A fundamental part of state unity is a shared sense of national identity, embodied in a flag, anthem, or passport. Despite their many differences, both Canada and Bosnia have witnessed a rise in identity politics and division which have threaten the social cohesion and national identity in both countries. On the surface, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) may seem like very different countries. Digging deeper, however, into the rise of identity politics and issues of national unity, they are more similar than one would expect. The experiences of two young individuals from the Balkans who have lived in Canada and contributed to the recent trend in identity politics can be used as learned lessons. Marko Kljajic, born in Sarajevo in 1991, moved to Canada in 1995. Currently a PhD student in politics and international relations in the United States, his primary research interests are the political psychology of polarization, reconciliation in the aftermath of civil conflict, and the impact of collective victimhood beliefs on intergroup dynamics and political mobilization. Lydia Perović, born and raised in Montenegro, moved to Belgrade in 1992 to pursue a BA in Journalism and Political Science. In 1999, she moved to Canada, where she earned an MA in Political Theory and has since been working in publishing, teaching, and PR, among other fields. Identity politics, as stated in the 2015 book “Social Statistics and Ethnic Diversity,” can be understood as the use and expression of cultural characteristics or identities in political undertakings and is a key factor in contemporary power struggles, particularly in societies where identity-based conflicts have become violent. As stated in the book, ethnic, national, and religious identities are the main identities mobilized in such conflicts, while gender identities rarely become explicit conflict lines during or after wars. “The appeal of identity politics lies in the human need for belonging, meaning, and recognition. The instinctive tendency to favor one’s own identity-group, however, can exacerbate conflicts in ethnically divided societies, where grievances often stem from feelings of marginalization, repression, and exclusion from accessing power and resources.” “The Importance of Canadian Identity” In Canada, identity politics has taken a strong hold in recent years, sharing some similarities with the context of BiH. The three main reasons for this: the history of national identity, reckoning with the actions of past generations, and the influence of digital media. The history of national identity in Canada is both complicated and simple. In a nation where nearly 95% of the population has ancestral roots outside the country, people have historically left their families, homes, and even traditions behind to build a new homeland. This process has led to the formation of new identities and communities, resulting in a paradoxical view of identity. On one hand, identity is viewed as “natural,” as the true essence of the self. On the other hand, identity is socially constructed and shaped in relation to the ‘other’ (Kukutai and Thompson, 2015). Kljajic sees “Canadian identity as important, because when people from different ethnicities identify as Canadian, regardless of their background, it mitigates this ingroup-outgroup mentality. For me, sharing the identity of ‘Canadian’ with others, say from Pakistan or wherever, is possible in Canada.” Pierre Trudeau’s multiculturalism policy in 1971 created a distinct image of Canada, with citizens bound together by their commitment to equality, diversity, tolerance, compassion, and fairness. This created a sense of values-based uniformity across the country. Today, however, rather than embracing diversity, differences have become a tool of division. “Canadian identity” is rarely articulated publicly, and in 2015, Justin Trudeau, characterized Canada as the world’s first post-national state. When asked about how he identifies in Canada, Marko explained, “I would say I have kind of a unique perspective in that I attach significance to my Bosnian and Canadian identity as well as to my class identity. Bosnian identity is not constitutionally recognized in Canada, but it signifies something else. It’s an inclusive identity where Croats, Bosniaks, and Serbs are all the same – Bosnian. On a larger scale, Canadian identity is similar, where you can come from anywhere in the world and identify as a Canadian. The Canadian identity ties people of many identities together.