August 2021
villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood
Femmes Risin’ in Fernwood New mural a labour of love, community, and dreaming within Black & Indigenous Futures
›› Stephanie Papik
W
hen I first purchased 1919 Fernwood in 2019, I envisioned a mural along the driveway entrance, a mural on the back of the building, or possibly one inside. I shared this dream with good friend and artist Nicole Neidhardt. Nicole and I walked around the building, scoping out potential areas we could maybe one day paint a mural. Fast forward into the pandemic, one day in March, Mila Czemerys walked into Knotty by Nature Fibre Arts and asked Ryan Davis if Knotty by Nature would like to be a part of Fernwood Mural Festival, happening that June 26. To which he said, yes! Fernwood Neighborhood Resources Group and Knotty by Nature Fibre Arts were the sponsors of the mural. Thank you! A dream come true! I reached out to Nicole to share the serendipitous news! Let’s take a moment to introduce Nicole. I first met Nicole through the Indigenous Youth Internship Program, a provincial Indigenous leadership development program, and since then have had many opportunities to collaborate with a shared vision. Nicole is Diné (Navajo) of Kiiyaa’áanii clan on her mother’s side and a blend of European ancestry on her father’s side. Her Diné family is from Round Rock, Arizona and she grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tewa territory. Nicole received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Business minor from the University of Victoria, on Lkwungen Territory and she recently completed her Master of Fine Arts at OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario. You can read about Nicole’s MFA thesis exhibit “Stories Held in a Time Traveller’s Hogan” at nicoleneidhardt.com/stories-held-ina-time-travellers-hogan. You can find more of Nicole’s work on Instagram at @navabear12.
Nicole Neidhardt (left) and Stephanie Papik (right) imagined this mural at 1919 Fernwood Road years ago. It came to fruition during the Fernwood Mural Fest this past June. Photo: Aly Sibley Photography
With the opportunity to create a mural, our conversations lead us on a path to bring community together with intention. Making time and space to explore the parts of our lives that empower us, that connect us to one another, and to the Lands and Waters that sustain us. A small circle of Indigenous and Black femmes and two-spirits were invited to gather—together we envisioned future worlds for ourselves and our communities. We spoke of what rejuvenates us—what we noticed emerging. We practiced turning our worries into prayers. The energy and conversations that arose from our gathering informed Nicole’s design for the mural. This mural is a community-based project to support how we intentionally come into relation with each other as we emerge from our time of isolation, reflection and hard times, and loss. A key theme that emerged is centering Indigenous and Black femmes, Mother Earth, and each of us drawing on our ancestral knowledge, prac-
tice, and connection to plant medicines. We did this by inviting local community members to contribute a personal or ancestral plant medicine—31 people shared 42 plants. To learn more about the plants, some ancestral use of them visit kbnfibres.ca. These plants and the mural were completed with the help of 15+ community members who showed up and offered a helping hand. The day of the mural festival, 45 people offered their handprint to the mural—the youngest being under 2 years old. The mural is 3 stories high and 14 feet wide. It took four weeks to complete with over 296 human hours. 97 people were directly involved in some capacity in its creation. We have deep gratitude for each and every one of you! Come down to 1919 Fernwood Road and check it out! It’s highly visible from the road and you can find parking nearby to pause and take a good look. There is lots to see! You will see that we included bubbles,
Mark Your Calendar
Feature
Garden Gleanings
Fernwood Art Stroll - Sept 4 & 5 page 2
Guide to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action page 4
Precious Water page 7
a homage to Terry Wilson, the Fernwood Bubble Man who has delighted young folks of all ages in Fernwood Square for as long as I can remember. And in my Inuit culture, our spirits are in bubbles in our bodies, and when we pass on, the bubble is released from our bodies into the air. These bubbles are also a representation of the spirits of ancestors of these lands and our ancestors. May all of our ancestors support us in doing good work while we are visitors here. Support us in acts of reciprocity and gratitude to the Nations who are gracious hosts. These Nations carry deep lines of knowledge and practice that can guide out of these globalized intergenerational impacts of colonization. To quote Albert Einstein, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Take a listen to “Come and Listen” by N’we Jinan, youtu.be/Du7WsfG-u78. All my relations, Paniguvluk - Stephanie Papik and Nicole Neidhardt.
