RAYE MOCIOIU
Tom Jackson is a man of many talents. An actor, a musician, a producer, and an activist, Jackson is a certified entertainment legend with a list of achievements and accolades spanning decades.
Known for movie and televi sion roles like North of 60 and Shining Time Station and his folk-pop discography, beloved across the country, Jackson’s career has touched countless lives—but his ascent to fame was far from easy.
After moving to Winnipeg, Manitoba, with his family during his teens, Jackson left school at the age of 15. He spent seven years living on the streets—a time that, while tinged with darkness, created beautiful friendships and even tually set him on a path that changed his life. Jackson said it was “pure luck” that got him his start, beginning with learning to play the guitar with the help of a friend, and later, with just three songs in his guitar-playing rep ertoire, being asked to appear on a guest interview at CFRW AM
Winnipeg, where he was told that he should consider radio.
“It was the middle of winter, and I remember leaving the radio station—it was -34°C— and walking a few blocks before turning back to ask, ‘What did you mean?’” Jackson recalled. “I began by volunteering, and not long after, I got a call from Ross Dobson, a CBC Radio producer who offered me the opportunity to host my own radio show. I discovered radio has no colour.”
After years of success, Jackson found himself at rock bottom, looking for a way to help others when he needed help himself. At his lowest point, he had a moment where he realized he could change his life for the better and become addicted to helping others.
Looking back, he said he real ized that the darkest time of his life led him to the light—every day since has been defined by saving lives.
Since then, Jackson has used his life experiences and his voice as a tool for change, helping
those in need and lending his efforts to a multitude of projects and charities.
“On September 12th, 2001, the day after 9/11, my friends and I staged a concert at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary,” Jackson shared. “We called it The Vigil. On September 13th, we wrote a cheque to the Red Cross for $100,000 in aid of the 9/11 victims.”
Jackson has since become an ambassador for the Canadian Red Cross, actively fundraising for vul nerable communities worldwide.
“Tom is generous, curious and caring,” said Jenn McManus, Vice President at the Canadian Red Cross. “He loves people, their stories, their past and their future. I often call him the ‘people whisperer’ because of his ability to block out all that is going on around him in a crisis and focus clearly on who is before him—to listen, hear their voice, understand their perspective, ideas and how they are doing. Among many per sonal moments, Humboldt, Sask. [the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash] comes to my mind. Tom was at the community arena with Red Cross volunteers during a vigil and I saw him among the families: picking up crumpled tissues, used water bottles, setting up chairs and collecting garbage, while devas tated families gathered around him. It will be a memory forever embedded in my memory. He is humble, helpful, empathetic and a true community spirit-builder.”
Earlier this year, Jackson, a Juno award-winning singer and songwriter, was inspired to create a music special drawing attention to the war in Ukraine. The special, produced by Tomali Pictures Ltd., Jackson’s production company in collaboration with his wife, Alison, sought to raise awareness and funds for the Red Cross.
“It was inspired by a Calgary friend who said, ‘I wouldn’t let my children watch the news because they would go to bed with tears in their eyes.’” Jackson said. “I thought about his children and the 7.5 million children of Ukraine. Then it was quite simple…I spoke with my tribe of like-minds. Conrad Sauve, President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross Society, said it best: ‘We need to help kids learn to be kids again.’”
A big man with a big heart, in 1992, Tom became a Canada 125 Medal recipient for his sig nificant philanthropic contri butions. During the pandemic, Jackson produced and hosted the 12-episode online variety series Almighty Voices where artists and thought leaders delivered
performances and messages to create joy, health, and dollars for Unison Benevolent Fund, a char itable agency providing emergen cy relief services to the Canadian music community.
In 2000, Jackson was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in November 2020, he was promoted to Companion— the highest designation within the Order.
“I felt this is a validation by my peers. I am empowered to contin ue,” Jackson said of his promotion.
Philanthropy is a driving force for Jackson; his extensive charitable work, including the long-running Huron Carole Christmas concert tours—a beloved event Canadawide—speaks to his willingness to be on the lookout for those in need. Featuring Jackson and numerous other Canadian singers and performers, The Huron Carole troupe travels across the country each year, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and food services to benefit Canada’s hungry and homeless.
Over the COVID-19 pandem ic, Jackson took the concert tour online, unwavering in his support, and found that a virtual tour was more accessible for those in re mote areas of the country. The Huron Carole will continue virtually, raising funds for local charities, food banks, and drop-in centres. In its place, Jackson has formed a new holiday tour called Stories, Songs, and Santa Causes an evening of original music, sing-along tunes, and signature Christmas music. Both virtual and live, The Huron Carole and Stories, Songs, and Santa Causes are excellent ways to participate in positivity and exercise the spirit of giving.
The events, Jackson has previ ously shared, “pay tribute to all the angels around us. Sometimes they’re invisible—just like you and me when we need help. So if you’re down and out, and need help, find someone who needs it more than you. You’ll feel much better.”
At 18, while surveying in the core of the University of Winnipeg for the Institute of Urban Studies, Jackson’s world was changed. Asking passersby why they stayed in Winnipeg, Jackson, born to a Cree mother and English father, recalled feeling shocked to learn how many Indigenous families did so out of poverty and yet were unable to access welfare services for fear of losing their children. He knew he had to find a way to make a difference, and throughout his career, Jackson has found countless ways.
In 2016, Jackson was awarded the ImagineNATIVE August Schellenberg Award of Excellence, which recognizes professional and personal achievements by an Indigenous actor. Jackson was also honoured with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for his humanitarianism.
Music has long been Jackson’s preferred method of expression, earning him the nickname “Minstrel with a Message.” In over 40 years of songwriting, Jackson has used music as a ve hicle for change and awareness.
In May 2021, when the re mains of 215 children were found near Kamloops, B.C., Jackson released the song Lost Souls , which highlights the grim reality of what residential school survivors experienced and gives voice to those who have been lost and the victims who have been silenced.
“In the world of Truth and Reconciliation, we will not find reconciliation until we find truth,” Jackson said of the song. “The truth may be painful, but pain is part of the process of the sacred healing journey. Although the work is difficult, it will di rectly contribute to the health and well-being of the present and future generations. Two hundred and fifteen lost souls now have a voice.”
Truth and Reconciliation are on people’s minds as awareness grows around the country. This spring, Jackson joined forces with Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and nu merous other Canadian creatives to create The Bear and the Wild Rose an online video series of stories and songs about love, hope, resilience, and dreams.
“I thought it would be a fine opportunity to produce health for a world that needs hope, empathy, faith, and love,” Jackson shared. “I can’t speak for the audience, but for my part, the journey was in spired, and inspiring. In my opin ion, art that results in proactive change has indelible value.”
“We, as a wounded species, must learn to forgive but never forget,” he continued. “The healing journey may be painful, but it will come. We must pave the way with compas sion…help those who are pathless. Truth and Reconciliation need love.”
‘Love’ is a word that Jackson shared is one of his greatest sources of inspiration and healing—and specified that he means love as a verb.
“It’s like a pill…call someone and tell ’em you love ’em! It’s good for them, and it’s good for you,” Jackson advised. “Ask them to do the same and then go and do something for somebody else. Repeat as needed.”
Every Child Matters: A New Legacy was the theme for this year’s Annual Chiefs Assembly, held on June 14-16 in Toronto, Ontario. The event was hosted by the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and the Independent First Nations (IFN) and held on the traditional territory of many Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
Many First Nations leaders, citizens, technicians, youth, and Elders made the journey from across Ontario to join and celebrate culture, discuss current situations and create plans for the future. In addition, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, attended this year’s event.
During the assembly, the IFN and COO hosted an evening event of inspiration, healing, and entertainment. Youth from different communities shared their moving and poignant thoughts on what Every Child Matters means to them. The Council Fire Youth
Drum group provided beautiful cultural singing and dancing entertainment, Logan and Layla Staats gave a stirring musical performance, and Oneida singers, Janice Ninham, Breeze Brown, Amanda Doxtator, and Semya Doxtator, provided a rich and empowering cultural performance for those in attendance. It was an inspiring evening enjoyed by all.
The assembly provided updates on many important issues and priorities for First Nations in Ontario, including First Nations children in care, First Nations languages and education, land and environmental matters, eco nomic development, and First Nations laws and jurisdiction. Many Elders and youth provided updates and participated in the event, as well.
“The most important take away from the event was the secured compensation for the First Nations children who were in care,” said Ontario Regional Chief (ORC) Glen Hare. “Al though money cannot erase what happened to these chil dren, it can help provide for needs they have now due to the trauma they experienced
by being unnecessarily taken away from their families or while in care.”
Twenty-three resolutions were passed by the Chiefs and proxies related to governance, language revitalization, health and well ness, education sovereignty, natural resource development, and biodiversity.
“The priorities right now are to meet with the Prime Minister, and the re-elected [Ontario] Premier, Doug Ford, and ministers, to further discuss bettering education for First Nations children and ensuring concrete action towards addressing First Nations-specific priorities,” ORC Hare said. “It is time for us—both First Nations and the Government of Ontario—to commit to a renewed relationship, based on the spirit and intent of reconciliation, and recognition of First Nations’ Inherent and Treaty-protected rights.”
Additionally, the Chiefs-inAssembly passed two resolutions addressing inflation and improving economic policy and strategic infrastructure development for First Nations in Ontario. These resolutions include
Resolution 22/19, Fighting Rising Inflation in Communities by Matching Federal Funding with Inflation, and Resolution 22/21, Closing the Infrastructure Gap in First Nation Communities These resolutions provide direction for the COO to assist communities in their advocacy and provide additional support and accessible options to secure greater economic independence for their communities.
In keeping with the theme of the event, 45 Chiefs-inAssembly signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal ministers requesting a two-year extension beyond the deadline of July 13, 2022, to submit claims by those who were physically, emotionally, spiritually, or psychologically harmed in the federally run Indian Day Schools. The letter also advocates for settlement agreement amendments to ensure victims can adjust the level of compensation in their claim and to ensure inperson support is available for all claimants beyond what is currently available through call centres. In addition to
the financial restitution to claimants, the long-term mental health effects of claimants must also be considered and taken into account.
“The Every Child Matters theme is an ongoing theme for every event because every child does matter, and not all our children have been found and returned to their families yet,” ORC Hare said. “As we approach the sec ond, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I encourage all to reflect on the painful and lasting impacts of residential schools in Canada. I do not like the word ‘anniversary’—an anniversary is a celebration, and there is noth ing to celebrate. Also, the phrase ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ is not appropriate anymore—the truth is out, and everyone knows what happened. We need to focus on reconciliation now, and [on] how we all can get along and work to gether—this is the message I am moving forward with.”
The Annual Chiefs Assembly was a successful event with plen ty of camaraderie and collabora tion on steps to move forward, creating hope for the future for all First Nations in Ontario.
Supporting First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood.
Many countries have snow, hock ey, oil, friendly people, and pub lic healthcare. But no country on Earth is as open to immigrants and refugees as we are.
Canadians’ welcoming dispo sition is not just enlightened but essential: as the population ages, our very prosperity depends upon an influx of educated, energized newcomers—the very best from
around the world—who choose to make Canada home. They also bring wonderful music, food, and ideas that enrich us all.
Even though Canada thrives when newcomers choose to be come Canadian, their choice to do so hinges upon a strangely in tangible feeling: belonging.
Belonging is funny. You know it when you feel it, but it’s practically
impossible to pinpoint the precise moment when you transition from perceiving yourself as an outsider to intuitively believing that this is my place—that these are my people.
Though tough to identify, these moments are vital to our national success. Canada’s future prosperity and dynamism de pend on hundreds of thousands of people per year realizing that suddenly, they belong.
Given that our prosperity de pends on these moments of be longing, you might be surprised to learn that only one organization in the country has dedicated itself to cultivating that experience for newcomers—each and every one of them.
It’s not the government. It’s not a company. It’s a charity called the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), founded in 2005 by Adrienne Clarkson and renowned Canadian writer John Ralston Saul.
The ICC has created a fast track to belonging called the Canoo Access Pass. It’s an app that gives
newcomers and their kids free ac cess to Canada’s best culture and nature attractions for a year, plus exclusive deals with leading brands like VIA Rail, Air Canada, Cirque du Soleil, and more.
Over 450,000 newcomers have enjoyed Canoo. Eighty-six per cent report an enhanced feeling of be longing in Canada after enjoying the program for just one year, and it’s easy to see why.
Nuno Silva used Canoo to buy half-price train tickets and visit every single province. Now, he be longs. “These Canadian landmarks are now my places as well,” he said.
Navneet wasn’t much of a camper. But Canoo gave her free access to all Parks Canada sites, so she gave it a try, and she’s glad she did because, in her words, “those are the experiences of being Canadian.” She’s taken her daughter to Detta, Northwest Territories, forging lasting connections with Indigenous people there. All thanks to Canoo.
In May 2022, with the help of generous Canadian donors, Canoo
expanded. It’s now available to over 2,000,000 recent newcomers and includes new pathways to belong ing, like volunteering. Since the relaunch, downloads of the Canoo app are up over 500 per cent and new companies and organizations join the Canoo welcome network each week.
ICC CEO Daniel Bernhard thinks Canoo is Canada’s secret weapon in the global competition for talent. “To be the best, we need to bring the best,” said Bernhard. “For Canada to retain the world’s most educated and energized new comers, we need to ensure they love it here. Canoo is the only initiative that puts hundreds of thousands of newcomers in the position to feel that moment of belonging upon which all of us depend. And they don’t even know it. They’re too busy having fun, loving Canada, and contributing to our shared success.”
Donations to the ICC’s Canoo program are tax-deductible. Donate at inclusion.ca/donate THRIVES. INCLUSION.CA
In 1973, six-year-old Phyllis Webstad left her home on the Dog Creek reserve in B.C. and was enrolled in St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. Before she left, her grandmother, who she affectionately calls granny, bought her a brand new orange shirt. On her first day at school, she was stripped of her clothes and all her belongings, never to wear her orange shirt again.
From what she experienced at St. Joseph’s and the longing for what was taken from her, Webstad started Orange Shirt Day, an initiative observed annually on September 30, to create conversation about residential schools, to honour survivors and their families and to remember those who didn’t make it. The day is now recognized as a national holiday in Canada, known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“I am humbled and honoured that my story of my orange shirt was chosen to be a
vehicle for change in Canada,”
Webstad explained. “It’s amazing how the day has gained momentum and continues to grow. I’m happy that so many people are beginning to understand and learn about residential schools and their effects; I’m happy that survivors and families can talk and even heal together. I’m thankful to everyone for participating and learning about what happened to us.”
In 2021, countless unmarked graves were found at residential schools across the country, which has prompted Canadians to learn more about the true story behind these schools and take action alongside survivors.
For Webstad , this is a story she knows all too well.
“The unmarked graves are being confirmed, we have always known about the children buried at residential school sites,” she said. “I prefer to use confirmed and not discovered.”
Webstad ’s story isn’t independent to her—not only did thousands of Indigenous people attend these schools
across Canada, but Phyllis is one of 14 in her own family who attended Residential Schools.
“My grandmother was the first generation in our family to attend St. Joseph’s. All of her 10 children, including my mother, attended. My son was at the last operating residential school in Canada when it closed in 1996,” she explained.
Explaining what her own experience was like, Webstad said, “My experience was lonely, a lot of crying, I wasn’t sure what was happening or why. I was confused as to why we were there and why granny wasn’t coming to get me if she knew I was there.
I learned to disassociate, to leave my physical body and go home. I became very good at it. Even today I can do this, it’s scary when I come back to my body I need to confirm to myself where I am and what I’m doing.”
Sharing her story has been a large part of Webstad ’s healing journey. She has released three books, one of which was released in September 2021,
that explain her experiences in residential schools, all centred around the thing that started it all: her orange shirt.
“Writing the books has brought me to places I would never have gone to and I’ve met people I would not have otherwise met,” she said.
“Travelling and meeting people and hearing their stories has helped me to understand the impact residential schools have had across Canada and beyond. Knowing my story and the story of my family is not unique has helped me to not be so hard on myself and to love myself and my family more.”
Similarly, Webstad teamed up with Canadian Geographic and filmmaker Sean Stiller to bring her story to the big screen. The 90-minute documentary, called “Returning Home”, tells the story about the parallels of the struggles of Indigenous peoples with residential schools and the salmon spawn on the Fraser River, “Canadians need to learn the stories and the truth from survivors and their families and the impact it’s had on generations.”
Indigenous communities are underrepresented in Canada’s tech labour market. Only 2.2 per cent of the Canadian tech workforce is Indigenous, according to a study from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship.
Although Indigenous Peoples are the fastest-growing population in Canada, there is a great deal of largely untapped talent and potential among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Systemic barriers and the exclusion of Indigenous from participation and leadership in the tech industry narrows the perspectives and possibilities to create better and more inclusive digital solutions for diverse societies.
