Árdís - 01.01.1951, Page 20

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ÁRDÍS
Our Warp and Woof
BY INGIBJORG J. OLAFSSON
Tonight I am dealing with a topic never dealt with before at
our conventions. If I fail to give you any inspiration or enjoyment
it is not because my subject is not worthy, although it may be too
extensive to be covered in a short paper. I feel it is timely and in
order to meditate for a short while on some of the privileges and
responsibilities that are ours as Canadian citizens.
More than a hundred year ago, Lord Durham uttered a prophesy
when he spoke of what was then called “Upper and Lower Canada”.
He said: “These small and unimportant communities could be
elevated into a society having some national importance”. In its
time this prophecy was considered bold and optimistic. Now, 112
years later, we know Canada, reaching from coast to coast, from
the Arctic to the boundaries of the United States, as one of the
most prosperous countries in the world. We know of the wonderful
cities in the east surrounded by great natural resources. Beyond
these are the hills and tundra regions reaching all the way to the
Arctic, scarcely touched by human hands. We know its fertile,
beautiful prairies dotted with cities and towns in the central
regions; its mountains, cities and towns to the west with the
grandeur of scenery and the refreshing cool breath of the Pacific
Ocean. We have some idea of the great productions and we also
have an idea of the possibilities yet unexplored and untouched.
This is our Canada of today.
The next question that arises is about its people, and we can
truly answer that we are all kinds of people. The energy, tenacity
and family spirit of the French was necessary for the upbuilding
of the raw land. The efficiency and self-control of the people from
the British Isles was added to this during the early years. During
the next hundred years many splendid characteristics were added
by people from many countries, there now being 30 to 40 national
groups in Canada. Of course these groups brought their faults
and shortcomings as well. But, in spite of that, we can truly say
that out of the cultures of these national groups has been forged
the common denominator of the Canadian character.
A hundred years is a very short span in human history, so we