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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THE LIFE STORY OF PENTTI (BEN) HENRIK JÄRVENPÄÄ 20.11.1925 –…</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THE LIFE STORY OF PENTTI (BEN) HENRIK JÄRVENPÄÄ 20.11.1925 – 12.10.2020</strong></p>
<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Childhood</strong><br/>
<br/>
Pentti was born on November 20, 1925 in the city of Viipuri (Vyborg) in Finland and passed away peacefully after many serious health issues in Toronto, Canada on<br/>
October 12, 2020. His parents were Anna and Vilho Järvenpää, his younger brother<br/>
was Vilho junior and Maire was his younger sister.<br/>
Pentti had a happy childhood while growing up in Viipuri. During the 1930ies there was a world-wide depression and unemployment soared to around 40% all over the world.<br/>
Pentti’s grandparents owned a large farm located in the Vahviala parish in Karelia. This farm had been owned by the Järvenpää family since 1700.<br/>
Pentti’s father worked in a large transportation company, being a part owner as well as a truck driver. As a teenager, Pentti also helped out in his father’s company by delivering orders to customers on his bicycle.<br/>
Pentti’s mother was interested in arts, singing and poetry. His brother succeeded in sports and even played on the Finnish national soccer team. Pentti’s sister was a housewife.<br/>
The first evacuation took place for Pentti and his family in Viipuri after the Soviet Union had attacked Finland in 1939. The Järvenpääs travelled to Häme, parish of Luopioinen and lived there in a school building. After the Winter War had ended, they moved back to Viipuri in 1942. The war started again in 1941 and continued until 1944.<br/>
Pentti’s family evacuated the last and final time in 1944 when the Soviets restarted the war in June and the Karelians had to leave their homes for good in 1944. Pentti’s mother, brother and sister escaped from Viipuri to a small community near Lahti for a short time before moving to Helsinki.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Military Service</strong><br/>
<br/>
Pentti joined the Finnish army in 1943 at the age of 17. First, he received the basic army training and later he was vigorously trained in machine gun special operations in Lappeenranta before he started his service in Viipuri. After the war Pentti was missing for ten months, while he was serving in the Finnish border security troops. His family had no idea where he was. Pentti’s sergeant asked for volunteers to take military mail to Helsinki. After Pentti was chosen, as a volunteer for this important task, the sergeant asked him to select a weapon which was a pistol. Armed with the appropriate weapon Pentti took four bags of sealed mail to Helsinki.<br/>
During this visit he decided to search for his family and went to the address office located on Alexander Street. There Pentti found his mother (his father was also serving in the Finnish army) at Kajaaninkatu 2, Suite 3. His mother, Anna, could not believe her eyes when she saw Pentti, her be-loved son, at her door-step after searching for him for ten long months.<br/>
Pentti served in the Finnish army clearing mines which was a very dangerous job, in the Gulf of Finland for nine months. In December 1945, Pentti was honorably discharged and he returned home from the army.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Jobs in Finland and Studies</strong><br/>
<br/>
Life was very difficult after the war. Pentti had no education and no job training. He worked in various jobs in Helsinki i.e.in the Phillips Radio factory, at the City of Helsinki and he also worked as a taxi driver after securing his driving license in 1947. Pentti had many interesting customers, well-known athletes, famous artists, and politicians including the American Ambassador to United Nations, Mr. Adlai Stevenson. Pentti was a competent driver and had valid driving licenses in four different countries i.e. Finland, Great Britain, United States of America and Canada during his life time.<br/>
In 1952 actress Ruth Snellman and her actor husband Jussi Snellman were Pentti’s customers who were going to visit Ruth’s father, the world renowned Finnish national composer, Jean Sibelius, in Ainola. Pentti drove the couple there and also met the composer. Sibelius was furious after listening to Australian radio where his 6th symphony was played. The performance was so poor that Sibelius could not accept such an inadequate performance. The composer greeted Pentti during his brief stay in Ainola. Pentti is one of the few Canadian Finns who has ever met with this incredibly talented Finnish musical icon and composer. During this visit to Ainola Pentti had an opportunity to have an enlightening discussion with Mrs. Aino Sibelius. Mrs. Sibelius spoke about her family life and her husband who was extremely upset about his symphony which was performed incorrectly on the radio program.<br/>
Three years after the war Pentti joined an international youth organization. The purpose of this organization was to prevent war and work for peace. This international involvement gave him opportunities to attend youth conferences in Stockholm, Paris and London 1950 - 1952. This youth activity probably helped Pentti to be accepted to continue his education at university level in England. Through its membership Pentti moved to London, England, to study at the Newbold College for 1½ years in 1952–1954.<br/>
During that time Pentti witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second on<br/>
black and white television.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Marriage and Children</strong><br/>
<br/>
After returning home to Finland Pentti was participating in a youth camp near Jyväskylä where he met the love of his life and the mother of his children, Ulpu Vartija. Pentti and Ulpu married in 1960. They had three daughters, Sari Kristiina Levinski, born in Helsinki on July 3, 1961, Mervi Anneli Baker also born in Helsinki on August 19, 1962 and their youngest daughter, Michelle Annette Pitre who was born in Canada on December 15, 1978. Pentti has nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.<br/>
Ulpu was a well-educated intensive-care nurse. She worked for about 15 years at the Toronto General Hospital until she became ill with fatal acute leukemia. Unfortunately, Ulpu passed away at the young age of 51 in 1991.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Immigration to Canada and Studies in USA</strong><br/>
<br/>
The Järvenpääs immigrated to Canada in 1963. Pentti studied gerontology at the<br/>
Kingsway College in Oshawa 1963 - 1964. He was able to transfer his student<br/>
credits from England to Atlantic University (name later changed to Andrew’s University) in USA, where he completed his B.A. in 1964 – 1966. Pentti majored in Christian philosophy, and minored in science, astronomy, zoology and literature.<br/>
Pentti returned to Canada with his family in 1966 and started his work at the Ministry of Community and Social services in Oshawa. He was promoted to a supervisory position and had ten direct reports. His employer sponsored Pentti with a full salary to continue his master’s degree studies at the University of Toronto during 1970 – 1972. There he majored in sociology and minored in psychiatry and social psychology. Pentti’s master’s thesis was called ‘Economic and Social-cultural Integration of Finnish Immigrants in Metropolitan Toronto’ published in April 1972. This study was well received and utilized by North American universities reference library services. A copy of Pentti’s thesis is also available at the Published Heritage team of National Library of Canada in Ottawa. Due to the merging of The National Library of Canada and The National Archives of Canada in 2004 the organization is now called Library and Archives Canada.<br/>
According to Pentti’s manager he was the best employee the Ministry had ever had, and therefore, the employer wanted Pentti to secure the most appropriate education for his extremely important and challenging work in the field of social work.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Employment with the Ministry of Community and Social Services</strong><br/>
<br/>
Pentti was employed for 25 years with the Durham Family and Children Services at the Ministry of Community and Social Services in Oshawa. His main office was located in Oshawa in the Durham region. He frequently attended courts in Toronto and the York region. Pentti held the following positions: Social worker, supervisor, instructor and law enforcement officer.<br/>
As a social service worker Pentti’s work was very demanding and complicated. It<br/>
included the following: The coordination of other community agencies, police and law enforcement, public health, legal services, schools, parole officers, and in some cases; neighbors, witnesses, and lawyers.<br/>
There were frequent appearances in child welfare and family courts, juvenile courts, criminal courts and occasional Supreme courts.<br/>
There was involvement in murder investigations, several suicide investigations and reporting, conducting small group counseling and reporting to the courts. There the focus was on learning to know perpetrators, recommending sentences or plans for the treatments.<br/>
During Pentti’s challenging and demanding professional career he was involved in<br/>
numerous social activities as a law enforcement officer. Pentti worked together with police, especially with the CAP (Crimes Against People) and Youth Bureau. He frequently attended hearings at child welfare, juvenile, family, criminal courts, the Supreme Court and criminal compensation board. For these cases extensive preparation was usually required.<br/>
During these busy years of Pentti’s working life he spent one year with the psychiatric team in Toronto. The team specialized to work with seriously disturbed individuals and dysfunctional families in a modern multi-cultural society.<br/>
He was also involved in education and training of many students from Waterloo<br/>
University and community colleges. Pentti was a Practicum Supervisor.<br/>
