August 1, 2018 Carnegie Newsletter

AUGU~2018

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;d' ""';;;;

NEWSLETTER 401 Main Street Vancouver Canada V6A 2T7 (604) 665~2289 Email: carnnews@shaw.ca

Website/Catalogue:

carnegienewsletter.org

o Canada

How is Our Native Land?

o Canada, •

How is our Native Land Exalted

stories & spaces

•

I

Just as some men like to think that women have become equal now, there are some people who think !ha~racism agai~st peoples of colour, especially the indigenous to this country, no longer exists because we have been "assimilated" into a so-called equal opportunity country and world system. I write these words not to play the perpetual victim card but to place myself in historical context wherein I get to feel like an. immigrant and outsider in my own country and neighbourhoods - sometimes referred to as communities. This is not to say that all natives have a collective unity because scarce resources such as housing has forced us to compete with each other.

Nor do I intend to compete with immigrants for sympathy. We know that immigration policies were based on acquiring cheap labour. Coloured bodies don't all get to become Presidents or Native Chiefs.

The poet David Whyte spoke of a mother who advised her children to try to be kind to others because we never know what their story is. Nevertheless, we mu~t b~ careful to get all sides of different people's stones m order that we can discover, for ourselves, wherein the truth will lay. Sandy Cameron had ad~ised. us t~at,we need a new map and that the map we mhented isn t any good - "the old roads mislead".

Since we don't yet have a new map we can only write our own stories from the roads that we ourselves have travelled. We hope that our stories of recognition of the past are taken into consideration within the discourse of a so-called "reconciliation" in the present.

We need a recognition of our stories that is not dominated and re-written by the moral purity of the superior and ~xalted ones throughout written histories.(l) To arrive at any truth is to use discretion in our decision making. We need to be aware that some perpetrators will pretend to be perpetual victims or heroes of their own stories so that their own her/ history will be painted onto the landscaped histories of communities and nations. Through the psychological dynamic of Projection, any perpetrator will point their accusatory finger at this or her victim. This tactic is us~~ by the p~rpetrator to deny and hide any accountability for their own behaviour. Ward Churchill documents First Peoples truth telling in his book titled When Predator Came.(2) The flip side of being the victims is to be the heroes of our own stories. Or. Su~era Thobani, in her book

Subjects(3), enlightens us about who becomes exalted - the how and why of how histories become textualized. "Given the power of story and the effect it has ?n ~u~physic~l, mental, emotional and spiritual bod~es, It IS essential we become more vigilant to the stones we tell ourselves and the stories we allow to be told to us". (4) In the words of the late Arthur ManuelI ask that u be careful with your words and the roads that they could lead u down. Those "special words and tactics (S.wAT.) are used by our goverrunents to discredit and malign the first peoples of these lands called Canada.

We have a ~egal system which is bent on containing the restless natives and other poor peoples because it will not grant us justice for the appropriated lands, nor will it recognize justice for those of us who have been displaced f!om .upon those lands. Some people get warehoused m pnsons or psychiatric institutions or housed in what is called "supportive housing" which is operated like a jail.

It's not always currently obvious that some of us were directly or indirectly, through government policies ' slated for extinction - or that some of us, for lack df expensive professional trainings, were molded into low paid manual and service jobs. Some of us were simply too busy struggling to survive whilst raising children to be able to compete for higher education. When government policies continue to break us down with the iron heels of it's boots upon our necks (police who are paid to ~rotect but often pester, instead), we can at least try to listen to and be kmder to each other by trying to understand each others' stories and by digging for the Truths in them.

Ov~r the "Long Haul" of the time it takes to get our stones clarified, we need to be engaging in freedom struggles because we are up against the legislated boots of colonialism and other causes of the many- headed h~dras of the causes of poverty. The principle ofindividual land ownership and the Doctrine of Discovery (so-called) refuse to allow for the possibility that common peoples (who do not hold any ti.tl~~certificates) could be able to have shared responsibility for the group use oflands and buildings in the peoples common interest. The dominant story of profit for landlords has trumped our capacity to be able to envis!on collective ways of sharing (safe but not oppressive) affordable shelter for all. We will always be tempted to do some accumulating but we can also differentiate the balance between need and greed.

