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The Honourable Roméo Dallaire – Canada’s International and Local Hero

Some people do not go through life working and struggling to bring benefits solely to themselves. Some people live for themselves and others – strangers. As a human race, in one way or the other, we are reaping from a familiar stranger’s struggle. When Nelson Mandela died he was celebrated across the world for not only giving freedom to black South Africans but also, for freeing the minds of many from across the world from the bondage of prejudice, stereotyping and hate. How many people who celebrated the life of Madiba in December 2013 ever met him? Definitely not a lot of us. Yet, people like him, the three fallen Moncton Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, MLK Jnr., and other amazing people that the world has seen and those that we are still blessed to have around, are to us familiar strangers. Some familiar strangers sacrifice having a simple, happy life so that others who need such luxury will have it. Recently, I skimmed across an announcement that Canadian Independent Liberal Senator, The Honourable Roméo Dallaire, will be retiring from the Senate this June. What caught my attention and what has had him on my mind since then, was his story.

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Roméo Dallaire served as the commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) from 1993 to 1994. The goal of this establishment of 1993 was to restore peace in a then-troubled Rwanda. Dallaire witnessed the Rwandan genocide. During the genocide, he protected the targeted group – the Tutsis. Governments in Canada clearly admired his work and service as Dallaire was awarded several positions here after his service in Rwanda. In 1994, He was appointed the Deputy Commander of Land Force Command in Saint-Hubert, Quebec. In that same year, Dallaire held the position of Commander of 1st Canadian Division. He was appointed a Liberal Senator in March 2005 thus automatically gaining the title – The Honourable. Despite being a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder, Dallaire continues to serve Canadians and all peoples. He continues to seek ways to make a difference and ways to correct some wrongs that he had noticed from his experience in Rwanda during war times. He is a Co-Director of The Will to Intervene (W2I) Project. Dallaire is also the founder of the Child Soldiers Initiative – childsoldiers.org. At the front page of the website is a statement by Dallaire – “The ultimate focus of the rest of my life is to eradicate the use of child soldiers and to eliminate even the thought of the use of children as an instrument of war.” It is no surprise that The Honourable Roméo Dallaire’s retirement announcement was responded to with prints that signify gratitude and loss. Upcoming ‘loss’ of a man with a huge heart and upcoming ‘loss’ of a great Canadian politician, come June 17th, 2014. Then, gratitude for all the things that we think we are going to lose. However, there is no loss. Dallaire’s contributions to Rwanda and to Canada will never be erased. I admire L’honorable (The Honourable) Roméo Dallaire for being a selfless human being, a likely familiar stranger who continues to put in effort to make change in our world. I hope to meet L’honorable Dallaire someday. On behalf of all Canadians and all citIzens of the world, Merci beaucoup L’honorable Roméo Dallaire.

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Relationships; Protecting & Opening Your Heart

My bestie. My ride or die. My day one. My BFF. Those are some appreciative, loving slangs that I don’t see myself using on anyone other than my sister and a future lover. Here’s the thing behind that – I am scared of trust. I am scared of wholly trusting someone who is not my sister, brother, father, mother or romantic partner (someone who has shown so much love to me to the point that I could take him in as family). This fear resulted from others’ stories of betrayal and also my personal experiences of disappointment from people that I trusted. Fear of disappointment resides within every individual. However, it should not hinder us from being the best people that we can be. We are all human and no human being is lacking of imperfection. I have failed people, and people have failed me too. My encounter with imperfection and disappointments in friendships have caused me to be patient in my relationships with amazing people. I try to reward some of my friends who I really appreciate. Trust me, I don’t use the technique of let’s share secrets with each other to keep my relationships blooming. However, I organize meet ups with them, call them non-extreme, but sweet and appreciative romantic names like Boo, Honey, Darling; I invite them to events that I will be attending. Also, thanks to technology, I check up on my good friends often. Good friendships are amazing. They boost your happiness, give you positive energy when you feel down and they empower you to keep being who you are as staying true to you has attracted some wonderful people into your life. Don’t be an Island, make friends, be good to your friends, be patient with the ones that make you happy and move away from those that make you sad and probably, make you doubt yourself. Yesterday, my sister and I had lunch with a friend, Omolade, who we had not seen in a while. We had lots of genuine bursts of laughter and it was a bonding moment. It was so admirable to see that a friendship that was built in a short period has stood the test of time, and holds a great deal of love. My sister still asks me in awe – How come she (Omolade) loves me like this? There must always be angels amidst a mixed up, confusing crowd.

