THE GREAT SPIRIT WATCHES OVER THE RIPPLING WATER SINGING “O CANADA”. These words are spoken by the Ojibway: there is a force of expression, with music in the words and poetry in their meaning.
The word Canada in
Iroquois means “settlement” and was first used by Jacque Cartier, in the 16th century when he referred to this land; land to be settled for France.
My cottage is geographically located within the Canadian Shield, Georgian Bay area, which was and is inhabited by the Ojibway, First Nation. The original territorial conflicts involving the Ojibway were with the Sioux (north-west of Lake Superior…Ke-che-gumme) the Iroquois( to the north-east)& the Huron( to the south-east).
So on this Canada Day, July 1st, 2012(Dominion Day, 
Confederation Day, Charlottetown 1867) (Newfoundland entered in 1949), we walk away with the knowledge that this land has been viable for much longer than 145 years; our home and native land.
However, on this July 1st, 2012, as I pull my kayak upon the shoals and ascend this rocky property, I hear the ending melodic melody of Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad,The Canadian Railroad Trilogy and as I round the cabin’s back steps Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah has given CBC listeners that soulful hello.(my “left on” kitchen radio).
As I take a mouthful of oatmeal straight from the pot and proceed to tie up my boots, the 7:30am news update is saying what?/among other things that Nursing Home Fees are going up/!(my baby boomer colleagues don’t need to know that on the countries birthday.
Then Rex Murphy (a Newfoundlander, a Placentia Bye, an Oxford Scholar and a CBC commentator) answers questions on a call-in show….Cross Canada Check-up. One person asked if he had a favorite word?
“Yes,”without hesitation he says “that word is CHALCANTEROUS. It means BRASS BOWELS, something that comes in handy, getting through life.” he states with a chuckle. A little BB is mighty dandy when dealing with all the BS. bandied about
All kidding aside, I hope that you are all well, and that you took a moment to be appreciative.
ps: I just received an e-mail from Chris from Red Indian Lake in NFLD, saying it’s a SUN SPLITS ROCKS DAY on the fine Isle. and with that I specifically want to wish Lee all the best and hope that she is back in Vermilion(another red soiled plot of land in Sasketchewan, Canada) I hope that you and Rick are up to riding your horses, soon.
2012thislandisyourlandseatosea 