Topic: NEWS

I had the opportunity to interview Melanie Mark, newly elected MLA for Vancouver/Mount Pleasant, a riding that was held by outgoing Jenny Kwan for the last 19 years. She graciously agreed to an interview, and we initially decided to meet at Our Town Cafe in the heart of her Mount Pleasant riding, but she suggested we walk across the street to the Kingsgate Mall, where we could find a quieter spot on one of the benches. As it turns out, the location was a place of fond memories.

Kingsgate Mall is in a predominantly working class, blue collar neighbourhood where Melanie Mark grew up. We found a good little bench in the middle of the mall, and she began introducing herself. Friendly and personable, Melanie shared with me that she knows almost every area in Mount Pleasant and that growing up she’d hang out with friends at the Kingsgate Mall to get a bite to eat or just sit and enjoy a cold pop. “I’ve moved at least 30 times in my life around Mount Pleasant and the east side. My mom still lives in the Downtown Eastside (DTES),” she said, “and I really just enjoy this area and being involved with the community.”

Melanie is a First Nations woman with Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Cree, Ojibway, French, and Scottish background. Her grandmother is from the Nisga’a Territory, and her grandfather was raised from the Gitxsan territory. She is a 40-year-old single mother of two daughters, a 5-year-old and 12-year-old. Her educational background includes a criminology diploma with one-year at Native Education College and a one-year transfer program with Douglas College, in addition to a degree in political science and a minor in sociology from Simon Fraser University.

I asked Melanie about her motivation to enter politics, and she began by saying that she spent eight years representing children and youth and advocating for the most vulnerable families, children, and youth throughout British Columbia. “Quite frankly, I saw enough people hit dead ends and brick walls and suffering the system that is supposed to be there to help,” Melanie said. “I felt like an effective advocate who fought for children’s rights, but it felt like I was fighting one battle a time instead of making systemic change.”

She went on to say that 2016 was a big surprise for a lot of people when Libby Davies decided not to run federally and Jenny Kwan ran and won for Vancouver East. That left Kwan’s seat available for the first time in 19 years. “Jenny and Libby held their spots for so long, so I thought I would run in 2017. That would give me a couple of years to learn the ropes, network, meet people, and build up a base, but everything moved so quickly. I had to decide just like that to put my name in the hat and run last April.”

Melanie then began the hard work of fundraising for her campaign because, in her words “campaigning is not cheap: paying for buttons, staff, campaign offices.” She then started connecting with the people by going up and down the hill of Mount Pleasant, saying that it was and still is “fantastic.”

Melanie Mark escorted by B.C. NDP leader, John Horgan, during a swearing in ceremony at legislature as members of the Nisga’a First Nations drummers perform honour song.​​

I asked her to share her thoughts on the night of her election victory with a commanding NDP stronghold of 5,353 votes (61%); trailing distantly was Green Party candidate Pete Fry with 2,325 votes (26%). “I have to tell you, I was in a backroom at the Heritage Hall with my grandmother’s button blanket, and I was told to stay in that room because the guests and band were arriving. As I waited, I looked at my cell phone and saw on my Twitter that I had won! So it was Twitter that told me that I had won, and of course I began to cry.”

Melanie continued, “Regardless what people say that this is a solid riding and Jenny was there for 19 years, I’m the new kid on the block. No one knew who I was. I had to work as hard as I possibly could and get people’s confidence. It was an incredible emotional day considering where I came from, and to achieve something like this is beyond my wildest dreams.”

I asked to her to describe why her campaign was successful, being a first time political candidate. “I’m not a stubborn person, but I know my own style, and I knew I was going to do things my way,” she explained. “My way is to go into the community, and I love connecting with people, and this is the best part of the campaign. The challenge of the campaign is that you’re basically being panelled everyday and every minute by the people you’re meeting with. You have to do a lot of homework, and you’re always studying in a way, and learning about new unions, business owners, environmental policy, so it’s an incredibly tense process, but at the same time an exhilarating process.”

