Contents
- Citywide Housing Coalition Latest Events and Updates:
- CITY TO BAIL OUT OLYMPIC DEVELOPERS; HOMELESS TO BAIL OUT TENTS
- HOMELESS MAKE DO BY SLEEPING OUT ON a CABINET MINISTER'S DOORSTEP
- HUM101 DOCUMENTARIES – November 2008
- Paranoia
- Poet Robyn Livingstone - Review
- Heart of the City Festival: The Downtown Eastside Samba Band
- Heart of the City Festival: The Emperor of Atlantis
- Heart of the City Festival: Bruce – The Musical
- Artist in Our Midst
- Thank You -
- community rising
- The Soul of Vancouver -Downtown Eastside Poetry Book Launch
- The Genesis of The Soul of Vancouver
- Celebration in the Heart of the City
- My Positive View of the Downtown Eastside
- It’s Time to Sing the Old Songs Again
- To All the talented People in the DTEside
- ANOTHER ELECTION
- NOTICE: The Oblivious Ape
- ROCKY RECLUSE
- Warrior
- In Hope of a Better Past
- News from the Library
- Youth-only Hours at Clinic
- Poverty in the Promised Land
Citywide Housing Coalition
Latest Events and Updates:
1) City of Vancouver To Bail Out Olympic Developers; Homeless To Bail Out Tents
2) News Conference - Homeless Make Do By Sleeping Out On a Cabinet Minister's Doorstep
3) News Conference - BC Housing Announces Demolition of Habitable Homes
4) Fraser Street Tenants Will Fight to Save Their Homes - Getting Ready to Be Homeless Workshop
5) Standing Up Against Olympic Gentrification Forum
6) Survey of City of Vancouver Mayoral and Council Candidates on Eco-density
7) Planning Meeting for a Grand "March For Housing" (Spring 2009)
8) Downtown Eastside of Vancouver Gentrification Tour
CITY TO BAIL OUT OLYMPIC DEVELOPERS; HOMELESS TO BAIL OUT TENTS
CITY TO BAIL OUT OLYMPIC DEVELOPERS; HOMELESS TO BAIL OUT TENTS
Perhaps the real reason for the NPA secrecy around the Millennium Development Corporation bailout, is their fear of public memory, suggest two members of Citywide Housing Coalition.
"Discussing the bailout in public would open up a can of worms the NPA would rather keep shut," said Laura Stannard. "Vancouver voters will remember that the first action of the newly elected 2005 NPA council, was to reverse the previous COPE council's decision to use the Property Endowment Funds to fund an equal mix of core-needy, modest income and high income housing. The NPA called it 'fiscally irresponsible'".
David Diewert, also from the organization Streams of Justice, which recently ended a five-day City Hall Fast & Vigil for homelessness, pointed to the irony of the City using Property Endowment Funds to bail out an Olympic developer after cutting PEF funds formerly approved for social housing at
Southeast False Creek. He said: "The cost of homelessness to the City of Vancouver before, during and after the Olympics may well be more than the financial return required under the terms of the Property Endowment Fund".
In any case, if homeless people are forced to camp out on Southeast False Creek, it will surely hinder sales of market housing in Southeast False Creek which the city is counting on to recoup the taxpayer investment.
Citywide Housing Coalition maintains that concrete financial returns are possible for the City when Property Endowment Funds are used to purchase buildings and land to provide affordable housing for people who are homeless or paying more than 50% of their incomes toward inadequate and unstable housing.
For more information:
Laura Stannard: 604.732.8685
Dave Diewert: 604.253.1782
www.citywidehousingcoalition.org
HOMELESS MAKE DO BY SLEEPING OUT ON a CABINET MINISTER'S DOORSTEP
HOMELESS MAKE DO BY SLEEPING OUT ON
a CABINET MINISTER'S DOORSTEP
Carnegie Community Action Project held a News Conference on Wednesday, November 12,at the Dockide Welfare Office, corner of Main&Powell.
Wendy Pedersen, CCAP Organizer & Researcher, told reporters that Homeless people are making do by sleeping out on a Cabinet Minister's doorstep, but they want real housing so they can go to work.
"I want to move on from here and go to school. Indian Affairs will help me with that. But I need a place. You don't have a life when you live in a shelter. I need to cook when I need a meal and I need a shower when I need a shower. I can't find a place to live. I'm not getting anywhere here,"
says Kaleb Zentner, a homeless squatter at the site.
Albert John Ouimette, one of the homeless squatters who has been sleeping out for months, says, "If the janitors want to wash th floor we leave because we want to make it easy for them. We keep the place tidy. We don't cause problems here because we need to stay. The workers know who we are.
They know we got respect. But I need my own space, my own key, if I'm going to work everyday."
To find out where the squatters are and more about what they need, contact
Wendy Pedersen
Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP)
Carnegie Association 604. 839-0379
HUM101 DOCUMENTARIES – November 2008
Nov. 15: Global Warming or Global Governance? Contrary to what is heard in the media, there is overwhelming evidewnce the warming we are experiencing is natural, with maybe a small amount contributed by man’s activities. Nor is there any scientific consensus. See why debate is still raging within the scientific community. Why is the global warming agenda being funded with tens of billions of dollars as a mechanism to create global governance. Learn how global governance puts global institutions unaccountable to the American people in control of every aspect of our economy. No one should see Inconvenient Truth without watching this DVD. 81 minutes. ALSO
Lets Get Empirical Dr. David Ray Griffin is author of six books about 9-11, including The New PearlHarbor . In this talk, based on his book Debunking 9/11 Debunking, Griffin rebuts Popular Mechanics and other defenders of the official conspiracy theory, and shows how their arguments do not stand up to empirical analysis. 116 minutes.
Nov. 22: Arsenal of Hypocrisy The space program and the Military Industrial Complex. The glory days of NASA are over! Today the Military Industrial Complex is marching towards world dominance through space technology on behalf of global corporate interest. Understand how the public has been misled about the origins and true purpose of the space program.
