Honouring, Remembering and Sharing ALL Stories.
I am inviting us all to pause in this post … remember and reflect through an equity-informed lens as we honour our veterans, soldiers and all civilians who have lost their lives through war.
For my father (who recently passed).. viewing his military memorabilia and family history through photos, became a way to engage him in his final days (visual communication), when words were no longer available to share with me. Although he never actively served in a war, his post-war contributions and years of service as a corporal in the British army, and growing up in war times were incredibly impactful memories that informed all of the life stories he shared, especially as he got older.
“The living owe it to those who can no longer speak to tell their story for them.”
Honouring ALL stories.
In my long-term care art therapy work with older adults I have always listened to and held stories from the past, and reflected on the complexity of those lives lived, and the numerous intersections of beliefs, thoughts, feelings, grief and trauma related to post-war life experiences. I have learned the importance of sharing voices, and being open to hearing all of the stories (even when painful and onerous to do so).
Eco-art created in 2021 to to reflect upon National Aboriginal Veterans Day.
National Aboriginal Veterans Day. Nov. 8th.
“More than 7,000 First Nations members served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, and an unknown number of Inuit, Métis and other Indigenous people also participated. One Veterans group estimates that 12,000 Indigenous men and women served in the three wars.”
‘Fractured’
“In this day and age of reconciliation, acknowledging Aboriginal roles in the protection of Canada will help other citizens understand what true reconciliation means to the country as a whole. We must never forget the sacrifices and accomplishments of Aboriginal Veterans, especially as we move forward in our journey of healing, reconciliation and a renewed relationship between Canada and its First Nations peoples.”
Eco-art created in 2022 for Remembrance Day November 11th.
Remembrance Day. Nov. 11th.
“Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.”
Veteran’s Week is Nov 5th-11th: Learning Resources • www.veterans.gc.ca
Remembering ALL impacted by war.
There continues to be ongoing and developing tragedies in the present, revealing the repercussions of conflicts and war, which are painfully impacting so many. It is crucial to land in a place of CARE this November and take time for honouring, remembrance, grief and awareness.
“It is also imperative that we consider the impact of war not only from the perspective of the soldiers who fought it, but for the people living in places that were (or still are) battlegrounds. While the sacrifice of our soldiers is worth remembering, that should not erase the reality that the violence and danger of war has real and immediate impacts for the people who live in embattled spaces and are reduced to ‘collateral damage.’”
“I Am Here”… Remembering, and Being in this November Moment.
Providing below a powerful quote that I continue to revisit this week, that was first shared with me within my TATI community (thank you Patricia and the advisory team)….
“I’ve been considering the phrase ‘all my relations’ for some time now. It’s hugely important. It’s our saving grace in the end. It points to the truth that we are related, we are all connected, we all belong to each other. The most important word is all. Not just those who look like me, sing like me, dance like me, speak like me, pray like me or behave like me. ALL my relations. It means every person just as it means every blade of grass, rock, mineral and creature. We live because everything else does. If we were to collectively choose to live that teaching the energy of that change of consciousness would heal all of us – and heal the planet. We do it one person, one heart at a time…we are connected, we are the answer.”
November Awareness Days.
〰 Veterans' Week • Nov. 5-11
〰 National Aboriginal Veterans Day. Nov. 8th.
〰 Remembrance Day. Nov. 11th.
Other November days of awareness and observance:
〰 All Saints Day • Nov. 1st
〰 All Souls Day. • Nov 2nd
〰 Inuit Day • Nov 7th
〰 Diwalli • Nov. 12th
〰 Louis Riel Day • Nov 16th
〰 National Child Day & Transgender Day of Remembrance • Nov. 20th
〰 Canada History Week • Nov 20th to 26th - this year: History of Black Achievement in Canada
〰 Holodomar Memorial Day • 4th Saturday in November
〰 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence • Nov. 25th to Dec. 10th
• many links for these summaries retrieved from www.timeanddate.com