My Questions For You? – Does  your fear of betrayal/disappointment restrict you in your relationships with people? – What are some things that you hope to do to build relationships with people? (Personally, I aim to start greeting my neighbours!)

Love & Peace,

Chiamaka.        

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Can You Always Be True To Yourself?

Differences exist among every individual and in every society, and in one way or the other. The realization of difference requires tolerance. With tolerance comes moderation and self-control. The need to accommodate difference will certainly not give us the ability to express our heart’s desires to the fullest. If you are rich, you don’t want to tell everyone you meet about how you have lots and lots of diamonds. If you are religious, you don’t want to offer to pray with a friend/someone who you do not know much about. If you are a very achieving student, it will be wise that you do not brag too much about your scholarships and other accolades to a student who you know is struggling with his/her academics. It is good to note again that tolerance requires moderation. You can imply that you are rich, smart or religious without sparking jealousy, disgust or envy, through moderation. Don’t say too much. For example, “I love wearing diamonds” – Full stop. There is no need to give an exact amount of how many you have, and also, there is no need to give information on how you got them. Tolerance has a huge role to play in terms of managing difference. It helps us respect the choices that people have made for themselves though they might be different from ours. Also, tolerance provides great immunity to unmoderated comments and attitudes. I have had real life experiences with intolerance: I live in Canada. I have lived here for nearly 3 years, and I have noticed that not everyone associates with religion (pretty much the opposite of my country, Nigeria), and I have also heard people make fun of others’ religion. I find such acts really irritating and unnecessary. Anyway, after making that observation, I tried to limit using such statements as the following in my conversations with people who I don’t know too well – “my friend from church”, “when I came back from church”. However, I was determined to not fully compromise one of the things that means a lot to me because of people’s perceptions. Thus, I decided that I have to feel free to use such statements as those I tried to stop using above, without going into too much details. In most parts of Nigeria, you can easily mention that you practice either Christianity or Islam, to anyone. However, beyond those two religions, no other beliefs or the lack there of are accepted. Tolerance is extremely valid. It enables us to accept others totally and even learn more about them and why they act in certain ways, why they have certain beliefs, preferences e.t.c. Understanding difference helps us to be moderate in our relationships with people. It will help us to determine what to say, when to say it, how it say it and whether or not to say what we want to say.

My Questions For You

– What are those things that you try not to bring up in your conversations with people that you do not know too well?

– Is there a particular area of your life where you feel that tolerance is needed?  

Love,

Chiamaka.  

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Nadya Kwandibens; Touring Canada To Shatter Stereotypes Through Photography

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Pictured above: Nadya Kwandibens

