The recent trade war between Canada and the United States has ignited a groundswell of Canadian patriotism. However, if we want that patriotism to have a solid foundation, Canadian students need to understand the history of our country.

Unfortunately, the quality of Canadian history education in schools is hit or miss at best. Most provinces do not even mandate a single Canadian history course for all high school students, although Manitoba is a fortunate exception. History courses are important because there’s a lot of things that are worth knowing about our country.

For example, all students should learn about the carefully navigated compromises that led to Confederation in 1867, the brave acts of the Loyalists who resisted the American Revolution in the late 18th century, and Canada’s outsized contributions during both World Wars. While Canada is far from perfect, there is much to be proud about in our history.

Simply put, there is a broader narrative of Canadian history that must be told. Many Canadian historians, most notably Dr. Jack Granatstein, lament the fact that social studies curriculum guides have largely moved away from telling the grand story of Canadian history and have adopted an approach that deemphasizes the memorization of specific names, places, and events.

“Be careful, lest in fighting the dragon you become the dragon.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

C.S. Lewis wrote that most crimes committed by Christians against each other happen when religion is mixed up with politics. Mennonites have also had a low view of Christians being politicians. Can one still serve God while exercising political power? After all, Jesus said “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10:43).

As our communities prepare for their municipal elections on Oct. 28 this is a good time to do a series on ‘Faith and Politics’ starting with a look at the Old Testament. In the Old Testament there are several times God guides people into government to serve the people.

In Genesis 41 and following, we see Joseph become one of the most powerful administrators in the world. Notice what he does not do with power. He does not use it to settle personal grievances, enrich just himself, showcase his importance or seek to build his reputation. Instead, Joseph uses administrative authority to prepare for a famine that will affect all of Egypt and their neighbours. Joseph shows us that sometimes God puts people and places of political authority for good stewardship.

The appearance of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the recent investment summit in Toronto likely upset a few federal Conservatives and federal Liberals. Conservatives because it was a signature event of Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and Liberals because more than a few still likely harbour ill feelings to the man who was Canada’s last Conservative prime minister. But, in reality, Harper was fulfilling the role that former prime ministers or premiers have filled for decades, coming together across party lines at times when it was most needed by a province or a country.

We have seen the same type of cross-party support in times of financial crisis or attacks such as those that happened on Sept. 11, 2001. At times when the national unity of the country has been challenged, such as during past Quebec sovereignty referendums, there has also been a coming together across political party lines. That is also the case currently in Alberta ahead of their vote on issues of sovereignty where former United Conservative Premier Jason Kenney and former NDP Premier Rachel Notley have put aside past differences to speak together about the importance of Alberta staying in Canada.

In fact, this is something that current Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also recognized after Mr. Harper’s appearance at the investment summit. He noted that it was the right thing for Mr. Harper to be at the investment summit because Conservatives have always put Canada first. That is the right response, even though Mr. Poilievre is in a difficult position in the current political environment.

There is little doubt that Canadians feel that the current economic threat that has been created by the U.S. administration moving away from the decades long broad agreements on free trade is among the most serious that Canada has faced in a long time. And most Canadians would value seeing their political leaders come together during this time to meet this challenge. But it is also the job of the Official Opposition to ask important questions and to ensure there is transparency and accountability for the very serious decisions that are being made. Holding the government to account while still maintaining a team Canada posture is a difficult line to walk for any opposition.

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick, then the starting quarterback for the NFL’s San Francisco 49’ers, bravely knelt on the sidelines during the playing of the U.S. national anthem.

It was a silent protest focused on bringing attention to the plague of unarmed black men getting killed by the police.

Soon after Kaepernick knelt, dozens of players around the NFL were kneeling before the game, and the protest spilled over into other pro sports.

It’s been a decade since Kaepernick’s courageous protest brought a lot of attention to the growing number of black men getting killed by police. Ten years later, that silent, peaceful protest has exposed the rot in the conservative movement.

Steinbach churches are conducting their annual youth group food drive from Oct. 5-8 to support South East Helping Hands, the food bank located in Steinbach.

It is a decades-old tradition in which more than a dozen churches come together to raise donations for the food bank with hundreds of teenagers going door-to-door in Steinbach and Blumenort, delivering flyers and later collecting food donations.

Grace Mennonite Church co-pastor Kyle Penner said 14 churches are collaborating on the food drive.

“In the next six days, everybody in Steinbach and Blumenort should receive a little piece of paper hanging on their door telling them which church and which night of the week will be collecting the food,” Penner said.

As summer winds down and fall approaches, the community of Oakbank prepares for another season of harvest. While the leaves begin to turn and the fields near their final yield, local farmers are working hard to bring in their crops. This time of year, often invites reflection and for our community, it also marks the end of a significant chapter in Oakbank’s agricultural history.

After more than a century the Bredin family farm has ceased operation, and has rented the land out to other area farmers.

The farm’s legacy dates back to 1891, when Michael Ruttig, a newcomer from Eastern Europe, settled in the Oakbank area and began cultivating the land. Just a few years later, in 1895, he became one of the founding members of the Oakbank Baptist Church, a congregation that remains closely connected to the Bredin family today. The original farm encompassed a significant portion of land between Vernon Road and Main Street, an area that has since evolved into residential neighbourhoods, schools, and commercial developments.

Later in life, Michael passed the farm on to his daughter Hulda, who married into the Wilde family. The Wildes carried on the family farm.