[van-announce] Community Events Digest
SFPIRG
sfpirg at sfu.ca
Fri Nov 5 15:00:03 PDT 2010
COMMUNITY EVENTS DIGEST
== Social justice events happening on and off campus ==
*** Events at SFU Burnaby ***
1) A History of Activism at SFU: Looking Back, Moving Forward (Nov 8)
2) Unite For Public Education Week of Action (Nov 8-10)
3) Where did the 'Public' Go in Public Education? Funding and Student Debt at SFU (Nov 10)
***Events Off The Hill***
4) Remixology Event (Nov 6)
5) Westcoast Sheen Community Café (Nov 6)
6) Media Democracy Day (Nov 6)
7) Book Launch: From Victoria to Vladivostok (Nov 7)
8) Redress Remix Dialogue and Screening (Nov 7)
9) Spartacus Books Codevelopment Canada Event! (Nov 8)
10) The State of The Children in BC and Canada: Twenty Years After The UN Convention On The Rights of The Child (Nov 9)
11) Public Forum On Oil Transportation (Nov 10)
12) World Peace Forum Teach-In: The Fifties Reconstruction vs. Revolution and the First War on Terror (Nov 11, 13, 14)
13) Support public education in BC (Nov 12)
14) Sudden Affirmations on the Street (Nov 17)
15) The Power is Yours: Designing North Burnaby's Energy Future (Nov 17)
16) Fundraising Evening for "With Glowing Hearts" (Nov 18)
17) Howard Zinn's 'Marx in Soho' performed by Brian Jones (Nov 20)
18) Transgender Day Of Remembrance (Nov 20)
19) Free Palestine, Free Afghanistan, Free Speech (Nov 22)
20) A Quiz Night for Subversive Types (Nov 25)
21) Ghana Girl Child Education Fundraiser: Empowering by Education (Nov 27)
22) Free Detained Tamil Refugees! Let them Stay! Scrap Bill C49! (Nov 27)
23) Writing Other Histories: A Book Launch of Radical Re-Readings in History, Culture and Media (Dec 2)
24) thrilLITERATE (Dec 3)
25) Crafts for a Cause: A Craft Fair to Support Social Justice Struggles (Dec 4)
26) Herstory Café Book Club and Discussion Group (Dec 7)
***Other Announcements***
27) Working On A Social Or Environmental Justice Project? Need Money? Apply For Donations From SFPIRG!
28) Redfish School of Change 2011 field school, applications now open
29) Weekly Noise Demos: Release Detained Tamil Refugees: Let Them Free, Let Them Stay!
30) Report on the first SFU Against Goldcorp and Gentrification forum: Hey Goldcorp! We don't want your dirty gold!
31) BeLonging/s: Bathrooms Binaries and other Burning Issues: Events in November
***Volunteer Opportunities***
32) WAVAW’s Crisis Line Training for volunteer Support Workers
33) Does injustice make you sick? Get involved in People's Health Radio!
***Job Posting***
34) Researcher: Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP)
**compiled by SFPIRG, SFU's student-based social justice resource centre. http://www.sfpirg.ca. To have your event included in the next digest, send a text-based email announcement to sfpirg (at) sfu.ca. **
*** Events at SFU Burnaby ***
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LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD: A HISTORY OF ACTIVISM AT SFU
(As part of week of action to put the public, back into public education, the talk is by the TSSU, GSS, SFSS, and SFPIRG)
Monday November 8 th ,12:30-2:30
MBC 2294
SFU has a reputation of being a radical campus that has fought for a wide range of social and political issues. This is in large part because of student and worker activism on campus. This panel will explore the roles that students and workers have played in shaping the learning and working environment at our university.
As we currently struggle with rising tuition fees and insecurity in our work, what lessons can we learn from the ways in which past SFU students and workers have organized to improve learning and working conditions at our university? Past students and worker leaders will help us to answer this question by sharing their experiences of campus-based activism.
Featuring. . .
Mordecai Briemberg - Former SFU Professor and Community Activist
Marcy Cohen - Former SFU Student Leader and HEU Research Director
Jerry Zaslove - Founding SFU Professor
Caelie Frampton - Former Coordinator with the TSSU
Refreshments will be served.
For more information on both events, please email organizer at tssu.ca
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UNITE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WEEK OF ACTION
Come one, Come all, to Convocation mall, to Boo and Squall, at the Massive Debt Wall! With Trapeze artists, Aerial dancers, Gorilla Debt Smashers, and Live Music, UNIFICATION is going to be much more than your average rally.
Remember, Remember, the 10th of November!
Students Unite to Make Things Right!
UNITE to build a DEBT WALL
Wednesday November 10th, 3:00 pm
Convocation Mall
How can you get involved?
Sign a brick! Every Tuesday and Wednesday we will be out in AQ asking you to write your debt on our bricks. The bricks will then be added to the wall. After we put up all the bricks, tally all the debt, and boo it, we will send off all the bricks to Premier Campbell.