The Reflecting Pool A ground breaking narrative film questioning the official version of the September 11the events. A thought-provoking study of a search for truth and the profound consequences of not looking for it any further than the nightly news. 106 minutes.
Nov. 29: Iraq for Sale The war profiteers.
Who’s getting killed. Who’s making a killing. The war Profiteers. ALSO
9/11 GUILT The proof is in your hands. What happened in New York City on 9/11/01? Who has most profited from the crimes of that day?
Learn Proven controlled demolition of World Trade Centre and Building 7 and the Twin Towers. Indicting Financiers Behind the Crimes of 9/11/01.
Paranoia
I keep a Safeway carl in my bedroom
Just in case
You never know __
Life is precarious I have learned
One day - comfort
The next a cold and rainy street
And the company of ragamuffins.
Not that I despise the ragamuffins
I invent stories for their misfortune
Cruel stepmothers
Boring prairie towns
Ten miles from the Mall
Angels of youth angst-ridden
In these harsh interesting times.
So I keep that Safeway cart
Who knows ... I may be next
Methinks the caretaker doth squinney at me
I did complain about
the toilet that runs cold water day and night..
Wilhelmina
Poet Robyn Livingstone - ReviewPoet Robyn Livingstone
Review by Rudolf Penner
The most intense reading and the most convincing I’ve heard from Robyn Livingstone occurred on the 29th of October at the Gallery Gachet. The gallery was holding a wrap-up night for the show presented by the Oppenheimer Park community. Many artists that frequent the park had work on display. The gallery was full. This night the gallery was also packed with people. Robyn got up and delivered material that created a reverent hush in the room. He spoke about injustices toward the native peoples. He demanded reparations. His voice was so strong that you just had to listen. This is what happens when a poet has material that he is completely convinced of. It is genuine. It has power. You go away feeling that someone is speaking from the heart for a change, whereas most of the times you hear people sucking up to the system and the powers that be.
Robyn is becoming a tower of performance reading.
He often reads at the Downtown Eastside Poets’ monthly event at the Carnegie Center, hosted by Diane Wood, usually the first Saturday of the month.
The Black Water Café, at 280 Carrall St., Gastown, was the spot to hear Robyn and others from the community. The mixed event of poetry and music was part of a Heart of the City Festival showcase on October 30th. The evening was hosted by vocalist Michele A. Richard.
Heart of the City Festival: The Downtown Eastside Samba Band
Heart of the City Festival
The Downtown Eastside Samba Band
Terry Hunter had long wanted Pepe Danza to train and perform with interested Downtown Eastsiders and it has finally come to pass at the 5th Annual Heart of the Cit y Festival.
Percussionist Pepe Danza taught fifteen or so residents
to perform the Sanza dance, training us on all sorts of instruments – large drums, very small drums, shakers, cowbells.. at the end of the 3rd session he told us to select an instrument “you like most.. felt good at..favourite to play and perform with..” and over 2 Sunday mornings & afternoons he put us through our paces with patience and a determined precision – always with a laugh and a ready smile.
Samba is like a euphoric religious experience in Brazil, South America, deeply ingrained in the culture, the souls and hearts of the people of that beautiful, mysterious country.
After rehearsing and practicing over this crash course we suddenly and really started to gel, feel the beat, doin’ n groovin’ the sounds and moves. Playing the short set at the opening of the Festival before a packed house was a real blast, a complete adrenaline rush! We all caught the awesome electricity of the crowd and we responded in kind!
Over the next 2 Sundays Pepe led us with his ever-pounding and rapping snare drum, whistle and arm signals, whipping us (at times) into a frenzy, winding up our usual beats into a kin of frenetic rock ‘n roll rapture.
It was all so much fun, educational and energizing as Pepe led us through Chinatown, Hastings Street, Pigeon Park… stopping at certain points and gathering fans and new participants, then proceeding along other neighbourhood routes. The harder we played with ever rapid beats, the stronger and hotter we seemed to get; very curious indeed.. and we all hope it happens again sooner rather than later and on the streets of the Downtown Eastside.
We are all ready for action at the drop of a hat or drumstick (mmm-can you take a hint?!) Thanks Terry Hunter; thanks Vancouver Moving Theatre; thanks Pepe! and thanks to the residents of the DTES. Also thanks to visitors for your enthusiasm and vibrant participation. We hope to see you again soon down the road, movin’and dancin’ to sounds and rhythmically happy beats of Samba!
By ROBYN LIVINGSTONE
Heart of the City Festival: The Emperor of AtlantisThe Emperor of Atlantis Symposium/Lecture
We were very fortunate during this year’s Heart of the City Festival to be graced with the presence of the music historian Dr.Charles Barber. He presented and discussed musical excerpts from The Emperor of Atlantis – as he loves to call it “the greatest musical drama you’ve never heard.”
It was written and terrifically composed into a stunning perfection of emotion; terrifyingly beautiful, empowering and poignant. Charles led us through this classic, technically unsurpassed artwork. It was courageously composed in 1944 as a modern opera by Victor Ullman and Peter Kien. These two virtuosos, according to Charles at the advance lecture, will be honoured at the British Columbia premiere in 2009.
Performances will be held on February 1,4,7,9 & 11 at the Norman Rothstein Theatre, 41st & Oak.
Dr.Barber explained the history of this “deeply chamber opera” to us. It was performed in 1944, during the last few years of World War II, at the Resienstadt, a Nazi concentration camp. Its core conflict was fought between death and the emperor By playing snippets from his soundtrack of the recording, Charles the performance speaks both to transformation and recurrence, from the 20th century to the continuous violence of the 21st century.
There are seven character roles and two principals – death and the emperor – with the “emperor being none other than the madman Adolf Hitler (his Third Reich being the “empire”). Charles said Death goes on strike; people are killed but do not die – as you will see in this guaranteed tremendous mounting, it certainly thickens to a frenzied breaking point!
