La jeunesse

As a youth, I am bothered by the stereotypes applied to me for no reason other than my age. I am bothered most by the notion that we youth do not care about the future, either for Canada or for ourselves. When older Canadians see youth spending their time pursuing troublesome and worrisome activities - working jobs that cut into our school performance to buy clothing that's cool, doing drugs or drinking alcohol to have a good time, not caring about the future enough to protect it by driving safely or to enhance it by volunteering – I feel shamed seeing that same gaze cast over all Canadian youth, as if the actions of the few shows the true heart of the many.

How can we be judged for pursuing status with our peers when we see the first role models we ever had, our parents and other adults, doing the same thing when they build massive sprawling suburbia to afford them big houses, while hurting the physical health of the planet with the use of space and commuting required, and hurting our own emotional health by being absent from our lives for even more time from that same commute and pursuit of status?

How can we be judged for turning to drugs and alcohol when we are caught in the deluge of stressful problems in our world, hearing our parents talk about the pressures they feel each day as we eat dinner? How can we be blamed for turning to those vices when it is to escape the pressure our parents place on us, or to seek the approval they seek from the sources they shouldn’t, or to relax us enough to be social at a party when we have been chided into studying every waking hour in order to succeed instead of hanging out with good friends to gain the social skills that will help us through life, and the support networks that will carry us through difficult times?

How can we be judged for not taking control of our lives when the world shows us so many examples of corruption and heartless evil and greed, from terrorism to Enron, and when our own parents disobey speed limits to get to point B 2 minutes faster, or when they themselves don’t even bother to vote?

How can we be blamed for being such good students and acting exactly as our parents and our society has brought us up to be? And how can this judgment be cast over all youth when so many are still reaching for the stars? It is not our fault that an evil deed gets more notice than an act of kindness or generosity. A great patriot of the human race once said that “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Perhaps those who judge others, in this case youth, should first take up the harder task of judging themselves and seek their own healing and salvation first. I am given confidence in small doses when I not only see a good act, but when I see that it does not go unnoticed or unheralded. I will feel that confidence each day when I start to see all Canadians focusing more on self-healing, in order that healed, they may help to hasten the betterment of us all.

Stereotypes that bother me are things like clothing such as dark clothing. Teens that dress in dark clothing are labeled as "emo" or "suicidal" but what people have failed to realize are its just what they like to wear. They're so many different style likes and dislikes, and just because someone dresses a certain way, it doesn't mean they should be labeled and categorized for it.

Stereotypes in general bother me, just as much as racism, or any other kind of discrimination. Although when involving youth, the stereotype that we are all bad kids seems to be the most bothersome for me.

At school, I am a member of the musical theatre program (SEUSSICAL 2007!!) and I am active in many other situations involving high school life in general.

Your Excellency

Thank you for opening up yourself through this digital medium. The stereotypes that bother me about youth are represented in statements and beliefs such as:
"Children today feel that they are "entitled" to ongoing support from both their parents and society"
"Children today are lazy"
"Children from broken homes are destined to get into trouble"

Stereotypes are inevitably dangerous in that, if they are reinforced often enough - they eventually become real to some people.

I am involved in the local youth community as a Scout leader and parent volunteer at my childrens' school. I believe in the concept that "it takes a community to raise a child". I also believe that it takes vision, inclusive perspectives and the solicitation of many individual views to change the world. Thank you for demonstrating your vision, for showing us how to think about others and for asking for my opinion.

I am impressed by the maturity, environmental awareness and future vision of the youth to whom I interact. I hope that these views will be accepted by our current population of adult Canadians - who can affect substantive changes now.

Cheers
David Fisher, Oakville, ON Canada

Dear Governor General Michëlle Jean,

Thank you for providing us this innovative medium to dialogue with you.

Stereotypes are unfair and bother me immensely. A stereotype about youth that bothers me is when a youth is judged negatively just for being different. Whether it is their skin colour, dressing, shape, size, height, etc., people should be allowed to live in peace. It really hurts me when youth are tormented just for being themselves. I think society as a whole (including youth) need to accept others for who they are.

I have been involved in a number of extracurricular activities at school, including the multicultural council, environment club, and activities supporting a variety of charities. I enjoy volunteering with different organizations in my community, city, province, and country. I have also had the privilege of volunteering in two developing countries.

Being treated with respect and dignity gives me confidence. I am confident when I know that I will not be ridiculed for being different from my peers. I just want to be accepted for who I am and feel like I belong.

