I was in Ottawa this weekend with Robin Anawak to present to the Millennium Scholarship Foundation’s laureates on the challenges faced by the Inuit in Nunavut. The laureates are smart and engaging so these conferences are always interesting and fun. There were numerous highlights, including a keynote by Tzeporah Berman, who charted her path from Carmanah Valley activist to founder of ForestEthics, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve industry practices by leveraging market forces.
Hilariously and unexpectedly though, was that I ended up sharing a hotel with Snoop Dog and Ice Cube who were in Ottawa for a concert (while I’m admittedly not an avid rap fan, I thought Barbershop was one of the funniest movies of 2002). The entourage of both stars were unbelievable polite and friendly. Indeed, it was great to see gangsta rappers in camouflage jackets and small town visitors in cardigans fall over themselves while trying to let the other into the elevator first.
The highlight moment though was eating breakfast at the table next to Snoop Dog’s uncle who regaled the waiter and I with stories about Snoop’s youth. Best of all was hearing how he used to change Snoop and the gang’s diapers. Somehow the world feels simpler and better knowing that even the Snoop Dog once had his diapers changed…
[tags]Snoop Dog, Junebug, Ottawa, Millennium Scholarship Foundation[/tags]
eaves.ca 