Educational goals were practical, team building, better investigations, assessment, planning and record-keeping. Close co-operation with other community agencies was also part of a busy life. Pentti organized case meetings. In these meetings police, parole officers, public health representatives, schools and other relevant persons attended. It all took a lot of time. Fortunately, Pentti had a good secretary who set up meetings, agendas, followed up with executions and record keeping for the Ministry on his behalf.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Christine Jessop’s murder</strong><br/>
<br/>
The brutal murder of nine-year-old Christine Jessop in October 1984 deeply affected Pentti’s life. He was involved in the investigation from the beginning. Pentti’s good connections with the community helped police to start the investigation. He gave CAP squad officers some good information. Unfortunately, the assigned officer blundered the leads. They arrested an innocent neighbor who was charged and convicted for the murder. About three years later he was charged for the second time and again convicted on inadequate evidence. Pentti did his own investigation and disagreed with the police. Pentti was convinced about the neighbor’s innocence and about three years after the murder, he wrote a letter to the police inspector who was supervising the investigation, charges and court process. In Pentti’s meeting with him, he stubbornly stated that they had the right man convicted. The Globe and Mail published an article about this meeting.<br/>
This case became active again about ten years after the murder. The police contacted Pentti in the early 1990s, when he lived in Suomi-Koti. Pentti then worked with two lawyers who were involved in solving this murder case. The Ministry of Justice of the Province of Ontario decided to have this troublesome case completely re-examined and reassessed.<br/>
Retired Judge Kaufman conducted a complete scrutiny of accumulated material.<br/>
His conclusion was that there was no evidence against the neighbor. He was totally innocently convicted. The Judge recommended financial compensation.<br/>
Pentti participated in many challenging projects at the Ministry. He had three offices located in Oshawa, Ajax and Brock townships where he could work on his many difficult cases. One of the projects was related to sexual harassment and sexual violence at home. Pentti and his team of five colleagues worked closely with police in many complicated investigations. Pentti’s extraordinary work resulted in the exoneration of a convicted killer, Guy Paul Morin, after he had written to the lead investigator. Pentti had extremely challenging and rewarding work experiences at the Ministry and retired officially in March 1987.<br/>
Three days after Pentti’s passing on October 15, 2020 the Toronto Police made an<br/>
announcement that Christine Jessop’s killer Calvin Hoover had been identified through genetic genealogy. The killer had committed suicide in 2015. Pentti often spoke about this disturbing case with the writer. He did not disclose the name of the suspect. Therefore, we will never know if Pentti was correct about the identity of Christine Jessop’s killer.<br/>
<strong><br/>
Suomi-Koti in Toronto and Pentti’s involvement there</strong><br/>
<br/>
In 1982 Pentti’s friends called and asked him to join the Suomi-Koti founding meeting on January 16th, to determine if there was a need for a seniors’ center for Finnish-speaking people in Toronto. Pentti prepared two extensive studies on the subject matter. Names of the studies are:<br/>
<em>“Proposal for capital and operational support of construction, development and operation of Multiservice Centre for Elderly Finns in Metro Toronto” page 110, 1984.</em><br/>
and<br/>
<em>“A statistical Survey of Demographic Distribution and living arrangements of elderly Finns in Metropolitan Toronto and adjacent regional Municipalities of Peel, York and Durham”. Page 35, 1984.</em><br/>
<br/>
About 40 years ago Pentti attended a Social Policy Conference at Sheraton Hotel in Toronto. Hundreds of people from the Province of Ontario were in attendance and shared experiences on some urgent, important issues. Then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau was present. In his presentation the prime minister emphasized the importance of ethnic participation and leadership in the service and care of their seniors.<br/>
The ethnic organizations know what their elderly needs and wants are. This sounded correct in Pentti’s personal interests and thinking. Mr. Trudeau further stated that there was no government financing available for ethnic facilities, programs or services.<br/>
The Finnish-Canadian Seniors Centre was founded on January 16, 1982. The Finnish<br/>
community was well represented with about 20 persons at the meeting. Dr. Veli Ylänkö was chosen to the position of Chairman. They had no plan, and no clear idea about what they could do, no resources and no location. However, the Suomi-Koti Board was well-motivated.<br/>
Pentti thought one of the first things should be, to become recognized. Pentti then established contacts with East York Council, received an opportunity to give a presentation and the reception there was positive. The Council members were very supportive including the Mayor, David Johnson.<br/>
The inadequate Suomi-Koti plans were in limbo for more than two years to the end of 1984.<br/>
Pentti’s work experience and good personal, and governmental relations were very helpful. From his contacts with government agencies Pentti learned that without<br/>
a clear plan they could not gain necessary recognition and support. He made a personal commitment to study, and learn how to make an acceptable plan. Beside Pentti’s difficult, time-consuming work he spent about two years establishing good relations with other organizations. Pentti visited many places, attended many meetings and activities at Baycrest, Joseph E. and Minnie Wagman Centre, Baycrest Foundation, Villa Columbo Foundation and many others were helpful and beneficial. Some centers like Uxbridge Seniors’ Drop-in and Oshawa’s Seniors Centre supported by General Motors and the City of Oshawa with 3,000 members were different due to their municipal funding.<br/>
As opinions in the Finnish community about Suomi-Koti varied, Pentti completed Finnish seniors’ population count, based on the 1982 national population statistics. This was time consuming. Pentti felt that it was needed. Beside his hectic work schedule Pentti called, met and interviewed about 70 Finnish seniors. The Suomi-Koti idea was well received. All interviewed seniors joined and became Suomi-Koti members.<br/>
The membership rose to 600. These seniors were the first-generation tenants.<br/>
“Finnish-Canadian Seniors Centre” was registered as a “Non-Profit Organization” under The Corporation Act in November 1982, and was registered as a “Charitable Organization” in Ottawa in November, 1983.<br/>
When Pentti’s plan was well-accepted by the New Horizon committee which<br/>
was a part of the Ministry of Health at the Ontario Government, their proposals were always considered. During the years 1984 – 1986 the Suomi-Koti proposals were accepted. They were all carefully made and well-supported by Ontario’s Liberal Government ministers and two Federal Government politicians. The New Horizon committee gave Suomi-Koti a liaison official, Mr. Ken Moffat, who presented the proposals to the committee. Pentti prepared four proposals to the New Horizon committee and all of them were accepted. In this way Suomi-Koti was able to raise about $500,000. Pentti presented the Suomi-Koti plan to the East York Council. It was well received. The East York mayor and counsellors always supported Suomi-Koti plans. The New Horizon $500,000 funding was used to build the kitchen, stage in the multi-purpose room, library, meeting rooms, work space and machinery for 12 veterans who worked tirelessly and contributed their carpentry skills. These veterans were all Suomi-Koti residents and active over the 2-1/2 years period and their voluntary work was valued at $200,000. This construction volunteer work was a highly needed addition to all the subcontractors and the main construction company, Harbridge & Cross owned by Tapani Nousiainen, who worked closely with Seppo Kanerva, from Sedun & Kanerva Architects. All the funds raised for Suomi-Koti between 1982 to 1987 and in-kind contributions totalled over $1,200.000.<br/>
The first residents of Suomi-Koti moved into the building at 795 Eglinton Avenue East in late 1986. The undersigned was hired to be the fundraising coordinator to raise funds for the downstairs basement level 2. We had a fundraising committee of which a key member was Mrs. Sirpa Kaukinen who had worked as a fundraiser at the Toronto General Hospital Auxiliary for ten years. She had the best fundraising knowledge and experience in the Toronto’s Finnish community and she was a fundraising pioneer in Canada. Pentti had all the government connections and also the ability to determine the right grant opportunities beneficial to Suomi-Koti. Pentti’s contribution to the Suomi-Koti fundraising campaign related to government and public sector was first rate and resulted in Suomi-Koti receiving the best possible financial government support.<br/>
The Suomi-Koti fundraising campaign sent out hundreds of letters to foundations, social groups, banks and businesses. John Woods with his his wife Pirkko organized special events. John, as a chartered accountant at the City of Toronto, was a driving force in making this fundraising campaign successful.<br/>
The Suomi-Koti official opening took place in October 1987. Mrs. Tellervo Koivisto, the wife of the President of the Republic of Finland, officially opened Toronto’s Finnish Seniors’ Centre, Suomi-Koti.<br/>
Pentti had two meetings with the Golden Age Club. They were unable to continue keeping up with their building. Pentti prepared an application to the Scarborough office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services of the Province of Ontario. The result of this meeting made it possible for Suomi-Koti to gain 14 rental subsidy units which were in existence close to 18 years. In order for Pentti to ensure these subsidies, he had to present his case to the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Pentti’s argument was that Suomi-Koti was a private organization with access for its members only, and for these reasons Suomi-Koti was able to receive the above-mentioned rent subsidies. Six Golden Age Club residents moved to Suomi-Koti and therefore the Club donated their building’s sale profits to Suomi-Koti. This important donation was valued at $215,000 in 1987. There is a meeting room dedicated to the Golden Age Club on the B1 level at Suomi-Koti for their significant donation to the organization.<br/>