Thank you for caring.

Canadian

Peronally, I like the use of stereotypes.

They enable a point of reference for discussion purposes.

If Canadian citizens did not have any pre-conceived notions, then we would be but autumn maple leaves fluttering in the sky.

Thank You, your Excellency, for allowing this forum for Canadians to converse. You have stepped in, where CBC has stepped out.

Excellence,

La Boussole voudrait vous remercier pour la création de ce site Internet et pour avoir donné le droit de parole à nos jeunes. Cette initiative est une porte qui s’ouvre pour la communication et elle doit être suivie d’actions concrètes, de part et d’autre, pour briser les solitudes.

Notre province reflète un paradoxe, celui d’abriter les quartiers le plus riche et le plus pauvre du Canada . La différence entre les classes sociales est très ressentie ici. Deux exemples de stéréotypes fréquents ici est celui d’associer les jeunes à la rue à celui d’être francophone. 25% des jeunes de la rue à Vancouver sont francophones dans une province où il n’y a que 1.6 % des francophones. Ce qui nous donne confiance, c’est de continuer à travailler dur pour briser les solitudes et de recevoir du soutien pour le financement de nos programmes pour les jeunes de la rue à Vancouver .

Merci encore, nous espérons vous accueillir lors de votre prochaine visite en Colombie Britannique.


Tanniar Leba
Directeur général, La Boussole

Your Excellency;

Thank you, for sharing your experiences and allowing us to share with you.

As a young adult in the field of criminology, I have studied many youth issues in Victoria. I find that people in society do stereotype youths in respect to their clothing, cars, hair color and so on. We are all aware of the challenges faces by many youths in our society. It is a hard age to go through, with respect to finding their own individual selves. There are many negative labels placed on youths and it is unfortunate.

In Victoria, I volunteer with the Rock Solid Foundation, which is a non-profit organization based on initiatives that aid youths in saying no to drugs and crime. There is a Trackside Art Gallery (TAG) which allows teens to spray paint the bottom part of the wall and hanging above are huge laminated prints of art work that youths in the community have created. Local businesses support the TAG by sponsoring the costs of laminating the prints and lighting up the park. Crime has decreased in the area due to the lights.

Your Excellency,

Being a young Canadian myself, I feel that many youth need a better sense of identity and unity. Many are simply unaware of the Canadian identity, and what it means to be “Canadian”. Youth need to be aware of the Canadian identity so that they may take pride in it, and in so doing, feel a sense of unity and belonging within our vast nation. The Canadian identity emphasizes that which we have in common with one and other; our home. I feel that promoting our national identity to youth will help them build a sense of pride, and encourage them to build aspirations and a better Canada.

I am proud of our country, and am proud that we have a system of Government which places the Crown above partisan politics and allows our Head of State, The Queen, and her representative, The Governor General, to promote true national unity and to celebrate this nation without any form of bias or partisanship. I am also proud and appreciative that Your Excellency has welcomed this opportunity to take advantage of the potential that exists for you to promote such unity, and to truly break down solitudes. Thank you.

Regards,
Andrew Ellsworth
Canada

Stereotypes are about expectations. I'm guilty as anyone about stereotypes. Expectations tell us that a person's stereotype predicts their chances of fulfilling the goals society wants of them. We all wish everyone could have oodles of money as dr's lawyers celebrities or royalty. But the fact is its not possible. The way around stereotypes is compassion and patience. Not all streetyouth are hopeless, or drug-addicted, some actually have a worthwhile future. Perhaps society needs to be accepting of more blue collar jobs. We need to keep an open mind. Body art can be removed. Uniforms are temporary. Addiction can be overcome. Instead of stereotyping youth, get out there and volunteer with big brothers and sisters. If youth had more positive role-models, we could all be more aware of the falsity of our preconceptions by seeing the real person underneath and the person they turn out to be: successful, unique, and precious all the same.

Dear GG...

I will have to say in our 1st Nation tongue... chi-meegwetch for opening up this site for all.

I will only post on the young one's that they are the future of this great country we call Canada!

This has been proven over and over again.

Working with various people, I found that the young one's usually do show they are willing to learn for the benefit of all, however at times, adults don't give enough chance to give the young one's more responsibilities. They (youths) do want so much to be part of our world, why not give them the teachings and let them learn.

I say onto you the youth of Canada, to keep on trying and don't give up on us adults, we're also learning from you!

And also remember that sometimes us adults don't know it all either, thus also learning from the youths...

