4 territories on July 1, 1867, and became a Dominion of the British Empire. 
Ever since then, Canada has celebrated its birthday on a holiday originally named Dominion Day but is now just commonly referred to as Canada Day. Even though Canada was not officially granted its independence until December 11, 1931, Canadians nationwide still celebrate July 1 in a very similar fashion to the U.S.A.’s July 4 celebration.
This July, I’ve decided I’ve heard enough about American Independence, so I want to switch things up and share some stories from our friendly Canadian brethren.
For starters, let’s talk history, specifically, “A Short History of Canada for Americans” by Alfred Burt. Even with how much I love history, it can be hard to keep up with every country in the world, I find that Burt’s explanation of Canadian history is easily understood for my fellow American audience and would recommend anyone to flip through the sections of historical details to better understand our northern neighbors.
Though, much like the United States, Canada doesn’t lack in the overtaking of Indigenous territory, exactly what is addressed in Arthur Ray’s “Telling it to the Judge: Taking Native History to Court.” Ray exposes the harsh truths about Canadian history through the Native lens, providing a deeper understanding of the beautiful and lost cultures of North America, as well as sharing the wonderful ones that still exist in the furthest reaches of the Canadian Shield.
But history can be told through more than just textbooks and historical annotations, art is another wonderful place to look at when getting a bearing of culture and impressions of another nation. A less heavy and more poetic collection by the Indigenous people of Canada can be found in Grace Lau’s “The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak,” where Lau shares vulnerable stories of Indigenous women throughout the Great North.
“Abstract Painting in Canada” by Roald Nasgaard explores the world of Canadian art throughout the provinces from the past century, from the early pioneers to exotic modernism, Nasgaard shows it all. Art is much more than the visible, sometimes the verbal is even more immersive, “The Music of Canada” by Timothy McGee is another book that delves into the cultural diversity of the ages throughout Canada, from folk and pop to jazz and church choirs, one can get lost in these cultural Canadian melodies.
Perhaps you are looking for something a little more leisurely, might I suggest some works of Canadian authors, Samra Habib’s “We Have Always Been Here” is a wonderful memoir of Habib’s life growing up as a queer and Muslim immigrant to Canada, balancing her different identities in an unfamiliar environment. “Flight to Canada” by Ishmael Reed is another story of immigration to Canada, but instead explores the not-so-distant past of the slave trade and the experience of African people groups as they cross the Atlantic and the lives they lived upon the Canadian coast.
Another novel, this time for the younger audiences is “The Truth Commission” by Susan Joby, a story about finding the unknown truths of the people around our main character, Normandy Pale. A fascinating and beautifully illustrated graphic novel is “Africville” by Shauntay Grant, taking place in a town that no longer exists near Halifax, Nova Scotia. Where a once thriving and vibrant community of Black Canadians stood, is now a small park where former residents gather each year to commemorate their once beautiful town.
Though, if I had to pick a favorite Canadian author, I would have to choose Margaret Atwood. I have read a couple of Atwood’s famous novels like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Testaments,” but my favorite of her titles is one that I read in my Science Fiction class with Professor Randy Roberston, and that would be “Oryx and Crake.”
“Oryx and Crake” is a novel about a corrupt capitalist society that devastates itself, we follow our main character, Jimmy/Snowman who flips from the current state of this post-apocalyptic society and the past that led to it. Sci-Fi is one of my favorite sub-genres of fiction and this story is one of the best I’ve read, I may even write a future review on this one so keep a lookout for that! I hope you’ve learned a little something about the friendly fellows to the north and appreciate the wonder that is Canada Day!
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