Indigenous Friends Association (IFA) strongly believes that there is a need to decolonize the tech sector and champion transformative reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion policies and practices.
Founded in 2015, IFA is an Indigenous-led tech not-for-profit organization that grew from the need for Indigenous youth in an urban and post-secondary setting to access safer digital spaces and connect them to their peers.
A community-based initiative, the IFA directly responds to the Calls to Action No. 7 (i.e., reduce employment and educational gaps) and 66 (i.e., Youth Program) of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, supporting the elimination of the education and employment gaps of Indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the IFA is guided and reinforced by the pressing need to address the dark legacy of colonial policies upon Indigenous Peoples, such as the Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the current child welfare system. Thus, the IFA aims to provide Indigenous Peoples and allies with the necessary tools to build partnerships and promote digital projects that place Indigenous understandings at their core.
In order to inspire and support the imagination of Indigenous commu nities to create and maintain their digital technology to further their autonomy, the IFA has developed three programs that address this gap.
This immersive wellness, tech education, and mentorship program was created through Indigenous
worldviews for/by racialized individuals. The INDIGital Program allows participants to heal through technology. The program covers topics of Indigeneity while connecting it with digital technology and aims to teach digital literacy to Indigenous youth all over Turtle Island. Participants develop digital, employable life skills by reconnecting with their community values and culture.
The IndigiMobile Program is a software development initiative designed to imagine, create and deploy digital applications that integrate Indigenous traditional knowledge and values into their de sign, where privacy and community expressions are central. Some of the successful projects of this program are IndigiFriends and IndigiHealth apps, both of which are available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.
This community-based research program is inquiring about the barriers of Indigenous youth entering the labour market and
transitioning to sustainable career pathways in tech and innovation while being able to deepen their cultural connections and identities. The impact of these programs is that Indigenous Peoples can become creators of digital technologies instead of simple users. These programs allow for digital skills development among Indigenous Peoples by linking digital spaces with traditional knowledge and worldviews. Your support, whether through
donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, will help reduce the persistent education and employment disparities between Indigenous and nonIndigenous peoples in Canada while engaging in reconciliation through collaborative learning and civic engagement.
Help support Indigenous Friends Association in continuing these programs by donating at indigenousfriends.org/ donatenow Indigenous
PHYLLIS WEBSTAD © JOHN DELLThis past year has been incredibly historic for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. People across the globe were shocked by the uncovering of unmarked graves on the grounds of former Residential Schools. This devastating discovery disheartened the country and the world as more people confronted the dark history surrounding Residential Schools in Canada, however, this was not a surprise for Indigenous Peoples and it validated what generations have claimed.
There were some positive developments within this year as well. After meeting with a group of Indigenous representatives at the Vatican, Pope Francis embarked on a penance tour on Canadian soil. This included an apology for the role that members of the Catholic Church had in establishing and perpetuating Residential Schools, where more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend and subjected to cultural genocide. While many were not fully satisfied with this apology, especially with its omission of the role the church itself played
within Residential Schools and the extent of the abuses children experienced there, it represented a significant moment for some Survivors and their families.
The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) knows that now, more than ever, the work accomplished and momentum gained to advance Reconciliation and create a better future for Indigenous Peoples in Canada must continue. To do so, Canadians must be educated about Indigenous cultures, languages, traditions, and most importantly, the history, particularly surrounding the ongoing post-traumatic and resulting socio-economic impacts on seven generations.
The LHF is a national Indigenous-led organization raising awareness about the history and impacts of the Residential and Day School System and subsequent Sixties Scoop on generations of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities.
For over 22 years, the LHF has addressed discrimination and injustice by working for
and contributing to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and by fostering Reconciliation. We at the LHF firmly believe that the path toward a just country lies through using culturallysafe research practices to create effective educational curriculum and communication resources along with the sharing of firstperson Testimonies by Survivors. To achieve this vision of equality in Canada, the LHF has developed and continues to circulate historically accurate, rich, and comprehensive collections of exhibitions, curricula, workshops, training for employers, podcasts, projects, and research reports for everyone to access and learn about Indigenous Peoples. Through this education and relationshipbuilding process, more Canadians will have access to the truth about what Indigenous Peoples have endured through colonial policies, learn to appreciate the rich, and culturally diverse contributions of Indigenous Nations, as well as learn about the strength and resilience of generations of Survivors. Through this exchange,
mutual respect, understanding, and compassion can be nurtured, leading to a country where hope and healing overpower racism and injustice.
The LHF is committed to establishing a work environment that attracts and retains top talent and cementing itself as a financially viable organization that continues to attract funding for its projects. Along with this, the LHF is guided by tenacious Indigenous leadership who not only remain accountable but are passionately committed to seeking a diverse range of voices, being transparent, seeking the truth, and nurturing health and wellness for all.
Every year, the LHF continues to remain true to its fundamental values and objectives, consistently working with Survivors, using research, education, and advocacy to inspire others to promote and honour Truth and Reconciliation.
The Legacy of Hope Foundation has already educated and inspired thousands of people across Canada and, with your generous support, we will reach thousands more. The LHF is a registered charitable organization
(#863471520RR0001). Tax receipts are issued for donations exceeding $10.
To purchase any curricula, access free educational materials and reports, or book a training session/ workshop or an exhibition, please visit www.legacyofhope.ca or call us at +1-613-237-4806 or toll-free at 1-877-553-7177
When Leigh Joseph first began creating skincare products, it was to give herself a creative outlet that would include her research from her day job as an ethnobotanist. Working as a plant scientist studying the interrelationships between people and plants, she began creating products with plant ingredients that she sustainably harvested and gifted them to elders within her community. Soon, her hobby turned
into Sk_wálwen (skwall-win) Botanicals—a luxury skincare brand handmade in British Columbia.
Joseph is from the Squamish First Nation and created her brand with Indigenous history in mind, honouring her heritage and love for the land.
“ Sk_wálwen translates to ‘heart’ or ‘essence of being’ in the Squamish language,” she explained. “This name honours the inspiration behind the brand: building connections to the land
through working with plants in a way that feeds one’s heart and spirit. Our products incorporate heritage botanicals that are gentle on your skin and carry ancestral knowledge and place-based alchemy.”
The products, which range from face and body products to home items, are given Squamish names, which Joseph explains is a way to acknowledge where the plant comes from.
“Each Sk_wálwen product has a Squamish name, and every order we send out includes a translation card with the English pronunciation so you can say the names aloud and feel their presence,” Joseph shared. “This is my way of honouring the Squamish language, sharing it with others, and contributing to its resurgence.”
When discussing the Squamish names, Joseph noted that the Squamish language, like many Indigenous languages, has been impacted almost to the point of extinction. Today, there is an
active language resurgence happening in the Squamish Nation, and more speakers are being trained in the language every year.
Joseph’s brand has not only been a way for her to share her Indigenous roots with the world but a way to give back to the land and Indigenous communities that surround her own. Through their partnerships, Sk_wálwen works to uplift Indigenous communities and shine a light on the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples. To do so, Sk_wálwen launched two key initiatives: their Ceremony Series and the hiýám´ project.
The Ceremony Series is a seasonal offering of smallbatch, handmade skincare and wellness experiences, with 10 per cent of proceeds being donated to organizations that support Indigenous causes.
The hiýám´ project is a collaboration with Satin Flower Nursery that facilitates thousands of seeds planted on Indigenous lands.
“One of the most powerful
ways I have found to connect to culture and community has been through learning from and working with Indigenous plants,” Joseph said. “My family history has shaped who I am. As a mother of two young children, I am aware of how my work with plants can offer them a connection to the land and to our traditional Squamish knowledge.”
When it comes to creating the products, Joseph uses Squamish cultural teachings to harvest the materials sustainably. Once they are harvested, the plants are processed, which usually includes scraping bark, cleaning, hanging to dry, infusing in oil, and more. After processing, it’s time to create, where Joseph develops each recipe based on the particular plants.
Each batch of Sk_wálwen products is made with care and intention, bringing you luxurious skincare products free from harsh chemicals, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colours, and parabens.
The high school graduation rate for Indigenous youth currently hovers around 40 per cent na tionally, compared to mainstream Canada, which is closer to 75 per cent. With most Indigenous families affected by the traumatic past of Residential Schools, the benefits of education have been somewhat lost from parents to children. Moreover, arts educa tion is not always accessible in our communities. Outside Looking In (OLI) addresses both of these issues with our flagship dance pro gram that allows youth to engage with movement and have a space to feel free and express themselves. I hoped to create a program that would develop the relationship between youth and their educa tion, igniting Indigenous success for generations to come.
Over the last 15 years, we are proud to have demonstrated that our model works! Youth involved in OLI Dance have a 97 per cent graduation rate. Almost three times that of the national average for Indigenous youth. Our OLI
Dance program has extended into over 30 communities, and we’ve been expanding our pro gramming to better support our youth every step of the way— from high school to the career path of their choice.
OLI hosts our annual performance at Meridian Hall every May in Toronto, marking the culmination of hard work,
This wouldn’t be possible without the generous support
from our donors. Donor support has helped instill confidence in kids like Tegan, from St. Theresa Point First Nation, who told us that through OLI, they “…learned that when I give it my all, I can go beyond my limits.” We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished in our first fifteen years, and there’s still so much work to be done. We need your help to bring OLI
into as many communities across Canada as possible.
Join OLI in empowering Indigenous success by giving a monthly gift of $30. If monthly giving isn’t accessible to you, consider giving a one-time gift of $125. Every donation, however big or small, propels our work.
True reconciliation is righting past wrongs that have failed our youth. We can do better today and affect significant community change. This wouldn’t be possible without generous people like you believing that Indigenous youth deserve the opportunity to pursue education, explore self-expression through the arts and shape their own journey to success.
Join us as we change the lives of Indigenous youth by igniting Indigenous success, providing the vital support needed to empower our youth, encourag ing them to be proud of who they are, and celebrating their achievements, together.
Donate today by scanning the QR code on the banner, or donate online at www.olishow.com/hero22
© COURTESY OF LEGACY OF HOPE
True Reconciliation requires consistent, positive, and informed action by everyone. Together, we can create a legacy that will educate and empower Canadians for years to come.
dedication, and perseverance from hundreds of Indigenous youth across the country. This has evolved to become Canada’s Largest Indigenous Youth Performance, where audience members learn about the youth and their communities, while watching them showcase their art.
©
LEIGH
The COVID-19 pandemic high lighted how essential it is to be connected with others, especially as we age. Maintaining social in teractions is crucial for our health and wellbeing and helps to com bat the impacts of loneliness.
“Those who were socially isolated, experiencing poorer health and of lower socioeconomic status [are] more likely to have worsening depression as compared to their pre-pandemic depression status collected as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging since 2011,” says coauthor Parminder Raina, a professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact and scientific director of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging.
Soon after the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, Nucleus Independent Living, a community-based, not for profit health organization that provides personal care support to seniors and adults with physical disabilities, partnered with CompanionLink, a volunteer-based organisation focused on combating loneliness, to
establish a Virtual Companion Call (VCC) program to help address isolation in the communities most vulnerable seniors.
The program creates social connections between Nucleus’ clients and CompanionLink’s trained volunteers through phone or video calls every week. Match es are often based on common interests and languages spoken.
“This program makes me feel so good. I am very thankful and very excited to be a part of it. It helps me have contact with other people and being connected with younger people helps me understand what is going on in the world in a different way.”
—Nucleus Companion Call client.
By March 31, 2022, 52 cli ents and 50 volunteers were participating in weekly connec tions, dramatically increasing the hours of engagement that clients received and providing them with newfound support.
The program data suggests that clients felt their participation
reduced their feelings of lone liness. All clients surveyed ex pressed that they felt very satis fied with the program and that their companion has become an important part of their life.
The program continues to ac cept referrals. For more informa tion, visit nucleusonline.ca.
Nucleus Independent Living is a community support service agency in the Mississauga Halton region. Within all of their pro grams, Nucleus operates under the philosophy that, with appro priate support, seniors and adults
with disabilities can continue to live their lives and be part of their communities. There’s no place like home, after all, and Nucleus champions independent living by helping seniors live well, both at home and within their com munities, while incorporating each person’s preferences and choices. Their Attendant Care Services, including non-medical physical assistance with day-today activities, bathing, feeding, medication assistance, and more, provide care and relief to seniors and adults with physical disabil ities. Their focus is on maintain ing autonomy, providing assis tance and support where needed to help clients and families adapt to their care needs and help them feel empowered to contribute to their own wellbeing.
With the help of Nucleus Independent Living, nearly 3,000 seniors have avoided placement in long-term care by accessing 24/7 access to non-medical sup port at home.
Learn more at www.nucleusonline.ca
ALLIE MURRAY
When Michelle Good set out to write her first novel, she was determined to find a way to connect Indigenous and nonIndigenous readers through a story that Indigenous people know all too well: the trauma and hurt experienced at the hands of Canada’s Residential School system.
Good is of Cree ancestry and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation. For as long as she can remember, she has been an advocate for Residential School survivors, which led her to write her debut novel Five Little Indians
“It is my sincere wish, and the reason I wrote the book, that non-Indigenous Canadians will begin to truly understand that Residential Schools were a life and death experience for the children and the impacts of the trauma experienced there continues to resonate through our communities,” Good
explained. “We didn’t just experience this as individuals, we experienced it collectively as well.”
The novel follows five students—Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie, and Maisie—as they leave the church-run residential school in British Columbia and adjust to a new life in Vancouver. The story takes place
over decades and shows the five friends crossing paths time and time again as they work through the trauma they endured at the Residential School.
From writing the first paragraph to publication, it took nine years for Five Little Indians to be finished. Good notes that the slow process was necessary, saying that it’s
not a subject she wanted to approach lightly.
Good explained that as Indigenous people work through their healing, and non-Indigenous Canadians come to understand what truly happened at these schools, she hopes her novel aids in the healing process.
“There are few things more
healing than being heard,” Good shared. “I hope survivors reading this book come away knowing they’ve been heard. I focused on the aftermath of the schools— the kids trying to survive after leaving—to show the ongoing impacts and the tremendous burden of psychological injury survivors bear.”
While writing the book, Good wanted the reader to immediately be confronted with the severity of the book’s themes.
“The title is in reference to the terrible, racist nursery rhyme that has been used to dehumanize many peoples of colour,” she said. “I wanted the reader to know immediately that this was a book about profound racism.”
Since the novel was released in April 2020, Good has received a number of accolades for her work; winning the 2021 Amazon Canada First Novel Award, the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Awards and more.
In Ojibwe, “Mindimooyenh” means “one who holds things together.” It is a term that embodies Indigenous women’s responsibilities, recogniz ing the pivotal role and hard-earned wisdom regarding life’s passages, such as contending with sickness and disease that they exercised within their families and commu nities. The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) recognized early in the pandemic that there was increased violence and decreased ac cess to care for Indigenous women, families and vulnerable communi ty members. The importance of ONWA’s Mindimooyenh leadership responsibility during the pandemic was evident; ONWA expanded their services to ensure that Indigenous women and their families had access to culturally-grounded ho listic health services and better systems navigation.
ONWA, with the help of likeminded partners, quickly mobilized to respond to the need for holistic, culturally grounded health services. With limited resources, the ONWA team switched all program priorities towards mobilization of the Mindimooyenh Health Clinic and opened the vaccine clinic
doors on March 9, 2021—one week after committing to lead an urban Indigenous vaccine clinic in Thunder Bay.
The entire ONWA team was committed to assisting community members by switching the focus to providing an honouring cultural and personal space for Indigenous community members to be vaccinated. ONWA also recognized the importance of maintaining the family unit during the administration of
vaccines. Alongside western forms of healing, ONWA incorporated culture throughout the clinic by providing traditional medicines to achieve the safe space Indigenous women and their families need. The blend of traditional and western forms of healing in the same space contributed to the clinic’s 99 per cent success rate.
In late November 2021, the Mindimooyenh Health Clinic became solely operated by ONWA and continues to be the longest,
largest running Indigenous COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Thunder Bay. The ONWA’s Mindimooyenh Health Clinic team has vaccinated over 12,000 community members over the last year and continues to provide traditional medicines to assist community members in their own healthcare journey.
The Mindimooyenh Health Clinic has now become a funded program that includes land-based healing programs and a mobile vaccination unit. The mobile unit meets community members where they are at and provides vaccinations and health outreach supports. The Clinic has a ded icated toll-free number, 1-807697-1753, that functions as a health information line, vaccine booking line and navigation re source for community members across Ontario. The phoneline op erates Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is staffed by nurses and navigators to provide health support and answer questions.
