Category Archives: Personal

Email etiquette privacy concept showing CC misuse and a privacy shield icon.

Email Etiquette: We Need to Talk About It (Especially After What Just Happened)

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Why Email Etiquette & Privacy Matter More Than Ever

Email etiquette privacy is something we rarely think about — until it goes wrong. Even though email has been around for decades, it still feels like many people haven’t learned how to use it responsibly. Recently, I received an email from a long-term care (LTC) facility where a family member resides, and the staff member accidentally CC’d roughly 256 people instead of using BCC.

This meant every recipient’s email address — including mine, despite having no connection to their mailing list — was exposed to hundreds of strangers. To prevent further exposure, I replied to the sender and BCC’d the entire group, explaining the privacy risks and proper email practices.

And then it happened…

Suddenly I became the mail administrator.

Because I tried to do the right thing and protect everyone’s privacy, my name showed up at the top of the thread — and dozens of people started emailing me, asking to be removed from “my” mailing list.

A mailing list I don’t own.
A facility I don’t work for.
A message I didn’t send.

I spent the next hour responding to strangers, clarifying that I was simply trying to stop their emails from being exposed again.

This wasn’t just inconvenient — it shows how poorly we’ve been trained to use email.

Why misusing CC is a serious problem

Putting a large recipient list in CC isn’t a harmless mistake. It has real consequences:

1. Privacy exposure

Everyone’s email became visible to 255 strangers. Many people don’t want their identity or involvement with certain organizations (like LTC facilities) shared.

2. Increased spam & phishing risk

Large visible email lists are easy targets. All it takes is one person copying the thread to start sending unsolicited or malicious messages.

3. Unnecessary confusion

People misread who actually sent the message — which is exactly why so many emailed me afterward.

4. Potential legal/compliance issues

Depending on the organization, this can violate privacy laws or internal data-handling policies. In healthcare and LTC, that risk is even higher.

The bigger problem: People aren’t reading emails properly

Most of the chaos that followed wasn’t the result of bad intent. It was the result of people:

  • Not reading who the original sender was
  • Not reading my message carefully
  • Not understanding what CC vs. BCC means
  • Assuming I was running a mailing list

We live in a world where technology is everywhere, yet basic email literacy is still shockingly low.

The basics everyone should know (and clearly, many don’t)

Read who the email is actually from

Before replying, look at the sender’s name and address.
It sounds simple… but clearly it’s not.

Read the entire message before reacting

Skimming leads to misinformation and unnecessary replies — especially “Remove me from the list” messages directed at the wrong person.

Understand To, CC, and BCC

This alone would prevent 90% of these problems.

  • To – the people directly responsible for responding.
  • CC – visible to everyone; use sparingly.
  • BCC – hides all recipients; mandatory for large groups or sensitive lists.

Don’t use Reply All unless absolutely necessary

Reply All is a gasoline can. Use only when you absolutely need a fire.

Organizations — especially healthcare — must do better

If your staff sends mass emails:

  • Train them on CC/BCC
  • Build proper mailing lists
  • Put privacy obligations in writing
  • Treat accidental exposure as a privacy incident
  • Notify recipients when it happens

This incident wasn’t malicious — but it was preventable.

Final thought: Email is powerful, but only when used properly

Most of us rely on email daily, but that doesn’t mean we’ve mastered it.

Before you hit Send on your next big-group message:

  • Read who you’re sending to
  • Read what you’re replying to
  • Use CC and BCC intentionally
  • Protect people’s privacy

Because one careless CC can turn a simple update into a privacy breach, a flood of confused replies, and an unnecessary headache for everyone — including the guy who was just trying to help.

“Good email etiquette and privacy awareness could have prevented this entirely…”

Side-by-side comparison of the white infinity symbol on the blue Métis flag and the modern blue Meta logo on a white background

The Métis Flag: Older Than Canada, More Than a Logo

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In the age of viral memes and corporate branding, it’s easy to scroll past a symbol and mistake it for something familiar — or something new. Such is the case with the Métis flag, which many have mistakenly compared to the Meta (Facebook) logo because of its infinity symbol. But here’s the truth:

The Métis flag is not the Meta symbol. It is older than Canada itself — by more than 50 years.

This flag is a powerful emblem of a proud and resilient people — a symbol of nationhood, resistance, and cultural identity. And it deserves the respect of being recognized for what it truly represents.

What Does the Métis Flag Look Like?

At first glance, it’s a simple design: a white infinity symbol (∞) centered on either a blue or red background. But that simplicity carries profound meaning.