In Peace & Friendship to All reading this msg.

regards,
Ron 'Bigbear' Goddard, Anishnabek

I think that the stereotype that bothers me the most is when adults, and mostly elders are afraid of us because they think that we want to hurt them or do something wrong to them. There are many people who are not like that and I think that adults should now realise that yes, we have our negative sides, but we are not all like that.

Ce qui me donnent confiance est quand les jeunes vont voir ces personnes la et les aides. Ils savent ensuite que nous voulons pas leurs faire de mal.

Bravo for the farsighted effort in establishing this site.Inspired !

Bonjour votre Excellence,

Présentement, le préjugé qui m'agace le plus sur les jeunes est celui qui véhicule l'idée que les jeunes sont très impliqués dans leur communauté et que la grande majorité s'active et sacrifie de son temps pour faire avancer les choses. Justement parce qu'on tente de nous faire croire que les jeunes sont hyper impliqués et que tout va bien de ce côté, je crois qu'une grande majorité se dit que "d'autres le feront à ma place". Il y a bien sûr une petite minorité de gens motivés qui prennent l'initiave d'organiser des choses, mais en raison de ce relativisme culturel latent qui décourage la prise de position, ceux-ci sont souvent perçus par leur pairs comme étant des "crinqués" un peu fous sur les bord... L'expression "motivé" est d'ailleurs maintenant hautement péjoratif pour un grand nombre de personnes désabusées par le système politique qu'ils considèrent corrompu. Un récent article du journal de mon université portait justement sur le fait que les jeunes sont très "conscientisés, mais pas impliqués". Comme ils sont bombardés d'information sur les problèmes de nos sociétés, ils semblent se dirent que ça ne vaut plus la peine d'essayer de combattre.

Moi par contre je considère que l'on peut changer les choses si on s'en donne la peine. Et je vois très bien que mes actions portent fruits.

Il y a 5 ans j'ai fondé une émission de radio bénévole qui tente de montrer le message positif de la musique rasta reggae aux gens de Montréal. Bien que je me rende compte que le principal message retenu par les jeunes est celui de fumer des joints et de se laisser pousser les cheveux, nous réussissons quand même à promouvoir l'idée que l'amour et le militantisme sont la voie à suivre pour avancer.

Je vous serez éternellement reconnaissant si vous réussissez à rapprocher nos deux solitudes, ce qui je crois passera nécessairement par l'établissement d'un dialogue d'égal à égal entre deux nations.

Longue vie aux Canadiens et aux Québécois!

Maheek

Tout d'abord laissez moi vous remercier de prendre le temps de nous écouter ou plustôt de nous lire, merci également d'avoir accepter le rôle de Chef Scout du Canada.
Les gens sont en effet plein de préjugés par rapport aux actions et aux comportements de nos jeunes. Mais où sont-il quand on leur demande de s'impliquer dans l'éducation de ceux-ci. Nos jeunes ne sont que le reflet de ce que le monde adulte leur offre. Le questionnement peut-être intéressant à condition de faire l'analyse sur soi-même d'abord.

Pour ma part je suis la maman de quatre jeunes dont trois ont fait du scoutisme, puisque selon moi c'est un mouvement qui correspond à mes valeurs. Ce qu'ils ont appris à travers les expériences qu'ils ont vécu et au travers desqu'ells ils ont su grandir les aideront à devenir des citoyens engagés dans leurs milieu.
Déjà le plus vieux qui à l'âge de neuf ans faisait s'est début comme louveteaux aujourd'hui,à 25 ans il s'implique en tant qu'animateur et gestionnaires dans un groupe scout. et n'a jamais laissé le scoutisme. De voir mes enfants s'implquer autant ne fait que me confirmer que nos jeunes sont une partie du reflet de l'image qu'on à projetée.

Mes jeunes n'aurait jamais pu vivre l'expérience du scoutisme si nous comme parents ne s'étions impliqué comme bénévols au sein du mouvemen. Depuis bientôt quinze ans je m'inplique auprès des jeunes de différentes façon au sein du mouvement scout et je peux vous dire que les jeunes sont beaux intérieurement. mais faut-il se donner la peine de les regarder sous toute leurs facettes.

Merci à tout ceux qui comme vous et moi croyons en nos jeunes en s'implquant activement dans leur vie.