The negative portrayal of Aboriginals by the Canadian media and sometimes, by members of the Canadian public is something that has been of great concern to me. So also have been other forms of mistreatment of Canada’s Indigenous peoples. Yesterday, I had a Skype interview with popular Aboriginal-Canadian photographer, Nadya Kwandibens. What got me interested in interviewing her was the nature of her job – Nadya tours Canada capturing happy, beautiful and very impressive images of Indigenous communities. Ms. Kwandibens’s images are in great contrast from the sad representations of Aboriginals that are promoted by the Canadian public. Aboriginals are usually portrayed as people who are not peace-seeking, constant irrational complainers, and as people who possess a culture that hinders them from progressing. I am so glad that I got to interview Nadya. I love that she has moved out of her comfort zone to deconstruct very harmful stereotypes. Here are the excerpts of my interview with Nadya: – Tell us a little about yourself I am 35 years old. I am Ojibwa. Originally from Northwestern Ontario – a small reserve called Northwest Angle thirty-seven. About an hour South of Kenora. However, I moved to British Columbia(BC). Right now, I am on tours. I will be on the road for a month and a half or so, not as long as the tours that I have done in the past. I run a photography company called Redworks Photography. It is a dynamic touring photography company. I am on the road for pretty much most of the year. – When did you establish Redworks Photography? I founded it in 2008. – Before then, did you use to tour or it was after you started the company that you began to tour? Really, how it all began was I started doing portrait photography. Up until then, it had only been a hobby. It was about a year or so after I started doing portraits that I began professionally shooting in 2006. So after about a year and a half or so, that’s when I started touring. I thought, you know, the only way to get more exposure and get my work out there is to travel. So I have been pretty much travelling ever since. – I have seen your website – http://www.redworks.ca . You take a lot of positive images of First Nations communities in Canada. You capture a lot of happy moments and really lovely images that will just give one positive energy by mere looking at them. You capture the kinds of moments that the media fails to show the public. You tour around Canada too. I want to know what inspired you to take on this kind of job? All the imagery that we were subject to while we were growing up, the native history – and that is not very positive and in the news and all that, seeing our stories and they are not portrayed in a positive light. It’ s all very negative – focusing on protesting and all that sort of trials and tribulations coverage that our people are always getting. Just looking at that overall and then thinking to myself, there is something that my art can do to help shed a more positive light on who we are as so many diverse Nations across Canada and even in the States too. I always come back to my artist statement. It’s on my website. – Have you experienced any challenges with your job? Yeah. Pretty much wherever I shoot. I don’t shoot in studio. One of the reasons Redworks was called Redworks studio at a time was because the intention I had was to actually open a studio in Toronto. I just travel so much and I love travelling and pretty much all of my shoots that I do are improvised, so there is the challenge in that and I really love shooting with natural available light. I don’t travel with big lighting kits. It’s just me and my camera. Another challenge I guess with being on the road is just, I guess, finding time for yourself. That would be the main challenge. Although, it’s become easier over the years. This is my seventh year of touring.  – You are really experienced at travelling. From all your experiences, what are some exceptional things that you have noticed about Canada? Like, is there a particular city that has an awesome landscape or maybe there is the best city to get waffles at? Hmmm … Well, BC is beautiful. It would be one of the most beautiful provinces I have ever been to. As far as different must-dos or must-haves in each city, I am not sure. – I have your vision statement here and I am actually going to read the part of it that I really like (and I saw a part of it in your recent CBC interview). It’s: “If our history is a shadow, let this moment serve as light. We are musicians, lawyers, doctors, mothers and sons. We are activists, scholars, dreamers, fathers and daughters. Let us claim ourselves now and see that we are, and will always be great, thriving, balanced civilizations capable of carrying ourselves into that bright new day.” That’s just beautiful. How did you come up with that? I am not sure where it came from. I was just really moved by how thriving and vibrant our Nations are and how much you don’t see that and for it to be partly poetic, I guess, is just how I write and how my personality or spirit expresses itself . A lot of people really connect with the statement. – What encouragement can you give to fellow Aboriginal-Canadians who are also interested in correcting the stereotype? I always say, “just go for it”. You have this life here, it’s important to go for it. Put away your fear. Once you think something and you put an idea out there, there is always people or situations that will come together to make it happen for you.

How To Contact Nadya Website: http://www.redworks.ca Twitter: @_RedWorks

Love,

Chiamaka.

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LET’S TALK AWARDS! – University of Waterloo’s Young Alumni Award Dinner 2014

I love to write about both the sweet and bitter sides of life, as most of you would have noticed by now. So, this time around I am writing about something sweet – getting awarded! Last week Thursday, my elder and only sister – Ebele Mogo was awarded with the University of Waterloo’s Young Alumni Award. The award dinner took place at Candela (a restaurant) in Calgary. It was an amazing event. Fifteen people were in attendance, including the university’s Dean of Science, Terry McMahon, two other staff of the university, my mother, brothers, six of my sister’s friends and I. It was great to see everyone at the event speak so well of my sister. Also, each of Ebele’s friends and family members present seemed to have been inspired by her in one way or the other. My sister has been an inspiration to me for a long time. Let me tell you a little about Ebele Mogo … At age 18, Ebele graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2009. In the summer of 2012, she established a non-governmental organization called Engage Africa Foundation http://www.engageafricafoundation.org. Ebele’s passion to stop the occurrence of non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa led her to create the Foundation. She is currently a Doctor of Public Health candidate at the Colorado School of Public Health in the United States. Here is a link to Ebele’s blog, Street-side Convos – http://streetsideconvos.com where she inspires people to be creative and also, she motivates people to become successful entrepreneurs. It came to me as no surprise that the University of Waterloo chose her to be the recipient of their Young Alumni Award for this year 2014. It was a beautiful award event. Good venue and good food. The University of Waterloo staff that put the event together did a great job. I took some pictures from the event and am very excited to share them with you all! Here you go:

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Proud mama with Ebele

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The Calgary-based volunteers of Ebele’s NGO (from the right: Jade, Nneoma and Margot)

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Tomiwa Adaramola, the treasurer of the NGO

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The Dean of Science speaking of Ebele

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My dinner. It was so delicious.

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The Dean presenting Ebele with her award

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Sharon McFarlane, who played a huge part in organizing the event

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My mum, Dr. Felicia Mogo and I

Congratulations Ebele! I do hope that this post has inspired someone. Age is in no way a barrier to greatness.

Love,

Chiamaka.

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Looking Beyond Our Imperfections and Sharing Our Truths

I was recently editing a blogpost with the help of my sister when I suddenly thought: You know, I am sometimes guilty of doing the things that I tell my blog readers not to do. For example, I was thinking, sometimes I do not forgive easily; sometimes I dwell on things that make me sad. After taking a short guilt trip, I realized something that I had to mention. I told my sister: I share my truths with others not because I am perfect, but because I know that my truths can help people including myself. My definition of “my truths” is – things that the instructor knows are factual and helpful to mankind, and some of these things, the instructor, in his/her human nature may not be perfect at adhering to. I learn from my truths. I use them often in my life, but I am not perfect at applying them at all times. Imperfection does not mean that we should hold back realities from others. I may not be 100% positive everyday but I know that living that way or close to that way, will pay off richly on the human body both physically and mentally. Thus, I will keep sharing my truth that everyone should let happiness and positivity in, and try to discard negative thoughts. Personally, there are many times when other people’s truths have healed me, and motivated me. Some people share their truths through their books, their quotes, their openness on their social networks e.t.c. Like I wrote on Twitter at the peak of my inner revelation of ‘sharing my truths’, – Share your truths with others, not because you are perfect, but because people need to know that no one is perfect and that they are not alone in their imperfections. – Your truths will uplift others. They will help people realize that imperfections are human and that improvement is a possibility. – Share your truths, and share the love that dwells within you. Be a light to others. A good point to note is that you should not share all your truths with everyone and/or just anyone. Remember that the world we live in has its fair share of disappointments and betrayals. Share those truths that you are not afraid to share, with – family, friends and acquaintances. However, for those truths that you are not very comfortable with letting out, and for truths which you only want a limited number of people to know, you should talk to a professional. For example – a psychologist, a religious leader, a counsellor. These individuals are expected to handle people’s personal matters with anonymity, so it is okay to trust them. This blog has been a medium for me to share my truths with the world, for a month now. A month today was when I established and started Blurred Creations! 😀 Through this blog, I have been able to share my passions, concerns, life experiences and ideas with the public. Get open. Share your truths to inspire, to educate, to encourage, to heal, to motivate. Happy birthday to our blog – Blurred Creations! Thank you SOOO much my dear followers and readers for being with me, Chiamaka, on this journey for the past month!:)
My questions for you?

– Why do you share your truths with others?

– What do you gain from people sharing their truths with you or the public?

Love,

Chiamaka.

