By Lilly Lin Photography by Lilly Lin Originally published at The Colloquium on November 4, 2022 Why have we continued to fail to enact impactful and much-needed climate action and change? What are the hurdles that obstruct us from achieving global targets? International organizations such as the United Nations have held Climate Change Conferences each year since 1997. In 2015 the Paris Agreement was signed by 195 states and the European Union to collectively achieve “net zero emissions” by 2050, and aim to keep global warming to 1.5℃. But the 2022 Emissions Gap Report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that current policies “point to a 2.8℃ temperature rise by the end of the century.” It believes that a further 45% cut is needed to get on track to the 1.5℃ goal. Despite policies to shift globally to greener energy, select countries and corporations resist completely phasing out fossil fuels. Developing countries rich in oil, gas, and coal are keen on the economic growth provided by these resources, and feel unfairly penalized by the push to rapidly transition away from them. A report from campaigners at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) “warned that oil and gas companies are planning production expansion that would result in 115bn tonnes of CO2 being pumped out.” Closer to home in British Columbia, four of its communities are under Drought Response Level 5—the highest response level—as of November 10th. EmergencyInfoBCclassifies this as “exceptionally dry and adverse” conditions where “impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values are almost certain.” This comes a year after BC experienced heavy flooding in parts of south-western British Columbia. Mudslides damaged and closed highways, and numerous towns and districts including Merritt, Abbotsford and Okanagan-Similkameen were under evacuation orders due to rising water levels. While the challenges and impacts of climate change continue...

What would it mean if water had a spirit – or, if you can accept it, what does it mean that water has a spirit? Our guest speaker, Michael Blackstock, a Northwest Coast Gitxsan artist and independent scholar, shared Indigenous perspectives on reconciliation and a water-first approach to climate change strategies. He pointed to alternative paths for addressing “a blindspot” in Western science and creating a shift in our attitude. All of life is a spiritual experience.  An event recap including the recording of his presentation will be published soon. Stay tuned. Photographed by Alistair Eagle (community member of the KCCS Community Engagement...

By: Allan Chan Photo credit: Gracielene Ulu Originally published at The Colloquium on July 12, 2022 Gracielene Ulu Co-creation is defined as the development of new ideas as a result of collaboration between creators. It is characterized by the sharing of ideas between parties, as opposed to working individually. When I had first heard of the term “co-creation”, a blurry idea had formed in my head, but it was not until I had met with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist Grace Ulu that I would gain a deeper understanding of what co-creation was. I had previously been acquainted with Grace’s work with the David Suzuki Foundation in devising the native pollinator map of Vancouver. With this opportunity to meet her presented to me, I jumped on the chance to get to better know Grace and talk to her about her art and personal journey.  This story is entitled “co-creation” because Grace was an integral part of our team as we worked together on the Indigenous Story Circle project. Our project could not have been done without her participation alongside Gail Sparrow, former chief of the Musqueam Nation. Not only that, but Grace’s artistic journey and her process features the collaboration of her family and those around her every step of the way.  One of the first things I noticed about Grace was her smile. It was a warm smile. She was so full of life and kindness, and she knew how to bring a smile to someone’s face. During our interview, she would laugh and ensure each of us emerged feeling the same way she felt. Grace was such a busy person, balancing both motherhood, work obligations, and our project. The name Grace is short for Gracielene, a combination of her grandmother and grandaunt’s names, Grace and Arlene. Gracielene...

By Keiko Honda Photography by Noriko Nasu-Tidball We continue to ask ourselves: how can cultural differences and unique heritage benefit everyone? How can we utilize these cultural differences as a multigenerational and multicultural force for good? Going a little further, what do you know about Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) or Indigenous knowledge? I want to begin by acknowledging that we live, work, and play on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam people.  The Kerrisdale Community Centre sits in the heart of the Musqueam’s traditional land and was once an ancient Musqueam village site. One of the important things for us all to remember, one of the reasons that we wanted to be here at the Story Circle is to celebrate the unexpected unfolding of life. For instance, I would not be here doing what I’m doing [facilitating the event], if Gail Sparrow, the former Chief of the Musqueam Nation, did not stop to talk with a stranger – me – on Dunbar street 10 years ago, shortly after I moved to Vancouver from NYC. Despite the vastly different histories and experiences, there are many things that connect us. Empathy, for example. That is what Gail shared with me back then and thereafter. I’ll never forget our chance encounter and the many beautiful shared memories, but these are stories for another time. I met Gail Sparrow, the former Chief of the Musqueam Nation, 10 years ago. Back then, I interviewed her shortly after I joined the board of the Kerrisdale Community Centre. When we preserve stories in stable forms such as recordings, people from different times and places can access them year after year. And, stories become part of who we are, what we believe, and how we see our future. The reason why...

By Keiko Honda (Chair, Community Engagement Committee) Ann Monahan, a former and long-time Senior Council member welcomed the new addition to the Senior Centre. She has been instrumental in creating the Pop-Up Library through her steadfast support. The Indigenous Pop-Up Library, as part of the Kerrisdale Community Centre’s Community Engagement Committee (CEC)’s newest initiative, has finally been unveiled and accessible to all visitors throughout the year.  With the blessing and messages from the former Musqueam Chief, Gail Sparrow, who serves as our Guiding Elder, the pop-up library is located in the sunfilled lobby area of the Senior Centre and features excellent Indigenous resources recommended by our Indigenous and non-Indigenous community partners to support teaching and learning. These resources include Indigenous books and articles, original take-home activity sheets, and more. CEC will plan to update the Pop-Up Library semesterly (Summer, Fall/Winter, Spring).   Kicking off and commemorating June, National Indigenous History Month in Canada, the Pop-Up Library is introducing the following seven Indigenous books:  Non-fiction: Oceaness by Michael Blackstock (Author)Our Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada’s Past (Contributions by Thomas King, Tantoo Cardinal and, Tomson Highway)  Poetry: Native Poetry in Canada: A Contemporary Anthology by Jeannette Armstrong  (Editor), Lally Grauer  (Editor) Fiction: The Strangers by Katherena Vermette (Author)Neekna and Chemai by Jeannette Armstrong  (Author), Barbara Marchand  (Illustrator): Recommended for ages 9-12 Son of a Trickster Paperback by Eden Robinson (Author)   Collection: Tekahionwake: E. Pauline Johnson’s Writings on Native North America by  E. Pauline Johnson  (Author), Margery Fee  (Editor), Dory Nason  (Editor) It is important to note that the honour system has been in place, so books are not to be borrowed but to stay on the shelf as display copies, while activity sheets are available for the public to take home. Please come check them out and...

The Kerrisdale Community Centre, located in the heart of the Musqueam’s traditional and unceded territory, was once an ancient Musqueam village site. The Kerrisdale Community Centre Society is committed to seeking relevant cultural sources to inform and guide our approach to reconciliation. We seek new ways of interpreting local places and opening our hearts – ways that include Indigenous perspectives and values. We want to make this new and old knowledge accessible to more people, including the next generation of emerging leaders. Accordingly, the Community Engagement Committee, together with Former Chief Musqueam First Nations Gail Sparrow, is launching the Kerrisdale-Musqueam Story Circle in late Spring, 2022.  In part, this initiative involves building a pop-up library of Indigenous readings in the Senior Centre’s Lobby for our visitors to read throughout the year. We will also organize a spoken-word event at Centennial Park during the summer.  Our New Logo Beyond the library and summer event, we will establish a safe and collaborative space, under the guidance of Gail Sparrow, to learn our collective history and understand our future potential. In this space, we will examine our beliefs about ourselves in relation to the communities where we live and people with whom we interact, to develop a sense of self as part of something larger. “My grandfather was the one that worked with the settlers here in Vancouver and opened up the roads. The roads were logged by the First Nations and Asian communities. We did a lot to build this area, Kerrisdale,” says Gail Sparrow, who is a former Musqueam Chief.  She continues, “Kerrisdale Community Centre could open up more and integrate Indigenous learning approaches in their programs.” In addition to the Musqueam Nation, we have consulted with the Park Board’s Decolonization, Arts, and Culture Department...

The Kerrisdale Community Centre Society is always looking for members to join Board committees. These interesting volunteer opportunities require a smaller time commitment than is required by the Board of Directors. The time has never been better for people of all backgrounds to consider joining the Kerrisdale Community Centre Society (KCCS) board which is more dedicated than ever to finding new members with a wide range of experiences. Many individuals join a board as a way to give back. KCCS can provide an excellent opportunity to positively affect change or support community groups working towards a cause they are passionate about.  How to Apply Complete an Application Form and accompanying material at least 10 days prior to the Annual General Meeting on February 16, 2022. Please attach a short resume describing your community interests and any other board experience. You should include any past experience in teaching, fundraising, promotions, legal work, finance or administration etc. Applications and supporting materials can be sent digitally through the form on this page, or can be submitted by email to kerrisdaleccsociety@gmail.com or can be dropped off in person at the Kerrisdale Community Centre front desk. Interviews will be held to review the role of Directors in the operation of the community centre and the Society’s expectations of Directors and to answer any questions you may have. You will also be asked how your experience and qualifications would be of benefit to the Board and to the community centre.   Please note that the Kerrisdale Community Centre Society Conflict of Interest policy precludes staff, instructors, and employees of the Vancouver Park Board from serving on the Society Board of Directors. In order to limit potential Covid-19 exposures, all interviews will be held either online or by telephone.   For more information contact Alison at kerrisdaleccsociety@gmail.com. Thank you...

                                  Image from Creative Commons by Eileen Chen Having a life while being in medical school sounds a bit like a paradox, but first year medical student Joshua Yoon is here to prove that it can be done. While studying as a full-time student, Joshua also serves as the chair of the Kerrisdale Community Centre (KCC) Youth Committee. He began volunteering for KCC as a youth leader since he was in high school and says that the community is “dear to his heart.” The original Youth Leaders in Action program that he participated in emphasized leadership, professionalism, and interpersonal skills, and involved collaborative event planning for various holidays and special occasions. Today, the Youth Committee still runs several community events in spite of COVID-19, such as an intergenerational tech workshop that pairs high school volunteers with seniors in the community. Joshua was initially surprised by the level of interest shown by both seniors and high school students to return to these events after the pandemic put it on hold. They followed strict COVID-19 protocols for masking and distancing, and have had several successful sessions this summer. “There are more avenues for intergenerational dialogue now, whether digital or remote or not,” said Joshua. The seniors in the program have always been more than willing to divulge experiences beyond laptop and smartphone trouble-shooting, and the pandemic has only highlighted the importance of social interaction in a time of physical distancing. Joshua notes that intergenerational dialogue isn’t emphasized by most school curriculums, which makes these community activities especially valuable to the youth. Even as a medical student, interpersonal skills are indispensable. During practicum at the Vancouver General Hospital, Joshua has to...

  Dear Readers, Interdisciplinarity and co-creation are two philosophies we employ in programming the Kerrisdale Contemporary Arts Lab (K-CAL) series, which began working on art-based community development at the beginning of 2018. Setting the “art for its own sake” versus “art for social value” argument aside, I hope our effort and work will support individual creativity, connect people across cultural boundaries, and build the community centre’s capacities to innovate and express ideas.    What is the goal of the K-CAL initiative? Although my view may not be entirely representative of our board, I believe a community centre should nurture the arts in the communit not only for the sake of fostering creativity, but to spur synergies with its other activities in community development. Focussing only on a centre’s financial bottom-line can be short-sighted and detrimental to our cultural resources. Speaking of synergies, the latest K-CAL workshop, titled, “Synergy“, led by artist Judith M Atkinson, was an interesting experiment. “Loosen up, everyone! Let the free flow of expression keep going!” said Judith, during her provocative drawing workshop that successfully invited the participants tap into their creative potential. With some rhythmic background music and various drawing resources, including Chinese ink and tree twigs, all participants produced rather surprising artwork inspired by an installation (the point of departure), honeysuckle vines harvested from a community garden and dried by Judith.  I was personally amazed by how effective the music was in helping me loosen up. The most amazing surprise of all was the transformation of all participants. One particular participant drew figuratively at the beginning but became an abstract expressionist toward the end. Judith’s masterful and supportive critiquing, as well as the relationship building within the group, helped drive these transformations. The “Synergy” workshop was a successful affirmation of the K-CAL...

By Eileen Chen Photo courtesy of Eileen Chen, Kevin Wong *Permission to reprint granted by the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society   “The location is the KCC Senior Centre, and you will probably hear our laughs when you come in,” said the founder of Kerrisdale Community Centre’s language exchange group, Kevin Wong, in his email to me. Sure enough, after my initial mistake of barging in on a group of pool-playing friends, I did find the small group through the sound of their laughter. There were about 8-10 people occupying one table in the lounge area. An elegant white lady, who later introduced herself as Paula, was reading a story about a little horse crossing a river in Mandarin. The little horse is told by an ox that the water is shallow but warned by a squirrel that it’s deep, and only discovers that the water is just shallow enough for it to cross when it steps into it himself. Paula’s accent was imperfect, yet oddly musical. Other Mandarin speakers at the table corrected her from time to time, and she enthusiastically translated the fable into English as she read along. As I learned later, the merry group meets every Monday to study English and Mandarin together. The learning methods range from reading stories to learning vocabulary and carrying out casual conversations, and members both strive to learn one language and offer their knowledge of the other in the same session. Some members find themselves learning both Mandarin and English. Kevin was originally open to having an exchange group for more than just two languages, but decided that focusing on English and Mandarin would be the most effective. The group has existed for a year in this form, and although some members come and go,...

