Dear Fellow Canadians (A Personal Reflection)

Dear Fellow Canadians,

I thank God every day that my parents chose Canada to be our home in 1977. Since that time when I was 4 years old, I have had countless opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to my community with the support of so many people. I have felt welcomed and encouraged by Canadians who trace their ethnic origins from all parts of the world.

I have learned an important lesson while working as an educator: “Be true to your school!” It may sound cliche, but when played out in life it is incredibly powerful. Whenever I run into students and staff from the schools I have worked in, there is an instant loyalty, trust, and friendship. It may sound crazy, but it’s there. We are all Hawks! An Eagle is always an Eagle! Let’s go Timberwolves!

In the same way that Eagles, Hawks, and Timberwolves (reference to school mascots) feel loyalty, trust, and friendship with others who attended their school, we are all Canadians and have a marvellous opportunity to look out for one another and care for each other’s needs during these challenging times and in the days ahead.

• If we are among the First Peoples of Canada, were born here, or landed here; we are all Canadian.
• If we speak a First Language, French, English, or another language of the world; we are all Canadian.
• If we live in the east, west, north, or south; we are all Canadian.
• If we agree on certain topics, or disagree; we are all Canadian.
• If we are darker or lighter; we are all Canadian.
• We indeed cheer for different hockey teams, but when it comes to international play, we all cheer for Team Canada! 🇨🇦 

This is the time for Canadians to stick together in a way that has never been done before. We are facing a challenge that affects every single one of us during this unique moment in history and during a never-before-seen technology age. Together, we are Canada in this moment in time. As a result, an extremely important consideration for all of us right now is the legacy that we are together building and will leave for generations to come due to our response to the challenges we face as a nation today.

Let’s demonstrate to the world the values that make us truly great. Canadian values have inspired people from around the world to leave what was home for the promise of an even better place to live, work, play, and raise their families. These unbelievable values supported a 4-year-old immigrant kid to study, play an instrument, engage in sport, attend university, and to now lead the largest independent school in British Columbia. Wow. This isn’t me. This is us.

From the Maritimes to Central Canada, the Prairies to the West Coast, from our Northern Shores to our southern border this is us; this is who we are. We are a place of great promise and hope for all. Let us never forget the gift of this nation to each one of us and always work towards preserving and enriching it for future generations.

Dear Canadian Leaders
Leaders in all areas of Canadian life, please keep working together with integrity for the benefit of all of our people. Let’s show the world what respectful, empathetic, and responsible leadership looks like.

Dear Canadians Active on Social Media

Let’s show the world what respectful, empathetic, and responsible commenting looks like. Let’s model how social media can be harnessed for useful dialogue that doesn’t become personal and builds up, rather than tears down.

Dear Canadian Youth
Lead us to the realization of the great Canadian promise and hope for those that are hurting, suffering, and marginalized among us. Continue turning your focus outward and consider how we can help others; model this for us adults. We want to support your vision!

Dear Canadian Parents

Our children need us now more than ever. Let’s get on the floor and play. Let’s ask questions and then pause to actually hear the response. Let’s put down our devices and invest our time to build confidence and trust within each of our children.

This is our time!

Will you consider doing the following immediately after reading this?
Step outside your front door and consider your neighbours
> Is there a need?
> Can anyone use an encouraging note?
> Reach out and meet the need today
Repeat

May God bless you and may God bless this beautiful nation of Canada, our home.

Vijay Manuel
Head, MEI Schools
Chair, Character Abbotsford