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Canadian Culture Shock in June 2026 - The Saga Continues: What It Means To Me To Be Canadian...
- Lavender Library Press
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
As we enter June, I was thinking about all the things I knew were being celebrated this month...and looking forward to what more I would learn this June now that I live and am settling in this multicultural Canadian land here on Turtle Island....
Off the top of my head, the following things came to mind:
June 1st = International Children’s Day in China and around the world
June = SO MANY CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD AND WITHIN THIS MULTICULTURAL COUNTRY
Thanks to the variety of 'others' in my life and those who shared their knowledge and wisdom with me from childhood into adulthood, I was able to learn to be curious about and to collaborate with many different Peoples and Cultures around the world.
Thankfully, being Canadian and growing up on Turtle Island, I also learned how to protect Mother Earth and her natural systems....and wait, there is more...
Thankfully, being a bilingual and white-skinned Canadian, I also learned how to benefit from the colonial systems that were intended to empower my French Catholic colonizing ancestors (and other colonizers) while displacing and harming my friends (the Indigenous Peoples', their multiple and unique cultures, and Mother Earth's beauties); I, thankfully, also learned to use all my Canadian privilege to give back where it was needed.
Side note: After going abroad for 10+ years, and returning home excited about Truth and Reconciliation, I was shocked to see how slow the advancement had been towards our countrymates. Because of this, I am committed to the ongoing work of unlearning, accountability, and supporting Canadian Truth and Reconciliation in action. I am committed to giving credit where credit is due, because we all deserve a seat at the table and the right to have our stories told. Everyone around the world has a story, and we are more similar than we are different. I believe we must stand for Truth and Transparency. So today, June 2026, I am sharing what I truly believe it means to be a Canadian to me, here on Turtle Island.
Being a Canadian, to me, means living in a country that values diversity, respect, and freedom. Canada is known around the world for welcoming people from many different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. This diversity makes our people, our communities and our country the strongest because it allows us to learn from one another, collaborate with each other, and appreciate multiple multicultural and intercultural perspectives which are incredibly useful to succeeding and thriving in the 21st century.
Being Canadian, to me, also means recognizing the true history and long-ago-built relationships that have helped this beautiful country succeed as it has. It must never be forgotten that Canada is built upon treaties between all the Indigenous Peoples of the lands and all those who come to thrive on these lands. It must never be forgotten that these agreements did, do, and will forever guide our shared responsibilities today. As Canadians, we are to be grateful to the Indigenous Peoples', Inuit Peoples', and Métis Peoples' Cultures here on Turtle Island for their stewardship of the land and for the lessons they have shared about collaboration, cooperation, and living in balance with one another, with Mother Earth and with all parts of the natural and social world.
Being Canadian to me also means having opportunities that many people around the world do not have, and only dream of having. We are given access to education, healthcare, and an overall safe environment, which are privileges that help and encourage people to build successful and fulfilling lives. I am grateful for these opportunities and the rights and freedoms protected by Canadian laws to enjoy these opportunities and to share them with others. (I am by no means saying our systems are perfect, but the idea and intentions behind them are to care for one another, not conquer each other for profits...)
On that note, the most important part of being a true Canadian, to me, is being genuinely curious and sincerely caring about others, regardless of culture, race, or any category they may appear to be. Canadians are world-renowned for being polite, helpful, and supportive of each other and their multicultural communities. They are known to embrace the multicultural nature of the world and have learned to be grateful to each other and to give back. Whether it is volunteering, helping a neighbour, or supporting those in need, I believe true Canadians value curiosity, kindness, and cooperation. (Canadian Warning: Never mistake our Canadian kindness for weakness; as history has shown, we are united, and we do step up to the plate when needed. Bet!)
Being Canadian, to me, also means soaking in Turtle Island/Canada's natural beauty. The fauna and flora we all have here is an incredible source of pride (especially considering the careless and corporate efforts to destroy it for profit regularly.) From the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, to the Arctic and North Pole, this gorgeous land is filled with incredible landscapes that remind everyone of the importance of protecting the Mother Earth for this generation and all future generations.
Overall, to me, being a True Canadian means being multicultural.
To me, being a true multicultural Canadian means embracing cultural diversity, respecting others, appreciating our freedoms, and working together to build a better future for everyone and all species in all communities and ecosystems.
To me, being a true multicultural Canadian is something I am proud of, and with that pride comes inspiration to contribute positively by sharing and caring just as I was taught to do as a little Canadian girl born and raised on the traditional lands of many Indigenous Nations and Peoples, including the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Haudenosaunee, and Lenape Peoples, in my hometown of Timmins, Ontario (territory covered by multiple treaties including Treaties 3, 5, and 9, the Robinson-Huron and Robinson-Superior Treaties, the Upper Canada Treaties, and the Haldimand Proclamation).
I look forward to learning more, meeting new people, and hearing the stories that make Canada what it is today. If you have a story, perspective, or experience you'd like to share, I invite you to leave a comment below or reach out on social media. After all, every voice adds another colour to the rich rainbow of our communities.
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