By: Chloe Price Photo courtesy of: Chris Gatchalian *Permission to reprint granted by the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society The relationship between politics and art has been a constant subject of debate, and we live in a time when this conversation is more relevant than ever before. With the birth of social media we have seen the advent of callout-culture, and a new method of holding individuals accountable for their words and actions. Additionally, the political polarization of Western society is peaking at the current moment, and the Internet serves as a limitless digital soapbox for people to present and argue about their vastly differing perspectives and outlooks on life. These factors have helped create a culture in which few works of art are exempt from being viewed through a political lens. When we sit down to speak, local writer Chris Gatchalian explains to me his own evolving view on the matter. “When I was younger, I used to think of art and literature as being these universal things that were apolitical, but I don’t subscribe to that belief anymore. I still believe art is transcendent, and I don’t want to get too spiritual, but it is connected to the Divine, I think, but I don’t think that precludes it from being political. To ignore politics is to ignore what’s going on in the world, and I don’t think art should ignore what’s going on in the world.” Gatchalian has just finished his residency at Vancouver’s Historic Joy Kogawa House. The building was once inhabited by renowned Canadian writer Joy Kogawa, who is perhaps best known for her book Obasan, which centered on the government’s persecution and internment of the Japanese in Canada during the Second World War. Kogawa and her family were sent to an internment camp in 1942, and today her childhood...

On April 8th, 2018, the Kerrisdale Community Centre held their 4th annual Sakura Walk,  a local tree history and identification series lead by professional forester Robin Clark. The participants left the community centre at 10 A.M. to follow a trail of trees that outline the parameter of the block inhabited by the Kerrisdale Community Centre. Robin classified various tree and shrub species found in our local Kerrisdale community, from oaks, to maples, and even some trees that were initially unidentifiable, which left us with the interesting project of distinguishing these trees after the walk. After our walk, we met back at the community centre for tea and snacks to discuss our findings and further questions we had about the trees. We learned a number of ways of identifying local trees, such as leaf and stem placement, leaf shape, and any identifiable berries or flowers budding on the branches. Participants were particularly interested in grafting, which Robin pointed to on a few trees we encountered on our walk. Other areas of interest for participants were how to identify the male and female parts of trees, and the mystery trees we found along the walk. Robin’s help with identifying and mapping these trees along our route showed participants how connected our lives are with the lives of local trees. Trees are an integral and beautiful part of our Vancouver landscape, and we are thankful to have someone like Robin to show us the unique and distinguished nature of local trees! (text: Grace McRae, Vancouver Arts Colloquium...

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  Dear Readers, How’s your new year going so far?   I am delighted to share my experience in the KCC’s brand new series called Kerrisdale Contemporary Arts Lab (K-CAL), which hit the ground running on January 6, with an interdisciplinary artist, Soyoung Park. I brought my parents who were visiting me from Japan to the Soyoung’s workshop, called Everyday Installation, partly because I, as an organizer, was worried about a low turnout. Plus, I thought my mother would enjoy art and craft and my father wouldn’t mind accompanying us for a few hours. It turned out that the workshop was an improvisational acting in which people had to create a pop-up installation as a group (with whatever available materials in the room like chairs and papers) and tell a story collaboratively without using any words.  Hmmm….That’s even possible!? …..No one knew what we were getting into!  There were 3 other adult participants besides my father and my mother (aged 82 and 78, respectively) who cannot speak English and have no acting skills nor previous experience to my knowledge. I was feeling anxious (on the group’s behalf) and a bit guilty for “dragging” my parents along to the workshop with no explanations other than, “It’s part of my volunteering as a board member!” (I am extremely grateful for my lovely parents who always support me no matter what, evidently!). As the workshop was proceeding, still weary and disoriented, I noticed that everyone were embodying (as the photographs show!). And more impressively, it seemed to me that everyone were self-contextualizing quite effortlessly at least from a distance. Literally, there was no words to describe what’s happening, but it was a wonderful surprise to discover my parents’ hidden “talents” and witness their 200% engagement and liveliness. It seemed as if...

