Stars are no secret to Canada — literally. If you
find yourself in Canada’s Yukon Territory from the middle of August to the end of April, you can count on
looking up to the sky and seeing the majestic display of the northern lights. Ground level, however, is not
much different — they’re just a lot closer to home.
Saturday October 1, 2011
marked the 14th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame
Awards,
held in Toronto. You didn’t have to migrate north, or look up high in order to see some of our homegrown
talent. From space superstar and neuroscience trailblazer Dr. Roberta Bondar to television and film
connoisseur Sandra Oh, this year’s inductees were far from dull. Added to the list were the Guess Who’s
Burton Cummings, comedy king Russell Peters and the late, great Montreal novelist Mordecai Richler. Toronto’s
own rap sensation Drake even received his own recognition at this year’s awards by being honoured with the
Allan Slaight Award, which recognizes “a young Canadian making a positive impact in the fields of music,
film, literature visual or performing arts, sports, innovation or philanthropy.” Rendering him even more
star-worthy, Drake donated the award’s $10,000 honorarium to Dixon
Hall, a
community service dedicated to creating opportunities to low-income residents in
Toronto.
Maybe not as bright as the
northern stars, the awards ceremony was by no means dismal when it came to inspiration. Learning about
Bondar’s frowned-upon love for math and science as a young girl, and her unwillingness to back down— aided by
her family’s support —and follow her dreams, was every bit emotional, even for Roberta herself, who
unexpectedly shed a few tears during her acceptance speech, exclaiming “I’m supposed to be
tough!”
From Bondar’s inspiring
work, to Cumming’s humble beginnings in Winnipeg, to Richler’s wife who accepted the late author’s award,
leaving the Elgin Theatre starry-eyed is an understatement.
So next time you find
yourself walking along the sidewalk of any one of the 13 blocks in Toronto designated for
Canada’s Walk of
Fame,
keep your eyes to the ground; our very own northern lights are right at your feet. •
Photo by Melissa
Silva