One of the fundraising events was the library opening with the Ontario government minister of Culture and Citizenship, the honorable Gerry Phillips in attendance, in the spring of 1988. The minister, who was also a part of Lions International movement, gave a $125,000 donation to Suomi-Koti.<br/>
The Toronto-Suomi Lioness Club collected and organized thousands of Finnish language books and had shelves built for the B1 level of the library. The plaque signifying the hard work of the Lions members hangs in the library.<br/>
Various other Finnish organizations made significant donations to Suomi-Koti including<br/>
Toronto-Suomi Lions Club $10,000, Finnish Toronto Veterans Club $4,000. Toronto Karelians Club $2,000, and the purchase of a high-quality German piano by Finnish Organization of Canada in the amount of $7,000.<br/>
As a coordinator of this fundraising campaign the undersigned was able to connect with many prominent Finns in the community. Dr. Bengt Gestrin, the Honorary Consul General of Finland and an assistant to the chairman of the board of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, gave us a substantial donation from the Bank.<br/>
Sonja Revell-Stewart with her husband, Michael Stewart gave another large donation to Suomi-Koti. Sonja’s both parents, including her father Viljo Revell, who designed Toronto’s new city hall, had passed away young and therefore his daughter and son-in-law wanted to honor her both parents. All other fundraising committee members had limited experience and knowledge in this very demanding and difficult field.<br/>
Pentti was also able to apply funding for two new positions, annual social service worker and coordinator. The first position was through the Metro Toronto Social Planning Council and was in existence until 2004. The second position is through Elderly Person’s Act Centre under the Ministry of Community and Social Services. It is still receiving funding annually at Suomi-Koti. The position is now called seniors active living coordinator.<br/>
All government, corporate, individual donors and volunteers have been recognized in the Suomi-Koti entry hall walls in special plaques. The Suomi-Koti fundraising campaign between 1982 to 1988 was most successful and brought all together about 1.2 million dollars including many of the government grants that Pentti was able to secure. This Suomi-Koti fundraising campaign was an absolute miracle in the Toronto’s Finnish community.<br/>
The last bill for construction materials for Suomi-Koti library and meeting rooms was paid off in September 1988. When the construction of B1 and B2 levels were completed, there were no debts or financial strains. This was a remarkable achievement accomplished by a successful fundraising campaign and numerous voluntary supporters. The completion of Suomi-Koti helped the organization immediately to secure financial support for programs and services from Metro Toronto and the Province of Ontario.<br/>
Pentti took a large pay cut in his income when he became Suomi-Koti’s first administrator. He had taken an early retirement from the Ministry in order to work at Suomi-Koti and ensure that this massive project could be completed. Pentti’s salary was only a fraction of what he was earning at the Ministry. Because of his age Pentti was able to compensate his salary with his retirement income. He worked close to seven years as the Suomi-Koti administrator. Toronto’s Finnish community can count their blessings in that Pentti made his choice to assist Finnish seniors due to his knowledge, skills and experience in applying for various government funding, superb relationship building skills to connect with right government people. Pentti’s wisdom to<br/>
apply for the rent subsidies in 1987 allowed 14 Finnish low-income residents to live financially at Suomi-Koti for over a 25-year period, because they only needed to pay one half of the market value of their rents.<br/>
According to Pentti’s research 75% of all Finnish Canadian immigrants had obtained a high school diploma. In addition to the Finnish immigrants lack of language skills many of them did not have well paying pensions to support themselves. Pentti was the shining star of the Suomi-Koti project. His tenacity, never give up attitude, dedication and hard work made it possible that Suomi-Koti is still vital and a corner stone in the Toronto’s Finnish community today.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Highlights of additional special events and high-profile visitors to Suomi-Koti, Toronto during the time Pentti Järvenpää worked there as the first administrator from 1986 to 1994.</strong><br/>
<br/>
The Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Matti Ahde visited Suomi-Koti in 1988 and the same year the Finnish parliamentary committee also visited the Centre. The Japanese Government delegation toured Suomi-Koti to learn how the Centre took care of their elderly Finnish seniors.<br/>
The Finnish Canada Cup team including hockey players Jari Kurri, Esa Tikkanen, Reijo Ruotsalainen and Teppo Numminen with their General Manager Kalervo Kummola paid a visit to Suomi-Koti in 1987, and donated a hockey stick signed by every team member.<br/>
Suomi-Koti arranged a 125th Birthday Anniversary for Jean Sibelius on December 8,<br/>
1990. Other cultural events included performances by violinist Andrea Hansen and her sister, violinist Florence Hansen, harmonica player Hannu Lambert from Sudbury, and theatre groups from Iisalmi and Kuopio and many other Finnish and local groups and individual performers.<br/>
<strong><br/>
Cultural involvement</strong><br/>
<br/>
Since his arrival in Canada in 1963 Pentti was involved and participated in<br/>
numerous cultural activities in the Toronto’s Finnish community. These included:<br/>
ten years as a member on the board of the Finnish-Canadian Cultural Federation,<br/>
planning and participation in cultural programs and festivals. An active member for years with the Finnish Male Singers, he participated in many concerts in Canada and U.S.A. He founded and chaired Karelians in Toronto Club by arranging cultural events.<br/>
He was chairman and secretary of Finnish War Veterans Toronto Club. This included activity planning for Finnish and Canadian festivals and celebrations.<br/>
Several years with Suomi-Koti were very busy with cultural activities, program planning, advertising, writing articles and communications. He founded and was the first editor of “Iltatuulen Viesti” Suomi-Koti’s internal newsletter.<br/>
<br/>
<strong>Decorations and medals</strong><br/>
<br/>
Marshal Mannerheim’s Lion of Finland<br/>
Finnish War veterans Gold Cross of merit<br/>
Finnish War veterans Home Front medal<br/>
Finnish Marine Miner Clearing medal<br/>
Queen Elisabeth II Coronation medal<br/>
The Queen Elizabeth 25th anniversary of the accession of the throne medal in 1977<br/>
<strong><br/>
Pentti’s Comments about his life</strong><br/>
<br/>
In my own personal life my commitment, participation, involvement in policy and<br/>
service planning was instrumental in getting the Suomi-Koti founded. The accomplishment to establish Toronto’s Suomi-Koti was the most satisfying and<br/>
rewarding experience in my life. The opportunity to see all this to its fruition and to help hundreds of Finnish seniors to celebrate their Finnish cultural values. This was Toronto’s Finnish community’s contribution to the Canadian mosaic.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
This article was approved by Pentti (Ben) Järvenpää. I worked with him for many years to ensure that the facts were correct about his studies and his demanding and challenging career as a social worker. We wanted to give a true picture of Pentti’s dedication and interest to make sure the Finnish seniors would have a place in Suomi-Koti, where they could speak Finnish and celebrate their culture, history and love for their native land, Finland.<br/>
<br/>
Toronto, May 16, 2021<br/>
Pirkko Shalden<br/>
pirkko.shalden@gmail.com<br/>
The first fundraising coordinator for Suomi-Koti, Finnish Seniors’ Centre in Toronto, 1986 – 1988 and who worked with Pentti at Suomi-Koti during that time.<br/>
<br/>
This article will be published in Canada’s national Finnish newspaper, Kanadan Sanomat/finnishcanadian.com, Finnish American Reporter, Hancock, Michigan, USA and Finland Bridge, Finland Society, Helsinki, Finland?<br/>
<br/>
Copies of Pentti Järvenpää’s life story will be given to his three daughters<br/>
Kristina Levinski, Mervi Baker and Michelle Pitre<br/>
Archives:<br/>
Toronto Finnish Canadian Seniors’ Centre - Suomi-Koti Toronto Archives,<br/>
Toronto, Canada<br/>
Lakehead University Archives, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada<br/>
Multicultural History Society of Ontario, Toronto, Canada<br/>
Finnish American Reporter Archives, Hancock, Michigan, USA<br/>
