February 15, 2006, carnegie newsletter

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6 401 Main Street. Vmcouver V A ~ewsra>vtn. bc.ca

604-665-2289

FEBRUARY 15, 2006

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PETITION

To Film Distributors Motion Picture Distribution, Alliance Atlantis Tom Alexander, Director, Theatrical Releasing, Mongrel Media Pat Marshall, Vice President Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Galaxy LP Jon Bain Senior Vice-President of Theatrical Distribution & Ptt>licity, Uons Gate Entertainment Corporation¡Chris Adkins, Operations, Telefilm Canada Dean Leland, Vice President Marketing and Meda, Empire Theatres Ltd Hon. Libby Davies, Canadian House of Commons, Vancouver East Los Angeles Times, Letters to the Editor

This poem was written by a woman named Karen at WISH, and used on one of the p ieces for the Women's Memorial Quilt-

I have one wish, that would be Having you close to me I know you' re in Heaven, that's for sure Missing you there is no cure

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CORRECTION The name of Tre and Donna Williams' baby boy, born on January 26, is Khalil Javon Williams, not "Tiny" as earlier reported!

The World is Listening As Downtown Eastside women on the 15th Annual Women's Memorial March Planning Committee, we are writing to voice our objection to the film, "Killer Pickton." We strongly urge that it not be distributed in Canada.

This film serves only to feed the prurient interests of misogynists, while making violence against women a commodity. We feel the film is disrespectful to the memories of the murdered and missing women and their families . We are tired of these women being referred to as "mostly drugaddicted prostitutes" as if killing them were not as heinous as killing other women. The film and the publicity surrounding it shows a total disregard for the humanity of the women. They are daughters, sisters, mothers and friends who are loved and who are missed by their families and friends.

We hope that you will show your compassion and sense of decency by pledging to boycott the film if it is distributed in Canada and below by March lst, 2006. On March 8th, 2006, International Women's Day, this petition and signatures will be sent to those listed above.

Sincerely, Project-x@lists.resist. ca https://lists .resist.ca/mailman/listinfo/project-x '

Some of what follows has been said many times, particularly over the past 5 years or so. When it came time for the trial of Robert " Willie" Picton, on whose farm DNA of over 30 women has been found and identified, the media started into a kind of crude frenzy to get a new angle or unique view for their mainstream outlets - you know, stuff that would be sensational enough for international audiences and • consequent advertising dollars.

It comes as a strange, sad and almost frustrating reminder to have to caution reporters and others that these names and victims were women, people, taken from their families and loved ones and murdered.

It's not that these heinous crimes were part of some sick & twisted fantasy world or some equally sick & . twisted computer game, but the tragedy and humanity of each case, each person, seems to get buried under this veil of sensationalizing.

Consider what reaction there has been to middleclass white women going missing or, worse, found murdered. It becomes national news as hundreds of volunteers turn out to scour local geographies for days, to post the picture of the missing person in every kind of visual media, to go on about how each was living an ' good' life, how they were (unfairly?) tom from such . . . in short, how innocent they were.

Fourteen young, white university students were executed by a friggin monster in Montreal. It is a day recognized every year now, with eulogies and It

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pronouncements on how it must never happen.again.

A national organization came to Vancouver wtth money and plans to construct a monument in the park fronting on the Pacific Central Train & Bus station at Main & Terminal. A permanent plaque was also installed with the name of each victim of the Montreal massacre on it.

Okay. . . . .

This same group had also displayed 1ts VlCtous or maybe just ignorant stupidity b~ a~k~g Down~own Eastside Women' s groups and mdiVlduals to gtve them poetry and graphic art, written and drawn because of heartache over a friend, relative or loved woman (and the majority were Aboriginal) ~l_led or missing right here, to put in literature/advertlsmg about their good deed for the rest of the world.

There was never any offer of recognizing women from the Downtown Eastside, of mentioning the ongoing crisis of violence and murder of over 120 women in the Downtown Eastside over the last 15 years, much less even a reference to the more than FIVE HUNDRED aboriginal women who are unaccounted for - who have just disappeared - across Canada in the same period of time.

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. Why? Perhaps the women killed or missing here couldn't meet the requirements for inclusion: having a 'good' life, being upwardly mobile with opportunities for material growth, ...being " innocent".?

Perhaps such have met with negative shrugs - the DE women are almost always categorized as "drugaddicted prostitutes aiullor street-involved and/or somehow 'deserving' of what crime they were each victim of.

It's not rhetorical to bring in the free-market economy and adjacent social system that has the rich and powerful, self-described as lords or shepherds and the rest of us vassals or sheep - animals who have to accept and adapt to whatever these masters say is permitted in their world. Not finishing university or high school, not marrying an upwardly mobile (wellto-do) guy, not being an anonymous wage-slave, having and losing independence and using/abusing one or more substances, leaving an abusive relationship or an abusive home life, getting caught up in the lifestyle of one's chosen or just found micro-community and acquiring the monikers addict or junkie or hooker or mule or fluff or mental case ... and the categorization in this illusory hierarchy sticks like tar. A further societal mandate has being " saved" by becoming another shell for some religious dogma to infect, then being described or promoted to being "experienced" rather than just an old whore.

All of this goes on but the women here have been raising shit and resisting. Even on the first day of. 路Picton' s trial there were scores of women there wtth drums and the Memorial Women's banner organized through Diane Wood to show our refusal to just buy in to the mainstream's belittling portrayal of our sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends.

It is now that reporters and essayists and researchers will be in the neighbourhood for some time to come, asking many people about the herstory and realities of the missing and murdered women. Now is the time to get this stuff straightened out, to insist that the pejorative labeling and demeaning aspects of the "grab the headline" kind of reporting come to an end. Each of us has to show that we've been educated by this, that we have learned a lesson and need to share it with the world. Watch your back.

ByPAULR TAYLOR

SEE VA SIS. I recently went back to Winterpeg to help my family and myself get over the passing of a very beautiful person, our sister, Karen "KJ" Asham. I don't want to say she's in a better place, because I don't know what happens when you die, but I can say she's in a better place because it is better now that she is there.

