Reflections on gifts of the pandemic
Submitted By Dr . Anna-Leah King
Associate Dean Dr . Patrick Lewis reflects on what can be taken for granted .
The pandemic was declared in early 2020 and we went into stay-at-home mode mid-March at our University . It is now 14 months and counting while we are in the second , third , and in some places fourth waves of COVID-19 . In all of this , not one person has gone untouched in some way by this pandemic . The pandemic has impacted so many people in so many negative ways , yet in the midst of this ongoing crisis moments of positivity have emerged in many people ’ s lives . There have also been simple and profound realizations by many folks , including myself , as we have been trying to navigate this uncharted landscape . I realize that my taken-for-granted social interactions at work , in the community , or with friends are actually a gift : A gift in the sense that pre-pandemic we were given time and space to be with each other , to hug my granddaughter and daughter . To shake hands with a colleague , to hug an old friend . The realization that all those simple interactions are so precious , and precarious , reminds me to be present and live in the moment , to be contemplative and attend to those with whom we gather . To be able to do this is indeed a gift .
Knowledge Keeper Joseph Naytowhow shares a short story – A day in the life of a pandemic lockdown . Pandemic Indigenous Uplifting Blues Short Story
A year has passed and my vehicle sits idle most days save for the odd shopping trip and meal out near my home here in Saskatoon . I ' ve slowed down . Creativity is slowly bubbling as I transition from the world wide travelling life I once led . It ' s not easy to suddenly switch gears yet I ' m noticing my humble home feeling more comfortable with each passing day . I see the obvious clutter that ' s accumulated over the centuries around my apartment . A year ago I ' d often move one pile to another or cover it up with a nice sheet . My clutter is now slowly retreating to nearby recycling bins and my favourite thrift stores ; although it ' s still tempting not to pass up on the deals . The air is fresher , my carbon footprint severely reduced from days of speeding down the highway or flying to some part of the world to tell a story or participate in an art collaboration . As difficult as it is to give thanks for COVID-19 , there have been positive elements to this year . I feel less exhausted and weary from travel . My apartment is slowly beginning to look less cluttered . I cook more than ever before and it ' s edible . At the moment , I am grateful . Thank you for listening to my pandemic Indigenous uplifting blues short story . The positive side to the pandemic effects is the need and the time to reflect on all the positive events and memories I cherish from my years as a student , fatherhood , education and where I am at today .
Words from our kiteyak – our old one , Alma Poitras .
This time has taught me never to take another person , place , event , or thing for granted . To always be grateful for what I have , for my health , children , family and friends and to wake up as happy as I can be to see another day . Each day that I wake up , I give thanks , I say thanks to Māmawi-ōtàhwīmaw , māmawi-ôkāwīmaw , nimôsōmak , ēkwa nohkômak . Ninânāskômon , Ahyhây !
Chair of Indigenization Dr . Anna-Leah King shares about gifts that have come about through pandemic isolation
The pandemic has certainly brought challenges to everyone . Transforming teaching and meetings to an on-line format was surreal at the start . Now we see certain advantages to this . For example Zoom has become a way to connect with distant relatives and friends . Periods of isolation have become productive times of exercise or organizing one ' s home . It is also great opportunity for reflective time to ponder life and establish new life goals . New friends are a factor with the pandemic : Invites for tea in the park can turn into the establishment of new friends and research papers , just by reaching out and seeing who would be willing to meet in warm weather minding social distance with masks on . The highlight of my pandemic isolation is daring myself to drive home , three provinces away , so that I could swim in open waters and connect with family . I believe in a time of a global pandemic we can still take time to express gratitude for our lives and safety , that we have work that can be maintained , our students who accept the on-line format for learning , and the support of University colleagues and leadership .
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