The Infinity Symbol Represents:

  • The merging of two distinct cultures — Indigenous and European (primarily French and Scottish)
  • The eternal continuity of the Métis people and their distinct identity
  • The resilience and unity of the Métis Nation through centuries of struggle

This is not just decoration. It’s an intergenerational declaration: We have always been here. We always will be.

The Origins: A Flag of a People — Not a Province

The first recorded use of the Métis flag dates to 1815, during the height of the fur trade in what we now call Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. That’s more than 50 years before Canadian Confederation in 1867.

Some historians believe the flag was gifted to the Métis by the North West Company to honor their crucial role as buffalo hunters, traders, and warriors. Others maintain it emerged organically from Métis communities to distinguish themselves from both settler colonists and other Indigenous nations.

What’s certain is that by the time Louis Riel was rising as a leader of the Métis resistance, the flag was already known and flown.

This wasn’t a side banner or a corporate logo — it was a national flag for a people who already had their own laws, language (Michif), territories, and leadership.

Blue or Red — What’s the Difference?

Both colors have long been used and are equally legitimate.

  • Blue Flag – Often associated with French Métis and the North West Company
  • Red Flag – Sometimes linked to Scottish Métis or used in different regional/political contexts

Regardless of color, the meaning remains the same: unity, identity, and endurance.

A Flag of Resistance

The Métis flag was carried into moments of immense resistance:

  • The Red River Resistance (1869–70)
  • The Northwest Resistance (1885)

Led by figures like Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, the Métis stood their ground against colonial encroachment, fighting for their land, rights, and sovereignty. The flag flew not behind — but ahead of them. It represented a nation within a nation, long before Indigenous rights were ever recognized in Canadian law.

Not the Meta Logo. Not a Meme.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: yes, the infinity symbol is widely used today — in math, art, neurodiversity, spirituality, and yes, corporate branding. Meta (formerly Facebook) adopted a stylized version of it in 2021.

But as one Reddit user bluntly put it in a thread on the confusion:

“This flag is older than Canada itself. To some people, it’s more than just an infinity sign.”

Another commenter added:

“Yes, in a sense, it is the infinity symbol. But when it is backed by the royal blue OR the red, it is in fact the Canadian flag of the Métis.”

The context matters. The colors matter. The history matters.

This isn’t just an abstract symbol floating in space. It’s rooted in bloodlines, buffalo hunts, battles, and community. The Métis infinity flag has been flown in resistance, in ceremony, in mourning, and in celebration. It is sacred to many.

So when people shrug and say “Oh hey, that’s Meta’s logo!” — they’re not just wrong, they’re erasing a 200+ year old national identity.

Why This Flag Still Matters Today

In 1982, the Métis were officially recognized as one of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples in Section 35 of the Constitution Act. Since then, the flag has become even more visible at cultural events, protests, Métis Nation assemblies, and in homes across the country.

It continues to represent:

  • Pride in Métis heritage and mixed ancestry
  • Survival through colonial displacement and legal erasure
  • Rights to land, language, culture, and self-governance

This flag is not just a symbol of the past — it is a living emblem of our future.

Final Thoughts

Symbols are powerful. They can unite people across generations and tell stories that textbooks never will. The Métis flag is one of those symbols. It is a banner of belonging, of defiance, and of hope.

And to be crystal clear: it’s not the Meta symbol. It’s the Métis flag. And it’s been ours since 1815.

Let’s keep flying it with knowledge, pride, and respect.

“Text reading 'One Year Unemployed: A Personal Reflection on Resilience, Reality, and the Road Ahead – Posted July 9, 2025' centered on a textured white background.”

One Year Unemployed: A Personal Reflection on Resilience, Reality, and the Road Ahead

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Today marks a difficult anniversary—it’s been exactly one year since I was let go from my job.

On July 9th, 2024, I was fired. The official reason? I “cost too much.” But if I’m being honest, I believe the real reason had more to do with the time I was starting to take off to support my mother. Her health had declined quickly, and we were applying for crisis placement in a long-term care facility. It was a stressful and emotional time—my family was doing everything we could to get her the care she needed.

After a difficult and uncertain waiting period, my mother was finally admitted to long-term care on August 26th. From that day forward, I was there every other day—making sure she was adjusting, ensuring she didn’t feel abandoned, and being the familiar face she could rely on. That time with her was—and still is—one of the most important things I’ve ever done.

By November, once she had settled into a routine and was as comfortable as possible in her new surroundings, I turned my attention back to my own life. To finding work again. To rebuilding.