She left this world a brighter place because she passed through it and she was one of those people who happen to brighten up a place just because she's there. She was always smiling or telling a joke. If you needed a hand or a hug or just a shoulder to rest on for a minute or two, she always had it. She did this for everyone, not just me. I was looking at pictures she posed for and I noticed that she was forever putting her best possible self on display. She dressed to the "nines" for any occasion and she always looked good. Her clothes were immaculate or at least clean and she had millions of outfits along with the accessories. Also in this newsletter you will . find a little thing that KJ wrote sometime in her past.

It might show a bit of the kind of person she was.

You may wonder why I'm writing this, so I'll try to

explain. When she died I was concerned for my family in Winnipeg, so rather then have a service here in Vancouver I thought it was more important to go home and be with my brothers and sisters. I am apologizing to those people who knew KJ and would have wanted to say goodbye properly but weren't given the opportunity. I think it is more important for those closest to the deceased to bury their dead and move on. The longer you mourn the longer it takes that person to move on. I didn't want o keep her hanging around any longer then was necessary. I know because of what I did that she was able to get to that other place a little sooner, although I know she appreciated being the center of attention right here for a while. Once they've safely reached their destination, they'll always come back to visit and usually at the most surprising of times.

I would like to thank everyone for his or her kind support during the past few weeks. So sis, I'll see you somewhere down the road and I hope you can forgive me for not letting your Vancouver friends 路 say goodbye properly. hal

--------------------------------------路 God Bless My Family and I

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Karen

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Have Sympathy and Compassion for all who are tempted, a condition which me and my good 1 1 friends have. I Karen have sympathy, which includes responsibilities and pity, becau~e I have a 1 remedy for my family & friends. Not a hoot, not a rock but I Karen bind up their wounds as best I 1 can. I pray that I may have sympathy for those who have a temptation. I pray that god may have 1 compassion for me and my good friends' trials. And I Karen believe there is a path for each one I of my family & friends and I have the great reality deep down inside and the attitude and inner I voice I may follow. Not to tum a deaf ear to my family & friends but only pray in my heart deep 1 down inside. I am grateful for the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change 1 the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Pray for my family & friends to have : , faith, tru~ and.th~ presence of god. I ~lso pray my family & friends will be content with whatever happens tn thetr hves. I was there to hsten and pray for them, may god always be there, which I 1 1 already know. Amen I

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Karen Jo~ Rundle (nee Asham)

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june 25, J 957 - Januar9 16,2006 I --------------------------------------~

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WHY

BACH MATIERS

JSBach was one ofthe great composers ofthe age, but today many people think he is more artifact than artist. In fact, he is more alive than ever. His ideas about tonality, rhythm and expression remain the central engine ofall western music.

If you ever wanted to learn about him, and why he matters two centuries after his death, please join us for a free one-hour illustrated talk.

7pm, Saturday, February 25th, in Carnegie Theatre

Hello Carnegie.Centreites, My name is Brad Fenton and I used to be heavily · involved in the Carnegie Centre Music Program. I'm just dropping a line to let you know that my band the Rippin' Rattlers, will be playing Malone's Bar and Grill on Pender Street' in Vancouver, Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18. It's the first leg of a 3 week tour of tlie lower mainland and Vancouver Island.

I have Scotty Kokonis playing drums with me; he was also a local Downtown Eastside musician. We also have a talented fellow named Vince Curley in the band. So if you want to hear some good blues and rock n' roll come on down and say hi.

Hello to Dean O'brol, Chris Whitney, Barb Goodmunson, Earl Peache, Donna, and everybody else. If you want you can check out the band online at www.rippinrattlers.com .

Free Dance Workshop

This talk will also discuss the repertoire at the free Pacific Baroque Orchestra concert on March 3 at St James Anglican Church.

Our guest speaker will be Charles Barber, music director for City Opera of Vancouver. Dr Barber (MA, DMA Stanford) is a conductor who has led concert and opera in Canada, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Morocco and Spain.

VANCOUVER OPERA "The Night Before.the Opera" Don Giovanni ByWAMozart The first 75 people will receive free tickets to the final dress rehearsal of the opera (March 2).

Wednesday, March 1, 7pm Carnegie Centre Theatre Presented by Vancouver Opera & UBC Learning Exchange in collaboration with the Carnegie Centre.

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Carnegie Centre Gymnasium Thursdays from 3:00- 5:00pm (Starting February 16, 2006) Karen Jamieson is offering thi.s and it's open to people at aU levels Requirements are: an open mind, loose clothing and a willingness to seek movement, rhythm and connection to the body · All are welcome f · For more information call Rika at (604) 665 3003 •

Getting back up and out of where there is no bottom Standing here, what would you see?

Would you see where I've been?

Can you feel the experiences I've had?

A tidy expression, clothes that are clean Been through and done thipgs I didn't mean Getting up from where there's no bottom Would you look at once what no one wanted to see?

From the ghetto comes me.

World Poetry Fifth Anniversary Celebration, Vancouver Public Library, (Central branch) 350 ~~st Georgia, Vancouver, B.C. on the third floor.·• •

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Fifty one poems are on display under the banner World Poetry Gala along with one water crystal photograph entitled Love of Humanity. We have the official permission of Dr. Masaru Emoto in Japan to display ·three water crystal photos, one upstairs and two downstairs in the Living Wall ofPoetry on February 24th. The third floor display will be available until February 28th.

In front of the large poetry display are two glassed in tables which contain World Poetry books and objects as well as items from World Poetry Ambassadors and World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, Vera Manuel and Laszlo Gati.

If you live in the Vancouver area, please stop by and see the display.

It is wonderful to see a tangible display of our dedication and hard work. All the best!

Ariadne Sawyer World Poetry Media Director.

"POEM" & "SONG" are 4-letter ·words!

We had a great monthly poetry reading on February 4th under the billing: "Love is Just a 4-letter word", a Bob Dylan song which are own Lady Luka gives a great holleryour-heart-out rendition of. There was a lot of original material, some of it written on the spot! I invited people to put their work in the newsletter, and here are two pieces -

-Denny A.