If you cannot find us leave a message on this page and we will fill one out for you. Remember to add the amount you owe, your name, contact, and comments you'd like the government to see.
What are we demanding?
- Reduce Student Loan Interest Rates
Student and BC have the highest student debt in the country! The AVERAGE student will graduate $27,000 in debt! We are demanding the province reduce the interest rate on our student loans from 5.50% to Prime, which is roughly 2.25%,
(Newfoundland & Labrador don't have any interest on their loans!) Our goals are reasonable and within reaach of the Government. They government should not be making money off of our loans!
- Increase the amount of funding in the BC Loan Reduction Program
University is not only for the rich. We are demanding that the Government invest more in programs for students who demonstrate financial need.
-Increase provincial funding
Universities are strapped for cash and are looking to students to cover the costs as the government cuts the budget for education.
Since 2000 tuition fees at SFU have doubled! Meanwhile the government has not provided a single extra cent, actually, they keep on taking more funding away!
You need to do something! Join us on November 10th!
If you would like to get involved or get your school involved please email ero at sfss.ca
http://www.savesfu.ca/
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WHERE DID THE 'PUBLIC' GO IN PUBLIC EDUCATION? FUNDING AND STUDENT DEBT AT SFU
(As part of week of action to put the public, back into public education, the talk is by the TSSU, GSS, SFSS, and SFPIRG)
Wednesday November 10, 12:30-2:30 pm
MBC 2212 - Grad Lounge
Tuition is rising, class sizes are expanding, and there is an increasing presence of corporations on campus. At the same time that the administration states that there is no money to keep classes’ size and tuition low, the university is expanding by building new campuses and new programs. What are the relationships between rising tuition, debt, and class sizes, and the privatization of our university?
This panel will discuss the current state of education at SFU and across the country from a number of perspectives: teachers, undergraduate students, and a graduate student will all speak on the effect of privatizations and cuts on public education. By connecting our experiences to the changes occurring in the university and in the government, we can work together to resist such policies and shape better educational experiences for the present and future.
Featuring. . .
John Henry Harter - Sessional Instructor at SFU
Jeff Knaggs - SFU Undergraduate Student
Myka Tucker-Abramson – SFU Graduate Student and member of the TSSU
Alison Hearn - SFU Graduate and scholar on the university
Refreshments will be served.
For more information on both events, please email organizer at tssu.ca
***Events Off The Hill***
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REMIXOLOGY EVENT
Saturday November 6th from 6-11pm
W2 on 151 Cordova Street
Free
Remixology 3 will feature a talk from Steve Pratt, Director of CBC Radio 3 and CBC Radio Digital Programming, amazing local music, and an opportunity to socialize and network with Vancouver's leading media innovators. This month's gathering is the official after-party from Media Democracy Day, the launch party for OpenFile Vancouver, and a fundraiser for VCTA!
SFU students and staff can get in for free by emailing SFU at openmedia.ca
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WESTCOAST SHEEN COMMUNITY CAFÉ
Saturday, November 6, 7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
By donation
Westcoast Sheen is a new community group that seeks to build dialogue and mutual learning within a diverse Muslim community, and support justice, equality and dignity for all peoples and the Earth. Come meet new and current members, enjoy ice-breaker games, eat and enjoy music. There will also be prizes!
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MEDIA DEMOCRACY DAY VANCOUVER 2010
November 6th 2010, 12- 5pm
Vancouver Public Library, Central Library
Media Democracy Day is an annual event that engages activists, media producers, scholars and citizens in dialogue that is centered on creating a more participatory and democratic media system. Entering its ninth year, MDD provides a day of interactive discussion panels that address key issues concerning the politics and biases linked to our increasingly corporate and concentrated media system.
Tony Burman of Al Jazeera English will open the day with a keynote address. Panel discussions include assessing the role of alternative media in environmental communication in an age of corporate greenwash; the rise of “Fox News North” and what it means for Canadian broadcasting; the portrayal of protest and negotiation at global marquee events like the G20 summit; representations of sexual and gendered violence in media; and a close look at the shifting landscape of Canadian copyright.
The Media Democracy Fair will also be open throughout the day to provide a trade-show style exhibition of the local media community. And The Pacific Cinematheque will be hosting a small film production workshop in the spirit of documentary and journalistic cinema.
For more info: http://www.mediademocracyday.org/
Cost: Free & all welcome but seating is limited. To pre-register your attendance, visit http://mddvancouver.eventbrite.com/
MDD on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MDDVancouver?ref=ts
MDD on Twitter http://twitter.com/MediaDemocDay
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BOOK LAUNCH: FROM VICTORIA TO VLADIVOSTOK
Sunday, November 7, 5:00-7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
Free
UBC professor Benjamin Isitt launches his book, From Victoria to Vladivostok: Canada’s Siberian Expedition, 1917-19 , which highlights the forgotten story of 4,200 Canadians who traveled from Victoria to Vladivostok in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution. This exciting story of mutiny and resistance on both sides of the Pacific challenges how the First World War is remembered, exposing the imperialist aims of Canada and its Allies in revolutionary Russia.