in this issue To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca
guest editorial:
villagevibe Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee
Chantille Viaud Brett Gaylor
Mila Czemerys Shonna Bell Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors
Stephanie Papik Nicole Neidhardt Craig Candler Jo Vipond Lizz Brooks Kelsey Singbeil Councillor Sharmarke Dubow Alieda Blandford Travis Paterson Kayla Siefried Lauren Gaultier First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada JJ Ford
Orange shirts, reciprocity, and decolonizing our backyards ›› Craig Candler “…the legacy of
Art
colonialism is still with
Aly Sibley Photography Axel Laurie McAmmond Shae Zamardi Kayla Siefried Cole Kelly
us… in speaking with
Production Mila Czemerys
Canadians across
Contact us
1240 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 info@fernwoodnrg.ca | villagevibe.ca To advertise, contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.
the country, the two questions I am most often asked are “What can I do?” and “How can I make a difference?”
We gratefully acknowledge that Fernwood,
- Jody Wilson-
our community where we live, work and play resides on the territory of the
Raybould,
Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
From Where I Stand
declaration of principles & values ››
We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood;
››
Fernwood Art Stroll - Sept 4 & 5 The 13th annual Fernwood Art Stroll
neighbourhood control or
institutions and assets;
artists are looking
We are committed to using
forward to the new
our resources prudently
dates of the stroll -
and to becoming financially self-reliant;
››
We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment;
››
September 4th & 5th from 11am to 4pm Painting by Fernwood Art Stroll artist, Laurie
We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and
›› Jo Vipond
to fostering new links between them;
››
We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives;
››
We are committed to governing
local Indigenous owned and controlled trust and then to the First Nations communities whose territory you live on. Reciprocity Trusts is getting started right here in Victoria. For now, interested homeowners, renters, or businesses can visit reciprocitytrusts.ca and pledge to say that you like the idea and want to be part of it. After a meeting with Songhees, Esquimalt, and other south island Nations this summer, Reciprocity will be ready to accept payments soon. For homeowners, the recommended reciprocity payment is based on 1% of property taxes each month, or between about $400 and $600 a year for the average Fernwood home. For renters, it’s 1% of monthly rent. Christina Clarke, Songhees First Nation, says, “I know there are a lot of people who want to do something and we’ve got to find a way to channel that energy. The idea behind Reciprocity is long overdue.” #decolonizeyourbackyard at reciprocitytrusts.ca.
mark your calendar:
We are committed to ensuring
ownership of neighbourhood
››
Many of us are asking these questions this summer. Orange shirts and territorial acknowledgements are springing up all over as Fernwood, and all of Canada, is reminded of the colonialism our communities, and our homes, are built on. Colonialism literally made Fernwood. The same system that put Indigenous kids into residential schools took Indigenous land and divided it up into thousands of little private lots that make up Victoria today. Orange shirts and words of acknowledgement are good, but shouldn’t we do something about our own backyards? For one option, check out reciprocitytrusts.ca. Reciprocity Trusts is a new organization of home owners, renters, and businesses working to make recognition of Indigenous lands more real. Reciprocity Trusts is based on an online tool that allows you to make annual reciprocity payments based on your property’s value, or the rent you pay each month. Reciprocity payments go into a
The Fernwood Art Stroll is back after a long 16 months and last year’s art stroll being cancelled. The artists will be opening their respec-
McAmmond. Photo courtesy of the artist.
tive studios and will give the public an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely walk through one of Victoria’s oldest heritage neighbourhoods and meet the artists in residence. Come enjoy the ambience of
what Fernwood has to offer including our cafes, bistro, pub, and shops. The art studios will be open to the public and you will see a variety of talents including paintings, photography, glass jewellery, storytelling and poetry, handwoven textiles, printmaking, whimsical wooden sculptures, creative recycling, and woven seaweed baskets. There are pamphlets with maps attached in shops around Victoria or you can go to fernwoodartstroll.ca for information. Look for white signs that will mark artists’ houses. COVID-19 protocols will be displayed and all artists will have protocols in effect as per the government issued directive for September 2021.
our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness;
››
We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves;
››
We are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity;
››
We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive;
››
and, most of all, We are committed to having fun!
page 2
villagevibe
August 2021
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
indigenous voices:
buzz:
The importance of Join our Board diverse-specific spaces Are you interested in joining the Fernwood NRG Board of Directors?
