“Truth. Reconciliation.
Is more than an apology and deprecation,
a prayer to remove a stain upon our Nation,
a shame rooted in colonial aspiration.
This failure of Christianity, of humanity,
our arrogance and vanity,
our era without sanity,
is Canada’s unfortunate profanity.”
An excerpt from the poem Canada Day by Patricia Heintzman
Hello all and welcome to my weekly journal where I share with you five points of interest. Things to motivate, to inspire, to learn about, or, just to have some fun with.
1. This week, Canada Day, a national holiday and this year the 154th Canada Day is a sombre one, a day of reflection and a day of mourning. All Canadian flags are at half-mast in recognition of the mass graves found at Residential Schools.
2. The “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” 1971 movie turns fifty this week; based on Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which was written in 1964.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is an American musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. Wilder is outstanding as Wonka. The movie is up there as one of the greatest and most imaginative children’s movies ever made.
3. This week I am reading Indigenous authors who can enlighten me on what happened on reservations; how it happened and the repercussions for letting it happen. How do we, Canada as a country come up with reconciliation for these atrocities?
A poem inspired by reconciliation – by Patricia Heintzman from Squamish Chief.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission reports, from 2015.
Calls to Action: Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Sign the petition re: Residential Schools – We need to know the Truth!
What is Orange Shirt Day and the significance of wearing orange in solidarity with Canada’s First People?
4. This week I had my first online meeting with the magnificent artist-illustrator Joshua Miller. We went over my new manuscript and bounced ideas around for what the illustrations for this children’s early reader chapter book could possibly look like.
It is a short story, about 3,000 words. An early reader – chapter book designed to appeal to grade 2 and up, as well as the reluctant readers.
It’s about Scratchy who is a loveable black squirrel with a big heart. Scratchy avoids trouble, he dreams of flying, not being itchy and eating lots of nuts.
With easy to read language that is simple and fun. The story displays empathy, compassion, love and heartfelt concern for others.
5. The featured photo is of the Rare Ghost Orchid, courtesy of National Geographic.
A fantastic documentary on this elusive flower and on its pollinators, Rare Ghost Orchid.
Thank you for reading. If you think someone you know would enjoy my newsletter please share it with them. If you are looking for a great children’s book check out my new book, Samba in Brazil; Paperback version, on sale for a limited time.
Or one of my other books, Samba on a Snowy Day or the Brazilian/ Portuguese version Samba em um Dia de Neve.
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.
Copyright © 2021 Paul Yanuziello, All rights reserved.