This past Saturday a friend of mine from the Nigerian community in Winnipeg asked if I would come to the Legislature the following day, Mother’s Day, to participate in a quickly called rally in support of the nearly 300 Nigeria schoolgirls that were recently kidnapped by the extremist group Boko Haram.
Like so many people around the world, I have watched with horror the story of the violent kidnapping and the repugnant statements of their extremist captors. And like so many, I had a feeling of helplessness as hearts and prayers went out to the young girls but the desire to do more remained. Attending and speaking at the rally was a small way of showing solidarity with the Nigerian community who reside in Winnipeg. The fact that it was Mother’s Day was just an added reminder of the heartbreak that the mothers and families of the young schoolgirls were dealing with.
It was difficult to explain to my own son what the rally was about. It is hard for any of us, let alone a child, to understand the unimaginable acts that can occur in our world. But we cannot shelter forever our children from these realities and by involving him in the rally at the Legislature I hoped to pass along the value of supporting others in their time of need.
Following the rally, I met with members of the NDP government and the Manitoba Liberal Party and I was pleased to cosponsor a resolution on Tuesday that called on the federal government to continue taking diplomatic and other measures to assist in the safe return of the schoolgirls. The motion passed unanimously and will be sent to all members of the House of Commons and Senate.
While these are small steps to take in a very complex situation, they are important for the local Nigerian community and for the national government to know they have support. Similar steps have been taken concerning the situations in the Ukraine and in Syria. Sometimes we fall into the trap of doing nothing because the problems seem so big instead of doing what we can do. Attending rallies, offering prayers, and speaking as one voice, not divided by politics, nationality or religion, are valuable even so far away from the conflicts and crimes that are occurring.
Canada is now involved actively in an international effort that includes the United States, Britain, France and China in trying to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped schoolgirls. As Manitobans, we will remain united in support of the Nigerian community and in our prayers and hope for the return of the children to their families.