ONWA also launched a vac cine hesitancy media campaign and produced three short vid eos outlining the vaccination
process and what to expect from the clinic, as well as a provincial vaccination campaign and pub lic service announcements. The videos were shared on ONWA’s website, www.onwa.ca and social media, as well as with partner agencies to help alleviate anxiety around the vaccination process.
The Mindimooyenh Health movement at ONWA has been a growing success in increasing timely, safe, culturally focused vaccination access for urban Indigenous people in Thunder Bay and the area.
ONWA amplifies the voices of Indigenous women that quality, safe, culturally focused health care across an Indigenous women’s life cycle is critical in post-pandemic re covery. ONWA continues to work together to address systemic racism and discrimination that Indigenous women and their families face at the policy, research and program level, as well as advocate to ensure ONWA remains at the forefront of delivering culturally-grounded, gender-based and trauma-informed health programs and services.
© GEORGE ARTHUR PFLUEGER
naming ceremonies for children and women and key programming to enhance cultural connection.
Toronto where Indigenous women could share resources, support one another, and practice their tradi tional ways. A registered charity, the NWRCT provides a safe and welcoming environment for all Indigenous women and children in the Greater Toronto Area, providing access to basic rights items, housing support, commu nity wellness, family and children programming, employment, and education support. NWRCT offers cultural healing along with access to ceremonies and two in-house Traditional Practitioners/Healers.
In over three decades of service, NWRCT has been able to increase its cultural ceremonies by offering in-person and virtual one-on-ones, monthly full moon and shake tent ceremonies. The centre also provides a variety of sharing and teaching circles. Throughout the pandemic, NWRCT has main tained weekly drumming circles, drum making, medicine teachings,
The centre provides Traditional Medicines, along with traditional tools such as ribbon skirt making, drums, rattles, medicine bags and support along with each item.
Operationally in professional development, the staff continue to have access to healers and par ticipate in sharing/teaching circles to promote cultural capacity and wellness among the team.
“It is a privilege to have the oppor tunity to learn Anishinaabemowin with the language program of the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto. Our class has devel oped a bond of friendship as we help, support and encourage each other while we learn to speak this beautiful language. Every week I look forward to the time we share in our little family learning and growing together.”
—Tammy Patrick, NWRCT memberNWRCT also promotes the ac tive use of firekeepers from various
clients, community members, and staff to encourage responsibility and support individual and community empowerment. NWRCT regularly holds sacred fires for community healing and honouring in the past year and then expanded it to
“connected fires,” with five fires being held across Canada at con nected times. This came about as a response to the pandemic, the find ings of unmarked graves, and the ongoing stressors that Indigenous women face in this country.
“It has been an invaluable experience and such a pleasure to connect, share and learn with others in the group who have been an integral part of this deeply enriching and lifeaffirming journey! I hope that we can continue to grow and learn together in the future.”
—Saira N’dishnikaas, NWRCT memberNWRCT offers an opportuni ty for reconnection to ceremony and culture to build the confi dence and capacity within the woman and to strengthen the family unit. We do this through a harm reduction and protocol flexible approach to healing and access. We know that some of the most vulnerable moments in life are when one might need the most access and connection. We know by leading in this way, women will continue to heal and find their connection and protection with the spirit.
For more information, please visit our website www.nwrct.ca
For over 25 years, Captain Randy Bair served with the Muskoday First Nation Volunteer Fire Department. A mentor to many, Bair’s work in the Fire and Rescue Service extended over 40 years, until his death from cancer on January 29, 2021, at the age of 61.
It was Bair who shouldertapped Michelle Vandervord to join the Muskoday First Nation Volunteer Fire Department. Twenty-three years later, Vandervord is the longest-serving female firefighter, the first female Captain in the department’s history, and the Associate Director for Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management (SFNEM) in Prince Albert.
Through Vandervord, Bair’s memory lives on—not just in her work to protect her community but in her passion for passing on knowledge and skills so that First Nations can lead and manage their emergencies.
“A big part of my job is teaching firefighters how to
deliver fire prevention programs to the communities they serve,” Vandervord shared in a 2020 interview. “This is a very important part of my job and one that is close to my heart.
All fire calls that we attend are preventable. If we can increase awareness of fire hazards in the home and community everyone will be safer, and firefighters will respond to less calls. Everyone in the community plays a part in fire safety.”
National statistics show that Indigenous peoples are ten times more likely to die in fire-related incidents, and those living on reserves are 18 times more likely to evacuate due to disasters.
Building the capacity for emergency preparedness in these communities is critical, but comes with challenges; starting a fire department, securing a building and equipment, and connecting volunteers are all essential steps that Vandervord has been working to implement nationally.
However, one program is taking on the task of empowering Indigenous
youth leadership in emergency preparedness. The Preparing Our Home Program is an inclusive, people-centred communitybased approach that strengthens disaster resilience capabilities in Indigenous communities by building leadership through youth training and exercises.
Founded in 2014, this global and national award-winning program has brought together participants from over 70 communities across Turtle Island, connecting youth, Elders, and community members and weaving together Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous and Western Science.
True emergency preparedness is action-oriented and experienced through practice. Preparing Our Home workshops find the intersection of traditional knowledge and emergency tactics. But perhaps the most important aspect of the Preparing Our Home Program is the role of women as leaders. Program participants are largely women; Indigenous women are foundational to
family, community, governance, and societal wellbeing as life givers, water carriers, knowledge keepers, professionals, and leaders. Women are reclaiming their power in community safety by coming together and pursuing professions like firefighting and being leaders in emergency preparedness.
The “Randy’s Shoulder Tap” scholarship, organized
by Preparing Our Home and administered through SFNEM, is for Indigenous female firefighters starting their careers. Just as Bair’s shoulder tap to Vandervord led her to break glass ceilings and become a national role model, this scholarship is a natural next step to support women in reclaiming their power and pursuing leadership roles.
A healthy world begins with healthy communities. In Canada and across the globe, Indigenous children experience an unequal burden of health and social challenge. For hundreds of years, colonial policies have undermined Indigenous families and their health and wellbeing. Currently, there are gaps in the adequacy and safety of services focused on the health of Indigenous families.
The Well Living House (WLH), an action research centre focused on Indigenous infant, child, and family health, aims to change that by nurturing places and spaces where Indigenous Peoples can gather and share knowledge and resources about happy and healthy community living.
Born of a partnership between Indigenous health researchers and Indigenous community partners, WLH is led by Métis physician and scientist, Dr. Janet Smylie. The organization brings together Indigenous scientists, health work ers, Elders, community leaders, and trainees, creating a human network committed to advancing the health of Indigenous Peoples.
Their research is designed to be of tangible and practical benefit to Indigenous community partners— for example, design and evaluation of models of Indigenous midwifery and COVID-19 response.
Key to the success of Well Living House is a dedicated committee of guiding Elders, called the Counsel of Grandparents—the word choice is deliberate, symbolizing the value of what the Grandparents do and underlining their commitment to action. The following six grand parents, along with Dr. Smylie and their incredible team, have been instrumental in the success of Well Living House.
Maria Campbell, Cree-Métis Maria Campbell is a writer, play wright, teacher, activist, and ad vocate. She co-founded a women’s halfway house and a women and children’s safe-house in Edmonton (and maintained one in SK un til recently). She has mentored Indigenous artists and scholars in all forms of the arts and across academic disciplines. She has re ceived numerous awards for her contributions and was made an Officer of Canada in 2008.
Jan is the keeper of Earth Healing Herb Gardens and Retreat Centre, a recipient of the Smithsonian Peace Award, Order of Canada, and Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Guelph.
Carol Terry, Anishnawbe, Obishikokaang (Lac Seul)
Alita Sauve, Tahltan and Cree Alita is an Indigenous woman of two nations—Tahltan from British Columbia and Cree from Saskatchewan. A descendant of Traditional Medicine Societies, she shares her lifetime of learning through various teachings and ceremonies. Alita has provided service to the urban Indigenous community for 29 years, providing traditional teachings and ceremo nial ways.
Albert Dumont, Algonquin, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg An activist, volunteer and pub lished poet, Albert Dumont has long served his community as an Elder and spiritual advisor. He served as one of 13 Elders on the Elders Advisory Committee of the Ministry of the Attorney General and has dedicated his life to promoting Aboriginal spiritu ality and healing.
This fall marks ten years of Well Living House making a difference in the lives of Indigenous children. Learn more and show your support at welllivinghouse.com
© COURTESY OF PREPARING OUR HOME Jan Kahehti:io Longboat, Turtle Clan of the Mohawk Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River Jan has dedicated her life to the dissemination and learning of Indigenous language and culture as an advisor to the Ministry of Justice Aboriginal Court and educator at Mohawk College, McMaster, and the University of Toronto. Madeleine Kétéskwēw Dion Stout, Cree, Kehewin Cree Nation, Alberta A nurse, teacher, philosopher, and direct descendant of Big Bear, Ms. Dion Stout is a respected leader in the health and development of Indigenous people. She has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta in 2018 and the Order of Canada in 2015. An adult learner herself (BA, B.Ed) Carol Terry is a firm believer in lifelong learning. She has been a Program Manager for Health Canada and a Health Director for two different tribal councils. Carol and her family are passionate about being out on the lands of northwestern Ontario and across Canada by canoe and dog team.There are no heroes at the Students Commission of Canada (SCC) and the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement; there are movements and moments that generate legacies.
“We are learning to be ob noxious, but in a good way,” said a young person at an SCC conference in 1994, speaking for herself and many other SCC alumnae still today creating and implementing major social change policies, projects, and organiza tions across Canada.
Today, the conferences operate under the banner: The Canada We Want Movement and have influ enced Canada’s National Youth Policy, federal substance use poli cy, and major organizations such as Kids Help Phone, UNICEF, and YMCA, as well as fostered influential youth leadership and their start-ups such as Taking IT Global and Apathy is Boring.
In our view, movements start with moments: meeting and grant ing respect to someone very dif ferent from you. By listening care fully, you discover what you share and value in common. Then comes an emotional personal connection
to an issue that you suddenly un derstand differently, and together you build a bond to take action, improve the world and leave a leg acy. These four pillars are SCC’s values and processes: Respect, Lis ten, Understand, Communicate.™
Caring communication becomes the first action, and youth and adults, generation after genera tion, leave SCC programs and events applying these four pillars in their personal, volunteer and professional lives.
Movements arise when mo ments of being unheard, invisi ble or targeted are transformed into moments of connection, empathy, of feeling safe to be seen and heard.
As Co-Directors of SCC’s Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement, Dr. Heather Lawford of Bishop’s University and Dr. Heather Ramey of Brock University are building a body of evidence that explores the moments and sustained mechanisms by which children and youth identify problems and solutions, advocate for themselves and others, create and implement positive actions that shape the
world around them for right now and for the future.
In the 1950s and 60s, renowned psychologist Erik Erikson intro duced the concept of generativ ity, defined as concern for future generations as a legacy of the self which he, and researchers who followed, identified as occurring in the later phases of life.
Dr. Lawford and Dr. Ramey are challenging that notion, finding evidence that the seeds of gen erativity begin much earlier and failure to nurture youth’s capac ity or motivation to contribute to something larger is a mistake. “Our team has seen firsthand the generativity of youth at the Students Commission of Canada.
Our research shows that young people between the ages of 14 and 29 show levels of generative motivation that are as high or even higher than adults. Early genera tivity is also associated with caring friendships, community involve ment and healthy identity devel opment in adolescence and young adulthood. So not only are young people interested and capable of caring for future generations but doing so is likely good for them.”
Our mission is to help young people put their ideas into action and improve their lives and those of their peers. All children strive to be heroes, and with granted respect, our first pillar, we see the heroic component emerge from every child, adult, and organiza tion who helps them. We meet and nurture the generativity of thousands of children and youth and youth-serving organizations every year, supporting those who strive to improve our world and
leave a legacy. We know that working in a networked way with others lives and breathes the con cept of generativity.
We hope you’re listening to the moments, often unheard, when the children and youth in your lives express their concern for the future of their world. We hope you respect and nurture their efforts to generate change and leave a legacy.
Visit studentscommision.ca to learn more.
Monesa Mubarez is not going to give up the rights she and other Afghan women won during 20 years of Westernbacked rule easily.
Before the hardline Islamist Taliban movement swept back to power a year ago, the
31-year-old served as a director of policy monitoring at the finance ministry.
She was one of many women, mostly in big cities, who won freedoms that a former generation could not have dreamed of under the Taliban’s previous rule in the late 1990s.
Now Mubarez has no
job, after the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law severely limited women’s ability to work, required them to dress and act conservatively and closed secondary schools to girls across the country.
Under the new government, there are no women in the cabinet and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs was shut down.
“One war ended, but the battle to find a rightful place for Afghan women has started...We will raise our voice against every injustice until the last breath,” said Mubarez, who is among the most prominent campaigners in the capital Kabul.
Despite the risk of beatings and detention by Taliban members patrolling the streets in the weeks after the Western-backed government was toppled, she took part in several protests that broke out, determined to protect her hard-fought rights.
Those demonstrations have died down—the last one Mubarez
took part in was on May 10.
But she and others meet in homes in private acts of defiance, discussing women’s rights and encouraging people to join the cause. Such gatherings would have been virtually unthinkable the last time the Taliban governed Afghanistan.
During one such meeting at her home in July, Mubarez and a group of women sat in a circle on the floor, spoke about their experiences and chanted words including “food”, “work” and “freedom” as if they were at an outdoor rally.
“We fight for our own freedom, we fight for our rights and status, we work for no country, organization or spy agency. This is our country, this is our homeland, and we have every right to live here,” she told Reuters.
The country representative for UN Women in Afghanistan, Alison Davidian, said stories like Mubarez’s are being repeated across the country.
“For many women across the world, walking outside the front door of your home is an ordinary part of life,” she said. “For many Afghan women, it is extraordinary. It is an act of defiance.”
While rules on women’s behaviour in public are not always clear cut, in relatively liberal urban centres like Kabul they often travel without a male chaperone. That is less common in more conservative regions, largely in the south and east.
All women are required to have a male chaperone when they travel more than 78 km.
The Taliban’s treatment of girls and women is one of the main reasons why the international community refuses to recognise Afghanistan’s new rulers, cutting off billions of dollars in aid and exacerbating an economic crisis.
For over 80 years, Scott Mission has been Toronto’s compassionate neighbour, helping vulnerable people escape poverty on a journey of transformation.
TIM JACOBSScott Mission is Toronto’s lon gest-serving support agency, grounded in Christian values and providing an array of essential life services—including nutritious food, groceries, gently used cloth ing, family services, and mental health counselling, among others. We are committed to enabling all people to achieve life transforma tion by overcoming poverty.
For every day of the past 80 years—despite a world war, reces sions, and the COVID-19 pan demic—Scott Mission has met the in-the-moment needs of our com munity without interruption. But since the pandemic, more and more seniors are coming to Scott Mission for help. It’s a troubling trend.
Toronto has the third-highest rate of senior poverty in Canadian cities. One in six Toronto seniors lives in poverty. Many also experience food insecurity— meaning they lack adequate or basic food. Food insecurity ranges from skipping meals to not being
able to afford groceries at all. Often, seniors are forced to choose between groceries or paying a bill. It is always directly linked to poverty.
“The levels and types of senior poverty are unlike anything we’ve seen before,” says Peter Duraisami, Scott Mission’s CEO.
Nearly 50 per cent of Scott Mission’s food-bank clients are age 60 or over, and one-third of our emergency shelter clients are over 60. Our seniors were vulner able before the pandemic. Now they are facing extreme poverty while others are now homeless at an advanced age.
“Our seniors face extra chal lenges beyond the obvious fi nancial ones,” says Julian Picon, manager of the emergency shelter.
“They experience greater phys ical health and mental wellness challenges, sometimes together,” he continues.
Kevin understands. He’s 63, has a disability, and rents a tiny basement apartment with only a microwave to cook with for $1,100 a month. He often reheats canned
spaghetti for a meal. So, he comes in several times a week for meals and to speak with a counsellor.
“I come to Scott Mission be cause of their willingness to help you out of whatever situation you’re in,” he remarks.
“I work, and I pay my rent,” he continues, “but I’m always struggling bad…”
He pauses, looks up from his meal, and whispers, “What if Scott Mission didn’t exist?”
What if Scott Mission didn’t exist?
It’s an important question. What would our seniors do without us? What about all our struggling neighbours?
One hundred thousand hot meals wouldn’t be available for those in need. Same for over 30,000 orders of groceries. There would be no clothing bank either. No emergen cy men’s shelter. No family support services. No counselling. Nothing to help vulnerable seniors like Kevin.
Scott Mission has been Toronto’s compassionate neighbour for over
80 years. We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.
We walk with our clients togeth er on their journey of transforma tion. But we need partners like you to walk with us so that we can help more vulnerable seniors in need.
Please make a gift in gratitude this Thanksgiving (scottmission.com/neighbour or 416-923-2400) so that we can continue to feed, clothe, and care for the poor like we always have.
MOVEMENTS © COURTESY OF STUDENT COMMISSION OF CANADA
Opportunity International Canada is a not-for-profit organization that empowers families along their jour ney out of extreme poverty to new lives filled with strength, hope, re silience and the power to achieve their dreams. In conjunction with Opportunity International, we provide microfinance services, including lending, savings, insur ance and transformational training to families living in poverty.
Our sustainable, scalable multi-faceted approach to pov erty alleviation drives big impact and lasting change by unlocking opportunities including access to financial services, training and mentoring, life-saving healthcare, quality education, and innovative technology.
As we enter the fall season, there is a familiar scene being played out in communities across Canada. The rush of return to school activities is now behind them, students and teachers have settled into their classrooms and the learnings of the academic year are well
Senior officials at several ministries said that policies regarding women were set by top leaders and declined to comment further. The Taliban leadership has said all Afghans’ rights will be protected within their interpretation of Sharia.
Rights groups and foreign governments have also blamed the group for abuses and thousands of civilian deaths while fighting an insurgency
underway. However, this is not a typical scene in many countries around the world. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 617 million children worldwide remained either out of school, or in school but not reaching adequate levels of learning. This perpetuates poverty and global inequality generation after generation.
At Opportunity International, we believe a quality education is a fundamental right. Research shows that giving a child access to a good education reduces poverty and inequality, increases life expectancy and gives women and girls more decision-making power. Greater overall levels of education within countries con tribute to greater peace, stability and gender equality.
Our objective is clear—More children learning and access ing quality education. To do this, Opportunity International, through its signature program Opportunity EduFinance, part ners with financial institutions to mobilize capital to school owners and parents and boost the capacity of school leaders and teachers.
against U.S.-led foreign troops and Afghan forces between 2001 and 2021.
The Taliban said they were resisting foreign occupation, and since returning to power have vowed not to pursue vendettas against former enemies. In cases where reprisals were reported, officials said last year they would investigate.
Gulestan Safari, a former female police officer, was forced to change her career after the Taliban stopped her from
After working in another school for several years, Esmairon desired to start a similar school in his home community. Therefore, in 2018 he founded a low-cost private school on the outskirts of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He started his school in a rented facility and obtained a school improvement loan from Cooperativa de Ahorro, Crédito y Servicios Múltiples Aspire, Inc., one of Opportunity International Canada’s Implementing Partners. He used this loan to purchase furniture and equipment for the school and to make renovations at the rented facility.
Esmairon’s school accommodates children between the ages of two and ten and began with an enrolment of 70 children. Through its good reputation and word of mouth, the school now has 215 children in at tendance (15 of whom have special needs) and employs several teach ers. Esmairon’s long term goal is to eventually purchase his own building that could be renovated to meet the various needs of the children.
entering the police department. Safari, 45, now carries out domestic chores for other families in Kabul.
"I loved my job...We could afford to buy everything we wanted; we could buy meat, fruit."
Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are banned from going to high school.
In March, the group
announced that female secondary schools would reopen, only to reverse its decision on the very morning that many girls had turned up excitedly for school.
Some have managed to enrol for private tutorials or online classes to continue their education. Others have found ways to study in secret. Several shelves full of books and a table tucked away inside a basement under the busting streets of Kabul have become a weapon against the Taliban regime's oppression of women, with the small library helping the girls who are unable to go to school due to a government ban.
In the 20 years between Taliban administrations, girls' schools opened for all ages and women were able to work more freely, particularly in urban areas.
"When we were informed about schools reopening in Paktia, we became hopeful for future again," said Muska, a student who was due to enter her final year of school in the northeastern province of Nangarhar, where girls' high schools are shut.
"We are hopeful about schools
reopening," echoed Kerishma Rasheedi, 16, who started private tuition as a temporary measure. She wants to leave the country with her parents so that she can return to school if they remain shut in Afghanistan.
"I will never stop studying," said Rasheedi. She moved to Kabul with her family from the northeastern province of Kunduz after their house there was hit by rockets during clashes in 2020.
Mohammad Maroufi, a tribal elder in the southern province of Kandahar, birthplace of the Taliban, said some local elders had been watching events in Paktia and hoped schools would open soon.
"We want school for girls. It is not my demand, it is the demand of the nation, education is Islamic and a human right. This right has been given by Islam," he told Reuters.
The international community continues to advocate for female rights and leadership roles for women in public and political life. Some women said they have had to accept the new norms in order to make ends meet.
(Source: Reuters)Hands up if you or someone you love has faced mental health chal lenges. In any given year, one in five Canadians will suffer from mental illness and by the age of 40, one in two will have, or have experienced, a mental illness. The crisis is real and the Awesome Music Project (AMP) is committed to making music part of the solution.
The Awesome Music Project’s mission is to spread the word about music’s healing properties and sup port research that helps shift society towards the consistent inclusion of music in mental health treatment. In addition to funding research, AMP develops music-based, communi ty-focused mental wellness programs and partners with businesses, com munity groups, local governments, schools, and other organizations to support local delivery.
“We want to make a tangible dif ference in mental wellness at a com munity level,” said AMP co-founder and Deloitte Canada’s GOC Chief Digital Officer Terry Stuart. “Mu sic really can change everything. I’ve personally benefitted from the posi tive impact of music on my mental health. It’s something that’s univer sally accessible across cultures and
generations and its healing powers can be experienced by everyone.”
The October 2019 release of AMP’s first book, the best-selling The Awesome Music Project Canada: Songs of Hope and Happiness helped to establish the charity nationally. A collection of 111 stories about the transformative power of mu sic, Songs of Hope and Happiness includes contributions from regu lar Canadians alongside recogniz able names like Sarah McLachlan, Rick Mercer, Alan Doyle, Chris Hadfield, and Jennifer Heil.
Building on that success, AMP has implemented two commu nity-focused programs to help amplify the message that music heals. Both AMP4Life and the Awesome Music Hour use music as the anchor for conversations about mental wellness. Piloted in long-term care homes and youth hubs respectively, AMP4Life and the Awesome Music Hour helped improve the mental wellness of par ticipants, building confidence, en couraging creativity, and increasing engagement in both groups.
Entering its fourth year, AMP’s ambitious agenda includes bringing both of these programs to commu nities across Canada. Delivered in partnership with local organizations and business leaders who support mental wellness in their communi ties, these programs can be adapted for any group—from youth and senior citizens to first responders, healthcare workers, Indigenous communities, and as corporate wellness initiatives.
Key to this effort is a major fundraising campaign that will
support the introduction of The Awesome Music Hour at hospi tals across the province of Ontario. “The strength and stability of our healthcare system depends on having a healthy, supported workforce,” said AMP’s Executive Director Cori Ferguson.
“If there’s a playlist that can change your mood, a band you love to see live, a song you always sing at the top of your lungs, or an instru ment that brings you joy when you play it, you already understand that music can improve mental wellness and mental health. It’s time to turn that belief into tangible support for our frontline healthcare workers, who have sacrificed so much over the last few years.”
To help us bring the Awesome Music Hour to your town by making a corporate donation or booking a one-hour AMH teambuilding event for your company, please contact AMP Executive Director Cori Ferguson at cori@ theawesomemusicproject.com. Online donations to support The Awesome Music Project can be made at www.canadahelps.org/ en/dn/53698
The Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH), a na tional not-for-profit organization, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The Coalition was established in 2002 during a Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry Symposium. The symposium participants overwhelmingly supported establishing an organization that would represent and advocate for seniors’ mental health issues and help develop and facilitate public and professional awareness of seniors’ mental health issues. And so, the CCSMH was born.
The CCSMH’s mandate is to promote older adults’ mental health and amplify the message that positive mental health can be enjoyed at every age. The Coalition has been led by three co-chairs, Dr. David Conn, Dr. Le Clair, and Dr. Kiran Rabheru, a Steering Committee and several outstanding Executive Directors (currently Claire Checkland). The Coalition has developed multiple evidencebased resources, from first-of-akind national guidelines to clinical tools and professional development products geared to health care
providers. This information has been adapted into resources for older adults and their families/ caregivers. With a small staff and many interdisciplinary connections, CCSMH is responsive and adapts to the ever-changing needs of the older population, ensuring that seniors’ mental health is recognized as a key Canadian health and wellness issue.
The Areas of Focus page on the
CCSMH website outlines work focused on delirium, depression, mental health in long-term care, suicide prevention and risk, sub stance use disorders and most recently, the release of accredited eLearning modules on Cannabis and Older Adults. Current initia tives include the development of national clinical guidelines and other tools and resources on anx iety and anxiety disorders, social
isolation and loneliness, as well as mental health issues while living with dementia.
The Canadian population is aging. According to Statistics Canada, nearly one in five Canadians today are 65 and older, and by 2030, older adults will make up 23 per cent of the population. Some older adults (one in four) live with mental health problems or illnesses like depression, anxiety, and dementia. Unfortunately, older adults, especially men, have high rates of suicide. On the other hand, most older Canadians (70 per cent) considered themselves in very good or excellent mental health last year (StatsCan, 2021), and 82 per cent enjoyed an overall higher life satisfaction than their younger counterparts (StatsCan, 2016).
Many strategies for staying physically healthy—being physi cally active, getting proper sleep, eating a balanced diet and keep ing our stress down—also help keep our brains healthy. Keeping our minds and emotions healthy can also be supported by staying
connected with family and friends and making new friends. Connecting to others helps us feel like we belong, reducing isolation. Look for activities that bring you into contact with others and provide opportunities for interaction.
Finding and feeding your pur pose never gets old. Our purpose and goals might change, but the need to have meaning in our lives persists. A 2018 study showed that having a strong “purpose in life” was related to less use of the health care system, greater uptake of prac tices that keep us healthy, and a higher quality of life.
The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health welcomes new partnerships and supporters. Please visit www.ccsmh.ca to ac cess eLearning modules, mental health resources, and learn more about becoming an affiliate, mak ing a donation and subscribing to the mailing list.
Anyone who may be experienc ing persistent symptoms that neg atively impact their mental health is encouraged to reach a local crisis line by calling 1-833-456-4566, toll-free anywhere in Canada.
Billie Eilish and her mother Maggie Baird will be presented with the Missions in Music Award at the 2022 Environmental Media Association Awards.
The Environmental Media Association announced that the Happier Than Ever singer— along with her mother Maggie Baird—will be honoured with the EMA Missions in Music Award at the organisation’s ceremony on October 8.
Taking place in Los Angeles, the celebration honours globally-recognised individuals for their work toward protecting the planet.
Eilish and Baird will be recognised for Overheated, a concert series hosted at London’s The O2, organised in collaboration with Maggie’s charity Support + Feed. The event hosted climate-focussed activities and raised funds to support the charity’s efforts at addressing food insecurity and the climate crisis.
The concert series featured a variety of artists that also advocate for climate initiatives.
“I’m thrilled to accept the EMA Missions in Music Award this year alongside my daughter,” Baird said of the honour in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter . “I’m so proud that Billie uses her voice to inspire a younger audience and advocate for change. It’s a dream come true that Billie and I share the same passion in tackling the climate crisis.
“We are stronger together and I know that she’ll continue to make a tremendous impact on this Earth for the next generation.”
Actor and Environmental Media Association board member Nikki Reed will also be honoured at the ceremony. Nikki will receive the EMA Innovator Award, recognising her work with the eco-friendly lifestyle and jewellery brand BaYou With Love.
Eilish has been known to use
her platform to raise awareness about the climate emergency.
At the Happier Than Ever tour, there was an eco-village where fans could learn more about climate action. Similarly, the tour featured messages from Baird urging fans to support climate action.
Eilish has also worked closely with REVERB, a nonprofit that partners with musicians and concert venues to make events more eco-friendly. Through the partnership, she was able to include climate initiatives in her tour such as the eco-village, plant-based foods, eliminating disposable waste, and working to offset emissions.
On tour, the artist, band, and crew used reusable water bottles, and catering services used reusable or compostable utensils.
The team at REVERB calculated the tour emissions, including transportation, hotels, and venue energy to
ensure the shows were on track with their sustainability targets.
The partnership between the nonprofit and Eilish also helped to fund projects
that eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in BIPOC communities that are heavily impacted by climate change.
(Source: Reuters)
As our population ages and more of us near the end of life, we’ll seek out quality care to support us through the very end. Grief and death are human experiences, but we are rarely prepared to experi ence them. In times of loss, when life feels overwhelming, access to end-of-life support can make all the difference in how we respond, manage, and even draw strength from the experience.
Dena Maule, Chief Executive Officer of Hospice Toronto has been on both sides. Through her work with the organization, she’s seen how impactful end-of-life support is, but when her husband, Peter, became a client, she saw that impact from a different perspective. Hospice Toronto offers holistic care and compassionate support for loved ones throughout their last breaths, a humane response to a human experience.
Family and caregivers aren’t for gotten either—we offer grief and
bereavement support and recently launched a Death Doula program and support for Young Carers, building resiliency in caregivers of all ages.
DM: Hospice Toronto participates in three Ontario Health Teams and is an active partner in the ICCP (Integrated Client Care program) Partners, a collaborative model for nursing, PSWs, palliative care physicians, and hospice volunteers.
We also help to build resiliency for family caregivers in an increas ingly diverse city. End-of-life care requires the support of a care team. A care team often includes spous es or partners, families, friends, neighbours, colleagues, doctors, nurses, personal support workers, and volunteers.
The Young Carers Program fo cuses on children in a caregiving role for a parent, grandparent, sibling or relative with a chronic or life-threatening illness, disabil ity, addiction, mental illness, or language barrier. The program
connects youth with others who have had similar experiences and provides therapeutic and recreation al programming to help youth with caregiving responsibilities cope.
The Creating Caring Commu nities program takes a community development approach to learning from people from other cultures how best to honour their choices in care and to codesign programs to reflect their choices.
Last year, Hospice Toronto supported 1,500 people through end-of-life hospice care, supported children through the Young Careers Program and connected neighbours across Toronto’s diverse communi ties through the Creating Caring Communities Program.
DM: We want to enable clients and their family caregivers in their choice to receive care at home and to die at home, if they wish. We also hope to be a leader in innovations and partnerships that support quality care for our clients and optimize resources for
the healthcare system we are part of. In order to do this, we need the support of donors. Our volunteers are thoroughly screened, and each receive almost 40 hours of training to enable them to provide both practical and emotional support in the homes of our clients. Each year we raise approximately $700k to ensure our full scope of services is available to people living with a life-limiting illness and family care givers. To cover the gap between government funding and the cost to deliver our services, we rely on fundraising and donations.
We do our work, at no cost to our clients and their families, knowing that life is precious, and none of us can know when the moment may come when our life will be changed forever through the news that someone close to us is dying or through experiencing our own loss.
Throughout the end of life, ev eryone should be free to receive care at home until their last breaths.
To learn how you can make a difference through a donation or by getting involved, visit hospicetoronto.ca/ways-to-give
DENA MAULE: We are a vol unteer-driven organization that provides support for people living
with life-limiting illnesses and their family caregivers when and where they need it. Our formal care hours are sup plemented with the support of skilled hospice volunteers in the home, who offer respite to care givers and provide a range of inhome services, from practical care support (including assisted lifts, incontinence care, and mouth care), to emotional support, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and housekeeping. We are committed to providing clients with the full range of support services that they need.
“People are good at reacting to emergency situations,” said War Child Founder and President Dr. Samantha Nutt. “But there’s a tendency to move onto the ‘next big crisis’ when issues are less immediate.”
War changes everyone and everything it touches, and its impact is felt long after the crisis ends. From the devastating destruction of communities to stripping their families of vital means of support to taking away their access to education and legal protection, war is ruinous.
Dr. Nutt, an award-winning humanitarian, bestselling author, acclaimed public speaker, and medical doctor, worked on the frontlines of many of the world’s major crises—from Iraq to Afghanistan, Somalia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone to Darfur, Sudan.
She is a recipient of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour, for her contributions to improving the plight of young people in the world’s worst conflict zones. Her critically-acclaimed book, Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies and Aid, details her experiences working with aid organizations in conflict zones and the hard lessons she learned about how aid is given out and received, and the issues that fall in between.
“War is never as far away as we believe it to be,” Dr. Nutt explains in the book. “It is in our pockets, generating annual returns for our pension funds, encircling our ring fingers, and filling up our cars, among other
luxuries. This means that both individually and collectively, we have a far more direct influence over armed conflicts in the world than we might otherwise believe.”