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Heritage, Solidarity and You

*Please note that in this post, I am discussing heritage with regard to country of ‘origin’* “I was born there”, “I was born and raised there”, “my parents are from there” – The common answers to the question of “What’s your heritage?” Our heritage may not be the first answer that we give when asked: “Where are you from?” Someone with Polish parents who lives in Canada may refer to him/herself as being a Canadian. There is no wrong in that because if you live somewhere, you have the right to accept it as your own and you should. However, answers differ from person to person. Someone else with Polish parents could still refer to him/herself as being Polish-Canadian. My conception is that the main difference in answers points at solidarity. Most of the time when I meet people in Canada and I am asked where I am from, I mention the place where some of my family and I live in Canada, that is, Calgary as where I am from. I only mention Nigeria when I get into very deep conversations with people. Why? I try very hard to avoid the stereotypical questions that I usually get when I mention that I was born and raised in Nigeria – an African country. The most common and perhaps the most annoying one I get is: How did you learn English? (Err … basically every Nigerian IN Nigeria speaks it). Back to solidarity … Being born and raised somewhere is likely to not only give you a sense of belonging, it gives you a love for that place that cannot be compromised except in cases like war, bad leadership, betrayal or like in my case (sometimes) – stereotypes, e.t.c. I believe that “I was born there” and “my parents are from there” are similar in a way. If you were born somewhere but then moved away, there is a sense of belongingness but solidarity may not be reflex unless you go out of your way to keep up with the culture of the society which you left. When people say that their parents are from somewhere, the parents were most likely born and raised in that place. Children will probably feel a sense of belongingness to their parents’ native country but to really feel like they share in that heritage, to have some solidarity, both them and their parents have to put in work. The parents will cook their native food, make family friends with people from their native country, and/or speak their language at home. The children in turn, will feel something beyond a cultural history in the family tree but also a major sense of belongingness and solidarity to that heritage. A sense of solidarity and belongingness to a culture is powerful. It makes you feel the right to defend that heritage, criticize it and also celebrate it. When people speak untruly of Nigeria/Nigerians, I hardly fail to defend my country and my people. I criticize bad leadership in the federal government of Nigeria. I also criticize the actions of the Boko Haram militant group in Nigeria. I also celebrate my heritage, like I did on Twitter on May 18th, 2014 after I attended a Nigerian’s Graduation party in Colorado. The party reminded me so much of home – Nigeria. There was loud music, happy people and of course, lots of food – A Typical Nigerian Party. I was shy to dance for long, but the energy from my conversations with others, seeing lots of happy people and seeing people dancing like they just don’t care was beautiful. I came back home and reminisced on the event and I felt like a proud Nigerian. I captured some memories:) Please see below:

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Me working my waist on the dance floor. Could you tell that I was shy? Lol I was!

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 My sister, Ebele in action!:)

More dancing … http://youtu.be/PD9y1ed21ZM

My questions for you – Does the question of ‘heritage’ come up often in your conversations with people? If yes, how do you address that question? – Do you have a cultural heritage (religion, food, country, language, music e.t.c) that you would like to share with other readers of this blog, and myself?

Love,

Chiamaka.  

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Youth Courageousness and Why It’s Needed

Talk about young people stand up!! – For sometime now, I have being admiring and getting lots of inspiration from young people (teenagers and people in their twenties) who have moved out of their comfort zone and are doing creative things with their lives. On social media networks, even at school, in my family, I get to know about some young dream chasers and change-makers – From Malala Yousafzai, to a group of University of Ottawa students who together with staff formed the Independent Initiative Against Rape Culture in March 2014, to my entrepreneurial siblings. Moving out of your comfort zone to work toward something that you really want to achieve is bold. It’s even more bold, I believe when you are young. You are at that stage when most of your counterparts continually stress their desire to graduate and get a job with the government and settle for whatever or just work for someone and follow their rules. Youth is that stage where the creative individual questions if uniqueness will be worth the try. So, when I see youth entrepreneurs, youth advocates and youths who seek to make change whether through working for the government, under someone or not, I am truly inspired. Another obstacle that comes with being creative (for everyone) is rejection. Not everyone you contact with your idea will get back to you; not everyone you speak to about your plan will agree that it is a good one; even friends may not support you. However, you will have both doubters and believers. When you have reviewed your plan thoroughly on your own, and then with some family members, friends, and experts that have experience with regard with your plan; and you believe that it will accomplish a purpose that satisfies you, go on with you idea! You will attract like-minded creative people to your niche. You will motivate and inspire people to not only think outside the box, but also, to move out of the box. I am still reading the book, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I am really enjoying it. In Chapter three of the book, the author writes about her decision to face her fear of failure and she made this statement: “If something is worth doing; it’s worth doing badly.” Not an attractive statement at first sight, but it is a truthful and encouraging statement. Sometimes, we are even our own obstacles by doubting ourselves. Take action instead of overthinking your idea and when you execute your idea, remember that your final goal may not be achieved in a hurry. As long as you are still passionate about your plan, continue to work your hardest at it. Your efforts will pay off, eventually. I admire that the braveness of youth success is also recognized by community event planners who feel that inspiring young people should be awarded and publicized. In Ottawa, there is the Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards that recognizes youth that have contributed to their society in different ways. In Toronto, there is the BBPA’s Harry Jerome Awards’ Young Entrepreneur award. There is also, the Royal Bank of Canada’s Students Leading Change Scholarship. Etcetera. My fellow young people let us not let doubt; fear of rejection and failure discourage us from following our heart’s desires. By being true to you, you never know the kind of huge success that you are building up. Also, you might just be inspiring people to become exceptional in their thinking and actions, as well.  