›› Lizz Brooks Creating equitable spaces for diverse communities, such as people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups is a conversation that has been increasing in frequency these last few years. The more society sees of these conversations about cultural safety, the more we see individuals creating their own spaces. What does this look like? It looks like having comedy shows with all 2SLGBTQ+ comedians. Maybe it’s support groups for only Indigenous individuals. Or perhaps it’s public spaces like gyms and movie theatres hosting days or nights throughout the year for people of colour exclusively to use their facilities. Depending on one’s experiences and perspectives, these spaces may take a bit of time to understand. Why do we need these spaces when “everyone should be treated equally?” Even in a perfect world, I believe that these spaces would exist. In reality, when we have spaces intended for a specific diverse community that also welcomes guests, such as gay bars or cultural events, there may be times when extra protocols are needed. In spaces such as these, individuals are often attending as guests. However, it is still common to see those guests take up space when the event is intended to honour a specific community.
›› Kelsey Singbeil The Fernwood NRG Board is an enthusiastic group of neighbourhood residents dedicated to fostering a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable Fernwood. We welcome new directors with a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives! The board meets regularly throughout the year to support Fernwood NRG’s
programs and initiatives. We’re looking for new directors who participate in Fernwood NRG programs and are looking to become more engaged in the neighbourhood. Since 1979, Fernwood NRG has provided non-profit child care and family programs, as well as offered recreational activities through the Fernwood Community Centre at 1240 Gladstone Avenue. We’ve also built and currently maintain affordable housing units, run social enterprises like the Good Food Box and Studio 1313 Hair Salon, and lease commercial space to neighbourhood businesses. If you’re interested in learning more, please email kelsey@fernwoodnrg.ca.
Photo: Shae Zamardi
For many Indigenous individuals, our spaces are sacred and opportunities for us to connect, listen, and exist together with our full being. We are able to exist as our authentic selves without needing to be concerned for our safety or whether our intention will be misinterpreted. When we gather with our people, there is a shared understanding of who we are as individuals and the complex dynamics that our people experience. Having identity-specific gatherings is about creating the energy to just exist without feeling the need to be on display for others or without having to explain ourselves. It provides us with time to connect with our community—whichever community that may be—when we may otherwise not be able to. We have a chance to genuinely be us.
Keeping Fernwood Community Healthy Physiotherapy /D^ ^ŚŽĐŬǁĂǀĞ Pelvic Floor Health ůŝŶŝĐĂů ŽƵŶƐĞůůŝŶŐ
NaturopathLJ ŚŝƌŽƉƌĂĐƚŽƌ Vestibular Rehab RMT Massage
*Therapeutic one-on-one or small group sessions available
Ph: 250-381-7473
www.risehealth.ca
1275 Bay Street
*referrals not required
*online booking available
(at Fernwood) *free parking
RISE TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
op ed:
You can’t be what you can’t see ›› Councillor Sharmarke Dubow
I was proud to watch when Her Excellency Ms. Mary Simon was installed as the 30th Governor General of Canada. I was reminded of the day I was sworn into office and the messages I received telling me how much this moment meant to them. Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people are underrepresented in politics and many other professional fields. Ultimately, this impacts how we see ourselves in the spaces we exist and move through. Uncertainty and fear have sadly worked towards eroding hope and in some ways have affected the way our communities are designed and led. When decision makers don’t represent the people they serve, it is hard for people who have been marginalized to see themselves in leadership and this then characterizes policies that do not reflect lived experiences. Since being elected, I have continued to work
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
with and mentor Black, Indigenous, newcomer youth and I continually encourage them to step into leadership positions in their schools, workplaces, and communities. Through encouraging them to step into leadership and use their voices, with boldness and courage, I hope that we are all inspired to actively work towards transforming our community and city to reflect a diversity of ways of being in the world. In the Governor General’s first speech, she shared that, ‘‘reconciliation is a way of life and requires work every day”. It reminds us how we all need to reflect on our own position and ability to engage with reconciliation. This likely looks different for folks who are multi-generational settlers or those of us who are newcomers to Canada but I know that we all have a role to play in working towards reconciliation and making sure that our community is welcoming and inclusive of many worldviews and points of view so we can learn from one another.
