CLARKSON'S FARM

 

I love Jeremy Clarkson's selfdeprecating humour, his wonderful accent. Also, specially the 2nd season, they way he feels about Brexit, institutions, meaningless and unsesible laws...Perhaps you know him after many years of Top Gear tv programs all over the world.

The rest of cast of this show have become celebrities after the first season, but they are authentic -or so they seem-: “I’m absolutely delighted that, once again you’ll be able to spend some time with Cheerful Charlie, Gerald, Lisa and of course, Kaleb". 

it is also a great series to get to know vocabulary related to agriculture: machinery, seeds, farm work, 

if you want to know more about this series I can also recommend you this great review from The Spectator: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/first-rate-tv-clarksons-farm-on-amazon-prime-reviewed/

British humour at its best

 

CUNK ON EARTH

https://youtu.be/JWS-qfR6K3w

A friend of mine recommended me Cunk on Britain a few days before Netflix broadcasted Cunk on Earth in Spain and I couldn't believe my ears nor my eyes, no matter the interview.

Philomena Cunk ((played by Diane Morgan)  explores the history of the world through her notorious Cunkian lens. She is a fake British TV host who has appeared in a number of specials over the last decade. After making her debut in Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker. 

The Philomena Cunk character went on to star in a number of drily hilarious, documentary-style BBC specials of her own, like Cunk Britain. For her big streaming debut, Cunk’s now hosting a new satirical docuseries that showcases her sardonic humor and deadpan naïveté, while taking on a much larger subject: all of human history.

Despite getting little promotion and publicity, Cunk on Earth is a deeply funny, unexpectedly informative mockumentary that delivers as many laughs as fun little facts and tidbits about human history. It is, in short, the best show you’re not watching right now.

Aaron Boggis replies:

I  like Ricky Gervais's Derek.
Listen to that broad Lancashire accent (from Bolton to be precise). I love different accents and hers is really strong.

Has anyone seen it?

Here's the trailer to give you a taster if not.

https://youtu.be/Hd5WdxGRNG8

Dragon Boundary Marks

 

Shared and curated by Melina Rellán:

The City of London and London are not the same thing. Essentially, there are two Londons: Greater London and the City of London, otherwise known as the City or the Square Mile. 

The City of London has its origins in the fortified Roman settlement of Londinium, which was erected roughly two thousand years ago on the northern bank of the River Thames and came to encompass one square mile within its walls.

Furthermore, you’ll know you’re in the real City of London when you pass by one of the large dragon statues. The dragons’ introduction seems to have derived from the legend of St George.

The City of London is guarded by  dragons that delineate its boundaries. Each dragon is made out of cast iron and painted silver with touches of red in their wings and tongue. The shield they bear is the City of London’s coat of arms. 

Moreover, dragons have come to represent both the City and the protection of the City.

HISTORY ALICE

 

Shared and curated by Petrina Moir:

Nowadays, it seems that most of my students pay little attention to anything that lasts more than a minute, hence History Alice. This is a great account to follow on Instagram, Alic Loxton is a passionate historian and her short videos give you an insight into British culture. They are entertaining and intriguing videos where you pick up titbits about British architecture, language and life in the past. 

Have a look

https://www.instagram.com/history_alice/?hl=es

LIVING LONDON HISTORY

Shared and curated by Petrina Moir:

If you have taken a look at History with Alice, another of my favourites on Instagram is this character:- https://livinglondonhistory.com/

He has a blog although I must say I find his instagram videos much more entertaining, there are bite sized snippets about curiosities around the streets of London.

 I can´t wait to go on my own little private treasure hunt . There are so many oddities to find! So even if you are not one for social media, it´s worth exploring the idea if you ever fancy a different trip to London. 

https://livinglondonhistory.com/

Reading recommendations about the English people. Books by Jeremy Paxman and Kate Fox

 

Shared and curated b y Aaron Boggis:

A great, but challenging read. I read it some years ago and found it very entertaining. It will maybe help you understand us a little too. 😂😂😂😂😉

Jeremy Paxman is a  journalist well known for his cutting interviews and his ability of not allowing politicians to squirm out of answering his questions.

Have any of you read an interesting book or article about the English and what did it say?

https://jeremypaxman.co.uk/book/the-english

https://www.amazon.es/English-Portrait-People-Jeremy-Paxman/dp/0141032952

Some of his interviews to give you an idea.

Sara Arias responds by recommending:

I have read Watching the English.The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour, by Kate Fox. 

It describes conversation and behaviour codes. It's helpful and hilarious!

A day in Newcastle: my favourite English plan

 

Shared and curated by Gisesa Abrain:

As today is Sunday it came to me this idea of what would I be doing if I happen to be in England! I lived in Newcastle for a year and this was my favourite Sunday plan.

