OCTOBER _
1, 2019
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401 Main Street Vancouver Canada V6A 2T7 Email: carnnews@shaw.ca
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... carnnews@vcn.bc.ca (604) 665~2289
Website/Catalogue: carnegienewsletter.org
16TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE
ARTT~~CITY E S.TI r A L. F··· a= '"
OCTOBER30TO ~ NOVEMBER 10
OVER 100 EVENTS AT OVER 40 LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE SANDY CAMERON MEMORIAL WRITING CONTEST
Photo: David Cooper
HERE WE COME!
is" Annual
Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival
Wednesday October 30 to Sunday November 10, 2019
Chinatown Generations, telling stories, 2018 Heart of the City Festival, Photo: Tom Quirk
Get ready for the 16th annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival and twelve days of music, stories, theatre, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, dance, readings, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media, art talks, history walks, and more! This year's theme Holding the Ught has emerged from the compelling need of DTES-involved artists and residents to illuminate the vitality and relevance of the DTEScommunity and its diverse and rich traditions, knowledge systems, ancestral languages, cultural roots and stories. Highlights include three shows at the Firehall Arts Centre: Sis Ne' Bi -Yir: Mother Bear Speaks, a play written and performed by Taninli Wright (Wet'suwet'en) about her remarkable Messenger of Hope Walki iitszan, a passionate story about language and how it informs identity, written and performed by Yvonne Wallace (lilwat); and a workshop presentation of Opening DoorsVancouver's East End 2019, a dramatization based on Oaphne Marlatt and Carole ltter's local legend-of-a-book Opening Doors first published in 1979, directed by Donna Spencer. Other highlights include: a special music series, Spotlight on the East End, curated by Artist-inResidence Khari WendeU McClelland; and Home, Homelessness and the Culture In-Between, a week-long residency led by Renae Morriseau and Sop hie Merasty that includes Urban Ink Prod uctions' workshop presentation SRO by Middle of the Sky (aka Brenda Prince).
More details in the next Carnegie newsletter or visit www.heartofthecityfestival.com The DTESHeart of the City Festival is produced bvvencouver MOlling Theatre with the Carnegie Community Centre & Association of United Ukrainian Canadians working with a host of community partners.
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WRITERS AND WRITING The front cover shows d.n. Simmers, Erol Almelek, Graham Cunningham, Diane Wood, Ghia Aweida, A va Caldwell and Joan Morelli Also meeting and writing at Carnegie Centre are the Firewriters. The Sandy Cameron Memorial Writing Contest is in its 4th year. First announcement was in June, giving people a few months to write an essay or poetry and either drop their work off or even email it in. The diversity of submissions makes the thing kind of exciting, as there is an expectation for the unusual. The idea of a 'contest' is generally laid back, with the idea to encourage people to put words on paper and share both intellectual and emotional insights. The closure date was September 15. All entries were put in the same typeface and had the authors' names removed before giving the whole category to the judges, who are also anonymous. There are 3 people looking at the essays and 3 people looking at the poetry. Each will make comments on each piece, and rank them as 1st 2nd 3rd or honourable mention. ~ The awards event is happening on Saturday, November 2nd at 1pm in the Carnegie Theatre as part of the Heart of the City Festival. The Program Books for the j Festival will be out soon and will contain much inforI mation on this and all of the many performances, events I and displays of local talent..
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Jenny Kwan MP Vancouver East NDP Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Critic 2572 E Hastings St Vancouver, BC V5K IZ3 T: 604-775-5800 F: 604-775-5811
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and
Vancouver School of Economics at UBC host A Discussion about a Basic Income Pros and Cons with David Green
7-9pm Thursday October 3 Vancouver Public Library 350 E Georgia EVENT DETAILS: In an era of high inequality, continuing poverty, homelessness and housing issues, and concerns about the impact of new technologies on work, there is an appetite for considering radical policy shifts. In that context, a basic income has received a lot of attention across the policy discussion spectrum. It has been promoted as a policy tool that can help eliminate poverty, and which can also play a central role in restructuring society and the role of labour within it. The question this lecture will consider is, "Is it the right policy for BC now?" David Green-a member ofthe BC government's panel looking into.a basic income-will first provide some background on trends in the economy that are related to the call for a basic income, and will describe the different forms a basic income will take, specify potential goals for it, and describe some of the cost and other practicalities. Following David's talk we'll hear some thoughts from members of different local communities about what a basic income in BC could mean, followed by a discussion with the audience about how they see a basic income-both its potential and its problems. Participants include: - Margot Young (Allard School of Law at UBC) - Chuka Ejeckam (BC Federation of Labour) - Trish Gamer (BC Poverty Coalition)
ers Arc and Versace. We are seeing a change from a community-based neighbourhood with affordable amenities and retailers to an elite enclave that only a small percentage of society are able to enjoy. The very reason people enjoy living and working in Gastown is because of the diversity of the neighbourhood and the strong sense of community and history in the area To gentrify in this manner, without thought given to historical usage, or value to the community is irresponsible development at its worst.
