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Katie Czenczek
Staff Writer

 

Te of thousands of people joined
the 2017 Vancouver Walk for
Reconciliation on September 24.

The weather was clear and sunny,
setting the stage for the march. Starting
at Queen Elizabeth Plaza on the corner
of West Georgia and Cambie Street, the
opening remarks set the tone for the rest
of the day. Speakers talked about the
horrors of residential schools and their
impact on Indigenous people. Speakers
also spoke of honouring missing and
murdered Indigenous women. They
also talked about how it is up to the
government, religious groups involved,
and Indigenous people to right the
wrongs of the past and present.

“Namwayut,’ or “we are all one,” was
a phrase put to action as people from
all backgrounds joined the walk down
the Georgia Viaduct to Strathcona Park.
There were individuals who brought
families and friends with them to march,

~—_
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C C I am inspired by the idea that eight out of ten
Canadians want to reconcile with aboriginal
people.” Robert Joseph, Gwawaenuk elder

 

along with partners and other groups
such as VanCity Credit Union and the
Canadian Union of Public Employees.
Rebecca Hope, a UBC student who
attended the march, said in an interview
with the Other Press that she marched
to “acknowledge the hurt that’s been
done [to residential school victims and
their families] and move forward.”
After the two-kilometre walk,
there was an expo at Strathcona Park
where performances and speeches
carried out on the main stage while
people could walk around from booth
to booth. There were cultural and
children’s activities, along with artisan
markets and community booths.
Mayor Gregor Robertson took

to the stage to announce that the

City of Vancouver will hang the flags

of the Musqueam, Squamish, and
Tsleil-Waututh in the city hall council
chamber “as a formal recognition that
we are on unceded lands and that their
flags belong in our chamber.’ He also
proposed to name the Queen Elizabeth
Plaza and Vancouver Art Gallery plaza
in honour of the Musqueam, Squamish,
and Tsleil-Waututh people. There
would be indigenous art presented

at the gallery’s plaza as well.

Following Robertson’s
announcement, Sawagi Taiko
performers combined dance, song,
and drums before Chief Robert Joseph
gave a speech thanking everyone

Photo via aboriginalneighbours.org

for participating in the events.

Joseph, a Gwawaenuk elder, is the
founder of the Reconciliation Walk and
a former residential school student. He
discussed the importance of everyone
coming together “to think about and
reflect on our past. And remembering
some of the really difficult shortcomings
we have had as a country and asa
nation. I am inspired by the idea that
eight out of ten Canadians want to
reconcile with aboriginal people.”

The expo closed with Emmanuel
Jal getting everyone up to dance
and participate in the events.

Joseph's granddaughter, Stephanie,
said in an interview with the Other Press
that the march was a powerful experience.

“It’s quite liberating. There’s a lot
of words for how it feels. I’ve always
known about residential schools and
I never thought I'd see the day where
wed march in unison and acknowledge
these things but also acknowledge our
differences and love each other the same,
she said. “It’s powerful and empowering.”

>

DSU hosts meet and greet for international

students

> Evening included games, food, shared stories

Jake Wray
News Editor

 

Leaving family behind and
traveling across the globe to attend
school in Canada is a difficult journey
for some international students.

The DSU hosted a meet-and-greet
party to welcome international students
on September 27. Some international
students spoke to the crowd about
their experience at Douglas College
so far. There was free food and games
including Jenga and pool, and there
was a white board where students

could weigh in on questions such as
“Do you think tuition fees are high?”

Rickeval Alova, a 23-year-old who
traveled from the Philippines four
months ago to study global banking and
economics at Douglas College, said in an
interview with the Other Press that he was
one of the first people to arrive at the DSU
party. He said he feels homesick in Canada
despite living with his aunt and uncle.

“T live with my uncle and my aunt, so
the vibe of having a Filipino family is still
there, but you ... still miss your family in
the Philippines,” he said, adding that he
was grateful for the chance to meet new

C C It was a good experience,” Rickeval Alova,
international student from the Philippines

 

people at the DSU party. “I think of it as
an opportunity to widen up [my] network
and learn a lot from other people.”

Alova said he made some
connections at the party.

“I met a few people,” he said. “Asked
what their programs are, played a few
games. It was a good experience.”

People in Canada are welcoming
and friendly, according to Alova.

“Every time you wait at the bus stop
within your community, you can easily talk
with them, like “How’s your day going?’
They’re really open. They're really good

at sharing with other people,” he said.
Alova said he is constantly on the
lookout for opportunities to get involved
and meet new people at Douglas College.
“As much as possible I want to
join different activities, so I started off
last semester joining clubs,” he said. “I
just joined the DSU hip-hop club.”
The DSU thanked attendees in an
Instagram post following the party.
“Thank you for sharing your stories
with us,” the post said. “We are going to
take your feedback to find ways to better
support our international members.”