While working in Toronto and if I mentioned that I came from the Ottawa Valley, often someone would say, “You’re a Hillbilly” or “You came from Hillbilly country.” When I returned to the Valley years later, a few people who had relocated here from cities sometimes called me a Hillbilly. If it was meant as an insult, I wasn’t insulted.
I understood this is generally American lingo. It turns out that words like “redneck” or “hillbilly,” are two of the most loaded, complex words in the American language.
When the term “redneck” is used, it generally points to red-state (Republican) stereotypes: confederate flags, guns, and racism. Within the communities where self-identified rednecks actually live, these words have layers of meaning.
A true redneck doesn’t give a darn about anything but putting food on the table, working, and getting drunk. It actually got its name back in the mining wars when the coal miners were going up against the government. They wrapped red bandannas around their necks so they wouldn’t shoot one another.
But what do these words signify for the people living in central Appalachia? “Hillbilly” is a term (often derogatory) for people who dwell in rural, mountainous areas in the United States, primarily in southern Appalachia and the Ozarks.
However, the stereotype will disappoint many as the great majority of hillbilly families are not nearly as inferior as what is believed. In fact, most people from Appalachia are kind, honest, polite, hard-working people, don’t ask the government for anything and care for their fellow man, who, if they moved “up North” were not drug addicts, married five times or served time in jail as perceived. Much like many caring people living in the Ottawa Valley.
I like hillbillies and I sometimes prefer to act like one – and don’t mind it at all. I might not dress like one anymore, but I guess my accent gives me away as people remark, “You’re from the Ottawa Valley, aren’t you?”
I asked a lady yesterday if she was ever called a hillbilly. She said, “Yes, and I’ve been called a redneck too. I’m okay with that because it means I am resolute in what I believe – in fact, I’m proud to be a redneck.”
We have a direct claim to a hillbilly in Westmeath. An entrepreneur, Trent from Limerick Forest relocated here about 15 years ago. He bought the biggest building in town and painted in bold letters “Canadian Hillbilly” across the front of it. He and five siblings grew up on a farm. They were fondly known as hillbillies. Trent likes what he is and honoured with this reputation of being one.
I talked to another guy originally from southern Alberta who explained how they differentiated hillbillies from rednecks. Rednecks come from interior BC while the folks who lived by the mountains were called hillbillies.
So if you’re talking about places that have five cars that aren’t mobile but a house that is and people that are opinionated, Alberta has lots of rednecks. “Folks say Alberta has the most but it’s the cowboys that people equate with rednecks, affirming the “Texas of the north” image.
A Canadian redneck from rural Canada possesses all the traits of a typical American redneck such as creativeness and handiness, but none of the bad traits such as violence or racism. They can be easily identified by plaid shirts and a baseball cap with some kind of farm equipment logo on it. They are usually found telling people about the truck or dirt-bike they have for sale on Kijiji.
While the Ottawa Senators struggled in the National Hockey League a few seasons ago, their fans shared the misery of shame. An Ottawa sports columnist says he is embarrassed by the antics of fans that include a sing-along of ‘Stompin’ Tom Connors’ singing “The Hockey Song” during home games. The song reaffirms “our hillbilly image as a nation” in the eyes of the U.S. media. He apologized for their behavior saying. “You don’t understand. These people are from the God-forsaken Ottawa Valley, places like Arnprior, Renfrew and Pembroke.
To keep with this theme I looked up an old country song by Tex Ritter called “Hillbilly Heaven” and while listening, imagined I was in hillbilly heaven myself – what a beautiful sight!