Open Letter about The Cambie Pub and Hostel Dear Mayor Stewart, Minister Selina Robinson, and Minister Jean-Yves Duclos: I am writing because our community is concerned with the future of the Cambie Pub and HosteL The Cambie is a legacy business, operating as a saloon on the corner ofCambie and Cordova since 1925. It is the cornerstone of the Gastown neighbourhood, and an important community meeting place. It is also one of the last remaining live music venues in the Gastown area, adding to the fast-growing list of disappearing music venues in Vancouver. The Cambie Hostel was originally a hotel that provided much-needed SROs for local residents. In 1995, the owner converted the hotel to a hostel, displacing longtime local renters in favour of tourists paying 300% more in rent. Stephen Lippman now owns the entire building, including the storage facility on the east side of the pub. His plan is to convert the hostel into boutique residences and split up the pub into high-end retail shops and restaurants. He is also looking to apply to rezone and build a tower where the storage space now sits. We, as a community, feel that this is a grossly unacceptable change in usage for this long-standing institution in the community. We have already watched as affordable record stores were pushed out in favour of high-priced coffee shops, and thrift shops and locallymade clothing stores replaced with high-fashion retail-
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We have stood by and watched as live music venues such as the Town Pump, The Hindenburg and The Brickyard were converted into high-end retail, coffee shops and night clubs. The developer, Steven Lippman, a developer well-known for gentrifying hotels on the Downtown East Side comprised of SROs and renovicting the vulnerable low-income tenants, thus adding to the homes problem in Vancouver. We want the government to intervene when developers make changes in the Gastown area. This is a very small, unique, historical area of Vancouver. It is a major tourist attraction, the birthplace of Vancouver. There should be no developments allowed in this area without government intervention to ensure protection of the neighbourhood and local community. The current protections are onJy concerned with the material composition and historical significance of the physical buildings. Weight must be given to usage, historical significance, housing issues, community value and continuity of legacy businesses. Community input should not only be sought but actually implemented as part of the development plan. There should be a rigorous planning process that includes input from the community, 10caJ workers and business owners. Legacy businesses in Gastown should not be dismantled, we have already lost so much of what gives Gastown it's character, the area will soon resemble Yaletown instead of the diverse, colourful, creative neighbourhood that it is today. This is not something that the community wants or needs. Insist that Stephen Lippman to give back to the communities he profits from. For every new development, he should dedicate a percentage of the housing he builds to SROs when building in Gastown. And legacy businesses such as the Cambie should be left intact because of their historical significance and value to the community. The WaJdorfwas slated for
development, but the community insisted it be preserved as a cultural hub. The Cambie could have a similar role in the neighbourhood. A place where local musicians can play before a diverse audience. A space that could be used for local artists to display their work. Where special events could be held. The history of the bar and hotel could be displayed on the walls of the pub, and the staff trained to be knowledgeable about the building they work in. Gastown's history should be celebrated and kept intact, not divvied up in order to make the biggest profit. Our communities deserve respect. History matters. Community counts. We want Gastown not Yaletown, communities not condos, vintage not Versace, preservation not gentrification. The Cambie is too important to be developed thoughtlessly, without community input and government intervention. We ask that you partner with the Gastown community to come up with a responsible plan for this landmark of Vancouver. By JENNIFER HARRINGTON
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East Vancouver Election Debate i
Saturday October 12, 2019 3:30-5:30 pm Carnegie Theatre 401 Main Street Free
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Refreshments Accessible
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From
the LibrarY I hope everyone who is interested has had the opportunity to check out the Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show at Gallery Gachet. If not, do not fret as it runs until October 26th. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to check out our Fast Read (1week loan) offerings at the Camegie branch. I have selected three to discuss briefly. We have two books by Yuval Noah Harari currentlyon our Fast Read shelf. One is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, which is a history of the social and intellectual development of our species. "Brief' refers less to the length of the book than the expeditious path we have taken since our arrival in East Africa approximately 200,000 years ago. A highly readable, informative book that is well worth borrowing. .. The second book we have by Haran IS 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. Whereas Sapiens focuses on our past, this book focuses on our present and future, with an emphasis on our most urgent issues. The topics include war, technology, hope and despair, education, and fake news, among others. A third book we have on our Fast Reads shelf is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, which is a coming-of-age murder mystery involving the "Marsh Girl" of the North Carolina coast. It is a beautifully written and very compelling novel. On a different note, I invite all of you to the theatre to attend our documentary double-feature screening on Friday, October 4th. The first film is Rosies of the North, which is about the women ofthe Canadian Car and Foundry in Fort William, Ontario, and their contribution to the industrial war effort of World War H. The second film is Becoming Labrador, which follows a group of Filipino workers who have recently arrived in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and focuses on their experiences settling in. Happy Reading!
