Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam

Marshall McLuhan's Order of Canada medal
Marshall McLuhan’s Companions of the Order of Canada medal, issue no. 114 (1970)

Today is Canada Day, though this year celebrations are rightly muted as the country grapples with its historic mistreatment of native peoples and the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of children sent away from their families to residential schools.

The phrase “desiderantes meliorem patriam” from Hebrews 11:16 translates to “they desire a better country” which one can only hope is in the thoughts of the country’s citizens today as they reflect on what it means to be Canadian, and the reparations needed to mend these tragic, and long ignored wounds. It is in mine.