Benjamin Franklin preferred the wild turkey as a national symbol for the United States rather than the bald eagle. For all its majestic soaring, the eagle is a carrion eater and steals fish from smaller birds, such as the osprey. Franklin called the eagle a “rank coward” for retreating so easily when chased by much smaller birds, such as the kingfisher. Which sounds just like a bully being confronted in the school yard, doesn’t it?

National symbols are important. They serve as representations of a nation’s history, culture, identity, and values. The mighty beaver was formally adopted in 1975 as the Canadian symbol even though it had long been casually identified as such. The move to make the beaver the official symbol was sparked by a New York senator who had the audacity to suggest the beaver should be their state symbol. It seems history and Canadian pride are coinciding once again, fifty years later.  

With all due respect to the moose and the goose, what better symbol than the industrious, vegan, environmentally friendly, and generous beaver? They share their lodges in the winter months with other species, usually the muskrat, but also the river otter and mink. How generous. They are native across all provinces making them a truly national symbol, unlike the maple leaf, which unfortunately does not grow west of Manitoba.

The dark side to our history with the beaver is the economic exploitation which resulted in over-hunting for its valuable fur. This contributed to the colonization of the country, including abuses to indigenous peoples, and laid the groundwork for a capitalist democracy. The 1930s dust bowl in the prairies was caused in part by the decline in the beaver population because the land was stripped of their ability to manage wetlands. Restoring wetlands and beaver populations is now on the green agenda to help reduce forest fires.

Sometimes beavers create problems for humans when their dams flood farmer’s fields, or roads and rail lines become submerged. The trick is to work with them, rather than against them. Beavers are stubborn, they won’t stop building a dam until they are trapped and relocated. But their skills have to be acknowledged; they are capable of building trenches kilometres long so when the rain falls after a drought, the water is funnelled efficiently. Rather than dynamiting their dams, friendlier methods like strategic installation of pipes will direct the beavers away from specific areas. Work with the beaver rather than against them. I’ve heard that works with humans too. 

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to vote tomorrow. If symbols are important, voting is how the symbol resonates.

Keep your joy.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger, unless it’s a holiday weekend. Or summertime.