“It’s hard to say this, but War Child was born out of frustration,” Dr. Nutt said. “Having arrived in Somalia as a young doctor during the famine and then working for a number of different aid organizations in very complex humanitarian environments I began noticing that certain things kept recurring all the time.”
Dr. Nutt recognized that aid organizations were largely staffed and managed by foreigners, not locals, leading to a disconnect between those who work for the organization and those who need their support.
“It’s one thing to be an aid worker and to go into an environment and keep people alive, but it’s another thing altogether to ensure that people have reasons to live every single day,” Dr. Nutt continued. “It may sound like a cliché, but they need to have a reason to invest in a different kind of future: a future without war.”
Her realization led to an idea for a humanitarian organization that would utilize the strengths and insights of the people who live in war-torn communities— who better to develop local programming than locals themselves? Local leaders and communities have the most indepth understanding of their needs and the specific challenges they face, making them the best-suited
choice to create sustainable change, with support from War Child.
“There are only so many wars to fight, whereas the possibilities for investing in reconstruction, reconciliation, democratic devel opment, health care, and social welfare for at-risk populations are nearly infinite,” Dr. Nutt shared in Damned Nations
War damages every aspect of a child’s life and makes it impossible for children to enjoy their childhood. Dr. Nutt’s experiences across dozens of conflict zones across the globe gave her firsthand insight into how war impacts not only communities but children and their families.
Humanitarian organizations
often focus on the short-term needs of communities in crisis. While these measures can be incredibly helpful, they leave a gap in long-term support, dealing with the conditions that contribute to violence and instability. War Child exists to bridge the gap between short-term emergency relief (primarily food, health care, water, and shelter) and long-term development programming that can help break the cycle of poverty, violence, and despair that so many are facing in war-torn commu nities. Even when the headlines disappear, War Child remains on the ground, knowing that the work is not over yet.
For over 20 years, War Child has worked with children and their families at the frontline of the
world’s major crises. War Child uses a bold, community-driven approach to deliver programs that give children the best chance to overcome the challenges of war and grow up to see a brighter future.
War Child supports more than 600,000 women, children, and families annually. They provide numeracy and literacy classes to vulnerable women and catch-up education to children who have missed out on years of schooling. They work with women and youth, offering skills training and small business loans so that they become less aid dependent and lift their families out of poverty, and protect the rights of women and children through access to justice programs. War Child also works to enhance public education and awareness through music and other arts-based initiatives.
It’s a long-term holistic approach that seeks to end cycles of violence and poverty and sets up women and children to look forward to brighter futures. What makes it possible is that 99 per cent of War Child’s staff are locals to the communities the organization works with, allowing them to build systems of change and empowerment not just for these communities but within them.
“Many of War Child’s local staff and partners—they are doing extraordinary things for humanity against immeasurable odds,” Dr. Nutt shared. “Yet they bring such a deep conviction that they can change the status quo— that they can build something that is better for themselves and for their children. To me, that is just awe inspiring.”
“It felt like molten lava flowing over my skin…” didn’t care about her. It won’t care about you.
The difference that the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (LFCDG) makes is truly profound. Mobility and indepen dence, comfort and compassion, safety and security, opportunity and development.
“I suffer from drop attack sei zures that can be quite scary. For the longest time I was very dependent on my mom for everyday things. My Seizure Response Dog Guide, Snitch, has given me so much more freedom. Now I can go downtown, visit my friends, go out—I have a safety net. Now my mom can sleep again!”—Nicole, Seizure Response Dog Guide recipient.
A Dog Guide empowers Canadians with disabilities to navigate their lives confidently and independently. It can be the difference between: • staying in and going out • being unemployed and having a job • taking risks and being safe
1,100 ACTIVE DOG GUIDE TEAMS ACROSS CANADA Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has been a pioneer from the very beginning. We’ve matched
3,200 Dog Guide teams since we graduated our first team in the Canine Vision program in Oakville, Ontario, in 1985.
Today, LFCDG is the only school to train and match Dog Guides with clients across Canada in sev en unique and distinct programs: Vision, Hearing, Service, Diabet ic Alert, Seizure Response, Autism Assistance and Facility Support.
“Together, we are transforming the way people live by creating exceptional partnerships between
people and Dog Guides,” said Bev Crandell, CEO of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. “Being matched with a specially trained Dog Guide is a key that can unlock the potential of people living with disabilities.”
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Each Dog Guide costs approxi mately $35,000, yet is provided at no cost to eligible Canadians from coast to coast. The foun dation relies on donations to
provide these special matches and does not receive any gov ernment funding.
“With one in five Canadians living with a disability today, the need for our Dog Guides con tinues to grow,” added Crandell.
“Dog Guides receive no govern ment funding, so we are deeply grateful to our donors, volun teers, sponsors and Lions Clubs whose generosity and support help bring these special dogs and families together.”
The foundation does heroic work but is currently limited by its fa cilities. To reach its goal of train ing 250 Dog Guides a year, more and better spaces are required.
“We’re excited to build a new state-of-the-art facility,” said Crandell. “Our new school (target ed for opening in 2025) will allow us to train more dogs and, most importantly, help more people. The better the experience we provide for our Dog Guides and our clients, the bigger difference we can make.”
The new training school will be the first of its kind. It will house and train Dog Guides and host clients for training and matching with their new Dog Guide.
“Thank you, Kadence, for pro viding my daughter with laughter, companionship, strength, and cour age,” said Andrea, mother of Autism Assistance Dog Guide recipient Bella. “But most of all, thank you for being a friend to our Bella.”
To donate and learn how you can unleash potential by being part of the difference: dogguides.com
LUCILA SIGAL
After doctors diagnosed Paula Estrada with breast cancer in 2009, the then 41-year-old Argentine decided she would not only beat the disease, but would do so without losing her long blonde hair to the ravages of chemotherapy.
At her home in Buenos Aires, Estrada, a graphic designer by profession, set about creating a makeshift cooling cap out of ice packs to keep her scalp cold— and ward off hair loss.
It worked, and “nobody realized that I was undergoing chemotherapy,” said Estrada, now 54.
Scalp cooling, a way to constrict blood vessels and keep chemotherapy drugs from reaching hair follicles, has existed in some form for decades. The Paxman Scalp Cooling cap, for example, was introduced in Britain in 1997 and earned U.S. FDA approval in 2017.
But in 2009, cooling caps were unknown in Argentina, Estrada said.
“When I finished, I said ‘I’m not going to keep this for myself, I want everyone to have this as a possibility,’” she recalled.
Estrada’s ‘Quimo con pelo’ cap can be made with gels that cost as little as $2—a lifesaver in a
country facing economic struggles and where alternative cooling caps can cost $100 a session.
On social media, patients in Argentina and around the world share instructions on how to make the caps and donate them when they’re finished.
The caps must be used beginning with the first chemo session, kept at -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius), and changed every 30 minutes.
“It’s worth it,” said Mariangeles Fernandez, a 48-year-old liver cancer patient. “It lets you fight the disease in a different way.”
Estrada, who is now writing a book about her experience, says she hears from patients every day whose cancer journeys have been improved by the caps.
“I think the (cap) has been the key to my state of mind,” said Elsa Ram, a 64-year-old retiree with breast cancer. “This is a big part of a good treatment.” —Reuters
Sistema Toronto is a free after-school music and social development program for children and youth living in underserved communities across Toronto with the goal of transformative social change. When the school day is done, over 300 students from the
Toronto neighbourhoods of Parkdale, Jane/Finch, Lambton Park, and East Scarborough come to play in string orchestras, sing in choirs, and beat drums in ensembles. Underscoring their music are essential life skills like problem-solving, leadership, and self-confidence.
Students in Sistema’s core program learn together for 10 hours each week. The day begins with a nutritious snack to ensure all students are ready to learn before moving on to their classes. When children are first accepted into the program, they participate in a beginner’s Music & Movement class, where they learn the fundamentals of music. In year two, students are introduced to a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or double bass), as well as choir, percussion, composition, and theory. Each student receives an instrument, nutritious snacks, and performance opportunities each year, all at no cost to families. Once a child is accepted into the program, they have the option to remain each year until they graduate from Grade 8.
Upon graduation, many students choose to return and participate in Sistema Toronto’s Honours Orchestra and Youth Mentorship Program, where they learn advanced repertoire,
pedagogical skills, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities with the younger students.
For Sistema graduate Desiree, joining the Youth Mentorship Program means giving other kids opportunities to learn more than just music. “I want to inspire people, especially young kids, to get into music because it can help you really—it’s something you can always have to learn and always something you can come back to. It wasn’t just about the instruments in Sistema: it was about compassion, leadership, how to take responsibility for yourself, and how to really treat the people around you and be a better person.”
Sistema Toronto’s unique cur ricula prioritize social learning, building well-rounded musi cians, strong collaborators, and confident leaders. The repertoire in all program areas reinforces learning outcomes but also aims to represent the diversity of the communities in which Sistema Toronto programs are offered.
Graduates are often accepted into competitive and prestigious high school programs in the arts and sciences. Sistema Toronto’s program builds stronger com munities by enabling children and youth from underserved communities who would other wise not have access to this type of programming to learn, grow, and thrive as future leaders.
Our annual cost is $4,000 per student each year but is offered at no cost to families. Every year, more students apply than the program can accept, with wait ing lists at each centre.
This is why, at Sistema Toronto, donor support is critical. Your investment allows Sistema students to play real instruments, receive instruction from professional musicians, eat a healthy snack every day, and benefit from a community of support. To learn more and support music education for social change, visit sistema-toronto.ca/donate
© COURTESY OF LIONS FOUNDATION OF CANADA DOG GUIDES
Imagine a Grade 4 student smiling from ear to ear as they have their first “light bulb” moment through a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experience. Help us develop the next generation of climate heroes, innovators, prob lem-solvers, and critical thinkers for Canada’s future.
Every child, from the toddler at home learning with mom to the Grade 4 student in a rural and un derserved community to the Grade 11 French student in an urban city, is capable of succeeding and becoming an engaged citizen who can understand and contribute to solving the world’s most pressing problems through STEM.
Let’s Talk Science believes that a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility unleashes tremendous potential energy and can contribute to large-scale trans formation in STEM education, which will help to diversify the workforce and support the develop ment of engaged citizens needed in a sustainable and transforming world. We need your help to educate
the next generation to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues head-on, like climate change, clean drinking water, energy sustainabil ity, and infectious diseases. With easier access to meaningful STEM learning experiences, role models and resources, our children can develop skills needed to thrive.
Together, we can give all kids across Canada the opportunity to experience more “light bulb” mo ments and build their confidence in STEM.
Thanks to your donations, Let’s Talk Science can provide all educa tional programming, resources and events in English and French at no cost to youth, educators, parents/ caregivers, community groups, etc. Together, we can create “light bulb” moments that spark a stu dent’s curiosity for a future career in STEM.
Donations to Let’s Talk Science ensure cost is never a barrier for the 6.5 million children from coast to
coast to coast. We must support, encourage, and develop meaningful learning opportunities that unleash and develop creative genius and criti cal thinking skills. We must continue to invest in STEM education both at home and school, as it will pay dividends for generations to come.
“I wanted to take a minute to thank you and your team again for making such an amazing effort in producing the French Challenge on line. You kept the kids engaged and coming back, week after week, all the while encouraging them to de velop a greater love and appreciation of STEM subjects,” said one mother of two daughters from Montréal, QC, who participated in the French Let’s Talk Science Challenge.
Your donation helps Let’s Talk Science provide equitable access to meaningful STEM programming in person and online for children and youth across Canada. Your gift will help us develop the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
Make a difference in a child’s life today. Donate now at letstalkscience.ca/donate.
PAUL SANDLE
Australian swimmer Jessica Smith has had an uneasy relationship with prosthetics since a childhood accident, but her convictions are being challenged by a British bionic hand that can be updated remotely anywhere in the world.
The 2004 Athens Paralympian was born without a left hand.
Her parents were advised to
fit a prosthesis to help with her development, but the device caused her to upset a boiling kettle when she was a toddler, causing burns to 15 per cent of her body.
“There’s always been an association between the fact that this prosthetic aid didn’t actually help, it created the most traumatic event in my life,” she said.
But her curiosity was sparked when she was approached by Covvi, based in Leeds, northern England, to try its Nexus hand.
Knowing it would be an emotional challenge, Smith was fitted with the device in April at the age of 37. “I think that I was ready to try something like this,” she said.
Bionic hands convert electrical impulses from the muscles in the upper arm into movement powered by motors in the hand, enabling a user to hold a glass, open a door or pick up an egg.
Simon Pollard, who founded Covvi five years ago, said he
wanted to add Bluetooth to the device to allow the company’s specialists to update it via an app.
“The fact we can change some of the things that the customer wants remotely is a really powerful thing and a first to market,” the chief executive said.
Some rival bionic hands can be app-controlled, but Pollard said the ability to talk to a single device set the Nexus apart.
To do that, anonymized data is collected for every user, a task
managed by partner NetApp. Pollard said Covvi had signed up 27 distributors globally, including in Australia, China and the United States, and he aimed to increase monthly production to 100.
Smith, who is a speaker and children’s author, said Covvi was already creating new movements for her.
“I’ve had a few kids ask if I can do different hand gestures, some polite, some not so polite,” she said. “I asked Covvi this morning, and I know that will be done in the next couple of hours.”
She said the tech was not just changing her life; it was changing the lives of her three children.
“They think it’s amazing and I’m like half human-half robot,” she said.
She said the “bionic” appearance of the hand was an attraction, given her pride in difference.
“I’m not trying to hide who I am,” she said. “I’m adding and expanding on who I am by being able to access technology that’s never been available before.”
Amandah is a girl with big dreams.
“I hope to be a designer when I grow up,” explained the fourth grad er in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.
Sitting in class, Amandah throws her hand into the air as her teacher asks the class a math question— but it wasn’t always this way.
“Before I got my glasses, I couldn’t see very well from afar, no matter how close I was to the blackboard,” said Amandah.
Last year, Amandah received free prescription eyeglasses through Operation Eyesight’s school eye health program. Launched in 2021, the program screened more than 70,000 children and 1,800 teachers for eye conditions across 209 schools in Uasin Gishu County, located in western Kenya near the Rift Valley.
It’s part of a focus on achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including improving access to quality education and achieving gender equality.
Made possible through partnership with Kenya’s national government and Peek Vision, as well as the United
States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s)
Child Blindness Program, 205 students like Amandah received prescription eyeglasses, and more than 1,500 were referred to one of Operation Eyesight’s partner hospitals for advanced care such as cataract surgery.
Alice Mwangi, Operation Eyesight’s Country Director for Kenya, said school screening programs impact students’ families and others in their network.
“People often do not seek eye health care—or are simply unable to access it—for a variety of rea sons. We also know that women and girls are more likely to suffer vision impairment and face bar riers to care,” she said.
School eye health programs play an important role in edu cating parents, families and en tire communities about health services in their area.
“Our work in Kenya’s schools connects students and their
families with their local health system. This means children and their families are more likely to access health care, including eye health care, when they need it,” Mwangi said.
She added that the program’s ‘train the trainer’ model equips teachers to identify students with eyesight problems.
“This means that the impact of school eye health programs is sustainable.”
THE FUTURE OF SCHOOL EYE HEALTH SCREENING Across Africa, Operation Eyesight’s
school eye health programs in Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia screened 77,140 students and teachers in 2021.
Today, Operation Eyesight is partnering with communities, focused on expanding school eye health programs in Africa and South Asia.
“Through our presence in schools, we are having a tangible impact on health outcomes for entire communities,” said Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, President and CEO of Operation Eyesight.
“That’s because our work goes beyond providing eye health care;
we are empowering women and girls, and supporting gender equality and sustainability in countries where we work.”
With vision loss no longer stand ing in her way, Amandah says she’s confident her hope of becoming a designer will become a reality. “I would like to thank the peo ple who gave me the glasses,” she said. “Now that I can read and see well, I hope I will be able to achieve my dream.”
Give today to help bring futures into focus at operationeyesight.com/give
Donate Now!
When Zirkova co-founder and CEO Katherine Vellinga moved to Ukraine in 1997, she came across the origins of vodka—the “X” on the map where vodka first began. Feeling like an adventurer, Vellinga started to search for long-lost trea sures, pulling up manuscripts and speaking to industry experts, many of whom were women.
“Our research showed that over 600 years ago, the first vodkas were made in a place called ‘Cherkaska,’ which was part of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth,” Vellinga shared. “Cherkaska is in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine. We pondered, ‘if this is what true vodka and vodka culture is, then how come it looks nothing like what we see in Canada?’”
Vellinga’s discovery put her in touch with Ukrainian Master Distillers, true masters of their craft, who had decades of experience in chemical engineering and vodka making. Their classical methods, paired with Vellinga’s vision to merge authenticity and creativity, brought Zirkova to life. Every part of Zirkova is infused with heritage and the air of perfectionism.
