Most of us have had to respond to traumatic situations at times, and we are likely to know others who have lived through sudden loss, accidents, war or other very difficult situations. John O’Donnell’s account of his involvement in the Swissair disaster and its aftermath, and his experience of dealing with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder among those who did the recovery work at the Swissair crash site and among returning soldiers is both inspiring and informative. – Beth Porter, ed.
In this issue we depart from our custom of interviewing Canadians to talk with an Irish woman who is having a profound impact on people engaged in the work of reconciliation. Rev. Ruth Patterson was recently in Canada to give an address during the L’Arche General Assembly and public talks in Vancouver and Calgary. She also spoke at the Wisdom on the Journey gathering in Alberta, that brought together people from diverse communities to examine the legacy of Indian Residential Schools and support the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. – Beth Porter, ed.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi is a passionate Calgarian, an academic, an accomplished business professional, and a man with a strong social conscience and community values. He has a reputation for thinking outside the box and he is seemingly tireless in his support of community initiatives. We asked, what can we learn from this man who has a passion for building community in his city. – Beth Porter, ed.
The Canadian government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada because it finally had to acknowledge the great damage done Indigenous people by the government-supported residential school system. It has been said that just as the schools persisted over 7 generations, it will take 7 generations to heal the damage and for a truthful national story to take hold. It’s for our generation to begin. Dr. Marie Wilson is one of the 3 Commissioners who tirelessly travelled the country for 5 years recording the history of abuse. We are grateful to her for this interview. – B.Porter, ed.
This issue continues the interview with Commissioner Marie Wilson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Dr. Wilson points to the multitude of opportunities that are set out in the TRC’s “Calls to Action.” The Commission will present its full final report to the federal government at the end of this year. Now, it falls to all of us who are Canadians to see that its recommendations are implemented—that we learn and teach the true story of the treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada and that we do the work called for to bring justice, true reconciliation, and a good future for all in our country. – B. Porter, ed.
Stephen Lewis touches our deepest aspirations to build a better world. In this interview Stephen Lewis talks not only about his passionate concern for Africa but also about his own motivations and hopes and about democratic socialism today. - Beth Porter, ed.
In this issue we asked Luke Stocking to speak about his educational work on bottled water as a leader in Development and Peace, the arm of Canadian Catholic Church that focuses particularly on Catholic Social Teaching and social justice work. It was not our intention in choosing this topic that it correspond to the season of personal reflection and spiritual preparation that is Advent in the Christian calendar, but perhaps it will inspire such reflection. – Beth Porter, ed.
In 2011, before the last federal election, we published this very popular interview with Canadian humanitarian and thought leader Dr. Ursula Franklin. Although some allusions reflect that particular time, much remains relevant. Hoping it will contribute to readers’ preparation for the upcoming election, we are re-sending it as a bonus issue with some new links and a box on Dr. Franklin’s 2014 CBC “Next Chapter” interview. Stephen Clarkson’s piece and the link to the Afrobarometer continue to remind us of the privilege we share living in a democracy, whatever its weaknesses (see Gordon Gibson, p.4, and link to Andrew Coyne’s Walrus article). – Beth Porter, ed.
The shared meal, whether at home or in a restaurant, is one of the great social pleasures of life, and probably one of the great civilizing influences in our world, but it is put at risk by the increasingly hectic pace of North American life. At the same time, as concerns about sustainability and our environment grow, many of us are thinking more about the quality, origins and preparation of the food we eat. We are grateful to Adam Gopnik, gifted writer, thinker and cultural observer, who draws several of these threads together. – Beth Porter, ed.