creative forces

Blog # 121...September 2021 

So much is going on all around us these days to capture our attention ...every day bringing news of fresh disasters. Some of these disasters run the risk of slipping out of sight as time passes and the news cycle hits us with another one. The image below rests in the foyer of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the photo was taken by 7 year old Laalan on a visit with his grandmother, my friend BettyAnn, who took the pic below. His shoes are about the same size as those in the installation...and of the children wrenched from their families and taken to residential schools.

We noticed the tiny pink boots on the walkway leading up to St Peter’s church on Bathurst Street in Toronto while we heard of bodies being discovered near residential schools. Although the boots disappeared a few weeks ago, with no more explanation than when they appeared, the image is etched indelibly in my mind. And even if it would have been more culturally attuned to have a pair of deerskin moccasins, the point was made.

Let's never forget all those who suffered and continue to suffer from our attempts to remove and diminish their culture. Many of them are doing the heavy lifting on our behalf now to help save the planet. 

Rue Quatre-Septembre is a street in Paris commemorating the fall of Napoleon lll and the founding of the third French Republic in 1870. I like to think it also celebrates my birthday...another history lesson for you - I was born the year Edward Vlll  abdicated. So, Happy Birthday, whenever yours is and thanks for reading my blog. See you back here in October