The Migration Institute of Finland, Turku, FinlandOnkalo, Finland in the spotlight as communities in northwestern Ontario consider “A Terrifying and Huge Decision”tag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-11-22:6417497:BlogPost:1336012023-11-22T18:30:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299633285?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299633285?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <br></br> It’s surprising to discover, how often you hear Finland cropping up in conversations, in small northwestern Ontario communities, and even more surprising, that Onkalo is mentioned. I’d never heard of it until I went to Ignace. Ignace is a community of 1,206 people surrounded by pristine lakes and waterways that it shares with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299633285?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299633285?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><br/> It’s surprising to discover, how often you hear Finland cropping up in conversations, in small northwestern Ontario communities, and even more surprising, that Onkalo is mentioned. I’d never heard of it until I went to Ignace. Ignace is a community of 1,206 people surrounded by pristine lakes and waterways that it shares with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation on Treaty 3 territory. A railway and a highway run through it and tourism, forestry and mining have traditionally provided employment.<br/> <br/> Then I came across the documentary “Into Eternity”, by the Danish film maker Michael Madsen. Somehow I now knew more than I wanted to about nuclear waste burial, and couldn’t get the idea of it out of my thoughts. There is a complex drama unfolding in northwestern Ontario, with a link to Onkalo, that I had no idea of.<br/> <br/> Onkalo, in western Finland, is the world’s first permanent disposal site for high-level nuclear waste, and there is some pride in that. This complex underground facility is a Deep Geological Repository (DGR), in bedrock that is over a billion years old. It will have 100 nuclear waste disposal tunnels located 430 meters underground and is meant to store the nuclear waste generated by Finland’s 2 nuclear power plants and to keep it undisturbed, as it degrades for the next 100,000 years. When operations begin in 2024, excavations will continue over the next century, to add more disposal tunnels and when the repository is filled to capacity with 6,500 tons of spent fuel rods, around 2120, the entrance tunnel will be sealed shut and all surface structures will be dismantled and not even a warning sign will mark the spot.<br/> <br/> The reason why Finland and especially Onkalo are on the minds of people living in Ignace is because a DGR for the burial of Canada’s radioactive nuclear wastes is being proposed between Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. The other location under consideration is the Saugeen Ojibway Nation – South Bruce site close to the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant, in southern Ontario. For these communities, perhaps it’s a comfort to know that there’s somewhere else in the world where this is being done first.<br/> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299302078?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299302078?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><em>The Olkiluoto nuclear power plant and Onkalo are located on the island of Olkiluoto in Eurajoki (left on the map). Finland's second nuclear power plant is located in Loviisa. From there it is about 350 km to Onkalo.</em><br/> <br/> The largest of Finland’s two nuclear power plants is Olkiluoto and it’s located close to Onkalo and to the community of Eurajoki. The radioactive wastes generated at Olkiluoto will only need to be transported a short distance to be buried. This is an important distinction when comparisons are made with the proposed DGR site close to Ignace. A truck carrying radioactive waste from the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant to Ignace, for example, would have to travel a distance of 1,700 kilometers. The nuclear industry in Canada projects that a total of 132,000 tonnes of radioactive waste will need to be transported to the selected DGR site, compared to the 6,500 tonnes that will be buried at Onkalo. Any comparisons between the two countries’ DGR sites, would have to factor in significant differences.<br/> <br/> It’s worth the effort to try to grasp the vastness of 100,000 years. It’s the time span of approximately 3,000 generations. The oldest human-made constructions that we know of are only 5,000-6,000 years old. Scientists calculate that two ice ages will occur over that time period.<br/> <br/> There seems to be a cognitive dissonance when an increasing number of environmentalists and our own Minister of the Environment, Steven Guilbeault, are describing nuclear energy as "green, clean and emissions-free". Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre used the exact same words during a recent press conference. The description never includes a mention of the highly problematic issue of radioactive waste. There's a very big elephant in the no-carbon-emissions room!<br/> <br/> If it takes an incredible tomb like Onkalo to safely keep the radioactive wastes buried, how can it make sense to promote nuclear energy? The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates that there are already 263,000 tons of spent fuel sitting in interim storage facilities worldwide that will need a permanent solution. As we continue down this road, depending more and more on nuclear energy, as a way to bring down carbon emissions while ensuring that our lives carry on in a similar energy guzzling fashion, how many more Onkalo projects is it possible to build? How many nuclear disasters are we setting ourselves up for? In Canada, it seems that huge, existential considerations are being loaded on the shoulders of folks in small towns like Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. That paints a picture of a special hell, even as they’re surrounded by pristine lakes and forests. The weight of these considerations should instead, be borne by all of us.<br/> <br/> To deal with Canada’s accumulating radioactive stockpile, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) was set up in 2002. It was mandated to steer the DGR site selection process and to engage the communities that are involved. The NWMO’s website says, “Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts”. The NWMO uses all means at its disposal to steer the community towards an “informed and willing” state and has been doing just that in Ignace and area, over the last 10 years.<br/> <br/> In Finland, the acceptance of the Onkalo project by the community of Eurajoki was also critical. The town of Eurajoki is located only 18.5 km from the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant and many of its residents work there. These factors meant that the town's population was already comfortable with nuclear power and, as a result, it was not difficult to get community buy-in for the construction of the Onkalo DGR. Also significantly contributing to Finland’s acceptance of Onkalo is their culture of trust with institutions and expertise, evidenced by the shocked reaction of a visiting speaker from Onkalo, when he witnessed the opposition that existed to the project in Ignace. Another difference is that the Finnish process is insulated from politics, so it can move along without interruptions. Finland, however, also has anti-nuclear organizations, such as the Finnish Nuclear Transparency Watch and they are critical of the cozy relationship between industry and regulators. They point out that the concerns of civil society are not valued and that the Finnish media is too compliant, such that safety concerns are not publicly debated.<br/> <br/> The NWMO was founded by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), New Brunswick Power Corporation and Hydro Electric and these organizations along with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. also fund the operations of the NWMO. Working towards becoming an “informed and willing” DGR host community is both a complicated and expensive process but with these big backers, the NWMO can do many things. As a private corporation their actual budget, however, is unknowable. NWMO can pay good salaries in a town that has few comparable job opportunities, and can afford consultants to carry out heavy duty public relations work. They can also gain (buy) public support through financial contributions made to many community groups such as funding the snowmobile club, a Winterfest fish derby, a Safe Food handling course at the Seniors’ Centre, a cross-country ski competition, a hockey team, bikes for a spin class, badminton championships etc., as listed on their website.<br/> <br/> My first exposure to NWMO was at their information table outside the community hall in Upsala. They were sponsoring a free community spaghetti dinner. At the table, I was invited to handle a replica of a spent fuel bundle, to get an idea of what the trucks would be carrying to the eventual DGR burial site. The plan is for 2 to 3 transport trucks to daily deliver radioactive waste to the DGR, travelling thousands of kilometers from southern Ontario, over the course of decades. The two foot long, mock spent fuel bundle on the table, couldn’t be less threatening. You could practically nestle it in your arms like an awkward doll. Looking harmless, I assumed, was the whole point of this display.<br/> <br/> I thought there was a serious educational component missing, however, if I wasn’t being told about the radioactive nature of this bundle I was holding, had it been an actual spent fuel bundle. Certainly lacking, as well, was any information about how the radioactivity would harm me as it entered my body invisibly. It was telling that this information was missing.<br/> <br/> I walked away from the table, no wiser about the radioactive wastes to be transported, but with an insight into NWMO’s educational efforts, to make nuclear energy and the radioactive wastes seem harmless, every day and friendly. I could see how this could be a useful strategy to reach acceptance and willingness, a kind of friendly-wash to layer on top of the greenwashing. It didn’t seem very honest however, so I didn’t feel comfortable about pocketing any free swag from the table. This uneasy impression wasn’t helped by the way the NWMO staff, paid to be there, quickly moved out of the frame when I lifted my camera to take a picture of their information table.<br/> <br/> There’s an alliance of community organizations that oppose the dumping of radioactive, nuclear waste in northwestern Ontario and are particularly concerned about the transportation of this dangerous material. They cite the nuclear industry’s plans to transport 132,000 tonnes of highly radioactive nuclear waste, for the next 40-50 years, over long distances and with high frequency, to the site where it will be repackaged and buried. Two of those organizations, critical of this plan are “We the Nuclear Free North” and “Environment North” in Thunder Bay. Support for their campaign can be seen throughout Thunder Bay where “Say No to Nuclear Waste” signs on front lawns, are a common sight. This group also had an information table inside the hall where the spaghetti dinner was being held in Upsala.<br/> <br/> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299302298?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299302298?