LONE WOLF Can't you hear her calling out to you while you're out there running alone Can't you feel your insides pleading you please can we just go home I can see you along the tree line there ya got the wind at your back You're the big old gray one whose always at the edge of the pack You're the lone wolf who carries the scars of the battles and leg hold traps You're a loner's silhouette that fades in a desert sky ~t night There's a k.nowing empty inside of you that' s looking for a little light There's the hope that sleep might find you some peace on your lonely flight I can hear you along the outskirts with a guitar strapped to your back It's those animal instincts that keep you following the same old paths Yeah, a lone wolf who carries the scars of the battles and leg hold traps A loner's shadow fading into the mountain streams at night The original lone wolf, too bad you're alone - by Rion Bohmer Our next poetry night will be on Saturday March 4'1\ part of the Anarchist Surrealist Jamboree being organized by "Chili Bob"

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THE ANARCHIST SURREALIST JAMBOREE It's coming to Carnegie March 3-5, a weekend to sing, dance, laugh, talk, see, dream, play, live, believe, create, make-believe, a carnival of art films ' ' politics, music, and performance.

Webster's dictionary defines a Jamboree as a "noisy revel." If you're wondering what anarchism and surrealism have to do with it, you'll find out at the Jamboree. Meanwhile, here's something to chew on:

DEMANDING THE IMPOSSIBLE An Anan;ho-Su~"Tea/ist Manifesto

"I is an other. So what if a piece of wood discovers it is a violin. If brass wakes as a bugle, it is not its fault at all."

-Arthur Rimbaud (1871) "By demanding the impossible, we become impossible in our demands. Make no mistake about it, we demand an end to all forms of domination and insist on the realization of poetry in everyday life. Only by erasing the artificial dichotomy between dream and reality can we sever the ties that bind revolutionary • ·demands to a miserabilist search for the best of all possible rulers.

What is more humiliating than to be ruled? What is · · more beautiful to a surrealist than the shattered glass of reality? All power to the insurgent imagination!

The unfurling of the black flag of anarchy augers all the wonders that can be created when subservience dies and the impossible is unleashed.

What is more debilitating than to follow orders?

What is more inspiring to an anarchist than the refusal to obey? Mutiny is a collective form of refusal in which the intensity of the fevered desire for liberty breaks the authoritarian chains of duty and coercion in th convulsive heat of mutual aid. Impatient to emancipate ourselves, as soon as the uncharted land of our dreams is in sight, we don't petition the captain to take us ashore, we simply jump ship.

Swimming to shore, we are swiftly carried along by the billowing waves of the social revolution. The splendid winds of change, blowing at gale force as if in harmony with the intensity of our desires, even cause the brass ornaments on deck to reverberate wildly in a jamboree bugle call of Marvelous Freedom. Looking back, we see the floundering ship of •

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state, from which we have only narrowly escaped with our lives suddenly hit a hidden reef and explode into a shower of debris. In awe, we watch the flying splinters of wood transform themselves as if by alchemy into a thousand screaming violins. In spontaneous freedom, they improvise with the aolian harpsound of the wind, the ocean's leonine roar and the ·seagulls' incessant cries; all vibrating together in the surreal key of anarchy.

Reality is no obstacle now as the impossible looms up before us on the horizon like the purple aura that circles the moon in a subversive halo of Mad Love.

We dance all night in sweaty abandon on the beach, swim naked in the coolness of the moonlight, then fall asleep in each other's anns dreaming of anarchy and surrealism--the impossible compass points of a world turned upside down." [ Details and schedule for the JaJD.boree in the next Carnegie Newsletter.

Bob Sarti There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your Jife and the lives of people you love.

When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age.

- Sophia Loren

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News from the Library ·

I CANNOT DRAW NEAR

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I cannot draw near The angels block my way •

In the evening & the morning The gate is well guarded I am hidden high in the dogwood Waiting for my chance ~ I remember too well their voices Shoutingthatimustabandon All hope

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KENO)UAK ASHEVAt.:

New Books: More aboriginal language books are now available for reference use in the library. These include The LiOooet Language: Phonology, Morphology, Syntax

by Jan van Eijk (497), Sm'algyax: A Reference Dictionary and Grammar for the Coast Tsimshian Language (497) and Alberta Elders' Cree Dictionary, edited by Earle Waugh (497). All these books are reference are kept behind the desk and can only be used in the library.

Take a look at the display case on the third floor for a whole range of other First Nations books. In Recovering the Sacred: The Power ofNaming and Claiming (299.7), Winona La Duke, a Native American activist, studies the powerful links between the material and spiritual aspects of Native cul~es. Pa.ddling to Where I Stand: Agnes Alfred, QwUJWasutinuxw Noblewoman (970.3) is the frrsthand account of one of the last great storytellers of her generation. Agnes Alfred wove her stories from myths, chants, historical accounts and personal reminiscences, and she shows how a First Nations woman managed to quietly fulfill her role as a noble matriarch in an ever-changing society. In Wastise: Indigenous Pathways ofAction and Freedom (970.41), Taiaiake Alfred speaks " truly dangerous words about Canadian colonialism, the need for substantive restitution rather than mere recognition of Aboriginal rights, for autonomy rather than dependent forms of self-government, and for peaceful coexistence between and among indigenous and nonindigenous peoples."

Beth, your librarian

I remember the trumpets calling Eager to be saved, I stumbled forward Suddenly there were chains upon me -Is this a trick?- I cried The judgement hall was cold & white The judges' voices hard & clear -Stand you thrall you have not been saved Judgement calls you to your grave You are not like ·us You must remain without:.

And so I sit, poor beast In the rain & bide my time Yet I still long for the company of saints Earle Peach

Happy Valentine's Day! 1) My handsome friend Jeff A. at Harbour Light " 2) My special friend Ronny Rizetto " 3) The Kitchen staff, Major S.Fame and family at Harbour Light - love you all!

4) Everyone at the Aboriginal Front Door-(lya) 5) Everyone at 2nd floor & lane level phone reception, seniors coffee sellers, kitchen staff and security 6) My adult children and precious grandchildren, 3 sisters and 2 brothers.

