Proud To Be Canadian, But Why?

What is wrong with the people living in Canada in the 21st century and not being the least bit curious about why this country is so similar to our neighbours to the south but yet so different in so many ways. We say that we're proud to be Canadians but we give little thought as to what we are proud of. Is it that our crime rate is lower than other countries in North America? We have a universal health care system? Is it that we are known as a peace-keeping nation? Or maybe our justice system is better? What are we so proud of anyway? What makes this great country so unique?

I'll bet if we took a national poll we would find that the majority of Canadians would give these answers but the real reason our country is so great is forgotten by most of us. We would not have the advantages listed previously if it weren't for the sacrifices that were made by the United Empire Loyalists.

I am proud to be Canadian because my ancestors and people just like them were determined to start fresh in a new country rather than stay where they were and compromise their beliefs.

I am embarrassed for our nation at this time because our ancestors deserve better, they deserve to at least be remembered by their own descendants and honoured for their sacrifices and hardships endured. With a population of over 30 million, there are less than 3000 members of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada (http://uelac.org).

Canadians know more about George Washington than they do about the first Lieut.-Governor of Upper Canada, "what's his name" (John Graves Simcoe for those who didn't know). I'll bet more Canadians can recite the "Declaration of Independence" and "The Emancipation Proclamation" than those who have even heard of "The Simcoe Proclamation". Slavery in Canada was abolished decades before it was in the United States. They say that "history is written by the winners" but in the long run, I feel Canadians are the winners, we just don"t realize what we, as a nation, have accomplished in a little over two centuries. This would not have been possible if it hadn't been for the "Simcoe Proclamation" and the Loyalists. Together they made this country.what it is today.

There were tens of thousands of loyalists that came to Canada after the war, but once things settled down a majority returned to their homes and their everyday lives, they would rather go "home" than have to start rebuilding in a new and hostile land. Those who stayed in Canada were the strongest, most loyal and most determined ones who chose to call Canada "home".
 
Because of their loyalty, what's his name, drew up a proclamation, known as "The Simcoe Proclamation" whereas every loyalist was honoured by the initials U.E. following their names, which stands for Unity of the Empire. This honour is Canada's only hereditary title, the first generation having an "S" for son and "D" for daughter before the U.E. that showed they were children of United Empire Loyalists. Every generation from that time forward is entitled thus providing they can show their direct descent.

In September I will be receiving my certificates for my Loyalist ancestors, my 4th great-grandfather, Joseph Haines, Sr. U.E. and my 3rd great-grandfather, Nathaniel Haines U.E., his son, and will proudly sign my name Earline Hines Bradt U.E. to recognize their contributions to building our great nation and to honour them. This is the least I can do in appreciation for their loyalty.

Ancestral Notes by Earline Hines Bradt is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License.