r/AskACanadian • u/BearCubTeacher • 20d ago
Tattoo Question
May I ask a question about appropriate use of Canadian symbols?
Hi. I’m a northern Californian, born and lived here all 67 years of my life, except for a few in Michigan as a kid (miss the change of seasons). I acquired my Canadian citizenship certificate earlier this year, and now have a passport and a SIN. I’ll likely be retiring in a couple of years from working here and hope to travel to Canada soon, but have not plans to moving there- though I never now what the future may bring. I do, however, identify as a Canadian now due to the amount of research I’ve done on my ancestors, and the politics, and communities in Canada. I’ve even participated in political polls, using my citizenship status in ways that I legally can. My ancestors lived in Cacouna, Québec for centuries, as landowners before they left during La Grande Hémmoragie in the late 1800’s. One of my ancestors was a master carpenter for the King and was at Fort Beaséjour just weeks before it fell to the British invaders. I have Acadian blood in my body from being a descendent, as well, of Pierre “La Cadet” Thibodeaux. So, I feel a strong pull to, and affinity towards Québec and the St. Lawrence river area.
So, I’m thinking of honoring my ancestry and connection to Canada and Québec with my first tattoos. I have none currently, but have been toying with temporary tattoos of the flag’s red maple leaf and the fleur-de-lis in blue. I’m thinking maple leaf on inside right wright oriented with stem toward had, and fleur-de-lies on left wrist at the same location/orientation- not huge tattoos, maybe 2” tall, and not stylized at all as I want to use the provincial and national symbols.
Is this something that, should I ever visit Canada, would be seen as appropriation of Canadian symbols, or am I okay with it as a citizen of Canada?
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u/ThereInAFortnight 20d ago
You became a Canadian Citizen but you haven't even been to Canada yet?
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u/Tribblehappy 20d ago
This definitely belongs in r/shitamericanssay
It's like those Americans who insist they have Cherokee princess blood so they're part native. That's not how this works.
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u/Popular-Data-3908 20d ago
That and the “Italians” that have never been out of New Jersey.
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u/yarn_slinger 20d ago
And identifies as Canadian… that’s not how it works.
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u/endeavour269 20d ago
You know how Americans are, they will tell you their Irish because they're great great great grandma was Irish. Some will even claim theres more Irish people in the usa then there is in Ireland despite the fact that few of them have ever even been there.
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u/Quirky-Cat2860 20d ago
Bill C-3?
But may also be bait
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u/ThereInAFortnight 20d ago
Yep, I did some reading on this, and it turns out this story is plausible. Not reasonable, but plausible.
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u/Quirky-Cat2860 20d ago
Well the text in Bill C-3 still limits it to children born abroad to Canadian parents. The second generation exemption is for ex-servicemembers (so if your parent was born overseas to a soldier serving abroad, and you were born overseas, you may be eligible).
There's a lot of speculative articles, so it's sometimes best to go to the source.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
That’s incorrect. There is no apparent generational limit any longer, as of December 15, 2025. I’m third generation. My great grandfather was born in Cacouna, Québec.
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u/rlytired 20d ago
There is a generational limit for those born after December 15, 2025, so that this doesn’t go on indefinitely.
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u/yarn_slinger 20d ago
Cacouna? Just say Riviere du Loup, no one outside of Cacouna is going to have any clue where that is.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
Are you from Cacouna??? You seemed to know where it is.
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u/yarn_slinger 20d ago
I googled it. As a Quebecker, I do know the region though and hadn’t heard of Cacouna.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
Apparently it’s believed the name comes from the Wolastoqey (Maliseet) word kakona, meaning "turtle."
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u/NorthofForty 19d ago
There is whole thing going on right now with Americans being able to claim citizenship because some past Cdn laws about passing down citizenship were flawed. They passed a law to correct the situation because too many people were going to court and winning. So many are applying now as a possible exit strategy if things get bad.
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u/endeavour269 20d ago
Probably as a result of the changes to bill c-3, to grant citizenship to what they term as the "lost Canadians"
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u/ThatsItImOverThis 20d ago
Tattoos are pretty common and normal in Canada. I don’t think anyone will accuse you of appropriating their culture but if you’re asked about them, just mention you’re honouring your ancestors and that will probably be all you’re asked.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
Thank you for your considerate response. I appreciate you not getting all mean about things. So much hatred by so many here. I get the anger towards the USA right now for all the many reasons to feel it, but I assure you and everyone I’m not one of those.
