LET TERS TO THE E DI TOR

Resilient human spirit

Re: Raphaëlle’s redemption, Dec. 31, 2012. Having volunteered on a weekly basis for 15 years at the Shepherds of Good Hope, I frequently saw young teens who were smart and had tremendous potential, but who did not realize their potential — either on their own, or through the invaluable help of a mentor.

Raphaëlle Ferland’s remarkable transformation from street person to law student is a textbook case study on how people can change their lives around, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.

Like Frank O’Dea, who was a homeless alcoholic living on the streets of Toronto and who eventually co-founded the Second Cup coffee chain, extraordinary people succeed against insurmountable odds to not only conquer their toxic situations, but to also inspire others who find themselves in the nadir of their despair.

Reading Ferland’s story reminded me of that well-known quote that no material has yet been made that is more resilient than the human spirit. Hopefully, some top Ottawa lawyer will read Ferland’s story and find work for such a remarkable young woman.

DOUGLAS CORNISH, Ottawa

Ottawa rings in a new year

Re: Scotland meets Times Square at New Year’s Eve, Jan. 2. Ottawa may at times be known as the city that fun forgot, but my wife and I went to the Times Square Experience New Year’s Eve party on Sparks Street with another couple and had a great time.

It all started on the free bus ride from Barrhaven to downtown — the bus was full of polite, friendly revellers of all ages just out to have a good time. After a few drinks at our friend’s house, we walked over to ring in the New Year. How nice it was to see Sparks Street so full of people. It is easy to write about what isn’t going right in this city, but in the case of these downtown celebrations, kudos to the organizers.

Let’s see the same thing next year.

ED STOREY, Nepean

Give Whitton consideration

Re: Righting two wrongs from 2012, Dec. 31, 2012. Columnist Dave Brown got it right.

Former mayor Charlotte Whitton’s reputation has been smeared by misinformation and deserves a fairer consideration.

DAVE MULLINGTON, Ottawa Author of the Whitton biography, Charlotte: The Last Suffragette

Rights and justice

Re: Protest founders break with chiefs, Jan. 2. Prime Minister Stephen Harper should pay tribute to Chief Theresa Spence’s peaceful protest and start a process to sort out the concerns of our First Peoples. He has the power to resolve this long-standing matter and, in so doing, will demonstrate exemplary leadership unlike his predecessor Paul Martin, who began championing the issue of Canada’s aboriginals after he left politics in 2008.

Aboriginal issues contribute significantly to Canada’s waning image in areas of fundamental rights and justice, both internationally and in Canada. In the past several years, our legal experts have spoken candidly about the inadequacies of Canada’s justice system, the most recent plethora of criticism coming from Supreme Court Justice Richard Wagner who described our system as slow, costly and dangerously flawed.

Spence’s hunger strike and the Idle No More movement concern all Canadians. They signify demands for the government’s accountability, the clarity and fairness of the laws and the efficiency and independence of the process by which justice is delivered. Attempts should be made to resolve the outstanding aboriginal issues and other highprofile human rights cases through negotiated settlements by staying away from courtrooms and pricey government lawyers controlled by Canada’s rampant bureaucracy.

I believe all fair-minded Canadians would support a peaceful movement against injustice and demand our country’s comprehensive adherence to the rule of law.

CHANDER P. GROVER, Ottawa

Nature is part of us

Re: Living with turkeys, Dec. 28, 2012 and Joys of city wildlife, Dec. 29, 2012. Thanks to the Citizen for the editorial conveying that wild turkeys and coyotes are natural here and nothing to be afraid of.

It helps to reinforce the reality that we are part of nature and nature is part of us, something that letter-writer Alice Swann expresses delight in when she talks about the animals and birds that visit her property.

The only thing that is unnatural is unwarranted fear. It is also very debilitating. Take coyotes, for example. There are more than 350 dog bites recorded in Ottawa each year. Coyotes, none. It is a privilege to be able to hear the call of the “Song Dog,” as the coyote is known, in and around our city.

DONNA DUBREUIL, Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre, Ottawa