Votre Excellence,

Vous représentez l'avenir. Vous avez eu le courage d'être vous-même dans un monde où l'hypocrisie et l'apparence ont beau jeu. Merci pour tous les gestes que vous posez.
Je sers de mentor à plusieurs jeunes francophones des minorités raciales et m'investis aussi dans des programmes pour les jeunes.
Je suis mère d'un adolescent de 17 ans. Et ce que je trouve le plus triste c'est cette peur qu'on a pour son enfant quand il est noir. On se dit qu'il peut être victime du profilage racial.
Ce qui serait intéressant c'est de sensibiliser la population en général et les forces policières en particulier que tout jeune noir n'est pas automatiquement un délinquant. C'est quand même bizarre quand on a peur des services qui sont sensés vous protéger. Il y a du travail à faire pour retablir cette confiance.

Excellence,
Excellente manière d'être à l'écoute des citoyens
Je suis fière de cette idée géniale, BRAVO!
Je souhaite le plus grand succès dans vos démarches.
Bientôt des citoyens seront attentifs à tout ce qui
se passe et pourront AGIR et contribuer facilement.

Grand merci
Jacqueline Hanna Youssef
Montréal

Hello Mme Michaelle Jean

What a wonderful idea to set up a blog! There is so little connection between one generation and the next.

Alas, I am not so young--you and I are of an age. But I wanted to write to you to tell you that I see a much larger role for the governor general in being a support for First Nations people. The First Nations people signed their treaties with the monarch, not with the national government. An expanded role in being present at land claims hearings, participating in fact-finding missions, visiting communities in land claim turmoil, and other supportive activities could go far to reducing conflicts and flare-ups while the courts and governments negotiate.

I cringe every time I read Amnesty International reports that mention Canada's shameful history of ignoring land claims, especially that of the Lubicon Cree. Both the provincial and federal governments play a game of ignoring land claims, hoping the community in question won't resort to violence as a result, but knowing that even if they do, the media will condemn them for it. Someone has to stand beside them.

I realize this isn't precisely a youth issue, but at the same time, in many ways it is. Whatever peace and support we sow now will bear fruit in the future.

As Her Excellency states:

"The motto I have chosen is Briser les solitudes, which means “breaking down solitudes.” In this increasingly complex world, where individualism prevails and bonds of fellowship are crumbling, the marginalized members of our society are sadly increasing in number. Indifference, the every man for himself and his clan mentality serve no other purpose than to deepen inequities and widen the gaps that separate us. Now more than ever, we must gather our strength. As I travel this country, what I find most striking are the efforts made to live together in a fairer society."

Sadly, I am left in solitude, as it appears I am unable to post. Everytime I submit a comment, it never appears.

In the "help" section, the following is indicated:

"There will be a general blog on the home page. The Governor General will be able to share her impressions and comments on meetings or trips she has had or on specific files. Canadians will be able to comment on each of her posts, which may lead to a new forum if the topic sparks a strong reaction."

Unfortunately, I am unable to comment, since each time I 'submit comment', nothing appears.

If I post in French, will that increase chances of my post appearing?

RSVP, s'il vous plait.

I would like to thank Her Excellency for answering my questions. I applaud her tactfullness on many of the politcal questions many people raised. It is quite clear that the youth of Canada is where she likes to pride herself with and with a website and question period like this, she shows everyone how passionate her dedication to youth is.

A stereotype of youth that bothers me so is how people think we are trouble the moment we set foot in a public place. We may be in a group, but we are there to take in the world around us, not tarnish the little reputation we have as youth. As a 19 year old and an adult, I am appalled that people would look upon me and the people I am with the view that we are troublemakers.

Anti-Youth tactics bother me most, the playing of loud classical music to deter teens from convinience stores is an underhanded tactic that often drives the determined to stay and rebel against such anti-youth moves. There are a few bad apples, but why do they have to ruin it for the rest of us? Is that not contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

I also believe that law enforcement needs to take a step back and see how they treat youth. Often times they act more immature than the youth they are hassling when they are motivated to catch them doing SOMETHING illegal. I have never been in trouble from the police but I have seen many good friends asked to empty out thier pockets because police think they have contraband.

Youth are no victims themselves mind you, bad apples make the rest of us look bad.

Maybe I'm in the right place. Youth can not vote in Canada until the age of 18 and thus politicians seldom listen to youth. What good is talking to an audience and addressing thier views if they can't even vote for you? A waste of time is what may run across many politicans minds. This endevour by Her Excellency is what youth need.

I would like to see the Governor General speak to politicians about our views. Many of us can not vote yet and we desperately need a voice to speak for us. We are by no means oppressed, but we are unheard.