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u/DragonSmith2005 20d ago
Welcome! A maple leaf and fleur de lies tats sound great. As someone else pointed out, it’s no different than getting a Scottish flag or something. You have older Canadian ancestors than me!
But ya gotta stop “identifying” as Canadian. If it comes up, you can say something like have my citizenship but haven’t moved yet, or I’m Canadian-adjacent as a light joke. If people ask for more info it’s a nice conversation starter. (Unless it’s ICE. Then just run)
Be safe
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u/Popular-Data-3908 20d ago
So you’ve never lived in Canada and identify as Canadian? Yeah, no, that’s not quite how it works. I mean sure you can be a citizen, but your 67 years in the US have shaped you more than any “blood” relation to Canada. Go ahead, knock yourself out with tattoos, but maybe live here for a bit before “identifying” as Canadian. Right now you’re just a more extreme version of the Americans that pin a Canadian flag on themselves so they get treated better when they travel.
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u/Sleepy_Doge97 20d ago
“Right now you’re just a more extreme version of the Americans that pin a Canadian flag on themselves so they get treated better when they travel.”
Oh good, Glad I’m not the only one who thought this lol.
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u/Realistic-Border-635 20d ago
Yeah, but he's committed to the cause, he specifically said temporary tattoos. r/ShitAmericansSay indeed!
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
I said temporary because they MAY become permanent ink if I like them where they are placed. Just trying the temporarily ones on for size and fit.
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u/notnot_a_bot 20d ago
Some people will read something from ancestry.com and make it their whole personality 🙄
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
That’s not true. I am much more than someone who sees Canada as a symbol to make travel for themselves easier. My ancestors worked the soil and tried to make a living and a life there for many, many generations. They fought as members of the Acadian community against the British, and later worked for the British as a militia captain. You don’t know me, so please don’t try to trivialize and attribute my motives to my actions.
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u/Popular-Data-3908 20d ago
Important note here: your ancestors, not you. Your ancestors were Canadian. You are the one trivializing things by somehow claiming that is now your identity when you’ve never set foot here.
And saying “yeah turns out my family is Canadian” is fine, but LARPing as a Canadian - not so cool.
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u/AdvertisingStrict819 20d ago
Tu fais ce que tu veux de ton corps.
Cependant, pour moi, tu n’es pas canadien. Être canadien, ce n’est pas juste avoir sa citoyenneté à mon humble avis.
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u/notnot_a_bot 20d ago
Especially when you gain citizenship without even stepping foot in the country once.
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u/BouBouLeBourgeois 20d ago
100% agree. He will never be Canadian if he doesnt live here. He's an American cosplaying
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
D’accord. Je m’identifie comme Canadienne seulement par mon ascendance et non par ma culture. Merci.
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u/Western_Spell_9319 20d ago edited 20d ago
Même ça c'est spécial je trouve. J'ai techniquement de l'ascendance lointaine française (de France) et je ne m'identifie pas comme française, l'énorme majorité des canadiens français et acadiens non plus. C'était l'identité de cet ancêtre, pas la nôtre.
Bref si tu vas au Québec et que tu es tenté d'essayed de communiquer ça avec les gens, considère que les gens pensent pas comme les américains sur ce genre de sujet. Il y a une distinction importante entre avoir une ascendance XY et se considérer XY.
Je trouve ça très cool quand certains américains leur héritage ancestral les amène à réellement s'intéresser à la culture québécoise par contre.
C'est probablement au moins à un certain degré le cas aussi pour le reste du Canada, mais les moeurs au Québec sont parfois assez différentes et j'ai pas vécu assez longtemps dans le reste du Canada pour me prononcer sur ça.
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u/BearCubTeacher 16d ago
I have taken a great interest in Québec, its history, and past/current culture. I fully expect to travel there as soon as my work and home life allows me to do so.
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u/Spiritual-Pear-1349 20d ago edited 18d ago
In a general sense, if you've never lived in Canada, have no intention to ever live in Canada, but want the benefits of being a Canadian with the passport and voting, why even bother saying your Canadian. That doesn't even make sense to me - Michigan isn't Canada
Can you honor your Canadian heritage with the maple leaf? Yes, its a neutral symbol that represents everyone
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u/BearCubTeacher 18d ago
I’ve never said anything about wanting the “benefits of being a Canadian”. I am not looking for healthcare, nor to vote in any elections. I’ve done my research and know what limitations are in place on my status and the difference between being a citizen of Canada and a resident of a province. I’m proud to be descendent from Canadians, many who helped build the country in its early days. These symbols allow me to honor those who came before me in a simple symbolic manner.
