Oh My!

Canada is a unique country. It is defined as a 'melting pot' when it comes to its identity. Take a walk in any major metropolitan and you will see a diverse culture. It is not uncommon  to see  4-5 people from different cultural identities 'breaking bread' together.  Yet, it is unfortunate that there are still communities in this beloved country of Canada that have an 'only us' mentality.Take a look at one community in particular -Dryden, Ontario.
 Here is the story in a nut shell: Native leader from an organization called Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) had approached the City of Dryden to establish a transitional highschool for Native youth.  The Native communities that KO represents are only accessible year round by air or an ice road during the winter months. The idea was to set up a school and housing facility to a recently closed public school in Dryden. As a result many teenaged youth whose only chance for a highschool education in a classroom setting would leave their homes, go to Dryden where they would both live and attend school. Their  school and residence would all be housed under one roof.   A public meeting was called to bring forth a proposed by law to re-zone the school for such accommodations. Public outcry was apparent. A petition with 600 plus names was presented to the City council opposing this idea. Residents who addressed the city council brought forth their concerns  'for the students' leaving their home to attend school 1000's of kms from their home.  Hearing their concerns as reasonable as they did sound could have been easily addressed to easy any concerns. Unfortunately,  the concerns that were presented were masks hiding the real issue - their fears, their prejudices.
I have a dream that one day a transitional highschool will be established in Dryden, On. so that Native youth will have an equal opportunity for a quality highschool education.
I really thought that this city  was moving forward instead is being held back by a percentage of it residents.
I leave you with a quote from a great man Martin Luther King Jr.:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Chi-Meegwetch

Baamaapii

Here is a link to the news article in the City's WEEKLY newspaper.

http://thedrydenobserver.ca/2012/05/ko-withdraws-from-pinewood-school-project/

Is It Worth It?

It's that time of the season again, for me. Allergies. I am sure many of you who read this - how many actually read my blogs? PLEASE leave me a comment or two- know how I am feeling at this moment.
There is a leaky faucet in the kitchen here at work. Every drip of water I hear hit the stainless steel sink, my nose seems to keep in corresponding rhythm. It is irritating. Then there is the itchy, watery eyes. My eyes are blood shot red and I am doing everything to keep from scratching them - all the time. Oh,  I forgot to mention the sneezing and slight headaches I get as well.
Relief, as little as it is, comes from little white, or pink pill. Then it makes me drowsy, and I sleep. Only to have the cycle repeat itself every 4 to 6 hours.
To me that is a sure sign that 'Spring has finally sprung.' I can look forward to a wonderful summer, a nice brown tan - as if I need one and countless nights camping at some provincial park, roughing it a 30 Ft. camper with A/C.  Most of all, time with my wife and kids. As summer approaches, do not forget your most prized possession - family. Take the time to spend time with them. Actually make it a priority. Trust me, you will be blessed in the process and the ones you love will benefit from it the most.
Here are a few pictures from my summer holidays.

Now, most adults would freak out if their kids started to paint on the camper, Thankfully, the artwork was a water based paint - the kind from kindergarten.

Aside, from the Iphone app that edited the picture if you look closely at my hair, What do you see? Hair clips from my girls. They decided to 'do my hair.' I had actually forgotten about the clips in my hair and was seen in public, with my girls, with these still on. One place was a grocery store, the other was at Wal-Mart.  Only after a friend of mine pointed these out, I then realized why many people had smiling at me. If, only I could of heard their conversation at supper time.

Yes, to me allergies remind me of better things to come.  Enjoy your summer everyone.

Chi-Meegwetch

Baamaapii

Silence Is Deadly; Speaking Is Healing

Pelican Fall First Nations High school - where I work as a counsellor had a special guest today, Eva Olsson. If you ever had the privilege of sitting at her feet and listening tell her story I count you as blessed. If you haven't then trust me, I highly recommend you do. The reason I say sitting at her feet, is that I felt like a little child; I felt vulnerable, captivated and horrified.  I had tears fill my eyes and stream down my cheeks, trying to keep a calm, cool, collected composure while I sat in a room full of teenagers.
Mrs. Olsson -a Holocaust Survivor -short of her 20th birthday, she and many other Hungarian Jews were shipped away in train boxcars..to hell on earth. With pain in her voice she spoke of her experiences while a prisoner, from her capture, the loss of her loved ones,  the appalling conditions, to her release. While sharing her experiences of what the power of hate can do, she stated  the importance of standing up to racism, bigotry and intolerance.  Many times throughout her presentation, with tears in her eyes she said she feels for the young people and  their parents and grand parents for having to go through the same sort of ordeal and how it must affect them today. I was touched by those word, deeply touched.
I was humbled with her presentation. She made me think of  times I have been so ungrateful of the things I had growing up. She pleaded with us to be thankful for family - all but one sister was taken from her. She pleaded with us to be thankful for the gift of education - that was taken away from her. She pleaded to not let circumstances take over our lives with silence. She said for 55 years she was silent and healing started the day she spoke about her circumstance...and is still healing.
In the end, I was deeply touched by the number of our teens who went  up to her to thank her, only to be hugged by her. I wanted to, yet I was afraid to. So I didn't  because I knew that when she would of hugged me I know for certain I would of cried like a baby. Why? That is for another day, another story.

You know, I've shared some things about my life with this blog. It is one thing to sit 'behind a keyboard' and let you in my life, but I know I need to share publicly if I need true healing to finish its course.

Chi-Meegwetch

Baamaapii

Here is a link to Mrs. Eva Olsson

http://www.evaolsson.ca/Main.aspx?ref=splash