God Bless You!!

Norma-Jean B.

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"You Haven't Heard The Last Of Me"

Chief Katie Rich of Davis Inlet, jailed for evicting a provincial court judge from her community, spoke to a Newfoundland court.

"When I was growing up," she said, "I was taught that this was Innu land, that the Innu have always lived according to their own values, traditions and laws.

My parents taught me this.

When I was growing up, I listened to the Elders.

They told stories about threats made to them if they didn't send their children to school.

What choice do we have?

When you look at the people in Davis Inlet, you see how your agencies have been involved in the destruction of our nation.

Over the years we have said the same thing over and over, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other.

I needed to do something.

My children have the right to exist as human beings.

When we stand up for ourselves, to correct the wrongs, we end up in court.

We are branded as criminals.

I don't see myself as a criminal.

My people have been crying for a long time.

No one has listened.

When I talked to my children, I told them that if the Court decided to place me in jail, I'm willing to make the sacrifice.

If I had another opportunity~ I would do it again.

You haven't heard the last of me.

We have the right to exist as a people.

My grandfather never signed any treaty, yet we were pushed aside.

But if you come to the community today, you'll see people are standing up, taking risks of being sent to jail.

If we try to pick up the pieces, we·realize the power we have.

We will see more of this power."

Excerpts from Katie Rich's testimony before the Newfoundland Court, Happy Valley, April20, 1995.

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&nwluwa Easbide

NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY OFFICE 501 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1P9 PHONE: 604-687-1772 FAX: 604-687 ..1776. www.nso.vcn.bc.ca dtesnso@telus.net NSO Staff:

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Membership open to all DTES residents-Please fax, drop off, or mail this form (or leave at RayCam, Carnegie, &Strathcona Community Centre Front desk, and we will pick up!)

Member#_

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Mailing Address: _ ___ _ _ _ _ _______________ Phone#

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email:

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No phone, messages can be left for me at: - - - - - - - - - - I,

, being an adult person (18 years), do (PRINT NAME IN FULL) apply for general membership of the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Safety Society.· In application, I agree to abide by, and uphold the constitution, act and by-laws of the Society.

Signature: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Date: - - - - - - - - - -Membership expires: _ _ _ _

Please apply for membership to the Downtown Eastside Safety Society and join us ...

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To Improve community safety, well being and quality of life by increasing outcomes for inner city residents and workers in the community. · ,

Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations please call Lyn, Interim Coordinator for information on membership @ (604) 687-1772

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Does your blood boil vvhen you hear people call the Dovvntovvn Eastside:

VA!;COUVER SUN

If you like living in the Downtown Eastside here's your chance to let the~ hear about it.

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CCAP, the Carnegie Community Action Project, wants to get your • feelings about our community down on paper. Come to a special writing bee and write about why you like the Downtown Eastside. Or, you can dictate your thoughts to someone who will write them down.~ •

When: Friday, February 24, 11 am to 1 pm Where: Classroom 2, third floor, Carnegie You must pre-register. See Jean in the CCAP office on the 2"d floor or call her at 604 729-2380. Participants limited to 15 . .

Discussion, materials, and lunch provided (When registering, please say whether you want a meat or veggie lunch) What we plan to do with what you write or dictate: • Make a book • Send the written pieces to politicians and media people who trash the Downtown Eastside • Use portions of the letters in material produced by the Carnegie Community Action Project Sponsored by Carnegie Community Action Project

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Rich Coleman Minister Responsible for Housing PO box 949 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9EZ Jan. 31, 2006 Re: Meeting request I am writing on behalf of the 5000 members of the Carnegie Community Centre Association and the Carnegie Community Action Project to ask for a meeting with you as soon as possible. We have some ideas on revitalizaion of the Downtown Eastside' s business climate that we would like to present to you, in light of your recent comments about the Downtown Eastside and social housing to the Canadian Home Builders Association on Jan. 11th. We would also like to discuss the idea of replacing social housing with rent supplements for private housing. I can be contacted at swancam@vcn.bc.ca or by phone at 604 729-2380 or 604 298-1614. Thanks.

Jean Swanson, CCAP co-ordinator

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Twenty five years after working as a community organizer with the Downtown Eastside Residents' Association I've come back to the neighbourhood as a retired person, volunteering at the Carnegie Centre.

One good thing about being older is that you have actually experienced a little history. I believe there are some lessons for policy makers in what I can remember about the Downtown Eastside.

Thirty years ago, as now, the Downtown Eastside was a poor neighbourhood. Then, as now, people with addictions were visible on the street (in richer parts of town people with addictions tend to stay in more). In those days alcohol was the drug used most often. Now it's often other kinds of drugs. In the Downtown Eastside many buildings are built to have stores or services at street level and residents on the upper floors. In some ways it's ideal for business because your customers just live upstairs. And it worked thirty years ago. The stores along E. Hastings St. weren't boarded up. We bought newspapers at Universal News. Residents could afford a few breakfasts a month at the Princess Cafe, a hotplate at Benmors, a coconut bun at the local bakery, a cheap shirt at Fields, a coffee at the Two Eagles Cafe.

Thirty years ago City Hall planners weren't spending hours on end trying to figure out how to get richer people to move to the area in order to revive businesses.

Why are so many storefronts in the DE boarded up?

One important reason is that the low income residents of the DE have lost a huge amount of purchasing power in the last three decades. Thirty years ago, as now, most DE residents depended on low wage work, pensions, unemployment insurance or

'"Wow-the,house I was ming as a hideout has tripled in value since I was arrested "

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welfare for their income. Let's look at what's happened to those sources of income.

In 1975 the minimum wage in BC was 122 percent of the poverty line for a single person in a city (source: Social Planning Council of Metro Toronto Social Infopac, June, 1975). Today the $8 an hour ' minimum wage is 78 percent of the poverty line for a 37.5 hour week (Source: author's calculations, National Council of Welfare). This means people whose health keeps them from working full time, because they have depression for example, can't survive on part time work by living frugally. It means that when the government welfare ministty uses job finding agencies and programs to push people on welfare into often part time work, they are pushing them from poverty on welfare to working poverty.