When the Nazis understood what “The Emperor of Atlantis” was truly about, they quickly shipped the entire company off to Aushwitz.
As this was said by Charles someone in the audience said, “They had nothing to lose.” and he readily agreed; and now only its art remains.
Don’t miss this one – it may be a very long time before you get another chance to see it. Most fortunately Dr. Charles Barber is the musical director and will vigourously be conducting this post-modern masterwork.
For more information, call: 604-812-3684.
You can purchase tickets directly at Sikora’s Classical Records on W.Hastings Street; Tom Lee Music on Granville or at the Jewish Community Centre in Vancouver.
By ROBYN LIVINGSTONE
Heart of the City Festival: Bruce – The MusicalBruce – The Musical by Bob Sarti
Lyrics by Bob, Score by Bill Sample & Earle Peach
Bruce –The Musical opened with a humongous bang in November at the warm & welcoming Russian Hall in quaint Strathcona. It was written by long-time Vancouver Sun columnist Bob Sarti who was a Downtown Eastside resident until he retired, sort of, to Hornby Island.
Bob lived most of the story along with the main characters Bruce Eriksen, Libby Davies and Jean Swanson. As a reporter Bob was often assigned and sent to the Downtown Eastside (also known as, and referred to – mostly by people outside the area – as Skid Road; very demeaning, no matter what the circumstances\
This emotional and, at times, great fun musical is remarkably well-produced and directed by the legendary Jay Hamburger, artist and founder of the Theatre in the Raw. This effort will be the definitive production of Bruce – The Musical, formerly known as The Tipping Point.
For those who don’t know (or are too young to remember) the main character is Bruce Eriksen. He was a determined crusader with a colourful history who literally and courageously dragged himself out of the gutter to revolutionize and re-energize the very heart and soul of Vancouver – the Downtown Eastside. He almost single-handedly reorganized a joyous mood of pride and strength in the varied and diverse residents; to help them rise as almost one to take ownership of their historic community.
Along came the intelligent and proactive organizer Libby Davies, who not much later was soon to become Bruce’s wife, after of course endearingly dealing with the ‘affectionately’ gruff Eriksen. In the media they went from being cast as outcasts to (justly) bein recognized as pillars of the community.
This pivotal and important musical has definitely been years in the making. Believe me, as I have attended and seen every incarnation of this epic undertaking, with a lot of blood, sweat and tears from all involved.
I’m sure, without giving away too much of the plot of the story, it’s invigorating, fun-filled and emotionally-packed for every member of audiences at every performance. All songs are done with expressions of pleasing and tender pathos, all show stoppers sung solo by individual cast members or a chorus or both, all beautifully rendered in lyrics meticulously written by Bob Sarti, music entirely composed by the extraordinary Earle Peach and incomparable Bill Sample (also the musical arranger and pianist!). All the things happening on stage at any given time are together & masterfully directed by the personality of Jay Hamburger, at whatever pace is called for (leisurely or frenetic).
Bruce (Steve Maddock) is the centerpiece and anchor throughout this two-act marathon, with intermission of course. Libby (Danielle St.Pierre) is seemingly and constantly at his side; Jean Swanson is purposely portrayed with great humanity by Anna Kuman. The entire cast is stalwart and played with conviction and sentiment, with a clear, sharp vision and a set of righteous, determined and hard-earned goals. Throughout was the glory and sharing involved in transforming the derogatory ‘skid road’ to the real entity ‘Downtown Eastside’ and all that implied in terms of people and community l;ike any other neighbourhood in Vancouver.
Thanks Bruce, Libby and Jean and all the too numerous individuals who joined and persevered in the struggle. Today we still struggle, now with challenges like the Olympics and gentrification.
Thanks to those who hoed the long row before, we current residents know how to get things done and keep learning valuable lessons. Libby Davies is now our Member of Parliament, still outspoken and articulate; Jean Swanson is now the coordinator of the Carnegie Community Action Project.
We’re not quitters.. we’ll never give up the fight.
If you enjoy singing, dancing, comedy and drama, go see the rip-roaring hit production Bruce – The Musical.. By the time you read this there may be only 3 performances left – Friday, Saturday and Sunday (14, 15 & 16) – so get your tickets in advance. You’d live to regret it if you got turned away at the door because the Russian Hall is full.
Prices are, of course, on a sliding scale, so if you’re un- or underemployed or a student or a senior or just broke, accommodations can be made.
One word of warning: if/when you do attend, beware giant roaches!!
By ROBYN LIVINGSTONE
Artist in Our MidstArtist in Our Midst
Personally, I cannot exactly, for the life of me, re-member when I first met Downtown Eastside stalwart and determined activist (among many other things) the great Sandy Cameron. I’m positive of one thing though: it was in the Carnegie Newsletter office, and I remember at the time he was methodically and pur-posely folding the latest edition – 5 or 6 years ago.
Aside from writing numerous articles, poems, ess-ays and stories, he was part of the all-volunteer coll-ating crew. It didn’t take long to get to know him; he’s always been warm, friendly and kind to me, always encouraging, inspiring and complimentary.
I have always looked forward to / loved to read his pieces in the Carnegie Newsletter as well as his books and so when Saturday November 8 finally arrived we could all honour Sandy and heap and heap much deserved praise on him.
I think that everyone who attended thought it was long overdue, but then again later on in reflection it was absolutely perfect. It’s hard for me to explain this verbally or literally except to say that energy and vibrations in the Theatre seemed to transmit that – the sun, the moon and the stars were perfectly aligned.
…ponder this for a moment….
Thanks must go out to Terry Hunter (executive director) and Savannah Walling (artistic director) of Vancouver Moving Theatre for welcoming this event during the Heart of the City Festival. Preparation and organizing for this wonderful special event happened via efforts of a small team of Sandy’s admirers inclu-ding Colleen, Teresa, Diane, Lisa and of course Jean. Thanks also to the Carnegie Centre itself: staff and volunteers all contributed a little to the greater whole.
