Canadian Professional

Using a Canadian émigré lens, David Wayne Stewart’s essay collection, True North, Down South, entertains and educates listeners about immigrant and national identity, cultural misunderstandings, and belonging in the modern world. Stewart’s Canadian identity was contested by Quebec separatists when he was a child, then again in his adult life as an immigrant to the United States.

Growing up in Prince George, BC, our family owned the National Hotel from 1972 to 1998. As soon as I was able to pick up garbage in the parking lot, my dad had me working for my allowance. Throughout the years, I have done everything from the payroll, to carrying the raw sewage pipes out during the renovations in 1984. When I was in school, I would work weekends. During summer break, I would work full-time at the hotel. When I had enough of school, I chose to work full-time at the hotel. These are some of the true stories, and - believe it or not - they were seen with my own eyes too.