Have you ever thought about what the Seven Wonders of Canada are?
Last night, after votes by over one million Canadians as well as the final decision by three judges, these seven wonders were unveiled on the CBC. The network posted the question to Canadians and there was such a huge response which was not surprising being that we all have strong opinions about our country. The final decision was as follows:
The Canoe
The Igloo
Niagara Falls
Old Quebec City
Pier 21, Halifax
Prairie Skies
The Rockies
Okay, so I admit that I agree with some of these, I was a bit disappointed by some of those cut by the panel. Firstly, was Haida Gwaii (otherwise known as the Queen Charlotte Islands), a rainforest of epic proportion which is made up of some really ancient trees (another symbol of Canada - for me anyway). Cathedral Grove is another one of those symbols.
Some of the fun choices were people's parents' houses and even more interesting is Wreck Beach more well known for it's clothing optional policy than the nature.
I think it very interesting what came out of this and, more importantly, the discussion that will continue because of it. Geographics, proximity to government and people's interests are so vast here that it would be difficult to get everyone to agree. But at least it's sparking a sense of unity.
One thing that I would like to add it that there were all sorts of references to hockey mostly due to the fact that people thought it has always been Canada's national sport. Actually, it wasn't until 1994 that hockey was added as an official winter sport. Until then, it had been lacrosse which has been played here for somewhere around 500 years. While it doesn't hold the same profile as say hockey, it is just as exciting if not more.
I used to volunteer with the local lacrosse league here in my younger days and it was always surprising to me that this sport didn't get more support. There is a part of me that believes that it would have had more popularity if it were created by someone other than First Nations people in Canada. In a way, it's just one more discrimination against the original people of this great country of mine. Even though the game is no longer an exclusive sport for the aboriginal people of Canada, it still seems like hockey has the higher profile. To me, I'd rather watch a fast, exciting game that didn't involve me freezing my ass of in a cold hockey arena.
Nevertheless, I will continue to love this sport - along with basketball, which was also invented by a Canadian. I'm not a really big sports fan anyway, however, I love to watch lacrosse and you can occaisionally catch me on the court at my old high school with my basketball.
Have a great weekend all. I hope that, if you have anything to add about the Seven Wonders, that you will comment on it.
Last night, after votes by over one million Canadians as well as the final decision by three judges, these seven wonders were unveiled on the CBC. The network posted the question to Canadians and there was such a huge response which was not surprising being that we all have strong opinions about our country. The final decision was as follows:
The Canoe
The Igloo
Niagara Falls
Old Quebec City
Pier 21, Halifax
Prairie Skies
The Rockies
Okay, so I admit that I agree with some of these, I was a bit disappointed by some of those cut by the panel. Firstly, was Haida Gwaii (otherwise known as the Queen Charlotte Islands), a rainforest of epic proportion which is made up of some really ancient trees (another symbol of Canada - for me anyway). Cathedral Grove is another one of those symbols.
Some of the fun choices were people's parents' houses and even more interesting is Wreck Beach more well known for it's clothing optional policy than the nature.
I think it very interesting what came out of this and, more importantly, the discussion that will continue because of it. Geographics, proximity to government and people's interests are so vast here that it would be difficult to get everyone to agree. But at least it's sparking a sense of unity.
One thing that I would like to add it that there were all sorts of references to hockey mostly due to the fact that people thought it has always been Canada's national sport. Actually, it wasn't until 1994 that hockey was added as an official winter sport. Until then, it had been lacrosse which has been played here for somewhere around 500 years. While it doesn't hold the same profile as say hockey, it is just as exciting if not more.
I used to volunteer with the local lacrosse league here in my younger days and it was always surprising to me that this sport didn't get more support. There is a part of me that believes that it would have had more popularity if it were created by someone other than First Nations people in Canada. In a way, it's just one more discrimination against the original people of this great country of mine. Even though the game is no longer an exclusive sport for the aboriginal people of Canada, it still seems like hockey has the higher profile. To me, I'd rather watch a fast, exciting game that didn't involve me freezing my ass of in a cold hockey arena.
Nevertheless, I will continue to love this sport - along with basketball, which was also invented by a Canadian. I'm not a really big sports fan anyway, however, I love to watch lacrosse and you can occaisionally catch me on the court at my old high school with my basketball.
Have a great weekend all. I hope that, if you have anything to add about the Seven Wonders, that you will comment on it.
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