Monday NO Moanings - Canada Day July 1, 2019

It's Canada Day in this fair land...

I am humbly grateful to have my home on this piece of land in Canada.  

I am keenly aware of the debt I owe to the original keepers of this land.

I acknowledge the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee.

I also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as my close neighbour.

I recognize the contributions that have been made by the Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous Peoples
in shaping and strengthening our communities.

I thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years.

Miigwech.

On July 1, 1960, John Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th Prime Minister, introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights in Parliament with these words:

"I am a Canadian!

Free to speak without fear,

Free to worship in my own way,

Free to stand for what I think right,

Free to oppose what I believe wrong,

Free to choose those who shall govern my country.

This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and mankind."

I'm thrilled and proud to be a part of the colourful mosaic that is my home and native land. We're not perfect, not by a long shot; we're not without problems; we've got critical issues and controversies that need tending, but not right now. Let the problems and politics, failures and controversies take a back seat today.

Happy Canada Day, eh!

©2019 April Hoeller

Thursday, or Thereabouts - June 29, 2017

Canada 150

I've struggled and fussed, written half sentences only to have them truncated by feelings of inadequacy. I simply cannot find the words to express how profound my gratitude is for my home and native land. I am humbled by the privilege accorded to me by my paternal grandfather's decision to settle in Canada 106 years ago.

Gramps with Norbert and I, 1978, inspecting our house building skills.

I saw a video just today, and amid all the celebratory stories and videos that have flashed across my screen this past week or more, this one at least begins to capture what is in my heart as my Canada celebrates 150 years as a confederation of provinces and territories.

Have a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAYhT5f0i-I

I'm thrilled and so very proud to be a part of the colourful mosaic that is my Canada. We're not perfect, not by a long shot. We're not without problems, but let these take a back seat this weekend, we celebrate who we are at home and on the world stage.

Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, Ottawa

My Canada has four wonderful seasons, each one offering its share of glorious days...

Twillingate, Newfoundland - Photo taken June 15 2017 by Doreen Dalley

...along with a few clunkers.

There are awesome landscapes of mountains, lakes, forests, prairies, and vineyards

with architecture in cityscapes that incorporate the old and the new along with green space too:

...with so many diverse cultures to enrich and inspire each one of us to be who we were born to be.

On July 1, 1960 John Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th Prime Minister, introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights in Parliament with these words:

"I am a Canadian!
Free to speak without fear,
Free to worship in my own way,
Free to stand for what I think right,
Free to oppose what I believe wrong,
Free to choose those who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and mankind."

Amen to that!

Happy #150 Canada!

©2017 April Hoeller