Now live-blogging from 150!Canada Conference:
www.masslbp.com Twitter hashtag: #150Canada. Peter MacLeod of MASSLBP
www.masslbp.com and Gabriele Sekaly of IPAC
ipac-iapc.blogspot.com getting us started, co-hosts. Thanking sponsors RBC, OpenText, NAC, NFB, Walrus, MetroNews and others.
Welcoming remarks from Peter Herrndorf of the NAC.
Rt. Hon Beverley McLachlin, former Chief Justice, is the first of 25 speakers, up next.
McLachlin speaking on the diversity of our citizenship. Her thesis, diversity is a key characteristic of Canada. Points to John Ralston Saul "A Fair Country", the nature of Canada comes from English, French and Aboriginal. We are a Metis Nation.
In 1966 87% of immigrants were European in origin. Today 80% come from non-European countries. We accept more immigrants than any other nation in the world. This has an immense impact on who we are. Points to recent StatsCan report that in major cities in Canada, visible minorities will be the majority.
Responsibility of diversity is to foster an open community. We have to find ways to accommodate each other. When we live this way, what do we get? A Just Society. The dream and image of the Just Society still resonates, and the Charter institutionalizes it.
Celebrate diversity as the means and expression of our Just Society. McLachlin challenging delegates to make diversity a key part of our 2017 150th celebrations.
Up next: Helen Davies on the Politics of Participation. Wrote the scholarly paper on the importance of 1967.
Helen Davies found the Centennial symbol flag hanging in a living room window. Yet another moment of Centennial.
Canadians participated in a huge number of events across the country. Confederation Train, Confederation Caravan, exchanges, local grass-roots activities. Centennial hairdoes, toques, dances, sports tournaments, parades. Everyone was invited. In Alberta, someone constructed a UFO landing pad.
Something intangible happened. All sorts of barriers between people broke away when working on Centennial projects.
It was happening in a time of rapid social change. Centennial also created a space for dialogue and discussion of difference, while unifying around a common case. The philosophy was to be inclusive of grass-roots actions. Organizers didn't want to dominate with official events. The Commission only asked and invited Canadians to do something to celebrate in a way that worked for them. They decentralized the execution of projects, resisting tendency to have control.
Now introducing Peter Aykroyd, our link to Centennial, was Director of Communications for the Centennial Commission. Speaking on the Anniversary Compulsion.
If it ends in a zero and you can divide the number five, then BOOM! It's an anniversary. It's a passage from one stage to another stage of life. It's a ritual and a rite of a passage.
A birthday party model of the rite: gathering, sharing a meal, exchange of gifts, singing, talk of the future and applause. It's a good model.
Events like this are a confirmation of identity. They offer reassurance and encouragement to continue the journey.
Reinforce the identity of the organism. In doing this, spend lots of time understanding all the dimensions of that reality. Make sure it's fun, but also allow for dignity and emotion. It is healthy to release the spirit through noise, laughter, tears.
The total capital cost of Centennial capital projects was $338 million in 1967 dollars!
Aykroyd introducing Bruce Kidd on Arts and Athleticism.
150!Canada | Liveblog live blogging
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A big idea mobilizes governments, corporations and NGOs, engages peoples civic imaginations, encourages people to reach beyond their own constituencies to connect with other people.
Kidd, inspired by Centennial, created a project to bring together artists and athletes, exploring their common experiences and goals.
The 150th will be an even bigger opportunity than the Olympics or the Pan Am games. Engages every geography and every aspect of our society, not just sports or culture.
We're undergoing seismic shifts in our democracy and our society, huge impacts of technology, a new generation of youth looking to define their own stamp on who we are.
2017 must be a vehicle for Big Ideas, both large and small. Whether it's bottom-up, or a major project long dreamed of. It needs a lot of education, to engage Canadians across the country to imagine their own participation. Think about small seed grants to stimulate grass-roots ideas.
First slate of speakers done. Morning break for 15 minutes.
We're coming back from break.
Next speaker: Rita Cox on New Canadian Stories. Former librarian with Parkdale Library, contributor to Caribana, a member of the Order of Canada.
Caribana was original a Centennial celebration. The costumes have shrunk, but the spirit of the festival was about the different Afro-Caribbean communities from different islands here in Canada. It integrated all the carnival arts together, that come from the peoples soul. Carnival is based on the fancy balls that the slave owners held on Mardis Gras. The slaves mimiced this, had their own celebrations, brought their African traditions and tribal customs to colour those celebrations.
Just about to get restarted. People are already scheming grassroots 2017 celebrations! #150canada
We brought this history from our people and tradition and brought these to Canada and presented them. Canada accepted that gift graciously. After that first Carribana, it has proven to be a gift that keeps on giving. We can be not just invited guests, now we can be hosts of this.
Rita Cox is an amazing speaker, manifests her spirit into the room.
Canada needs a new infusion of ideas and excitement
#150canada
Centennial was exciting. The country needs this new infusion of love of country, patriotism and celebration. This conference is an opportunity for us to be part of something great in 2017. The new celebration needs to be reflected in our faces, to reflect the people that we are. Carribana is now a Canadian festival, attracting visitors from across North America.
Carribana belongs to canadians and not the west Indians alone #150canada
Carribana was invited to be part of Ontario pavillion at the Olympic games. We have arrived. We presented our artform to the world.
Rita Cox now speaking on New Canadian Stories at #150Canada:
bit.lyRita Cox now introducing Roch Carrier, author of the Hockey Sweater. Built a bridge between English and French Canada. Speaking on Past and Likely Future.
Roch Carrier now on our past and likely future #150canada
When we celebrate Canada, I hope there will be hockey! Hockey is a metaphor for the country.