I would quite probably wake up late, grab some breakfast, get on some comfy clothes and take the metro line to Tynemouth. The station itself is beautiful and every weekend tens of stalls fill it with books, food, art, antiques… After that I would head to the coast, it is only half a mile but it would take me at least 30 minutes. Why? In the way there I would join the longest queue, the one to get Fish and Chips at Marshalls. Extra vinegar please. 2 more minutes to the coast and lunch in the beach. I still crave those fish and chips every now and then.

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday)

Here´s a wee video about Shrove Tuesday (celebrated in most English speaking countries).

I prefer my pancakes with lemon and sugar...

What filling do you like?

Enjoy!

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday)

Shared and curated by Michael Church

Australian news headlines

 

9News is a collection page for national news: https://www.9news.com.au/national.It promises to bring you breaking news faster than any other media organisation. If it’s happening in Australia, you’ll find it here. 

And this is an example. Click on the headline in green to access.

 Police to open up two euthanised crocodiles in search for missing man

Kevin Darmody was fishing with a friend when he mysteriously vanished. A series of unusual sounds are the only clues in his disappearance.

In FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND, 2 hours ago

The Address Book

 

I would like to recommend this surprising book by Deirdre Maks, that I am currently enjoying. it starts in the streets of Indian and goes around the word explaining complex and sometimes hidden stories behind street names and their power to name, to hide, to decide who counts, who doesn’t―and why. 

When most people think about street addresses, if they think of them at all, it is in their capacity to ensure that the postman can deliver mail or a traveler won’t get lost. But street addresses were not invented to help you find your way; they were created to find you. In many parts of the world, your address can reveal your race and class.

In this wide-ranging and remarkable book, Deirdre Mask looks at the fate of streets named after Martin Luther King Jr., the wayfinding means of ancient Romans, and how Nazis haunt the streets of modern Germany. The flipside of having an address is not having one, and we also see what that means for millions of people today, including those who live in the slums of Kolkata and on the streets of London. 

Indian summer recipes

 Shared and curated by Petrina Moir:

Most people tend to associate Indian cuisine as something spicy, eye-watering even! 

However, there are so many regions and sub-cultures with an array of ingredients. 

The weather is warming up and I can´t think of anything better than a refreshing salad with an Inidian twist with some delicious skewers of grilled/barbecued meat.

 I have included two recipes that don´t entail scouring shops and specialist stores for spices. Spanish friendly!

Bon appetit! 

Why not try a refreshing cucumber salad?

Recipe: https://www.thespruceeats.com/kachumber-salad-4172358

How about aromatic chicken?

Recipe:https://www.thespruceeats.com/reshmi-kabab-recipe-1957401

Explore Canada, 5500 km travelled and captured on camera

 

Take a look at this video to explore this magnificent country.

Curated and shared by Petrina Moir

Kenojvak Ashevak - Inuit Artist

 

  https://youtu.be/Eeka1Y0jrss

 Kenojvak Ashevak is a ceñebrated Inuit artist, her work is quite unusual. Symbolic and influenced by her upbringing. Her style could be easily produced with students, they could use cut out shapes to produce similar pieces. They could even identify the representation of certain symbols and come up with similar symbols that represent their country. 

Just a suggestion!

Curated and shared by Petrina Moir

What is Orange Shirt Day?

 

             Students and a nun in a classroom at Cross Lake Indian Residential School, Manitoba, 1940.                                                                                   (Reuters/Canada)

Orange Shirt Day (September 30th) is a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada. It's also a day to learn more about the history of those schools.

Residential schools were church-run schools where approximately 150,000 Métis, Inuit and First Nations children were sent between the 1830s and the 1990s.

The schools harmed Indigenous children by removing them from their families and forcing them to speak English or French instead of their ancestral languages. They were also disconnected them from their culture and traditions and forced to adopt Christianity in order to be assimilated into Canadian society.

The government has since acknowledged that this approach was wrong, cruel and ineffective, and offered an official apology to the Indigenous people of Canada in 2008.

Watch video here: https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/what-is-orange-shirt-day

Why is September 30th a special date?

September 30th falls during the time of year when Indigenous children were taken away to residential school. Today, it's also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Why is it an orange shirt?

What does Orange Shirt day represent?

The message that Phyllis wants to pass along on Orange Shirt Day — and every day — is that every child matters. Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis to educate people about residential schools and to fight racism and bullying.

What can you do?

You can read Phyllis Webstad's book about her orange shirt. (Medicine Wheel Education)

There are many ways you can get involved!

• Wear an orange shirt on September 30th
• Read Phyllis' story "The Orange Shirt Story" with your classroom or your family. It's available in English, French and Shuswap.
• Read books by Indigenous authors about residential schools.
• Trace your hand and write something on it that you can do to help others feel like they matter.
• Share Phyllis’ story. You can watch it on YouTube or below:

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/what-is-orange-shirt-day

Content curated and shared by Petrina Moir

N`WE JINAN Project

 Shared by Petrina Moir:

I came across this movement while researching. In parts of Canada there is a movement of indigenous groups and the importance of having a voice. 

For many years they were forced to leave thier families and "integrate" resulting in loss of their culture and the feeling of shame associated with it. 

This unique project is a grassroots project which encourages indigenous children to explore their roots. They have many songs on Youtube and some are really catchy. 

For teens it opens their eyes to experiences faced by tennagers and also gives them a chance to see new talent. From rap, poetry to painting. There are many projects which might be interesting to explore with students. /https://nwejinan.com/https://nwejinan.com/

Here is one of my favourite artists videos. The artist is actually blind. 

Matthew Monias, whose artist name is Mattmac, is from a small fly-in community nearly 500 kms north of Winnipeg.

Monias has been blind since birth but he hasn’t let that stop him as a music producer and recording artist. Monias was depressed at an early age and said music is what helped him overcome that.

Terminology guide to adress First Nations

 

Download this map here:https://fner.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/canadas-first-people-map/

           Terminology Guide

            

Terms to Use

Indigenous

Indigenous" is an umbrella term for First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit. "Indigenous" refers to all of these groups, either collectively or separately, and is the term used in international contexts, e.g., the ‘United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ (UNDRIP). Recently, it has been associated more with activism than government policy and so has emerged, for many, as the preferred term.

In some contexts, however, it can be ambiguous: a reference to ‘Indigenous Peoples in Canada’ could include Maori or American Indian (US) people living here, as well as Canadian Aboriginal people, so in contexts in which legal specificity to people originating in Canada is important, ‘Aboriginal,’ or a more qualified use of ‘Indigenous’ may be war- ranted (e.g., The Indigenous Peoples of Canada). Thus, it may be acceptable to use both terms in a formal document or across a communications channel. To avoid confusion, however, do not use both in the same article, unless there is a logical reason to do so.

First Nations

Most, but not all, reserve-based communities in Canada refer to themselves as ‘First Nations’. For informal documents, use ‘First Nation,’ or, collectively in referring to reserve-based communities, ‘First Nations,’ but in specific references, it is more preferential to use the name that the community (or First Nation) uses publicly.

The term ‘First Nations’ can be applied to individuals, but, technically refers only to those who have Indian status under Canadian law as part of a recognized community. Many Aboriginal people in Canada do not have this formal connection, and those who are Métis or Inuit should never be referred to as ‘First Nations.’ Sometimes, the term ‘Nation’ is more generally applied to a whole cultural group, e.g., “the Mohawk Nation.”

Métis

Métis are a specific Indigenous (and Aboriginal) group in Canada with a very specific social history. Until very recently, they have not been regarded as ‘Indians’ under Canadian law and are never considered ‘First Nations.’ The term ‘Métis’ may be used as singular or plural, and refers to individuals or groups, e.g., “Tom, a Métis student, is attending Queen’s University,” or “The Indian Act does not govern the Métis.” Please be sure to use the acute accent over the ‘e’ in Métis unless quoting a name or source in which it is not used.

Inuit

Inuit are another Aboriginal group, historically located in the Arctic and legally and culturally distinct from First Nations or legally-defined Indians and Métis. The singular of ‘Inuit’ is ‘Inuk,’ and because the translation of Inuit is ‘the people,’ it is redundant to add ‘people’ after it. Do not use ‘Eskimo,’ which the Inuit consider a derogatory term.

When in doubt as to what is the most appropriate term to use, ask the person or group involved, learn what is in use in your area or subject field, or simply ask someone knowledgeable.

Terms to Avoid

Native

This term is rarely used in respectful conversations and we advise this term not be used unless there is a specific reason to do so, such as in an organizational name that derives from an earlier period (e.g., Queen’s Native Students Association). However, those with Indigenous ancestry might use the term to refer to themselves or other Indigenous peoples. ‘First Nations,’‘Aboriginal,’ and more recently, ‘Indigenous’ are more current and are preferred by many in the community, though each has particular nuances.

Our Native People / Native Canadian / Indigenous Canadian

Indigenous peoples have been on these lands for time immemorial, thousands of years before Canada became a nation. Indigenous peoples are NOT Indigenous or Native to Canada.

Many Indigenous peoples DO NOT consider themselves Canadians. They are part of their own sovereign nations and do not consider themselves part of one that has actively worked to assimilate their people.

Stop saying "our. " Indigenous people do not belong to Canada. Canada is bound to Indigenous peoples through treaties that were made by early representatives of the Crown. By saying "our" or "Canada's Indigenous peoples", you are reinforcing a false narrative that is paternalistic. This narrative is one that was created by the Canadian state and is false.

Aboriginal

"Aboriginal" is a general term that collectively refers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada, and is found in the Canadian constitution. This distinction legalized in 1982 when the Constitution Act came into being. Section 35 (2) of the Act states, “Aboriginal Peoples of Canada” includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. It is broad, on one hand, because it includes all Canadian groups, but specific, on the other, in that it is not widely used in international contexts. (In the US, for instance, it is not widely understood.) Though until recently a preferred term, it does carry a negative connotation because of its use in government policy, though not nearly as strong a one as its predecessor, ‘Indian.’ Please note that ‘Aboriginal’ should never be used as a noun, e.g., "Aboriginals think..."

Be aware that Aboriginal people, however named, do not ‘belong’ to Canada. Therefore, do not preface any of the terms considered above with a possessive, e.g., "Canada’s Aboriginal (or First Nations, Inuit, Indigenous, Métis) people," or worse yet, "our Aboriginal people." This is profoundly insulting and not easily forgiven, as it invokes an entire history of paternalism and control.

Never use ‘Aboriginal’ as a noun, but rather as an adjective. The former, especially ‘Aboriginals,’ connotes an early colonial time when poorly conceived synonyms like ‘Indians,’ ‘primitives’ and others were casually applied to Indigenous people. It is also needlessly reductive, as it unnecessarily diminishes an agglomeration of distinct Indigenous groups to a singularly blunt term. For example: Do not say “The Aboriginals of Canada...” or “the student is an Aboriginal”. Instead say “The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada...” or “He is an Aboriginal student (person, athlete, leader, etc.) ...”

Indian

The term ‘Indian’ because of its negative connotation, should be avoided in most contexts unless it is used as part of a historical reference or used in reference to a government policy (eg. The Indian Act, ‘status Indian’).

You may encounter, particularly in legal or policy contexts, the terms:

• status Indian
• Indian status
• status

All refer to the government classification system in which ‘status’ confers certain agreements based on treaties with the Crown, however; historically, certain penalties were also handed down. This is a technical area with sensitivities, so you may want to consult with knowledgeable people before initiating the use of any of these terms.

More definitions:

• Ally, Accomplice, Co-Resistor...
• Decolonization, Indigenizing, Indigenous Pedagogies...

Download and share

QU-Indigenous-Terminology-Guide [PDF, 2.4MB]

Source: https://www.queensu.ca/indigenous/ways-knowing/terminology-guide#:~:text=and%20is%20false.-,Aboriginal,found%20in%20the%20Canadian%20constitution.

Why Canada is making a major immigration push

Shared by Michael Church: 

Canada’s government hopes to welcome nearly 1.5 million immigrants by 2025 to fill critical jobs. It's something business leaders have long been pushing for. NBC News’ Julia Ainsley reports from Toronto on the recruitment push, especially in health care.

Plus 15 network – Calgary’s Skywalk

Shared by Juan Ignacio Blanco:

I have been in Canada a couple of times,both of them in Summer and I have always been astonished about the importance of the weather and how everything changes from Summer to Winter, This aspect is truly canadian too. The most amazing aspect regarding cold is PLUS 15 in Calgary. Plus 15 is a pedestrian network, which is 15 feet over the ground and connects a lot of downtown buildings. This way people do not need to stay outside during the extreme winters.

 This is the link if you want to have a look https://www.calgary.ca/bike-walk-roll/plus-15-network.html 

TRADITIONAL INDIAN DANCES AND HIP HOP

 

Shared by Petrina Moir:

I was absolutely riveted when I came across this video. The beats and hip hop vibe give Indian dance a complete makeover! It might be interesting to get students to come up with their own traditional dance fusions or give this choreography a whirl!

THE TIMES OF INDIA

 

Acccording to Wikipedia, there are over 100.000 publications registered as "newspapers" in India. India has the second-largest newspaper market in the world, with daily newspapers reporting a combined circulation of over 240 million copies.

There are publications produced in each of the 22 scheduled languages of India and in many of the other languages spoken throughout the country. Hindi-language newspapers have the largest circulation, followed by English and Telugu.

The Times of India has a daily circulation of 2.830.000 papers, and the good news is that you ca  read in on line and download its pdf for freee daily after 7.00 am here: https://dailyepaper.in/times-of-india-epaper-pdf-download-2023/ .