Fernie showed its patriotism and pride on Canada Day, with a day of spirited community events.
The City of Fernie hosted a flag raising ceremony in the morning at City Hall. Mayor Nic Milligan and Nasu?kin (Chief) Heidi Gravelle delivered speeches, shortly before the Ktunaxa Flag was raised over the community. A drum circle performed a flag song and the Fernie Community Choir sang O'Canada. Afterwards, a parade of bikers dressed in red and white rode down 2 Ave.
Volunteers lined up to take a plunge in the dunk tank set up near Station Square, to raise money for next year's festivities. Among the long line-up of participants, were fire chief Brendan Morgan, mayor Nic Milligan and councillors Troy Nixon and Ted Shoesmith.
Musicians performed from City Hall grounds throughout the day, including Trena & the Kimberley Crew, The Reluctants, The Relief Committee, The Hip Flexers and Shelley Lynch. Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi'it First Nation performed traditional dance and music.
Organized by the Rotary Club of Fernie, Fernie Elk's Lodge, 3300 Club, Fernie Lions Club, Royal Canadian Legion, City of Fernie and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi'it First Nation, the event is the largest of its kind in recent years.
Milligan said recent global political events have inspired a renewed sense of patriotism.
"It's reinvigorated our national pride and I think that's very important," Milligan told The Free Press. "We became a little bit ambivalent about our nation, and threats from outside our boarders have certainly pulled us together as a country. We are a great country that will only get better with time."
The event marked 60 years since Lester B. Pearson unveiled the maple leaf national flag.
Fernie Rotary president Bill Pittman said he's proud to see how far Canada has come, since the maple leaf flag was raised for the first time at his elementary school as a young child.
"It wasn't totally accepted at first, but it became such a symbol for Canada, recognized around the world," Pittman said. "Whether you were backpacking across Europe or had it on a briefcase doing business in Japan, the Canadian flag became that symbol."
"Politically, I continue to see Canada as being that nation that is a mediator, that works well with all the nations. We have more alliances, integrations and treaties with more countries than any other country in the world, because people trust us with so many different things," Pittman added.
Milligan noted in his speech that he sees Canada as a country that will continue to grow and change in future.
"When I was a boy, I revelled in a vision of Canada as a bastion of good and calm; a sober and well-reasoned nation, always ready to help our allies and help our people involved. We're still that great nation. Canada is a truly wonderful country, but as I've said in the past, all countries have their challenges. Like people, they have the opportunity to grow and learn in pursuit of the ideal of what we are, and what we can represent to the world," Milligan said.