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REDRESS REMIX DIALOGUE AND SCREENING
Sunday November 7 th
Dialogue: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Fortune Sound Club 147 E Pender St. Vancouver, BC.
Screening: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Tinseltown, 88 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC.
Redress Remix ( http://www.redressremix.ca ) is an interactive, living documentary on the Canadian government?s official apology to the Chinese Canadian community for the Head Tax and Exclusion Act of 1923. The film will be screening on Sunday, NOV. 7 th , 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Tinseltown as part of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Please check out the film’s trailer here:
http://vimeo.com/12019391
I am organizing a dialogue on behalf of my clients at Stitch Media, who produced the documentary. The dialogue will explore the politics of government apologies, the pursuit of justice, and closure (i.e. Is it over just because of an apology?).
We will be joined by Lesley Loksi-Chan (director), and one of the film’s subjects who suffered the effects of the Chinese Head Tax (we haven’t received confirmation yet as to who this may be). Alden Habacon (Schema Magazine) will be facilitating the dialogue.
The Vancouver Asian Film Festival will be offering discounted screening tickets for those attending the dialogue.
RSVP: misha at boldlovecmns.com
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SPARTACUS BOOKS CODEVELOPMENT CANADA EVENT!
Monday November 8 th , 8 pm
Spartacus Books, 684 East Hastings St, Vancouver
$10 donation
The Creaking Planks and the Gram Partisans present a benefit concert at Spartacus Books for CoDevelopment Canada, Monday Nov 8th, door at 8 pm sharp. Partisans play at 8pm, Planks at 9 pm.
The Gram Partisans are Vancouver's own acoustic roots music with a political edge. Special guests, The Creaking Planks are 'the jug band of the damned'.
All proceeds to CoDevelopment Canada - 25 years of building partnerships for social justice.
www.codev.org
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THE STATE OF THE CHILDREN IN BC AND CANADA: TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 5:30 pm
Liu Institute for Global Issues, Multipurpose, Room, 6476 NW Marine Drive, UBC, Vancouver
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond
President of the Canadian Council for Provincial Child and Youth Advocates, and Representative for Children and Youth, British Columbia
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond was appointed as the appointed as the Representative for Children and Youth in BC for a 5-year term in November of 2006. She is an officer of the Legislative Assembly of BC and therefore reports directly to it. Her work is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Mary Ellen Turpell-Lafond got her BA from Carlton University in Ottawa and law degree from Osgood hall. She also has a Masters degree in International law from the University of Cambridge and a Doctorate from Harvard Law School. She holds a certificate in International and Comparative Law of Human Rights from the University of Strasbourg in France.
A member of the Muskeg Lake Nation, at age 35, Turpel-Lafond was the first Treaty Indian to be named to the bench in Saskatchewan. Prior to her judicial appointment, Turpel-Lafond was a lawyer in Nova Scotia and a tenured Professor of Law at the Dalhousie University Faculty of Law. She taught law at the University of Toronto, the University of Notre Dame and held the position of Aboriginal Scholar at the University of Saskatchewan.
As the representative, she advocates for children and youth, protecting their rights and improving the system of service provision. Early this year she won a BC Supreme Court decision giving her full access to cabinet documents, which had been denied previously, in order to do a full and proper audit of government programmers for children.
Please register at: http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/events/register.htm
This event is sponsored by UBC’s School of Social Work and Liu Institute for Global Issues, the United Nations Association in Canada, and the World Federalist Movement of Canada.
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PUBLIC FORUM ON OIL TRANSPORTATION
Wednesday, November 10 at 7:00 PM
The Confederation Seniors Centre, 4585 Albert Street in Burnaby
New Democrat Members of Parliament Bill Siksay, Libby Davies and Peter Julian invite you to a Public Information Forum on Oil Transportation.. Special guest panelists from The Dogwood Initiative and the Wilderness Committee will speak and invitations have been extended to The Coastal First Nations and representatives from the oil and transportation industry.
If you have questions about the Enbridge proposal for a new northern BC pipeline route, or the safety and environmental impact of oil transportation on the BC Coast and through the waters around Burnaby and Vancouver, you will want to attend this important event.
For more information, please see the poster attached or contact our community office at 604-291-8863, or by email at Siksay.B at parl.gc.ca .
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WORLD PEACE FORUM SOCIETY PRESENTS TEACH-IN 2010: THE FIFTIES RECONSTRUCTION VS. REVOLUTION AND THE FIRST WAR ON TERROR
November 11, 13 & 14
Thursday, November 11, 2010, 1:00pm
Cultural afternoon on Remembrance Day featuring Manuel Yepe on the Cuban Revolution, music by Geoff Berner and a showing of the 1951 classic peacenik science fiction film The Day The Earth Stood Still.