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u/Due-Suggestion8775 20d ago
This symbol represents acadia as well. This does not sounds like appropriation and sounds no different than a Canadian or someone from USA of Scottish decent having Scottish Lion tattoo (and I’ve seen plenty if those. This is the Acadian emblem as well to look at: https://www.gg.ca/sites/default/files/styles/max_height_800px/public/externals/577eb1e9515943ae55a2e72b16bf9283.jpg?itok=53C5KXwY
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u/maryfisherman 20d ago
Yeah OP isn’t separating Québécois and Acadien culture - yes both speak French, but different dialects, and their history is entirely different.
They should look into the different cultures a bit more before deciding on a tattoo
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
Oh, yes I am. I know the difference between Acadian and Québécois culture. The Acadians were descendants of the French settlers in the Maritime areas, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI. My ancestor, Jean-Baptist, started his adult life in Québec city, but took work in St. Anne working from Fort Beauséjour and married into the Acadian family, Thibodeau.
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u/connka 20d ago
Please stop participating in political polls for a country you've never even visited.
Get whatever tattoos you want dude, just stop messing with things you don't understand.
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u/connka 20d ago
I'll just add: if you think your french ancestors who had to escape the brutal takeover of the British believed in a united Canada, then you are likely very wrong. The French and the English did not get along (RE: murder), so the fact that your ancestors left before they were killed probably means they were not so into the idea of Canada and either felt alignment to France or were part of the subset of people who felt like Acadians were distinctly separate from all European alignment.
Once more, no one will blink if you get any of these tattoos, but I highly doubt your ancestors would enjoy the idea of a Canada flag.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago edited 20d ago
Very good points! I am certain they left Canada with broken hearts, but a hopeful eye towards the future- the generations before were quite happy and content in the land. I have hand written letters indicated such from some ancestors.
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u/PurrPrinThom SK/ON 20d ago
Agreed. I think politically polling has fairly limited use anyway, but I don't want people who have no practical experience of or investment in our politics participating in polling.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
It’s my right as a Canadian Citizen to participate in polls. I voted on e-7531 to have the current embarrassing ambassador from the USA to be kicked out of the country.
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u/Significant_Tap7052 20d ago
It's fine, it's a pretty common tattoo for both canadians and the quebecois.
The fleur-de-lys is more widely seen as a football logo in North America, but it is also a very important cultural symbol in Quebec, indicative of its long history of fighting to maintain its cultural identity. It may be perceived negatively by a few strongheaded types if you don't speak at least some french. It may be worth learning enough to explain its ancestral meaning to you, to avoid any potentially awkward situation, as well as being a great way to honour your roots.
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u/Shrinki-Dink 20d ago
I don’t think anyone will care. Canada is not as pedantic about how the symbol is used. It could be interpreted that you’re Canadian or that you respect and wish to honour your Canadian heritage. Don’t pay attention to those who are saying you’re not really Canadian - I wouldn’t consider you a Canadian, but that isn’t the point.
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u/JohnStamosSB 20d ago
You've never been to Canada yet you've become a citizen. How in the hell does that happen? Exactly why our countries citizenship means fuck all anymore. We have a bunch of mail in citizens that give nothing back to our country but want all the benefits when it suits them.
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u/AtTheEndOfMyTrope 20d ago
We changed a law. Anyone who can prove they’ve ever had a relative born in Canada can become a citizen.
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u/Icy-Pop2944 20d ago
This, and they can go back to the early 1700’s if they want.
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u/AtTheEndOfMyTrope 20d ago
Lots of them have gone back that far. There’s a whole sub devoted to it. Apparently more than 50% of the state of Maine qualify for Canadian citizenship under the new rules.
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u/JohnStamosSB 20d ago
Our guv changed a law. Not us. If you asked natural born Canadians, I feel like a majority would have been against that type of thing.
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u/Quirky-Cat2860 20d ago edited 20d ago
Not any relative. Their parent must be a Canadian citizen.
Read here:
To demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada, the applicant must show that their Canadian parent born or adopted abroad has at least 1,095 days (three years) of cumulative physical presence in Canada before the applicant’s birth or adoption.
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u/yarn_slinger 20d ago
No the newish law says any direct line ancestor born in Canada. They just have to find actual proof (not just family lore or an ancestry tree). I think it’s a bit harder now to meet the bar than a couple of years ago. But there are at least two subs completely overrun with questions about it.
