Poll #2 is closed...

Okay... Poll #2 is closed... Question is: What do you often do during recess?... Choices are: Play sports, chat with friends, read books, do nothing, and others... Result is: 6 votes for "chat with friends"...

A Loyalist's Diary (Assignment #9)

Hi!
Interesting, isn't it? Assignment #9 here already! See Mike's blog or Mrs. Pollock's blog for more information...

The Diary of a Loyalist:

January 5, 1784
Dear Diary;

We are here now, here in our new home, Canada. It seems more peaceful here, though, but I still rather stay in America, where I was born. My eldest sister, Adeline, said that if our family stayed, we'll all get killed. (I think she's just threatening me. I've heard stories from neighbours that they will just chase us out of our homes.) But why does the Patriots wanted to become independent? Don't they have any loyalties to the Crown? There's so any unanswered questions.

I still remember, from a few months ago, that horrible night when we had to leave. The evil Patriots stormed into our house at midnight with guns in their hands. We toke our most valuable belongings and fled north. Luckily, we met a neighbour's family on the way before we starved and then travelled with them. I noticed how delightful my parents were to have travel companions. Too bad our neighbour has a son (he's so bossy). I wish I have a good friend that is a girl instead.

By last December, our families travelled by boat across a lake and finally reached the St. Lawrence River. We settled in Upper Canada for a few days before we travelled again to Lower Canada, where most Loyalists are. This little village where my family settled is near the Bay of Quinte. Unforunatly, the population here is very low. Mother, Adeline and my other sister, Amanda, are busy knitting clothing for the rest of the winter, while I watch my father keeping himself busy by building a "hut" to live in. I find life here so boring (as I have said before), and I missed my old friends so much.

Sometimes I think I will never get use to this place. Yesterday, I found out that almost 100 000 loyalists are arriving in Canada. Father said that the Patriots are very cruel. I couldn't help asking again - Why does those patriots want to betray the Crown?

See these websites to get more information on Loyalists:

• The Canadian Encyclopedia
• Mysteries of Canada
• Histroy of Canada

I also found a quote from a Loyalist in this website:

"We cannot afford to let our politicans destroy whatever opportunities might be created. Let's face it, many of our politicans must be frightened by the cease-fire. And it's not hard to see why - if our fears about being solded out are finally allayed, in a few years from now these politicans could be redundant. We must analyse the situation from our own needs, not theirs. We've been marched up to the top of the hill and down again once too often."

Louis Riel Day (Assignment # 8)

Hello, people!!!
Did anyone ever thought what Louis Riel Day is? Or who is Louis Riel? I'm going talk about it for Assignment #8...

Louis Riel was born at Red River Settlement (now Manitoba) on October 22, 1844. He was sent to Montreal to become a priest or a lawyer, but never succeed. Instead he returned to Red River in the summer of 1866. By 1869, he became a leader among the Metis of Red River. Although many people thought him as a traitor, he was actually trying to fight for rights for his people. He made a "List of Rights" for the French-speaking Metis to send to the government, but the government did not approve, thinking it was a revolution. Louis Riel then decided to establish a Provisional Government. Unfortunately, he was banished to the U.S. for about five years. But he finally returned to Red River in 1883.
Louis Riel met a few other Metis who swore an oath; " Save our country from a wicked government by taking arms, if necessary." But everything failed. John A. McDonald, the Prime Minister, thought he was a traitor and a trouble maker. He sent police to arrest the Metis, and Louis Riel finally surrendered.
In his trial, he was found guilty and Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced to death. Louis Riel was sent to Regina and hanged on November 16, 1885 in the morning.

See these websites to find more information about Louis Riel:

• Mysteries of Canada (his whole story. I advise you to see this first; it's funny, too.)
• The Heritage Centre (a biography of him. It's long, but well written. Very detailed.)
• The Canadian Encyclopedia (something about Louis Riel and a link to information about the Red River Rebellion.)
• Canadian Confederation (good if you are looking for brief information about him.)
• Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online (more information.)