Since then, I’ve applied to 36 jobs. Some were kind enough to send a rejection email. Most didn’t respond at all. Several applications still sit in limbo with the status “under consideration,” weeks or even months after submission. I’ve tailored my resume, rewritten cover letters, reached out to connections, and stayed committed.

And now, with my unemployment insurance set to run out this Friday, the weight of it all feels heavier than ever.

This post isn’t meant to complain—it’s meant to speak truthfully. Because this is what it’s like trying to get back into the workforce in mid-life. You have experience—decades of it—but sometimes it feels like that works against you. You’ve got knowledge and work ethic, but somehow it’s not enough to get a call back. You wake up each day determined to stay productive, to stay sharp, to stay hopeful… even as the silence stretches on.

Here’s what I’ve learned in the last year:

  • Being there for family is never the wrong decision.
  • Experience should be seen as a strength, not a setback.
  • And your worth isn’t defined by who hires you or how fast they do it.

If you’re going through something similar, I want you to know: you’re not alone. If you’ve had to make hard choices between caregiving and career, if you’re still checking job boards months later, still applying, still hoping—I see you.

To everyone who’s supported me during this past year—thank you. And to the hiring managers still reviewing my resume: I’m ready. I bring not just skill, but perspective, dedication, and heart.

Here’s to turning the page, and to finding what comes next.

— Wayner

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job in Ottawa? I Have the Skills—I’m Métis—So Why Not Me?

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With over 23 years in the IT industry, you’d think landing a job would be the least of my concerns. My resume tells a solid story—helpdesk beginnings, systems administration, IT security compliance, project leadership, and solution design. I’ve worked across multiple sectors, led teams, delivered results. And yet, here I am, asking a question that too many qualified professionals in Ottawa quietly ask themselves: Why is it so hard to find a job in this city?

I am Métis. I carry that identity with pride, but I also carry the weight of the systemic barriers that come with it. Ottawa is the capital of a country that publicly promotes inclusion and reconciliation. But behind closed HR doors, the reality often feels disconnected from those public values.

A Hidden Job Market That Stays Hidden

Ottawa’s job market, especially in tech and government, often functions more like a private club than a meritocracy. Networks matter more than skills. Internal hires, nepotism, and “known quantities” dominate the hiring landscape. If you’re not already in the system—or visibly connected to someone who is—it’s an uphill battle to even get an interview.

I’ve applied to positions where I meet or exceed every listed requirement, only to receive no acknowledgment at all. Not even a rejection—just silence. I know how to lead. I know how to build secure, scalable systems. But it seems unless I know someone on the inside, those applications fall into the void.

Indigenous Identity: A Checkbox or a Commitment?

There’s a painful irony in watching organizations tout their commitment to Indigenous inclusion while turning away experienced Indigenous professionals. I’ve seen roles labeled “Indigenous-focused” filled by non-Indigenous candidates. I’ve seen equity policies used as PR tools rather than actual hiring frameworks. At best, being Métis gets me a checkbox on a federal form. At worst, it raises silent questions: Will he fit in? Can we manage this hire politically?

It’s not enough to open the door a crack. If institutions want real Indigenous participation, they need to hire people with both the cultural identity and the technical expertise. Not one or the other.

Age and Experience: A Double-Edged Sword

Let’s be real, experience is great, but ageism is real. I’ve been in tech long enough to see trends come full circle. I’ve mentored people now running departments. But once you pass that invisible “mid-career” mark, some hiring managers stop seeing you as adaptable or current—even when you are. They assume you’re expensive, stuck in your ways, or not “hungry enough.”

None of that applies to me. I’m constantly learning. I’ve studied for cloud certifications like the AZ-900. I adapt fast and lead with empathy. Still, it feels like the market is always looking for a 25-year-old unicorn with 10 years of experience—someone who costs less and doesn’t ask hard questions.

So What Now?

I don’t have all the answers. I just know something isn’t working. If a city like Ottawa—full of policy professionals, diversity champions, and government funding—can’t make space for people like me, then what chance do others have?

This isn’t a call for charity. I don’t want to be hired because I’m Métis. I want to be hired because I’m good—and because being Métis brings added value, not extra baggage.

So I keep showing up. I keep applying. I keep putting my story out there, because maybe someone reading this is in a position to challenge the system from the inside. Maybe someone is hiring—not just to fill a role, but to build a better team. One that reflects the talent and truth of this country.

Until then, I’ll be here. Still skilled. Still Métis. Still waiting for Ottawa to catch up.

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job in Ottawa? I Have the Skills. I’m Métis. I Just Don’t Get It.

Random Thoughts…

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Never approach a computer problem thinking or saying, I will do this quickly. – Not sure where I got this, It could be from my brain!