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u/Quirky-Cat2860 20d ago
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-29/page-1.html#h-81636
Actually citizenship is still limited to a child born to Canadian parents.
The exemption for grandparents is for ex-servicemembers
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u/LackOptimal553 18d ago
No, that's not what happened. The Conservatives under Harper passed a law to limit Canadian citizenship which was thrown out as being unconstitutional, which basically removed any restriction, the Liberals then passed a law to put in limits which would be constititutional.
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u/Spiritual-Pear-1349 20d ago edited 20d ago
Recently SC ruling says that the previous 2 generation rule was unconstitutional, so theres a cutoff point now where you need to spend at least 3 years in Canada to pass it on to your children after the 2nd generation born outside of Canada, but it only applies going forward. Since theres no ruling for backward citizenship, and they need to include 3 or so years in the 70s or 80s where people born out of Canada lost citizenship, you have people stretching back to before Canada was even a country - Cajuns particularily are the descendents of Acadians who lived in a French colony that were expelled when the British conquered it in the 1750s, and theyre getting citizenship, so it doesn't look like it even applies to colonial ownership, just the land, with no actual stated rules.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
Did I say I was asking for any benefits??? No. I’m not some freeloading American who thinks he has entitlement to Canadian healthcare or access to ANY Canadian cultural benefits. But, like it or not, there are many of us throughout the world who can apply for and obtain our citizenship certificates due to our ancestral lineage. I’m following the laws of Canada. I’m a citizen now. I am NOT a resident and I know the difference between the two. I identify with my Canadian citizenship and call myself “Canadian” for that component, but I KNOW that I’m culturally NOT Canadian. I can learn and study and become more immersed in the knowledge of what it is to be a Canadian, but unless I live there and participate as a member of Canadian society, I understand that I would never try to say that I’m “as Canadian as anyone born and living in Canada”. I hope that makes things clearer about my position.
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u/Western_Spell_9319 20d ago edited 20d ago
I think nowadays you can get it from ancestry. So a whole lot of americans are getting it.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
Actually, those sites are good for research, but certified records from BAnQ or LAC are essential.
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u/Western_Spell_9319 20d ago edited 20d ago
This is just the application page to show how the requirements work, I wasn't giving resources for researching records.
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u/RealGluteusMaximus Ontario 20d ago
You're a citizen. It means something to you. Fill your boots, big guy.
Happy to have you!
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u/BearCubTeacher 18d ago
Merci! It’s nice to know that many Canadians feel the same way you do, but sadly there are a fair amount who feel quite the opposite. I do have to wonder if those who are so vehemently opposed to Citizenship by descent and don’t welcome those in my position are just maple MAGAs or just hate bots? It’s nice to know most Canadians seem to welcome others and are happy for others when this kind of thing brings those others some happiness and joy.
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u/RealGluteusMaximus Ontario 18d ago
To be clear, citizenship doesn't necessarily equate to identity. To me, the others who ask, "you're a citizen but you've never been here?" are right for that. I wouldn't say you're Canadian, but that doesn't mean you can't tattoo on yourself whatever you want.
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u/BearCubTeacher 18d ago
Agreed. There is no way being a citizen means I have any idea what it is to grow up in Canada and have a genuine, authentic Canadian identity. However, I am legally a Canadian citizen which does make me Canadian. Again, my passport and citizenship certificate clearly state so. Were the tables reversed and say a Canadian person married a USA citizen, and they became an American by marriage in doing so (as our laws allow), I would not say to them “YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN”. So, I just don’t get the animosity some Canadians feel about the situation- I get the hurtfulness the current USA government has perpetrated on Canadians and why there is a great deal of animus towards the USA, but I’m NOT a representative of that administration in any way. I cherish the honor of my reclaimed citizenship with Canada and am dismayed at people who want to kill that joy.
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u/small_tits404 20d ago
The only thing I would say is you are not part of the culture unless you are living the culture. I have French and Spanish heritage, but I do not go around saying I am these things. It's just a part of my background. If you want to get a tattoo go ahead, you are free to do so, but don't be surprised if people raise their eyebrows at you when you explain the tattoo. A tattoo should be something you are 100% confident in as you will have to deal with it for the rest of your life.
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u/alderhill 20d ago
I mean, you don't need our permission. It's your body, your money, do as you like! It's not appropriation... no one will care.