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Daniel
Hello [Park Board] Commissioners, Thank you for declining/resisting the Mayor's offer/ demand to take over your role at Oppenheimer, & supporting the Crab Park Healing Centre initiative. Stand strong; do not cave to the self-serving, authoritative-sounding "requests for service" that suggest criminal violence caused by the Oppenheimer camp. It allows police to then blame homeless campers, even though such incidents have been a basic part of life all over the DTES- everywherefor decades. It's true that concentrating poor, addicted, and otherwise-challenged campers in one place creates a targetrich environment for both the VPD and gangsters. But the concentration also helps service providers. Whereas dispersing campers to lanes, doorways, and urban voids helps only the gangsters.
Oppenheimer is Safe
distribution has never been a problem because I've never seen so much as an argument over who gets what: the residents themselves arrange on-the-spot distribution, often different individuals with different improvised strategies, ensuring that the food is shared I've also been in Oppenheimer at other times of day and night and never seenlheard anything violent. Keep your nerve, don't be panicked by alarms sounding from the Mayor and Police, whose joint interests are entirely a function of public relations, political survival, and budgetary gain: helping the poor is about #5 on their lists. Addressing a tough problem sometimes requires a tough response to bogus solutions. Thanks again, Rider Cooey
I've delivered boxes of donated produce three mornings per week for a couple years now. Delivery only:
[The following MOTION ON NOTICE is at Vancouver City Council starting on Tuesday, October 1st and may be carried over to Wed Oct 2 as there are other items on their agenda and any number of people speak to it.]
Emergency Action to Support Vancouver's Homeless People, Including Those in Oppenheimer Park Submitted by: Councillor Swanson
WHEREAS 1. There are currently numerous tents of people sleeping in Oppenheimer Park; 2. The housing units offered by BC Housing to residents ofOppenheimer Park are now all taken; 3. Many people staying in the park state that it is safer than staying alone on the street or in an alley; 4. Many people state that they prefer to stay in the park than in a shelter that is not safe and is not able to meet the needs of campers with partners, pets or belongings; 5. Most residents are living with makeshift shelters, lack of proper nutrition, no storage facilities, and no formal so ce of heat; 6. There are many elderly and vulnerable residents already living with chronic illnesses and ill-health; 7. The Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) at Oppenheimer Park operates 24-hours per day and serves over 100 people per day without paid staff, proper supports or electricity; 8. There is no proper sanitation at the park to support those who are employed or seeking employment, and to promote good health of all residents; 9. The field house was closed this summer, but could provide a space for safe food preparation and serving, storage of harm reduction and food preparation supplies and equipment, electricity, and a resting place for OPS volunteers; 10. While most people agree that tent cities are not a good way to live, when there is no housing or shelter available people can be safer in a tent city than being alone on the street; 11. 2223 homeless people were counted in the last homeless count which is recognized as an undercount, and over 600 of these people were unsheltered, and all of them continue to need housing as soon as possible 12. Social and modular housing will take years (social) and months (modular) to build if there is funding for it,
and people who are homeless deserve safety, warmth, and sanitation now, especially with winter coming; 13. Oppenheimer Park is on unceded territory, and Grand ChiefStewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, says, "A disproportionately high number of the vulnerable park residents facing the loss of a safe and stable living situation are Indigenous. Any move to forcefully evict them is callous and insensitive to the mental health, addictions, and poverty that they are battling as a result of an ongoing colonial legacy of systemic discrimination and oppression. The City of Vancouver stands to violate the basic rights of Indigenous peoples articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, as well as blatantly ignore the call for safe housing that is appropriate to the cultural and economic needs of Indigenous peoples set out in the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice"; 14. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing, Leilani Farha, says, "In order for the City's actions to be compliant with human rights, the residents of Oppenheimer Park need to be meaningfully consulted and included in the development of any plans related to their living situations. This includes working with the residents so that together they can fmd ways to address issues around fire safety, community clean-up, and violence"; and 15. In April, Council passed a motion to 'temporarily implement a warming station in Oppenheimer Park or other city owned land within close proximity,' to 'provide washroom facilities for park patrons including 24 hour access,' and to 'communicate about other possible solutions to help end and humanize homelessness. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED . A. THAT Council acknowledge that homelessness in Vancouver is a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate action above and beyond what has been done until now. B. THAT Council direct staff to work with partners and consult with Oppenheimer Park residents about an accessible alternate site that ensures health and safety, access to services and supports, and is acceptable and appropriate for people currently living in Oppenheimer Park, including access to a community kitchen, electricity, \ funding for peer support, storage facilities, 24-hour sanitation facilities with running water, and a warming tent in Oppenheimer Park or other indoor site near downtown eastside services. c. THAT Council direct city officials to attend weekly resident led safety meetings and that the City encourage representatives of other jurisdictions including VPD staff and the Park Board to do this too. D. THAT the City convene emergency homelessness task force meetings of elebed Federal, Provincial, City, Park Board members, and invite the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and people -{Yhoare homeless and their representatives, to make short and longer term plans to ensure that all currently unsheltered people without homes have a place to be safe and warm for the winter and to get proper housing as soon as possible.
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FURTHER THAT the work of the emergency homelessness task force includes: i. Providing new housing options for Oppenheimer park residents and other unsheltered people who are homeless, and/or buying or leasing one or more hotels while ensuring appropriate housing for women and for Indigenous women and children, until proper housing can be built; ii. Securing lUnd and government funding for modular homes, social and co-op housing to drastically reduce homelessness in Vancouver.
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Calling - Wild Child ! Where are you in the present - wild child? . Now grown up, feeling so isolated, so alone giving you a choice to zone out by thinking what's the use trying to be understood ... or you can zone in by 'breaking the rules' of the ordinary and be exceptionally you for your present environment does not defme you your natural talents do. Following life's purpose is often where you belong and where you'll find your fellow soul-mates for a trailblazer is what the wild child 'naturally' is. Look at the facts: most of the renowned in life have been outcasts at one time or another. .. for trailblazers are a different type of soul. They choose to hang in there and follow their heart harnessing their energy- while experimenting to finding, then working on - a passion-driven goal bypassing what's trusted and true while inventing the new. Creative - Inventive - Innovative Fits like a glove when you do what you love.
It Just Wasn't in the Cards Oh, I haven't seen no blue skies Since my baby has gone, And Ikeep on asking why We could not get along. But I tell you I used to think That we were made for each other, But I gotta' say there soon came A big change in the weather. Nothing I could do was right Everything I did was wrong, But maybe you don't want to hear This here old sad song. They say the course of true love Never did run smooth, I guess we were like a band That never found its groove. We were like cats and dogs Just fighting all the time, And the things we said to each other I guess you could call a crime. Yeah, it's hard to say what it takes Fbr two people to kinda' click, , Like they do when you watch Some old romantic flick Yeah. maybe I should have read her A love poem or two, When we were tucked in bed Could've been the thing to do. Or maybe Romeo and Juliet Might have been the way to go, But now chances of doing that I'm afraid are a big fat zero. I still ask myself why Though once we were pards, When it came to love It just wasn't in the cards .. Patrick Foley
Do you want to receive money for an art project?
o
S Arts Grants Applications
Artwork by Kam Sing Leuns
If you are an emerging artist (an artist that has never received financial support before from a grant, a foundation, or a sponsorship program) and you are connected to the Downtown Eastside with an idea for an original art project, this program is for you!
