Thursday, March 4, 2010

Don’t Colour Your Roots Embrace them


For those of you who know my past, all or some of it, you know I’ve had a few ‘home towns’ along the way. I’ve been lucky to find niches and connect with people who embrace me in their community even if just for a short time. Before moving to Alberta I was engulfed in a wonderful small northern Manitoba community, The Pas Manitoba (and no I wasn't in the witness protection program).  Now The Pas, and yes it is THE Pas not LE Pas or LES Paz, has had some bad press nationally in the past but the people who live there, the community, is full of salt of the earth people with deep roots, committed to thriving in the north. It is built on social connections that run deep.

My husband grew up there and no matter where we go he has connections with others from home. From the Cook Islands to Calgary, Mexico to Manhattan the six degrees of separation seems to be only one or two degrees for him. I’ve been fortunate to tag along into this world. These close knit community connections bring a sense of looking out for each other when anywhere in the world. It is truly amazing and it is truly at the heart of community.

There’s something about the north, the isolation, the bush, the minus 40 for weeks on end, that builds hearty people and that creates a unique northern hospitality that oozes from every pore. Attending recreation conferences in Winnipeg, our northern consortium of recreation professionals would always host a Northern Hospitality Night which was a big hit and when we hosted the Manitoba 2002 Winter Games the Hospitality Rooms and Events were second to none. I was excited when a friend told me that Rick Mercer was going to The Pas for Trappers Festival, a northern tradition bringing together people, history and friendly competition.  

One of our friends sent along the link and I just had to pass it along. Embrace your roots no matter what colour they are!

3 comments:

Barb Pedersen said...

Karen, thanks so much for sharing a wonderful part of Canada! The Rick Mercer video is HILARIOUS and HEARTWARMING! Do you and Dave recognize any of the folks? I am able to do what I do in my life because of the strong roots I gained from my home farming community. Thanks for reminding us.

Janet Naclia said...

Great blog, Karen! As a born Northern (home town Fort McMurray), there is a special connection amongst people who live in harsher climates. It makes us tougher and gives us time to learn how to knit!

Karen said...

Barb it's like I never left the place because most of the faces are familiar. Especially the famous Lonesome Mary!

Janet, we'll have to trade secrets of closet knitting, beading and other hardy northern pastimes!