Canoe Building Workshop

VISITING THE CANOE PROJECT

CHANIE WENJACK SCHOOL FOR INDIGENOUS STUDIES at TRENT UNIVERSITY

Our ongoing support and relationship continues with Trent University and their Indigenous Studies program.  Sisters Helen and Anne visited for a canoe building workshop in October.

On October 21, Sister Helen and I had the privilege of meeting a young canoe builder, Alex Labelle. He is a young man of 19 years who has learned to build birchbark canoes since he was four years old, under the mentorship of his grandfather, Marcel Labelle. The Sisters of St. Joseph have helped to fund this project in the spirit of reconciliation, recognizing and supporting the culture, knowledge and teachings of Indigenous and Metis peoples.

Labelle was invited to Trent to build the canoe by Lorenzo Whetung, the cultural advisor at the First People’s House of Learning (FPHL), and by Dawn Lavell-Harvard, the director of FPHL. The idea is to build a canoe that can be used by members of the Trent community and also to teach people the skills involved in constructing one.

Alex was constructing the canoe from Sept. 27 - Oct. 25, 2024, and students were invited to assist (no experience necessary), so why not us too? I had a moment of “getting a feel” for the shaving of wood slats. And in learning about the cedar root ties I had a “hands on” moment for what is involved in scraping the root and splitting it along the spine. Alex of course has done all the work of splitting the slats and soaking the roots in warm water. There was so much to learn about the parallels and interconnections of the canoe to the human body with its ribs and skin. Everything that holds it together is made from nature such as the bear grease, ashes and resin that make the sealant as well as the root used for ties and stitching.

The completion date might be moved back while the work continues and once completed there will be a naming ceremony. The name, not yet revealed, will be one that comes forth from the Spirit, as the canoe comes to life in a way similar to our own naming which indicates a certain spirit within us. We anticipate a launch ceremony before the winter arrival and the celebration of this new being. The birch bark canoe has played an essential role in the life of the original peoples and the opening of the waterways and lands to those who arrived later.

-Sister Anne Karges, CSJ

Read about Alex Labelle building a birchbark canoe in the atrium of Trent University’s Bata Library this fall.

Join Hike for Hospice

A large sign on our front lawn announces in bold letters, “Hike for Hospice, St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, October 19th, 2024. Register today!

In line with this initiative, a few days ago Teresa, a bright, pleasant woman who had been in my grade 9 English class over 40 years ago, had just come from St. Joseph’s Hospice, our neighbours next door, after delivering part of a sizeable monetary donation to the upcoming hike.  She stopped and chatted with me. During our conversation, I learned that she has been an avid hospice canvasser for over 14 years during which time her family endured the death of their mother, father and sister due to cancer. Thanks to hospice care across Canada, people in the last stages of life can experience compassionate care mentally, physically and spiritually as did Teresa’s family members.

Throughout the dying process, with hospice care, families are a continuing present with their loved one at various stages of care, be it at home, in hospital, or hospice setting. They are deeply grateful for the many comfort measures bestowed on them and their loved one until death.  In fact, my friend was determined to show her appreciation for wonderful hospice care. Thus, she decided to become a fundraiser.

Teresa’s enthusiasm for hospice means that she never stops engaging possible donors until her goal has been realized.  She began her canvassing by gaining the eager support of her siblings, family and friends.  Word traveled by word of mouth, other donors enlisted and from there, the hospice donations continued to grow to the point where anonymous donors send money through her link to hospice.  The total amount Teresa submits to hospice yearly reaches approximately $3,000. WOW!  That’s the power of one.

On October 19th, Teresa, her family, friends and many others will lace up their running shoes, don this year’s pink tee shirt and run, walk or jog to Eco Park London in memory of their loved ones. Moreover, they will run in thanksgiving for and support of St. Joseph’s Hospice London.  Might you be among them?