The Interview...

Janet: On today's Interview Show, we have a special guest; we will be meeting Louis Riel from about 200 years ago. Mr. Riel was born in 1844, at Red River Settlement. He became the leader of the Metis in 1869, trying to fight for rights for the French-speaking people. Unfortunately, he rebelled against the government and was sentenced to death. How sad! But Mr. Riel was seen as a hero to the French-speaking people. In the present time, he is important for starting to change the ways of political and economic power. Now, and finally, welcome Louis Riel to our fabulous Interview Show.

So Mr. Riel, I would like to ask some questions, be ready to answer! First question: Why didn't you want to become a priest or a lawyer, but became a leader of the Metis instead?
Louis Riel: Well, I guess I wasn't a bad student, at first, in the College of Montreal, but after a few years my instructors suspect that I did not have a "religious vocation." I also broke the rules and missed a few classes, so then I was asked to leave the school. I never thought about becoming a leader of the Metis in Red River anyway.

Janet: Very interesting. My next question: Do you regret the decision you made for the Metis?

Louis Riel: Not really. At first, I thought that what I was doing was correct, and I thought the government will eventually agree with me. But John A. McDonald wasn't easy. I got into a lot of trouble and ended up surrendering. The only thing I've regretted was that I wish I didn't give up, even if I saw no hope at all.

Janet: Yes, that must be very difficult decision for your. Third Question: What did you think when Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced you to death?

Louis Riel: I believed that what he and the government is doing is wrong. I thought the Metis should have rights themselves. As I've said, the government did not approve my actions, so I had no choice. I'm glad that the French-speakers still thought me as a hero, and that I didn't suffocate and die for nothing.

Janet: You have made a big change in the Canada. I think you're proud of that. But do you think that your life will be easier if you became a priest instead?

Louis Riel: It probably will be, although I never wanted to be a priest. It was my choice, so that's what I chose to do.

Janet: True, and the country should be glad of what you have done for us.

I'm afraid to say that we have ran out of time and we have to close the show for today. Thank you for joining us on the Interview Show!

Poll #1 is Closed...

Hello;
Poll #1 just closed two days ago. It's surprising how quickly days pass. About the poll...

Question: How would you rate the Holocaust?
The results: Eight votes in total; seven votes for "very, very bad" and one vote for... what a surprise! "Very, very good"!

Canadian Personalities (Assighment #7)

My answers for Assignment #7...

a.) I thought the categories "we built" was the most interesting because it showed how our country is built, which is important. Some people like Sameul De Champlain, David Thompson, James Bernard Harkin, Francis Mawson Rattenbury, and Jules Robert Timmins help shape out Canada. I really like the description "We shaped Canada's landscapes: waterways, mountains, cities and countrysides."

b.) Adelaide Hoodless's personality interested me the most because she believed both girls and boys should be treated the same way. Many years ago, girls weren't even allowed to go to school. Instead, women were forced to stay at home and do household work. Men were the ones who got education and have a job.

Adelaide Hoodless was born on February 27, 1858 near St. George, Canada. She went to German Public School and Ladies' College. When she was about 23 years old, she married a businessman, called John Hoodless. After she married, she participated in the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association). She also support advancing the education for girls. At Hamilton, she opened a school of domestic science. Adelaide became president of the YWCA in 1895 and help find the Women's Institute. When she was 40 years old, she wrote Canada's first domestic science textbook.

Even though Adelaide Hoodless didn't fulfill her dream, I liked how she made several different accomplishments in people's educations. She died in 1910 when she was 53 years old. Don't forget to see these websites for more information on Adelaide Hoodless:

• Civilization
• Canadian Encyclopedia
• Hoodless Homestead

c.) I think Viscount Monck should be added to this website on "We Governed" because he is the first Governor General of Canada since the Confederation in 1867. William Lyon Mackenzie King should be added to the "We Governed" section because he was elected Prime Minister of Canada three times before. I also thought some of the European Explorers, like Jacques Cartier, should be added to the "We Built" part of this website because he explored and also supported the new country, Canada.
Here are some websites you should check out...