August 2021
villagevibe
page 3
feature:
Guide to the Truth & Reconciliation Commis
T
he Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Report was published over 6 years ago, outlining 94 Calls to Action, meant to advance reconciliation and bridge the systemic gaps faced by Indigenous people, and yet we’ve seen minimal to no progress on it from our governments. We can do better than our history. Fernwood NRG is committed to learning about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and we challenge our neighbourhood to do the same. The following list was written by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada as a guide to the TRC Calls to Action. About Child Welfare... 1 We call on all governments in Canada to
make sure Aboriginal kids can stay at home with their families by giving the right tools and education to the adults who work in child welfare. 2 We call on Canada to count how many Aboriginal kids are in care and think about better ways to help them be happy, healthy, and safe. 3 We call on all governments in Canada to make sure First Nations kids can get help through Jordan’s Principle. 4 We call on Canada to make a law about child welfare that helps Aboriginal people take care of Aboriginal kids. 5 We call on all governments in Canada to help parents in ways that respect their cultures and ways of life. About Education... 6 We call on Canada to change the law that
says it is okay for teachers and parents to hurt kids when they are not following rules. 7 We call on Canada to work with Aboriginal people to make sure that all kids in Canada are getting a fair education and chances for a job. 8 We call on Canada to give schools that teach First Nations kids enough money for those schools to give a fair education. 9 We call on Canada to tell us how much money they give to schools that teach First Nations kids and if Aboriginal kids are getting a fair education. 10 We call on Canada to make a law with Aboriginal people to make sure education for Aboriginal kids respects culture and language. 11 We call on Canada to help First Nations students go to college or university. 12 We call on all governments in Canada to make sure there is daycare for Aboriginal kids that respects Aboriginal ways of life. About Culture... 13 We call on Canada to respect the rights
of Aboriginal people. This includes their right to have their languages respected. 14 We call on Canada to make a law with Aboriginal people that preserves and strengthens Aboriginal languages. 15 We call on Canada to put someone in
page 4
villagevibe
charge of promoting Aboriginal languages, and to make sure language programs are running properly. This person should be chosen with the help of Aboriginal people. 16 We call on universities and colleges in Canada to give people the chance to study in Aboriginal languages. 17 We call on all governments in Canada to let residential school Survivors take back their names that were changed in residential schools, without having to pay. About Health... 18 We call on Canada to admit that the
health problems of Aboriginal people are because Canada has not fixed the unfairness. Canada needs to fix the unfairness and respect health-care rights for Aboriginal people. 19 We call on Canada to work with Aboriginal people to set goals to ensure Aboriginal people are healthy, happy, and safe. 20 We call on Canada to respect the health needs of all Aboriginal people, no matter where they live in Canada. 21 We call on Canada to address the hurt caused by residential schools by helping to create healing centres. 22 We call on health-care leaders to respect Aboriginal people by working with Aboriginal healers and Elders to use traditional healing when that is what a patient wants. 23 We call on all governments in Canada to make more jobs for Aboriginal people in health-care, and in Aboriginal communities. All people with jobs in health-care need to know about Aboriginal people and their cultures. 24 We call on all medicine and health schools in Canada to make sure students learn about Aboriginal people, cultures, and health needs. About Justice... 25 We call on Canada to let the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ask questions when Canada may have done something wrong. 26 We call on all governments in Canada to change the laws that say Aboriginal people can’t get justice for unfair things that happened a long time ago. 27 We call on lawyers to learn about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal rights and laws. 28 We call on all law schools in Canada to teach students about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal rights and laws. 29 We call on Canada to work with people who were not included in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to make sure that any legal problems they have are fixed. 30 We call on all governments in Canada to make sure there are less Aboriginal people in jail. 31 We call on all governments in Canada to look for new ways to help Aboriginal people before they are sent to jail.