My Questions For You

– Are there some inspiring youths that you know? If yes, who are they? 🙂

– What suggestions do you have on ways to encourage young people to think outside the box and/or be bold with their dreams?

Let me know!

Love,

Chiamaka.      

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The Mistreatment of Aboriginals and The Footprints of The Colonizers, In Canada

Oh Colonization. You had both benefits and problems. The latter cannot be exempted. Being an African in Canada and an African who aims to break down the stereotypes that non-Africans have of my people, I very often fill-in the footprints of colonization. I hardly hesitate to say “Our (Nigeria’s) official language is English”, when a surprised acquaintance or friend tells me that my English is so good. I very often feel the need to have no non-North-American accent in the land of the Westerners. I very often feel the need to speak like the white man. Oh, colonization. I am not the only descendant of a former colony who tends to stick closely to the culture of the colonizers. If you have ever visited Canada, you will know that the culture of its colonizers – the British, still lives on here. It is purposely preserved by the federal government. I do admire it in some cases. I love the historical buildings, I enjoy the designs in-and-out of the pubs. However, there are some negative and worrisome colonial traits that still pervade in my dear Canada. These are with regard to the treatment of First Nations people in Canada.

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Their decision to stick with the culture and practices of their ancestors without compromise has long caused them to be treated with less value than non-Aboriginals, in Canada. During colonization, Aboriginals were mandated to totally adjust to the societal systems of the colonizers. Also, Aboriginals were not allowed to pass on their culture under colonial rule. Even now, long after colonization, these individuals earn less than the minimum wage; the rate of employment for Canada’s Indigenous peoples is “about two-thirds of the national level.” Lack of jobs sometimes leads idle hands to get dirty. Aboriginals in Canada have higher rates of alcohol abuse than the national level. Also, the death rate among Aboriginals is “about three times” higher than the national rate. While I have heard that the federal government has issued apologies and offered funds to Aboriginals for the dark history of discriminatory treatments that they have had whilst living on Canadian soil, there is still more work to be done. The cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women are yet to cease. Early this month of May, there was a report that according to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), over 1000 cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal females have been discovered by Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Just when one would have thought that those horrible stories of Aboriginal women being more vulnerable to murder than non-Aboriginals in Canada, had become things of the past. I have mentioned during conversations with friends, my disgust at how Aboriginals are marginalized in a country like Canada that is known and celebrated for having a very diverse population. On some occasions I was replied with: The problem is with their culture. Now that’s the echo of colonization. That’s the trail of the colonizers being followed. No human being should be vulnerable to violence, segregation or discrimination because of his/her race, culture, gender or religion. The federal government of Canada needs to enact strict regulations that protect Aboriginal persons from being victims of violent attack and discrimination. Also, as the government has it’s huge role to play, so do members of the Canadian public. We need to change our mindset. There is no one best way of living. Not the European, African or Asian ways of life. No. Every individual has the right to stick to the culture that best suits him/her without being queried. The mosaic of a multicultural society like Canada is that the different cultures that exist will make the state beautifully unique and more understanding of difference as opposed to homogeneous societies. Rather than believe that Aboriginals should push their cultural heritage aside and dissolve in Canada’s ‘melting-pot’, we should all agree that measures should be put in place to support Aboriginals’ culture in such a way that it is beneficial to them in an all-round way. I look forward to a day when Aboriginals will be treated without discrimination and given equal opportunities to succeed, just like every other Canadian. Last week, I received the petition below via Change.org. Please take a moment to read it and consider signing. Thank you! https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/hon-kellie-leitch-minister-for-the-status-of-women-call-a-public-inquiry-into-hundreds-of-missing-and-murdered-aboriginal-women-like-my-cousin-loretta-saunders?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=57261&alert_id=wQkThaSAET_LHEtVv70qA1TFdHQ5KvFUZ%2FUTDyEyoxEtpyB7vEaSBY%3D  