‘An Afternoon with Sandy Cameron” opened with Terry talking about Sandy’s many challenges and successes, his service, volunteerism, benevolence and many other attributes; Diane Wood then took over in the character of Ms. Fibberty Gibbet the SchoolMarm from Hell! She welcomed the Solidarity Notes Labour Choir, which ushered to the stage to await direction from that wonderfully talented scion of music, the illustrious Earle Peach!
He conducted the singers through some rousing and contagious protest and gospel standards with many in the audience beautifully singing along.
Bud Osborn, the legendary Downtown Eastside poet laureate, had some wonderful reminiscences of Sandy and read an original piece of poetic activism in a delivery with strength and many high points, only he had said that, “Sandy Cameron is not only my favou-rite poet but the best poet I know.”
Sandy himself eventually strode carefully to the mi-crophone for the first time, self-effacingly and shyly thanking everyone there for attending. He then said that he had noticed the event in the Heart of the City Festival program guide and said to himself, “I guess I should go to this one.”
All friends, admirers, loved ones and newcomers laughed affectionately at this remark. Sandy was then presented with a beautiful talking stick in a brief ceremony. He read one of his most powerful and moving poems before returning to the front row seat of honour – for a short spell.
Paul Taylor and Lisa David came up. Paul is the volunteer editor of the Carnegie Newsletter for the past 22 years, the only editor the Newsletter has ever had. He’s done a brilliant job of composing, sorting and laying out over these decades; the only editor we’ve ever needed or wanted. He is also a cutting edge critic, editorialist & essayist, as all well know.
Over the years, printing and publishing every single piece of Sandy’s contributions, they have become close friends; Paul knows him personally likely better than most unfortunately will ever get to… Paul got up on stage with his wife Lisa and they spoke, ending by presenting Sandy with an exquisite piece of Lisa’s artwork.
Steve Lytton was next to speak and read powerful, heartfelt words in Sandy’s direction.
The Diggers Music Group performed more inspiring protest songs; the Diggers are Earle Peach, Regina Brennan and Dan Keaton (who unfortunately was not present for personal reasons). They’ve been together for years!!
Sandy’s Life partner, Jean Swanson, finally got up and spoke about Sandy, telling wonderful stories. You could just feel the love in the theatre.
Sandy rose again to do another piece from one of his books, and was overwhelmed when presented with an awesome original oil painting of the awe-striking Oppenheimer Park Totem Pole. This is Sandy’s favourite spot in the Downtown Eastside to reside, contemplate and remember.
The painting was created by Colleen Carroll and is a thoughtful, much-appreciated gift for Sandy. He was deeply moved and shaken with gratitude and then read his classic Totem Pole prose poem.
To the dismay of many the celebration of Sandy was too soon over, but I truly believe that tributes to him and his contributions will go on forever. That’s just the way it is, and the way it should continue to be. Sandy is a rock, an anchor, and as far as I’m concern-ed he’s one of the true founders of the Downtown Eastside.
We’ll be seeing you around Sandy, and that’s a comforting fact. You’re always there when we need you. His humble philosophy: “It’s not about me, no, it’s about we.”
By ROBYN LIVINGSTONE
Thank You -
On Saturday afternoon, November 8, in the Carnegie Theatre, the Heart of the City Festival held a community event called "An Afternoon With Sandy Cameron." It was a warm, caring celebration of the enduring, multicultural community of the Downtown Eastside, and I am writing this article to express my thanks to all the people who made this beautiful afternoon happen.
Thank you to Terry Hunter and Savannah Walling of Vancouver Moving Theatre, who have worked so hard to get the Heart of the City Festival going in the Downtown Eastside. This year is the fifth year of the Festival, and it has grown tremendously since it was first presented in 2004.
The Heart of the City Festival has helped citizens in other parts of Vancouver see the creative, caring community of the Downtown Eastside, and hear the many strong voices of the neighbourhood. Those voices say, "We are here! We are here!" They are living proof that the Downtown Eastside is a dynamic community with a long history of struggle for dignity and human rights.
Thank you, also, to Colleen Carroll, Diane Wood, Paul Taylor, Teresa Vandertuin (Associate Artistic Producer of the Festival), and Jean Swanson, who were on the planning committee.
Thank you to Diane for being Mistress of Ceremonies for the event, and thank you to all the people who spoke so eloquently. Thank you, also, to the people who wanted to speak, but were not able to because of time restrictions, and thank you to the wonderful Solidarity Notes Labour Choir and the singing group called The Diggers (Earle Peache and Regina Brennan. Sadly, the third member of the Diggers, Dan Keaton, wasn't able to be there).
Thank you to all the people who came to the event from many different neighbourhoods in Vancouver; thank you to the people who wrote so caringly in the little book that was passed around from hand to hand, and thank you to Elwin and Steve who ran the sound system so well, and were so helpful to the people getting on and off the stage.
Thank you to Colleen for making the talking stick, and for painting the magnificent picture of the Oppenheimer Park Totem Pole which was given to me by the community. I thank the community for this precious gift. Beauty brings the gift of hope, and Colleen's paintings bring hope to all of us.
Lastly, I am saying thank you for the delicious chocolate cake made in our Carnegie kitchen. The inscription on the cake read, "Memory is the mother of community."
We are a community in the Downtown Eastside, and our individuality is formed in relationship to others. Life is relationship, and First Nations people acknowledge this when they use the profound expression, "All my relations."
A friend of mine who had never been to the Carnegie Centre before, came to this event. She said that the respect people showed for each other in the Carnegie Theatre touched her deeply. As more Vancouverites understand how strong our community is, they will join us in the struggle to save our low income neighbourhood through affordable housing, adequate income, necessary health services, and powerful cultural activities.
I am a part, and always will be a part, of this enduring community of the Downtown Eastside - and for that I am saying thank you.
