Remembrance Day and Canadian Identity

Schools all over Canada held Remembrance Day ceremonies just prior to the national holiday and these assemblies always had a profound influence on me.  It is one of the many times that I felt deeply connected to a core purpose of public education.

Like many events and processes in today's public schools, the ceremony at my last school was led by students.  Scores of students served as hosts and ushers for our guests, but also played a significant role in planning and organizing the entire ceremony.  Students designed, decorated and set-up the venue.  Three students served eloquently as ceremony emcees and skillfully led the audience through the 45-minute reflective exercise. The flag party was comprised of student cadets, over seventy students in our concert band and choir performed brilliantly and art club students contributed decorations. Similarly, all of the lighting, audio and tech support was provided by students. As is tradition at this proud school, hundreds of students participated by dressing formally on the day as a gesture of respect for the millions who have served and sacrificed, and for those who continue to serve our country. As this school was established in 1927, this includes scores of graduates who served. Every one of the thirty grads killed in WWII were remembered, by name. It is powerful and poignant when a 17-year old narrator says:

Every day we hurry through the halls of our school.  The pictures on the walls have long ago blended into the landscape, only remarked upon as curiosities for their hairstyles and clothes.  Yet, even though they may not look it, the grads in the pictures were also young, with the same passions, ambitions, pressures, and dreams that all of us have.  And all, no doubt, thought they would live forever. But for some, their dreams were destroyed in an instant. To this day the spirit and dreams of all these fallen students live on in the halls of Richmond High and, they live on in us.  

Special guests included veterans, parents and many local seniors living in the community. The students and staff in the audience were quietly engaged and reflected with dignity and respect.  As it does every year, it made me feel very proud and fortunate – to be Canadian and to be connected to the school and our extended community.

While a complex construct that attempts to find some unity in our diversity, Remembrance Day ceremonies also serve a critical role in building 'Canadian identity'.  Excellent public schools are committed to helping shape young people who are responsible, caring, reflective, and resilient, and can think and communicate effectively. Schools have a responsibility to nurture the cognitive abilities of young people to increase their life chances. However, the role of pubic education in building a democratic nation of personally and socially responsible young citizens is equally important.  Canadian public schools are a reflection of our society: incredibly diverse, vibrant mosaics of people from many cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Exemplary public schools work thoughtfully to create a sense of belonging by nurturing caring connections among students, staff, parents and their greater communities. This includes an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of living in Canada.  

Like the tremendous sacrifices made by over a million Canadians who have answered the call to defend the freedom we enjoy in Canada and protect others around the world, it is important that we remember the value of high quality public education in sustaining Canada's democracy.  Now more than ever, this is crucial to Canadian society.

Lest we Forget.