Dignitaries

2011 Dignitaries

Marie Morrell, Founder

Dear participants and family

As a child, my father Léandre Robichaud - a trapeze artist of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, a painter and sculptor - kept telling me, the universe offered me the extremes of life's possibilities because of the day I was born. He also told me, I could be anything I wanted, a master builder, a person capable of perceiving something great in the archetypal world. I believed him and made him the promise to be everything I could be.

I am using an interpretation of Chief Jacob Thomas, hereditary chief of the Six nations to describe what I have decided to become. I want to be a better human being and not say I am better than anyone else, but try to be better within oneself.

My vision through the Parade of nations is to inspire others to join in my quest to understand and unite many differing cultures towards a single goal "Oneness", meaning: acceptance, inclusion and harmony between all individuals no matter who they are or where they come from, especially those afflicted by disabilities (physical or mental) or requiring specials needs.

Justice for the people and honesty are sacred to me. I consider every single person in this world, as family. Though I am not an idealist, I am working one day at a time, like so many of you, at making our community a better place to live and where we are all the same and all treated equally.

Thank you all for participating today and supporting this vision. I love you all.

Marie

Dr Natavarlal Shah, 2011 Honorary Chair

Parade of Nations exemplifies the values of self-sacrifice, hard work, honesty, and tenacity. Being that, this is my second year of being involved in a wonderful organization; there is always a re-occurring prosperity this event brings to our Community: an optimistic humanistic view of society and people in general.

Cultures from all around our globe bring forth on this day a sense of pride, love, and compassion; it allows us to come together and unite our front for peace, harmony, and cultural identity. 2011 Parade of Nations - the stepping stone for these principle ideals.

Thank you to all the Committee Members, Participants, and most importantly Marie Morrell whose sole dedication keeps the spirit of Parade of Nations alive, strong, and motivating.

Let us make this year’s rendition of the Festival Parade of Nations a remarkable one!

Yours sincerely,

N.H. Shah

Rick Shaver, Ambassador Parade of Nations

I was born and raised in Cornwall, which has given me the opportunity to work with many great people and contribute to many community based groups and organizations.

I am very honoured to have been selected as permanent Ambassador of the Parade of Nations for the Developmentally Challenged. My role is to communicate the organization’s endeavours, encourage the good will of individuals and the business community, and help promote the various fundraisers throughout the year and the purpose of the annual festival.

The funds raised during the festival provide the developmentally challenged of our area with an opportunity to learn how to be accepted, appreciated and included within our own communities. In addition, it is an occasion for local performers, artists, artisans, writers, businesses, associations and groups of all kinds to be introduced to our community and visitors to Cornwall.

The Committee works hard to bring this weekend together. As their Ambassador, I am inviting everyone to offer any kind of support to this growing organization. As a community through the understanding of our diversity, acceptance and respect of each other, we are promoting our City and the surrounding areas as the most attractive locations to live in.

Sincerely yours,
Rick Shaver

André Pommier

Dear community and participants

This is with great emotion and pride, that I have accepted the nomination of 2011 Parade Marshall of the Parade of Nations People and Kite Festival.

For generations of Pommier’s, the community has been the closest to our heart. No matter where we came from, whether it has been five generations ago or just yesterday, everyone one has brought something genuinely good to our community. Above all, our highest priority is the inclusion and acceptance of all the people within our community, especially those developmentally challenged or with special needs.

In addition, Cornwall and our surrounding areas are recently working at our culture on the menu, in its largest definition. Therefore, through this festival, we celebrate the citizens’ ancestral origins and promote our local artists, artisans, writers, performers, businesses, groups and associations of all kinds. Today, we give people a big hand of applause for what they are doing for their community.

With gratitude,
André Pommier

Elaine MacDonald

Good afternoon

Saturday, September 17: The Parade of Nations KiteFest will offer an opportunity for participants of all ages to showcase their skills, experience the joy of flight and celebrate the wonder of flight in a community and family setting. KiteFest will take place in "the Bowl" at the western end of Lamoureux Park, near the RCAFA building, on Water Street, in Cornwall, Ontario . This event is non-competitive and welcomes flyers at all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

Sunday, September 18: We reserve the field for the experts and flying teams. Those who register will have designated areas and times to showcase their skills. Judges will assess performances and award prizes.