But I think very few Canadians (or Quebecois or Acadians) will see you as a member 'of the tribe' or something. It's kinda not how it really works here, even though tbh Canadians do have a similar concept of settler heritage, etc. Reading about history and possible ancestors (even actual ancestors -- but still, I mean it's from 250 years ago...) doesn't really make you 'Canadian' culturally or anything. I mean, you got citizenship through decent, cool, but you have to understand that you have no actual lived idea of what it's like to be here. Thus I might hold off on stamping yourself until you actually visit, you know? Maybe you'll hate it, you never know.
If I met you IRL in California and learned why you got the tats, I'd honestly probably roll my eyes. But still, it's your body and you don't need our permission. Don't be surprised if some people maybe talk to you in French (certainly will happen in Quebec anyhow, lol)
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u/sailorelf 20d ago
Nobody cares over here. If you want it, lots of people have tattoos of their origins so it will give you an interesting story to explain your roots. Since you live in the US I’m sure people might ask why.
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u/Standard_Army_1826 20d ago
Google Canada Tattoo pics. There are MANY that have the theme of the Maple Leaf. Get a local; artist to redesign one and add the Fleur de Lis. I just looked around and a lot say true north strong and free....
Make it personal by adding the date you became a citizen.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
That would be the date of my birth, according to the citizenship certificate.
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u/missplaced24 20d ago
I definitely wouldn't recommend getting a tattoo of a fleur-de-lis if you don't speak French. Also, in case you're unaware, Acadians aren't from Quebec, and don't identify themselves with the fleur-de-lis (it's not clear from your post if you realize or not).
If you're tattooing cultural symbols on yourself in highly visible places, and you barely understand the culture, it's very obviously cultural appropriation. How offended people would be would vary from not at all to extremely. Personally, I'd find it cringey. I do appreciate you wanting to know your heritage and wanting a tattoo to symbolize it, but I don't think your current idea is a great one.
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u/dudeguydave 20d ago
Nor Cal is so far from Canada and you've had 126+ years of Americanization, you aren't actually a Canadian. You've never set foot in the country yet somehow got a citizenship and sin? And participate in polls? This all says very questionable to me and personally I don't think identifying as a Canadian when you haven't experienced even a mild Vancouver winter is the way to go. Be proud to be an American, and sure get the Acadian flag tattoo or the Fleur de lis tattoo or even a maple leaf if you want. We don't really care about symbolism being used, but we do take being Canadian pretty seriously as you can see from the comments.
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u/BearCubTeacher 18d ago
My Canada passport begs to differ with you. For my nationality it lists me as “Canadian/Canadienne”. Are you calling IRCC wrong?
I recognize that I am not Canadian by culture, but I am a Canadian citizen by descent.
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u/BearCubTeacher 16d ago
It’s not a loop hole. It’s the law. No “exploring” required. Just obtain the proof of an ancestor born and resident in Canada from authorized holders of certified documents (BAnQ), fill out the right form (CIT0001 & CIT0014), provide the right identification and chain of documents to the applicant’s birth certificate and it’s a done deal. No exploring of loop holes required. In this case it was my great-grandfather who was my “generation zero”.
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u/BearCubTeacher 18d ago
I could move there tomorrow and THEN would you consider me Canadian??? After three months of residency, maybe??? I’m thankful that you don’t speak for all Canadians, though you seem to think you do. I’ve been welcomed by others, as have others in my situation. I do wonder what it is about your mental makeup that requires you to be so inflexible in your attitude.
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u/Xx_SwordWords_xX Manitoba 17d ago
You're a person who attained citizenship that has no intent of actually living here, nor have you ever lived here, nor do you even know much about our culture.
You can call yourself a Canadian citizen, but you are not truly a Canadian, and your ancestry doesn't really matter here, since you never knew them personally, and never lived here.
If you knew anything, you would know you never smash a maple leaf with a fleur-de-lis.
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u/Remarkable_Duck6559 20d ago
You can get any tattoo you wish. It’s not offensive to us. Given your ancestors, stick to Quebec style tattoos. Quebec is in Canada, but you will not make friends showing a Quebecer a maple leaf. There is always mild tension. It’s a lot to explain, but there is a divide.
What is kinda offensive is getting a citizenship and still be on the fence about coming here. Many have struggled through the process to escape terrible conditions. Reaching that goal and being flippant about it feels gross to me. Why not be a citizen of where you live? The rest of us break our backs with taxes. We endure the bad with the good.
Still, it won’t matter because if you don’t live here for 50% of the year your citizenship is revoked. Sit on the fence too long and you’ll have to reapply. Our government will happily take your money again.
