Basking in the Glow of Saskatchewan.

With the terrorist attacks on the United States still fresh on her mind, the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, said the world as we know it has changed forever after the events of September 11.

"What we have lived through has changed our lives dramatically. The whole context of our lives has been shaken," said Clarkson, who addressed both the Canadian Club of Regina and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership's annual conference, Growing Locally, Succeeding Globally. "In a sense we will never be 'normal' again."

Horrific scenes that we were accustomed to seeing from across the ocean were for the first time coming directly from our own backyard, and that has left a lasting impression on every citizen in Canada said Clarkson.

"We can't hide or mind are own business with this event. The pre-Tuesday world no longer exists and it's time to make sure that our way of life is preserved, even if it does rake a different form," she said. "In a time like this I find it very refreshing to visit the Prairies."

Addressing a sellout crowd of approximately 550 people, Clarkson's speech was both eloquent and inspiring. Talking about open frontiers and the last true landscape, coupled with several references to Prairie authors and their works, Clarkson was able to bring a sense of nostalgia to the room, which was made up of business leaders, politicians, students and retirees from across Saskatchewan.

"The history of life on the Prairies is the story of adversity and the people's triumph over that adversity," said Clarkson, who insisted on making it to Regina just six days after the tragic events south of the border.

"The people of Saskatchewan were the first to teach the rest of Canada that by working together the public good can be achieved."

Pointing to Saskatchewan successes like the health care system and the co-operative movement, Clarkson reminded those in attendance that the province does have a strong tradition and history to build on.

"You have an opportunity to re-create what is yours," said Clarkson. "You have inherited a legacy of innovation using cooperative solutions to solve collective problems. You also have a closeness to nature that is very special and should continue to be passed on to future generations."

On a previous visit to Saskatchewan, Clarkson said she saw firsthand how difficult it was to keep future generations, not only on the family farm, but also inside the province.

"I was in the town of Biggar last year where I met with 15 high school students. Twelve out of those 15 said they didn't see their future in Saskatchewan and only one said they saw their future on the farm," said Clarkson. "It is very apparent that we must start appealing to our youth or there will be no one left to take on the stewardship of the land."

As she concluded her address to a standing ovation, Clarkson appealed to the people of Saskatchewan to reconnect with nature and begin telling the "true" stories that have made this province great.

"Hope resides in nostalgia and now is your time to tell the right kind of stories so hope is not lost," said Clarkson. "Imagine the possibilities if this province can make a connection and accumulate knowledge that tells the real story of Saskatchewan and its people."