Travel writer and Calgary author Will Ferguson, a recipient of the Governor General's Award for Popular History and three-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour, presents a Canada Day quiz drawn from his new collection, Meanwhile, Back in Nokomis: Tales from Canada and Elsewhere (Douglas & McIntyre).
Question 1: Hometown of an Iconic Canadian Figure
Nokomis, Sask. (pop. 436) is the hometown of which iconic Canadian figure? A. Leacock-winning humourist Max Braithwaite of Why Shoot the Teacher? B. Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famer Elmer Lach C. Rock legend Kenny Shields of Streetheart fame D. All of the above
Question 2: First Person Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel
Who was the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel? A. Showman and tightrope walker, the Great Farini B. A Seagram's whisky distiller as a publicity gimmick C. A retired schoolteacher named Annie Taylor D. Boer War veteran Sam Steele (on a dare, no less!)
Question 3: Oldest Newspaper in Canada
What is the oldest newspaper in Canada — and North America? A. The Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph B. The Montreal Gazette C. The Kingston Whig-Standard D. The Globe & Mail
Question 4: Polar Bear Capital of the World
The self-proclaimed “polar bear capital of the world” is located in which province or territory? A. Yukon B. Nunavut C. N.W.T. D. Manitoba
Question 5: Jumbo the Elephant in St. Thomas, Ont.
Why on earth is there a statue to Jumbo the Elephant in St. Thomas, Ont.? A. Jumbo was born in St. Thomas B. Jumbo died in St. Thomas C. Jumbo performed in St. Thomas D. St. Thomas is the hometown of famed animal trainer Barney Bailey, whose memoir, Jumbo & Me, was turned into a popular children's TV show
Question 6: Rosebud, Alta. Annual Event
Rosebud, Alta. (pop. 112) welcomes as many as 40,000 visitors every year for what event? A. Year-round live theatre B. An annual Passion Play in the Badlands C. The International Festivals of Roses D. The Running of the Bulls
Question 7: Sable Island Facts
Sable Island, little more than a sandbar off the coast of Nova Scotia, is known for what? A. Moving. It crawls across the map B. Being a graveyard of the Atlantic, as the site of more than 300 fatal shipwrecks C. As the home of wild horses D. All of the above
Question 8: St. John's Screeching-In Ceremony
As part of their “screeching in” ceremony, the cruel inhabitants of St. John's, N.L., torment visitors by forcing them to do what? A. Kiss a cod B. Cuddle a caribou C. Recite a ballad in full Newfoundland dialect whilst standing on one foot D. Eat seal flipper pie without gagging
Question 9: Dawson City Initiation
In Dawson City, Yukon, an equally cruel initiation involves what? A. Drinking a glass of whisky with a severed human toe in it B. Reciting the Cremation of Sam McGee whilst balancing a bottle of hooch on your head C. Catching a jackalope blindfolded D. Panning for gold in a bathtub
Question 10: Will Ferguson's Early Job
In Meanwhile, Back in Nokomis, Will Ferguson describes one of his early jobs as being as easy as “selling water to someone whose hair is on fire.” What was the job? A. Manning a flood-watch station in the Carcross Desert B. Selling Anne of Green Gables tours to Japanese tourists C. Working as a tour guide at Toronto's CN Tower D. Selling tie-dye hippie shirts at the Denman Island artist market