By DlANE LECLAlRE 1. Coulthard,Glen ,2014. Red Skin, White Masks.

2. Churchill, Ward, When Predator Came 3. Thobani, Sun era, 2017. Exalted Subjects 4. Kuntz, Ted, 2005, p.45. Peace Begins With Me 5. Manuel, Arthur & ... 2017 The Reconciliation Manifesto Whyte, david. c.d. House of Belonging.

Cameron, Sandy, 2016. Heart of the City Festival

. . ,q '(.,"\' ~.~~~

<!:t •• '\,

,/' ..

3

.H.: .•'r:;Jjl(!JJ .·H·:..

Carnegie Theatre Workshop ....Summertime ,..

'7weet, tweet, tweet"

"~ ,..

'-._.;.'-'"II!r-.'

~.

JTj}0(

,

/~/

lilt's a bird, it's a plane, it's Birds on Parade!"

(

J

For His Name's Sake Why do I speak up for humanity's sake to those whose hearts are hard as stone, to those whose sight are blinded by pride, their listening ears turned deaf to truth?

And to those who claim humility, yet acknowledge not their imperfections, while so swiftly condemning in heart and voice all those they chance to meet?

I look into his tear-filled eyes and hear him weep for all mankind; his heart aching for the afflicted and for those who inflict.

I will never feel he magnitude of pain or persecution, the moments of sorrow and loneliness He felt that night as He knelt in prayer in Gethsemane.

This day my soul pleads, "Let this cup pass from me."

My heart so aches with compassion and grief, for they understand not what they say and do.

But, it is His will and strength that I seek.

I cannot sit idly by and watch in silence, It is both duty and desire that call me to speak up For His Name's Sake. © Jacqueline Angharad Giles

Create an outdoor theatre troupe for one perform ance!

....2 Saturday rehearsa Is left ....

Aug 11,18 1:3Opm-4pm in the Carnegie Theatre

....1 Monday performance ....

2pm August 20

"Birds on Parade" Coal Harbour No experience necessary Free, everyone welcome!

For more info: call Teresa 604-255-9401 thlrteenojhearts@llOtl1U'lLl.com

Hum: University Set Free Humanities 101 Community Programme offers four free university-level courses for low-income people who live in and around the Downtown Eastside and Downtown South. The courses are for people who have encountered financial and other barriers to university education and who wish to expand their intellectual horizons in an accessible, challenging and respectful environment. Applicants must have a love ofleaming, basic literacy skills and be willing to attend classes, complete assignments and participate in group discussions. Applications for these non-credit courses are accepted not on the basis of past academic history, but on the applicants' desire and ability to be part of the Hum Programme. Classes take place at UBC Point Grey campus on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, beginning early September.

HumlOl and Hum201: Eight-month courses covering a different subject in the arts or social sciences every week, including history & politics, art, music, architecture, philosophy, literature, sociology, first nation studies, gender studies, economics, popular culture, creative and critical thinking and more.

WritinglOl and Writing201: Three-month hands on writing courses covering a new genre and style of writing every week, including creative fiction and non-fiction, life writing, short stories, poetry, song lyrics, joumaling, manifesto writing and more.

Participants receive school supplies, UBC student cards, bus tickets to get to and from class, meals, and childcare if needed. Please attend an upcoming information! application session for more details on how to participate in the programme.

