Our founder Father Athol Murray was a loyal Canadian and he spoke eloquently about Canada's desire for leaders and his desire to create those leaders at Notre Dame College 'right here in the little village of Wilcox'. To quote Father Murray from 1966 he stated that "Canada will become the greatest nation the world has ever seen . . ".

Consequently, each year at our graduation ceremonies a graduating Hound toasts Canada. This year's moving and eloquent toast was given by graduate and three year Hound Taylor Lambert.

Notre Dame proudly would like to share it with all of you - our Notre Dame family & friends.


Good evening, President Rob Palmarin, Honoured Guests, Staff, Family, Friends, and Fellow Graduates. It is my pleasure this evening to present the toast to our great nation.

Home is said to be where the heart is, but where is home when you are the heart of an entire nation? It is in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Canada, the small village we have all called home for the past ten months together. My home wasn't always in Wilcox, rather Wilcox's sister city Toronto. But even then home was not always Canada.

As the Russians invaded Hungary in 1956, one man literally walked away. He left behind his family, and friends; he left behind his home. One man walked to escape oppression and war, and one man walked all the way to England.

Once a renowned engineer the one man struggled to find work and receive refugee status. However, he found love and was soon married and with two children. The young family began looking to emigrate. After tedious paperwork and years of waiting only Canada would accept them.

The small family grew and aged with time until that one man who had walked so far for something better could no longer walk. With his children now grown with their own children they said their final goodbyes; he was laid to rest with an acceptance letter from Notre Dame in his hands.

My granddad died a week before I came to Notre Dame, but in the epitome of struggling and emerging he gave me Canada. He gave me Canada and he gave me Notre Dame. He gave me a home.

Canada has become a sanctuary and how could it not. In a landscape unrivaled by any nation we have all become people that reflect our nation - simply beautiful. To be Canadian is to be educated on a completely different level. We know true perseverance, as no one else knows this kind of cold! We have a deep faith in humanity, as kindness is our greatest commodity. We do believe in miracles and we are champions. Dreams come true across our nation, and our pride replaces our blood itself.

The world today is looking for men and women who are not for sale, and we have found them in Canada; in the small village of Wilcox, Saskatchewan. Canada has given us a tomorrow, an education, pride, beauty, champions, strength, Canada has given us ourselves, and Canada has given me all of you. Canada will forever be my home, as it is home to the memories I have shared with all of you. Canada is a nation of
Hounds, victory and excellence, as with any champion it deserves a proper cheer.

Now let us raise our glasses, first in a promise to continue this legacy of greatness as free men and women, and true Hounds.

Now, cheers to you Canada and cheers to all of you.

To Canada.