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

London’s Parks, Trails, and Streets: Gratitude and Dismay

LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA

London, Ontario has more than 500 parks, 7 million trees, and in excess of 330 km of walking and biking trails, all maintained in excellent condition by our city staff.   This year, the abundance of rain has caused our trees, bushes, and grasses to bloom like a tropical rainforest.  London’s website provides abundant information to entice exploration of this richness. It is a great pleasure to explore our well-kept streets, parks, and trails. Yet, there is a blight that mars our city. The roads and pathways are infested with empty bottles, beer cans, plastic containers, coffee cups, tissues, candy wrappers, plastic bags, and other debris.  Although some Londoners don disposable gloves, pick up “junk”, and dispose of it in designated receptacles, the plague persists and seems to overpower benevolent efforts to eradicate it. 

Litter impacts our waterways

I wonder what transpires in the minds of those who treat public spaces as garbage cans.  Perhaps they were not properly educated about environmental responsibilities? Do offenders expect others to clean up after them?  Do they consider the effects of their actions on the beauty of our city or the pleasure of others?  

Nature & Litter - an unsightly mix

I know this is not unique to London and I wonder what could be done to develop a culture in which each of us feels responsible for creating and maintaining the natural attractions of one’s city. 

In a less than benevolent mood, I mused about imposing fines on offenders, assigning them to pick up debris, or scrub the graffiti from park benches, bridge support structures, and railings.  Sadly, I suspect that such measures would feed anger and instigate strident claims about “rights and freedoms”.  It is the selfless and caring actions of others, not criticism, that inspire me to be more generous and desirous of building community. So, some alternate suggestions come to mind: 

• Would our City Council and community businesses consider creating an honorary white knight position with the “knight” being appointed by Mayor Josh Morgan? The knight’s responsibility would be to distribute certificates and vouchers randomly to persons of any age whom he or she sees picking up garbage or cleaning graffiti.  

• Arrange for more garbage containers at convenient locations.  

• Order garbage bags and protective gloves to be supplied to volunteer environment protectors and enhancers. 

• Lead by word and example in properly disposing of the garbage we generate as we drive, bicycle, or walk on our streets, parks, and trails. 

• Donate vouchers to be awarded by the honorary white knight, e.g., a gift certificate for a coffee shop, grocery store, theatre production, hockey game, hydro bill payment, Blue Jays' game, Stratford play, iPad or phone.  

• Volunteer to remove graffiti from public places. 

• Select artists and aspiring artists to paint murals in appropriate locations.  

•  Publicize examples of how our combined efforts contribute to the splendor and enjoyment of our city.  

We can't solve the garbage problem alone, but together we can contribute our ideas, time, and talents to support and create a beautiful environment in London, Ontario, and in all of our cities.

-Sister Patricia McKeon, CSJ 

An Exemplary Physician

Dr. Laura Lyons is one of our physicians from St. Joseph’s Family Medical Centre in London who attends to the medical needs of our Sisters in residence. She is knowledgeable, kind, caring, and compassionate.  With a smile, our century-old Sister gives Dr. Laura the ultimate compliment, explaining,

“She listens”. 

Recently, I was given further insight into Dr. Lyons’ expertise when I opened the fall 2022 edition of “My St. Joseph’s”, a magazine published several times a year by St. Joseph’s Health Care London. In the lead article titled, “Exemplary Physician, Compassionate Cheerleader”, Dr. Laura Lyons is featured for her fine skill, “filling a great need as an expert in the care of pregnant women who are struggling with addiction”.  Citing the case of an expectant young woman with opioid addiction, the article follows our doctor’s compassionate, professional care for the woman through pregnancy and childbirth.  The continuum of care and trust given by Dr. Lyons assists the woman to leave addiction and, in this case, become a loving mother and business owner.

Indeed, Dr. Lyons is doing exemplary work in her busy practice. We are honored to have her use these same uplifting skills as she ministers with attentive presence to our Sisters needing her medical assistance.

To read the entire article: https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/news-and-media/our-stories/laura-lyons-exemplary-physician

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj