My Trip For My Grandfather
Donation protected
I am the granddaughter of Arthur Anderson. I have been invited to travel to his birthplace in Malmberget, Lappland, Sweden to make a presentation of his poetry that he wrote as a young immigrant to Canada when he published the work he called "Stoft". These poems were in Swedish and he sold the books for $1.00 each, giving most of them away to friends and fellow Swedes. I only knew my grandfather from a distance as he seemed wise, and pre-occupied with things other than us kids. But I knew that he cared for me a lot... took me for boat rides with my sister and showed us how to fish off the rocks.
When I picked up the Swedish poems a few years ago I realized I knew nothing really about the soul of my grandfather. When the first poems came back to me translated, I knew that I was connecting with the amazing depth within him. I began to find out more and more about who my grandfather was and all the strength of character he had as an immigrant in a new land. He accomplished a huge amount, in my opinion, being born into a family of ten children, son of a miner and his pioneering wife, north of the Arctic Circle. He also had the handicap of only one arm, but I remember him chopping wood at his cabin in the Whiteshell in Manitoba, building a smoke house for fish, and even conducting the Swedish Male Voice Choir. My family research has been a remarkable but sometimes painful journey, as old wounds are often long in healing. I republished the poetry in English and Swedish, selling (and giving away) as many books as I could to anyone who was interested. I contacted universities in Canada and Sweden, really believing in my grandfather's skills and his struggles with the human condition. Finally the Association for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies released a stellar review of his work. I have developed a website and put it up for everyone to see.
Now I have been invited to present a summary of my grandfather's achievements in Canada. This will happen June 20, 2016. I of course accepted the great honour.
BUT I have written many institutions, embassies, associations, etc. and have received very little funding for this trip. The Swedish Association in Winnipeg has donated $200 to support this endeavour, for which I am very grateful, as Grandpa helped to start that Association here in Winnipeg.
This trip is not about selling books at all. It is about returning my grandfather to his land, about connecting to any relatives that are still over there, about never forgetting the struggles of the immigrant experience and about honouring hope, endurance and love. It's about my kids, nephews, nieces and cousins to be able to kindle or renew love of family that has perhaps become too weak, but need not be. It is about bridging two wonderful countries and continuing to give to the world the best that our two countries can offer. Our home is always within us.
So, I am asking for a little help , if you can manage it. Your donation will go towards flight costs, accommodation and rental car expenses.
I will keep my website going and figure out how to do a blog and you can send me your thoughts about family.. about immigration... achievements... anything that resonates with you from reading my story.
Thank you so much for reading. Here is my website that will tell you everything.. www.stoftdustofourbeing.com
Laurel
When I picked up the Swedish poems a few years ago I realized I knew nothing really about the soul of my grandfather. When the first poems came back to me translated, I knew that I was connecting with the amazing depth within him. I began to find out more and more about who my grandfather was and all the strength of character he had as an immigrant in a new land. He accomplished a huge amount, in my opinion, being born into a family of ten children, son of a miner and his pioneering wife, north of the Arctic Circle. He also had the handicap of only one arm, but I remember him chopping wood at his cabin in the Whiteshell in Manitoba, building a smoke house for fish, and even conducting the Swedish Male Voice Choir. My family research has been a remarkable but sometimes painful journey, as old wounds are often long in healing. I republished the poetry in English and Swedish, selling (and giving away) as many books as I could to anyone who was interested. I contacted universities in Canada and Sweden, really believing in my grandfather's skills and his struggles with the human condition. Finally the Association for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies released a stellar review of his work. I have developed a website and put it up for everyone to see.
Now I have been invited to present a summary of my grandfather's achievements in Canada. This will happen June 20, 2016. I of course accepted the great honour.
BUT I have written many institutions, embassies, associations, etc. and have received very little funding for this trip. The Swedish Association in Winnipeg has donated $200 to support this endeavour, for which I am very grateful, as Grandpa helped to start that Association here in Winnipeg.
This trip is not about selling books at all. It is about returning my grandfather to his land, about connecting to any relatives that are still over there, about never forgetting the struggles of the immigrant experience and about honouring hope, endurance and love. It's about my kids, nephews, nieces and cousins to be able to kindle or renew love of family that has perhaps become too weak, but need not be. It is about bridging two wonderful countries and continuing to give to the world the best that our two countries can offer. Our home is always within us.
So, I am asking for a little help , if you can manage it. Your donation will go towards flight costs, accommodation and rental car expenses.
I will keep my website going and figure out how to do a blog and you can send me your thoughts about family.. about immigration... achievements... anything that resonates with you from reading my story.
Thank you so much for reading. Here is my website that will tell you everything.. www.stoftdustofourbeing.com
Laurel
Organizer
Laurel Anderson-McCallum
Organizer
Winnipeg, MB