By Simran Dhaliwal Photo Courtesy of Danielle Gagnier *Permission to reprint granted by the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society     “The world is so big! Why do the same thing over and over?” I walked into this interview nervous, not knowing what the temperament of Danielle Gagnier would be like. To my pleasant surprise, as we began to talk over hot cups of peppermint and nettle tea, Danielle revealed herself to be a kind and patient woman with a soothing passion lying beneath her words. As we continued to converse, my stiffness faded and was replaced with excitement as I learned more and more about this remarkable artist. Speaking to Danielle was enlightening as she is one of the best examples of a truly artistic spirit. Throughout her life, she has maintained an open-minded approach to art, branching out into many fields that appear to be divided by our arbitrary categories. Danielle has ventured into pottery, mask-making, singing, songwriting, improv, dancing, guitar, percussion, photography, and filmmaking. If all of this seems excessive, Danielle would disagree, as she is eager to venture into even more pursuits, open to discover new ways to express her creativity. She has this amazing mindset of a learner, something many artists cease to do once they feel like they’ve settled into their niche. Danielle breaks the conventional rules, and I am excited to tell you about how she does so. But to do that, I believe it’s important to go to where Danielle began. Growing up in Francophone Canada, she was quiet and contemplative as a child.  Danielle appreciates that her parents encouraged her innate draw to the arts, as she tells in a heartwarming story. When she was five years old, in the exuberance of youth she took a...

By Chloe Price Photo courtesy of Cathy Stubington *Permission to reprint granted by the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society There are precious few remedies for the bleak mood of Vancouver in January, but I can say with certainty that a visit with artists Paula Jardine, Carmen Rosen and Cathy Stubigton is a sure-fire cure. Our meeting takes place on one of those grey winter afternoons that us locals know all too well, when it appears that someone has punched a hole in the sky and all the color has drained out of our city, only to be replaced with relentless drizzle. I hear Paula, Carmen and Cathy before I see them—their voices and laughter pierce the sleepy air, announcing their approach. The three women enter in a flurry of bright woollen hats, scarves and coats, chattering cheerfully as they shed this winter plumage. Greetings are exchanged, hands are shaken and we soon all settle at a tea and cookie-laden table. I quickly note that any question posed to the trio is met with a chorus of inter-weaving, over-lapping answers—and yet they are all remarkably, genuinely interested and engaged with each others’ comments and opinions. This is perhaps a side effect of the emphasis on being present, and re-connecting with one’s environment and fellow humans, that seems to be a unifying theme for all three artists’ work. We briefly discuss some of their past residencies—in this city as well as out of town—and the art they’ve created. Carmen, for example, cloned spores from local oyster mushrooms and incorporated them into deadwood sculptures to create environmentally sustainable art that would decompose over the years. Cathy and Paula use the term “guerrilla acts of creativity” to describe much of their work—that is to say, spontaneous instance of art...

By Eileen Chen Photo courtesy of Pille Bunnell *Permission to reprint granted by the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society What does an intersection between poetry and science mean? Does it relate to poems that talk about science or scientists that speak in verse? These were the questions that plagued me when I was preparing an interview with Dr. Pille Bunnell – an ecologist and cyberneticist – to discuss the topic of integrating poetry and science, as well as her experiences and fields of study. Before diving into discussions of what systems ecology and cybernetics are, I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Bunnell relate a beautifully personal tale. In the year 2002, Dr. Bunnell attended a course at the University of Tartu during a visit to her mother country, Estonia, which she left as a refugee when only eight months old. There, she joined a field trip to an ancient raised bog, where the peat moss had built up several meters above the surrounding area. It was a chilly November day, with a smatter of snow on the ground. After receiving a bog-walking lesson, she had a chance to explore the ancient landscape herself. Pausing to look around, she was suddenly overcome with a striking sense of awe and familiarity: “I am home!” The emotional intensity of this experience was evident, even when retelling her story. After long reflection on that impactful experience, Dr. Bunnell came to the conclusion that language links people with their ancestry through its connection with the land. I was surprised to see language brought into the equation like this, but through Dr. Bunnell’s explanation of how the grammar, intonation, and flow of language arises from how people relate within the landscapes they live in, I eventually became convinced. To apply...