The Munro Family from Longlac

This is the story of the Munro family of Longlac. George, Jane and I spent our salad days in this picturesque little Northwestern Ontario community based on the pulp industry nestled between two First Nations’ reserves. It is the story of a largely agricultural family whose members had deep roots in the soil of Saskatchewan and Ontario and whose offspring struggled throughout the twentieth century to become well-educated middle class urban family members. Although my grandparents and parents brought family characteristics to bear on the development of me and my siblings, this little community provided an environment in our early years which left an indelible influence on all three of our lives. Longlac was a mirror of the larger Canadian environment which sometimes exhibited prejudice and stifled creativity, but it also exhibited tolerance and allowed freedom for personal growth. Education was the passport to employment in urban Canada and to a full participation in Canadian life. Our parents saw that my siblings and I knew of our origins in both western and eastern Canada and gave us every opportunity to become familiar with both the English and French languages and cultures. Our eye on the world was the CBC whose low power relay transmitter broadcast English-language programs during the day. This environment was our springboard to success in our various professions and provided the following generations with an ability to contribute to Canada as hard-working, caring members of a middle-class family.