Editorials - March 8, 2024

A recent addition to the Huron County Museum has taken shape over the last few weeks. Jeannette Ladd, an artist from Saugeen First Nation, spent her weekends this winter creating a mural that features an Anishnaabe-kwe, an Indigenous woman, wearing a traditional ribbon skirt representing wisdom and strength. The painting shows the woman connected to the sun, which is connected to a band of water which holds fish, symbolizing the connection between people and nature.

 

The mural is part of the effort to be more inclusive to Indigenous communities and provide a space to share their culture, according to Amy Zoethout, the marketing co-ordinator for the museum. Creating room in institutions like regional museums and providing an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and traditions is an important step towards reconciliation. Land acknowledgments give us a brief reminder that we are sharing the land with a culture that long predates our own history, but are only the first step in understanding the Indigenous connection to this area and how colonization affected these communities.

 

The Huron County Museum has long been known for its pioneer history and the story of the European settlement of this region, and should be celebrated for its work to now also provide space for teaching about the Indigenous roots of the area. – DS

It’s hard not to be overwhelmed and depressed by earthly dangers that so many of our fellow citizens are facing. War in Ukraine and the Middle East. The rise in everything from homelessness to addiction to mental health crises. Climate change. Lack of housing. Inflation. Divisive politics. The slow erosion of democracy. It’s all getting to be a bit much. The only respite we have from these earthly dangers is, of course, taking the time to focus on the non-earthly dangers. 

 

It’s comforting, then, to know that Canada’s Chief Science Advisor Dr. Mona Nemer will be releasing a report on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) this fall. Tired of things you know about that might want to kill you? Focus on the things you don’t know about that might just want to kill you. Of course, there’s a distinct possibility that the report could include nothing too horrifying and that we could all learn a bit more about the world from it, but, for now, let’s assume horror.

 

“I think that there is room for improvement in terms of the gathering, reporting on the information, and also making it available to researchers and to the public,” Nemer said to Ottawa’s science and research committee last week. “I can appreciate that some, you know, may be of national security concern, but I believe that by and large, that you can make the information public - and I think that’s the best way to mitigate conspiracy theories and disinformation.”

 

This comes after CTV News revealed the existence of the Sky Canada Project about a year ago, the first known Canadian UFO study in almost three decades. The project now has a government website. 

 

Now, we wait. The report could be interesting, it could be horrifying or it could be full of redactions and not worth the paper on which it’s printed. Time will tell. In the meantime, keep watching the skies. – SL 

One of the all-time great Canadian debate performances took place during the race to form the federal government in 1984. The leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party effectively delivered a knock-out punch against the incumbent Liberal leader with an absolutely devastating line: “If I may say respectfully, that is not good enough for Canadians… this country needs leadership. You had an option, sir. You could have done better.” The PCs then won a record number of seats and formed a historically dominant majority government.

 

Following the passing of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, heartfelt condolences and warm tributes have poured in from individuals spanning the political spectrum. Among these expressions of respect and admiration is a poignant offering from Steve Paiken, a prominent figure associated with TVO. In his tribute, Paiken reflects on Mulroney’s significant contributions to Canadian politics and his lasting impact. He acknowledges Mulroney’s leadership during a transformative era and praises his dedication to public service. Paiken also highlighted Mulroney’s ability to foster relationships across party lines, emphasizing his commitment to civility and co-operation in governance.

 

Paiken’s tribute also serves as a stark reminder of the current state of Canadian politics. In 2024, political discourse has become increasingly acrimonious and divisive. Paiken laments the departure of an era marked by co-operation and respect among political rivals, contrasting it with the current landscape characterized by animosity and polarization.

 

Paiken underscores the need for civility and statesmanship in Canadian politics. His tribute to Mulroney serves as a call to action for politicians to prioritize unity and collaboration for the betterment of the country in the face of ideological differences and partisan strife. – SBS