Councillor Corner, Fall 2020

First and foremost, I would like to thank the membership for providing me with the opportunity to serve on the SLSA council over the next two years. In the short time that I have been on the council I have learned a great deal, and I look forward to furthering my involvement over the next two years.

As I sit here on this chilly labour day in Manitoba, I find myself reflecting on this summer and comparing it to last summer. It is unfortunate that we were not able to start the summer with the regular AGM in Cypress Hills, and that we missed out on meetings, events and most importantly socialization with each other.  However, I am very glad that we were able to show resilience and organized the first ever online AGM in the history of the SLSA.  

One silver lining that I have heard reiterated from members, is that now we are afforded the opportunity to spend more time with family and to explore our gorgeous home provinces. I know that through my own exploration this year I have found enjoyment in, and appreciation for, the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba.  The beauty of the great outdoors certainly soothes some of the growing pains that accompany this new reality.

One of the other highlights for me this summer occurred during a trip to British Colombia in August. I was able to visit the Frank Slide site, which I had learned about in school many years ago and visited as a young person.  At this site, in 1903, a geological event caused utter devastation to a small mining town. Seeing the site as an adult, with knowledge of land survey concepts was both interesting and heavy.  I was struck again with an appreciation for Canada’s stark topography and geomechanics.  I would strongly encourage anyone interested to visit the site, and their very informative interpretive centre.  

Now that Fall is here, I can honestly say that it will be nice to have a reprieve from the heat of summer, even if it will be swiftly followed by Manitoba’s typical negative 30 degree chokehold of winter.  As I try to imagine what the Fall will bring, I can only assume that it will be different from past Fall seasons. There are many unanswered questions, for me in particular question marks hang obtrusively around basketball season and officiating which is something I love to be involved with.  I know many other people are also struggling with their own question marks.   My hope is that we will all be able to cope with whatever the fall and future brings.

I wish everyone the best, and I look forward to seeing you when we are allowed to get together again!

Darren Patkau