Editorials - Sept. 5, 2025
Vicious compliance
How do you get a government to backtrack on a heavy-handed ministerial order? If you are a librarian with Edmonton Public Schools, you do “a little vicious compliance over what the direction is” by following the missive to the letter and putting more than 200 titles on a list to be removed from school libraries.
After the list was leaked online, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith criticized the school division for being too heavy-handed, saying it was not “following the government’s intention”. The original order directed schools to remove books with sexually-explicit content - including in illustrations, images, audio or written passages - from shelves by the end of September, and schools were also tasked with implementing clear policies by the new year on how the directive would be maintained.
Titles to be removed included classics such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and the Game of Thrones books by George R.R. Martin, causing an uproar on social media.
On Tuesday, Smith’s government backtracked the order and vowed to rewrite it to ensure that only books containing images of sexual content would be removed, in an effort to keep the classics on the shelves. – DS
The rocky road to Croatia
Seaforth’s Dugald McIntosh, still just at teenager, has secured a spot in the World Ploughing Contest in Croatia next year, building first off of wins at the Huron County Plowing Match, Ontario’s International Plowing Match and then last week at the Canadian Plowing Championships in Ayton. Next year, he’ll be heading to the Balkans.
This editorial board seldom misses the chance to bestow a well-deserved attaboy on a local young person who does some good. What’s often missed in those writings is the social experience aspect. Yes, it’s thrilling that McIntosh will represent Canada internationally and we can all take pride in his achievement, but what an opportunity for a young man from Huron County to travel to Croatia, a nation he may never have considered visiting if not for this ticket to travel the world.
It just goes to show that international experiences are there for the taking (or winning) even at the most local levels for those who put in the time and dedication. There are international exchange programs through organizations like the Lions Clubs and 4-H, competitions in Toronto and beyond for Fall Fair Ambassadors and local 4-H teams, international performances through local bands and, as with McIntosh, what begins at a local match among a few dozen competitors could end hoisting international gold in a country nearly 7,200 kilometres away.
A hearty congratulations to Dugald McIntosh. May his story inspire some other local young people to get involved with their local clubs and associations, because you never know when you might be the next person punching their ticket to a far-off land, all because you took the time to dedicate yourself to something back in Huron County. – SL
**A correction has been made to this, in that Dugald did win the Canadian championship, but does not go on to the Worlds. There is no junior competition in the Worlds, so this is as far as he can go. The Citizen regrets the error.**
Goodnight to a legend
The Canadian arts community mourns the passing of Graham Greene, a distinguished Indigenous actor whose loss will be deeply felt. He passed away in Stratford on Sept. 1 at 73 following a lengthy illness
Greene’s career began in the late 1970s, rising to international prominence with his Academy Award-nominated role in Dances with Wolves in 1990. That breakthrough performance gave Indigenous actors greater visibility and credibility in mainstream cinema. It also demonstrated to audiences worldwide that Indigenous stories could be portrayed with complexity, humanity and respect, rather than through the tired stereotypes that had long dominated Hollywood. For many viewers, Greene’s presence in that film was both moving and unforgettable
Over five productive decades, Greene brought depth and nuance to his roles across film, television and theatre. He earned some of Canada’s highest honours, including the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement in 2025.
Throughout his life, he remained committed to authentic depictions of Indigenous stories. By steadfastly insisting on dignity and authenticity in his portrayals, he cleared the way for many who followed. His career showed younger artists that a future in the arts was possible without compromising identity or community.
A proud member of the Oneida First Nation from the Six Nations Reserve, he stayed rooted in Canada, enjoying writing, woodworking, golf and the company of his beloved cats. He is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson, Tarlo.
In remembering Graham Greene, we celebrate more than his artistry. We acknowledge a cultural pioneer whose quiet integrity and steadfast pursuit of representation left an enduring mark on Canadian arts and the greater narrative of Indigenous presence. His legacy lives on in the many paths he opened and the stories he helped bring to light. – SBS