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What is digital storytelling contest?
a place for videos A place to tell stories through pictures and words this question is too easy, so obviously, this one is the answer. a place for videosBronte Harbour has always and will always be my go-to place when I need time to clear my head or just relax after a long day. You can see people at peace around you while the sea gulls and the geas rest up on the shore. Old Oakville is where the city come together on special event and occasions like Canada day, and it's where I feel the most proud to be Canadian.
Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, bears are an alarming, but not uncommon sight. This lumbering ball of fur spent an hour lounging in my grandmother's yard. He reminds me that Canada is first and foremost home to an abundance of magnificent creatures that deign to share their homes with us and that we must in turn share our backyards with them.
As a west coast girl, there is nothing I love more than spending time by the water. The ocean is a place where I can relax, revitalize and reflect on everything going on in my life. As Isak Dinesen said, "The cure to anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea".
Just outside and east of Quebec City is a large park with the focus on a tall waterfall, Montmorency Falls. The falls are 83 m. high (272 feet) nearly 100 feet higher than the famed Niagara falls though not as wide. The falls, set in a green park and surrounded by cliffs, are spectacular. I saw them on a sunny day and rainbows coloured the rolling mist at the bottom where it crashes into a river leading out to the St. Lawrence river. I felt for the first time a sense of belonging and my happy place. I have not been able to travel this beautiful country. I visit Quebec a lot to visit my fiance who is in the Canadian Forces in Quebec. I always make time to go to these beautiful falls where I am truly inspired. The Montmorency Falls makes me proud to live in this beautiful country and makes me proud to be a Canadian.
There's a set of cable cars, the best way to go from the visitor centre to the top of the cliffs for excellent views of the falls. There's also a bridge across and down the cliff on one side is a staircase with periodic observation decks that has 487 steps! Not for the faint of foot! In summer they have a fireworks festival over the falls and in winter, after the mist freezes on the cliff sides, the adventurous ice climb! There's a lovely building housing a restaurant and meeting facilities with good views over the river, falls and the park.
What does it mean to be Canadian? We pride ourselves in being a cultural mosaic; the belief thatimmigrants from all over the world, can come to Canada to share their cultural diversity for Canadians tlearn.
I’ve always considered myself a Chinese Canadian. A blend of two unique cultures. I live in Vancouver,one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in Canada. Being born to immigrant parents has given meperspective on the hardships and barriers immigrants need to overcome to achieve the “Canadian Dream.”
Canada is more than just about Hockey or Tim Hortons. It’s our rich history, aboriginal culture, andmulticulturalism that makes us unique. That is why I chose this picture, because the Canadian identity isn’t consisted of just one race, it is a combination of different cultures and beliefs. We Canadians prideourselves in our diverse and growing communities. As Prime Minister John Diefenbaker once said: “Canada is not a melting pot in which the individuality of each element is destroyed in order to produce a new and totally different element. It is rather a garden into which have been transplanted the hardiest and brightest flowers from many lands, each retaining in its new environment the best of the qualities for which it was loved and prized in its native land.”
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden is located in the heart of Chinatown, Vancouver. The garden emulates the beautiful architectural structures of the Ming Dynasty. During this period, scholars and officials worked in their gardens enjoying the serene sounds of nature. In Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s garden there are a variety of fish species, plants and well-cut trees. In the spring, Cherry Blossoms bloom, and in the winter the smell of fresh cold air is invigorating.
The garden was built in for the sole purpose of “maintaining and enhancing the bridge between Chinese and Western Cultures” (Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society of Vancouver) In order to stay true to that philosophy, 52 Chinese craftsman worked alongside Canadians to build this work of natural beauty. The mesmerizing and delicate works of traditional Chinese artwork and architecture is juxtaposed with the calm and rippling pond. This emphasizes the philosophical principles of Feng Shui. In my opinion, the garden represents the Canadian Mosaic, each and every aspect of the garden illustrates the growing diversity Canada is experiencing.
To me, the garden was always a sacred haven for me. I vaguely remember the days when my parents were strolling around the garden telling me Chinese fables. The garden was how I connected with my roots in a new country.
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden is a must-see if you ever get a chance to visit Vancouver. This is a great opportunity to learn about Chinese history while strolling around the garden, as it gives you a new perspective of live during the Ming Dynasty! It is truly a wonderful place to relax and unwind.
