Canada is grappling with having found a mass grave at one residential school of 215 indigenous children. On June 1, Oklahoma began to dig to identify mass graves from the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa massacre, where an affluent black community was levelled by mobs of white residents. “Heartbeat” abortion bans have also been passed in several Republican-led states, and …
Promises, Promises: Think twice before pledging
Am I the only one who gets annoyed when watching a movie or television show and a character says something along the lines of: “I promise, we’ll bring him back alive.” If it were me, the last thing I’d want to hear from the police is a promise to do something that is truly out of their control. I get …
Is affordable housing ‘really’ the developer’s responsibility?
Whose responsibility is it to create affordable housing? Is it something for the public or private sector to deal with? According to Elaine Della-Mattia’s Nov. 10 article in the Sault Star: “Resident opposes two planned projects,” and the city’s Official Plan, it is currently a developer’s responsibility. Two projects were being debated recently as the city had waived the affordable housing …
‘Consistency’ helps secure Strongman title for Sault Ste. Marie’s Scott Dinter
Scott Dinter was in second place going into the final event, which happened to be his least favourite of the five. He’d need to muster everything he had to heave the 300 pound atlas stone over a 54-inch bar more times than Chris Murray, of Waterloo, Ont.,who was leading him by 1.5 points. Dinter took a whiff of his smelling …
Trendy, comfort the appropriate attire in today’s casual age
I was heading to a friend’s house the other day to curl up on the couch and watch a movie. I started to wonder what the appropriate attire etiquette would be in that case, because the last time they gave me a hoodie and shorts to change into, so could I show up in my own comfies? Growing up, I …
Won’t refuse ‘catch-up’ dollars, but this is no educated solution
On Oct.20, the Ontario’s provincial government announced the “Catch Up Payments” plan. Unfortunately, most parents of school-aged children still haven’t heard about the $200 to 250 dollars available through a simple online application process. According to its press release, the Ministry of Education’s “Plan to Catch Up,” is “to keep students in class learning for the entirety of the school …
Firearms Bill C-21 a shot in the dark
On Oct. 21, 2022, a national freeze on the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns came into effect in Canada. There’s been a lot of confusion since May 30 when Bill C-21 was announced, from gun enthusiasts and gun control advocates. Is C-21 a shot in the dark? I’ll start off by saying that I have my restricted gun licence. I …
Domestic violence is closer than you think
Two days ago, it was Purple Thursday as part of October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. In Canada, on Oct. 20, the Canadian Royal Purple Association recognized the first annual Purple Thursday noting “the intersection of interpersonal violence and brain injuries.” I wore purple on Oct 20, and I’ll tell you why. Even writing this, I’m not …
Art helps us seek out Indigenous experiences as part of Truth and Reconciliation
Imagine being told about an exhibition at our local Art Gallery of Algoma (AGA) by your aunt in Montreal via social media. (And to be clear, please read aunt rhyming with taunt, because I’m talking, and that’s how I pronounce it. I choose taunt and not flaunt because ‘tante’ in French means aunt). In honour of the National Day of …
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Brief brush with long-married couple an inspiration. I love love. I may not have had the best of luck with it, and I’m not without blame. Lately, more than ever, I believe that an amazing love is out there for me, and that hope will sustain me in the dark hours. This past week, I went out with friends to …
Truth, Reconciliation, and Harmony at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig
How will you mark this year’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation? The country has set routines for Remembrance Day, but given how new the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is, many of us simply aren’t sure how to acknowledge it properly. Learning anything about Indigenous history or culture is a start. This year, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG) has …