July 1

Happy birthday, dear country.

You're pretty great to me, although you do have quite the shady past when it comes to people with other skin colours.

The occassion of your birthday might be a happier event if it weren't also the anniversary of the time all the land -- from sea to shining sea -- was stolen from the people who'd been living here for thousands of years before your little pilgrims arrived.

And it's pretty neat that you have a railroad from coast to coast, the very railway system that solidified the agreement for the west to latch onto the rest of the country.

Too bad all those Chinese people died building the tracks through the mountains, because you wouldn't let them become citizens unless they agreed to risk their lives for you. And too bad that once the train tracks were finished you decided to charge the other Chinese people that wanted to immigrate two-years wages just to be allowed to live here.

Too bad those living in many aboriginal communities didn't have access to public education beyond the Grade 9 level until five or 10 years ago. Too bad also that you decided to hide them away from the rest of the population, segregating them and creating a racial conflict that is so hideous it may be beyond fixing.

I don't know whether to celebrate or morn your birthday. Hopefully your wisdom and kindness is increasing along with your age.