To look at it another way, a single person would have to make $12.51 an hour at a full time 37.5 hour a week job to have the same purchasing power as a minimum wage worker had in 1975. A person who depends on today's $6 an hour so-called training wage, will only make 58 percent of the today's poverty line with a full time minimum wage job.

If you assume that 25 percent of DE residents are working at full time minimum wage jobs, an increase in minimum wage to the poverty line ($10.26) would increase purchasing power in the neighbourhood by over a million dollars a month.

What about employment insurance? Before 1989 80 to 90 % of unemployed workers were able to get' UI. Now the percentage is more like 30 to 40. In the Downtown Eastside where many workers are part time, I suspect that it would be unusual for people to even get enough hours of work to qualify for EI. EI only pays 50% of your previous income, which in the DE is usually low. As a result, I suspect that UI, a major source of income for Downtown Eastside residents in the 70s and 80s, is practically irrelevant now. The unemployed go straight to welfare, if they can get it. No wonder there is very little purchasing power in the Downtown Eastside. check Jim Sayre's email Today about 30 percent of Downtown Eastside residents get their income from welfare according to the City (source: Downtown Eastside Monitoring Report, 2004). Welfare for a single person whom the

ministry considers employable is a maximum of $510 a month, $185 for support and $325 for shelter.

In 1981 the support portion of welfare was $205, more than it is today, 25 years of inflation later.

Only 19% of DE rooms rent for $325 or less so most people end up using food money for rent (ibid).

Or, take 1989, when .. our present Minister of Employment and Income Assistance was also in charge of welfare. In those days, Claude Richmond increased the rates to $468 per month for a single person. For that $468 to have the same purchasing power today as it had in 1989, it would have to be $669 (author's calculations using Bank of Canada inflation calculator). If the current welfare rate were raised to equal the purchasing power that it had in 1989, there would be $763,000 more purchasing power in the DE per montli!

In the 1970s and 80s, the Canada Assistance Plan (CAP) governed welfare payments in Canada. If provinces met the 5 conditions of CAP, the federal government paid provinces half their welfare costs.

One of the conditions was that income assistance had to be given to everyone in need. In 1996 CAP was abolished. Income assistance did not have to be given to all in need and provinces stopped doing it.

As a result, we now have a welfare system that has numerous ways of keeping people in need from getting on welfare and staying on. This include the 3 week wait, the 2 year independence test, the rule that you can only be on welfare for 2 years out of 5 (with some exceptions), employment plans and numerous hurdles in the application process (such as therequirement to apply online) that make if extremely difficult for vulnerable people to apply and stay on welfare. As a result, homelessness has doubled in the last 2 years. Homeless people have to sleep in doorways and on loading docks, push their carts in the neighbourhood, go through garbage for recyclables, and live outside where they are constantly visi路 ble. They have no purchasing power.

These huge changes to social programs and minimum wage have created a massive depth of poverty, unknown in Vancouver in at least 30 years.

The city is constantly talking about "revitalizing" the Downtown Eastside. The Minister in charge of housing calls the Downtown Eastside a "failed social experiment."

Jean Swanson, CCAP co-ordinator

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I won't be going south for a while ...

By Jorge Escolan-Suay

I have heard difforent variations of this story from people ofthe Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia and India. I have scrambled people, things, places and times. This is my version, to share it with you.

"A simple tale of love"

In a forgotten mall outside Winnipeg, every Tuesday, when fifteen year-old Gregg came to the pharmacy with his mother Sue to get the prescriptions, he also went to the little music & video store to get some music or a game. Well, that was merely an excuse to have the chance to see and talk for a couple of minutes with Alfonsina - the curly-haired part time worker of the store; a seventeen year-old immigrant from Ecuador.. Though they just talked briefly about music -she had told him about her playing classic guitar -.Gregg was incredibly nervous during those moments, sweating a lot, pretending nothing but ~eing just another teenager with one of those winter sky hats. She was always the one who helped Gregg with his orders and, during the last six months, she had not missed a single Tuesday's shift. . Gregg was not to reach sixteen. A brain tumor that he had fought the last two years took his life that summer. One Tuesday, some weeks after the funeral, Sue was at the mall and went to the little mu~ic store. When Alfonsina heard about Gregg's passmg, she could not avoid big slumbers in her eyes. A very compassionate person, Sue invited Alfonsina to her home where she lived with her husband and Gregg's younger sister.

The day Alfonsina came Sue she told her that, by Gregg, she knew she played the guitar, and asked her if she wanted to see Gregg's paintings around the house - more than twenty five works. When they reach Gregg's room, Alfonsina saw an amazing landscape: a collection of stamps, a little gallery of rocks, a soccer scorer trophy and the CD' s ... two of them still unwrapped - in the cellophane wrap she had prepared. Before leaving that room, Alphonsina told Sue that she had written a note for Gregg and packed in each one of those two CD' s. Sue immediately unwrapped the CD' s and handed the sealed mini envelops to Alfonsina, adding softly: "return to sender".

Alfonsina opened them and passed the two small

papers to Sue, saying: "Please, I would like you to read them ... please!

Message nwnber one: "Hey, I enjoy listening to the same music you do. I want to be your friend."

Message nwnber two: " I will be playing classic guitar, three weeks from now at the Seniors Center one ' block east of the mall, it ..is a community concert free to every one. I'll be happy if you can come ... I like you! (A telephone number was at the bottom) After reading the messages Sue embraced Alfonsina, and they remained silent a couple of seconds. At the door, when they were saying goodnight; Sue handed

a parcel to Alfonsina saying: "He didn't finish painting this one, but please I would like you to keep it."

Once at her home Alfonsina unwrapped the painting; it was the most beautiful painting she had ever seen, very simple: A curly-haired girl playing the guitar, 路 sitting on the bench ofa bus stop; at the distance the building ofa mall was. to be seen in perspective. Alfonsina took a deep breath, it was a starry night, her eyes were lost in the sky, looking to the stars.