Full program at www.peaceforumteachin.org
WORLD PEACEFORUM SOCIETY VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA at www.peaceforumteachin.org
Saturday November 13 & Sunday November 14 will feature the Teach In. It will take place at Langara College 100 West 49th Ave. www.langara.bc.ca
November 11 will celebrate Remembrance Day with an afternoon program at the WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street www.wisehall.ca . It will feature a speech by Cuban Revolution veteran, diplomat and journalist, Manuel Yepe, a set of songs by Vancouver neo-folk cabaret icon Geoff Berner and a showing of the peacenik1951 film classic- The Day The Earth Stood Still.
1:00pm- 4:00pm Admission by donation, $10 suggested. Youth Free.
Almost 30 different speakers will address a wide variety of issues that include both Canadian and international issues from the postwar decade and a half.
Speakers will include noted cultural historian and graphic novelist, Paul Buhle, Amir Khadir, the first elected representative in Quebec’s National Assembly from the radical Quebec Solidaire, the International Solidarity officer of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Marion Pollack and a variety of other academics, activists and artists.
Co-sponsored by the Political Science Department of Langara College
A complete list of participants and the schedule are at www.peaceforumteachin.org
For more information- info at worldpeaceforumbc.ca
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SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN BC!
Friday, November 12 th at 12:00 pm
Vancouver-Point Grey constituency office, 3615 W. 4th Ave
Warning that "our kids can't take another round of cuts," a new coalition will rally at the Vancouver-Point Grey constituency office of Premier Gordon Campbell.
An appeal circulated by the Alliance of Parents and Partners to Lobby for Education in BC (APPLE-BC) lists some of the negative impacts of education underfunding by the Liberal government.
"School closures - at present 191 closed, with 25 more threatened since 2001. By the end of the current school year, this number will exceed 200.
"Teacher layoffs affect vulnerable students - up to 3,000 teachers laid off since 2001; hundreds in specialty areas such as special needs, ESL, learning assistance, Aboriginal education and skill development, with devastating impact to these students.
"Parent fundraising - dramatic increase in parent fundraising over the past decade, with parent advisory committees forced to compensate for cutbacks to programs and services. Parents fundraise for school supplies, resources, materials and playgrounds. Fees levied by schools have sharply increased and community organizations scramble to take up the slack. And BC Liberals claim the "greatest ever" funding for schools!"
APPLE-BC has chosen November 12 for their first day of action because this is one of ten days cut from the Vancouver school calendar due to the catastrophic cutbacks. As the group points out, "Of course each of us has the right and responsibility to advocate for our own school if it's threatened with closure. But, in addition, we all need to defend and advocate for every school, for every community, for every educational program, for every student in the face of unprecedented government cutbacks."
APPLE-BC can be contacted by email at < applebritishcolumbia at gmail.com >
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SUDDEN AFFIRMATIONS ON THE STREET
Wednesday, November 17, 7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
Free
Using Image Theatre of Theatre of the Oppressed, Angelo Moroni will facilitate a workshop to help participants explore the important struggles we are engaged in, and to create messages that can have a deep impact on a broad audience. Following the workshop, the messages will be strategically and covertly distributed around the city, with the goal of drawing visibility to local struggles, and of inviting readers to reflect on their position(s) in regards to key issues.
Space is limited, so registration is recommended. Email lisa at rhizomecafe.ca to sign up.
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THE POWER IS YOURS: DESIGNING NORTH BURNABY'S ENERGY FUTURE
Wednesday November 17, 2010, 6:00-9:30 PM
Lochdale Community Hall, 490 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby (at Hastings St.)
Doors open at 5:00 PM for complimentary dinner
Join the SFU Undergraduate Semester in Dialogue in redefining the meaning of energy conservation. Through action-oriented conversation, we will devise personal and community oriented solutions to the toughest energy questions in North Burnaby. With the participation of experienced thought leaders in transportation, electricity, urban design, waste management and more, we’ll design together audacious solutions to challenges on energy issues. We'll envision an economically, environmentally and socially healthy future for energy use and conservation in our neighborhood.
What does it look like? How do we get there? Bring your imagination to the table. The power is YOURS.
Who should attend?
Residents, families, commuters, students, business owners and employees of North Burnaby are welcomed, as well as anyone with an interest in ENERGY.
A special program will be offered for children.
The event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP to let us know you're coming.
www.conservaction-dialogue.com
dial at sfu.ca
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FUNDRAISING EVENING FOR "WITH GLOWING HEARTS"
Thursday, November 18, 7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
$5-15 suggested donation, but no one turned away for lack of funds
A Social Media revolution has been building momentum on the Internet for the past five years, and it is creating a new sense of community and empowerment amongst those who have embraced it, especially in marginalised communities like Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Against the backdrop of the 2010 Olympics, With Glowing Hearts examines the impacts of the city's social media community on social justice issues and the traditional media, and examines whether this movement can actually affect change. Join the producers (Animal Mother Films) for a preview screening of the film, and raise money to help them finish it. (WghTheMovie.ca)
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HOWARD ZINN'S 'MARX IN SOHO' PERFORMED BY BRIAN JONES
Saturday, November 20, 7:00p.m
Historic Theatre, Vancouver East Cultural Centre, 1895 Venables Street (at Victoria Drive)
Ticket Prices: $25 (general) / $20 (students & seniors)
1 night only! Part of an evening in celebration of the life and work of Howard Zinn with remarks by special guest David Barsamian.
