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...