As epilogue, I'd like to use words of the poet Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche: HThose who have been loved and cultivated love in their hearts, they never die. "

This article is dedicated to a Great Hero: Louie Sam, a fourteen year old boy from The Sto:Lo Nation (Fraser Valley), who on a February night of 1884, was taken from the custody of the British Columbia police, and cowardly murdered on Canadian soil, by a mob of 120 U.S. white men, called themselves "vigilantes" from Washington State. I say: uLouie: you were innocent then, you are innocent now and you will be always innocent. You will never die.

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delity to lived experience." He has published five books of poetry including LONESOME MONSTERS (Anvil, 1995), HUNDRED BLOCK ROCK (Arsenal Pulp, 1999), OPPENHEIMER PARK (1998, in collaboration with artist Richard Tetrault), and KEYS TO KINGDOMS (Get to the Point, 1999), which won the City of Vancouver Book Award.

Bud Osborn & Richard Tetrault- Exhibition and Reading Vancouver Public Library and Anvil Press present an exciting program by Bud Osborn and Richard Tetrault. Signs ofthe limes reunites the powerful poetry of Bud Osborn with the dynamic relief prints •

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Richard Tetrault has lived and worked in the Eastside of Vancouver for more than 30 years, making this area of the city a focus for his paintings and prints, as well as the location for many of his public murals. Recent exhibitions include a print show in Poland (2002), a 25-year retrospective of his work at the Interurban Gallery in Vancouver (2003), and a group travelling print exchange between Europe, Japan and Canada (2005-06). He has created murals in Canada, Mexico and The United States.

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Bud Osborn will readfrom Signs of the Times, and artist/curator Pam Fairfteld and gallery director Patrick Montgomery will readfrom Painted Lives & Shifting Landscapes. A selection of the original prints and paintings from each of these books will also be on display.

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DATE OF PROGRAM: Wednesday, March 1st at 7:30 p.m. of artist Richard Tetrault. As with their frrst collection, Oppenheimer Park, Signs ofthe Times is both an unflinching look at Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and a beautiful object in its own right.

PAINTED LIVES & SHIFfiNG LANDSCAPES is a richly illustrated book that showcases the artwork of painter, printmaker, and muralist Richard Tetrault.

In its 160 pages, this book portrays the artist's broad-ranging impressions drawn from the cities' edgy urban core and industrial waterfront. ((Richard's paintings, prints and murals fuse together figures with urban landscape, creating a timeless space that invites the viewer to look through wi dows into both past andfuture. " - Pam Fairfield Bud Osborn has been a poet and social activist for nearly 40 years. Instrumental in founding such harm . reduction organizations as VANDU (Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users), Bud Osborn has been called "the one who started it all" in the battle for · Safe Injection Sites by former Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell. Bud Osborn's poetry credo is ''fi-

LOCATION OF PROGRAM: Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. Held in the Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye room Admission is free; all are welcome.

WEST VANCOIJVER

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ADULT POPS BAND Conducted by Tak Maeda Where: Date: Time:

Carnegie Theatre Wed., February 22 7:30pm.

Join us for a musical evening including a selection of marches, well-known melodies and other music!

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JAPANESE HALL I

VANCOUVER JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL AND JAPANESE HALL

Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall is 100 years old!

For a century, we have been a community centre providing educational and cultural support in historic Japan Town. We are kicking off this yearlong celebration with two spedal events, and everyone is invited! I I

Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) & Centennial Celebration Launch Sunday, February 26th, 1:00- 3:30PM This will be a visually spectacular event with a display of over 200 Japanese dolls that we have collected over the years. There will be traditional performances (taiko, shakuhachi, koto & shamisen) and seasonal refreshments, as well as an opportunity to say Happy Anniversary to this longstanding community organization.

Spring Food Bazaar - Special 1ooth Anniversary Edition Sunday, March 5th, 12:00 - 3:00 PM Our spacious Hall will be transformed into a matsuri (Japanese festival). For this expanded anniversary bazaar, you can expect a wide selection of your favourite Japanese foods: sushi, udon, gyoza, takoyaki, teriyaki chicken, yakisoba, baked sweets and much more.

There will also be a games' corner for children and fabulous silent auction items so come early, come hungry and indulge!

VJLS-JH 487 Alexander Street (at Jackson) (604) 254 2551 info速vils-ih.com www.vils-ih.com

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posed itecaps terfront Stadium: n ouses The Whitecaps organization is proposing to construct a new soccer stadium on a site over the rail yard between Granville Square and th~ foot of Cambie Street.

The Whitecaps propose a facility with 15,000 seats initially, expandable to 30,000 at a later date. The facility would be the venue for Whitecaps Soccer men's and women's games, as well as other sports events and concerts.

Further information on the proposal and on the City's review process can be found at vancouver.ca/whitecaps The City of Vancouver is hosting several open houses to seek public opinion on the proposal. The open houses are scheduled for: Monday, March 6, 2 - 8 pm W Room at Woodward's (ground floor) 101 West Hastings Street Tuesday, March 7, 3 - 8 pn'i Storyeum Lobby 142 Water Street Proposed Stadium Site

Wednesday, March 8, 2 - 8 pm Harbour Centre Lobby 555 West Hastings Street Saturday, March 11, 10 am - 4 pm Vancouver Public Library Library Square, Promenade 350 West Georgia Street

City staff and consultants will be on hand to answer questions and collect comments. Public feedback will be incorporated into a report to City Council in May 2006 when Council will decide whether to approve further planning for the project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kevin McNaney, Planner 604.871.6851

E-mail: kevin.mcnaney@vancouver.ca

Graham Winterbottom, Planning Assistant 604.871.6419 E-mail: graham. winterbottom@vancouver.ca Website: vancouver.ca/whitecaps

City of Vancouver Print Ad

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IAMMETH

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I destroy homes, I tear families apart, I take your children, and that's just the start.

The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed, The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.

I'mmore costly than diamonds, more precious than gold, The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see, I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.

If you need me, remember I'm easily found, I live all around you - in schools and in town

But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart, That you are mine, and we shall not part.

I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street, and maybe next door.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do, But you came to me, not I to you.