“I started working at Zirkova in 2018,” said Chief Marketing Officer Casey Wing. “Even though it was the product that first wowed me, it was what the company was doing for humanitarian efforts that really brought me into the fold. When I look at Zirkova, I see far beyond the vodka itself; I see an
entire brand, an entire community of people, an entire way of seeing the world, that manifests itself into a vodka brand.”
THE SPIRIT OF ZIRKOVA
Zirkova places a focus on creating opportunities for giving back to the communities they are part of, both in Canada and Ukraine.
Committed to freedom and human rights for all, Zirkova as a brand has worked to give back in unique and creative ways, from charity auctions to fundraising.
Following the tragic attacks in Ukraine, Zirkova pivoted its business entirely. They needed to find a way to survive, and to give back to Ukraine, and in that way do what they were uniquely positioned to do—to preserve the traditions and honour the birthplace of vodka.
“Immediately when Ukraine was invaded, within hours, we had decided to donate 100 per cent of our profits to Ukraine from the sale of our Ukrainian made Vodkas—Zirkova One and Zirkova Together,” Wing continued. “This, to us, was our responsibility. We should not profit from the outpouring of support for Ukraine, but Ukrainians should.”
With their instinctive desire to help, Zirkova’s focus was on Ukraine, not on how the invasion would impact their own business.
“As a team we came together,” echoed Vellinga. “What could we
do? Ukraine could not produce because at that time, vodka production was not allowed. We had to find a way. We had always been about sharing the birthplace of vodka, the origins, but it wasn’t only about the land—it was also about the people. In the same way that people around the world were opening up their homes and their hearts to Ukrainians, we thought we could open up our home and create a home in Canada for Zirkova Vodka.”
With the help of the women who made Zirkova possible, both in Ukraine and Canada, a plan emerged: a new vodka, made in Canada with the spirit of Ukraine, Zirkova Unity. While the war in Ukraine has forced many to leave their home, Unity ensures that the people’s voices are heard and the nation’s cry is not forgotten.
“Unity’s big mission is to support Ukraine and to attract attention to our tough situation, to tell the world about Ukrainians, their hopes, and aspirations.”
—Polina, Zirkova Head of Production.
Polina continued, “Many Ukrainians had to leave their homes because of war, including my family. When the war started, my daughter and then my parents, like many others, were forced to leave their homes. My daughter was at the Boryspil airport on
February 24, 2022, when the war began. She managed to leave Ukraine by train a week later. Now, my family is safe with me in France. Like many people who did not want to leave their country, for whom it was not their choice, my family wants to return when it is possible. We all hope that the war will end soon, that Ukraine will recover and emerge from the war as a strong, modern, prosperous country.”
Zirkova’s Master Distiller, Svitlana, faced similarly complex challenges while trying to get her family to safety amid the attacks.
On the day of the invasion, she drove hours to Kyiv, picked up her documents and her daughter, and called her father, who was in the Chernihiv re gion, in north-central Ukraine, which was occupied by Russian forces quickly in the early days of the invasion and then liberated.
“She told me her harrowing journey to get her father, how she then drove them to a safe house in central Ukraine, and then to west ern Ukraine, and finally crossed the border on foot into Slovakia with her daughter and father,” recalled Vellinga. “We were able to locate her and asked her to join us, to come to Canada for this project and unique experience.”
“For me,” the Master Distiller said, “the production of vodka
is my whole life. This is my professional path in life.”
Zirkova Unity is about creating a home for Zirkova in Canada, where people have come together and united to support and stand with Ukraine. Having Svitlana, with her thirty years of experi ence, join them in the process of making Unity was the final touch in honouring Ukrainian vodka-making traditions and bringing them to life in Canada.
“It starts with the best spirits from the heart of the Prairies,” Vellinga explained. “Grain is really important to us, as the best vodkas in Ukraine are made from grain spirits. For Zirkova Unity, we selected grain spir its that had a connection to Ukraine, that were extraordinary quality, non-GMO, grown by generations of Ukrainian and Canadian farmers, gluten-free, kosher, and grown within 100km of the spirits distillery.”
Strengthening the connection between Canada and Ukraine, the Unity Collection features six limit ed-edition unique works of art on the bottles, crafted by artists from Ukraine and Canada who are con tributing not only their unique gifts and talents but also their stories.
Today, we raise a glass of Zirkova Unity and stand to support the birthplace of vodka. Zirkova Unity can be found at your local LCBO.
Mead has been compared to cider, wine or even beer, but in reality, it stands alone. It is a very broad and diverse alcoholic honey-based beverage. Mead is an ancient drink, often with a medieval reputation, and frequently cited as the first al coholic beverage. To make mead, mix local, straight-from-the-hive Ontario honey with high-quality water (add some yeast if so desired) and let it delicately ferment. That makes it sound like it’s easy, but there’s definitely an art to it.
The meadmaker, known as a ma zer, can use fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, grains and flowers to create a multitude of flavour combinations.
There are so many factors that can influence how a mead is developed, much like anything else you’d en counter in the alcohol beverage in dustry. To think that there is just “one mead” is incorrect.
• Traditional mead is simply hon ey and water.
• A mead that adds fruit is called a melomel.
• Mead that is made with barley malt is called a braggot.
• A pyment is a mead made with added grapes.
• A mead mixed with apples is known as a cyser.
• Metheglin is a mead made with spices and/or herbs.
• Bochet is a type of mead made from honey that has been car amelized (Yum!).
• A mead that is less than 7.5 per cent in alcohol is deemed a ses sion mead (best served chilled in good company).
Bees in Ontario forage many acres of varying flowers, plants, and crops, which provide differ ent nectars that result in a variety of colours, aromas and sweetness levels of honey. If you’ve ever tried a clover honey and then a buck wheat honey, you’d know the differences are abundant! The aroma each honey provides can affect how the mead will taste. What smells ‘right’ to one may be ‘wrong’ to another. The level of sweetness will influence if the mead is comparative to a dessert wine or a dry wine. So, finding your preferred mead can take a few samplings.
THE PRODUCTION Meads can be still (no bubbles), slightly carbonated or highly carbonated, which will affect mouthfeel. Carbonation adds body or can cut the sweetness. Aging mead will add dimen sions to the flavour. Young meads are typically lower in alcohol content, whereas aged meads may have a higher level of alcohol.
So now that you know what mead is, and that it’s created in many ways, here’s the import ant information. The best way to enjoy it!
Maybe start by making mead cocktails with friends and serve them on ice. Enjoy a chilled ses sion mead on the beach or at a BBQ. A drier mead for a social supper can be served at “cellar” temperature. Spiced or semisweet meads are best enjoyed at room temperature. Warm up a sweet mead to accompa ny a delicious meal as dessert. Mull a sweeter mead to sip by the fireplace on a cold night. Sweet meads are great with sharp cheeses, like blue cheese. Session meads are great with pizza.
Check out Backed By Bees (Burlington), Heeman’s (Thorndale), Honey Pie Hives & Herbals (Prince Edward County), Lost Meadows Meadery (Simcoe County), Millefleurs Meadworks (Prince Edward County), Munro Honey & Meadery (Alvinston), Ontario Honey Creations (Mulmur), Ridge Meadery (Richmond Hill), and Rosewood Estates Winery & Meadery (Beamsville).
A Veggie Twist on a Family Favourite healthier twist a take favourite? this nutritious delicious cauli
good for you as it tastes. This kidney-friendly pie is perfect for those looking to limit their
by dietitian Hanna Kim for the Kidney Community Kitchen, a Kidney Foundation website that offers tasty recipes, tips and expert advice for making cooking fun, even if you have restrictions in your diet.
Try this pizza to prove cook ing on a kidney diet doesn’t have to be boring.
ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER CAULIFLOWER PIZZA
SERVES: 2 Ingredients
• ½ head of cauliflower, stalk removed ¼ cup grated parmesan
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp of salt 1 egg
• ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 red bell peppers 1 tbsp. of olive oil + 1 tsp for drizzling on peppers and garlic
• 2-3 garlic cloves with peel
• 5 sprigs fresh basil
• 1 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch)
1 Preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and pat dry the bell peppers and place them and the un peeled garlic cloves (this pre vents the garlic from burn ing) on a baking sheet.
2 Drizzle on 1 tsp of oil and a dash of salt, then bake pep pers and garlic for 30 minutes on the top rack until peppers look soft and brown.
3 While peppers bake, pulse cauliflower in food proces sor until it’s crumbly and a rice-like texture.
4 Line baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread riced cauliflower in a single layer and bake for 15 minutes in the same oven, on the rack below the bell peppers and garlic.
5 Check on peppers and gar lic. Take out of the oven once ready and let cool for 10 minutes.
6 Peel and trim stems off peppers and peel garlic. Add peppers, garlic, olive oil and cornstarch to food processor and run on high speed until mixture is finely pureed and smooth.
7 In a small pot, stir bell pepper sauce for 10 to 15 minutes on low heat until the sauce thick ens; set aside.
8 Take cauliflower out of oven. After it cools, transfer to a clean cheesecloth or dish towel. Squeeze out excess moisture and discard water.
9 In a large bowl, add riced cauliflower, spices, parmesan, salt and egg. Mix well.
10 Press dough into a circle onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at ¼-inch thickness.
11 Bake for 30 minutes at 400°F until golden. Flip crust over and bake again for 10 more minutes.
12 Remove from oven and add roasted red pepper sauce, moz zarella and basil. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts.
—NC
Descended from a long line of cheesemakers, the Bergeron family has been developing its expertise in Saint-AntoineDe-Tilly in the ChaudièreAppalaches region for more than 30 years. The passion and cheese-making knowledge, passed down from generation to generation, helped the family develop the signature Bergeron flavour. Today, the company’s mission is to position Fromagerie Bergeron as a leader in the cheese industry and to remain committed to preserving the unique character and taste of a Nordic terroir that’s all its own.
There’s still time to enjoy your barbecue before winter! Try these deluxe mini burgers that will have your guests’ mouths watering. Although we suggest you top them with Boston let tuce and bacon, it’s up to you to adapt them to everyone’s tastes. But we’re sure no one will want to be without our Inspiration cheese selection cheese slices.
Sliced bacon
• Sauce of your choice (barbe cue sauce, ketchup, mayon naise, etc.)
1 Melt 1 tbsp. of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and brown. Once they are well coloured, transfer them to a bowl. Tip: To get a nice colour, it is important not to stir the mushrooms too often. They lose their water by stirring them, which does not allow the surface to be coloured. So, avoid touching the mushrooms too often.
2 In the same skillet, heat the remaining butter and cara melize the onions over me dium-high heat for about 15 minutes. This time, let your self stir regularly until the onions are soft and golden brown. Then, put the mush rooms back into the skillet
and add the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Cook for a few more minutes until a thick consistency is obtained.
3 In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, steak spices, salt, and pepper and shape into 12 small patties.
4 Grill the patties over medi um-high heat for 10 to 12 min utes, turning halfway through cooking. It is best to use a digital thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
5 Cover the patties with cheese slices, which come in three cheese flavours: Bergeron Classique, Gouda, and Swiss.
6 Toast the buns and put the burgers together with a gen erous amount of sauce, some Boston lettuce leaves, the grilled patties and cheese, the onion and mushroom mixture, and the bacon. Serve.
Find more recipes at fromagesbergeron.com/en/recipes © MEGHAN CALDER - HEEMAN’SFertilizer is an important in put that feeds crops so they can reach their yield potential. Just like houseplants and the vege tables you grow in your garden, dry beans and other field crops need to be fed. Through soil testing, farmers ensure they are applying the exact amount of fertilizer needed for the crops to flourish and produce high yields. Farmers have been able to reduce their need for fer tilizer over the years through crop rotation, cover crops (e.g. growing nitrogen-producing cover crops before corn), and by adding alternative sources of nutrients like livestock manure.
Unfortunately, there is not enough manure from animals to meet the demand of all the crops being grown in Ontario, and nutrients aren’t as measur able in manure as they can be with commercial fertilizers.
You may have heard reports in the news about Ontario farmers’ dilemma regarding fertilizer purchased from Russia before the onset of the war with Ukraine. Russia is the world’s number one exporter of nitrogen fertilizer and the second largest in phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. At first, it wasn’t certain the needed supply of fertilizer (ordered well before the war started) would make it here. Thankfully it did arrive, but it came with a 35 per cent tariff which was meant to be punitive against Russia. Russia didn’t even notice, but Ontario farmers sure did. The cost of fertilizer had already doubled—and in some cases tripled—over the last couple of years.
These costs have significant ly impacted Ontario farmers’ ability to compete in the world market. Ontario exports 90 per cent of its bean crop, and the tariff will give a competi tive advantage to the U.S. and other countries over Ontario farmers. No other G7 country has applied a tariff to fertiliz er. Additionally, this increases the cost of food during a high inflationary period.
What can be done? Farmers would like to compete on an even playing field and have the tariffs removed like other countries. Alternatively, our government could support the development of domestic fertil izer production, which would be a huge win for farmers and Canada’s food security. We shouldn’t have to rely on other countries for the inputs needed to produce food here, and we will always need fertilizer.
Beans truly are the world’s most versatile ingredient. They can go from superstar main dish to sup porting role in a snap. No matter how you serve them, you can feel good knowing beans are a nutri tional powerhouse and an import ant part of a healthy lifestyle.
In just half a cup serving there are up to nine grams of protein and high levels of iron, zinc, folate, magnesium, and potassium. Beans are also a great source of fibre. Diets high in fibre have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a reduction in the risk
SERVINGS: 6 (2¼ CUPS PER SERVING) PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
of diabetes and colorectal cancer.
The majority of beans found on store shelves are grown in Canada by local Canadian farmers, whose commitment to quality and sustainable food production is second-to-none. Just look for Product of Canada on the label.
• COOK TIME: 35 MINUTES
This classic creamy Tuscan soup made with Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and beans is the perfect weeknight meal and is chock-full of healthy nutrients.
• 1 tbsp. (15 mL) canola oil
• 4 hot Italian sausages, casings removed
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp (5 mL) red pepper flakes
• 4 cups (1 L) sodium-reduced chicken broth
• 2 cups (500 mL) water
3 medium white potatoes, cut into ½-inch (1.25 cm) cubes
• 1 (540 mL) can romano beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch kale, roughly chopped
• 1 cup (250 mL) heavy cream (35%) Optional: sour cream
1 In a large dutch oven or pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking up with spatula, approximately 5 minutes, or until browned.
2 Add onion, garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 5 min utes, stirring often.
3 Add broth, water and pota toes. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
4 Add beans and kale, and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in heavy cream.
5 Ladle into bowls and serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Tips:
• Can’t handle the heat? Omit the red pepper flakes
• Use no salt added romano beans to further lower
sodium content
• Use 2% or 3.25% milk in place of heavy cream to lower the fat content
Cooked, stewed, or blended, beans add fibre and great taste to everyday meals. Learn more about this amazing superfood and find heart-healthy recipes at ontariobeans.on.ca
Nutrient-rich
Mushrooms
such as niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid, which provide energy by helping break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They are also a great source of minerals like selenium, copper, and potassium, and are the only source
of vitamin D in the produce aisle. Mushrooms are almost always readily available in the produce section of any grocery or health food store, making them an accessible and inexpensive option for mealtimes. As well,
• COOK TIME: 45 MINUTES
SERVINGS: 4 • PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES
the meaty texture of mushrooms makes them an excellent protein replacement for vegan and vegetarian recipes, like this savoury stuffed squash recipe that will be a welcome addition to your autumn dinner table.
These savoury stuffed squash are an easy accompaniment to a festive meal or casual weeknight dinner. The meaty mushrooms add beautiful texture to the stuffing, while the apples add a layer of tartness and bite.
• 4 small-medium sized acorn squash, seeded, cut in half lengthwise
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp. (30 mL) olive oil
• 8 oz (227 g) fresh mixed mushrooms (portabella, shiita ke, oyster), coarsely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, thinly diced
• 2 locally grown apples*, peeled and finely diced
• 3 tbsp. (45 mL) butter
• 1 tbsp. (15 mL) fresh sage leaves, finely chopped 1 cup (250 mL) vegetable stock
• ½ cup (125 mL) walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 small loaf of day-old sourdough or French bread, cut into ¼-inch cubes (approximately 5 cups)
Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
2 Cut acorn squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Season the inside with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for about 30 minutes or until soft.
3 Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan, heat olive oil. Add mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add celery and con tinue to sauté for 5 minutes. Lower heat and add apples. Continue to cook until ap ples become tender, about 5 minutes. To the pan, add butter, sage, and vegetable stock. Heat just until butter is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4 Place chopped walnuts and diced bread in a large bowl. Pour warm vegetable stock mixture over bread.
