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Drew Beckie
Writing Rhetoric
Literacy Narrative
Achievement isn’t a high standard in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Being from the
“middle of nowhere” in a sense gives you certain characteristics. Much isn’t expected
from a Canadian from Saskatoon; farming is the normal and learning a trade in
agriculture is the way of life. Moving to America was breaking the “norm” and I couldn’t
be happier with the decision to be at the University of Denver and have a chance at so
many majors. Education is a premium and I think it is taken for granted by many people I
have met. Maybe that is American culture but in Canada it is a priority. Now we also will
always have people who don’t work hard and take their gift of university for granted, but
most excel and come out with a great education.
Saskatchewan may not be the place of dreams but it is my home. I love it and will
never forget it. I have learned countless lessons and it will always have a soft spot in my
heart. My grandfather and his dad and his dad before that all have farmed the land and
have provided for their families with the “land God has granted us.” Our family
originally comes from Croatia; my great grandfather immigrated to Canada in the early
30’s. He instilled such great morals in my grandpa and he instilled these morals into me.
The land is truly a blessing and it’s meant to be cherished. The land is like a baby; every
winter you put it to be and make sure it has its rest and then when it awakes in the spring
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you have to give it everything it needs to grow strong and the cycle goes on and on. It’s a
precious technique that takes years to master. I can’t wait to get back after school and
learn the ways of harvest and vernalization. It’s second nature for my grandfather and I
hope to someday I have that chance.
I am very proud of being Canadian and I don’t want to have American citizenship.
I guess you could call it a “pride thing” but it makes me unique even though I may get
made fun of for it for the rest of my life. I usually don’t get the jokes American tell me
but I go with it. It doesn’t bother me, I’m here to play football and that’s all I want to do
and if I can get an education while having a chance to play professionally, it doesn’t get
much better than that. My literacy narrative is not like the rest. I come from humble
beginnings to larger ends. America is the land of dreams. Outside the U.S. people see it
as a bubble because it really is not like anything else, anywhere else in the world. World
commerce is here and farming really wouldn’t get you anywhere. I come here for
education on how to tame this new world. This university will give me the tools to
become that matador and allow me to make a living on a priceless education.
Kenaston which is near the main town of Saskatoon consists of 259 people. It is
known as the Kansas of Canada and you could see your dog run away for three days. Soft
hills plague the plains and I couldn’t name a place I would rather be. There are no planes,
no highways; just peace. You can hear the wind and the grains sway in the wind. Anyone
who hasn’t grown up there wouldn’t see what I see or hear what I hear but it’s an
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experience that everyone should have. The only skyscrapers you see are the ancient grain
elevators that soar above the plains.
Denver really doesn’t compare to Saskatchewan in any way. The amount of
people that live here is ridiculous and it cannot be compared. The people are much more
sophisticated and literate. Now obviously people know how to talk and write in
Saskatoon but the culture is much simpler. I miss the easy way of life and the low
expectations. I cannot forget where I come from. Denver is my home for now and I love
it. I will continue to be intrigued by the United States and never take for granted what I
will receive here.