Skip to content

Trip to parents' homeland invigorates patriotism

Story: Over the holidays I took a trip to India. I am a first generation Canadian and this was my first trip to my parent's homeland. India is amazing, colourful and alive. It is a country that truly survives.

Story:

Over the holidays I took a trip to India. I am a first generation Canadian and this was my first trip to my parent's homeland.

India is amazing, colourful and alive. It is a country that truly survives. However, I was overcome too with a sense of innocence lost and surprise as I stepped from the 30-hour journey to arrive in the place of my family's origin, which is a stark contradiction to my Canada.

During my first 24 hours in India I watched a man die in a traffic accident and children begging in the city streets.

India's day-to-day reality is a much harder, sharper reality than anything I have ever known, and although India is compelling, life in India is a struggle.

My father always told me how lucky and proud he was to live in a country like Canada, and although I heard him speak I only began to truly listen to this lesson as I found my way around this strange and harsh country.

Today waking up again in Squamish I feel truly thankful to be a Canadian and proud to be serving my community in a small way by being on council.

I have a new appreciation and respect for all levels of our Canadian government as well as our correction system, emergency services, hospitals, water and sewer as well as other infrastructure that I previously expected to receive.

I have a newfound respect for my parents and all immigrants who made significant sacrifices to search out a new and hopefully better life for their children and grandchildren.

The strength and perseverance needed to make this life-altering step should not be dismissed but rather remembered and honoured.

Next month the world will be turning its eyes to our country and corridor. As Canadians we have much to be proud of and boast about.

Visitors will find our country safe and welcoming, clean, accepting and open. We take the wilderness that is a mere few steps out our back door for granted but the world will view our landscape and community with awe.

The District of Squamish with the Village of Pemberton in partnership with the province will showcase the economic diversity of our corridor on Feb. 23 in Whistler during the Games.

This will be Squamish's official showcase day, however do not forget that everyday we are Canadians in the heart of the Games.

Let's make an extra effort to show our visitors our best authentic selves, our best business our best service, our best hospitality.

Regardless of your opinion of the Games, this opportunity is really about showcasing ourselves to the world, remembering and honouring Canadians who have made our country what it is. Wave your Canadian flag, wear red, smile.

Understand that you live in the greatest country on Earth and welcome the world.

On behalf of my family, I would like to extend happy holiday wishes to the whole community for a safe and prosperous 2010.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks