National Myths and the Musical Ride

 RCMP: A Century of Control and Controversy — Part 3: National Myths and the Musical Ride

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

If you grew up in Canada, chances are you’ve seen the Musical Ride — gleaming horses, crisp red serge uniforms, synchronized movements that look like a perfect dance. It’s a spectacle, a symbol of Canadian pride, a seemingly innocent tradition that delights children and adults alike at events like the PNE.

But behind the pageantry lies a calculated effort: the RCMP used image and myth to shape public perception. After decades of enforcing colonial control — controlling Indigenous peoples, enforcing residential schools, and suppressing dissent — the RCMP needed a way to appear heroic, trustworthy, and even glamorous.

The Musical Ride began in the 1880s as a method to train mounted officers, but by the 20th century it had evolved into propaganda. Parades, photographs, and public ceremonies portrayed the Mounties as national symbols of courage and civility. The narrative was simple: the RCMP were protectors, above reproach, and the backbone of law and order in Canada.

For generations of children — myself included — this image was brainwashing in plain sight. Watching the Ride at the PNE or in textbooks, we were taught to admire the uniform, to trust the badge, and to see Canada as a country with “peaceful policing.” We rarely learned about the pass system, the residential schools, or the surveillance of Indigenous and activist communities.

The red serge became a mask. Behind it were stories of control, intimidation, and systemic injustice. The contrast between image and reality was—and still is—stark. Canadians were encouraged to idolize the force while ignoring the deep, ongoing impacts of its colonial origins.

Even today, the Musical Ride continues, a symbol that often distracts from accountability. It’s a reminder that public image can be manipulated to hide uncomfortable truths — a lesson we must remember as we examine policing, corruption, and justice in Canada.

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Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think the RCMP invested so much in creating a positive public image?
2. How does seeing the Musical Ride as children influence our perception of policing and authority?
3. Can symbols and pageantry be used to cover up systemic injustice? How do we challenge these myths?

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Mini Quiz

1. What is the Musical Ride?
   • A) A training exercise and public parade ✅
   • B) A musical band performed by officers
   • C) A recreational horse club
2. Why was the RCMP interested in promoting pageantry and uniforms?
   • A) To celebrate their horse-riding skills
   • B) To shape public perception and appear heroic ✅
   • C) To win competitions
3. How did the public image of the RCMP affect generations of Canadians?
   • A) Encouraged admiration and trust ✅
   • B) Created fear of police
   • C) Had no effect