August 2021
32 We call on Canada to change the law so
47 We call on all governments in Canada
judges can give out fair punishments based on the situation. 33 We call on all governments in Canada to work with Aboriginal people to help end all cases of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Aboriginal babies. 34 We call on all governments in Canada to change the way crimes are punished when the person who did the crime was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 35 We call on Canada to help create more cultural healing places for Aboriginal people in jail. 36 We call on all governments in Canada to work with Aboriginal people to create more culturally based services for Aboriginal people in jail to help them heal. 37 We call on Canada to give more help to Aboriginal people who have left jail. 38 We call on all governments in Canada to end the over representation of young Aboriginal people in jail. 39 We call on Canada to find out details about Aboriginal victims of crime by asking questions like, “How often are Aboriginal people victims of crime?” 40 We call on all governments in Canada to work with Aboriginal people to help Aboriginal victims of crimes. 41 We call on Canada to join hands with Aboriginal organizations to find out why so many Aboriginal women and girls have gone missing from their homes or have been hurt. Canada should look into how residential schools may have been a cause of this. 42 We call on all governments in Canada to respect Aboriginal justice systems, Aboriginal rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
to stop using very old laws that let colonial powers treat Aboriginal people unfairly and take their land.
About the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People... 43 We call on all governments in Canada
to use the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guide for reconciliation. 44 We call on Canada to create a plan to accomplish all the goals in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. About the Royal Proclamation... 45 We call on Canada to work with
Aboriginal people to create a Royal Proclamation of Reconciliation. This proclamation will state that Aboriginal people have the right to take care of their own people, in their own way, and that Aboriginal people never gave up their lands. This proclamation will also state that Aboriginal people have an equal say in the future of Canada, and that Aboriginal laws and Treaties are an important part of this new relationship. 46 We call everyone who was part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to sign a document that shows their commitment to reconciliation.
About the Settlement Agreement... 48 We call on the churches that were part of
the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 49 We call on all churches and religious groups in Canada to acknowledge that Aboriginal people never gave up their lands and that Europeans did not “discover” Canada. About Fair Laws for Aboriginal People... 50 We call on Canada to work with Aborig-
inal people to create places where people can go to learn about or use Indigenous laws. 51 We call on Canada to be honest about the law and their actions when it comes to Aboriginal and Treaty rights. 52 We call on all governments and courts in Canada to accept Aboriginal title once an Aboriginal nation is able to show that they have lived in a certain place for a very long time and that Aboriginal nations should not have to fight for rights related to title. About the National Council for Reconciliation... 53 We call on Canada to work with Aborig-
inal people to create a National Council for Reconciliation that will make sure Canada is doing what it should when it comes to reconciliation. 54 We call on Canada to pay for the National Council for Reconciliation. 55 We call on all governments in Canada to work together with the National Council for Reconciliation so we can understand the progress being made on reconciliation. 56 We call on the Prime Minister of Canada to give an update every year on Canada’s work and plans for reconciliation. About Training Government Workers... 57 We call on all governments in Canada to
teach the people that work for them about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal rights and laws. About Churches... 58 We call on the Pope, leader of the
Roman Catholic Church, to say sorry for the Church-run residential schools and for all the children who were treated unfairly and hurt at these schools. The Pope should travel to Canada to say sorry in person. 59 We call on all churches who were part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement to educate their followers about their church’s role in residential schools and why saying sorry is important. 60 We call on all the churches who were part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement to work with Aboriginal people to teach their priests and other leaders about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools and
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
sion Calls to Action Aboriginal spirituality. 61 We call on all the churches who were part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement to pay for Aboriginalled reconciliation projects (like projects to help Aboriginal people heal or projects to help Aboriginal languages grow). More About Education... 62 We call on all governments in Canada to
work with residential school Survivors and other Aboriginal people to give teachers the tools they need so that every student in Canada can learn about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools. Teachers should also learn to use Aboriginal teaching styles. 63 We call on the leaders in charge of education in Canada to always work on improving education about Aboriginal people and cultures. 64 We call on all governments in Canada who give money to religious schools to make sure that religion classes work with Elders to teach Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and practices. 65 We call on Canada to work with Aboriginal people, universities, colleges, and other places that do research to study reconciliation. About Youth Groups... 66 We call on Canada to help community-
based youth groups by paying for reconciliation programs for kids and helping the groups stay in touch with each other. About Museums and Archives... 67 We call on Canada to work with Aborig-
inal people to help museums adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples so that all museums in Canada are fair to Aboriginal people and cultures. 68 We call on Canada to work with Aboriginal people and museums to mark Canada’s 150th birthday by paying for projects that celebrate reconciliation. 69 We call on Library and Archives Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to teach more people about residential schools, and to make all the information they have about residential schools easy for
people to look at. 70 We call on Canada to work with archivists to go over how they work towards reconciliation and respect the rights of Aboriginal people.
