When thinking of national emblems, most folks are immediately drawn to the eagles of the USA, Germany and France, the lions of Great Britain, Iran, and Kenya, and the dragons of China, Wales, and Vietnam! But one country took a much different approach in selecting their national animal, and for this reason, we beavers love Canada!
This was not always the case, because Canada was founded on the sale of beaver pelts, Europe’s most hotly desired fashion material in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was through our repeated slaughter that Canada became the nation it is today. However, since a royal assent made beavers the official symbol of Canada in 1975, the Canadians have embraced a far different approach to beavers as their national symbol!
Beavers are hard-working, for sure, and that’s a good trait to have in a country, but we’re also family animals. Parents take care of youngsters, and older siblings stay around to take care of the younger ones! We also tend to be pretty friendly, unless someone decides to mess with us! Beavers make great symbols for any town or country that wants to promote those values!
We also make a great mascot, so thanks, MIT, Caltech, and Oregon State University!
Oregon is known as the Beaver State, because it was also founded on the beaver trade. The routes used by trappers in the 1840s became known as the Oregon Trail, one of the most important westward emigrant routes in American history, and a pretty fun game too!
There are at least 36 cities and towns across the globe that are named for beavers! Most are simply named “Beaver,” but there’s also “Beaverton,” “Beaver Dam,” “Beaverville,” “Beaverdale,” and “Beaverlodge!” I know of three towns named for the Latin word “Castor,” and two named for the German word “Biber!” There is also a Beaver County in Alberta, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and in Utah, where my brother, Woodchuck, lives!
Should you ever find yourself in one of these fine locations built on the backs of beavers, take a moment to consider not only our sacrifice but also to reflect on what it means to be a beaver. We’re good folks, and we hope that your town is full of good folks too!