I'mmade in a lab, but not like you think, I can be made under the kitchen sink.

You knew this would happen, many times you were told, But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

Inyour child's closet. and even in the woods, If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.

You could have said no, and just walked away, If you could live that day over, now what would you say?

1have many names, but there's one you know best, I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.

I'll be your master, you will be my slave, I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.

My power is awesome; try me you'll see, But if you do, you may never break free.

Now that you have met me, what will you do?

Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.

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Just try me once and I might let you go But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.

1can bring you more misery than words can tell, Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.

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When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie, You do what you have to -just to get high.

Submitted anonymously.

The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms.

You'll lie to your mother, you'll steal from your dad, When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised, I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.

1take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I tum people from God, and separate friends.

I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride I'll be with you always - right by your side.

You'll give up everything- your family, your home, Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.

I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give, When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned - this is no game, If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind, I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.

CHI US Hearts @ Work Ever wondered what "blood pressure" and "cholesterol" really mean to the health of your heart?

Find out what simple day to day things you can do to keep your heart pumping for many years.

Come to the Annual CHIUS hearts@work dayl Saturday, February 25th 10 ~- 2pm Carnegie Community Centre, 3rd floor [This health information day is brought to you by the emus university students who work at the Powell and Princess clinic each weekend.]

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DOWNTOWN. EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY · 49 W .Cordova

NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN- 3 Routes: 604-685-6561 City - 5:45pm - 11 :4Spm Overnight- I 2:30am- 8:30am Downtown =Eastside- 5:30pm - 1:lOam 2006 DONATIONS Libby D.-$100 Rolf A.-$50 Barry for Dave McC-$100 Christopher R .-$30 Margaret D.-$40 Bruce J.-$15Gram -$200 Mary C-10$ Penny G .-$50 MP/Jelly Bean -$20 RayCam-30 Janice P .-$30 Wes K .-$ 30 Paddy -$10 Glen B.-$25 John S.-$60 Leslie S.-$20 Wm.B -$20 Michael C.-$30 HumanitieslOl-$100 The Edge-$200 Anonymous -$5 •

604-251-3310 FREE - Oonaliona accepted.

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

Editor: PauiR Taylor; cover+ layout, Diane Wood.

Submission Deadline •

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Contributors are not permitted to malign or attack or relegate ' any person or group or class, including drug users and poor people, to a level referred to or implying 'less than human •. ·

Contact

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA

Working for You 1070-1641 Commercial Dr V5L 3Y3 Phone: 775-0790 Fu: 775-0881 Downtown Eastside Residents Association 12 E. Hastings St, or call 682-0931

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It's no secret. Stress is a prime cause of accidents .tllness, and both mental and physical breakdown. ' Most people are even aware th_a t holding in or repressing their feelings can be just as harmful as any threat that comes from outside.

D~IIUJ Yo~ Sd,- is a safe space to let go of

. whatever you might be holding on to that blocks your joy. Your dance is unique. Your edge is how far you are willing and able to go. Join us on the edge to express your deepself and dance yourself free. Workshops are held at Carnegie gym the second Sunday of the month. Arrangements can also be made for the workshop to be held for your group or workplace.

Carnegie gym new time: 1-3 every second Sunday of the month Health Contact Centre Saturdays 1-2

BLESSINGS & CURSES Curses on the following: Those who refuse to talk to members of another group because -they are hypocrites -they are troublemakers -they are unimportant/too important -they are oppressors Those who are ideologically pure Those who know WHAT MUST BE DONE Those who believe someone else should fix the problem Those who believe there is no problem Those who believe people whose problem it is should fix it themselves Blessings on the following: Grunters, sweaters, farters, eaters, breathers

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TERMINATOR BAN Undetmined At UN Meeting In Spain The National Farmers Union (NFU) of Canada, the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) in the US, and other organizations are concerned that " suicide seeds" may be introduced into the environment through the back door.

A worldwide de-facto moratorium on Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs - popularly known as " Terminator" technology) was under-

mined this past week at a United Nations conference in Granada, Spain. Terminator technology is used to create genetically modified seeds which are rendered sterile at harvest.

A resolution adopted at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Granada, Spain January 27 recommends abandoning the precautionary principle and allows testing of Terminator plant varieties on a " case by case" basis under the guise of " risk management'' and "capacity building." Government representatives from Australia, New Zealand and Canada were instrumental in forcing the change in policy at the UN forum.

Terry Boehm, NFU Vice-President and Chair of the Ban Terminator campaign in Canada, said officials from the Canadian Department of Environment tried to accomplish this objective last year at a similar meeting in Bangkok, but backed off following strong public opposition in Canada and worldwide. " This time around, the Canadian delegation is involved in a supporting role, with the governments of Australia and New Zealand taking the lead in destroying the consensus against Terminator," said Boehm. "This flies in the face of any regard for farmers, citizens and the world's biosphere. Why would Canada help to unleash something as dangerous as Terminator on the world?"

Boehm said the Canadian delegation appears to be taking advantage of a change in government to push though an agenda that benefits large multinational seed and chemical companies.

Colleen Ross, NFU Women' s President, said the CBD consultations in Spain were supposed to involve Indigenous peoples, "yet the bureaucrats repeatedly refused to consult with farmers .or Indigenous groups on this issue." She said Terminator technology is all about who controls seeds - and ultimately who controls the food system.

"Terminator is the ultimate tool in controlling the world' s food supply, because it forces farmers to buy seeds from the handful of seed co~p.panies which dominate the global market," she said.

Other citizens' groups supporting the stance of the NFU and NFFC in opposing Terminator include: The Council of Canadians, the ETC Group, Inter Pares, Saskatchewan Organic Directorate, Beyond Factory Farming, GenEthics of Australia, the National Council of Women of Canada, and others. .

Movie Industry Union and Catering Crews: Extravaganza in Oppenheimer Park On the weekend before Xnas, the mother of all Christmas dinners took place: it has formally been as a tribute to Sister Hilda and her important work in the Downtown Eastside. · It was scheduled to start at I lam, but that isn't how this spectacle gets underway. Aficionados, groupies and hungry, homeless and/or suffering know that this is the best, bar none, for all guests and attendees.

