Recently I had an email convo with, quel surprise, a cousin. She and I have been life long friends as well as being related. Her mom and my grandmother are/were sisters. So figure out that configuration in the genealogy line.
Despite a teensy age difference, we have always connected on a variety of different subjects – including night swimming. I can remember her tapping on my window at camp (cottage for anyone outside of Northwestern Ontario) late at night so we could meet on the dock and look at the stars and of course go for a dip. She would take my brother and I with her 2 boys (roughly our ages) on fishing/paddling trips, plus adventures down old logging roads, and talk about world issues, nature and pretty much anything. She is always up for an adventure.
Today’s topic via email was all about the cancel of Canada Day.
Oh. Canada. Oh. Boy.
A heavy one.
She was writing a letter to her MLA.
Canada Day.
I've been thinking on this too... I’m not sure we should cancel Canada Day. Instead, let’s reshape it… let’s use it to acknowledge the wrongs, mistreatment, murders, rampant racism, injustices, lack of clean water, etc etc etc that exists. This is not history... this is happening now.
Sometimes it is much easier for us (lumping all Canadians in this) to look to our neighbours to the south and stand in judgement at their issues, or turn to other countries raging with actual guns-drawn type of war and think about how amazing we are. Funny how sometimes it is harder to turn around and look at the "garbage" in our yard. They myriad of issues that seem unsolvable or too big to tackle... but isn't that exactly what got us here?
Will I wear red and white tomorrow… probably not (and not just cause I look cuter in yellow) but I will put down tobacco and offer a prayer that we will learn to live in better harmony, find justice and support, and most of all guide my babies to inclusion. Truth be told, they guide me to inclusion.
Inclusion has been a hot topic in my corporate training world for some time. Perhaps, I’m seeing the need for it more and more as our world has become increasingly divisive… on Every. Single. Thing.
One of my favourite authors wrote: “This is how you change the world, the smallest circles first… That humble energy, the kind that says, ‘I will do what I can do right now in my own small way,’ creates a ripple effect on the world.” – Richard Wagamese.
Many people, self included, don’t know where to start… so we might end up doing nothing. Do one thing. Read and discuss, have conversations with people who don’t think the same way you do. Listen with empathy – for reals. Quiet the argumentative voice or your need to be right. Apply some of that humble energy that Richard Wagamese speaks of.
The other night as we rode home from Grand Beach Wyatt was grilling Zach on the 7 Sacred Teachings – “Zach, what animal is humility?” Zach replied “Well, it’s not wabooz.” We talked about each of the teachings and remembered the being that carries the teachings.
I am eternally thankful for their Aboriginal Headstart Preschool that first introduce these amazing teachings to our home.
Maybe that’s what you could do. Look at these teachings and apply them in your home, social media, workplaces, friends, and self:
Respect – Buffalo
Honesty – Sabe (Sasquatch)
Wisdom – Beaver
Humility – Wolf
Truth – Turtle
Courage - Bear
Love - Eagle
(For more info on the 7 teachings you can explore a variety of websites or ask ask questions. https://www.southernnetwork.org/site/seven-teachings )
Canada has a long way to go. Let’s start with the smaller circles first… get curious, be kind. Love.
xo Cousin Kerry
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