Carnegie Centre, Main and Hastings St. (top floor classroom) Saturday August 18tl1at 11 a.m, for Hum l Ol & 201 Monday August 20th at 2 p.m, for Writing 101 & 201 Wednesday August 22nd at 2 p.m, for Huml0l & 201 + Writingl0I & 201 Gathering Place Community Centre, 609 Helmcken St. (meeting room) Saturday August 18that 2 p.m, for Hum 101 & 201 Wednesday August 22nd at 11 a.m, for Writing101 & 201

Crabtree Corner, 533 East Hastings St. (third floor room) Monday August 20tllat 11 a.m, for Huml0l & 201 + Writingl0l & 201

Vancouver Recovery Club, 2775 Sophia St. Tuesday August 21 st at 5 p.m, for Hum 10} & 201 + Writing IO} & 201 Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, 302 Columbia St. (women only) Tuesday August 21stat 11 a.m, for Hum 1O} & 201 + Writing} O} & 201

5

"Celebrate Japanese Canadian arts and culture at the Powell Street Festival Aug 4 & 5 at Oppenheimer Park and surrounding area with Japanese food, live music, amateur sumo tournament, taiko drumming, art exhibitions, dance, film, crafts, martial arts, interactive games, theatre, walking tours, children's activities, tea ceremonies and more.

This year's extravaganza features virtuoso percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani, sadgrrlrocker Emma Lee Toyoda, writers Zack Davisson & Terry Watada, exhibitions at Centre A Gallery from international artisits Chiharu Mizukawa & Nao Uda, new interactive installation Karakasa Obake and a Japanese Canadian young actors forum.

The Powell Street Festival is the largest festival of its kind in Canada and the longest running community arts festival in Vancouver. An events at the Powell Street Festival are free!"

vancou~er Tenants UniOn¡

."

... ; .

THURSDAY

.

AUGU¡ST2 .

5-6 PM

Wondering what's happening at Oppenheimer Park this summer?

One exciting addition to Park programming is Summer Sports! Young or old, experienced player or not, all are invited to join us for: Ping Pong: Sundays at 2pm Softball: Thursdays at 11am Stretching: Fridays at lOam Volleyball: Fridays at l1am 7 days a week at 1O:30am, free coffee/tea, is available and lunch on Tuesdays at 1pm.

,}~

@yvrtenantsunionl vancauv,ertenantstmion.ca

Also, coming up is the annual Powel! Street Festival, on August 4th and 5th and the Asahi Tribute Game on August 18th

Free. Donations accepted. 't!

This will be in the newsletter for awhile. Funds cannot be garnered through channels like grants or corefunding without being beholden to the source, often meaning what can or cannot be printed gets decided by that source. The basics-no racism, no sexism, no personal attacks on community members may not be enough for some. It's kind of like not accepting money from a mining company who then will freak out if we print anything about fracking. If you want your money to do some good, consider the Carnegie Newsletter.

To: CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION 401 Main St, Vancouver BC V6A 2T7 Your name:

Date: Amount:

_

----------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

Address to send tax-receipt:

_

THE SANDY CAMERON MEMORIAL WRJTIN6 CONTEST EJViTRY FORM Please print as neatly as you are able to.

Name of author

Contact Info: Phone

Today's date

_

Email

_

Prizes will be awarded for each category. lst, 2nd & 3rd will be $100, $75 & $50.

Additional prizes for entries deserving recognition.

Guidelines for Writing Contest 1. Writing must be the original work of the person submitting the contest entry & not fiction.

If plagiarism is recognised the work will be returned.

2. Entry forms, for contact information, are available both at the Community Centre's front desk (Main floor) and from the Newsletter office (2nd floor). Contact information for the writer must be provided with each contest entry.

3. Essays: This means writing in sentences, with grammar and structure attempted.

Poetry: AIl forms accepted. Must use the same typeface throughout.

4. Subject matter is open to the individual author. It can be about most anything relevant to readers. In the words of Sam Roddan: [It] must have a bite. It must create some kind of disturbance, a turmoil in the heart, a turbulence of memory and feeling.

5. The length ofthe essay can be 250-700 words, basically what can be printed on 1 page in the Newsletter. Poetry of whatever length, but no more than can be printed on 1 page.

6. Deadline for submissions is 12:00 noon on September 15,2018. Results will be announced at a special event during the Heart of the City Festival (late October or early November).