Besides all the turkey dinners you can eat (if you want to keep lining up and wait 2 hours more) there is live entertainment, catered food that is equal to what the wealthy are having, volwiteers galore and even the opportunity to see "real" movie stars.

It must take weeks to organize, plan, get permits, fundraise and work out the logistics of this grand thingie. There was an equal amount of energy that went into His & Her free clothing tents, the cigarette giveaways - 2 each and the line was a continuous circle until all were gone - and the entire scenario played itself out in mid-afternoon.

The crews, volunteers and organizers then cleaned up everything, dismantled all the re-uisable stuff, stopped the music and left. The only sign that anything had happened were the few roadblockers in ragged piles. They were all that were temporarily muddying the field of the stronghold, the necessary neighbourhood refuge, · ·· Robyn Livingstone

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A CAUTIONARY TALE (PART ONE)

As an interested bystander during the last federal election I have come to some disturbing conclusions as to what we all saw transpire on Jan. 23, and in the campaign leading up to decision day. Observations I might add, that were never mentioned by the politi: cal pundits in the papers or by the talking heads on the boob tube. ~irst and m?st obviously was the not-so surprising ~ctory, albett a partial one, by Stephen Harper and his resurrected Conservative party.~ While it was good copy to have the Liberals dethroned in this current installment of parliament, the fact of the matter is that we just traded one overweight, neutered house cat for another. A hamstrung minority in the house means that no meaningful legislation will be advanced as the Liberals and the NDP are traditionally allies in any previous minority government see-

nario, and neither one is likely to side with the conservatives when votes on new laws arise.

Mankind has made enormous strides in all areas of human endeavor; the sciences, medicine, technological innovation, information and communications systems, sports, the arts etc. The point is that in all these areas of the humanities people strive constantly to break new grp und, to gain new insights into the world around us and beyond. We've mapped the human genome and cloned critters in laboratories, explored Mars and the moon. We've continually broken Olympic records (whether by enhancement or not) always pushing the edge of the envelope, trying to improve the human condition and grow as a . spectes.

Why is it that the system of governance, which is purportedly there to serve society, why is it that those in (ahem, this catches in my throat) public service conduct their affairs in essentially the same manner as their predecessors did back in the 1950's.

From the same insulting campaign promises that we all know beforehand for the most part will not be kept, to the inane mudslinging and shameless name calling in an attempt to win our votes. The exact same tactics that have been employed over the last 50 or 60 years. Not to mention the same self-serving . . ' stmpenng sycophants that make up the bureaucracies of government, the political lobbyists ( read political hacks ), the party fundraising mechanisms and all the rest of that good ole' boy networking that ensures that friends of friends receive those big juicy infrastructure contracts ( for a modest kickback of course, as a matter of course) ad nauseum.

In this one critical area of human endeavor, that of social engineering and governance, we continually settle for tepid mediocrity (in the best of circumstances). Granted there have been flickering candles of light and hope during the last half century, men and women like P.E. Trudeau, LB. Pearson and J.F. Kennedy, Nellie McLung, Loretta King and Libby Davies. The problem is that we do not see these guiding lights nearly often enough.

The solution? Well that is a topic for another day but believe me when I tell you that the solution is well within our grasp, the examples are already there for us in history if we only would take the time to look and think or ourselves and not swallow that pap we are continually fed time after time.

Rabble Rouser

The Return of the Downtown Eastside Poets . $5.00, published by the Carnegie Community Centr, Association, ·4 01 Main St, (604)665-3015 Just say the words "Downtown Eastside" to most Vancouver residents and images o drugs, shootings, and stabbings flash through their minds.

But 17 poets, many of them Downtown Eastside residents, see a different reality than the wellknown media stories. These poets read their stories in the Carnegie Centre that sits smack-dab on the comer of Main and Hastings.

Sophia F_riegang writes, "Yes, we of Carnegie/ are wealthy in ways/ The cult cannot imagine."

Stephen Lytton contributes a

two-page poem denouncing the many injustices that hammer the area's residents.

Veteran poet and activist Sandy Cameron has a similar message in his poem of reply "For Stephen Lytton ... " ' "Why does the media/ continue to vilify/ the Downtown Eastside" he writes . ._ "The media is owned/ by very wealthy people who vilify the poor/ in order to·.Qefend/ their own obscene wealth."

Carl MacDonald writes "Strawberry Cake" m;:tde up of 10 rhyming · qual'tets about a theft . . . that eased his hunger and made me laugh. .

Mary Duffy gives us two poems . that zero in on the invasion of Iraq and other countries bombed and destroyed by American armed ~

forces in the last 60 years.

Three poems by Muriel Marjorie show fantasy and breathe defiance.

The last of fler poems, called "Puzzle," is both pained and lyrical.

In this short review of many poets, one can 't do justice to the work of all these people. But this is poetry that usually doesn't end up in polite poetry journals or your average literary magazine. It is defiant, it is angry, and it is interesting.

The Carnegie Centre, an old landmark building that the late Bruce Eriksen worked so hard to open to the public now has over 350 volunteers and many ·programs. It also has the Carnegie Centre poets, and their poetry. And that's a very good thing, too.

-Dave Jaffe

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Tribute to the Downtown Eastside Murdered Women I

Wives and mothers Their labour is in vain!

with their indignant destruction of Matriarchal Values.

Victims of social injustice It's bestowed upon them The sleep of death.

Law, Business, Economic & gender warfare encouraging abuse Conflicting layers of regulations Paperwork, then murder!

Legitimize the beast of man Eating into the woman psyche.

Paramount Powers eroticized aggression Psychological weaknesses towards women Charged by men's egoistic control that sheds innocent blood 5ociety's_condoning of violence, rape, nurder, poverty and prejudice, gender inequality, vfakes them victims of a domineering nsensitive culture >ower of Patriarchy

Seventy and five children or more They're suffocating - grief and hurt Strong as death, cruel as the grave A vexation to their Spirit.

Darkness and the shadow of death Shall not hide judgement As long as the sun and the moon endure AYISHA

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