Melanie says, “If you can meet people and change their minds, that’s incredible. If you meet people and they say, ‘I’ve never voted in my life, but I’m going to vote for you,’ that’s also incredible.” She continued with a story. “I met a man in his 90’s who served in the war, and he said. ‘No no, I’m not interested. So I said, ‘Ahh, you know that’s fine, with all due respect, I respect your opinion.’” Not long after speaking to this gentleman, she saw him again. Melanie explained that she guessed he read her bio. “He came down to the lobby and told me, ‘I’m going to vote for you. We’ve treated the Indigenous people of this country horribly, and the fact that you’re standing here proud, a single mother working so hard, I’ll vote for you.’ So you can imagine how impactful that is when a person in their 90’s, who is not Native and has never voted in his life… that’s powerful.”

Melanie also grew up partly in foster care, so to be able to share her experiences with with children and youth in foster care is quite remarkable. Some youth she once advocated for in foster care approached her and asked to work on her campaign. “They would tell people, ‘I know Melanie Mark will fight for you, cause she fought for me when I was kid in care.’ Imagine a 19-year-old kid out of foster care campaigning for you—that is an amazing and empowering experience.”

Melanie Mark says she will focus on three key areas housing affordability, child care, and economic sustainability. “We’re in a housing crisis, there are children impacted by welfare in the DTES and the child care crisis, and the third issue is the green economy—those are the three issues that came out in the campaign.”

Over the next few months, Melanie plans to get accustomed to her role in the legislature and familiarize herself with its structure, and she anticipates going in and making strong statement in the legislature on behalf of Mount Pleasant. She says, “The more connected I’m with my constituency, the better the people of Mount Pleasant are being heard.”

Melanie also touched on other issues, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman. “We know a lot of Indigenous women are particularly vulnerable in the DTES, and those women are not usually from Vancouver; they’re from throughout the province and country. One murdered person is enough,” she said. “We waited for twelve hundred, and the grassroots people had to push for an inquiry—we need to keep pushing the envelope.”

She also expressed her view on housing affordability, “There are over 1000 people homeless in Vancouver, and a large part are Aboriginal. The streets are where people are being subjected to extreme violence, and most are woman. This doesn’t mean men are not affected, and the youth going out of foster care to single room housing or even on the streets; they have nowhere else to live.”

Melanie Mark believes it’s a new era in Canada with Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government. “I think the people spoke loud and clear: anything but the conservatives. People had enough with the dictatorship we lived in under the conservatives. He (the prime minister) has a huge mandate, and the fact that the Murdered and Indigenous Woman Inquiry is going forward, to move any process in government, and the fact that it is moving, there’s a real sense of change and optimism,” she noted, “but it’s early.”

Almost immediately after ending her sentence, a passer-by came up to her to congratulate her, then another, and another. Soon Melanie was surrounded by well wishers talking about their hopes for the new MLA. I can see why she was elected in the BC Legislature. She is approachable, and the NDP’s are definitely fortunate to have her on their side.

Press Release: Vancouver, BC—Coast Salish Territories

West Coast Environmental Law, supported by First Nations, scientists, and conservation groups are calling for Canada’s Fisheries Minister to act immediately on his mandate to “restore lost protections” for fish habitat gutted by the former Conservative government. Noted scientists, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are among the nearly fifty signees in an open letter asking Fisheries and Oceans Minister Hunter Tootoo to reinstate habitat protection and “scale up” Canada’s Fisheries Act to modernize the 150-year-old legislation.

Habitat destruction is cited as the most common cause of species decline, and recommendations include recognizing Indigenous rights, strengthening monitoring and enforcement, and protecting ecologically significant areas to ensure healthy fish populations. The Liberal government has committed to implementing the research, restoration, and management recommendations in the 2015 Special Report on Wild Atlantic Salmon in Eastern Canada. Sue Scott, Vice-President of Communications for the Atlantic Salmon Federation says, “Strong habitat protection is essential if we are going to succeed in reversing the long-term decline in numbers of wild Atlantic salmon.”

Released during Canada Water Week and the United Nations World Water Day, Scaling Up the Fisheries Act recommends an immediate repeal of controversial changes to fisheries law made by the previous federal government. In 2012, four former federal fisheries ministers and 600 Canadian and international scientists decried omnibus Bill C-38 that weakened fish habitat protection and removed safeguards for more than 130 freshwater and marine fish species at risk in Canada.

“It’s a huge relief to see the Minister’s mandate direct from the Prime Minister is to ensure that fisheries and their habitat remain healthy for future generations,” says Linda Nowlan, staff counsel for West Coast Environmental Law. “The federal government can act now to put the guts back into the Fisheries Act by restoring full habitat protection.” Nowlan says restoring the section of the law known as HADD—which prohibits harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat—is widely supported by First Nations, fishers, anglers, scientists, conservation groups, and coastal communities, and does not require prolonged consultation.

