Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments

In every corner of every town and city, memorials can be found existing in a variety of forms and serving a variety of functions. From small plaques or roadside markers to grand monuments commemorating a national or global event, they attempt to remind the public of individuals or a shared history....

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Main Author: Eric Weeks
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: UCL Press 2019-10-01
Series:The London Journal of Canadian Studies
Online Access:https://uclpress.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14324/111.444.ljcs.2019v34.007
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author Eric Weeks
author_facet Eric Weeks
author_sort Eric Weeks
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description In every corner of every town and city, memorials can be found existing in a variety of forms and serving a variety of functions. From small plaques or roadside markers to grand monuments commemorating a national or global event, they attempt to remind the public of individuals or a shared history. However, memorials also perform another role, and that is to not only record and display those subjects which a society deems worthy of commemoration, but also how those histories are shaped, framed and positioned to fit contemporary needs. This paper examines the use of memorials and monuments within Ottawa to create and demonstrate an inclusive, diverse and welcoming Canada. These values are found throughout Canadian society but looking at Ottawa’s built environment – the additions to the landscape created from steel and granite – reveals a deeper understanding of what these ideals mean to Canadians, how the nation sees itself and how it portrays itself to the world.
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spelling doaj.art-145698f37d85458ca0402e7114719d922023-02-23T10:23:37ZengUCL PressThe London Journal of Canadian Studies2397-09282019-10-013412314810.14324/111.444.ljcs.2019v34.007Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public MonumentsEric WeeksIn every corner of every town and city, memorials can be found existing in a variety of forms and serving a variety of functions. From small plaques or roadside markers to grand monuments commemorating a national or global event, they attempt to remind the public of individuals or a shared history. However, memorials also perform another role, and that is to not only record and display those subjects which a society deems worthy of commemoration, but also how those histories are shaped, framed and positioned to fit contemporary needs. This paper examines the use of memorials and monuments within Ottawa to create and demonstrate an inclusive, diverse and welcoming Canada. These values are found throughout Canadian society but looking at Ottawa’s built environment – the additions to the landscape created from steel and granite – reveals a deeper understanding of what these ideals mean to Canadians, how the nation sees itself and how it portrays itself to the world.https://uclpress.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14324/111.444.ljcs.2019v34.007
spellingShingle Eric Weeks
Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments
The London Journal of Canadian Studies
title Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments
title_full Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments
title_fullStr Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments
title_full_unstemmed Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments
title_short Memorializing an Ideal: Representations of Inclusivity in Canada’s National Public Monuments
title_sort memorializing an ideal representations of inclusivity in canada s national public monuments
url https://uclpress.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14324/111.444.ljcs.2019v34.007
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