A fresh start in a safe, free, and accepting new country was foremost on the minds of the Fourie family when they moved from South Africa to tiny Snow Lake, Manitoba close to 10 years ago. With two young daughters, their thoughts were primarily on the safety and security of Canada, but also on the opportunities the new country could offer. It was everything that they thought it would be; albeit, like many who came before and will come after them, the climate does put forward its challenges.
Nevertheless, along with 92 others, from 16 nations around the globe, Bernard, Bernadine, Magenta, and Ciara Fourie stood and took their oath of Canadian citizenship in the Thompson Regional Community Centre on May 31. Another young lady, Sumari Menge, also from South Africa and a resident of Snow Lake, stood and proudly did the same.
As guests of the Fouries, my wife Leone and I were able to take in the ceremony, as well as the round table discussion that preceded it. The round table, in our case, was facilitated by Thompson city councillor Duncan Wong, who himself went through the same process. Discussion centred on the reasons for coming to Canada, observations about their new homeland, and plans for the future. I felt an overwhelming pride, not only for the Fouries and Ms. Menge, but also for my country. To be a beacon of hope on a struggling international landscape really hit home in respect to my own thoughts on Canada. Some of the people at our table had left countries where they were persecuted for who they were. They were accepted into Canada and allowed to be their own person, and in fact, become anything they set their hopes and dreams upon. To see the smiles, see joy in faces and hear it in their voices … it was heartwarming.
The ceremony itself was also something to behold. The platform party was made up of the presiding official Dwight MacAulay (a former chief of protocol), elder Jack Robinson, Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, Thompson Citizenship Council president Esther Latchman, clerk of the ceremony Farida Robinson, and Thompson RCMP Special Const. Robert Cleveland (in red serge).
Several of the platform party addressed the gathering, but presiding official Dwight MacAulay put forward a truly inspirational address overviewing the country’s past, our diversity and acceptance … our place in the world as a nation. He capped it by stating, “It is going to be a better place, because we are welcoming the 96 of you into it.”
After all addresses had been given, Mr. MacAulay had everyone stand. Candidates for citizenship were asked to repeat their oath of citizenship after him and, in the true sense of inclusion, guests were asked to reaffirm their citizenship with the oath as well. After this, each candidate was called forward, went through a line of the platform party, shook hands, received gifts and then signed their oaths of citizenship, thus becoming Canadians.
There was time for photos and congratulations as well as a catered reception. It was an amazing afternoon. I thank the Fouries for the invite and offer once again my sincere congratulations to both them and Ms. Menge.
In other news, Snow Lake’s Aurora Borealis Arts Council (ABC) brought the Daylin James Elvis Tribute Show to the Lawrie Marsh Community Hall on the evening of June 2. It was a cool and rainy night outdoors, but it didn’t take Mr. James long to warm things up in this cavernous local venue. He began with a set of country classics and built a rapport with the audience, then during his second set, he took on the persona of Elvis and solidified it.
Daylin James, for anyone who hasn’t heard him, has a powerful voice and range that allows him to mirror the vocal talents of a number of popular artists. He is also a very entertaining artist, who incorporates his audience into the show. He has a constant banter going and occasionally singles people out, but always in a respectful way. On this evening, it came to light that a local lady, Margo McDougall, would be celebrating her birthday the flowing week. He brought her up to the front and sang to her, which also brought her husband Al up in faux dismay and the couple proceeded to put on their own little show. It brought belly laughs from the audience and was certainly worthy of Elvis taking them on the road with him … however, as of press time it was unknown if the offer had been made, and/or accepted. Nonetheless, another fine offering from the hard working and committed folks of the ABC.
