 |
Urban Aboriginals
Coming Together
for the sake of Families and Community
Celebrating the Launch of the
Click Here for the Vancouver Aboriginal Council's Web Site
December 15, 1999, Vancouver, BC
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskénhas -Bob Kennedy
Viola Thomas, United Native Nations President called it, "A springboard to articulate, to challenge, to build trust and cultural integrity". Marj White of the Circle of Eagles said, "I hope this will be the umbrella group we have needed in the city all these years. Squamish Chief Ian Campbell called it, "An unique opportunity to bring people together from different nations. We're putting on a new mask today", he explained. Blair Harvey, coordinator of the process described it as, "A joyous, high energy occasion".
They were talking about the launch of the Vancouver Aboriginal Council --- a volunteer gathering of aboriginal service providers who want to help solve urban problems in a wholistic, comprehensive way and do so by setting aside differences and focus on the greater good of aboriginal families and the community. Idealistic and a tough order to fill in a world of individual and organizational egos, and a fractured community.
But despite all of that usual unsavoury stuff, they are doing it. Moving forward after two years of work, bringing people together, debating, planning, coordinating. This night they had gathered at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre to ritualize their success, to encourage each other, to celebrate and move on despite some opposition, naysayers and familiar negative nellies. When so many people are working together to do the right thing who could blame you for being tempted to use the phrase, 'lead, follow, or get out of the way'.
The irony is that they were guests in a place that openly refuses to support their process --- for now. That's okay because the Vancouver Aboriginal Council promotes itself as an open, transparent process that allows for dissent when people have issues. All they ask is that if you have issues --- bring them forward to the group, don't go behind their back, don't sabotage, all are welcome to come join this conspiracy to succeed on behalf of the aboriginal community.
A coordinated approach to problem solving is desperately needed after years of government funding policies that encouraged community fragmentation and the scrambling for dollars and the protection of programs and empires. Since the Council began meeting, local, provincial and federal government agencies have started sending people to the meetings. It's an education. It's basic networking. It makes good sense to participate if you are at all interested in having your finger on the pulse of the Vancouver Aboriginal community. It promises to provide an effective way to get meaningful, thoughtful feedback on government programs, community needs and priorities.
They will need to heed the warning provided by past failed attempts to bring the community together. Viola Thomas suggests a good way to be successful this time is, "Not to use Roberts Rules of Order or constitutions to divide us. Let's have the courage to set our own standards".
There was a theme in the words of the many speakers this evening, and I believe it was the promise of progress, the possibility of making a difference through collective efforts, provided they are inclusive, respectful of all and aimed at advancing cultural identity.
Marj White,Circle of Eagles & Jeanette Angus,Indian Homemakers
Sandy Foulds of Metis Family Services Signs and Steven Lytton, Speaks on Behalf of BCANDS
BC Aboriginal Network on Disabilities Society
Paul Stevenson,President & Bill Lee Vice-president Vancouver Métis Association. Arthur Eggros of the Aboriginal Veterans Association and Elder Bob George of Tsleil Waututh
Federal representative Paul Kyba with Tsleil Waututh Chief Leonard George. Ken Clement of Healing Our Spirit and Art Zoccole of the
Red Road HIV/AIDS Network.
Sandy Foulds of Métis Family Services and Jade McClaren of Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society
Squamish Nation Chief Ian Campbell and Marj White of Circle of Eagles Offer Encouraging Words
Fred Storey, Metis and Director of Aboriginal Relations Ministry for Children and Families. Paul Stevenson, President Vancouver Métis Association Congratulate Community Members on Their Success
FYI>>>>>
Here's a postscript to the above story. There's an additional effort underway in Vancouver to address urban Aboriginal issues. Here's the notice/invitation from the Honourable Hedy Fry and Chief Leonard George.
Making things better for urban Aboriginal People and their communities. Let's get beyond the talk. Let's start doing it in the Vancouver area! Invitation to Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Open Space Forum
Although this is a time of transition for urban Aboriginal people living in the Vancouver area, they are still at the bottom of a wide range of social indicators: from addictions to health status, education to income, suicide rates to child apprehensions. For too many, conditions don't seem to be improving.
We believe that it is time for change. It is time for those of us who can make a difference to step forward. On January 21, 2000, a new era will begin. An era of community action, responsibility and commitment. An era that we invite you to be part of.
Join us at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre for a one-day Open space Forum to share information and ideas, find others with commitment and passion and, most importantly, create solutions for the future of urban Aboriginal people in the Vancouver area.
We will be there for the whole day and we hope that you can join us at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre at 1650 East Hastings Street in Vancouver. Please join us for the reception as well:
January 20, 2000 Reception 4:30PM - 6:30 PM
January 21, 2000 Urban Aboriginal Forum 9:00AM - 5:00 PM
To register or receive further information contact the Forum Administrator, Ms. Germaine Langan at (604) 951-8801
© All contents are copyright 1998 - 20021
No material from this site may be reproduced, modified, republished,
transmitted or distributed in any way without the owner's prior approval.
All Rights Reserved
by INFOCOM Management-
Native owned and operated