Proud to serve the Fernwood & North Park communiƟes
New Clients Welcome!
About Missing Children and Burial Information... 71 We call on the people whose job it is to
document the deaths of Aboriginal children at residential schools to give those documents to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. 72 We call on Canada to help the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation keep accurate records about the deaths of Aboriginal children at residential schools. 73 We call on Canada to work with churches, Aboriginal people, and residential school Survivors to make a map of all residential school cemeteries. 74 We call on Canada to work with churches and Aboriginal leaders to tell the families of children who died at residential schools where the children are buried, and to help those families honour their children or bring them home to be re-buried. 75 We call on Canada to work with all other governments in Canada, churches, and Aboriginal people to find, fix, and protect residential school cemeteries and other places where residential school children were buried. 76 We call on anyone who will work to find, fix, and protect residential school cemeteries to work with Aboriginal communities in the area and follow the community’s rules for respecting children who died at residential schools.
Full service veterinary care for dogs and cats Amazing team to support you and your pet Family owned and operated
955 North Park St, Victoria BC
PH: 250-940-7387
E: info@fernwoodvetclinic.ca
www.fernwoodvetclinic.ca
About the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation... 77 We call on all archives in Canada to
work with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to help with the records and information on residential schools. 78 We call on Canada to support the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation with funds and to help Aboriginal communities tell their own stories about residential schools and reconciliation. About Remembering... Continued on page 6
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
# 8 T Y B >
August 2021
g
villagevibe
page 5
feature continued:
buzz:
Guide to the TRC Calls to Action
Some great reasons to get your Fernwood Community Association membership
79 We call on Canada to work with resi-
rights and laws.
dential school Survivors, other Aboriginal people, and artists to plan for remembering residential schools and celebrating Aboriginal people and cultures. 80 We call on Canada to work with Aboriginal people to create a special holiday called a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour residential school Survivors, their families, and their communities. 81 We call on Canada to work with residential school Survivors to make a Residential Schools National Monument to honour all the children who went to residential school and their families and communities. 82 We call on all governments in Canada to work with residential school Survivors to make a residential school monument in each capital city in Canada to honour all the children who went to residential school and their families and communities. 83 We call on the Canada Council for the Arts to help all artists who work on projects that are about reconciliation.
About Sports... 87 We call on all governments in Can-
About the Media... 84 We call on Canada to help the Cana-
dian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) by giving them more money to support reconciliation. The CBC can do this by creating more Aboriginal shows, hiring more Aboriginal people to work there, and telling news stories that would interest Aboriginal people. 85 We call on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) to keep being a leader in television and news that reflects the many Aboriginal cultures, and to keep making shows and stories that bring Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people together. 86 We call on all journalism and media schools in Canada to teach students about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal
page 6
villagevibe
ada to work with Aboriginal people and sport leaders to tell the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history. 88 We call on all governments in Canada to support Aboriginal athletes and the North American Indigenous Games. 89 We call on Canada to change the laws on physical activity and sports to support reconciliation and give a fair chance for all kids to participate in sports. 90 We call on Canada to make sure that national sports respect, support, represent, and include Aboriginal people. 91 We call on the hosts of international sports events (like the Olympics) to work with Indigenous people and respect their rules and culture. About Business... 92 We call on large companies in Canada
to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guideline for reconciliation. About Newcomers to Canada... 93 We call on Canada to work with
Aboriginal people to make sure newcomers to Canada will learn about Aboriginal people and cultures, including residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal rights and laws. 94 We call on Canada to change the Oath of Citizenship to: I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada including Treaties with Indigenous Peoples, and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen. For ideas about how you can take part in reconciliation, visit fncaringsociety.com/ events.
