Image via Wikipedia

I regret not visiting the Fram Museum when I visited Oslo. The only excuse I can present is that, at the time, I was unaware of everything south polar. Canadians grow up culturally immersed in the belief that the Arctic is fundamental to our nationhood.

To me Roald Amundsen was the Norwegian who accomplished what no Canadian had – he transited the complete Northwest Passage. My history lessons occurred during the dark ages, when the accomplishments of our native peoples were unrecognized.

I like the online version of the Fram Museum, the curators are feeding excerpts from Amundsen’s South Pole journal. I plan to visit the site on the big day – December 14, 2011. Will there be fireworks and the national anthem playing?

No need to understand Norwegian – the Fram Museum site is in English as well as Amundsen’s native tongue. Amundsen’s time has come.