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The potlatch – which translates as gift – serves as the basis for the conception of various masks and regalia to be on display at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Seen at the exhibit will be the creations of the Kwakwaka’wakw, a First Nation of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Thousands of years…
‘Indigenizing the academy through relationships’ was this year’s theme at the 13th annual Indigenous Graduate Student Symposium (IGSS). Held as a public event on March 7th at SFU Harbour Centre, the day featured cultural activities and scholarly presentations. Guests gathered to explore concepts and questions, and to deliberate ways in which the academy could be…
The role of the mainstream and ethnic media will be up for discussion at the 17th annual Metropolis Conference in Vancouver from March 26–28. Organizers anticipate over 700 participants will attend the conference at the Sheraton Wall, which will also cover topics like immigration and integration policies and practices. “This conference is the place to…
Friends of Simon, an award-winning Simon Fraser University (SFU) faculty of education initiative, is committed to building a brighter future for school-aged children and teenaged youth through literacy tutoring and mentoring in local communities. In 2011, the initiative received a Celebration of Community Award by the United Way of the Lower Mainland – a recognition…
Equipped with snowboards and guitars, a trio of young environmentalists went on an eight-month trip last year to northern British Columbia on a school bus that ran on vegetable oil. One day, they snowboarded their way down the majestic mountains, and the following day they sat around with local First Nations people and school kids,…
Violence is a topic that surrounds our world, attacking the most vulnerable people. Shakti Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to opening discussion about issues that affect women, children and families, believes that education is one way to prevent violence. Community cafes, where people of all walks of life cooperate and learn about a variety of…
On May 12, 2008, students at China’s University of Chengdu were struck by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province. The aftershocks of the earthquake impaired the ability of the university’s administrators to carry out necessary crisis management duties in order to protect students. In the absence of this top-down guidance, the…
Black History Month celebrates the contributions of black Canadians to Canadian life, including in many different forms of art. As part of this celebration, the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) has organized a series of screenings, lectures and exhibits, including the Reading Black History Symposium. Participating artists will present some of their own work, as well…
Tet Nguyen Dan (Tet), the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration, is a highly anticipated multiple day event that includes traditional Vietnamese foods, dance, and song, and celebrations galore. This year, the Vietnamese community is trying to involve more Vietnamese youth in the festivities. The celebrations come with a variety of events happening across the Lower…
As the city of Vancouver grows in cultural diversity, so do programs aimed at helping members of diverse cultural communities to take their health into their own hands, by providing both the knowledge and necessary tools to do so. The Healthy Living Program, run by Vancouver Coastal Health staff, is developing strategies to reach out…
The late 1980s saw a small group of Nepalese make a new life in Vancouver. What began as a migration of highly skilled professionals is now expanding to include young students, entrepreneurs and those looking for a different kind of lifestyle. Pradeep Sharma and Khem Dahal share how the Nepalese community has grown and what…
Neonology is a series of youth workshops that shines a light on discrimination and the power we all have to fight it. The workshops are held in North Vancouver throughout the year to help students deal with diversity-related issues. Kids from elementary and high school engage in playful activities that promote discussions around stereotypes, bias,…
Youngsters slicing ice in a beeline for a puck is a cherished Canadian image. In the spirit of helping to establish a similar scene in China, Richmond-based Seafair Atom A1 Islanders attended the inaugural Canuck’s Cup in Shanghai (Jan. 1–3). The Islanders were the sole team representing North America. The Islanders (between the ages of…
