Canada is a country that is built on the cultural diversity of many of it's immigrants over the decades. We have a strong existence of our First Nations people, as well, so I thought it only be fitting to identify the many traditions our country enjoy over the holiday season. Now there are many who do not participate in this holiday, and I can respect that. So lets dive in and reveal the first in my series of fact and tradition found in Canada.
Let's visit Nova Scotia, (this is where I am from and my family is). The presence of the First Nations People can be found throughout the province. The Mi'kmaq People have many traditions they practice over the holiday season. As many practices have been adopted by the Mi'kmaq there are some that are unique to them, such as making a tobacco offering to the Creator, which is done in a ceremony outdoors before any gifts are opened.
After this ceremony, gifts would be opened, then a meal is prepared. Just before sitting to eat the great feast, a plate is traditionally taken outdoors and placed on the ground as an offering as well to the creator, thanking the creator for the bounty of the harvest and the meal.
Nova Scotia is known all over the world for it's Pine and Fir trees. One Christmas Canadian tradition is to send the largest, stately fir tree, of course grown in Nova Scotia, to the state of Maine ,Boston, USA because of the aid that was given during the disaster, known worldwide, as the Halifax Explosion. This tradition has carried on for many years. The American's in Boston, always love the Nova Scotian Christmas tree. It is placed in the city and then light during a ceremony to kick off the Christmas season.
Christmas over the decades has become so commercialized I thought it would be nice to reflect on the true essence of the season, instead of the commercial hype. Let's this Christmas focus on family and time spent together enjoying each other, good food from our garden's, and the beautiful snow. Get out there and build a "Snowman" together.
Happy "Snowy" Trails my friends
Sources:
Wikipedia Flag of Nova Scotia
http://brasdorindianvillagebandassociation.yolasite.com/smudging.php
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-tree-arrives-in-boston-1.1041256