“Restoring the Fisheries Act, which was gutted by the Harper government, is key to developing a new relationship with First Nations,” says Chief Robert Chamberlin, Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “Our Aboriginal Rights are well established for government to respect and is fundamental to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Government’s commitment to a new relationship with First Nations. His commitment to enacting the Cohen Commission report is a very positive step forward in developing a new path with First Nations, but this commitment must embrace and enact the ‘principles’ found within the recommendations.”

By Justin Wilson

On January 11, 2016 I was called as a witness, and blanketed, by a Musqueam Matriarch, Gail Sparrow, Langara College’s Elder-in-Residence, and the Musqueam Peoples, to be part of a spiritual naming ceremony. The purpose of this event was to bestow upon Langara College a Musqueam name, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ (pronounced in English as snow-way-eth leylum), which means ‘house of teachings’ – A place for building character by imparting ‘sacred teachings’ to help children/young adults transition to adulthood. The Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ concept is connected to a term we have in the Heiltsuk language, Kaxlaya Gwilas (pronounced coax-lie-yah gwae-e-loss), meaning the ones who uphold the ways and laws of our ancestors. Our job then is to help all learners cultivate, through rites of passage, a balance between prosperity and ‘authentic consciousness’ as Dr. Michelle Pidgeon advocates. During the day of the ceremony, the rain was coming down in buckets and prompted us to be expedient, but for those who know the stories, we silently acknowledged the leadership of many including the late Bud Mintz, Shirley Joseph and Dave Pearson as well as Linda Holmes, Kory Wilson-Goertzen, Larry Railton, Leelah Dawson, Lane Trotter, Shane Pointe and Gail Sparrow among others. After the ceremony was over, I reflected on its significance and remembered what the late Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Peoples said, “If the legends fall silent, who will teach the children of our ways”. This is now Langara’s responsibility in honoring its Musqueam name.

Langara College has been given a Musqueam name, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ (pronounced in English as snow-way-eth leylum), which means “house of teachings.”

From a collective perspective, the ceremony was incredibly moving as its offered a spiritually appropriate venue to acknowledge the sacrifices our ancestors have made in overcoming the objectification and commodification of our Peoples. As my mentor Wendy Grant-John, shared during the ceremony, it wasn’t too long ago where our relatives were ridiculed, humiliated and dehumanized in educational settings that were supposed to inspire our youth. The way I see it, the ceremony was more than territorial acknowledgement and paves the way for how Langara must move away from paternalism and educational narcissism if we are to provide our Peoples with a sense of purpose and possibility inside its walls. From a faculty perspective and someone who teaches Aboriginal ‘ways’ this couldn’t come fast enough as many of us are fatigued because we deal with racialized discourse that often generates reactions ranging from indifference to psychological hostility – or worse. The event, as my friend Aaron Nelson-Moody (Squamish) said, was an authentic reprieve for Langara’s Aboriginal students, faculty and staff ‘who are on the front lines doing the hard work that benefits us all’ in becoming better local and global citizens.

Going forward, I find myself calling upon all traditional knowledge holders to help us identify, preserve and impart the ‘ways’ that help Aboriginal learners hone their academic and occupational success in a manner our ancestors and future generations can be proud of. Students such as Devon Davis, Mi’kmaq; Mavis Jackson, Chilcotin; Randy Robinson, Algonquin; and Chris and Nicole Cardinal, Cree and Dakelh among many others who come to snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ from across Canada. In closing, I’m sure there are many bureaucrats and communities waiting to see whether reconciliation at Langara is more than just words or will be genuinely resourced and supported at every level of the College. But rather than just watch, I call on everyone to be their own witness – To be bold, brave and courageous in ensuring that the tools of colonization, commodification and cultural genocide will never again be used on our Peoples for economic expansion/prosperity at our expense. W`ay, All my relations.

Justin Wilson is the Chairperson for Langara’s Aboriginal Studies Department and the Aboriginal Initiatives Sub-Committee of Langara College’s Academic Planning Committee. He has Heiltsuk ancestry, has a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and his specialty is Occupational Success Factors for Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples affected by Historical Trauma.

