image: rabble.ca

As a species, we excel at inventing anniversaries and special dates that are meant to signify historical significance and moments of remembrance or celebration. These are human constructs based on our imaginations and designed to make meaning out of our brief and complex lives.

Take 2014 for instance; we are in the process of wrapping up commemorations of the First World War, positioning Charlottetown and Quebec Conference celebrations, and recognizing those who surmounted the baffling odds by storming Juno Beach 70 years ago. In the Winnipeg Free Press, Allan Levine provided a powerful glimpse into the historic Christmas truce of 1914.

While many of these anniversaries warrant remembrance and our collective reflection due to their significance, it is important to critically analyze the notion of historical significance and whose agenda is being bolstered and to what end.

The War of 1812 speaks to the politicization of significance. The Canadian Government created a bizarre advertising campaign and spent millions of dollars on a relatively non-event in European history.

While the rest of the West was trying to rid itself of Napoleon, the United States could barely muster enough competent farmers to survive harsh winters, a few British Red Coats and the formidable forces led by our first peoples. We didn’t defeat a mighty foe as recent advertisements would have us believe; we burnt down our sick and ailing cousin’s log cabin.

The real story of the War of 1812 is how agreements were not upheld between the British and Tecumseh and how in 2012, Canada spent millions of dollars trumping this backwoods skirmish up to some sort of David and Goliath saga. (Frustratingly, this propaganda campaign occurred at the same time funding was being slashed from something truly significant in the Experimental Lakes Area, a station in northwestern Ontario carrying out invaluable freshwater research.)

Strong, proud, free?

Now in 2014 and as we head toward the 150th anniversary of Confederation, we see a new political campaign on the horizon — oddly positioned in the midst of an impending federal election.

The Government of Canada has now released a “strong, proud, free” campaign, enshrined with vignettes, contests and political posturing.

Strong, proud, free? Are we being sold sport utility vehicles or enlisted into the marines? Where did this concept come from? Granted, the ideas of strength and freedom are mentioned in one line in our national anthem, but this has nothing to do with our national motto (from sea to sea), any of the more than 30 documents which constitute our constitution, or even the idea of peace, order, and good government — the latter originally envisioned as peace, welfare (happiness), and good government in such minor statutes as the Royal Proclamation and the Quebec Act.

Pride? This word communicates a sense of completion. What, then, in 2014 are we being told by our government that we should be prideful of? I can understand peace, welfare, and good government; these are ongoing goals that require continued stewardship, reflection and care.

This piece was originally published at cbc.ca/manitoba and is reprinted with permission.