Sandy Cameron community rising
community rising
I rolled into vancouver on a greyhound bus
in 1986
just after expo evictions from the hotels
executed our martyr
olaf solheim
whose death was officially attributed
to eviction from the room he had lived in for decades
and at that time the poverty agencies were in constant conflict
with each other
city hall and its developers
reduced low-income housing
throughout the city
deliberately forcing poor people
into the downtown eastside
from where we are to be driven elsewhere / nowhere
and city hall refused to enforce by-laws
and so the hotels parks and alleys
became festering cesspools for pandemics
hiv/aids hepatitis a band c
tuberculosis and overdose deaths
the highest in the western world
and the money/power people call it revitalization
when our situation by definition was genocide
meaning
withholding the necessities for life
of a targeted group
primarily the very ill street addicts
there were no demonstrations or protests in the streets then
but dead bodies disappeared women serial killers
police thugs
and a health board having spent more money
on an outbreak of bumble bee stings
infecting a dozen students at ubc
than on a health epidemic
in the downtown eastside
and while I early recognized signs of the violence of gentrification
I was told to just wait
until the next provincial government was elected
and when they were
welfare rates were cut
meanwhile a few poverty agency directors
claimed to speak
to the media and politicians
for thousands
of suffering people
but finally a small group
of downtown eastside residents
organized once again
and made signs
hit the streets
and spoke loudly
for health and housing
and the promises made from victoria
to help demonized addicts
the mentally traumatized
and missing women -
disappeared
after grandiose and fake announcements
and we learned
bitterly
that our governments
often govern by political announcement
rather than human reality
and now
22 years after I arrived at the
only home I've ever known
where housing -
the central determinant of health
is disappearing
the hiv/ids rate is now close to botswana's according to the united nations
and life expectancy
is closer to haiti's
than the rest of vancouver's
yet there is again an
active inspiring hopeful
unity among agencies and organizations
and there are accomplishments
once thought impossible
and allies
alongside us
fighting in many ways
to support our continuing existence
as an extraordinary
unique community exploding
with beauty and knowledge
and what we have
is a powerful history
of resistance
reminding us each time we see
the face of bruce eriksen
on the building honouring him
and everytime we hear libby davies advocate
so fiercely for us
and everytime we see jean swanson
whose presence empowers us
and sandy cameron whose writings
celebrate and safeguard our history
and what we have
more than ever
at this critical
and desperate moment
is self-sacrifice
and care for one another
and a multitude of our voices
now speaking fiery powerful truth
to lying destructive power
and we have a remarkable
amazing sustaining
deep and impregnable
spirituality
of strength joy hope and determination
tearing apart trauma
and liberating courage
Bud Osborn
The Soul of Vancouver -Downtown Eastside Poetry Book Launch
The Soul of Vancouver
Downtown Eastside Poetry Book Launch
With the launch of The Soul of Vancouver, an anthology book of poetry of hard-core, determined, thoughtful Downtown Eastside poets, we have the 2nd edition of anti-establishment, pro-community, argumentative rants and musings. The 1st (or most recent before this) is entitled The Return of the Downtown Eastside Poets.
Both are collected works from exceptionally talented writing artists and The Soul of Vancouver is especially poignant with new discoveries alongside the hard-bitten, streetwise veterans. It has been ever so nicely and masterfully edited by Diane Wood, longtime resident and poet extrordinaire. She also created the stunningly colourful cover art. Diane gathered up the energy from somewhere deep to host this packed, eclectic evening event. She had already had many other delightful duties throughout what seems the entire Heart of the City Festival. With an incredible array of selected poets in attendance including Rudolf Penner, Mary Duffy the legendary poet/activist Bud Osborn, Muriel X, Tui Hill, Colleen Carroll, Leith Harris.. almost all who had their work published.
Mr. Sandy Cameron read; he had been the guest of honour at a special event earlier that day at the same venue, put on by the community as a whole to recognise his 44 years of contribution to the history and culture of our community.
Each poet presented their thoughts with vigour and emotion, using cadence, pause, and delivery to own the stage. Each was like a ‘man-on-a-mission’ to speak and the audience picked up every scrap of word and nuance. We could smell it, taste it, feel the anticipation for whatever would come while being riveted to our seats.
Steven Lytton didn’t disappoint; he never does. He’d give you the shirt off his back in a crunch and exploded like a powder keg into one of his greatest “hits” loaded with a version of profanity that was never gratuitous. The audience was locked in, transfixed and utterly spellbound.
Diane Wood also read, and gave the scoop on people not coming to the stage who helped get the book published.. The continuous appearances of courageous, creative and thought-provoking people included story-tellers and participants in other writing and poetry groups in the ‘hood, an added bonus, and each person coming through the door was given a free copy of The Soul of Vancouver. That, my friends, is true class.
By ROBYN LIVINGSTONE
The Genesis of The Soul of VancouverThe Genesis of The Soul of Vancouver voices from the Downtown East Side, came from Sandy Cameron’s article in the Carnegie News Letter. He had written of seeing the beauty around you, and of the beauty within our community.
The article touched many readers sitting at a CCAP meeting discussing strategy to save our neighbourhood. Wanting to convince City Hall it was worth saving, we were trying to find a way to explain why we loved our community.
Diane Wood has hosted poetry nights at Carnegie for years and knew the love of the hood had often been expressed in poetry. She readily agreed to host a poetry night Love-In of the Hood. The Love In was a great success: people dusted off old poems and wrote new ones about their love of this community. Even a few songs were written and featured that night.
Diane then took all the poems and put them on a bulletin board. Later she gathered them into a book, designing and painting the cover. Thus creating a beautiful tool illustrating how and why we love our neighbourhood and why it is worth saving.