Mike.

The young people of today face many challengers and hurdles they must overcome. Stereotypes are one of them but this is not something new throughout the ages young people have always been mistrusted or deemed as troublemakers. I think the problem is in society itself we cannot be trusted to learn or educate ourselves without the constructive planning set up and run by adults. I do not remember once in school where I was asked what I would like to learn about or really what I was interested in. Instead you are told what to do, what you should be learning, and what performance benchmarks you should live up too. If people truly cared about young people they would encourage them to act responsibly on their own and be independent thinkers.

Excellence,

J’aimerais réagir à votre initiative de donner la parole aux citoyens. Je trouve que ce geste apparemment banal est en fait chargé de signification. L'intérêt que vous portez aux citoyens et résidents de ce pays est admirable et place le Canada au devant de tous les autres pays du monde en ce qui concerne le dialogue entre les dirigeants et les citoyens. Dans une société plus complexe de jour en jour, il est rassurant de voir qu’il peut y avoir un dialogue, qu’il existe un lieu où échanger nos idées, et aussi un lieu où apprendre ce que pensent nos voisins bien souvent trop lointains.

Il existe bien des préjugés et des stéréotypes à briser dans la tête des gens. La manière dont la jeunesse est considérée par ses aînés n’est que la face visible de l’iceberg. Cependant, c’est cette jeunesse qui sera le Canada de demain, et même d’aujourd’hui, alors merci pour nous donner l’opportunité de communiquer tous ensemble, afin de briser les solitudes.

Un grand merci à vous.
Jérôme - Montréal

Your Excellency,

I appreciate the fact that you are taking the initiative to open yourself up to the ideas of all Canadians, as well as sharing your own vision with Canadians unabashedly.

As someone who just begun University, I am noticing the stereotypes less and less, however I never appreciated when adults felt it necessary to talk down to teenagers simply because they felt they were incapable of intelligent thought.

I for one, have worked to prove this stereotype wrong. I engage adults in serious discussions, and debate various issues with them simply to show them that yes, young people do have a vision for this nation, and yes, it is a legitimate one.

I thank you once again Mme. Jean for setting up the modes of communication with all Canadians, and doing a fine job of representing our nation to the world.

Merci Beaucoup,
Joshua M. Terry
Ottawa, Ontario

Votre Excellence,

J'aimerais prendre une minute pour vous dire à quel point que je suis fier d'être Canadien. merci pour votre dévouement pour la jeunesse, et d'être à notre écoute. C'est en discutant, et en travaillans ensemble que nous allons bâtir un plus beau pays.

Great idea, this is truly amazing!!!
United our canada can be stronger!

merci beaucoup,
Sincèrement,
Jean-Claude Quintal , Dalhousie, NB

Votre Excellence,

Je souhaite vous féliciter à mon tour de votre brillante idée de nous donner accès non seulement à votre attention mais aussi à développer un forum de communication intercitoyenne. En lisant les messages ci-haut, je me rends compte de l'importance de ce dialogue qui brise l'isolement d'une façon si simple et si efficace, qu'en quatre ou cinq messages, je puisse faire le tour d'un si grand pays (et pour beaucoup moins cher et polluant que le train, l'avion ou l'auto). Ce soir j'ai visité des jeunes et moins jeunes, des gens de l'Ouest et du centre... et même une québécoise (immédiatement ci-haut).

En tant que jeune franco-ontarien, j'aimerais revendiquer quelque chose, et comme je vous tiens tous par les yeux avec mon verbe, j'en abuse juste un petit peu.

Voyez-vous, je souhaite dire aux québécois.e.s. que j'existe. J'ai une grande famille francophone qui s'étend sur trois océans, même si plus on va vers l'Ouest, plus il est difficile de s'afficher et de vivre en français. Je somme l'autre moitié de mes cousins québécois de cesser de se borner à nier notre existance. Je reconnais que plusieurs québécois sont conscients que nous existons, Dieu merci! J'en compte parmis mes meilleurs amis! Et ce sont les alliés les plus vaillants qui soient, face à notre lutte de reconnaissance de la majorité anglophone. Mais imaginez comment nous serions puissants si le canada francophone était uni? Moi je rêve à ce jour encore plus fort que ceux qui rêvent d'indépendance.

Heureusement, mon espoir se voit récompensé par la jeunesse. Je vois comment les médias en ligne permettent de faire fi de la distance, à quel point nous les jeunes, avons adopté ce médium et y sommes à l'aise. Et c'est pourquoi je tiens à m'exprimer ce soir.

