Thoughts on culture, education, and having been a Canadian in the US

Having recently acquired an iPod, I can really see how it would be a great tool for teaching. I particularly like the idea of being able to use it in my courses to allow the students to hear poets reading their work or to hear excerpts from some of the plays I usually teach.

iPods at the Gate:

article from Campus Technology.

MSNBC – College Life 2.0:

How Technology Is Changing the College Experience

Here are just a few of the stories about Bush’s recent visit to Canada. Bush did his best to make himself better liked in Canada, going so far as to thank those Canadians who waved at his motorcade with all five fingers. I was not among them.

The Globe and Mail: Poll underlines differences between U.S., Canada:

These poll results will surprise many Americans, I think.

The Globe and Mail: Banned beef and borders dominate talks :

There were many issues on the table, most notably the continuing and completely unnecessary ban on Canadian beef. Bush made light of this, noting that he had dined on Alberta beef and was still feeling fine. NOT the way to make friends here…

Online NewsHour: President Bush Visits Canada — December 1, 2004:

“I realize, and many Americans realize, that it’s not always easy to sleep next to the elephant. As a member of Canada’s parliament said in the 1960s, “the United States is our friend whether we like it or not.” (Laughter and applause) When all is said and done, we are friends, and we like it.” – George W. Bush

The transcript of this panel discussion on Canada-US relations is particularly interesting.

The New York Times: Bush, Visiting Canada, Aims to Smooth Ruffled Relations:

OTTAWA, Nov. 30 – President Bush on Tuesday thanked Canadians who waved a welcome to him “with all five fingers” on his first official visit to their country, but he also appeared defensive at a time when he was expected to reach out and try to repair the rift over the war in Iraq. (NY TIMES)

The Globe and Mail: Fun with George and Laura:

“After dining on seared Maritime scallops, breast of roasted squab, flambéed bananas and “Josh’s beaver tails” — a specialty of 24 Sussex chef Joshua Drache — Mrs. Bush presented Mrs. Martin with a White House bag full of her favourite books.

They included one from former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier called Dessert University, which provides “essential lessons” on dessert-making.”

TheStar.com – Bush shows his funny side:

“Tongue firmly in cheek, President George W. Bush paid tribute today to his mythical Canadian supporter, Jean Poutine.”

I have to admit that Bush’s self-deprecating humour while in Canada almost made me like the guy, at least for a minute or two.

David Frum’s Diary on National Review Online:

“Bush’s visit was a diplomatic triumph, from the failure of Canada’s small but vociferous anti-American minority to turn out in the cold streets of Ottawa to the new tone taken by prime minister Paul Martin – and perhaps above all to the laughter and cheers of the president’s audiences.”

Well, maybe from Bush’s point of view it was a triumph. Frum raises some good points here about Canada, as much as I really dislike the guy’s politics.

NPR : Creating Literature in Native Languages

A 5 minute interview with Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o about the importance of creating literature in small languages in order to preserve world cultures. Well-worth listening to.

Every year on December 6, I mark the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre by taking a moment of silence in class after reading the names of the murdered women. Talking to my students, the vast majority of whom have never heard of the events of 15 years ago even though it happened only about 90 minutes from here, I cannot help but compare the lives of the murdered women with those of my female students.

This story from the Globe and Mail reminds us of the lives behind each of these names.



Every year, in memorial ceremonies across the country, Genevieve Bergeron’s name is heard first when the list of the victims of Canada’s worst mass shooting is read.

The tragedy of her death overshadows her life for most Canadians. They’re seldom told she was a loving, inspirational sister, a top student, a gifted musician and a talented athlete.

I particularly like what Catherine Bergeron says about how we should remember her sister:

Catherine Bergeron acknowledges the gun law is part of her sister’s legacy but it’s not the only way she wants her to be remembered.

“I would like Canadians to remember her and the other 13 women, not to be sad but to go on in life in a better way,” she said.

“Think more about other human beings and be more open. More tolerant too.”



I hope we can all find some time in our classes on Monday, December 6 to remember the following young women in this way:



Victims of the Montreal Massacre at l’École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989

Geneviève Bergeron

Hélène Colgan

Nathalie Croteau

Barbara Daigneault

Anne-Marie Edward

Maud Haviernick

Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz

Maryse Laganière

Maryse Leclair

Anne-Marie Lemay

Sonia Pelletier

Michèle Richard

Annie St-Arneault

Annie Turcotte

In Canada, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day coincides with the sad anniversary of the death of fourteen young women who were tragically killed on December 6, 1989 at l’École Polytechnique in Montréal because of their gender.

“Paul and I share a great vision for the future, two prosperous, independent nations joined together by the return of NHL hockey.” George W. Bush, Dec. 1, 2004

I’ve been meaning to link to

Maisonneuve magazine’s memorable interview with Margaret Atwood for some time. Atwood has a reputation for making ill-prepared interviewers regret ever choosing their own line of work and one can see this interview quickly heading down that path. She turns out here, though, to be patient and generous, which makes me wonder about the accuracy of those stories I’ve simply accepted as the truth.

Maisonneuve is also turning out to be a site that I visit regularly. Hope to pick up a hard copy of the magazine next time I’m in Canada.

Alice Munro has won the Giller Prize for her latest book, Runaway.

The latest great article I’ve read about her is in Newsday.

Here’s a new Canadian effort to help you make that jump to Canadian citizenship a lot easier!

Alternatively, there’s still the opportunity for Vermont to secede and join the new and improved Canada 2.0!

If you want to move there, though, Sarah Weinman thinks there are some important things about Canada that you should know first…

I’m setting aside a couple of days over the next week to meet with you to review your choice of courses for the Spring semester. You can find the list of Spring 2005 courses from the Department of English online at the department’s website.

Here are the available time slots I have for Friday, November 5th and Monday, November 8th. Please e-mail me and book an appointment. I’ll fill in the taken spots on this form as I hear from you. I do have office hours on Thursday from 3:15-4:15 as well, but would prefer to leave that open for my students in the classes I’m teaching right now.

Friday, Nov. 5:

10:00 – C. Collins

10:30 – C. Cooper

11:00 – J. Randall

11:30 – Jay Cooke

1:30 – N. Beasley

2:00

2:30 – T. Wales

3:00 – A. Spadinger

3:30

4:00

Monday, Nov. 8

10:00 – C. de la Garza

10:30 – C. Cohen

11:00

11:30

12:00

12:30

1:00 – J. Conklin

1:30

2:00

A couple of other things. If you’re looking to get into a course that usually fills up (English 086, or Shakespeare for instance), I’d suggest e-mailing the instructor ASAP to ask if they will enable you to register early for that course or to ask that you be put on a waiting list for the class. If you’re looking for a Category D class, I’ll be teaching two: English 180: Canadian literature and English 182: Indigenous Writers from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. I’ll also be teaching an evening section of English 086 for Continuing Ed.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

If you’re watching election coverage tonight in the Burlington area, you may find it interesting to watch some of the coverage from Canada on CBC television (channel 19). CTV (channel 21) also broadcasts The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in case you want to watch that, but don’t get Comedy Central.

Canadians, as you might imagine, will be watching this election very closely….