This book we see today is due to the inspiration and love of this entire community. It came from Sandy Cameron’s wise words backed with over 44years experience down here. It came out of Jean Swanson and Wendy Peterson’s organizing efforts to save the community. It came from Diane’s vision, hosting, organizing and artwork. It came from the poets putting their love to paper and sharing it with us. Most of all The Soul of Vancouver is the product of everyone in our community our friends and neighbors who inspire us daily making our community so special. Those who daily make this the community we love to be a part of. This book is a result everyone in our community.
The Soul of Vancouver reflects beautifully our love of this community and the need to preserve it. This book is a great tool. We can all be thankful to our community’s collective effort for this tool. Collective effort not only makes our neighborhood worth saving, it is vital to saving this community. Everyone deserves thanks.
See Sea
Celebration in the Heart of the City
Celebration in the Heart of the City
On November 8th 2008 I had the opportunity to participate in the above mentioned celebration. As part of this venue we acknowledged Sandy Cameron's forty-four years contribution to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
The choir began the program with "We Shall Overcome" because the Downtown Eastside residents had been fighting for the redress of social injustices and discrimination. Such against the illicit drug users, the lesbians, gays, bisexuals transgender persons, HIYAIDS patients of this area has been the challenge for myself and colleagues.
For many years, the practitioners of acupuncture were not recognized. I was instrumental in having the profession regulated and given legal status to practice. I served as the president of the United Acupuncturist Association of BC at 300 block East Hastings. Often this local was too small and we had to rent the third floor, now the learning center of Carnegie Community Centre, in order to hold our meetings. In the early 1980's Emery Barnes MLA for Mount Pleasant came to our meetings several times to discuss the legalizing of acupuncture as a form of health modality.
I believed that I should not use my healing art to make money, that is why I established a free clinic, one of the first in Canada, where I treated people for free. We struggled for 30 years before achieving legal status and recognition. In 2003 the NDP government officially recognized the status of the acupuncturists. Now acupuncturists can practice in the open, without fear of being prosecuted.
Over the years, I have had many positions within the organizations helping vulnerable and downtrodden people in the Downtown Eastside. I was an honorary supporting member of VANDU during its beginning years and also an honorary and supporting member of the LGBT Association.
Now VANDU has a strong foundation in Vancouver. It fights for the rights of drug users and has an office so that people can access the facility to interact with others like themselves in order to help each other. Founding VANDU members went through many difficulties getting the organization established and had to fight a powerful lobby who did not want this organization in the Downtown Eastside. Volunteers from the group are active working to keep the neighbourhood environment clean and free of litter.
Personally, I think it is wrong to discriminate against any person because of their sexual orientation or preference. Because of my support and attendance at the meetings of the LGBT in the basement of the 400 block of East Hastings St., I was one of the people who petitioned the government to pay for their sex-change operations.
The Consumer Board on 100 block East Hastings St. was originally an organization under the auspices of the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, but now is under the Vancouver Hea1th Authority. I was one of the founding members who had to struggle for funds with John Cameron and Unk Sunquist. Now we provide services 24/7 to drug users and people suffering from HIV/AIDS. We do needle exchange, give out clean water and coffee. We help them out with small tasks which they cannot do. Most of all we organize World Aids Day on December first. We also participate in the Walk for Life formerly the AIDS walk to raise funds and awareness of AIDS.
We are continuing the struggle for a better world for the people of the Downtown Eastside to reside.
This depends on people like Sandy Cameron who keeps on writing to make peoples' voices heard and Paul Taylor who has volunteered his services tirelessly for more than twenty two years and who continues to edit and publish the Carnegie News- letter, which raises awareness and keeps people informed about the issues and events happening in their community.
James Chi Ming Pau, PhD
Recipient of S.F.U. Ghandi Peace Prize 2007
Recipient of BC Community Achievement Award 2008
My Positive View of the Downtown Eastside
I am responding to all the negative media and word of mouth which denigrates the location and people of the Downtown Eastside.
I have been living in the Downtown Eastside for over thirty-three years and I am out most of the time volunteering for the community. I walk in every comer of the Downtown Eastside so I have the true story to tell/ unlike the media who come here once in awhile to take pictures and report negatively on what they have seen.
Media plays an important role in society. Its duty and responsibility are to provide reliable, factual, dependable information to the public. The anchor or reporter must be upright and not bend like a willow to pressure from gangs and political power to distort the report. It is unacceptable to accept money or gifts to favor a certain person or group.
Most media deserves our respect, admiration and praise. As in all professions or jobs, not all professionals or workers are bad or corrupt. Only about ten per cent of these professionals will go the extra mile to perform extremely well, while eighty per cent perform at an acceptable level. The remaining ten per cent are really bad performers to be condemned, despised and rejected. They do not belong in this line of work. However, the public should always try to give this small group of performers a chance to repent and reform themselves before it is too late.
Originally, the area around the old Woodward's store and the buildings East of Cambie St. were historical buildings which housed the dignitaries of Embassies and Consulates. After the slum landlords took over these buildings they neglected to spend the money required to maintain them. They collected rents but did not repair the properties.
This area was a safe place for people to live. People could go about their business at any time of the day or night without being bothered. Only once in a long while would one encounter a beggar or panhandler asking for change or there would be a fight between drug dealers, usually about drug money. Seniors could walk there without being bothered by anyone.
Yes, there is a drug addiction problem in certain confined areas of the Downtown Eastside, but this drug addiction exists because many of these people cannot handle the humdrum facts of life like hard work, low wages, not finding jobs in their professional training. Many of these people suffer mental health problems and become impoverished as a result of their situation. Once they are hooked on drugs there are few facilities available to treat them.
Once the safe injection site became available, I never saw any people injecting themselves on the street. I did see them using pipes to smoke heroin. When I first started at the Consumer Board several people from VANDU died within a few months. Insite has helped to reduce the number of deaths caused by overdoses.
