tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post1708078053205055361..comments2024-03-27T10:30:15.253-06:00Comments on Standing Into Danger: The Lansdowne Letters: DeprivationFundy Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-43361584211040670312017-04-21T22:09:28.759-06:002017-04-21T22:09:28.759-06:00Hi, Martha! My friends in Lansdowne House have hau...Hi, Martha! My friends in Lansdowne House have haunted me over the years. I'm getting closer to the point when I am going to contact Lansdowne House and try to arrange to fly up there. The community has had a rough half century, but the good thing is that the First Nations peoples are finding their voice and fighting for their right to self-determination. Have a good one, my friend!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-36188675570328316742017-04-21T07:59:58.531-06:002017-04-21T07:59:58.531-06:00This was a difficult read, Louise. So heartbreakin...This was a difficult read, Louise. So heartbreaking. And the conditions are still difficult. I can only imagine how difficult it is to climb out of such deprivation and such hopelessness.Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09262406079948479112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-8659105721308005572017-04-19T22:16:23.699-06:002017-04-19T22:16:23.699-06:00Thanks for your encouraging comment, Crystal. I...Thanks for your encouraging comment, Crystal. I've lived with the story I'm slowly sharing all of my life, and it's difficult to be objective. The harder parts are coming. Take care!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-32661054818115003832017-04-19T16:27:51.886-06:002017-04-19T16:27:51.886-06:00I sometimes wonder about childhood friends, but no...I sometimes wonder about childhood friends, but not like this. What a hard, different circumstance. Too often the government thinks they know what is best, and they're never right. We've seen that time and time again. As tragic as it is, I thank you for sharing this story. It's definitely eye opening. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-68281190497132789902017-04-19T15:42:34.113-06:002017-04-19T15:42:34.113-06:00It would be a miracle, clee! Right now I'm wo...It would be a miracle, clee! Right now I'm working on the miracle of getting this tough memoir written! thanks for stopping by!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-38661862742238648002017-04-19T10:29:43.735-06:002017-04-19T10:29:43.735-06:00This is quite a story, Fundy--a tragic one. Thank ...This is quite a story, Fundy--a tragic one. Thank you for opening up and telling it. Wouldn't it be a miracle if having the information out, there could be positive changes?cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-56742449254602192192017-04-18T11:21:53.302-06:002017-04-18T11:21:53.302-06:00Thanks, Stacy; I did have a happy Easter! The cur...Thanks, Stacy; I did have a happy Easter! The current Lansdowne House site has been under a boil water order for twenty-two years, and it has been through a terrible suicide crisis among its young people in the past few years. There is hope though, in that the Ojibwa people are standing up for their rights and their heritage. They are no longer beaten down by the paternalistic attitudes of white government and church, although many problems still exist. The Ring of Fire chromite deposits could be developed responsibly with the respectful and valuable input of the Matawa First Nations in the area. The proposed mines have the potential of bringing jobs and infrastructure to this remote area, but the development has to be done in an environmentally sensitive manner, for this is a rare large and valuable wetland environment. Have a good one!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-39936344148605847972017-04-18T11:11:12.137-06:002017-04-18T11:11:12.137-06:00Hey, YDG! Good to see you! I'm working up th...Hey, YDG! Good to see you! I'm working up the courage to contact the Ojibwa in Neskantaga (Lansdowne House). I kept it all buried inside for so long. I hope all is well with you!<br /> Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-3680573267667061122017-04-18T10:01:48.273-06:002017-04-18T10:01:48.273-06:00this just makes me so sad...wonder where they are ...this just makes me so sad...wonder where they are now and what their lives are like..yellowdoggrannyhttp://yellowdoggrannie.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-10378602028276178132017-04-17T14:55:12.322-06:002017-04-17T14:55:12.322-06:00So sad, so very sad!! And, I don't think it ha...So sad, so very sad!! And, I don't think it has improved much either! I think that's so sad to think about! This entire situation is horrible! <br />( I hope you had a very Happy Easter! Big Hugs!)Magic Love Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14133368208464734546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-60922920773976907082017-04-15T08:42:49.181-06:002017-04-15T08:42:49.181-06:00Hi, Baili! Thank you for your thoughtful comment....Hi, Baili! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. You have a wise and grounded understanding of life, and I always appreciate hearing what you have to say. <br /><br />Simon and a few other close Ojibwa and Metis friends had a deep and long-lasting effect on me. They changed my life forever. They made me aware, early on, of the great injustices of this world and of how blessed I was. They deepened my empathy and compassion. <br /><br />I didn't become anyone famous or have a high-powered career, but throughout my life I have always spoken up when I think something is wrong, often publicly with a powerful impact, and I have worked to make things better for my students and colleagues. <br /><br />But because of Simon and others I will write about in my blog, I have carried a sadness in my heart throughout my life. I always knew I would write about it, and now finally I have the time. I hope all is well with you, your husband, your sons, and family. Take care my friend! Sending you hugs!<br /> Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-90119899522515002492017-04-15T08:26:44.267-06:002017-04-15T08:26:44.267-06:00There is always the shingles shot, Adam! I had bo...There is always the shingles shot, Adam! I had both chicken pox and the vaccine, so we'll see. I remember my great uncle Chester suffering terribly from shingles when I was a small child. Happy Easter to you and Daisy. Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-23033207153173039482017-04-15T02:52:36.230-06:002017-04-15T02:52:36.230-06:00life has different faces for different people and ...life has different faces for different people and gradually you learnt the true meaning of this word.<br />i am glad that in 1970 the lifestyle of the people of that area had some good changes [i hope strongly] <br />Simon and all who lived like him sound familiar to me because i too observed such community and miseries of their living.<br />no one is made for specific situations like this ,their are so many examples in the world where people started journey from nothing to something larger than life even .<br />Hope all you observe did not effect in any kind of negative way such as frustration or anxiety bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-10612276184196321052017-04-14T21:41:45.095-06:002017-04-14T21:41:45.095-06:00I'm glad I got chicken pox out of the way. Th...I'm glad I got chicken pox out of the way. The only downside to being "immune" to it is that later in life it comes back as shingles Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051255914419363819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-27469844805224117312017-04-14T15:47:27.185-06:002017-04-14T15:47:27.185-06:00Happy Easter, Nancy! Thanks for sharing about the...Happy Easter, Nancy! Thanks for sharing about the Maori in your childhood farm area. The story of indigenous people who were shoved aside by others is depressingly similar. I hope all is well with you and Hugh. I'm home, but my best friend and husband came to visit for a week while Terry was in Las Vegas playing in a pickleball tournament. It was quite a fun week, and everything slid. Now I'm playing catchup again. One of these days I'll pull ahead. Have a lovely Easter!!!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-90253444764652655312017-04-14T11:41:32.472-06:002017-04-14T11:41:32.472-06:00Squalid is the word that comes to me, and when I w...Squalid is the word that comes to me, and when I was at primary school, there was a Maori family that lived several miles away, a tin shack, probably dirt floor, a stream nearby for water, but so hard working. And, after reading your words, I wonder where they are now, One boy who came and helped my Dad very occasionally on our farm, was a few years older then me, the others all about my age or younger. Your words have great insight, looking back is never easy, and changes cannot always be best for everyone. Have a joyous Easter, where-ever you are.Nancy Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11854698513524662527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-37125512839513827792017-04-14T11:33:14.968-06:002017-04-14T11:33:14.968-06:00It hasn't improved much a half century later, ...It hasn't improved much a half century later, but I see hope in the First Nations peoples progress in their struggle for self-determination. Happy Easter, my friend!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-35708074768092285332017-04-14T11:23:10.520-06:002017-04-14T11:23:10.520-06:00Happy Easter to you too, dear Linda! You always b...Happy Easter to you too, dear Linda! You always brighten my day!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-14354088321178199622017-04-14T11:22:14.202-06:002017-04-14T11:22:14.202-06:00You see this same sad story the world over. Fortu...You see this same sad story the world over. Fortunately the First Nations peoples of Canada are turning the tide in their quest for self-determination. This is not an easy or a quick thing to do. I think the long, paternalistic treatment of indigenous people is Canada's shame. I have to believe it will get better, not just in Canada, but around the world. Although the world looks pretty scary right now. Have a good one, my friend!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-7252313060332045352017-04-14T11:18:08.513-06:002017-04-14T11:18:08.513-06:00I think about how fortunate I have been every sing...I think about how fortunate I have been every single day. The phrase "There, but for the grace of God, go I," but then I wonder what kind of a God would grace me over someone else just as deserving.<br /><br />Oh yes, I was really mad at Barb. Mom and Dad had gone from Sherbrooke to Halifax to shop and had left me in charge of my siblings. Roy and Barbie refused to do anything I said. I was having a rough day, and Barb said, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah! Having a bad day?" I literally saw red and bashed her with our Funk and Wagnalls. When my vision cleared she was laid out on the floor unconscious. Fortunately not for long! Overcoming my volcanic anger, which erupted in rare, but sudden explosions was a real achievement for me in my early 30s.<br /><br />Have a good one! Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-34306929151223085292017-04-14T09:05:24.122-06:002017-04-14T09:05:24.122-06:00A truly heartbreaking post, Louise. And it's n...A truly heartbreaking post, Louise. And it's not like the situation is much improved these days.Debra She Who Seekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01845703092794695023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-73357560562109430182017-04-14T08:31:26.088-06:002017-04-14T08:31:26.088-06:00So sad that they slept in such frigid temperatures...So sad that they slept in such frigid temperatures without heat. Your photos are lovely, as always. Happy Easter to you, my cherished friend.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692170857496442623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-19676232931343068132017-04-14T08:23:35.676-06:002017-04-14T08:23:35.676-06:00A sad but probably too frequent of a story as one ...A sad but probably too frequent of a story as one culture over-rides another. sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17499891950639742366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-8245072799626448262017-04-14T07:50:36.708-06:002017-04-14T07:50:36.708-06:00Oh, and you must have been really ticked off to kn...Oh, and you must have been really ticked off to knock her out lolPat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-76911104675618914822017-04-14T07:50:12.095-06:002017-04-14T07:50:12.095-06:00Goes to show that there are whole levels of depriv...Goes to show that there are whole levels of deprivation that we never even think of. We think we have it bad and then we look at others surrounding us and it really opens our eyes. I couldn't imagine, well I could, but wouldn't want to live such a way of life.Pat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.com