All proceeds to benefit People's Co-op Bookstore, B.C.'s oldest independent bookstore, at 1391 Commercial Drive, celebrating its 65th anniversary this year!
More Information:
Brian Jones , an African American actor and activist, has been performing this engaging one-man show across the country since 1999. Marx in Soho is a brilliant introduction to Marx's life, his analysis of society, and his passion for radical change.
David Barsamian is a radio broadcaster, writer and the founder and director of Alternatives Radio, a syndicated weekly talk program heard on some 125 radio stations in various countries. He also lectures widely on U.S. foreign policy, corporate control, the media and propaganda. His many published books include collections of interviews with Noam Chomsky, Edward Said and Howard Zinn.
For tickets, call The Cultch Box Office 604-251-1363 or purchase online at http://tickets.thecultch.com
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TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Saturday, November 20 th , 2010.
Carnegie Community Center – 401 Main St. 5:30pm/6pm
March at 6m to SFU Harbour Center Campus – 515 W. Hastings (Room 1800)
This is a call out for those who may be interested in helping plan the 2010 Vancouver Transgender Day Of Remembrance.
(Vancouver TDOR)
See below for important networking locations
Planning committee group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vantdor
Facebook group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112582138799998
Main Transgender DOR website (international locations, names & media info)
http://www.transgenderdor.org/
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FREE PALESTINE, FREE AFGHANISTAN, FREE SPEECH
Monday, November 22, 7:30p.m. (Doors at 6.30.m.)
St Andrews Wesley United Church (Corner of Burrard & Nelson Street, Vancouver)
Tickets: $15 / unwaged or low-income $10
Tickets are available at: People's Coop Bookstore (1391 Commercial Dr.), UBC: at the Outpost in Student Union Building, Surrey: at the Al-Iman grocery story (10700 King Edward), New West: BC Market (930 12th St.) You can also reserve your ticket online at: http://georgegallowayinvancity.blogspot.com/
Organized locally by StopWar.ca Coalition. Co-sponsored by the Seriously Free Speech Committee and UBC-Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights.
National tour sponsors: Canadian Peace Alliance, Canadian Boat to Gaza, Canadian Arab Federation, Independent Jewish Voices, Defend Free Speech Campaign.
Background Information
Eighteen months ago, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney blocked then-British MP George Galloway from Canada, labeling him a terror supporter and a national security risk. At the time, Galloway was scheduled to appear in four Canadian cities on a speaking tour called “Resisting War: from Gaza to Afghanistan.”
Galloway and his supporters protested, saying the move was a crass political attempt to silence criticism of Canadian foreign policy on Afghanistan and Palestine. Weeks before the ban, Galloway had led a humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza as part of an international campaign to break Israel’s illegal blockade. This October, Galloway and the Viva Palestina movement once again successful delivered aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s siege.
Galloway and his supporters were vindicated Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley issued his 60-page decision on the matter. (Read more here:
http://www.rabble.ca/news/2010/09/what-galloway-court-decision-means-free-speech-canada ).
For more information, contact stopwar at resist.ca or call 604.737.1299.
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A QUIZ NIGHT FOR SUBVERSIVE TYPES
Thursday, November 25, 7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
$5-25 suggested donation, but no one turned away for lack of funds
Grab your friends and show off your team’s razor sharp intellect and knowledge of radical politics and culture (or ability to store trivial, useless information.) Win prizes! This is a fundraiser for the musical play Yippies in Love , about a key moment in Vancouver's counter-culture history, written by Bob Sarti and produced by Theatre In The Raw.
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GHANA GIRL CHILD EDUCATION FUNDRAISER: EMPOWERING BY EDUCATION
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The Centre for Integration of African Immigrants, 811 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster, B.C.
Doors Open – 5:30 pm
Dinner – 6:00 pm till 7:00 pm
Speakers, Entertainment & Silent Auction – 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm
Ticket price: Individual $65 Pair - $100
Keynote Speaker: Senator Mobina Jaffer
Born in Uganda, Senator Jaffer was educated in both England and Canada. She is a very active member of the community and supporter of a vast array of community-based organizations such as those concerned with Human Rights.
Master of Ceremonies: Jacky Essombe
A true ambassador of the African culture. Her passion for her culture inspired her to become a professional dancer, dance teacher, storyteller, trainer and speaker and a TV and radio show host.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Clement Apaak
The Founder of the Direct Assistance Network, a non-profit organization. Dr. Apaak has been an active supporter of many organizations during his years studying in Canada. He then felt an obligation to help improve and provide educational opportunities for girls in rural Ghana, Africa and thus the Girl Child Education Fund was created.
Entertainment: Music & Song by Warren Dean
He turns heads and melt’s hearts with his own brand of millennium soul.