Originally submitted by email by Ken, Vancouver, BC
The park by Talisman Centre in downtown is a place full of beauty. In the winter time, this is the place I like to visit often to fill my mind with ever-increasing wonder and awe. It is profound that something beautiful as this place exists in this world. In the picture captured, I am seen twirling about in my beautiful, burgundy dress, allowing my hair to fly to the rhythm of the twirls I was doing as the ruffles on my dress fly up in the air; my long black hair spins about me. It shines at the contrast of the light reflected by the snow and the snow-covered pine trees. The smile on my face is to express the happiness that I feel being surrounded by this beauty. Living in Canada for only a couple of years, I’ve noticed that winter is underestimated and taken for granted by many. Back in my country, I never got to see snow. I am very much grateful that the winter has been part of Canada’s culture; not only because of its beauty, but because it’s also a season when everyone helps together and keeps each other warm; a trait, I’m proud to say, of a Canadian. I’ll never cease to appreciate the natural beauty of Canada, along with its abundant natural resources. The fact that I live in a country surrounded by so much beauty, not only beauty from nature, but also beauty from people’s hearts; leave me nothing else but a thankful heart.
This picture was taken during my senior year field trip to Adirondacks Park, on the peak of Mount Wright. I chose this picture because it represents a very special moment in my life with my close friends. It was the second day of our camping/hiking trip as we woke up, ate and drank some hot tea and geared up to tackle on a hike up the mountain we had spotted the previous day. At the beginning it was not so bad; we lost a few men along the way as rocks got bigger and more slippery. A few hours later we were no longer hiking, but climbing. That’s when everything started to change. There were only a few number of us brave hearts left to tackle the mountain. Unlike previously, there was a change in dynamic, trust and sincere caring was developed for one another. We started to unite and help each other through the struggles. We split into pairs and stuck together. Gave each other words of encouragement and push each other through undertaking such a mission. When we had reached the top it was like nothing I had ever experienced. Posing for a picture, looking around and feeling the accomplishment of my friends and I was priceless. We were surrounded by nothing but pure serenity, that we call nature. Taking in a breath of the cold, sweet mountain air I felt like I belonged and welcomed. It was as though someone had hit the pause button. All the sweat, tired, cold aching feet—nothing worried me at that moment. I started feeling shivers up and down my spine, and it was not from the glacial wind. I just wanted to sit down and take it all in. I felt like I was a part of something bigger, something more powerful than life itself. I will never forget this place; as it is my place of escape and sense of belonging. Where I found my love and curiosity for Mother Nature.
Dear reader, my name is Sylvia and this is a photo I took of Lake Peyto during the summer of 2014. As I hiked the mountain that the Peyto glacier had created, I couldn't help but be inspired by my surroundings. I feel that this photo of Lake Peyto encompasses all that one should stand for, as it is vast; opening up to all of the above, welcoming; to those that seek to rest their wings, and last of all it flows steadily and peacefully, creating it's path and acknowledging the change it must go through from glacier to rock basin.
Canada is known for its natural beauty. People come from all over the world to marvel at our mountains and our lakes, yet sometimes it seems we Canadians don’t take enough time to enjoy it. Living in a city, it’s easy to forget what true beauty we have just around the corner. I’ve camped a few times now in Killarney Park and it has become one of my favourite destinations for a summer weekend away. Near Sudbury, Killarney is only one example of the beauty our country possesses. Moments such as the one captured in this picture should be experienced by every Canadian. Witnessing the calm perfection of nature and being a part of it is a unique opportunity we have in this land. It brings peace of mind and soul. I feel so proud that we value and protect places like this, not only for their beauty but for their importance to the environment. Sitting in a canoe looking at a perfect reflection of the sky, you can’t help but think of where we came from and what lays ahead for us. But the beauty remains.
I have been in Regent Park for almost my whole life. This neighborhood is the place of opportunities. Everything you ever need is closeby. You have grocery stores, schools, libraries, health centre, etc. all in walking distance. In this neighbourhood I was a permanent resident when I first came in and became a Canadian citizen alittle over a year ago. Outside of this neighbourhood, people fear the name and area "Regent Park" but it's a place I've been living in for more than 10 years. With the revitalization, more people have started to realize that it's not as bad they thought it'd be. This neighbourhood is where I go to and come from school. This neighbourhood is where I go to and come from work. This neighbourhood is too precious to leave and I hope to grow old here. This neighbourhood made me who I am today and I'm proud to be a Canadian living in Regent Park.