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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oct. 2, 2023 - In- person Meeting at the Delta - RC of Regina is the host;
Oct. 12 & 19, 12 noon are Regina Eastview ZOOM Meeting;
Oct. 26 - is an In-person meeting at the Delta - Eastview is Host;
Christmas Hams - Eastview's "Ham King", John Van Koll has put out the call for us to sell 700 hams - let's be on this task;
Oct 24 - World Polio Day - a fundraising special evening celebration - information is out - book your seat for this event with Toshi Shinmura;
Call Jeanne Alexander if you have a potential Guest Speaker for our Club meetings';
Dec. 7 Christmas Banquet is in the early stages of planning by Regina Eastview in consultation with the Regina Club and will be open to all Regina Rotary Clubs - please note this on your calendar.
"TRUTH & RECONCILIATION" - A LIVED PERSPECTIVE WITH NELSON BIRD!
President Al Hoeft was ready, the people came - 23 entered the room while another 4 to 6 joined by ZOOM. On site attendees were encouraged to go to the buffet, food was consumed. President Al shared the Land Acknowledgement, Allen Hillsden led in the National Anthem; the 50/50 draw was held and Hans Gaastra picked the wrong color marble - so the potential winnings increase; Doreen Pankewich shares some exceedingly "wise words of wisdom".; and, Jeanne Alexander was called on to introduce our Guest Speaker - we learned this about Nelson Bird:
Nelson Bird started with CTV Saskatchewan in 1998 and is currently the assignment editor at CTV Regina News a position he has held since 2013. He is the former anchor, reporter, and producer of the weekly CTV SK series “INDIGENOUS CIRCLE” WITH NELSON BIRD which he hosted for more than 15 years. His first language is English but understand and speaks a limited amount of Cree.
Nelson was born and raised on Peepeekisis First Nation and has lived in Regina for more than 35 years. He is a graduate of University of Regina / First Nations University with a degree in Journalism and Indigenous Studies He has a certificate in Indian Communication Arts and holds a Professional Management Certificate from the University of Regina.
As National Truth and Reconciliation Day is on September 30, he was invited to speak on, "What does this day mean to me". Nelson introduced himself as "a product of the Residential School system". Although he never attended such a school, his parents did, as did his grandparents and his great grandparents. "No one talked about their school experience". His mother spoke about the things she learned like how to sew. He did remember hearing a story about a boy who attended the school and was known to run away. On occasion he ran way and the priests caught him and beat him so badly that he died. His body was brought back to the school, displayed to the students who were told "This is what will happen to you if you run away.
Men spoke about joining the army during both World Wars. They joined the military because it was the first time they experienced "Freedom". As Indigenous people they lived on the reserve and they could not leave the reserve - they could not vote, they could not sell anything. Everything had to go through the Indian Agent. In 1960 his father was allowed to go to Regina and look for work and he got a job at Molson's Brewer where he worked for 25 years but lived on the reserve all this time.
Nelson moved to Regina at the age of 18, applied to SIAST to become a "Fireman" which looked like a wonderful career and was somewhat disappointed in the first day of class that he would be a "boiler fireman". But he graduated and got a "maintenance" job at a trade school so not all was lost. So this was alright for a dozen years, but he yearned for something else and noted the absence of "all colors" in media personalities other than white. He attended the U of R Indigenous studies area and wanted to become a writer and teller of indigenous stories. By taking advantage of opportunities made available, however weird they might seem led to being at the right spot at the right time and being recognized for a story teller with a grounding in the indigenous community which reflected a unique appreciated credibility. These opportunities have resulted in people coming to him and expressing appreciation for the fact that Nelson told them about sweat lodges and its meaning. Speaking proudly about his heritage and reminding himself and others that one is not less indigenous when you leave the reserve as commonly viewed by those who leave on the reservations.
Nelson concluded his presentation by sharing there are 2 things he wishes to do each day - the first is to learn something new; and the 2nd is to make people laugh. Today he learned they were taking down the fence at City hall, and you made us laugh. Because Nelson has a broad based ancestry, he chose to have his ancestry determined. Through the process he learned he is 63% Indian, and he was pleased with that outcome and he wears that knowledge with pride.
Nelson Bird, thank you for sharing your story with us.
May you continue to expand your Indigenous Circle which so beautifully matches Rotary's commitment to Create Hope in the World.
Nelson Bird
WORLD POLIO DAY
Toshi Shinmura, Regina Eastview's PolioPlus Coordinator, drew attention to the World Polio Day Fund Raiser Poster, which was circulated to Eastview members and was on today's Luncheon tables. This celebration is open to all Rotarians and friends.
This is a Fellowship event and will be held at Lee's Chop Suey East on October 24, 2023. Tickets are $50.00 - $25.00 is for the generous menu, and the other $25.00 is for a donation to PolioPlus. The purchaser will receive a charitable receipt from The Rotary Foundation. Space is limited to 40 persons so you are invited to make your purchase early.
Toshi Shinmura
This is an opportunity to help Rotary achieve our goal of a polio-free world by continuing to raise funds for PolioPlus. Every dollar raised will be matched 2-to-1, up to US$150 million by the Gates Foundation. Sounds like a wonderful incentive
The Family of Rotary
We often talk casually about the Family of Rotary, but it becomes real and takes on a profound meaning on special occasions which initially may not appear appear either profound or special;
Today was such a day for I shared a table with 3 members of the Regina Club, Eastviewian Charles, who drew our attentions to the "royalty" of his name, and his daughter Shingia (which means "be brave"), visiting from Zimbabwe, who passionately shared her appreciation for this "family";
A good learning for the day!
(L - R) Ian Yates, Charels Sadzamare, Shingia Runga, Stuart Graham and Gilda Treleaven-Graham
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
An in-person meeting is always a highlight, and today's gathering was extra special for the 23 people at the Delta;
A pre "celebration" of National Peace and Reconciliation Day with Guest Speaker Nelson Bird helped to place the importance of this day into a unique perspective for this writer;
Sharing this celebration with members of the RC of Regina had special significance which was magnified by the presence of Charles Sadzamare's daughter Shingia, who following the presentation by Nelson, shared her experience coming from a "controlled" culture in her homeland to the freedom experienced when intentional steps are taken to right decades of wrong;
As a Rotary Exchange Student who spent a year hosted by the Rotary Club of Ottawa, Shingia credited the important role Rotary has played, and continues to play, in recognizing how much better off we all are when we work together;
Ann Grahame drew attention to the CIBC Run For The Cure in which her daughter Sophie will be running this Sunday, October 1, 2023. This being 4 years since her breast cancer diagnosis - please support this run and the runners;
President Al drew attention to their son, a Rotarian in Williams Lake B.C, where Orange Shirt Day is a really big deal;
Peter Peters told the group that he and Margaret were able to hold their 2 month old Great Grandson for the very first time last Sunday - seems Weston did not appear to have the same level of appreciation for the occasion, but Great Opa believes the child will be lovingly won over;
Thank you all for enriching this Rotary day - have a wonderful fall weekend.
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"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
Mark Twain
Today's guests
We were delighted to welcome Charles Sadzamare's daughter, Shingia Runga, from Zimbabwe to the in-person component of our meeting along with Visiting Rotarian Bob Durston from the RC of Neepawa. Thank you being an important part of our Rotary day.
Next Meeting Responsibilities
The next Regina Eastview meeting will be via ZOOM on October 12, 2023
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