7. Each writer way submit only one essay entry and/or one poetry entry. Additional entries will be returned without being judged.

8. Do not include any photographs or illustrations with your entry.

from the Library I'm kinda, sorta, a bit obsessed with music. Just in case you wanted to know what inspired me to write this issue's column. But also, we have a pretty great selection of music books here. So, why not highlight them. Here are some true melodious nuggets ofreading gold from the 781 (music) section.

New York has always been the dark heart of American rock music. Rock 'n' Roll came from the south, Classic Rock came from California, and the Velvet Underground, Punk, etc. came from New York.

That's what they say, anyway. We've got a couple good histories of New York Rock in right now. Steven Blush's New York Rock: From the Rise of the Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB covers the 'classic' era, while Lizzy Goodman's Meet me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City, 2001-2011 gets us into the current decade Gust).

Remember Grace Jones? The 9 foot tall Jamaican high fashion disco cyborg who made some ofthe best dancefloor music of the late 70s and 80s? She's an amazing woman, and she's written her memoir, titled I'll Never Write my Memoirs.

Sometimes the best way to learn about something is to read a bunch oflists. You will learn almost everything you need about Metal by reading The Merciless book of Metal Lists. From incredibly useful lists like The Best Metal Albums Ever to incredibly usefullists like 10 Things Metalheads Should Avoid Saying While Online Dating.

JONI! That's Mitchell, of course. She is the best.

Great songwriter, great guitarist and singer. We've got two books about her. She's as important as New York! David Yqffe's Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitcheli, and local journalist and film director Katherine Monk's Joni: The Creative Odyssey of Joni Mitchell.

If you've got an Android device (basically most smartphones that aren't iPhones), and would like to learn more about how to use it, we've got three training sessions coming up at 10:30 on Thursday August 9, 16, and 23. Pop into the library to find out how to register.

Happy Reading, Randy

IT WAS ALL WORTH IT It seems to me that most people with schizophrenia try to keep their condition secret because of stigma. I am not ashamed of my diagnosis. I have learned that I may even feel that it is a gift. One of my recovering friends suggested that people suffering from schizophrenia have access to the spiritual realm and so I am exploring this. I see images all around me, ghost-like men, snakes, flowers and spiders and Ihave tried to understand this experience which is perhaps not understandable. I do not believe I will always be on medication either, because the 12 step program suggests that there are those too who suffer from grave mental and emotional problems who do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. So that gives me hope.

I believe that doctors do not understand this condition as a sort of spiritual crisis. They want to medicate it away an,d although my symptoms are controlled, I know that a part of me is dulled. The medication dulls you and does not allow for the process of feeling to happen, which is why Ifeel Ineed and want to one day be free of meds.

Most schizophrenics use drugs and alcohol. I know I cannot do this because it puts my life in chaos and I have managed to stay out of hospital for a number of years now. Being a dually diagnosed person, it is not easy living a sober, clean life because sometimes I want to just scream and feel something instead offeeling numbed. But I have travelled this road of recovery for 15 years and I have gained a lot. I am moving this Fall into a new place, and I am in school taking something I love. I am writing music and am politically involved. I have hope for my life and one day I will look back at this life and say 'IT WAS ALL WORTH IT".

By RUBY DIAMOND

Jenny Kwan MP Vancouver Immigration,

East NDP Refugee

and Citizenship Critic 2572 E Hastings St Vancouver,

BC V5K IZ3

T: 604-775-5800 F: 604-775-5811 Jenny.Kwan@parl.gc.ca

i i

.<:.