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><br/> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299302453?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12299302453?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a> <em>“We the Nuclear Free North” information table with volunteer Wendy O’Connor.</em><br/> <br/> These volunteer, community groups are dedicated to the adoption of the Proximity Principle which promotes a safer handling of nuclear wastes that does not involve risky and lengthy transportation. The Proximity Principle proposes that the radioactive wastes be stored as closely as possible to the source of generation with on-going monitoring. They say that this principle has been adopted in several European countries and while it is not a permanent solution, it does buy time for other options to be developed.<br/> <br/> Recently the City Council of Thunder Bay was to vote on endorsing the Proximity Principle and promoting its adoption provincially, in recognition that every community along the route travelled by the trucks carrying this waste, could be impacted. The section of the Trans-Canada highway running through northern Ontario is notorious for the number of transport truck accidents and these tragedies are regularly featured in the news.<br/> <br/> On October 30th, a protest was held in front of City Hall, calling for the adoption of the Proximity Principle, as the City Council deliberated inside. The vote was postponed, however, so that the Intergovernmental Committee could be briefed more thoroughly by the two groups, “We the Nuclear Free North” and “Environment North”. As of this writing, a decision has not yet been made regarding the adoption of the Proximity Principle by the city or the province.</p>
<p><br/> Amongst its many efforts to create willingness in the site selection process in the Ignace area, the NWMO has also brought speakers from Finland to the community and organized delegations to Finland. On Sunday, November 5th I spoke over the phone with Catherine Kiewning who is on Dryden’s City Council and is currently a member of a delegation headed to Finland. She was in Toronto when we spoke, preparing to fly to Finland that afternoon. Eventually she’d be meeting up with the other delegates, including representatives from Lac Seul First Nation, Ignace, more Dryden City councillors, as well as Dryden’s mayor.<br/> <br/> Here is that interview:<br/> <strong>KS – Can you tell me what’s planned for your delegation on this trip to Finland?</strong><br/> <em>CK – The delegation will be in Finland for a total of one week. We’ll be arriving in Helsinki on Monday and then travelling 2.5 hours to Rauma where we’ll spend two nights. We’ll have a tour there and meet with government officials. Over the next days, we’ll have a chance to tour the DGR that’s being developed at Onkalo. There’s also a trip to Eurajoki where we’ll meet with City officials. The itinerary we’ve been given is fairly sketchy and we don’t have a lot of details yet.</em><br/> <br/> <strong>KS – What are your expectations of this trip? What are you hoping to come away with?</strong><br/> <em>CK - I’m hoping to gain clarity on what the DGR will be doing and how it operates. I understand that there is a very lengthy permit process, so I’d like to learn more about that, for example. I’ve brought questions with me from constituents in Dryden, so I’ll be looking for answers for them. The people who have reached out in Dryden, are the ones that are very concerned. In general, the people in Dryden are either very opposed or neutral on the topic of a DGR in our area.<br/> <br/> The DGR at Onkalo in Finland will be different than the one proposed for our area. Transportation safety is a big issue for us, so I’ll be looking for more clarity on that. We’re concerned about multiple semi-vehicles, transporting nuclear waste during all four seasons, especially as we know that our roads in northern Ontario are not the safest. I have many questions, as we’ve heard different things. For example, I’d like to find out whether the waste being transported will be high level or low level. I’m also very concerned about water protection, as our area is well known for its pristine lakes and rivers. I consider myself to be a “climate activist”.<br/> First and foremost, we have to make sure that the proper protections are in place, although I recognize that there’s never a zero risk situation no matter what you do. I want to understand how the risks are being mitigated. Is this really the safest thing that we can be doing with the nuclear wastes?</em></p>
<p><em><br/> Dryden will not actually have a say in the decision about going ahead with a DGR for nuclear wastes in our region. That decision will be made by Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation. Dryden will be consulted as a partner community regarding the risks, as well as the rewards. This has been a very tricky and divisive issue.<br/> <br/> I’m participating in this delegation, keeping an open mind. It’s hard to discern what is right. It feels like you could never have enough information. I’m going to keep my mind open and participate with the best of intentions and get as informed as possible.</em><br/> <br/> <strong>KS – When you’re back in Canada, what will you do with the information you’ve gained?</strong><br/> <em>CK – I’ll provide an update at City Council and use my social media account on Instagram and Facebook. For those who have provided me with specific questions, I will try to respond to each of them individually. We’ve been told that we won’t be able to take a phone with us on the tour of Onkalo, but I’m hoping that I’ll be allowed to take notes. We were given a one-page information sheet on what’s permitted in the DGR. That visit will be very controlled. We’ll need to wear special outfits and we’ll need to go through a decontamination process when we come out. I think they’re showing us what the safety protocols will be like. I don’t believe there is actually any nuclear waste being stored there yet as it’s still under construction.</em><br/> <br/> <strong>KS – How do you feel about a decision being made that could have an impact for the next 100,000 years?</strong><br/> <em>CK – It’s not like the normal, daily decisions we make, like whether to brush our teeth or not, or what kind of shoes you should wear on a particular day. We fill our lives with those kinds of daily decisions. In contrast, this is a huge and terrifying decision. It’s really big and it will be up to Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation. I’m half glad that Dryden doesn’t have to make this decision. Dryden may have some sway, but that’s not guaranteed.</em></p>
<p><br/> <strong>KS – Why are you interested in this issue of nuclear waste burial?</strong><br/> <em>CK – In my 20’s I received education and training as a member of the Citizens Climate Lobby. We went to Washington to lobby for climate change solutions and we talked with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. It was enlightening and intimidating.<br/> <br/> We need to move away from fossil fuels. We have a responsibility to protect communities and prepare for climate change through asset management. We’ve seen the impact of climate change in our area with the extreme wild fires of 2020 that required the evacuation of Red Lake.<br/> It’s my responsibility to learn as much as I can about this important decision.</em><br/> <br/> When Catherine Kiewning returns from Finland, she has agreed to another interview by Kanadan Sanomat, to share what she has learned.<br/> <br/> Text and Photos: Anneli Tolvanen<br/></p>
<p><em>The writer and photographer is a volunteer contributor of Kanadan Sanomat and finnishcanadian.com and this is her personal opinion and does not represent the view or opinion of either of the aforementioned publications.</em></p>
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<p><em>A Finnish version of this article was published in the Kanadan Sanomat on 21.11.2023.</em></p>Sanna Kinrade – Calgaryn suomalaisyhteisön ja terveydenhuollon tehopakkaustag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-11-21:6417497:BlogPost:1334252023-11-21T21:00:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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On November 18th, there was an early line-up at the door, as there always is, when the Suomi Koti Ladies Auxiliary holds its Christmas bake and craft sale. Everyone’s eager to get a loaf or two (but that’s all, because now there’s a limit!) of freshly baked pulla, with or without raisins, and the table quickly gets cleared. There weren’t many left by the time I reached…
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On November 18th, there was an early line-up at the door, as there always is, when the Suomi Koti Ladies Auxiliary holds its Christmas bake and craft sale. Everyone’s eager to get a loaf or two (but that’s all, because now there’s a limit!) of freshly baked pulla, with or without raisins, and the table quickly gets cleared. There weren’t many left by the time I reached the table, but at least I wasn’t too late this year!<br/>
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Hanna Mannila described the busy baking session just the day before, with the ladies working three batches of dough - punching, braiding and baking all day long. I bought one with raisins, wondering, as I always do, about the mysterious dislike that some people apparently have for raisins (who are these people?!).<br/>
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I ran into Liisa Lahtinen, President of the Ladies Auxiliary, and asked her what the group was raising money for currently. She was fiddling with the remote of a large, flat-screen tv as we spoke, and explained that this was their most recent purchase. Some movie nights would soon be organized, once someone figured out how to programme the remote. Liisa said that they hadn’t planned what their next expenditure would be, but that there was always something needed in the building.<br/>
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Anja Irwin, in her marimekko apron and her Lappi ribbon hat, was particularly looking the part for a Finnish craft and bake sale but she was quick to clarify that she was just helping her cousin, Anja Hankilanoja. He cousin was the skilled crafter of all that was displayed on the table, as well as the hat on her head. “I might have to buy this hat”, she confesses, as she describes its comfortable fit.<br/>