Car je suis certain que des milliers d'internautes liront ce message d'espoir, et si je peux encourager les québécois à être solidaires avec moi, et avec mes amis acadiens, franco-terreneuviens, franco-ontariens, franco-manitobains, fransaskois, franco-albertains, franco-colombiens, franco ténois, franco-yukonais et franco-nunavois, alors tant mieux.

Après tout, plusieurs de ces communautés sont appuyées par de jeunes québécois.e.s. en quête d'identité, d'aventure ou mieux, de vérité.

merci.

en passant, c'est quoi un jeune? où est la ligne? j'ai l'impression qu'avec les baby boomers qui vieillissent, nous les jeunes, on reste jeune bien plus longtemps! et pardonnez le jeu de mot mais, qui osera me dire que je ne suis plus jeune sauf un plus jeune?

Your Excellency:

I wish to thank-you for the opportunity to speak to yourself and to those who participate in this forum.

I think it is a wonderful idea to have opened up diplomacy through this web site. I hope those who read,subscribe and participate in these discussions will view this opportunity to interact with one another and yourself in the spirit of breaking down solitudes; not only Quebec vs the rest of Canada but by cutting through racial, socio-economic,political and disability boundaries that can alter how a person views the world around them.

My french is lacking and I do speak some Woodland Cree which is different from Plains Cree, but I wish the best of success with this inaugural exchange of dialogues from coast to coast to coast.

Cheers,

Elizabeth Templeton

hey !!
we are in civics class rite now learning about government and politics. and we are learning all about you and what your job is.

mr haveys gr 10 civics class !!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

i too agree that young people today face many sterotypes, are seen as irresponsible, and rude. While for some this may be true, a great number of youth resent the implication, and are in fact kind and courteous at all times. One can generally see that only the youth who fit this stereotype come from a background in which everyday values have not been instilled. Youth today must almost work twice as hard to prove themselves to the older generation simoly because they are judged befor they are known. i find it very refreshing to find that you, your excellency steers clear of these stereotypes.

It is my contention that "issues" of youth and those of women are inextricably linked. Since Landon Pearson has "left the set " ! I hope this site will serve to educate. Communication is key to changes in a society. Once again, Bravo !!

Your Excellency,
Thank you for the opportunity to share your attention to the issues and voices of Canadians with my Social Studies students. We look forward to asking you questions about identity in Canada. The attempt to define our national, collective and individual identities is a challenging one. This is even more so for the young people in my classroom. They need to sift through the stereotypes of the past, of the diverse groups in Canada and of themselves to affirm an identity which they can invest pride and satisfaction. Merci pour tout l'effort à créer cet outil à communiquer avec les citoyens canadiens. Je vais inviter mes élèves à réfléchir à des commentaires et des questions à vous présenter.

Votre Excellence,

Merci Infiniement de nous donner la chance d'écrire ici.

Continuez votre merveilleux travail.

Que le créateur de toutes vies nous guide.
Marco
Métis et Fier de l'Être.
Li Esprit, not criâteure, li courage mi yi nawn, paray chee i tayh ta maw.
Esprit,notre créateur, donne-nous le courage d'être une seule pensée.

Your Excellency, The Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean:

Thank you for creating this no-less-than-revolutionary Web site! For too long, the governor general of Canada has been a mysterious and difficult-to-access institution—and I think that this site will not only improve the relationship between Canadians and the governor generalship, but with Canadians and the Crown in its entirety. Your Excellency, you have certainly fulfilled your duties as Her Majesty the Queen's viceregal representative in Canada admirably.

In terms of stereotypes, I commend the exhilerating dialogue that you have sparked throughout the country. We will never be able to break through the wall of stereotypes unless we are frank and honest with one another, and I see this dialogue as a wonderful starting point to that destination. As a gay Canadian, sometimes the negative effects of stereotypes are particularly apparent and relevant to my life.

In my opinion, Your Excellency, communication is the key to breaking down the solitudes that stereotypes can help to create. I think that stereotypes could perhaps be weakened and one day forgotten if we, as Canadians, were more willing to ask the questions that we may be wondering of one another. Understanding of each other's cultures, lifestyles and beliefs would be an important step, in my view, of coming closer to a future where stereotypes are a thing of the past.


