EDITORIAL: What does B.C. Day mean?

In a province made up of 25 per cent Canadian newcomers, what does B.C. Day mean?

Whose heritage should we celebrate?

Those who were born here? Those who moved west from across the country seeking warmer winters? Those who immigrated from half a world away? All of the above?

And what about the province's original inhabitants—the First Nations population?

On Aug. 4, communities across the province will enjoy a leisurely long weekend of celebratory events. This year, BC150 has upped the ante for provincial pride as Canada's western-most region contemplates 150 years of history since it was first founded as a Crown colony with New Westminster as its capital.

A century and a half since its inception, B.C. boasts a population booming with diversity, including ethnic representation from right across the world. A mere bus ride through Burnaby, made up of more than 55 per cent visible minorities, offers exposure to a mélange of languages, clothing and cultural traditions.

Although the province is now a multicultural mecca, it didn't always welcome newcomers with open arms.

In 1886, B.C. imposed a head tax on Chinese immigrants to restrict access to Canada. A few decades later, impossible immigration rules continued to confound would-be Canadians. In 1914, nearly 400 hopeful immigrants from India spent two months aboard the Komagata Maru off the coast of Vancouver when they were denied entry to the country.

But perhaps the worst case of discrimination has been against the province's original populace—B.C.'s First Nations people, who were only granted the right to vote less than 50 years ago.

Once rich in Aboriginal culture, more than 30 different Indigenous languages used to be spoken in the area. But thanks to ardent assimilation strategies, only 0.3 per cent of British Columbians now cite an Aboriginal language as their native tongue, according to 2006 census statistics.

Maybe in the midst of the B.C. Day celebrations, we should step back and assess our own acceptance. If we embrace our differences, perhaps we won't be doomed to repeat the discrimination that mars our province's past.