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Anja Irwin tells me about a weekly knitting session that she and other women attend at Anja Hankilanoja’s house. Among other projects, they’ve been knitting babies’ caps for the last 8 years, which they donate to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. They make a delivery whenever they have a batch of 100 completed.<br/>
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Meanwhile, next over, are racks of woven, crocheted and knitted shawls, ponchos and scarves that are the creative one-of-a-kind designs of Sirkka Konu. She shows me one that contains repurposed panels from some cushions that had belonged to her mother. Another pancho has been designed from an old sweater. Old woolens are not wasted in Sirkka’s hands but instead get transformed and take on a new life as creative, wearable works of art.<br/>
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This is Annikki and Ritva Köhlin’s second craft sale in as many weeks and they’re enjoying the reward of a jam-filled possu, now that nearly all the piirakkas are sold. “Ihana että ei tarte piirakoita enään tendä!”, (wonderful that I don’t have to make any more piirakkas) says Annikki with great relieve, as she takes a big bite. She’s been baking piirakkas for 4 days straight, she tells me, and now it’s finally time to relax.<br/>
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I head over to the kitchen window for my own little possu reward as Kati Aksela is settling down with hers at the raffle table. She provides me with the caption for the photo I take of her, “onnelinen hymy” (contented smile) she says, but points out the important detail that it’s “vain puolikas” (just half).<br/>
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I’m not quite so disciplined. In fact, I might go back for seconds, before heading home, filled to the brim with happy experiences ….and wearing my own “onnelinen hymy”!<br/>
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Text and Photos: Anneli Tolvanen<br/>
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<strong><em>Voit lukea Thunder Bayn Suomi Kodin joulumyyjäisistä suomeksi Kanadan Sanomien 5. joulukuuta ilmestyvästä numerosta.</em></strong>Ilta-Sanomat, konfliktinratkaisujärjestö CMI ja yhdysvaltalainen Politico-lehti järjestivät maanantaina 13.10. vaalitentin, jossa ehdokkaat pääsivät ääneen myös englanniksi.tag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-11-14:6417497:BlogPost:1331992023-11-14T03:42:15.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
<a href="https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009989123.html">https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009989123.html</a>
<a href="https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009989123.html">https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009989123.html</a>Craft and Bake Sale at Hilldale, A Pre-Pikku Joulu Celebrationtag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-11-11:6417497:BlogPost:1334192023-11-11T22:30:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p>On that morning, just by entering the door at Hilldale church, the world with its cares and complexities quickly transforms into a friendlier place. The bustling bake and craft sale in full swing in the church hall feels like a celebration, a celebration of all that we have to share with each other – like a pre-Pikku Joulu, Pikku Joulu – a…</p>
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<p>On that morning, just by entering the door at Hilldale church, the world with its cares and complexities quickly transforms into a friendlier place. The bustling bake and craft sale in full swing in the church hall feels like a celebration, a celebration of all that we have to share with each other – like a pre-Pikku Joulu, Pikku Joulu – a place to experience a zest for life.<br/> <br/> Amongst those who’d arrived ahead of me, and now ready to head out, was Liisa Lahtinen, who stopped to show me the treasures that she’d found – a copy of the Lord’s Prayer written in gold calligraphy and a package of Karjalan piirakkas. Raija Warkentin was almost also out the door, but had stopped to review the contents of her bag of purchases. She was reflecting on a lesson learned the previous year; it wasn’t wise to purchase her many packages of Karjalan piirakkas too far in advance of Christmas travels to visit family. With new idea in mind, she turned back to Annikki and Ritva Köhlin´s table to make arrangements for a special order that would be picked up closer to her departure date. Their few minutes of getting to know each other at the table, with an exchange of names and contact information, concluded warmly as they sang a song they were both suddenly reminded of, “minä soitan sinulle illalla…”.<br/> <br/> There were all sorts of old friends to catch up with and little details of life to share and savour. Arja Hiiback was there with her daughter-in-law Alexia, this year displaying a brand new sign, “Mummo’s Socks”, that had been a Christmas gift. The “mummo” in the sign, refers to Arja’s late mother, Lyyli Kosonen who was her knitting inspiration. She shows me some other additions and improvements at her table – the handy wooden boxes made by her husband to keep things organized and the cloth gift bags that she now sews. We exchange a bit of camp news, since we’re lake neighbours in the summer, and then I move out of the way so that she can attend to some paying customers.<br/> <br/> Kaija Mäki, who was one of those potential customers, told me that she was feeling unsettled this year about being “pokey”. Typically she’s very organized, she tells me, and has a Christmas list. Now she’s asking herself, “what now?” since she feels like she’s bought everything already in the past that she can think of. “I hear you!” I tell her. It’s a sentiment that probably rings true for so many of us… and yet, who wants to be the one to pop the bubble?<br/> <br/> Rose Niemi is another crafter who, like Arja, keeps the memory of mothers and grandmothers alive at these events and through the crafts they produce. Rose has a collection of rolled up woven rag rugs, the patterns resembling the ones I have on my own floor, that were made by my mother. As it turns out, these are “mummon matot”, an inheritance from her mother’s mother, Amanda Soini. These rugs from an earlier time, would have many tales to tell, if only they could talk. Rose herself is also a weaver and a painter and has a beautiful selection of her nature-themed, hand-painted cards on display.<br/> <br/> I love the colourful patterns on the socks and mitts on Irja Keski-Pukkila’s table, so I always make a point of checking to see what new creations she has. I find some lovely stripped baby socks that I pick up as part of a baby shower gift. Irja tells me that the arthritis in her fingers is giving her a hard time and how sometimes it’s a challenge to knit the patterns as nicely as she’d like to. There’s some suffering involved in being a perfectionist, I think to myself.</p>
<p><br/> Margit Peura a few tables over, tells me something that Irja could benefit from. Margit says she uses Seitsemän veljestä and Nalle wool that comes from Finland and how the wool feels good and soothing to her hands. I’ve heard others speak about the healing effect of the lanolin that’s naturally in wool.<br/> <br/> Margit has a colourful collection of whimsical hats, some of the smaller ones seem to plot the transformation of children into vegetables and fruit. I select a snug adult size for myself. It’s a bright swirl of orange that I’m hoping will lend some necessary colour and distract from wrinkles. Margit says, “I enjoy wearing these hats since I have short hair, and I hope that others will enjoy them too. I don’t follow a pattern when I make them, I just get inspired by looking at the yarns.”<br/> <br/> Our conversation turns to contemplating the paused construction site that is now where the Finnish Labour Temple once stood. Margit and Arno ran a deli shop right across the street from it for many years and otherwise, as well, had many involvements there with the Finlandia Association. She tells me that since it’s no longer a part of their daily life, there’s been a reconciling that it’s finished now. There’s been a coming to terms with that end. “It’s very sad” – and this final reflection, no doubt, sums up what so many feel.<br/> <br/> The Touhutiltat, the women’s group at the church, along with Pastor Sirpa Tolppanen, have done a great job once again, setting up this special event. I head over to enjoy the refreshments this hard-working group has prepared. Birgit Vuorela, one of the group’s active members, is at the kitchen window serving up steaming cups of coffee. I take mine along with an open-faced sandwich. She points out too, that I can help myself to treats donated by Current River Bakery, one of the few Finnish bakeries I’m glad is still operating in Thunder Bay.<br/> <br/> It reminds me to mention to Birgit, who is part of the Pulla Lady family bakery, that I enjoyed her pulla all the way in Winnipeg, where it was being sold at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre during their Folklorama events in August. It surprised me to find it so far away, and I had to ask, “Don’t they know how to make pulla in Winnipeg?” Birgit just smiled and shrugged, “I’ll be sending them another big order soon, so I guess not.” Maybe they just can’t make it as tasty as Birgit’s, I decide, and that’s totally believable!<br/> <br/> At that moment, the eleventh hour of the eleventh month, Pastor Sirpa Tolppanen calls everyone’s attention to a Remembrance Day reflection and prayer, to hear the playing of the Last Post, to observe a minute of silence and to sing O Canada. It was a deeply poignant pause in the busy morning and a reminder of the importance of gratitude.<br/> <br/> I settle in to enjoy my treats and the company of Marjatta Mäkela and Eila Koivumäki and I’m barely seated when Marjatta shares some wisdom with me. “Never put your purse on the floor. It’s bad luck!” she warns. That perhaps explains a lot of things, I quietly contemplate, and more thoughtfully reposition my backpack.