Percussionist Extrordinair: Yoro Noukoussi
Yoro is a multi-instrumentalist, Singer Songwriter and Sound Engineer. He offers Music Education classes, recording, and talent coaching for the emerging music artist.
Poet: Kevan Cameron (Scruffmouth)
A renowned spoken-word poet using a foundation of hip-hop & reggae, he is tuff & serious, but also cute & cuddly like a black panther with an Afro.
For tickets contact: Dr. Clement Apaak: 778-895-9242 or Sharon: 778-918-0130
Sponsored by: Direct Assistance Network and the Charitable Tax Receipts can be issued. Multifaith action Society
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FREE DETAINED TAMIL REFUGEES! LET THEM STAY! SCRAP BILL C49!
Saturday November 27th, 1:00 pm
Vancouver Public Library (Corner of Georgia and Homer)
Surviving a dangerous journey, 492 Tamil refugees, including women and children, arrived in BC after fleeing war and persecution in Sri Lanka. Three months later, the vast majority of the refugees remain in jails, facing endless hearings that have revealed the clear incompetency, deliberate negligence, and racism of the system.
Join No One is Illegal in a rally and march to call for the immediate release of detained Tamil asylum seekers, and an end to racist and restrictive refugee policies, including the recently tabled Bill C-49.
Canadian government officials and media outlets continue to perpetuate false and dehumanizing stereotypes of ‘illegals’, ‘terrorists’, and so-called queue-jumpers. This fear-mongering is just another tactic used to disguise the racist policies that define Canada’s immigration and refugee system.
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and Minister of Censorship and Deportation Jason Kenney, have recently introduced Bill C49 under the banner of combating “human smuggling” and deterring the arrival of future boats.
Bill C49 would give the Minister the power to single out for special punishment refugees who are suspected of having fled their country by means of smugglers. These punishments are harsh and inhumane. Asylum seekers suspected of using a smuggler will be subject to mandatory detention for the first year after arrival, with no chance of review, including for children. They also will not have the right to appeal a negative refugee decision. In addition, they will be prohibited from obtaining permanent residency for a period of five years after obtaining refugee status. This means these refugees will be held in limbo, not be allowed to leave the country nor sponsor their family members, effectively separating them from their families for a period of time well beyond those five years.
This is a shameful piece of legislation. Refugees are forced from their homes in emergency situations due to human rights abuses committed during wars, military occupations, or persecution against a minority group. We cannot expect refugees to wait for Canada to select them from overseas. We must understand that they undertake long and dangerous journeys to protect their lives and the lives of their families. According to the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees, to which Canada is a party, there are no penalties on refugees who arrive without pre-authorization and irregularly.
No One is Illegal-Vancouver asserts the basic human right to safety, mobility, and protection. It is well known that Tamils in Sri Lanka are fleeing military atrocities and mass displacement. The only crime the migrants have committed is transgressing this imposed settler-colonial border. We encourage you to join us in rejecting repressive, racist, and exclusionary ideologies and policies, and instead encourage compassion, solidarity, respect for life, and justice for all refugees.
Release Detained Asylum-Seekers!
Justice, Freedom, and Status for All!
Right to Stay, Freedom to Move, Right to Return!
www.nooneisillegal.org
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WRITING OTHER HISTORIES: A BOOK LAUNCH OF RADICAL RE-READINGS IN HISTORY, CULTURE AND MEDIA
Thursday, December 2, 7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
Free
Join us for a launch of books recently published by Simon Fraser University authors that critically engage and re-write/re-imagine “other histories” on the margins of different public spaces, whether in the city, the trans/nation, the university or in social and artistic movements. Authors include Lara Campbell, Zoë Druick, Helen Leung, Kirsten McAllister and Adrienne Burk.
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thrilLITERATE
Friday, December 3, 7:00pm
Rhizome, Café Arts Venue Community Space, 317 East Broadway
$5-20 sliding scale
thrilLITERATE is an evening of poetry, storytelling, music and of recognizing literacy as a basic human right. Queer authors read to raise funds for the women's literacy program in the Downtown Eastside. Now in its second year, the event has raised $2,400 for the Literacy and Learning Program at WISH: a centre for female survival sex workers. Readers include: Terra Poirier, Shana Myara, Elizabeth Mariani, Hiromi Goto, Afuwa Granger, Elizabeth Bachinsky and Dave Deveau.
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CRAFTS FOR A CAUSE: A CRAFT FAIR TO SUPPORT SOCIAL JUSTICE STRUGGLES
Saturday, December 4, 6:00-10:00pm
$2 suggested donation at the door, but no one turned away
Come shop for holiday gifts while supporting migrant rights, youth empowerment, Indigenous autonomy and more! Peruse socially conscious crafts by local artists, and items created by local organizations to support their social justice work. With music by local performers, and food and drink available for purchase throughout the evening.
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HERSTORY CAFÉ BOOK CLUB AND DISCUSSION GROUP
Tuesday, December 7, 5:00-6:30
Free
Read Maria Mahoi of the Islands by Jean Barman, and join Herstory Café for a one-night-only book group! Maria Mahoi was born to a Hawaiian father and a First Nations mother. Living her entire life on the Gulf Islands from the 1850s to 1936, she was independent, proud of her heritage, and a true matriarch who left a strong legacy.