August 2021
›› Alieda Blandford & Travis Paterson
When people think of Fernwood, they think of an emerging patio culture in the square, a longstanding arts and theatre scene, live music, colourful character houses, community gardens, and more. Like everywhere in the South Island, Fernwood is a key piece in the housing affordability puzzle, and is at the heart of density and urban transit challenges. That’s why now is a good time to become a member of the Fernwood Community Association. (Membership costs $5 for the year: thefca.ca/membership). The FCA’s annual general meeting has been postponed for 2020/2021, and is expected to happen later this autumn. To become a voting member, one needs only to have their membership in good standing for 30 days. Whether you would like to have your say and vote for the incoming board of directors, or consider standing for a board seat yourself, we would encourage you to become involved! The FCA building, located at 1923 Fernwood Road, is home to the Pandora Arts Collective, Theatre Inconnu, numerous social programs and tenants, and currently, a wellness library. Our theatre, the Paul Phillips Hall, is once again available to be booked for community initiatives at a reasonable rate. The building is also home to the Little Fernwood Gallery, a space where emerging and established local artists can show their work, free of charge. The FCA also operates two commu-
The Fernwood Community Association is located in Fernwood Village at 1923 Fernwood Road. Photo courtesy of Alieda Blandford.
nity allotment gardens: the Fernwood Community Garden next to the Compost Education Centre on Chambers Street, and the Earthbound Community Allotment Garden on Garden Street. An important part of the Fernwood Community Association is facilitating the volunteer Land Use Committee (CALUC). The Land Use Committee works to raise awareness about development proposals in Fernwood, and acts as a conduit between neighbours, developers, and the City. CALUC meetings occur on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00pm via Zoom. On August 5th, the Fernwood Land Use Committee will be joined by the North Park Neighbourhood Association to discuss the future of long-term planning in Fernwood and North Park. All Fernwood and North Park neighbours are welcome and encouraged to attend, thefca. ca/event/land-use-committee. We hope that you will become a member or renew your membership with the Fernwood Community Association today—and tell your neighbours. See you at the AGM!
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
community eats:
garden gleanings:
Singing Bowl Granola Precious water ›› Lauren Gaultier Meet your local Fernwood granola slanger, Jessica, of Signing Bowl Granola (SBG). I found out she was a local after I started ordering her zero-waste bucket and couldn’t help but be impressed by delivery sometimes within hours. I caught up with Jessica to learn more about her company and community involvement. What sets your products apart from others we may find on the shelves?
I like to refer to SBG as “Granola 4 Social Justice”. It provides me with the opportunity and resources to support my community with funds and food. On top of that, our small batch granola is handmade with super clean ingredients and is not overly sweet like most commercial granolas. For someone who has never tried your products before, where should they start?
Unless you have a nut allergy, everyone should try the NO GRAIN. I rolled this one out a few years ago after hearing ongoing requests to make a grain-free granola. My only regret is that I didn’t roll it out sooner. It’s been massively successful. Do you have any advice for our readers who would like to create a consumable product?
Do your research to make sure you’re following rules and regulations. Watch what others are doing. Talk to other food processors. Have fun! Life is short and there’s no time to put things off until a ‘better’ time. You may or may not make money, but if you can pay your bills and have a roof over your head, profit doesn’t need to be the main goal. You are active in giving back, why is this important to you and SBG?
Jessica of Singing Bowl Granola at FernFest artisan markert. Photo courtesy of Jessica.
We are all connected, so if some people are struggling, we are all struggling. I have always believed that those of us who have the wherewithal to help those in need have the responsibility to do so. It has been amazing working with people at the Blue Heron Advisory Group who sponsor the SBG Porridge Project, the people at the Rainbow Kitchen, and all my conscious customers who work with me to ensure that we are redistributing the wealth a bit. Every time you buy SBG you are supporting one of these causes. Any last comments for our readers?
