Calgary has always been known for its “Western” culture and identity, but is this who we really are? As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada due to immigration do we deserve our traditional Western identity? Should we appear to be a more multi-cultural city similar to that of Vancouver or Toronto?

With the 5th largest immigration population in the country at 20 per cent, we most definitely deserve a more modern, multi-cultural identity and view as a city. Our immigration population deserves this as do the rest of us who do not connect with the cowboy style. I understand our Western roots and the importance of the Calgary Stampede and such, but are we really that old-fashioned is where everything depends on this. A recent report by the Calgary Herald declares us the “Horse Capital of the World.” While that is a mouthful, only a select few can understand why it is we posses this newfound title. The new immigrant population sure doesn’t care whether or not we have lots of horses and cows, but whether we are an acceptable place to live.

I, personally, believe we as a city deserve and need an update of our identity and what we appear to be across Canada. Multi-culturalism is the way of our future and we need to accept that, as does the city. Our Western roots will be part of our city forever, but they should not be the city forever.

Summer has been passing by in the blink of an eye. It’s hard to believe that we are almost half way through! This summer, I have had the great fortune of being able to travel to and live in Montreal for five weeks while learning French at the Universite of Montreal. It was the first time I have experienced living away from home, and during my four weeks here already, I have experienced the freedom equally as much as the difficulties.

Surviving on instant ramen and buttered rye bread as my main staple, I have, along with my good friend and fellow blogger Lisa Bui, explored almost every corner of this lovely and lively city. When people said that Montreal was a party city, they really meant it. People flock to the many summer festivals every night, enjoying the abundance of performances, loud music, and, of course, the fireworks. No other city can match Montreal’s perfect blend of history and present. Party-goers hurry along its cobblestone streets under the watch of religious statues standing solemnly on magnificent churches, all accompanied by loud and lively contemporary music that one cannot help but dance to. Even at 1 a.m., the delicious aroma of crepes still fill the streets. Montrealers really know how to work hard and party harder!

During my time here, I have learned not only French, but experienced the culture and lifestyle of a city so different from Calgary. Sometimes, I have the illusion that I am in a beautiful European city. Travelling to a foreign city for a longer period of time is definitely something I would reccommend for anyone who has time. It is a wonderful experience that cannot be replaced and will not be forgotten.

Do you care for the river? Do you think that it is important for OUR health? Well, recently a river clean-up was done to promote the awareness of Calgary’s Bow and Elbow Rivers and how it’s the citizen’s duty to help clean up the litter and protect OUR river. Apparently, in our own river, volunteers found a rubber pig, needles, knives and plenty of other hazardous materials.

For me, I always thought that the Bow River and the Elbow River were clean. Things change when citizens lose interest in helping our environment. It’s sad that people treat our river like this, but we can make a difference! The great thing about being in Calgary is how there are plenty of opportunities for us to join or even start to help raise awareness for a cause.

If you are an environmentalist and disappointed that people think it’s “okay” to just throw away a dirty needle near the river, then this is your chance to SPEAK OUT! If you didn’t participate in this river clean-up, you can definitely gather a group of people to plan another one. Unfortunately, pollution happens every second, minute, hour and day and so our river ALWAYS needs a clean-up.

If you are one of those individuals that don’t think that the environment is important, IT IS! I personally didn’t think so until I went on a RiverWatch Field Trip where I learnt all about the sewage system and where it starts and how these toxins in our river get removed. Trust me, this is a long process and if you start being more aware of the waste that gets put in our river, imagine how BIG of an impact that will make! One person can make a change; you just have to believe it.

Links to check out:

RiverWatch Program

Article in the Calgary Herald about our river’s clean-up