Canada's 150

Author: Unknown
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Canada’s 150, in my view, is a celebratory milestone and an opportune time to take stock of what we have become and where we are going as a country, as Canadian-Koreans, and as the Canadian-Korean community.

I think of Canada as a young country that continues to seek its place in the world. While not the loudest voice in the room, I think of a vast land successfully making its mark as a partner true to its commitments and honourable in its transactions. A country of altruism and a beacon of virtue, camaraderie and optimism. A vigorous nation pursuing a sense of belonging in a world cast over by dark clouds, but where there is always light. Everyone needs more Canada.

As for me – a Canadian adopted from Korea as an infant – I, too, continue down a path of self-discovery. Much of my own history remains a mystery, but, like Canada, I am working hard to find my place in the various worlds in which I exist: a Canadian, a Korean adoptee, a son, brother, and an uncle trying my best to tie it all together. As for what I have become, I cannot describe for certain other than having that inherent Korean industriousness that drives the sense of duty to best serve my family, community and country. Likewise with where I am going. My own future remains unknown, but what I ultimately strive for is to be a positive contributor to Canada, an anchor for those I care about, and a witness to see Canada’s Korean community continue growing in size, stature and success.

Canada’s 150 serves a reminder that I am privileged to call Canada home: the world’s first country to adopt multiculturalism as an official national policy nearly 50 years ago, and a place that encourages me to retain my Korean roots in order to enhance it. The sesquicentennial is also an opportunity to draw parallels between where Canada stands in the world, and where the Korean community stands within Canada. In both contexts, I believe that our future as a country and as the Canadian-Korean community will be relatively subtle but absolutely not without impact, in all the ways that matter.

Happy 150 to all Canadian-Koreans and to all Canadians. Please be proud of what we have become as individuals, and all that we have to look forward to as a community, a nation and as Canada.