How can this program help me? We support emerging artists develop their skills and increase the visibility of their artwork with grant awards ranging from $500 - $1000 to individual DTESArtists. Groups may be of 2 to 4 people. Groups may apply up to a maximumof $4,000 for groups of 4 people'. With this money,you can buy what you need to take your art to the next level!
When does all this happen? Applications open Tuesday Od.15 are due by 4:00 PM on Friday, November 22, 2019. If your application is approved for funding, you will receive your cheque in February 2020.
Interested? Great! Complete an application! Apply online at www.van.couverfoundationsmallarts.ca. Youcan also pick up a paper copy from the info desk of the Carnegie Centre.
Information
•
Sessions are happening
at Carnegie Community
Wednesday Oct.30 2019 6:00pm-7:30pm and
• Thursday Nov.14 2019 6:00pm-7:30pm
Have qoestions? We would love to be in touch with you. Contact the DTESSmall Arts Grants office by phone (604) 665-2213 or email atdtesartsgrants@gmail.com.
Centre
Humanities 101's Public Programme series "Doing Science Technology and Society" When: Wednesdays from 6:30---8:30 PM. Begins October 2 Where: Vancouver Public Library, n~ca?mat et Strathcona Branch, 730 East Hastings St. Nellie Yip Quong Room (2nd floor) Facilitator: Mathew Arthur Most people think that science is about finding out what makes up the natural and social world and how it all works. We will read texts that consider, instead, what it means to do science and technology as situated practices that are always making or transforming the world around us-rather than thinking of science and technology as specialized disciplines that discover something about the way reality already is. With the question "what kind of world do we want to make?" guiding our time together, we will read aloud from texts by Science Technology and Society (STS) theorists who show that there are other ways that do not rely on discovering "facts" about a reality that is separate from our ways of being, knowing, and doing in the world. "Wednesday Women's Writing Workshop" (Women only) When: Six Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00 PM: October 9, 16; November 6,13,27; December 4 Where: Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, Wellness Room, 302 Columbia St. Facilitator: Mandy Catron, with Emina Ettinger In this series of90-minute writing workshops, we will explore some of the different genres of writing-memoir, personal essays, short stories, and fiction. Each week you will be given a writing prompt to help you get started. After each period of writing, you will have an opportunity to read aloud and share your work with the others, if you like. These weekly sessions will give you an idea of what kind of writing you would like to do, how to go about it, and how to keep up a good practice of writing. "Grammar with Hum" When: Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 PM. Begins October 8 Where: UBC, Buchanan D room 205 Facilitator: Gilles Cyrenne In this introduction to grammar mini-series, Hum alumnus Gilles Cyrenne will teach the nuts and bolts of English grammar. Whether you are learning English as a second language, or want a refresher, this structured course will work through the fundamentals of English grammar. "Documentaries for Thinkers" When: Second and third Saturday of the month, starting at 6:00 PM Where: The Carnegie Centre Auditorium, 401 Main S1. Curator: Terenc Lui Twice monthly, on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of the months, the Camegie Auditorium is filled with eager viewers looking to catch the latest scintillating documentaries from some of the best filmmakers across the globe. These films cover politics, nature, art, society, philosophy, science and more. "A Taste of The Middle East" When: Mondays from 3:00-4:30 PM Where: The Gathering Place, 609 Helmcken st, Facilitator: Shahla Masoumnejad Middle Eastern countries have a rich culture, and although they are frequently identified as one region; each country represents a distinguished culture that is rooted in ancient traditions. In this study group, we enjoy the beauty of these cultures and explore the differences that make each country unique.
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We acknowledge that Carnegie Community Centre, and this Newsletter, are occurring on Coast Salish Territory. 401 MfJir;Street verccwe-
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THIS NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association.
LSLAP (law Students legal Advice Program) DROP-IN
WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter -Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry. -Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 %")wide x 15cm(6")high. -Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered. -Black & White printing only. -Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced andlor cropped to fit). -All artists will receive credit for their work. -Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication. -Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor. The editor can edit for clarity, format & brevity, but not at the expense of the writer's message.
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