Using your hands, toss the bread until it is wellcoated and most of the stock is absorbed.
5 Remove squash from oven and turn it cut side up. Divide the stuffing among each squash in half; spoon the stuffing into the cavity of each squash until filled. Return to 350°F/175°C oven and bake until stuffing is golden brown, approxi mately 15-20 minutes.
6 Serve hot alongside a festive ham or with a weeknight roast chicken.
*Tip: Use Ontario Idared, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Empire apples.
We know there’s a lot of pressure on you at mealtimes— they need to be quick, nutri tious, and delicious. Head to mushrooms.ca to learn more about how mushrooms can make your meals better!
Hans and Jolanda Weber, found ers and owners of Stonetown Artisan Cheese, always dreamt of producing delicious, high-qual ity cheese reminiscent of the renowned Swiss Mountains. In 1996, the Webers immigrat ed to Canada, with their three children in tow, to start a dairy farm in St. Marys, Ontario. Their dream became a reality here: Stonetown Cheese is handcraft ed alpine-style cheese made with fresh whole cow’s milk, unpas teurized and additive-free, from their family farm.
Even though Hans is the owner of Stonetown Artisan Cheese, he is still a dairy farmer at heart. He begins every morning by milking the cows. Stonetown’s commitment to producing highquality cheese is best reflected in the care they give to their Holstein cows, who live in a clean and comfortable free-stall barn, sleep year-round on beach sand, and enjoy feed of the best quality. Once the cows are fed, the day can begin!
Jolanda grew up on a dairy farm and lived her whole life farm ing until she and Hans started
Stonetown Artisan Cheese. Most days, Jolanda can be found in her office, handling the busi ness side of Stonetown Cheese. A lover of cheese and a natu ral in the kitchen, Jolanda also creates incredible recipes using Stonetown’s selection of cheeses, including this mouth-watering lasagna using rich and creamy Farmstead Fontina.
Farmstead Fontina tastes great in sandwiches or on a cheese platter with fruits and nuts. This cheese melts wonderfully and is perfect for raclette, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza toppings, and of course, lasagna. Pair this Farmstead Fontina Lasagna with light-bodied white or red wine for a dinner that excites your palate.
LASAGNA SAUCE
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 500 g ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. Italiano herbs
BÉCHAMEL SAUCE
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. flour 2 cups milk
• 300 g Farmstead Fontina, grated
• Salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste
• 375 g oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 200 g Bocconcini, sliced
1 Heat up oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
2 Add ground beef and fry until brown. Add onion and
garlic and cook for 5 min.
3 Add maple syrup, diced and crushed tomatoes, salt and Italiano herbs. Simmer for 40 min.
4 Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium, stir in flour, then add the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
5 Add Farmstead Fontina, and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
6 Simmer until the cheese is melted. Set aside.
7 Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
8 Spread some lasagna sauce on the bottom of a 13x9 inch dish.
9 Layer noodles, lasagna sauce, bocconcini slices and bécha mel sauce; repeat until casse role is filled.
10 Top with béchamel sauce and sprinkle the Farmstead Fontina over the béchamel sauce.
11 Cover with foil; bake at 190°C /375°F for 45 minutes.
12 Uncover; bake for 15 minutes.
Find more great cheeses and recipes at stonetowncheese.com
A full stomach and leftover food are tell-tale signs of a fantastic celebration. However, doing our part to reduce food waste and make the most of leftovers is im portant for preserving the planet.
According to a survey by Maple Leaf Foods, 78 per cent of Canadians have food left over after hosting a gathering and 87 per cent end up throwing away extra food.
Here are some tips on how to host an eco-friendlier family feast:
If you have guests contributing to your meal, keep tabs on what food everyone is bringing and any dietary requirements. This will help you avoid making too much food or serving duplicate dishes. Remember to leave duds off the menu—if you’ve had heaps of green beans left over in past years, make a smaller batch this time.
Let’s face it—leftovers take up room in your fridge and are
likely to be thrown out. The solution? Learn to love ‘up cooking’ and transform your leftovers into new meals. Meat and vegetables are perfect for making homemade soups, cur ries, pasta sauces and more— great comfort food options on chilly days.
If you usually cook a seasonal chicken or turkey
in a disposable pan, consider investing in a good quality roasting pan that you can use for years to come. You’ll cut down on waste and be able to pass it on to future generations, sparking memories of family feasts. Plus, if you have guests bringing food, ask them to transport their contributions in reusable dishes when possible. Then, you can send them home with leftovers—what a fabulous host.
The more the merrier when it comes to appetizers. This gathering-friendly recipe are delicious and sure to be an instant conversation starter. Using bright red strawberries in your appetizers, which are available year-round from California, is a spectacular way to “wow” your guests. Whip up something sweet or savoury with these bright beauties the next time you want to impress your company.
ENDIVES STUFFED WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA
PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
SERVES: 16 APPETIZERS
• 16 endive leaves approx. 3-4 heads of endive
8 California strawberries, diced
• 30g cucumber, peeled and diced
• 65g avocado, diced
• 4 mint leaves, finely minced ½ lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 sprigs thyme
1 Cut the base off the head of the endive and separate the leaves. Wash thoroughly and dry gently.
2 Place strawberries, cucumber, avocado, mint and lemon juice in a bowl.
3 Gently toss with salt and pep per to taste.
4 Divide the filling between endive leaves and top off with fresh thyme.
5 Serve cold.
Did you know the second Friday in October is always World Egg Day? While Ontario egg farmers don’t need a holiday to share their eggs with consumers across the province, World Egg Day is an excellent op portunity to pass along all the ways
St. Lawrence Market has new hours of operation including Sundays and weekday evenings, giving shoppers more time to explore the Market’s many culinary gems.
The St. Lawrence Market’s one year hours of operation pi lot project has begun! The pilot is the result of a recent review of the Market’s hours of oper ation, which included public feedback and an evaluation of how operational improvements can help the Market better serve residents of Toronto and visitors to the city.
• Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Closed on Mondays
The pilot will run for one year and will inform a more
permanent operating schedule for the remainder of 2023 and beyond. The revised hours of operation will make the Market more accessible, with service hours that meet visitors’ changing needs and preferences. When customers visit the Market, they are in store for many amazing food products
and an overall world-class experi ence. The South Market is home to over 60 permanent vendors carrying amazing local produce, fresh meat and fish, international and specialty foods, cheese and dairy, fresh baked goods and so much more. Once you’ve packed your bags with goodies, treat yourself to a fresh juice or
prepared meal like the world-fa mous peameal bacon sandwich or local favourites the lobster roll, or veal parmigiana.
Holiday hours of operation may vary during the pilot project and will be posted on the St. Lawrence Market website in advance.
More information about
the hours of operation pilot project is available on the St. Lawrence Market website: www.stlawrencemarket.com.
St. Lawrence Market is a renowned international food market featuring 120 merchants, vendors and farmers, offering fresh produce, meats and specialty items. Serving Toronto residents and international visitors since 1803, the market is regularly recognized as one of Toronto’s most popular destinations and was ranked the number one food market in the world by National Geographic. The St. Lawrence Market Complex consists of St. Lawrence Hall, the South Market and the North Market— the latter now in its temporary home at 125 The Esplanade.
For information about the St. Lawrence Market Complex, visit www.stlawrencemarket.com, or follow us on our socials.
StLawrenceMarket StLawrenceMkt StLawrenceMarket
© COURTESY OF ST. LAWRENCE MARKET
The beauty and power of Niagara Falls have been attracting travellers for thousands of years. From every angle, Niagara Falls offers a unique perspective and experience. In July, Niagara Parks opened the all-new tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station, opening access to the centuryold tunnel that leads to a brandnew viewing platform of Niagara Falls. Explorers follow the flow of water that once rushed through the power plant 180 feet down to a platform with breathtaking views of both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
The attraction provides an inside look at the 115-yearold power plant that sparked Ontario into the industrial age and pioneered hydroelectric power for Canada. The Niagara Parks Power Station, once named the “Canadian Niagara Power Company” generating station, harnessed the powerful energy of the Horseshoe Falls and turned it into a great source of electricity for over a century. The wonder of
this hydropower pioneer has come back to life in an entertaining and educational experience highlighting the remarkable history and unique architectural features of this engineering.
You’ll first explore the generator floor on the main level, filled with restored machinery and fascinat ing storytelling about the inven tors and founders that brought the station to life and the many workers who kept it running for over a century. You’ll then descend in a glass-panelled elevator. Like an iceberg, most of the plant’s structure is below the surface.
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the power plant’s hidden decks where workers would maintain the inner workings of this behe moth of power!
At the bottom, now 180 feet underground, step out into the power plant’s wheel pit. In this enormous arched hall, the water that coursed through the plant’s 11 turbines exited here before rushing down the 2,200-foot-long tunnel and rejoining the Niagara
River at the base of the valley. The experience guides guests to explore the tunnel’s immense size, scope, and history, all while leading to the new viewing platform that offers magnificent views of Niagara Falls.
The platform offers a neverbefore-seen view, extending 65 feet into the river, with the falls only a few hundred feet away. Admission to the Tunnel is included with
the Niagara Parks Power Station, starting at only $28 per adult.
Learn more and get tickets at niagaraparks.com/tunnel
Experience the remarkable Niagara Parks Power Station in a whole new way! Return after dark and visit to see Currents an incredible evening sound and
light show located in the heart of the plant. The immersive, interactive media at this must-see attraction uses projected effects that respond to guest presence. Through vision, colour, lights, sound, and an incredible musical composition, this one-of-a-kind sensory experience brings the machinery of this famous power plant back to life.
Guests become one with the immersive show as they walk amongst the towering turbines on the generator floor. Their movements change the projected images and lights surrounding the generator hall, helping tell Niagara’s story of power. The evening sound and light show is perfect for all ages.
Learn more and get tickets for Currents at niagaraparks.com/currents Bundle and save with the Niagara Parks Power Pass, including admission to the station during the day and Currents at night.
Tourism can boost your mental health, according to scientists.
Travelling could help those with mental health and degenerative brain conditions, new research has found.
A new cross-disciplinary paper from Edith Cowan University (ECU)—published in collaboration between ECU’s Centre for Precision Health and School of Business and Law—suggests we change the way we look at tourism so that we view it as a way to improve our health, as well as a chance to get away and relax. The study found that by changing our point of view, it can provide real health benefits.
Dr. Jun Wen led a diverse team of tourism, public health and marketing experts who investigated how tourism could benefit those living with dementia.
“Medical experts can recommend dementia treatments such as music therapy, exercise, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy, sensory stimulation and adaptations to a patient’s
mealtimes and environment,” Dr. Wen said. “These are all also often found when on holidays.”
Dr. Wen said being in new environments and having new experiences could provide cognitive and sensory stimulation. He also shared that this research is among the first to discuss how tourism experiences could potentially work as dementia interventions.
“Exercise has been linked to mental wellbeing and travelling often involves enhanced physical activity, such as more walking,” Dr. Wen added. “Mealtimes are often different on holiday: they’re usually more social affairs with multiple people and family-style meals have been found to positively influence dementia patients’ eating behaviour. And then there’s the basics like fresh air and sunshine increasing vitamin D and serotonin levels.”
The scientist said he hopes a new line of collaborative research can enhance the lives of people with various mental
health conditions.
“Tourism has been found to boost physical and psychological well being,” he explained. “So, after COVID, it’s a good time to identify tourism’s place in public health—and not just for healthy tourists, but vulnerable groups.”
Going forward, Dr. Wen is hopeful for a new line of collaborative research that could begin to examine how tourism can enhance the lives of people with various conditions.
“We are trying to do something new in bridging tourism and health science,” he explained. “There will have to be more empirical research and evidence to see if tourism can become one of the medical interventions for different diseases like dementia or depression. So, tourism is not just about travelling and having fun; we need to rethink the role tourism plays in modern society.”
The paper was published in the journal Tourism Management (Source: Reuters)
As the last few days of sum mer drift away and the cooler weather sets in, we know that autumn is on its way. With this change in season, Sarnia‐Lambton erupts into beautiful fall colours and welcomes the hustle and bustle of the harvest season. Whether you’re planning a road trip filled with exciting activities, a quick getaway to re lax and reset, or a mix of both, perfect fall adventures await you in Sarnia‐Lambton.
While there are many signs that fall is arriving, one of the most anticipated is the changing of the leaves. Explore one of the many local conservation areas in Sarnia-Lambton, and you’ll dis cover beautiful views, colourful trees, peaceful tranquillity, and breathtaking sunsets along Lake Huron. Looking for a smooth trail to enjoy a long bike ride? Be sure to check out the Rock Glen Conservation and wa terfall in Arkona or plan a lei surely bike ride along the 300+ kilometre coastline of Ontario’s
Blue Coast. If a walk through the foliage is more your speed, Sarnia‐Lambton has you covered with parks and trails that come alive with colour during the fall season. Take a day trip and immerse yourself in the tow ering trees and brilliant burnt orange and golden leaves of Pinery Provincial Park, or ca noe down the Ausable River for a truly breathtaking view of the autumnal foliage.
While we all love to explore the fall colours outdoors, the Ontario weather doesn’t always cooperate with scheduling. So if you find yourself in need of an indoor adventure during your visit to Sarnia-Lambton, plan a little road trip and explore over ten local museums. From prehistoric creatures at the Stones N’ Bones Museum in Sarnia, historical wonders at the Oil Museum of Canada in Oil Springs, to the thought-provoking modern art of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery in Sarnia, a visit to a Sarnia-Lambton Museum is a perfect fall adventure to finish off your next visit to Sarnia-Lambton.
Plan your next visit to SarniaLambton today: ontbluecoast.com Facebook: @tourismsarnialambton Instagram: @ontariosbluecoast Twitter: @tourismlambton
Explore the all-new tunnel under Niagara’s cathedral of power, now featuring a never-before-seen view of the falls. Included with admission to the Parks Power Station © Enjoy the freshest produce and delicious local craft beverages straight from the farm to your table. With the fall harvest season in full swing comes an abundance of the freshest local produce to Sarnia‐Lambton. Visit one of the many farmers’ market stands and farm stores across Sarnia-Lambton to experience all the delicious local produce, like gourds, squashes, and mums, and freshly prepared local goods. Or take a seat on a vineyard patio overlooking the orchards and vineyards like the ones at Shale Ridge Estate Winery and the award-winning Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House in Thedford or Alton Farms Estate Winery in Plympton-Wyoming. Explore a new path and find your fall adventure in Sarnia-LambtonWhen you first visit Perth, Ontario, you just might fall in love with it. History, culture, and small-town charm abound in this heritage town, with culinary delights and theatre experiences that rival the big city. No matter the season, it’s always the perfect time to get away and explore all Perth has to offer: breweries, distilleries, outdoor adventure, walking tours, fabulous parks, spas, attractions, boutique shops, a wide variety of restaurants, great accommodations and more. Fall is no exception; from October through December, Perth is transformed into an autumnal wonderland, complete with exciting holiday events.
On October 1, experience the magic of Perth’s streets at night. The evening will feature a variety of entertainment, including musicians and street performers. More than 70 artisans and vendors—hailing from Lanark County, the Ottawa Valley, and beyond—can be found on the streets, highlighting the
talent that can be found in our own backyard.
Street closures will allow guests to move freely and pro vide ample space for physical
distancing. Most shops and restaurants across Perth will be open late for the event, allowing attendees to explore the unique offerings housed in the beautiful
heritage buildings. A night of culinary treats and historic charm, the Night Market is an event you won’t miss.
Visit PERTH.ca/NightMarket for more information and to stay up-to-date on details.
As the leaves turn orange and the weather cools down, Perth turns up the holiday spirit. You’ll want to book your tickets early for Perth Ghost Walk, as it usually sells out! Starting from Perth Museum, the Ghost Walk is led by historian and author Susan Code McDougall.
Create a new family tradition by getting in costume and join ing in on Perth’s Zombie Walk, or come by to see the zombies as you shop and dine in Perth!
There are seasonal offerings as far as the eye can see in Perth’s stores and restaurants. Stop by Scotch Line Farm to pick out the perfect pumpkin and get lost in the corn maze, and explore the Haunted Woods at Maple Key Day Camp.
Visit PERTH.ca/Halloween for the full lineup.
As the snow starts to fall, Perth comes alive with the kind of smalltown holiday cheer reserved for your favourite Hallmark movies.
The season kicks off with the Launch of Christmas in Perth on November 17 and is filled with shopping specials, craft fairs, the Farmer’s Christmas Market, musical and theatrical performances, seasonal work shops and more.
Mark your calendar for the Festival of Good Cheer on November 26, Festival of Lights on December 2, the Nick of Time craft sale and Santa Claus Parade on December 3, and the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day.
