Alexander Graham Bell

Today we are going to share with you the contributions of one of the most important people in Canadian history! Alexander Graham Bell - invented the telephone, we all know that. He wasn’t really known as a true "Canadian", but more of a British subject who was living here although he was very important. Without his invention our world would be totally different. If it wasn't for the telephone we would not have been able to create the internet. Not only did he invent the telephone but he was the second vice president of National Geographic. Did you know his first invention came when he was just 12 years old? He was involved in many inventions that are still used today. Thank you for contributing to Canada's identity.

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa, and grew up in northern Ontario and Quebec, and in Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master’s degree from Radcliffe College. Margaret Atwood is the author of more than forty books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays and she is the writer of many amazing books! You can look in the learning commons for her books.  Thank you for your contributions!

James Naismith

James Naismith was a Canadian physical educator, physician, sports coach and inventor. In 1891, he invented the sport basketball. He made the first rule book and established the sport at the University of Kansas.  Today, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and we are proud to say that the Toronto Raptors kick off their 21st season tonight.  Good luck to the Raptors and hank you Dr. James Naismith for your contributions!

Laura Secord

Laura Secord was a courageous woman who was a heroine of the War of 1812. Her husband was injured in battle. She was taking care of him at home when she overheard a plan by American soldiers who were planning a sneak attack on Canada. What she did next goes down in history as one of the most courageous acts. On foot, she walked from America to Canada sneaking around soldiers and other dangers. When she arrived in Canada she encountered a group of Natives. The Natives helped Laura Secord find the person in charge of the British army. The British army was prepared for the American sneak attack. She saved our Country from a disastrous battle. If it wasn’t for Laura Secord we could have easily been Americans today. Thank you for your contributions!

Terry Fox

Terry Fox - Any Canadian growing up in the 80's revered in Fox's courage. He was a pioneer in the cross country run for a cause, and the tragic figure that didn't make it. His run, and the marathon of hope that still goes on every year, has raised a lot of money for cancer research. Fox was born in Winnipeg by the way.

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky; of course he was the greatest player in our favorite past time. Why did he finish #10 on the CBC list when Don Cherry finished number 7? Cherry is seen as very pro-Canadian, while many still see Gretzky as a sell-out for playing in LA, STL, and then NY. But he did not option out, or sign as a free agent. Pocklington traded him to LA because frankly he didn't have the money. Gretzky was heartbroken but still saw an opportunity to expand the scope and prestige of our great game by taking it to LA. He succeeded somewhat, but his work was destroyed to a large degree by the dealings of Bruce McNall who would later go to jail. When the Canadian Football League most needed a boost, who was there? Gretzky, along with McNall, and John Candy bought the flagship franchise Toronto, and put some glamour, some money, and some players, like Rocket Ismail into the CFL. Gretzky also played a huge part as the architect of both our Gold Medal win at the Olympics in Salt Lake, as well as our recent World Cup win. When Canada needed him most he made an incredible speech during the Olympics that took the pressure off the players, the controversy onto himself, and led to the team turning it around to victory. Walter Gretzky raised a perfect gentleman, and the Greatest Canadian ever.

Tom Thompson

Tom Thompson was an influential Canadian artist in the early 20th century.  He influenced a group of painters known as the Group of Seven.  Even though he died before they were created he is often incorrectly credited for being a member of the group.  He grew up in southern Ontario.  He was really influenced by his visit to Algonquin Park in 1912.  He travelled with his colleagues in the wilderness and painted what he saw.  He was a self-taught painter who spent hours perfecting his craft.  Sadly, he died on a canoeing trip to Algonquin Park in 1917.  His artwork is located in many art galleries including the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg.  Thank you for influencing Canadians to explore their creativity.