I feel like this is the best time to start writing again.  Having retired and  taking the summer off to completely relax was the best plan I think I’ve ever made.  I needed the time to unplug from work life and remove all notifications from my phone to help me enter this new stage of life.  Of...

The word Pow Wow is thought to have derived from the Algonquin language of Southeastern Canada.  The traditional Narragansett words pau wau translates into the English language as “he or she dreams”.   Another translation is from the Pawnee language meaning “to eat”, indicating eating at large...

Alexander, Sandy, Tex, San-Man and the list goes on of the many names we all fondly call him.  It seems to go in stride with a man who is always singing and calling all of us our chosen nicknames fondly named to us. Sandy was born in Greely in 1962, being the first born to Alec and Judy...

Alec and Judy were my in-laws and the beautiful grandparents to Blain and Brooke.  Little did I know that the first day I went to their home in Greely, that I would end up being their daughter-in-law, living in my first home across the street. Left to Right: Bill, Janet, Pearl, Mom, Winnie and...

I think we can all remember when we got our driver’s license and the freedom it gave us.  The first night I was allowed to go out driving, my boyfriend and I went over to his cousin’s house.   This is when I was first introduced to Donna. Meeting the Bethune’s for the first time was very...

William Janssen, born November 16, 1933, in The Hague, Netherlands.   He was the fifth child of seven siblings.  At 20 years of age, Wim travelled to the University of British Columbia to study the Science of Forestry.  When I think about this move I am amazed at how daring this would be...

It’s such a funny thing about adoption and the ways that extended families connect.  As soon as I found out about Linda, my parents and hers instantly connected.  We had the common bond and similarities between us that I will cover in a separate blog just about all the parallels in our...

The phone is ringing on a busy, yet regular morning.  “There’s been an accident”.  Every parent’s nightmare! Story spoken from Linda’s own words: “I was biking to work in August and it was a normal start to a 7 am call to go work at the local reserve in Salmon Arm, British...

Blain’s name was supposed to be Alexander, named after his father and grandfather.  I wanted him to have his own identity, so he is Blain Alexander.  I have referred to him as Jr since he was in his teens as he revealed himself as a true image of his father.  Although he holds his...

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew my daughter’s name would be Brooke.  Whenever I would spend time with my brother Ricky’s family that he married into, I often saw my sister-in-law’s sister, Brenda’s family.  Wow, what a complex explanation!  We all grew up together in Manotick so Wendy’s...

“Hi, I’m your cousin Reece.  I hate to tell you this over an email, but your mother has passed away.  Diane didn’t think we knew about you, but we did and we really want to meet you.” There was a lot more to this email, and I cannot believe I didn’t save it or have more photos of when we met? I...

Throughout my post secondary years of school I made several trips to my reserve.  I never went straight to the band office but rather took many tours around to see the different houses and businesses.  I always had a blank canvas to imagine who my family was, houses they lived in and...

I have always known I was adopted and Indigenous but that was about it.  Was I curious over the years?  Yes, but was almost nervous to find out more because the unknown might hurt.  All that I had coming from foster care was this snap shot health record and not much other history.  My mom was...

This story will tell one of the most monumental times of my life, meeting my one and only blood sister, Linda.  We are not actually twins by birth, but no one could ver question or twin like similarities! I’ve been telling the story of my family I grew up with, shared a million moments with, made...

I’ve started writing this blog many times and didn’t know where to start.  I decided to simply use words that come to mind when I think of Les.  She is a musician, a person of strong faith, a teacher, a caretaker, a lifelong learner, a maker of killer salads and casseroles, but most...

I will start out by saying that I have 6 siblings, 4 of which are older and are very much brothers and sisters, but at the same time, acted as a another set of parents to me.  It’s a unique family structure that I benefited from having a complete other set of parents that never got mad...

Donald Wagg April 9, 1923 to July 31, 1998 Today we will remember you for your service in the Canadian Air Force.  You were so many things, for so many, that I wanted to tell you how growing up in our family was so truly remarkable. I remember mom telling us of when you met in...

I want to write about mom, a woman who dedicated her life to service of others.  This included being a nurse, a mother to six children, a wife, and a truly active member of the church. Dorothy, Dotty, June Wagg (Ehnes) born June 20th, 1923, passed away May 30th, 2015 at the wonderful age of...

I started with this story of CAS because I am finding it very difficult to deconstruct my life but this is where I've decided to start.  Molly Fraser.  What an important woman in my life, as I cannot say for sure that I know all that I do about my adoption and blood family, if were not for...