My Questions For You – How do you think prejudice in society can be curbed? – Do you have other examples of negative effects of colonization that still exist in former colonies? 

Love & Peace,

Chiamaka.

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Why Happiness Deserves Your Hard Work

Each person has things that make him/her happy that differ from another individual’s picks. Every one wants to be happy but most times we do not focus on that goal. We let a lot of things take over that need. Sometimes we let people’s hurtful words, their jealousy or their uncouthness divert our attention from that top priority that is – being happy. Happiness is also left hanging on the edge when we desire money over the former. An academic advisor at the University of Ottawa told me something that has made him one of my best people forever. He told me: Do what makes you happy. I took that advice and I am not regretting doing so. That advice applies to every sphere of life. Don’t take a job that you don’t enjoy just because it pays well. Go find that job that you are actually passionate about. Make effort to be happy. Happiness not only makes you feel better, it makes you do better. Also, happiness will make you be the best person that you can be to others. The truth is everybody needs some positive actions from other people to boost their own happiness. I consider happiness to be a dream because it feels good to be very happy, but then, honestly, the feeling of happiness is inconsistent. However, we can avoid stressing over those things that are not worth compromising our joy, our happiness, for. I have been on that journey to get immune to certain annoyances, for a while now. Last year, I was speaking with my elder sister on the phone and I was telling her of my plan to be going out for dinners with friends very often. At that period, I was having frequent bouts of depression. I have made improvements now. Back to my point … I went further to tell my sister that sticking to my new plan would be costly, then I added: I don’t mind spending a lot of money. I just want to be happy. I did not have a lot. Trust me! However, I did not mind spending a great deal from the ‘just enough’ that I had. Happiness was my goal. That plan helped me very much. Every week, I would have a friend(s) that I will be meeting with for breakfast/lunch/dinner. I would take the effort to search for the restaurant to go to; I would plan where my friend(s) and I should meet at before we headed to the restaurant. My efforts were not in vain, I always had fun each time I executed my happiness plan. Happiness is a selfish emotion. It does not stick to anyone for too long, but there are ways to avoid staying out of touch with it for too long. I will share with you personal tips that have helped me grab a hold of happiness and sometimes, they have helped me hold it captive for a good amount of time. Here you go: – Stop looking down on yourself. Appreciate the person that you are now and the better person that you will become as time goes on. – “Do what makes you happy”. Really! In my case, I love going out with friends, hanging out with my sister and dancing. I also enjoy travelling. I like being an entrepreneur-in-training. Find your own passions and stick with them. – Don’t reply every insult or sarcastic statement that is directed toward you. – Don’t send an email to someone when you are still angry at that person. Give yourself some time to lighten up, so that you can express yourself in a peaceful manner, while still trying to send across your message. – It is better to call someone than to send a text message to that person when you feel that the message might be interpreted to mean something contrary to your intention. – Exercise often. People who exercise often tend to be happy and energetic (so no time to lie around and drown in sadness!). – Go out often, and try to make new friends when you do. – Distance yourself from people who make you doubt yourself. – Do things that will help others to be happy as well. Here is a quote that I learnt about from the book that I am currently reading called, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” – Aristotle I hope you put those words at the back of your mind. You deserve happiness and you need to put in effort to attain it.  

My questions for you

– What makes you happy?

– What are those things that you are going to get rid of, so that you can be happy more often?

Wishing you lots of happiness!

Love,

Chiamaka.  

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