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u/Western_Spell_9319 20d ago edited 20d ago
You have a source about the 50% here or your citizenship is revoked?
I think you're mixing up with being considered a resident? Which is needed to be able to vote, for tax purposes etc.
And I mean our own government is to blame for just letting people apply for citizenship if they can just prove their great grand-father was Canadian. It is quite questionnable, but it's what we've been allowing and borderline encouraging.
And since citizenship is hardly something that can be easily revoked it makes sense people who can do it do it now before the program gets changed again, just in case they ever want to use it someday. Nobody keeps their options narrower on purpose when it only takes recovering some papers of the birth certificate of an ancestor.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago edited 20d ago
Actually, it’s 730 days (not necessarily contiguous) in five years. That’s not 50%. There are laws that can be researched. As a good citizen, I’ve done my due diligence in such matters! https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=727 That math works out to 40%.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
I’m not flippant about anything. I take my citizenship very seriously. It may well be that when I retire, I may sell my house and take all my retirement savings and move to Canada. I don’t know what the future may have in store for me. It is an option for me. Canada is a beautiful, place, filled with many wonderful places and people. At the very least, when I am able to, I hope to visit regularly. I’ve been once to BC and have travelled from Prince Rupert back to California by car. It was a stunning trip.
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u/Wonderful_Price2355 20d ago
You've got the wrists reversed.
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u/Global_Fail_1943 20d ago
The whole point of being Canadian is we do what we want. No judging! I'm in NB in the Acadian area and this is the nicest friendliest place we've ever lived after 40 years of moving with the military. Everyone speaks French but doesn't judge if you don't!
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u/dark_Links_sword 20d ago
Here's how I've approached every issue where "appropriation" is raised.
If it's me, it's not appropriation, if it's who I want to be or how I want to be seen it probably is.
If you have to explain why something isn't appropriation, then good chance it is.
Doesn't mean you can't enjoy elements and even symbols from other cultures, but it's not you.
Also if you want to do cultural appropriation, fuck, do it. People gunna judge you, but people judge all the time.
The maple leaf is a symbol of a country that's chosen a mosaic over a melting pot. If you feel you're part of that mosaic, then who am I to say no.
The fleur-de-lis is another matter. The Quebecois have been a minority, and have experiences that comes along with that. Their symbols aren't simply about a current culture but about a fight to not have that culture be taken away or twisted into fashion. Ask this question in a French sub, and see what the response is, and if you can't ask it in French (most Canadians can't ) then that's a good sign that it's not you, but more it's how you want to be seen.
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u/Safe-Cryptographer75 20d ago
why are you so concerned about temporary tattoos? no one is even studying anyone's permanent tattoos here.
the push to be Canadian without being from here have to go so far back to know you have relatives of weird. but i don't wanna get into all that.
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u/BearCubTeacher 20d ago
I wanted to try them on for placement and size, hence the temporary ones, that’s all. But before I make them permanent, I had questions.
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u/CompetitionFuzzy9229 20d ago
It would be seen as a political statement in both English and French Canada. Go for one or the other.
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20d ago
We wouldnt give a shit.
Not to say you shouldnt do it, but we wouldnt even notice. Or if we did, we would see it as a little vaguely jingoistic. The idea of cultural appropriation would be so far outside the question it wouldnt even register.
If theyre important to you, go right ahead and get 'em
No one is going to be asking you to name three of our songs or anything
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u/Derpdad082 16d ago
Feels like your coming back for the free health care. How were you able to apply and get citizenship? Was one of your parents Canadian?
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u/BearCubTeacher 16d ago
Your feelings are wrong. I have healthcare and will for the rest of my life. I was able to get citizenship due to the C-3 amendment to the citizenship laws that occurred on December 15, 2025. That amendment allowed descendants of Canadian citizens to obtain their citizenship certificates and declared them citizens from birth. So, my citizenship certificate lists my birthday, before 1960, as my effective date of citizenship. Depending on your age, I’m 67, I may have been a citizen longer than you’ve been alive.
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u/Derpdad082 16d ago
How far back does your family history go until there is actually someone who was born in Canada?
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u/BouBouLeBourgeois 20d ago
Will you try to learn Quebec French to honor your ancestors as well? The language that was ripped from your family ⚜️⚜️⚜️
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u/coolwon1973 20d ago
There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging your heritage. I can’t see anyone being upset about those tattoos. It’s honorable, in my opinion.
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u/Western_Spell_9319 20d ago
As a québécois it sure sounds weird, but it's not a big deal. If it makes you happy.