Cm eRe erin cele a ee ere Fe, Om Pe Eg ct oe CP ale) esd eee a day Smiles, ribbons, and sunshine co/our Eracism walk Diversity week activities ANNETTE MARTIN Drumming and dancing in the sunshine, five First Nations youths, in traditional Coast Salish dress, led local politicians, MP Lou Sekora, MLA Mike Farnworth and Tri- City mayors, Len Traboulay and John Kingsbury up Pinetree Way towards the David Lam D S th. ne and the large letters, “AS HER!” with her office phone number. (Some people took advan- tage of this information to make inappropriate telephone calls to the president's office.) A postcard campaign was also initiated. Addressed to Premier Clark, the postcards carry a message that begins, “Premier Clark: I am disturbed that college and university administrators are calling for an end to the tuition fee freeze.” On March 11, the Other Press received three communica- tions. The first was from Neal Nicholson, CA, Chair of the Douglas College Board, which reads, in part, “Susan [Witter] did not ‘chastise’ the Student Union, nor did she suggest the Union did not care about debt load. She did not blame the tuition freeze for the lack of funding in the secondary sys- tem, but indicated it as one facet of the funding constraint we all have to deal with.” The second item was a copy of the letter Nicholson sent to campus last Saturday. The first annual Tri-Cities Eracism Walk and Multicultural Celebration, to “Come and Celebrate our Differences” was as successful as organizer, Jeannie Trasolini, executive director of the Society for Community Development, had hoped. Following the dignitaries was an eclectic mix of children, teens, adults and one two-year- old who was determined to bypass protocol and catch the police cruiser ahead of the parade. Mike Farnworth brought along his dog, but whether for protection or companionship, he didn’t say. Opening ceremonies began at Coquitlam City Hall at 11am, led by The Honourable Hedy Fry MP and Wilma Clarke from the Human Rights Commission. At the end of the speeches, each person attached their own three feet long, multi-hued length of ribbon to another rib- bon and walked in a colourful group up Pinetree Way to the atrium of David Lam Campus. The Honourable Glen Clark regarding the student postcard and poster campaign in which he wrote, “The campaign is based on a mistaken presump- tion that our President, Susan Witter, is lobbying in opposi- tion to the tuition freeze. Neither Susan nor the College Board have lobbied for removal of the tuition freeze.” The third document was faxed from the Douglas College Student Society (DSU) as a press release headed, “President supports tuition fee freeze!!!” - The message continued, “Earlier this week the Douglas Students’ Union started a poster campaign in response to comments made by the President of Douglas College that pointed to the tuition fee freeze as a reason for lack of funding in the post-secondary system. “Upon seeing these posters the Chair of the College Board sent a letter to the Premier...and others stating that in his view, and that of the College President, this Sete ke eo dla Smiling faces at the Eracism walk “The sunshine is marvellous for bringing people out” said Coquitlam councillor Diane Thorne. Entertainment at Douglas College was provided by a vari- Government supports a public education system...” Amanda Wheeler is quoted as saying, “The Students’ Union could not be happier. We have always viewed the College President as an ally in the fight for publicly-funded education, and it was for this reason we were so shocked and dismayed when it appeared that she was in opposition of [sic] the freeze.” So, was there a change of heart in this disagreement? If so, by whom and why? The DSU have a new poster campaign: an enlarged photo- copy of Nicholson’s letter to the Premier, with the message, “Student Voices were heard. Come sign a postcard at the DSU office!” inked across the bottom of the page. However, as both Witter and the DC Board believe that the President’s views were misrep- resented, the DSU’s victory in this battle of words may prove to be worth nothing more than the paper it’s printed on. ety of displays from local groups plus dance and song presentations of different cul- tures and nationalities. Throughout the day, visitors were encouraged to sign a dec- Wi ebe from cover reader as far as I can tell,” he said. Wiebe then read one of his short stories, ‘Speaking Saskatchewan, an apt story about a young immigrant boy who learns that he must speak English when he goes to school in Canada. Through a sensitive teacher he discovers not only that cer- tain German words are almost laration supporting anti-racism principles. The declaration will be framed and rotated through the city halls in the Tri-City area. the same as their English equiv- alent, but also that reading English books will form life-long connections for him throughout his future life. It was a most appropriate message for the aspiring, and talented, Douglas College writ- ers. Adrianne Wurz, Honey-Dawn Faircrest, Sherry Hsu and Michael Vegh, of the classical group Four Minus One, supplied music for the evening. oo =~ '4 “2: Rey sR Backpacker Bus Passes Flexible bus passes that are travellers. Buses operate a set itinerary and passengers vy on and off enroute for the validity of their pass. Il busses offer pick-up and drop-off services at hostels and other budget accommodation along the routes. great for independent Europe: Busabout - 15 days from $399 /1 Month from $649 Britain or Ireland: Stray Network - . 6 months from $285 Scotland: Haggis - 1 full circuit, no time limit from $215 New Zealand: Kiwi Experience - N. & S. Island from $440 Australia: Oz Experience- Sydney to Caims from $299 Visit us for full details plus GREAT Airfares ! Plugged-in te Student Travel Since 1969 SFU Rm 2280MBC, 659-2850 567 Seymour St, 659-2830 120 West Broadway, 659-2887 Owned and operated by the Canadian Federation of Students. Registered with the BC Travel Registrar. The Other Press March 24 1999 Page 3