<br/> <br/> With the onset of cold weather, I know that Marjatta has had to pack up her golf clubs, so I ask her how she’s replaced that pastime. “I read a lot of books and do puzzles during the winter”, she tells me. “I enjoy doing the kuvaristikoita from Finland but now they have so many confusing slang words”, and then confesses, “It’s a good thing the answers are at the back.” She tells me that she’s reading an especially interesting book right now. It’s the recently published book by Jenni Haukio, the wife of President Sauli Niinistö, entitled, “Sinun tähtesi täällä” (On Your Behalf). The book relates her experiences as Finland’s First Lady during the 12 years that she’s lived in the Presidential Palace. Marjatta is savouring the quality of the writing and finds it richly descriptive, taking her time to read it, so as not to miss the many details.<br/> <br/> Before heading home, I meet a few more friends. There’s Paula Sullivan with her husband Mark. They’ve picked up some hernekeitto and we end up talking about casseroles. Paula says that she makes all the different kinds, but that her son makes a better porkkanalaatikko than she does. I tell her that I love hearing my great nieces say “lanttulaatikko” and that’s what motivates me to make it for family suppers.<br/> <br/> We also meet Pastor Jari Lahtinen, looking relaxed, retired and fully engaged in papa-duty with his grandson Veikko. It’s nice that this little guy is being introduced too, to all the joy and richness of this place and its people. Maybe there’ll be an interview in the KS with Veikko one day and we can find out what he’s reading, baking, thinking about, or …. who knows? There’s an inkling of the treats that await.<br/> <br/> The season is off to a happy start with this fine pre- Pikku Joulu, Pikku Joulu and it’s been a generous sampling of the zest for life!<br/> <br/> Text and Photos: Anneli Tolvanen<br/> <br/> <em><strong>Voit lukea Hilldalen joulumyyjäisistä suomeksi Kanadan Sanomien 5. joulukuuta ilmestyvästä numerosta.</strong></em></p>Finland: An Immersion in the Happiest Country in the Worldtag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-10-10:6417497:BlogPost:1331282023-10-10T21:38:21.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
<a href="https://www.magazinediscover.com/2023/08/finlandia-uma-imersao-no-pais-mais-feliz-do-mundo/#">https://www.magazinediscover.com/2023/08/finlandia-uma-imersao-no-pais-mais-feliz-do-mundo/#</a>
<a href="https://www.magazinediscover.com/2023/08/finlandia-uma-imersao-no-pais-mais-feliz-do-mundo/#">https://www.magazinediscover.com/2023/08/finlandia-uma-imersao-no-pais-mais-feliz-do-mundo/#</a>Heimojuhlilla vaalittiin suomalaisia perinteitätag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-02-14:6417497:BlogPost:1334212023-02-14T16:30:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304790653?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304790653?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Kanadansuomalaisia tapaamassa vuonna 1927tag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-01-31:6417497:BlogPost:1332922023-01-31T18:00:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12291404471?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12291404471?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>Suomen koulutusosaaminen kiinnostaa maailmallatag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-01-17:6417497:BlogPost:1332002023-01-17T19:00:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12291403868?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12291403868?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>Another Golden Cup for OFRAtag:finnishcanadian.com,2023-01-17:6417497:BlogPost:1332882023-01-17T18:30:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12291402280?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12291402280?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>Helsingin vanhojen rakennusten symboliikkaatag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-09-30:6417497:BlogPost:1296012022-09-30T23:00:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10844876657?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10844876657?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Agricola-kirkon kaavamuutoshakemus etenee – hakemus liitteineen julkista tietoatag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-08-11:6417497:BlogPost:1283682022-08-11T15:23:14.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10761657476?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10761657476?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Torontossa todistettiin runomittaisen Kalevalan laulannan ensi-iltaatag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-07-30:6417497:BlogPost:1283002022-07-30T14:56:25.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10734899462?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10734899462?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Seurakunta äänesti: Agricola hakee kaavamuutosta omistamalleen tontilletag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-07-06:6417497:BlogPost:1284442022-07-06T13:00:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407098?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407098?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407464?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407464?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407098?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407098?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407464?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10629407464?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Finnair "tekee paluun" Montrealiintag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-05-29:6417497:BlogPost:1284332022-05-29T11:30:00.000ZNiinistö Juhanihttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/NiinistoeJuhani
<p>Finnair lentää kesäkaudella 2022 saksalaisen Lufthansa -ryhmän palveluksessa suomalaisin miehistöin. Kuulin henkilökunnalta lennolla, että Kanadassa Finnair nähdään nyt kesällä jatkuvasti ainakin reitillä München-Montreal.</p>
<p>Montreal oli aikanaan Finnairin päätukikohta Kanadassa. Aluksi New Yorkin koneet tekivät välilaskun Montrealiin, Mirabelin kentälle. Sittemmin Finnairin lennot Kanadan ja Suomen välillä siirtyivät Torontoon, kunnes loppuivat kokonaan viime vuosikymmenellä. Oman…</p>
<p>Finnair lentää kesäkaudella 2022 saksalaisen Lufthansa -ryhmän palveluksessa suomalaisin miehistöin. Kuulin henkilökunnalta lennolla, että Kanadassa Finnair nähdään nyt kesällä jatkuvasti ainakin reitillä München-Montreal.</p>
<p>Montreal oli aikanaan Finnairin päätukikohta Kanadassa. Aluksi New Yorkin koneet tekivät välilaskun Montrealiin, Mirabelin kentälle. Sittemmin Finnairin lennot Kanadan ja Suomen välillä siirtyivät Torontoon, kunnes loppuivat kokonaan viime vuosikymmenellä. Oman piiritoimistonsa Kanadassa Finnair lopetti vuosia ennen lentojen päättymistä, ja toteutti paikallisläsnäolonsa ostopalveluna. Silloin kerrottiin ratkaisun olleen ensimmäinen laatuaan koko yhtiössä.</p>
<p>Koska kyse on nyt Eurowings/Lufthansan lennoista, niitä ei voi ostaa mitenkään "finnairina", mutta suomalainen kone voi osua kohdalle.</p>
<p>Laitan tähän mukaan muutaman valokuvan Finnairin "suurista vuosista" Montrealissa. Kuvia käytettiin Vapaa Sana -lehden jutussa, jossa entiset finnairilaiset muistelivat työtään Montrealissa, kaupunkitoimistolla ja kentällä. Finnairilla oli siis oma kenttätiiminsäkin. Jutussa kerrottiin, että joskus kentällä oli kolmekin Finnairin DC-kymppiä samaan aikaan.</p>
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<p>Pitäessään yllä omia toimistoja Kanadassa ja USA:ssa Finnair lähetti Suomesta työntekijöitään määräaikaisiin komennuksiin, esimiestehtäviin, mutta palkkasi paikallisesti Kanadaan muutoin muuttaneita, sekä kentälle että toimistoon. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10522973099?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10522973099?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10522974264?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10522974264?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a></p>Encounter the lineage of Estonians through song at Collegium Musicale's three concert dates in Ontariotag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-05-20:6417497:BlogPost:1282442022-05-20T18:55:37.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p>In describing what he wants the audience to feel when leaving a Collegium Musicale concert, conductor Endrik Üksvärav identifies the understanding “that the choir sounds good.” Sometimes a judgement about music can be boiled down to an immediate, intuitive impression—in other words, it's either good or it isn't. With Collegium Musicale, you may wish…</p>