The trees inside the Crystal Palace are lit daily from November 19 until January 2. Drop by any evening to see them through the glass walls in the Tay Basin.
Your small-town adventure awaits in Perth. Come for a weekend getaway and make memories and traditions that will last a lifetime.
Visit PERTH.ca/Tourism to plan your adventure.
1974 Concession Road 2 West, Lynden
At the family-owned Merry Farms, you can not only pick out the perfect pumpkin for the season but also challenge yourself to a corn maze. A wagon ride will take you across the 176-acre pumpkin and Christmas tree farm where you can enjoy family fun activities and take home the per fect pumpkin to carve. There are more than 30 activities to enjoy, including a tractor pull, pumpkin bowling and so much more.
#1001 Highway #5 West, Dundas
Starting in late September, the Hanes Corn Maze opens its pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkins. After you’ve got the perfect pumpkin, try to beat the Hanes Corn Maze or mini mazes, and of course, get a handmade treat from the Tiny Shop Bakery.
The namesake corn maze is carved into 20 acres of 12 foot tall walls of cornstalk. Can you find your way out?
7705 Schisler Road, Welland Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm has everything you need for autumnal decor and food—browse through pumpkins, colourful gourds, corn stalks, hay bales and so much more. The pumpkin patch is filled with every shape and size, including giant pumpkins. Visitors can also enjoy a petting zoo, horsedrawn hay rides, tractor rides and more.
651 Scugog Line 2, Port Perry Cathy and Marvin purchased the 100-acre farm in 1980, and after years of nurturing their crops, they opened to the public in 1993, offering apple and pump kin picking. In their pumpkin patch, there are a variety of pump kins of different shapes, sizes and colours. The couple also explains that some of the pumpkins are perfect for pies and soups, while others make for a festive addition to your porch in the fall.
9365 10 Side Road, Milton
Open year-round, Andrews Scenic Acres has 165 acres of farmland to explore. Throughout September and October, visitors can pick pumpkins, gourds, apples and squash during the harvest season. On the escarpment countryside, Andrews offers walking trails, wagon rides, straw mazes and so much more for the perfect afternoon out with the family.
Only a short drive from the GTA, Kawartha Lakes is a mag ical destination boasting quaint and historic towns, fantastic din ing and shopping, beautiful lakes and rivers and an abundance of hiking, biking, and exploring opportunities to suit everyone.
Starting October 1, Kawartha Conservation is giving visitors another reason to fall in love with the Kawarthas this autumn—the Kawartha Fall Festival.
Experience the magic of Ken Reid Conservation Area, nestled along the scenic shores of Sturgeon Lake, for a week of experiences designed to make memories for the whole family. Visitors can enjoy Indigenous drumming and storytelling, soar to new heights with an amazing Birds of Prey exhibit and demonstration, get up close and personal with a variety of animals through interactive and engaging displays, learn about the forests through guided hikes on trees,
‘Kawartha Fall Festival’ and ‘Christmas at Ken Reid’ welcome all.
mushrooms, marsh life and more.
Visitors can also explore the 272-acre property at their own pace, experiencing the Talking Forest (an interactive app for Apple and Android that brings
the trees to life), the Story Walk Trail, Kawartha Quest, a fun, interactive outdoor adventure series for all ages, feeding chickadees and nuthatches by hand or simply enjoying
the forests, meadows and the provincially significant McLaren’s Creek Wetland through more than 10 kilometres of trails, two marsh boardwalks and an accessible viewing platform.
For birding enthusiasts, more than 170 species of birds have been reported at Ken Reid Conservation Area, and the fall migration is extra special with many rare and seasonal birds visiting the area. The Ken Reid Conservation Area Bird Checklist can help guide your visit with knowing what to look for and where.
The Kawartha Fall Festival is a celebration of autumn and the outdoors. Come and experience nature and the changing seasons like never before.
As the colour of autumn gives way to the splendour of winter, Ken Reid Conservation Area will help you get in the holiday spirit with Christmas at Ken Reid.
horse-drawn wagon rides through the forest, a Christmas scavenger hunt, kids craft corner, Christmas story walks, visits with Santa Claus, musical entertainment, animal displays, hiking, hot beverages and much more.
Christmas at Ken Reid is a free event for everyone so visitors can spend time with family and friends, laugh, smile, and make memories to last a lifetime. This December, be sure to mark your calendar and start a new annual holiday tradition with Kawartha Conservation, enjoying Christmas at Ken Reid in the heart of the Kawarthas.
And whether you’re looking to visit for a day, a weekend or a lifetime, Kawartha Lakes offers a relaxing lifestyle with great local amenities, recreation, and all less than 90 minutes from the GTA.
This fall and winter, make Ken Reid Conservation Area and the Kawartha Lakes your new favourite getaway destination and experience nature and the outdoors in a whole new way. We can’t wait to see you.COURTESY KAWARTHA
This holiday favourite has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors who kick off their holidays with
© There’s one true sign that fall is here—pumpkins! As the festive gourd finds its annual spot on our porches and makes its way into our kitchens, try your hand at picking your own pumpkin and getting festive this year. Across Ontario, there is an abundance of farms to visit that offer pick-your-own pumpkins and amenities that are fun for the whole family and will keep you coming back year after year. © PEXELS/JAMES WHEELERFollow your curiosity and veer off the “beaten path” of Western New York, where you’ll find natural resources and hidden treasures you never expected!
The “beaten path” that we refer to is the NYS Thruway (I-90), which connects several wellknown cities. We invite you to exit at Pembroke or Batavia and explore the backroads of Orleans County to the north, where you can venture to Lake Ontario, and Wyoming County to the south, where you can experience Letchworth State Park—the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
Adventure: We offer you family-friendly experiences that thrill adventurers of all ages and make memories to last a lifetime. Try whitewater rafting next to Letchworth State Park’s 600-foot gorge walls or fly above the 100-foot Middle Waterfall in a hot air balloon.
The Ultimate Fishing Town of Point Breeze on the “Oak” offers over 30 professional fishing charters that will venture out on Lake Ontario for the ultimate fishing experience in the spring and summer. In the fall, winter
and spring, try casting at any number of tributaries to capture trophy-sized salmon or trout.
Back to Nature: Looking for serenity in nature? Several outfitters will provide kayaks and canoes for you to explore the gentle currents of our creeks, streams, and lakes. The Erie Canal is a perfect choice to kayak or cycle along the towpath from village to village. Hiking trails and bird watching are popular at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Beaver Meadow Audubon Center or Autism Nature Trail in Letchworth State Park, among others.
History: The development of our region includes awe-inspiring engineering feats from the Mount Morris Dam to the Erie Canal. Explore the canal town villages along the banks of the Erie Canal by boat, bicycle or car. They are teaming with specialty shops, activities and a variety of restaurants. Let your curiosity rein at our museums devoted to Cobblestone architecture and Sandstone architecture specific to the region. Train enthusiasts will discover a few railroading
opportunities: train excursions in Arcade and Medina, where you can marvel at one of the largest model train displays in the country!
Agri-Tourism: The rich agricultural history is prevalent
in the lake plains region of New York state. Farm-to-table is a way of life here. You can find fresh produce and artisanal preserves at farm markets, roadside produce stands and food-tastic festivals
throughout the region during the fall harvest. Craft beverages will scintillate your taste buds at any one of the breweries, cideries, wineries, and meaderies. Plan your visit around harvest-themed events this fall, such as the AppleUmpkin Arts Festival, Kendall Scarecrow Festival, Taste of Orleans or Niagara Wine Trail events.
Lodging: You won’t find many big-chain hotels here, but what you will find are lush boutique hotels and homey vacation rentals such as cabins, waterfront cottages and bed and breakfast inns. Plenty of family-friendly campgrounds are available, ranging from rugged to state-of-the-art. Some courses offer lodging packages for golf enthusiasts, whether you prefer a nice comfortable inn or “RV to a Tee.”
Orleans and Wyoming Counties are located approximately an hour apart, so we invite you to take the roads less travelled and spend a day, weekend or week-long vacation.
Visit lakestoletchworth.com or call 585.589.3100 to order a Travel Guide to plan your trip today.
ALLIE MURRAY
Every year in October, Hawksbill turtles begin nesting along the shores of Seychelles, bringing tourists and conservationists alike to Six Senses Zil Pasyon to witness the phenomenon firsthand.
At Six Senses Zil Pasyon, guests can not only marvel at the natural wildlife but also enjoy scenic views, tropical weather, and sustainability initiatives that give back to the planet.
The luxury resort has put a focus on sustainability and conservation, partnering with the Olive Ridley Project—a
charity dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats—to support sea turtle conservation in Seychelles. The partnership allows them to focus on research, education, and outreach for turtle populations in Seychelles.
“Sea turtles are a big part of the natural ecosystem in Seychelles, and considering that Seychelles holds some of the largest Hawksbill turtle populations worldwide, a thorough conservation program is crucial to have,” Six Senses Zil Pasyon general manager Tim Bilfinger explained.
Habitat conservation has long been a focus for Six Senses Zil Pasyon—so much so that when the resort was built some six years ago, the landscaping concept focused on habitat restoration. The environment at the resort uses only plants, shrubs and trees that are indigenous to Seychelles.
“Every aspect of the resort is designed to work in harmony with the environment,” marketing communications manager Lina Suryati explained. “Our sensitive architecture is matched by intelligent ecological practices, committed to preserving and
nurturing our tropical home.”
Through their projects, Six Senses Zil Pasyon has been able to eliminate more than 119,000 plastic bottles, hatch 367 critically endangered Hawksbill turtles in the 2021/2022 season, and protect 15,000 square metres of native trees.
While visiting Seychelles, Six Senses Zil Pasyon makes for the perfect place to relax. The resort takes up only one-third of the island’s mass so as not to disrupt the natural landscapes.
The resort hosts 30 villas plus three private residences, which are designed to be advantageous
for seclusion, incorporating surrounding tropical foliage and beautiful vistas along the shores of the Indian Ocean. The villas include infinity pools, panoramic views of the ocean, and lush tropical vegetation.
Going forward, Six Senses Zil Pasyon is focusing on a variety of conservation projects, including continuing their work with Olive Ridley Project, reforestation of Félicité by planting indigenous species back on the island, partnerships with local schools to assist in sustainability and conservation education, and more.
Located at the top of the Chesapeake Bay, Harford County, Maryland, is a convenient stop for travelers along I-95. Slow down as you take in the waterfront views in the charming and historic town of Havre de Grace. Engage your senses and adventurous spirit as you traverse hiking or biking trails, nature centres, or an awardwinning topiary garden.
Havre de Grace, a vibrant and charming waterfront community, offers a rich history and a full slate of events throughout the year. The five museums of Havre de Grace include a Decoy Museum, Maritime Museum, Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House, and Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House. Shop art galleries, specialty boutiques, and antique shops. Experience the tranquility on the water in a boat, kayak, parasail, or stand-up paddleboard. When it’s time to refuel and rest, choose a delightful restaurant and bed and breakfast to make your stay complete.
With 89 county parks and three state parks, there is a trail
for everyone! Rocks State Park, situated on 850 acres, is perfect for picnicking, hiking, tubing, canoeing, or fishing. Two unique landmarks are a must-see in Rocks State Park. The “King and Queen Seat” offers a spectacular 190-foothigh rock outcrop overlooking Deer Creek, where legend has it that the Susquehannocks, a local
Native American tribe, once sat in tribal council. The second is Kilgore Falls, a 17-foot free-falling waterfall that is the second-highest vertical falls in Maryland. If you are looking for the perfect place to camp, try Susquehanna State Park. The park is home to some of the most popular moun tain biking trails in Maryland,
and the mighty Susquehanna River itself beckons fisherman and boaters alike. Discover the Rock Run Historic Area with its working grist mill showcasing a 12-tonne water wheel, the Archer Mansion, Jersey Toll House and the Susquehanna Tidewater Canal.
Add one of the following thematic trails to your Harford
County trip itinerary for the perfect getaway—Barn Quilt Trail, Libation Trail, Mural Trail, Snowball Trail, or Ice Cream Trail. The Barn Quilt Trail is a collection of colourfully painted quilts mounted on barns and showcases our county’s agricultural heritage. Take time to savour some Maryland crab soup, taste freshly picked produce or sample homemade ice cream and watch the sunset at a farm brewery or winery. Each of the 11 stops on the Libation Trail is a one-of-a-kind experience. Snowballs, a Maryland tradition, will satisfy that sweet tooth.
There is no place quite like Ladew Topiary Gardens, offering over 100 life-size topiaries on 22 acres. The gardens are exquisite in any season, which is why this spot is world-renowned and voted one of the top five gardens in North America. Fox hunting memorabilia and antiques fill the 1747 Manor House. Enjoy the butterfly house, nature walk, café, gift shop, and historical displays.
Plan your adventure at visitharford.com
©
LETCHWORTH © KEITH WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY
Relaxing by the water, discov ering outdoor adventures and indulging in delicious coastal cuisine. You can experience all this and more in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. With beauti ful beaches, exciting attractions and activities, and incredible restaurants, you and your family will find the perfect escape on the Alabama Gulf Coast with a beach vacation like no other.
There’s nothing quite like digging your toes in the sand and feeling the waves wash over you, and there are plenty of places here to do just that. Our area is home to 32-miles of sugar-white sand beaches, per fect for relaxing, playing, and exploring. You’ll enjoy playing beach volleyball or tossing a fris bee with the family. The kids will love building sandcastles and searching for shells along the shore while you unwind with a good book or refreshing cock tail. The possibilities are endless on Alabama’s beaches.
The lodging options are un beatable on our beaches, with so many places to select from. Choose from condos, beach houses, resorts, hotels and camp ground sites. Wake up and enjoy breakfast on your balcony over looking the water or fall asleep under the stars. Bringing your furry companion along? No
worries, as you’ll find plenty of pet-friendly lodging available. Whatever amenities you need, you’ll find a place that best suits your family and your needs.
It’s no secret that the South is home to incredible cuisine, and on the Alabama Gulf Coast, you’ll discover a dining experi ence unlike any other. Fresh Gulf seafood, irresistible barbeque, and unique beach cocktails are just a few of the things you’ll find on the menu here. Not only is the food incredible, but so is the atmosphere of the area’s restau rants. You can’t beat enjoying a freshly caught meal and sip ping a locally crafted beer while watching the waves and feeling the comfortable coastal breeze.
You won’t run out of things to do here as Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to doz ens of exciting family-friendly attractions and activities. Shop ‘til you drop at The Wharf, make a big splash at Waterville USA or go wild at The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. You’ll also want to check out the variety of minigolf courses, museums, arcades and escape rooms in the area. No matter what you’re interested in, never-ending fun awaits.
Want to get outside? There are plenty of opportunities to hit the water and explore the area’s natu ral beauties while visiting. Traverse
through the area on a boat or glide through the water on a paddle board or kayak. You can also get your adrenaline pumping by para sailing over the shores or bounding over the waves on a Jet Ski. For a truly unforgettable experience, try a dolphin or helicopter tour and discover the uniqueness of Alabama’s beaches.
If you prefer to stay dry, ex plore Gulf State Park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Inside this 6,150-acre park, you’ll find 28 miles of trails, nine distinct ecosystems, and lots of oppor tunities to admire its unbeatable beauty. The trails are perfect for biking, hiking, and running and offer guests a chance to discover the native wildlife and plant life. Additionally, you can earn about the park’s history and culture with a guided Segway tour as you nav igate through the trails.
If you’ve got an angler in the family, they’ll have a blast casting a line on the Alabama Gulf Coast as there are plenty of opportuni ties to fish in the area, including surf, on-shore, off-shore and pier fishing. Bring your boat or choose to rent one and cruise the waters, searching for impressive catches.
If you want a memorable experi ence, opt for a fishing expedition on a charter boat and get ready for the trip of a lifetime. Alabama’s beaches are also a
golfer’s paradise. Fifteen outstand ing courses can be found in and around the area. You can play a round or two while enjoying the coastal breeze and admiring the natural wonders surrounding you. After all, there’s no better to cel ebrate after a successful round than a tasty seaside cocktail and an evening by the water.
In addition to all of the fantastic entertainment our area boasts, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach also host a plethora of incredible events. There’s always something fun happening, from fishing tournaments and art festivals to concerts and sports events. If you’re looking for some musical excitement, be sure to head to the beach this fall for the 38th Annual Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival which takes place November 3-13.
Whether you’re looking to un wind, explore or find adventure, Alabama’s beaches are the ideal vacation spot for you. We offer a family-friendly destination with something fun for everyone in your group. If you want an un forgettable family trip this year, start planning your escape to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and get ready for a vacation you’ll remember for years to come.
GulfShores.com OrangeBeach.com
“I don’t have enough food. I don’t go to school because it is too far.”