***Other Announcements***
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WORKING ON A SOCIAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROJECT? NEED MONEY?
APPLY FOR DONATIONS FROM SFPIRG!
SFPIRG is accepting funding applications for campus and community groups working on projects, campaigns and events.
The deadline for large donations this semester is November 15. Small donations applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Check out the website for more details:
http://sfpirg.ca/index.cgi?d=&g=/pirg/donations.html
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REDFISH SCHOOL OF CHANGE 2011 FIELD SCHOOL, APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you know a post-secondary student who would thrive in field-based learning?
Someone who strikes you as a leader?
Someone interested in environment and social justice issues?
The Redfish School of Change is a fusion of experiential and academic learning. Students live and learn together while gaining credit for three 300-level Environmental Studies courses.
During the May 3 to June 4, 2011 field school:
• Backpack Valhalla Provincial Park and paddle the Fraser River
• Engage with experts in the field of environment and social justice
• Work on an organic farm and tour an industrial farm
• Participate in workshops, field trips, service learning, community dialogue, and group problem solving and decision making
• Learn and practice critical leadership, communication and facilitation skills
• Get ready to create positive change in your community!
Visit www.schoolofchange.ca to see the eligibility requirements and learn about student bursaries.
Applications are accepted until February 14, 2011.
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WEEKLY NOISE DEMOS: RELEASE DETAINED TAMIL REFUGEES: LET THEM FREE, LET THEM STAY!
Sunday Nov 7 at 1:30 pm
Sunday Nov 14 at 1:30 pm
Sunday Nov 21 at 1:30pm
Shuttles Leaving Edmonds station starting at 12:45 until 1:15
LOCATION: 7900 Fraser Park Dr, Burnaby
Burnaby Youth Custody Services Centre where mothers and children who arrived aboard MV Sun Sea are being detained.
If you can, please make a small donation so we can continue to rent the equipment needed to make this happen!
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REPORT ON THE FIRST SFU AGAINST GOLDCORP AND GENTRIFICATION FORUM: HEY GOLDCORP! WE DON'T WANT YOUR DIRTY GOLD!
Thanks to Vancouver Media Coop for recording the forum and making the audio available here:
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/audio/goldcorp-corporate-education-and-gentrification-forum/4968
On Monday October 25th an even 100 people packed into a 60 person capacity room on the seventh floor of the SFU Harbour Centre for a discussion on Goldcorp’s naming-rights purchase of the SFU Centre for the Arts at Woodwards.
The forum was chaired by SAGG member and SFU English department professor Steve Collis and speakers included:
Dawn Paley, independent journalist: Dawn, who has done years of research about Goldcorp both in the books and on the ground in affected communities in Central America, showed a disturbing slideshow cataloguing Goldcorp’s destructive cyanide leaching pit mine practice in action. She talked about the history of Goldcorp, the criminal charges that have been brought against the company and its subsidiaries and juniors, and the struggle against their projects throughout Latin America.
Wendy Pedersen, Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP): Wendy spoke about the popular misunderstanding of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) as a drug ghetto at the corner of Main and Hastings. She explained that 70% of the DTES community is low-income, and that the majority of these residents are proud of their neighbourhood and want to stay in their home community. Wendy explained the effect of Woodwards on the DTES low income community; that low-income housing in the DTES has reduced from 24% of residential hotel units to 12% since Woodwards opened. She asked if SFU students would help fight against gentrification and suggested boycotting the new Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at Woodwards.
Myka Abramson, SFU Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU): Myka spoke about the rushing corporatization of the university. As a Graduate student and union member at SFU, Myka argued that the erosion of public education has led to an increasing presence of private corporations around the campus. She pointed out that the names of all the rooms in the Harbour Centre (where the forum was being held) are corporate… the problem is more than Goldcorp, she said, but the fight against Goldcorp is a start.
Bayron Figueroa, Guatemala, UNRG Vancouver: Following the grim reality sketched by the three speakers previous, Bayron brought hope to the forum in the perspective of struggle. He pointed out that, for all the destructive actions of Goldcorp, their partnership with SFU has brought the issue of their destructive practices to the surface in Vancouver. We have an opportunity, he said, to struggle together with the peoples of Honduras, Guatemala, Argentina, and everywhere that Goldcorp has brought environmental destruction that has displaced Indigenous and poor people. This, he said, is a hopeful opportunity.
The discussion that followed the presentations had an air of urgency. Most comments from the 100 people packed into the room were contributions or questions about what we should do next…
Write to the forum organizers at antigoldcorp at gmail.com
Download printable materials, read the endorsement letter, and look for campaign updates and upcoming events at
http://nogoldcorpsfu.wordpress.com
Come to the organizing meetings, Fridays, 5pm at SFU Harbour Centre (Hastings and Richards in DT Vancouver). The room number will be posted on the board in the main hall.