Hoping for a continuing dialogue,

Christopher Girodat
Newton—North Delta

Your Excellency, The Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean:

Thank you for creating this no-less-than-revolutionary Web site! For too long, the governor general of Canada has been a mysterious and difficult-to-access institution—and I think that this site will not only improve the relationship between Canadians and the governor generalship, but with Canadians and the Crown in its entirety. Your Excellency, you have certainly fulfilled your duties as Her Majesty the Queen's viceregal representative in Canada admirably.

In terms of stereotypes, I commend the exhilerating dialogue that you have sparked throughout the country. We will never be able to break through the wall of stereotypes unless we are frank and honest with one another, and I see this dialogue as a wonderful starting point to that destination. As a gay Canadian, sometimes the negative effects of stereotypes are particularly apparent and relevant to my life.

In my opinion, Your Excellency, communication is the key to breaking down the solitudes that stereotypes can help to create. I think that stereotypes could perhaps be weakened and one day forgotten if we, as Canadians, were more willing to ask the questions that we may be wondering of one another. Understanding of each other's cultures, lifestyles and beliefs would be an important step, in my view, of coming closer to a future where stereotypes are a thing of the past.


Hoping for a continuing dialogue,

Christopher Girodat
Newton—North Delta

Bonjour Madame Jean,

Comme plusieurs intervenants l’ont déjà fait, je désire saluer chaleureusement votre heureuse initiative. Rapprocher les peuples d’un si vaste pays n’est pas une mince affaire. Et vous démontrez en mettant sur pied ce site, où sont vos préoccupations et où est votre cœur, ce qui est tout à votre honneur madame.
Des rapprochements se sont toutefois concrétisés depuis plus d’un an entre les Métis du Québec et ceux de l’Ouest canadien. Nous serons heureux de vous en faire part plus avant lorsque votre section sur la culture sera fonctionnelle. Mais d’ici là je vous invite , ainsi que les lecteurs de ce site, à prendre connaissance des articles parus sur le site de La Nation Autochtone du Québec:


Raymond Cyr , leader des Métis au Québec, est l’invité officiel de l’Ouest métis
http://www.autochtones.ca/portal/fr/ArticleView.php?article_id=227

L’Estrie présente au festival Manipogo de Saint-Laurent, cœur du Manitoba métis
http://www.autochtones.ca/portal/fr/ArticleView.php?article_id=279

Voyage chez nos cousins, les Métis de Saint-Laurent
http://www.autochtones.ca/portal/fr/ArticleView.php?article_id=288

Le Rêve de Louis Riel se réalise : http://www.autochtones.ca/portal/fr/ArticleView.php?article_id=210

Rencontre au pays des Makouas (Magoua)
http://www.autochtones.ca/portal/fr/ArticleView.php?article_id=343



Bonne continuité à ce site et continuez votre excellent travail.


Danielle Robineau
Communauté Métisse de l’Estrie
Membre de l’Union Nationale Métisse St-Joseph du Manitoba

Li Esprit, not Criâteure, li courage mi yi nawn paray chee i tayh ta maw
Esprit, notre Créateur, donne-nous le courage de devenir une seule pensée

Bonjour Madame Jean,

Quelle belle initiative. Espérons que tout cela continue. Nous avons besoin de nous parler.

Manon Hétu
Montréal

Your Excellency,
The thing that bothers me is the fact that most adults right youth and children off as "just kids". To grown-ups we're just confused adolescence who arn't worth listening to. Young people of today have a lot of views and oppinions, we just don't share them because there is no point in wasting our breath.
Something that would give youth more confidence is if we felt like we are valued for our say and oppinions. I think that it would help a lot of us if adults actually believed that we can make a difference by voicing what we believe in.

As someone who works with youth I am proud of the fact that there are so many bright and amazing kids out there. I love that I get the chance to help nuture and to guide them as they grow into responsible teens and adults. You truly are an inspiration to all youth in Canada.

Excellency,

Greetings from the Canadian Children’s Rights Council, home of the most visited Internet portal in Canada advocating for, and providing information about, the rights and responsibilities of Canadian children.

For the purpose of making laws, a “child” is a person under 18 years of age as defined in The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most ratified human rights convention the world has ever known.

Four Articles of the Convention are important obligations of the Government of Canada and of the representative of The Queen of Canada.

They are:

“Article 12

1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.

Article 13

1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.

2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or

(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

Article 14

1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”

We, at the Canadian Children’s Rights Council, greatly appreciate your efforts to provide for these rights by means of your new “CitizensVoices” Blog.