ELDERS GATHERING 'I TST '0' HWUN' 1 (We are still here) was the theme for the Elders Gathering, which was on the Cowichan traditional territories at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan. It was a three-day event (July 10th to July 12th) filled with fun and adventurous activities like a boat tour to Kinsol Trestle Tour. Nine Carnegie seniors attended, accompanied by two staff members (Nicole and Luke) and myself as a volunteer helper. Thanks to some good planning, we got there early enough to register for some of the tours they offered. The weather was beautiful, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

On the day of the grand entry, there were a few hundred elders present, along with their helpers. Coming from all parts of British Columbia, we were organized into five regional groups: northern interior, central interior southern interior, Vancouver Island, and southern coastal. As we entered for the welcoming ceremony we walked under an arch of cedar boughs and roses and proceeded around the ice rink. It was great to see many nations wearing their regalia with pride and singing and drumming. I noticed familiar faces from Namgis (Alert Bay), Howe Sound and the Northern Interior. I thought the wit suwit'en elders would be there and was disappointed that none made it this year. But among the Lake Babine people I recognized friends of my late grandparents Sarah and Thomas Tait, who brought me with them when they travelled to potlatches at Bums Lake so many years ago. Hearing those elders sing brought me to tears thinking of how much I missed my late grandparents, and later on I listened as they shared their memories of Sarah and Thomas with me. Before we exited, we shook hands with Cowichan leaders, the Premier of BC, the Chief ofthe Assembly of First Nations, and other dignitaries.

Overall, the three-day event was fantastic. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces. Next year the gathering will be hosted by the Lake Babine Nation. Just for fun, one of the events should be speed dating for elders.

By PRlSCILLIA TAIT

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, West Annex Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC, Canada Dear Premier and President of the Executive Council John Horgan, July, 27th/2018

V8V IX4

We the American Indian Movement writing to thank you for taking the time to read our concerns, and specifically for your stated goal to help our people of the Down Town East Side.

I call upon the B.C. government to take action in the following three areas in order to attain this objective: -Homelessness; -Police Violation of Human Rights (ie. people of down town east side) -Social Housing Rules (Province of B.C.) I applaud your pledge to work together on the homelessness issue, and the issue about police violation of human rights, however we must find a solution to homelessness within the shortest possible timeframe. Should the B.C. government continue to pursue a policy that isn't supported by B.C. government, it must ensure that provincial departments and those organizations (ie. Police Forces) that don't fall under provincial jurisdictions. The Province must use every tool that they have to make sure that laws are followed and respected and court rulings must be respected. As the minister of justice stands for justice for the province of B.C. So he must ensure rights of citizens are protected, even from police forces that are not under direct jurisdiction. There is a court challenge as we speak by a first nations woman on what is called carding which is another term for profiling. There is numerous complaints and we believe rulings against vancouver pd's aggressiveness in the down town east side. "it's like a play zone for vancouver pd" even though we have a first nations woman as the superintendent of the down east side. They think it's all good in the hood but have they driven through east side hastings lately. We realize that to make any real changes in the down town east side the police force must be on our side, which means they can't violate people's human rights that they're supposed to uphold.

