—Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

—Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

Father’s Day.

On this day, it seems that “society” has deemed it appropriate to single out and honour the fathers among us. I like that. I think these fine men often go without the recognition due them (not all of them, mind you, some are truly bastards and without a doubt deserve nothing less than to be ignored and forgotten as soon as possible).

I was very lucky, in a way. Although I was never able to experience “being” a father myself, I had the benefit of a truly fine father, and I am eternally thankful for this fact. My father was loving (though strict), patient (to a point), and he was undoubtedly the most “consistent” person I have ever known.

Thanks Dad!

The photo above is of my pacifist Dad, John Jacob Peters, working as a lumberjack in a labour camp in British Columbia, Canada, in 1943… performing alternative service as a Conscientious Objector.

Shona saying (Mozambique and Zimbabwe)

—Ashanti saying (Ghana)

—Pablo Picasso

—Paulo Coelho

—Edvard Munch (1863-1944)

Thanks to Celes Davar for the quotable.

—Milton Berle (1908-2002)

Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba

I feel deeply moved and honoured to have been adopted yesterday as an Anishinabe brother by Alma Kakikepinace, an elder and Eagle Clan Mother, at a fireside 60th birthday celebration attended by several dozen close friends and family members. Alma smudged with sweetgrass, performed drum-songs, and presented me with an eagle feather as a symbolic rite of passage and mark of distinction— I pray that I prove to be worthy of the values inherent with the receipt of this honour— honesty, truth, strength, courage, wisdom, power, and freedom.

Miigwetch, miigwetch… (photos by Ian McCausland).