Tag: I am Canadian

It’s hard to imagine anything more Canadian — or more adorable — than a photo of a Mountie cuddling a baby beaver. Sure enough, it happened recently at Regina’s Salthaven West wildlife rehabilitation centre. The centre helps injured and abandoned birds and wild animals, and in May received four beaver kits whose mother had been killed near Fort Qu’Appelle.

Jason Pinder, who has volunteered his time with Salthaven for the past five years, works a day job as an RCMP corporal. When he stopped by the centre a few days ago wearing his red serge uniform, staff couldn’t resist getting a shot with him and one of the furry critters. The result: an iconic shot for the ages that delighted Salthaven’s Facebook followers.

The only thing missing is a hockey stick and a Tim Horton’s double-double.

The majestic Canadian beaver riding a goose while wearing a maple leaf bikini.

And yes, you can get the t-shirt.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, which was first established in 1996 by the governor general at the time, Romeo LeBlanc. National Aboriginal Day is held every year on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, a day that holds cultural significance in many aboriginal cultures.

The day also falls at a time of year when many First Nations, Inuit and Metis people celebrate their heritage.

National Aboriginal Day is meant not only to acknowledge Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities, but to recognize their shared history – good and bad – with the rest of Canada.

Click for bigger picture

Original artist: Jennifer Adomeit

Canadian Provincial and Territorial Animal Symbols

BC: Spirit Bear
Alberta: Big Horn Sheep
Saskatchewan: White-Tailed Deer
Manitoba: Bison
Ontario: Common Loon
Quebec: Snowy Owl
New Brunswick: Black Capped Chickadee
Nova Scotia: Osprey
Prince Edward Island: Blue Jay
Newfoundland: Caribou (the islands are represented by a salmon tail)
Yukon: Raven
Northwest Territories: Polar Bear
Nunavut: Canadian Inuit Dog

This’ll be a good step forward to restoring your international credibility.