In addition to these obligations, I bring to your attention Article 42 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which states:

“Article 42

States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known, by appropriate and active means, to adults and children alike.”

National Child Day is held November 20th each year as enacted in Bill C-371, otherwise known as the Child Day Act, by the Parliament of Canada in 1993.

It commemorates the United Nations adoption of two landmark documents concerned with the human rights of all children and youths.

On National Child Day, Canadians honour our children and The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of The Child on November 20th, 1959, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20th, 1989.

It is a day not just to celebrate children but to educate the public about the Convention and its application in the domestic laws of Canada.

We welcome information about your plans for National Child Day this year.

Your Excellency I am a dyslexic dad I was educated 30 years ago. I did all I could to warn the educational system of potential intergenerational learning disability for my off spring. It is one thing to struggle with education. One must never give up. The level of difficulty to see one own child struggle in education is extremely humbling.
I have encouraged the Canadian Government to consider a national education law. Each Province is in charge of education jurisdiction. I see no way to hold a province accountable that affects a child’s for life. Scientific Data documents two (2) areas to detect specific learning disability, early focused intervention.
Provide a level of intervention in a timely manner.
The Canadian dyslexic association web sight http://www.dyslexiaassociation.ca/english/main_frame_eng.htm
The document I am confused or is it a learning disability
For kindergarten children a $15 test can identify a at risk child.
I was and am in struggle with Alberta learning. Educational system to allow a child to struggle till grade 3 till all else is ruled out confirm Dyslexia a learning disability fails the child. The wait till they fail costs thousands of dollars. Wait to intervene still an option as frustrated child indicated ADD = Drug the child. Statistics indicate a good number of homeless people have a learning disability. An average to above average person becomes a social challenge due to fail to detect early. Canada richest resource, the Children need good education to meet their full potential
My kids Dad!

I agree w/ Mike above: As my young sons have told me, young ppl tend to be hassled in public places, such as when store clerks practically follow them around while youth are simply browsing, and when police take an overbearing, bullying attitude toward ppl in their teens and 20s. Blacks in the States have long complained of the same kind of treatment, & if you're a young black male there, look out!-- You might get shot if you reach for your wallet to show the cop your driver's licence.

I don't know if young aboriginals are treated the same up here in Canada as black youth are in the States. Maybe we could have some input on this here from aboriginal youth, because it seems to me that aboriginal ppl in Canada 'enjoy' the same low social status, and maybe even lower, as blacks do in the States. Maybe all this hassling has to do w/ crime stats, I don't know, but on the face of it, it's all discriminatory and unfair. Everyone should be judged and interacted with on the basis of what they do, not on prejudice, no matter what their age, race or social status. That's hardly an original sentiment, but it's too often violated.

Mme. Jean, I wonder if you met the young American R&B; singer Alicia Keys at the Toronto World AIDS Conference this past summer? Keep A Child Alive is her charity, and she has donated much of her own money & time to it to help young Africans affected by HIV/AIDS. Many of us on her official fansite's message board have donated to this charity as well. Alicia is a fine example and inspiration for youth, showing the good that young people can do in this world.

Secondly, I have a question about your installation speech in the Senate chamber on Sept. 27, 2005. You quoted the following from Montesquieu, & I don't understand it: “The duty of the citizen becomes a crime if it makes him forget the duty of the man.” Would you explain that? (I have a video of your installation. What an inspirational event, esp. How I Got Over, w/ Sylvie Desgroseillers & the Peoples Gospel Choir of Montreal, and your dancing to it. The sheer joy there on all sides brought tears to my eyes.)

Thirdly, the power of love in your little family is so evident in every photo of you all together. It's great for Canadians to see this. Love 'breaks the solitudes' like nothing else, as your own spontaneous warmth and emotion, and the love it has evoked toward you and your family from millions of Canadians, amply demonstrate.

Fourth, I know your position restricts you from making statements that could be construed as political. I wish it didn't; that convention constricts true freedom of speech on this site. I would like to see you & M. Lafond redefine the Governor General's office in that respect, & take your own strong public positions on issues, if you deem that advisable. The war in Afghanistan, for example, is heavy on the minds of many Canadians, and we're only too ready for a full discussion of it, pro & con. I know the war and its tragedies affect you deeply too, & I wish you could go over there in person & report back, as you in fact have wanted to do for some time. Even though you are the most unmilitary person ever to be Commander in Chief, I'm sure your troops in south Afghanistan around Kandahar love you and want you among them now.