I agree with a provincial MLA who suggested that we find an abandoned site or camp which can be turned into a place where these people can be properly housed and treated. Each resident should be given work there according to their skills and abilities. An accountant should practice accounting, a cook should cook for the group, an artist can perform for that special community .... and so on. Every drug addict who wants to recover from addiction should be given the opportunity and most of all sufficient time to develop their skills away from the temptation of drugs and from the people who keep pulling them back into the same nefarious circle. Drug addicts should be given a stable environment and sufficient time to rid themselves of the habit and the ability to resist the temptation of further use. Each individual should be given the opportunity to develop their potential, confidence and skills to the fullest.
Prostitution is the result of drug use and low wages. People prostitute themselves because they do not have enough money from their jobs to survive, especially women who may be raising a child. Women need higher wages to survive in Vancouver because housing is so expensive. A minimum of ten or eleven dollars an hour should be the law. Even with that minimum these women qualify for subsidized housing. The huge waiting list sits there because there is not enough affordable social housing. Governments should have their own builders, whose job is to construct basic, solid housing for those in need
Many immigrants arrive in Canada with very good professional degrees from their own countries in medicine, nursing, engineering, architecture but are condemned to low paying jobs like taxi drivers, home support workers, dishwashers or cleaners etc. for very low wages. Their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families are never fulfilled and they live in poverty.
Governments and Professional regulating bodies must unleash their restraints on these immigrants so they can work as assistant medical doctors, assistant nurses, assistant engineers so that they have the opportunity to serve Canada, pay their taxes and have a better life where they become respected members of the community.
A positive view of the Downtown Eastside is the purpose of writing this article. I would like to remind the media people to report the facts without demonizing anyone. Many reporters sit in their ivory towers spouting out hearsay when many negative reports would have a different flavor if these same people came down to the area and spoken to people who understand the area. Bad reporting creates more negativity and engenders chaos and social unrest. This is not healthy for our society and dangerous for humankind.
James Pau, PhD
It’s Time to Sing the Old Songs Again
It’s time to sing the old songs again
The times they are a-changing.
Not the way we meant or wanted
But we knew this time would come round again.
The rough beast is on its way to be born
A fool can see the portent.
The same old games have begun
We never learn: our memories are all short term.
Lest I name myself Cassandra or put a sign on my door
I beware the ides of Mars
In which case I will become like all the others
Raving to an indifferent populace.
So I shall go my careful way: not upsetting le carte
Do we need one more prophet Surely we’ve had enough
Instead I will play the old music: sing the old songs
Revolution is neither cool nor imaginable.
Wilhelmina
To All the talented People in the DTEsideTo All the talented People in the DTEside
I salute you
I’m so proud of all the poets
artists, musicians & all given talent
It inspires my way of thinking
It captivates my heart
It brings out my inner feelings
Recognise us,
all people who have hidden talents
Appreciation is such a compliment to us
So if you need to have a healing journey
Stop and read our articles once in awhile..
So keep up the good work
I’m proud to say that
I do have a hidden talent
Putting words together
Coming from my heart
‘til next time…
All my Relations,
Bonnie E Stevens
ANOTHER ELECTION
It's the eve of yet another election
How they vie for public attention
Politicians yearning to pull the strings
Seasoned and novice they wait in the wings
But do any of them know or care
Are they listening to those in despair
No strategy, lack of housing is a disgrace
How can they look us in the face
A SOCIETY IS JUDGED BY...
you know the quote
Why don't those who run take note
Citizens are not disposable stocks
Stop clearcutting our neighbourhood blocks
We have suffered enough degradation
Don't need more greed and stagnation
No such thing as voter apathy
It's really disgust at what we see
If you show better leadership, we'll vote
Show us honesty, humility, compassion, hope
Joan Morelli
NOTICE: The Oblivious Ape
NOTICE November 2008
The Principle of, "notice to one is notice to all" applies. To:
Steven Harper, Prime Minister of the Corporation of Canada And,
Jim Flaherty, Finance Minister of the Corporation of Canada
Attached please find a copy of The Oblivious Ape. I, David: Ealing, a human residing on the land mass known as Canada wrote The Oblivious Ape after learning of the deceptive practices perpetrated by the Government of the Corporation of Canada against the human population residing upon the land mass known as Canada. You will notice that The Oblivious Ape contains comments of many differing topics. All of these comments, I believe, are true. Based on that belief I will be distributing The Oblivious Ape to as many other humans as possible.
Because I do not wish to distribute anything that is untrue I am directing you, as my servants, to inform me of any such errors you find in The Oblivious Ape within Thirty (30) days. You are directed also to provide proof of the error(s) you may claim to find. Your failure to respond to this Notice will be taken as your tacit agreement that there are no errors.
And as the principle of, notice to one is notice to all, applies you are directed to copy The Oblivious Ape, complete with this Notice, to all other Members of Parliament with no regard as to which side of the house they sit. They too, are directed to respond within thirty (30) days should they notice any errors in The Oblivious Ape.
You wiIl also notice that Appendixes One, Four and Five have not been written by me. I have enclosed them only for additional information for the readers. Therefore you are directed not to comment on these. I have indicated to the future readers as to where these came from so they will know they are not mine.
Steven, this is the second time you have seen this work. It has been amended since you first saw it. The first time you saw it was entitled, The Insidious Coin. You will also notice that the letter in Chapter Five, previously addressed to Paul Martin, is now addressed to you. Paul, it seems, never found the time to respond. I would direct you to offer some response as I would like to enclose it within The Oblivious Ape.
Failing to find any errors, you are directed to explain why you continue these devious practices that obviously hurt and hinder the human population who reside on the land mass known as Canada. History will tell the truth about these times. More and more people are learning of these deceptions and of your part in them. You will not be remembered well in those times unless you act now to make the necessary changes to correct this situation.