We have an aboriginal director of policing that stated to a council member that "he would not lose any sleep over anyone's rights being violated in the down town east side" and stated that "most of them are pedophiles anyway" This is why we can never move ahead. We need people that can respect the rule of law which applies to every citizen. We hope the B.C. government can collectively meet or exceed our targets. Given the dire need to house homeless people and especially first nations people who we directly represent and we know who don't use the shelters for whatever reason, could be the past (residential, unsanitary, unsafe conditions, theft) this isn't a good option. This is not the option the NDP government ran on when they were in opposition an d now became the government of B.C. We the American Indian Movement is here to say, we believe that your government is in violation of the spirit of the agreement on B.C. housing that says their priority is to house homeless people. The ombudsperson has agreed that the first stage has been met as they are investigating a complaint on B.C. housing is in violation on their own policy to house homeless people as priority. Let's achieve those goals that the NDP government said they would do if they become the government of B.C. You are now the government of B.C. in a minority government with another party. It is our responsibility as representatives of on this issue in east hastings dealing with housing that if people look at the situation that the government of B.C. gave atira, a private organization a blank cheque for buildings that they wanted them to run, but for some reason doesn't want to follow B.C. housings own policy to house homeless people as a priority, but yet works on behalf of atira in partnership with a city group working out of the carnegie that is supposed to represent people of the down town east side there policy would put more homeless people is not a good thing and was not promised by the NDP party. We propose to the housing minister and the B.C. government that we move ahead from this disaster that was created in the down town east side. This is what we recommend to correct the situation that we have that the B.C. government go out and find, purchase, or build a building or two by this fall and in 60 days we will review where we are at. If we can't keep a government honest that is together by the smallest minority were in a lot of trouble in this country. We do not support social housing a policy that criminalizes the poor. We ask to be treated the same way, but obviously the rules say otherwise and rules that the residential tenant board has ruled repeatedly that these places can't enforce these rules. So in fact they are illegal, and B.C. housing supports these rules. We would like a review of these rules in a fair and timely period. We appreciate that all these matters are complex and easy solutions are not available, it's a work in progress. There has to be a legitimate effort by the government of B.C. to honor their pledge to the people of B.C. and the homeless people. We are here to make sure that the people of east hastings and first nations people are represented to the fullest. We would like to work with the government of B.C. as we do against the pipeline, but make not mistake the people of east hastings and our first nations people is an equal concern to us and we will fight vigorously that our people are housed and are safe off the streets, We thank you for your time and look forward to the response of the housing minister and the B.C. government. We than k our M.LA for granting us these two meetings. Allowing us to voice the concerns of east hastings and our first nations people.

Working together with us to find a solution and a w~y forward with a positive way. Your attention to this urgent matter is very much appreciated.

Sincerely, Larry Cerlslon, Jacob Telek, Nicholas Wells, Duran Wilson, Tyler Wilson - American Indian Movement Council B.C.

CRUNCHNdtes POS't -POETIC, Sr])£W'Al-J<. STRESS SUB- VERs IV£, :PSYCHOtIC STRE £ T tHERAPY

SUBUR8ANJ1£ SUCK AS5 DRAMA QUEEN IRAtJ/v1A J:>lso8b£R All» ~ Pfo()Cc]) cR,A.P!

We acknowledge that Carnegie Community Centre, and this Newsletter, are occurring on Coast Salish Territory. ':01 Mair, Street varcou v er Canada V6A 2T7 (604) 665-2289

THIS NEWSLETIER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association.

LSLAP (Law Students Legal Advice

Program)

DROP-IN

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter -Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry.

-Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 %")wide x 15cm(6")high.

-Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered.

-Black & White printing only.

-Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit).

-All artists will receive credit for their work.

-Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication.

-Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

The editor can edit for clarity, format & brevity, but not at the expense of the writer's message.

Call 604-665-2220 for time

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Next issue:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

401 Main Street, Vancouver V6A 2T7 604·665·2289 Website carnegienewsletter.org Catalogue carnnews@vcn.bc.ca em ail

•

AIDS

•

POVERTY

•

HOMELESSNESS

•

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

•

ABORIGINAL GENOCIDE

•

TOTALITARIAN CAPITALISM IGNORANCE and SUSTAINED FEAR

•

*

carnnews@shaw.ca ./'_,

~::,:~~~ 5~~:m$75

Kelly F.

f

For Bob Sarti, playright for the DTES communi- \ ty, & all those whose lives have been hit by racism & prejudice -$100(Jay) Craig H.·$500 Winnie T.-$200 Barbara M.·$100 Robert -$40 Elsie McG-$50 Robert McG.-$145 Laurie R.-$175 Michael C.-$100 Michele C.-$100 Vancouver Moving Theatre -$200 Christopher R.-$180 Laila B.-$100 Rose B.-$20 Elaine V.-$100 Anonymous -$165

A...., .-----'\..

rf~~}= :'~~~~~-~-'" L, L

/¥r

-,~

.

.~ .c.

V'--~_~' ---.

I1

I . /

1\ '-.'

\.

I-- . ':

~

r>

"

-..:

0

(

\ \

I

Vancouver's

~

~

-----~~.-~-"" ---~----~~\.~.

\,

"

--------------~

non-commercial, listener-supported community

station.