As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday, I’ve been reading a series of newspaper articles describing various aspects of our history and culture. They are all interesting but “Where are we from?” caught my eye.
First, I learned that more than 175 Canadian place-names have roots in Sweden. I also learned that Winnipeg, Man., was once the epicentre of Swedish-Canadian life. The article pointed out that many of the earliest settlers in our country were farmers and loggers, so it only makes sense they migrated to the prairies. Some of them travelled through North Dakota and Minnesota to get here.
As well, Winnipeg was home to Canada’s longest running and most influential Swedish language newspaper, Canada Tidningen (1892–1970). Not only that, it was host to a nationwide Swedish cultural organization. After the 1940s many Swedes headed west to British Columbia as job opportunities opened up there. We owe these Swedish-Canadians great thanks for all they have contributed to our country.
Much closer to home, for me at least, is the part of our city where I live. Not that many years ago it was designated as a National Historic District of Canada and stands as a unique treasure on the West Coast. Built to house Powell River Company mill employees, several hundred buildings remain intact, including our house. Adding to its charm is the fact that every street and avenue here is named for a tree. We’re on Maple so all the planted trees are maples. The same goes for Oak Street, Arbutus Avenue and so on.
Early Christians were known as disciples of Jesus and His name embodied all that they had longed for.
“That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in Him …” (1 Thessalonians 1:12)
As songwriter Lanny Wolfe wrote: Cherish that wonderful name!
