Canadians have much to cheer about. Besides being known world-wide for our
politeness and friendliness, we have many inventions of which to be proud. To name a few; the foghorn (1854); basketball
(1891); insulin (1922); snow blower (1927); walkie-talkie (1942); pager (1949);
electric wheelchair (1952); ski-doo (1959); and the Canadarm (1981). Canada is
a vast and beautiful country with many nationalities joined together, working
together.
My father emigrated from Finland in searched of work. He was on his way to Thunder Bay, Ontario (originally
known as Port Arthur and Fort William) because he heard that there was
employment and many Finns had already settled there. But on his way, he stopped in Sudbury and
discovered that the mines were hiring.
He landed a job and called for the family to join him. My mother travelled by ship to Canada with
one suitcase and three children to tow; a thirteen-year old girl, a boy of
seven, and another boy of five. It was
March 1952. I like to joke saying that
my family arrived by boat in 1952 and I arrived that year as well but not by
boat.
If I had been born in Finland, I’d be proud to say I was
Finnish. Finland is a wonderful nation
as well; a small but strong and determined nation. Many Finnish inventions have improved life
for others. A few of their inventions
are; Nokia mobile telephones; sauna; heart rate monitors used by athletes, IRC
(Internet Relay Chat – chat rooms); and the Finns are world leaders in research
and development of water use and purification.
But I am Canadian, living in Sudbury Ontario; a city comprised
of many different nationalities. We have
many talents and inventions that we’ve contributed to the world. We have a bridge
in the city that is lined by flags which represent the various ethnic groups
residing within the City of Greater Sudbury (Ontario). The bridge is named The Bridge of
Nations.
Oh, Canada! A great
place to live and work! Thank you, Lord!
Thanks for sharing the story of your family's immigration to Canada. You are also sharing the pride your Canadian home town has in their immigrants from many nations. I didn't know about The Bridge of Nations. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteI
ReplyDeleteve been to Sudbury and driven past those flags. One of the things that makes me proud to be a Canadian is the very fact that we are such a diverse and accepting country. thanks for sharing your story.