Canadian Identity
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POETRY SLAM
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Shane Koyczan: Performance PoetShane L. Koyczan (born 22 May 1976) is a Canadian poet and writer known for writing in a way that creates a melody woven in the words he uses to elaborate on things that needs to be addressed. His poems have helped many over come depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Koyczan grew up in Penticton, British Columbia. In 2000, he became the first Canadian to win the Individual Championship title at the National Poetry Slam Koyczan’s "We Are More" and Ivan Bielinski’s "La première fois", commissioned by the Canadian Tourism Commission, were unveiled at Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on 1 July 2007.[3] Koyczan performed a variation on his piece at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.[4] "We Are More"Check out Shane's presentation of We are More
"We Are More," as delivered during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games: "Define Canada You might say the home of the Rocket Or The Great One Who inspired little No. 9s and little No. 99s But we're more than just hockey and fishing lines Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes And some say what defines us Is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you' And as for 'your welcome,' well, we say that, too But we are more than genteel or civilized We are an idea in the process of being realized We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history We are an experiment going right for a change With influences that range from A to Zed And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee' We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy We dream so big that there are those Who would call our ambition an industry We reforest what we clear Because we believe in generations beyond our own Knowing now that so many of us Have grown past what we used to be We can stand here today Filled with all the hope people have When they say things like 'someday' Because we are more Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see More than hills to ski Or countryside ponds to skate We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait We are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes A country that is all the ways you choose to live A nation that can give you variety Because we are choices We are millions upon millions of voices Shouting, keep exploring We are more We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true Canada is the 'what' in 'what's new' So don't let your luggage define your travels Each life unravels differently And experiences are what make up The colours of our tapestry We are the true North Strong and free And what's more Is that we didn't just say it We made it be" |