I couldn’t have done any of the things I do without the support of my community. You are creating employment for my amazing team. If you are buying your granola by the bucket, you are an important part of our zero-waste initiative. Basically, SBG is all of us together enjoying good food and supporting our community. To learn about products, where to buy, and how to get involved, visit singingbowlgranola.com or @singingbowlgranola.
mark your calendar:
Get Growing this fall Free seedlings - Friday, August 27th, 4pm to 5pm
›› JJ Ford It may feel like the height of summer, but vegetable gardeners know it’s also time to look ahead to fall and winter harvests! Due to our mild and misty winters, many common vegetables can be started in the summer, for harvest in fall right through the winter. To support food growing in our community, Fernwood NRG is teaming up once again with Get Growing Victoria! to provide free vegetable seedlings to the public. On Friday, August 27th from 4pm to 5pm, we will be distributing free plants on a first-come, first-serve basis. We expect to have cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, swiss chard, romaine and looseleaf lettuce, broccoli, kale, and parsley. Quantities per household may be limited
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
The demo rain water catchment system at the Compost Education Centre. Photo: Kayla Siefried
›› Kayla Siefried I’m writing this on a cool summer Victoria morning at the end of July, blue skies, and garden bounty harvested and set out in the Compost Education Centre’s Farm Stand. I start up the internet, and one of the tabs I have open from yesterday startles me, it maps the fires and smoke in North America, and shows so plainly the other reality for so many people across BC and across the world these days—fire, smoke, and drought. According to BC’s “Drought Information Portal”, drought conditions are classified on a scale of one to five. Currently the entire eastern half of Vancouver Island, including the whole of CRD, is at Level 4. Level 4 drought conditions are considered extremely dry and “adverse impacts are considered likely”; that is, damage can be easily caused to flora and fauna as they struggle to stay alive, and conditions for forest fires are prime. It hasn’t rained in Victoria in 41 days as of July 24th! So, what is my role, as a gardener and citizen who cares about ecosystem health to conserve the precious gift that is water?
There are many ways that I as an individual can conserve water. Firstly, I can check my daily activities: I can take less and shorter showers, wash dishes more efficiently saving dishwater or veggie rinse water for watering plants, let my yellow mellow, and water my garden with a hand held hose rather then a sprinkler. I can skip watering my lawn, and talk to my neighbours about the fact we are in this stage of water scarcity. I can also write emails and start conversations with my elected officials at the city and regional level and encourage them to bring water conservation to the forefront of their activities. And lastly, I can foster an attitude of gratitude—being thankful every day that I have enough water to drink, clean myself, and enough water to give to my vegetable plants. I invite you to take all these water conservation actions too. If you’re curious about ways you can store rainwater in the winter months for your garden come summer, come to the Compost Education Centre to see passive and active rainwater catchment in action, as well as get your hands on our “Rainwater Harvesting” Factsheet. Cherish every drop Fernwood.
and available while supplies last. Distribution will be outside at 1240 Gladstone Ave, and COVID-19 protocols will be in place. What’s Get Growing Victoria!?
Get Growing Victoria! is a free seedlings distribution program created by the City of Victoria in partnership with community and non-profit organizations to support communities disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the City grew 75,000 edible plant starts at the Beacon Hill Park nursery and over 30 local community partners worked to distribute the free plants to their members impacted by the pandemic. In 2021 the funding for this program was extended. Local partners also saw the need for educational resources to complement the free plants, so check out growingfood-together. com for more info on how to grow fall and winter food in your garden!
August 2021
villagevibe
page 7
Scene in Fernwood : Fernwood Mural Festival
Photos: Cole Kelly
1] XIEQ MW LIVI XS TVSZMHI XLI EWWMWXERGI ]SY RIIH 0EYVIP 'SPPMRW 14 JSV :MGXSVME
0EYVIP 'SPPMRW$TEVP KG GE
'SPPMRW0EYVIP $0EYVIPC&' $PEYVIPRHT