Guy Lauzon, MP

As the proud Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, it is a pleasure to welcome you to another edition of the Parade of Nations festivities.

This event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to celebrate how truly fortunate we are to live, work, and play in the Cornwall area. It is a great chance to showcase the culture, diversity, talent, and great businesses that exist in the region. Additionally, the Parade of Nations People and Kite Festival is an opportunity to raise funds for people living with disabilities through the “Light in the Tunnel” Program. I commend the organizers of the event for assisting with this worthy cause.

I wish you all the best as you enjoy the festivities and hope you celebrate the great community and people of Cornwall!

Best regards,
Guy Lauzon, MP
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

Thank you, Mohawk Nation!

Jim Brownell

As the Member of Provincial Parliament for the Riding of Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry, it gives me great pleasure to extend greetings to one and all involved with People and Kite Festival of the Parade of Nations for the Developmentally Challenged.

This organisation focuses on uniting the community by celebrating, appreciating and embracing the rich diversity, traditions and heritage our community holds. The Parade of Nations’ yearly festival has proven to be a spectacular and memorable event.

As we celebrate diversity, harmony and unity, I extend my best wishes for good health and happiness to one and all.

With kind regards, I remain,
Jim Brownell, MPP

Bob Kilger

On behalf of the City of Cornwall, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to the participants, visitors, family and friends as you take part in the 2011 Parade of Nations’ People & Kite Festival. This event is a great opportunity for us to showcase our area which is rich in culture and heritage.

I would like to congratulate the Parade of Nations for the Developmentally Challenged for the work they do to unite our community by embracing its diversity, traditions and heritage. I would also like to commend their initiative in organizing this event in order to raise funds to assist people living with disabilities.

It is my hope that these two days of friendship and sharing will provide you with many wonderful memories.

Sincerely,
Bob Kilger
Mayor

2010 Dignitaries

Marie Morrell, Founder

As children of Mother Earth, we all belong together and are all the same, irrespective of our individual color, belief or culture. Peace requires an exchange of ideas and our greatest weakness is our inability to respect and tolerate those who are different.

This festival promotes harmony, love, forgiveness, compassion, respect and responsibility. It is also a venue to celebrate our personal accomplishments no matter their size; promote people and businesses working at improving our regional economy, artists and artisans of all kinds, profit and non profit organizations, clubs, etc.; thanking one and others for their acts of kindness and celebrate our ancestral origins and traditions.

Dr Natavarlal Shah, 2010 Honorary Chair

Dear Members of the Parade of Nations, our Community of Cornwall and area

The two days’ festival will give you an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary achievement of what Cornwall has become. We are a truly unique and special people, no matter where we have come from. The Parade of Nations brings forth this spirit in all of us.

There is a substance to the character of our community, based on our values and culture that have been built up over generations. Volunteering, community service, respect for others, personal responsibility has taken pride of place.

In Cornwall we work to live, not the other way around. We value the time we share with our family and friends, especially during this coming festival. As a community, we have much to celebrate and be proud of.

Rick Shaver, Permanent Ambassador

When first approached by Marie to participate in the founding of this event, little did I know about the importance it would bring to our community. When we reflex on the words of the event’s vision:

“Historically, as individuals we all share a common ancestry since we are all ultimately descended from people who lived thousands of years ago. We do not all look or act alike because our ancestors evolved and adapted to various geographical environments and human genetics.

Our vision is “oneness, acceptance, inclusion and harmony” between all individuals no matter who they are or where they come from, including those afflicted by disabilities.

...we can see why it is important that we participate to make a better community and better world. Thank you to all who will take the time to join us, in what ever capacity.

Elaine MacDonald, Chair of the KiteFest Committee

The Parade of Nations KiteFest will offer an opportunity for participants of all ages to showcase their skills, experience the joy of flight and celebrate the wonder of flight in a community and family setting. KiteFest will take place in "the Bowl" at the western end of Lamoureux Park, near the RCAFA building. This event is non-competitive and welcomes flyers at all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

Every Sunday until the Festival, there will be free fly practice at the Bowl from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Kites will be available for purchase under the banner of the Foundation of the Parade of nations.