Etched in My Heart Forever

This morning I was reading a short reflection written by one of the MacKenzie-Fort Smith Diocesan staff.  She points to the question “Who is our neighbor?”  The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us that our neighbor is everyone!  Like Jesus’ story, we’ve all had the experience of being passed over in time of special need. This is illustrated in an experience I had last week on my birthday. 

I woke up feeling a wee bit out of sorts.  I tried to shake it off but the feeling of being in a funk continued.  So, I decided to take a long walk around Frame Lake neighborhood (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories) to explore the rugged beauty that surrounds me. This most often grounds me and offers me a new perspective.  After walking about 2 kilometers I saw some men sitting on a semicircular cement block.  They were laughing and swinging their arms.  I wondered if they were playing “hand games” a familiar Indigenous sport that usually attracts hundreds of people.  Anyway, I inquired if this was what they were doing.  The men laughed and said they were throwing stones at a small target along the bank. They were simply enjoying each other.  I could tell they had spent the night outdoors and enjoyed a night of bottled spirits. 

I was about to walk away when I realized that I had my tiny purse with me and perhaps a couple of gift cards for A&W.  Oh, let me backup for a moment.  Over the past 18 months or so, whenever I receive small donations, I purchase $10 A&W gift cards and give them away to people asking for money on the street.  This way, they can buy a burger and a drink for about $9.52.  I looked in my small purse thinking I might have at least a few cards on hand.  Well, lo and behold, I had 7 gift cards!  Was this meant to be or what?

I passed the gift cards to each of the men and received several comments.  There is one comment that will be etched in my heart forever.  

One of them asked, “Is it okay from now on if we call you MAMA BURGER? “

My response, “It sure is.”

I laughed and chuckled all the way home. I have a street name now!  And that feeling of being in a funk was completely lifted.  Mama Burger received the BEST gift on her birthday!

-Sister Linda Parent, csj

Canada Bans Single-Use Plastic

Karen Wirsig, Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence made remarks at the announcement in Toronto, ON. Photo by: www.shaymarkowitz.com / Shay Markowitz

We finally did it! Canada’s single-use plastic bans are for real

Big news this week! With a series of live announcements held across the country, the federal government finally released the final regulations to ban six single-use plastics – straws, stir sticks, check out bags, cutlery, some takeout containers, and six pack rings. 

Pat yourself on the back. This is only happening because so many of us demanded it.

The bans will start to come into force this year, earlier than suggested in the draft regulations. The final rules also ensure that these harmful products can no longer be exported to other countries by the end of 2025. These improvements in the final regulations are the result of so many of us insisting on them.

Check out our Instagram Live and learn more about what the new single-use plastic bans mean, what they can accomplish and what still needs to be done.

By the end of 2022, companies will no longer be able to manufacture or import single-use plastic stir sticks, checkout bags, cutlery and certain takeout containers. The same rule will apply to six-pack rings in mid-2023. A year after the manufacture and import ban comes into effect, these items will no longer be allowed to be sold or given away with other products. Straws will continue to be available, but only in packages in retail stores intended for people who need them for medical and accessibility reasons.

The news was met with celebration, as these bans are an important first step in reigning in the plastic pollution crisis. But not everyone was feeling so joyous…

It’s sickening that the main producers of plastic in this country – including Nova Chemicals, Dow Chemical and Imperial Oil – are still trying to kill the government’s action on plastic pollution. Yes, the outrageous Big Plastic lawsuit against federal regulation of plastics is still before the courts. Now these same companies have sent a new round of letters to the government specifically to oppose the bans. 

Countries on every continent are imposing bans on plastic. It’s wonderful to see Canada join that club. 

By this time next year, we shouldn’t have to pick up any more used straws on the beach or fish plastic bags out of streams and tree branches. The government estimates that the bans will mean 1.3 million tonnes less of plastic waste over a ten-year period, and 22,000 tonnes less of plastic litter leaked directly into the environment. 

Of course there’s much more to do to end plastic pollution … including further bans on harmful single-use plastics and easy access to reusable and refillable packaging. And you can count on us to keep the pressure on to make sure these things happen – we hope you’ll join us. 

We’ll have more to announce on the next steps soon, so stay tuned!

- Karen Wirsig. Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence Canada

Learn more: https://environmentaldefence.ca/

A Prayer this Canada Day

Today, on Canada Day, O Creator,

We offer You gratitude for Canada’s great beauty,

for the power and the majesty of its land and waters.

As descendants of settlers and newcomers

we recognize the Indigenous Peoples

who have long cared for these lands and waters.

Creator, we ask for your guidance

as we commit once again to truth-seeking, to self-reflection,

and to building just and mutual understanding

between ourselves and Indigenous Peoples.

CANADA DAY - ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

July 1, Canada Day: From Another Perspective

Our hard-working Refugee Committee has had the privilege of welcoming and accompanying several individuals and families settle in Canada over the past 7 years. I invited 3 individuals to share the significance of becoming a Canadian Citizen.  Their names are withheld for privacy reasons, but their stories are uplifting and instructive.

One woman from Eritrea came to Canada through Cairo, a second woman fled Ethiopia to Cairo and then on to Canada, the third a young man who immigrated from Thailand. We feel blessed to have been a part of their journey, and share their feelings this Canada Day.

-Sister Ann Marshall, csj

Image: Unsplash/Hermes Rivera

1.       I have voted for the first time!  Canada is very important to me because I believe it is the most peaceful country in the world.  It is my country that gave me the freedom to speak and learn.  Above all, I have received equality, honor, and respect from this blessed country.  When I am in Canada, I feel much safer than in any other country. 

I want to say a lot, but I do not know enough words to describe my country, Canada, and the people in Canada.  God chose me to be a Canadian - who I could be.  I love Canada and everything about Canada and Canadians!

Image: Unsplash/Lewis Parsons

2.       Being a Canadian citizen to me is critical. Being a Canadian citizen means, being a person who has the freedom to travel in and outside the country with respect and safety, and always knowing that you would come back home at any time. As well as having access to more opportunities in the communities. For example, having the right to vote, and working in the parliament. In addition, speaking up for your rights against the government.

Image of Thailand: Unsplash/Panuson Norkaew

3.       This is what I have been feeling about citizenship. There is a tiny hole in my chest whenever people ask me "Where are you from?", I always answered, "I am from Thailand."  I also wanted to tell them that I'm not Thai but I am Burmese from Thailand. If I say it, it usually causes confusion, and I must explain to them why and how. So, I don't usually say it. Also, I am not really proud of myself for saying I am from Thailand because I am not a Thai citizen. I cannot really say I am Burma/Myanmar citizen either. 

I was born in Thailand and raised in a refugee camp. My parents are from Burma/Myanmar, which makes us a Burmese family. As a Burmese child who did not legally become a Thai citizen according to Thai law even though, I was born in Thailand. Also, I did not have Burma/Myanmar citizenship because I was not born in Burma/Myanmar. Legally speaking, I do not have a country until this. Now, I can say I am a Burmese Canadian proudly. Becoming a Canadian citizen will fill the tiny hole in my chest next time I get asked. I think this is why it is important to me to be a Canadian Citizen.