Pioneers: Paying Tribute With A Book
My name is Devin Meireles and I am proud to embrace heritage and share this Portuguese thing of ours with my book! My story can resonate with readers to provide inspiration for them to discover the beautiful homeland.
After researching my Portuguese family ancestry for nearly a decade I curated all that information to make a narrative nonfiction book about my grandparents’ immigration to Canada and life back home. The entire experience was cathartic for me and I hope that my book can resonate with other Portuguese people. It will surely remind readers of the stories that they heard from their families and even inspire some to seek their own history as well.
Weaving a wonderful tale of the struggles and triumphs as well as the rich culture of my ancestry, my book follows Vovô, who was the impetus for a new beginning. Embarking on the journey of a lifetime, he was guided by true love to carve out a fighting chance for the future of the family.
This is his life story, The Portuguese Immigrant: Atlantic Heritage Story.
Get the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NGZJX82
Book Excerpt
His elder sister shared postcards from her bygone sons and daughters. Huddled together at her kitchen table, with its surface full of dishes and glassware from having lunch, the group would relish in their family’s overseas glory with a slice of cake. Avó would bake the desserts in the morning, storing them on a pan with a lid for the walk over. They usually came out delectably over the petroleum stove.
“That’s great to hear,” Vovô commended with a spoonful to his mouth. “You must be so proud!”
Maria da Luz cleared space on the table to set down the letters. “I’m just happy that they are safe. Imagine how hard it can be in a new country.” She chewed on that thought before helping herself to another slice of cake.
“At the start, yes,” Avó added, “but your future grandchildren will be blessed.”
“We will do the same one day too,” Vovô said confidently. He firmly believed his statement was a manifestation of life to come.
“At your age!” his sister was astonished. From her perspective, it was like hearing a dreamer holding onto a fantasy. She doubted his potential, as if the doors of opportunity had been shut already. “They want younger men that can do hard labour. You’re already middle-aged!”
“I can work just as hard as any of these young bucks!”
“Manuel, please don’t hurt yourself. Remember that you have to care for your family first.”
“Well, that’s my biggest incentive. A better life for the future.”
“What does Filomena think about this idea?”
Avó put her plate down to get serious and confide her true feelings on the topic. “Honestly, it scares me. Some of these men go over there and don’t see their families for a very long time. I even heard stories that some of them find new women in America.”
“No chance!” Vovô refuted.
“My brother would never do that to his family,” Maria da Luz reassured her. “Those guys must be weak in the head. I just worry about his well-being and the distance between.”
“Remember what Dad used to say?” Vovô scooped his plate clean before answering his own question. “You only get what you work for, not what you wish!” Placing the kitchenware down, he admitted, “It won’t be easy, but it’s going to be worth it.”
The Portuguese Immigrant: Atlantic Heritage Story. Get the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NGZJX82
About the author: Devin Meireles was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where growing up around the Portuguese diaspora had a profound effect on him. Now he volunteers to carry on the culture and give back to the community. In 2022, he published a book to preserve his rich Portuguese ancestry, which was a narrative nonfiction novel about his grandparents’ immigration to Canada. He has also been featured in literary journals, health magazines, and cultural newspapers. Apart from creative writing, he enjoys adding to a collection of tattoos, banknotes and travel stamps. His profession is in the healthcare industry as an operations leader where his expertise routinely ensures day-to-day business with high level coordination. He lives near Lake Ontario with his wife and dog.
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Paulo Pereira
Paulo Pereira has worked in community media for over 20 years. He started as a reporter for Sol Portugues. Later, he became Editor of Team Desportivo, Director of Flash News, Director of Jornal da Aliança, Director of Luso-Ontario Magazine, and Editor at Correio da Manha Canada's newspaper. Paulo Pereira is also a co-founder of Associacao Migrante de Barcelos where he volunteered for many years as Secretary and Sporting Director. He also volunteered for Casa do Benfica de Toronto for close to a decade as member of the Board in roles such as Public Relations Director and Vice-President for Sports and Culture. Currently, he is the President of Project First Nations, a not-for-profit organization. In November of 2023, he was elected as a member of the Portuguese Community Council, representing the District of Toronto, which includes Ontario, Manitoba and Nunavut.