• Viscount Monck;


• William Lyon Mackenzie King; &
  
• Jacques Cartier.

d.) The History-Maker that I have most in common with is Lucy Maud Montgomery. I found it pretty easy to guess from the clues given, especially that they said her middle name is Maud and that she wrote "Anne of Green Gables". Like me, she was born in Fall (November 30, 1874). She really likes to read and believes education is very important. She had Awards and Scholarships given to her in her honor. She is also different from me. She was called by her middle name (Maud) and was the only child (she didn't have any siblings). Streets, schools, and libraries are also named after her, and she belonged in many book clubs.

e.) I've always thought about becoming a doctor when I was much younger. Here's my profile I've written about myself for the future...

Janet was a doctor that lived in Ottawa, Canada. She went to university in 2019 and study about Hypertension for 10 years. Finally, in 2030, she discovered a cure for Hypertension. By 2032, the cure was known worldwide and Hypertension was not a very harmful disease for people. Now, the cure for Hypertension is named after Janet and is used everyday to save many lives. Not very long after the cure for Hypertension, in 2035, Janet also discover a new and better cure for Heart Stroke. Although the cure was similar to the one for Hypertension, Janet accomplished a lot and was remembered for all her hard work.

Black History Month (Assignment #6)

Have you ever heard of Mary Matilda Winslow (or Mary Matilda Winslow McAlpine/MacAlpine or Tillie Winslow)? Do you know who she is ? Read on for answers...
Mary Matilda Winslow is the first black Canadian woman to graduate from the University of New Brunswick with a bachelor's degree. She was born in Fredricton, New Brunswick. She entered UNB in 1901 and graduated in 1905. Soon after her graduaton, she found a teaching positon in Nova Scotia, although she moved to the United States afterwards.
In 1906, she taught Greek and some other subjects at a high school in Birmington, Alabama. She also moved around the country to experience public education. Finally she settled in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1916 and taught at Springfield College.

Check out some other information from these websites:

• http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Mary-Matilda-Winslow
• http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/heritage/Black/Education.htm
  

Canadian Settlers (Assignment #5): It's Really Cold

Did you ever imagine living outside for a whole day in January, in this freezing cold weather? Imaging that you don't have boots, hats, coats, and mittens. What will that feel like? Did you ever think about how some people living about 500 years ago would actually survive? That's how the Canadian settlers that first came felt. Take a moment to think about it. Settlers then had to relied on wood and fire to keep themselves warm! Should you be happy with heated buildings and thick walls?!?

You're probably going to ask me this question, "why did the Canadian settlers even bother to stay here if life was so hard and cold?". Read on for some answers...

Back when Europeans just arrived, the settlers had a very difficult life. Everything has to be self-sufficient, from homes to boats, and from kitchen utensils to chairs. During winter, many people suffocated from scurvy, a sickness from a lack of Vitamin C. There's also other diseases like cholera and smallpox. As I'd say, there will always be good from the bad. If you think this way, the new settlers will have freedom (without some governments to "control" them), get a chance to have better jobs (get a lot of money and have land), and maybe even trying to get away from crowded cities.

The North America settlers soon adapted to the cold weather. They made houses out of logs and even put sand, lime, and water to fill the holes on the walls. Some people made houses out of stones. Roofs of the houses were made of wood shingles and sloped to keep snow off. The settlers even build huge fireplaces for heating and cooking. (Click here for more information)

My family came to Canada many years ago, a bit too long to remember. My family had thought about how a great country Canada is, and how good the environment was. But we were very surprised at how cold the weather was, although we did think about that. "It's much different than the weather back in my country", my grandparents said when they visited Canada. Luckily, some sweaters were brought and we did survive.

Check out some websites for more information:

• About more Canadian History


• About the Settlers


• About Other Settlers