Finally, many of you claim a belief in Jesus. His direction to you was to house the homeless. Your adherence and continuance to these deceptive practices cause an increase in homelessness. His direction to you was to feed the hungry. Your adherence to these deceptive practices causes the reverse. You will notice that Appendix Three contains my formula for debt. You would have to prove this formula wrong in order to prove that your continuance in deceptive practices does not cause more homelessness and more hunger. In fact, these practices contribute to the starvation death of over thirty thousand (30,000) children each and every day. Hearing how important children were to Jesus, I would caution you that his questions to you will be much more difficult to answer than mine.
I await response from you all.
David: Ealing
addressto:david.ealing@gmail.com
ROCKY RECLUSE
Given up on explaining their points & refills, playing down to expectations; how pleasant a feeling when there are no shoes to fill, like a train conductor staring down the day as a man stares down his life, admission fares entered into evidence have joined today’s party & raised their price like everything else in this inhumane human zoo.. you just wait & watch Oprah/Harpo be the next advice-president of their own great landfill zoo, just like the deaf & dumb finding their voice, realizing for the very first time they really have a choice, no lawsuit bandwagons or mascots for massacres which reminds me Xmas is like a sniper getting ready to hyperfire right around the corner – at least you won’t have to worry about the perils of old age, like asking for a loan from an Islamic Bank no faces let alone smiles of interest locked behind their veil/cage, poked & prodded just to keep them alert: Smile <hurt> Smile <hurt> your routine is as funny as an airport bomb hoax Ha HA ha? Like centuries of propaganda piling up outside the door, I can see the windows below the belt Large trucks full & fuller of more landfill landful almost has a nursery rhyme beat to it I HATE BEING THE MESSENGER OF HORRENDOUS NEWS not that many share my pessimistic views…
Growing up do you remember it not being so difficult no sir not at all time to ditch those plans & hitch a ride to the moon, we may/we must start using it as our next dump very, very soon, like lawsuit comboys jumping aboard “Sorry Mr Masses, no stowaways.” but our atmosphere now has something to absorb, who other than Sunny Davis Jr. I can tell by you walking away you don’t really care, like people born envious of anybody with an ounce of talent let that person lose that hair or fingers, you did know that despair comes in pairs so the isolationist will always have a spare there’s a deal that sounds fair (chorus!)
“Rocky Recluse has tried it’s no use, no use at all is written all over the wall it says rather loudly ‘Rocky my son you lose, but Rocky Recluse not everything’s refused; you are life and death that lasts as long as wintergreen breath will be here or there but surely somewhere you know it Rocky – south is no place for you, for the likes of you – OH Rocky Recluse gave all but no use but Rocky things will get better when we’re gone la-dad-a-da
ROBERT McGILLIVRAY
“All you need is love.” – John Lennon
Warrior
Homeless, hungry, a warrior
Walks head down, eyes darting side to side
His enemy lurks, not in bush or tall grass,
But in bowls of clay, or tubes of glass.
The warrior finds no comfort in the
Heat that releases his enemy, only pain
A spirit lives in that warrior
Strong, unseen, but felt
By those closest to him, understanding
That inside that wounded being
Is a warrior, nonetheless?
Robert Bonner
In Hope of a Better Past
My phone rings
A friend is thinking about family lost...
Not by natural disaster
But by unnatural misunderstanding
She leads me down the rocky road of my own past
Through doors of resentment long closed
Together we pick at mutual scabs of lost love
'Til it assaults afresh.
Struggling back to present acceptance of past wrongs
I say: The dead must fight their own fights.
We must put away the past
Lest it infect the future.
Wilhelmina
News from the LibraryNews from the Library
New Books
What does it mean to be “at home” on Canada’s West Coast? In Writing the West Coast: In Love With Place (820.8), Christine Lowther & Anita Sinner collect more than 30 essays. Follow orcas to the Broughton Archipelago, compare sex in the city to love in the temperate rainforest, and squat in a home-made pyramid in the bush.
Think you know Vancouver? Take a look at Vancouver Book of Everything by Samantha Amara (971.13) for hundreds of facts, some useful, some bizarre.
War Photography: Images of Conflict from Frontline Photographers (779) is a collection of striking images of conflict from the world’s most talented and courageous photographers. From World War I to Bangladesh, from Vietnam to Sierra Leone, these photographs convey the horror and the pity of war.
Checkmate: A Writing Reference for Canadians, by Joanne Buckley (808) is an easy-to-use guide to writing style, grammar, usage, spelling and formatting your documents. It covers everything from résumés to business letters to academic papers.
I’m heading across the city for a few weeks to work at the Britannia branch. Michelle will be your librarian for the next few weeks. See you in December!
Beth, your librarian
Youth-only Hours at Clinic
On Wednesday October 1st, the Vancouver Native Health Clinic (located at 449 E Hastings) started holding youth-only hours that will run every Wednes-day evening from 5:30 to 8pm.
This will be the first time the clinic is offering youth-only hours (for those under 25 years of age) during which a doctor and nurse, along with a team of UBC nursing and medical students, will be available to provide youth-friendly health care.
In addition to providing medical services, during these hours youth will have access to a welcoming space, separate from the public waiting area where basic health amenities (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, razors, etc.), food, Internet services and health education materials will be made available for those waiting to see the doctor. Come check it out!
We look forward to seeing you there.
Poverty in the Promised Land
In the 50’s I scrounged the city dump for pop bottles
Those heavy green glass Coke, Orange Crush & 7-Up
Patsy ‘n I took them to the corner store for penny candy
Black babies honey moons spearmint leafs 4-4-a-penny
Tiny ice cream cones filled with honey ‘n brown sugar –
Delicious to us.
We picked blackberries beside the railway track
Near the dump, the abattoir and Africaville
The berries we sold door-tlo-door – 50 cents a quart
Remember quarts?
Now I sometimes cruise the alleys for good garbage
and bottles to be recycled
For bread and milk
Some meat if I am very lucky
Oh Canada, our home and native land
Glorious and free
But you can’t eat freedom…
And human rights: cold comfort on mean streets.
Poverty in the promised land.
Wilhelmina
