July 09, 2017

Oh, Canada! - Shirley S. Tye



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!   

2 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I
    ve 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.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to join in the conversation. Our writers appreciate receiving your feedback on posts you have found helpful or meaningful in some way.