Organized by SFU Against Goldcorp & Gentrification (SAGG)
http://nogoldcorpsfu.wordpress.com
antigoldcorp at gmail.com
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BELONGING/S: BATHROOMS BINARIES AND OTHER BURNING ISSUES
Daily challenges of belonging and not belonging are explored through storytelling by Queer Trans Bi Lesbian Gay people of color, immigrants and refugees. In BeLonging/s: Bathrooms Binaries and other Burning Issues, five storytellers share wide-ranging experiences of negotiating community, identity and belonging. Stories take on struggles with faith, family acceptance, bathhouses, bathrooms, gender bending, complex cultural locations, and feeling safe. Storytellers worked with director Elaine Carol (of MISCELLANEOUS Productions) for six workshops to develop stories and skills.
Free events in November 2010:
-Robert Lee YMCA - November 7th - 2:30-4:30 pm – (955 Burrard Street)
-Roundhouse Community Centre - Sunday Nov 21st - 5:30-7:30 pm – (181 Roundhouse Mews—at Davie & Pacific St)
-CBC Studio 700 - Wednesday Nov 24th (7:00 or) 7:30-9:30 – (700 Hamilton St)
Community hosts will facilitate post-performance dialogue, including reflections on individual and community strategies against racism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Performance includes explicit language and scenes of a sensitive nature. Intended for audiences 14 and older.
***Volunteer Opportunities***
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WAVAW’S CRISIS LINE TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEER SUPPORT WORKERS
WAVAW’s next Crisis Line Training for volunteer Support Workers will be starting on January 18th , 2011. Training runs every Tuesday and Thursday night from 5:45pm to 10:00pm for 11 weeks.
WAVAW is a non-profit organization that has been providing sexual assault support services to women 14 years of age and older, in Greater Vancouver for 25 years. We are a women’s-only space that is open and accessible to all self-identified women survivors of violence. We operate within a feminist and anti-oppression framework, and are committed to non-violence.
This intensive training program is offered twice a year and includes many workshops on crisis support and anti-oppression. The training is offered free of charge; in exchange we require a commitment of eight hours per week for a minimum of one year on our crisis line. This is a unique opportunity for women interested in acquiring extensive training in crisis support within a feminist and anti-oppression framework.
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DOES INJUSTICE MAKE YOU SICK? GET INVOLVED IN PEOPLE'S HEALTH RADIO!
People's Health Radio (PHR) is a weekly conversation about how racism, sexism, and class shape the health of our families and communities. We also share news and views from grassroots struggles for health and justice. We take to the airwaves every Wednesday from 1-2pm on 102.7 FM Co-op Radio.
Participating in People's Health Radio is a great way to:
· Speak the truth about how poverty, racism and class oppression are hurting people's health.
· Spread the word about how communities are organizing to fight back for their rights.
· Get hands on experience and training in putting together stories, doing interviews, and getting a weekly radio show on the air!
We are a collective of health workers, community organizers, and activists who are passionate about social justice and the right to health for all people. We're looking for people with all levels of experience. Does this sound like something you might want to be a part of? If so, please email peopleshealthradio at gmail.com for more information.
http://www.coopradio.org/content/peoples-health-radio
http://organizingcentre.wordpress.com/core-projects/peoples-health-radio/
***Job Posting***
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Researcher: Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP)
Purpose of the position:
Assist CCAP to provide leadership in the Downtown Eastside community through research, education and actions that will slow gentrification and lead to more and better housing and income security for low-income DTES residents.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Carnegie Association and clearing activities with CCAP’s Coordinator, the Researcher will:
· Identify areas of research necessary to implement Assets to Action: Community Vision for Change;
· Read, analyze and report on government planning and policies for the DTES;
· Present concrete solutions to the housing crisis based on community input, research, and policy and program alternatives developed locally and in other jurisdictions;
· Write reports and press releases;
· Organize and/or participate in community response to emerging housing and low income issues through city planning processes and other opportunities;
· Develop a local, national and international public awareness strategy regarding homelessness and the low income housing crisis;
· Develop leadership capacity and critical analysis by low-income DTES residents
Desired experience:
· Research on housing, income, and/or planning issues
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills
· Ability to use computer for research, emails, formatting flyers etc.
· Web or blog design
· Good people skills
· Grant writing and reporting
· Facilitating workshops
· Media/communications
· Developing campaigns for social justice with community groups
· Ability to work in a team and on own, and with a community board
This job will last for one year, subject to positive evaluations at 6 weeks and 3 months, with the possibility of longer employment if funding is secured. This job is 20 hours a week and may require work on weekends and evenings. Salary is $1,800/month gross.
Only people who are to be interviewed will be contacted.
The job will start December 2010.
Please submit resumes with a half-page essay on the causes of homelessness and two references who are familiar with your work by November 15, 2010 to:
Jean Swanson
Coordinator
Carnegie Community Action Project
401 Main Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 2T7
or email: jean.swanson at gmail.com
Preference will be given to applicants who are residents or community members of the Downtown Eastside.
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