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<p>In describing what he wants the audience to feel when leaving a Collegium Musicale concert, conductor Endrik Üksvärav identifies the understanding “that the choir sounds good.” Sometimes a judgement about music can be boiled down to an immediate, intuitive impression—in other words, it's either good or it isn't. With Collegium Musicale, you may wish to ask yourself specifically what you want to gain as a listener.<br/> Üksvärav founded Collegium Musicale in 2010, with a repertoire that extends all the way from the Renaissance to the present day, with special emphasis on contemporary classical composers from Estonia: namely Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis and Erkki-Sven Tüür. The key motive behind the choir has been to “offer a dynamic range of musical emotions and be ambassadors of Estonian music throughout the world.” <br/> On the more hair-raising, spiritually-demanding side of their repertoire is Veljo Tormis' “Raua needmine” (“Curse Upon Iron”) from 1972, arguably his most famous song. American musicologist Mimi S. Daitz writes of how the text of the composition comes from the Kalevala, was “adapted and augmented by August Annist, Paul-Eerik Rummo, and Jaan Kaplinski”, and deals with “knowing the source of iron in order to overcome its deadly power.”<br/> In many cultures and folk traditions, metals are associated with war and destruction, weapons, industry, smoke, and removing humanity from its original place in a pastoral setting. This sentiment dances through with the intense, very present pounding rhythm of a shamanic frame drum in the background. It's a beating that falls and then surprisingly rises again. Bass and tenor voices take turns in the lead role, so to speak, over continuous chanting. It's a high pressure composition, with a clear basis in folklore.<br/> The song cycles of Veljo Tormis' Forgotten Peoples: The Ancient Songs of my Balto-Finnic Kinsfolk are especially well-known among the music Collegium Musicale sings. These compositions were created with the influence of the traditional music and languages, sometimes with very few speakers, of Finno-Ugric peoples living on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Between 1970 and 1990, Tormis gathered source material from cultures such as the Izhorians, Livonians, and Votians. Audiences may be familiar with these songs if they watched the documentary In the Steps of Forgotten Peoples that was streamed during last year's Estonian Music Week festival.<br/> Of a more typically classical form is the choir's interpretation of Pärt Uusberg's song “Talveöö” (“Winter Night”), which utilizes the words of poet Juhan Liiv. It is sweet sounding. It paints the picture of a resting place away from trials and tribulations, akin to what we would see in a nativity scene.<br/> Somewhere in the middle is Erkki-Sven Tüür's “Gloria.” In terms of the overall timbre, it's quite smooth. But it offers dissonant combinations of notes and mysterious, withering melodies, where profound hope and mourning are found side by side.<br/> Informing these performances are the many years Endrik Üksvärav spent studying conducting, trumpet, French horn, and the vocal elements of early music. Highlights of his career so far include being awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau medal from King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2018. The following year, he made his Estonian Song Festival conducting debut.<br/> As Estonian cultural ambassadors, the members of Collegium Musicale regularly tour through Europe, Asia, and now in North America. Their force as a live act has won them the title of Choir of the Year in Estonia three times, more than any other choir in Estonia. And their reputation does not precede experimentation: to open the 50th Estonian Culture Days of 2022, happening in New York City, they came together with Estonian rapper Nublu for his song “Öölaps” (“Night Kid”).<br/> You can see Collegium Musicale perform in Toronto at 8:00 PM on May 26th at Jeanne Lamon Hall (Trinity-St. Paul's United Church). Tickets for the main floor are $70 and balcony tickets are $45, available for purchase on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-in-concert-collegium-musicale-estonian-choir-tickets-301538097567" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eventbrite</a>. This concert, focusing most of all on the music of Veljo Tormis, will be part of SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival—Canada's largest a capella festival.<br/> You can also see them in Hamilton in the historic space of The Cotton Factory, where the choir will perform on June 1st at 8:00 PM, together with members of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. This will be a shorter concert, part of the HPO Intimate and Immersive series, including pieces by Erkki-Sven Tüür and Arvo Pärt. Tickets are available from <a href="https://www.estonianmusicweek.ca/concerts/2022/6/1/collegium-musicale-hamilton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hpo.org</a>.<br/> Finally, at 2:00 PM on June 5th in Ottawa, they will perform Sounds of Freedom, which draws from the works of Estonian composers subsequent to Estonia re-gaining independence in 1991. Tickets for this concert, taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, ($45) are available from <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/collegium-musicale-ottawa-tickets-326037796827" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eventbrite</a>.<br/> Audiences will witness the infinite possibilities of the human voice. The songs will bring listeners in contact with the lineage of Estonians. Yet, each show will approach this end differently, so try to make it to as many as you can!</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>These concerts are being organized by Estonian Museum Canada (VEMU) and Estonian Music Week, itself a project of VEMU. Major funding is provided by the Estonian Foundation of Canada. Support is also provided by the Estonian Embassy in Ottawa, the Estonian Ministry of Culture (their program “Eesti kultuur maailmas”), and the Estonian Integration Foundation. EMW's partners are SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Cotton Factory.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Written by Vincent Teetsov</strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Originally published in </span><a href="https://eestielu.com/et/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Estonian Life</a></strong></p>Thunder Bayssa syntynyt Suomen Kansallisbaletin ensitanssija Abigail Sheppard sai arvostetun Edvard Fazer -palkinnontag:finnishcanadian.com,2022-04-27:6417497:BlogPost:1283192022-04-27T00:30:32.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10441964480?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10441964480?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10249690877?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10249690877?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10107710499?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10107710499?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10081145471?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10081145471?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10081134680?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10081134680?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Happy 104th Finnish Independence Day – December 06 – Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää 6.12</p>
<p>Celebrating one’s Independence Day in the winter is much different than the festivities we Canadians celebrate during the heat of July 1st summer’s day for Canada Day.</p>
<p>However, the Finnish “SISU” can bear the cold while singing the flag song Lippulaulu Siniristilippumme during suns-rise on a frigid winter morning as the Finnish flag, the blue cross is raised up the flag pole. The blue signifies…</p>
<p>Happy 104th Finnish Independence Day – December 06 – Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää 6.12</p>
<p>Celebrating one’s Independence Day in the winter is much different than the festivities we Canadians celebrate during the heat of July 1st summer’s day for Canada Day.</p>
<p>However, the Finnish “SISU” can bear the cold while singing the flag song Lippulaulu Siniristilippumme during suns-rise on a frigid winter morning as the Finnish flag, the blue cross is raised up the flag pole. The blue signifies the many lakes in Finland and white the winter snow that blankets the country during winter.</p>
<p>Finnish people respect and honour their war veterans, as they have had to battle mightily against bigger and stronger countries to maintain their independence. Finland is recognized globally as peace keepers and providing excellent social services for their citizens.</p>
<p>During normal times, the President of Finland hosts a 2000 guest gala, with meet and greet. In the past watching it on television through internet, part of the commentary is always about the fashions that the guests are wearing to the party. During the national holiday Finns watch the gala while blue and white candles are aflame in their homes.</p>
<p>Finland is synonymous to sauna and pulla. However, in our everyday lives we encounter many Finnish inventions. One of the well-known products was the NOKIA cellphone. Nokia is a large corporation, originally started out as a paper mill, expanding to rubber and cables. Many are familiar with vehicle tires, Hakkapelliitta, one of the highest rated winter tires and their famous rubber boots. The Nokian Corporation was established in 1988.</p>
<p>Fiskars are well-known by their orange or red handled scissors. Orange handled for right handed and the red handled ones are for left handed folks, for two of my family members. Fiskars has risen to be a global entity acquiring the well-known Finnish glassware company Iittala, and Arabia, and housewares, Hackman and others. They have also acquired the world renowned Waterford crystal, Wedgwood porcelain, Royal Albert and Royal Doulton. Fiskars is not just a snipping and cutting tool manufacturer anymore.</p>
<p>Finland is a leader in technology, not just telecommunications, but Finns have invented many tech items that we use every day. The computer operating system LINUX and original internet web browser were developed by Finns. If you played a computer game Angry Birds, that was invented in Finland. For the athletes, the first wireless heart rate monitor by Polar is Finnish.</p>
<p>Finns are known for their designs, from Marimekko, Finlayson, glassware, furniture and architecture. Pretty awesome for a small country of 5.5 million.</p>
<p>So much more to take pride in, to athleticism, environment and literacy/education. But more importantly the true Santa Claus, Joulu Pukki up in Korvatunturi with his many elves are right now busy checking lists to see who is naughty or nice!</p>
<p>Happy Finnish Independence Day from around the world, enjoy a cup of coffee and some pulla. Oh yes, Finns are the top coffee drinkers, consuming about 12 kg of kahvia annually.<br/> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9882726897?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9882726897?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Uudistunut Giller Prize syntyi lasitaiteilija Minna Koistisen käsissätag:finnishcanadian.com,2021-01-30:6417497:BlogPost:1094742021-01-30T13:30:00.000ZKanadan Sanomathttp://finnishcanadian.com/profile/2ndy4wpuba0jb
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8496644091?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8496644091?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8496644490?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8496644490?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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