Sophie's blog

First Nations Burning Ceremony

 
First Nations Burning Ceremony

As part of the reinternment ceremony for the remains of a first nation woman disturbed by city construction work, we acted as her family and hosted a burning ceremony, which includes a feast for the band at the end. We engaged a first nation speaker to represent the city at this event, which included Chief Andy Thomas and Chief Sam.

 

 

Johnson Street Bridge Federal Funding Press Conference

 
Johnson Street Bridge Federal Funding Press Conference
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Meeting Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall - Nov.6

 
Meeting Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall - Nov.6

'Natural Growth: The Story of Dockside Green'

 
'Natural Growth: The Story of Dockside Green'

'Natural Growth: The Story of Dockside Green' from Christopher Ruffell on Vimeo.

Speech -Humboldt Groundbreaking Ceremony

 
Speech -Humboldt Groundbreaking Ceremony

I would like to acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in whose traditional

territories we live and work.
 

Hay sxw qa.

 
I want to start with a quote that I think is very important:
 
In 1965 Lester B Pearson said to a meeting of the Ontario Association of Housing
 

…it is “the necessity for everybody to have a decent dwelling; not to make all homes mansions, but to ensure that none of them will be hovels. It is only a very rare soul that can expand in a hovel. This objective of decent housing simply has to be achieved in our democratic society.”

 

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Speech - Book Launch: Inside Chinatown

 
Speech - Book Launch: Inside Chinatown

Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate with you the launch of Inside Chinatown...

What makes this book so compelling is that you tell all the stories - the good and the bad – the shining light of community service, the dark shadows of racism.
 
It is visually engaging, historically vital, and full of insight and stories.
 
It gives us a real and uncensored peek into Victoria’s Chinatown and the Chinese community that has so passionately kept their traditions and culture thriving.
 
It honours the past and looks to the future...

 

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Dean and friends present an evening with Mike Harcourt - Urban Century

 
Dean and friends present an evening with Mike Harcourt - Urban Century
An exciting evening with Mike Harcourt on October 17th. The event takes place at the Golden City Restaurant as a fundraiser for "Dean Fortin and friends" -- Pam Madoff, Lynn Hunter and John Luton.

 

Blog - Johnson Street Bridge Consultation

 
Blog - Johnson Street Bridge Consultation

JBS consultation is in full swing. Yesterday was a visit to BC Transit, who were relieved that we were not going to shut the Bridge for 18 months to traffic (one of the consequences of going the refurbishing route). I guess the Esquimalt run is one of the top 3 busiest buses.

Then the Harbour Authority was visited, and talk centred around water  use and ensuring we were addressing shipping needs into the future. The ability for the span to lift was very important, as well as  appropriate design of the south east side of the bridge approaches and park and marina.

 

Shon Yee 91 Anniversary Celebrations

 
Shon Yee 91 Anniversary Celebrations
 
 
It was an honour to attend the Shon Yee anniversary celebrations and bring greetings on behalf of Mayor and Council and the citizens of Victoria.  The Chinese associations were formed to assist immigrants as they came to Canada, seeking new opportunities and to help
 
build the railroad and to be labourers in colonial times.  They were subject to deep racism and hardship - it is said that for every mile of track, there is a deceased Chinese person.  They were subject to a head tax, not allowed to vote, or bring in family, or go to public schools.  Only after the second world war did things start to change.  Part of attending celebrations is to stand with our immigrant communities, to honour their contributions to building this city, and province and country, and to say to "never again" to second class citizenship.
 
 

 

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