Haida Gwaii is a remarkable place. This remote archipelago off the Northwest coast of British Columbia attracted the attention of film director Charles Wilkinson and his partner/producer Tina Schliessler, who have made “some of the most important environmental documentaries being made in the world.” Haida Gwaii is world famous among environmentalists for managing to “draw a line in the sand and stop unsustainable development,” explains Wilkinson, and that is what sparked his creative interest.

Since first contact, the Haida people have suffered and survived outbreaks of smallpox that decimated their population, as well as government assimilation efforts aimed at wiping out Native culture and language. Exploitation of natural resources (excessive commercial logging and fishing) has also left its mark on the land and the people who live there, currently struggling with the impact of climate change and the showdown over the Northern Gateway pipeline. Greg Klymkiw of Film Corner has said Wilkinson’s latest work “might well provide the most persuasive aesthetic argument to save these islands at all costs.”

Alex Martinuik on the rocks. Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World was directed by Charles Wilkinson.

Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World completes Wilkinson’s “Ok or not OK” eco-trilogy, which includes Peace Out and Oil Sands Karaoke. It is an inspiring and hopeful story that highlights the breathtaking natural beauty of Haida Gwaii and the unique community where 14,000 years of Haida tradition mingles with progressive, modern urbanites to create “a sustainable world that well may survive the formidable challenges of the 21st century.”

The film features Haida hereditary Chief Allan Wilson, renowned activist Guujaaw, and non-indigenous eco-activist Severn Cullis-Suzuki, in addition to local residents. It is a contemporary look at a community with ancient roots and resilient people; some were born there and some came to visit or work and loved Haida Gwaii so much they decided to spend the rest of their lives there.

The Haida Gwaii film took the top prize when it premiered at the 2015 Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto and won Most Popular Canadian Documentary the Vancouver International Film Festival. “We’re really proud of the film,” Wilkinson says. “It tells the story of an amazing place and people—people who have endured and survived the worst this world can give. And they’ve done it with style, grace, intelligence, and humour.”

Screenings at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver have repeatedly sold out, and proceeds from special “benefit screenings” in support of opponents to the Site C dam go to the legal defense fund for defenders of the Peace Valley. Treaty 8 Stewards of the Land have occupied the remote Rocky Mountain Fort campsite (historically a fur trading post) since late December to defend their traditional territory against construction of the dam, which would flood 107 kilometres of the Peace River and its tributaries.

At a recent Vancouver screening, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the UBCIC spoke to the audience. He talked about his grown children and his many grandchildren and how important it is to preserve the wildlife and pristine forest and oceans for future generations. He also spoke proudly about the courageous group of land defenders camped in the Peace River Valley. Grand Chief Phillip recently visited the camp, accompanied by renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, to offer support.

A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign has been set up for the Rocky Mountain Fort camp. To donate, go to [https://www.gofundme.com/s6c4s4vs].

Signs posted at Rocky Mountain Fort Campsite in the Peace River Valley.

The BC government insists the Site C dam project is necessary to provide for future power needs, but opponents say flooding the valley will destroy valuable farmland and devastate critical wildlife habitats. BC Hydro has been increasing construction activity in the area despite protests of Treaty 8 First Nations, local landowners, and environmentalists. The Peace Valley Environment Association, Sierra Club BC, and the Yellowstone to Yukon Wildlife Conservation Initiative are working together with farmers, First Nations, food security groups, conservation organizations, scientists, and concerned citizens to stop the Site C dam on BC’s Peace River. For more information, visit [www.StopSiteC.org].

B.C. Utilities Commission typically reviews energy projects before they begin construction, but they have not reviewed the Site C project. If the Canadian government is serious about improving relationships with Aboriginal peoples, Grand Chief Phillip believes reviewing the Site C proposal is a good place to start.

The UBCIC has denounced BC Hydro’s “deliberately provocative and reckless attempts at fast tracking construction” despite the legal uncertainty of the project. Although the matter is before the courts, BC Hydro has been moving equipment in toward the camp, while publicly saying they are speaking with protestors and local authorities to try to peacefully end the standoff. The RCMP made three arrests at the north bank entrance of the project in early January. No arrests have been made at the Rocky Mountain Fort campsite, but Grand Chief Phillip is “deeply concerned that BC Hydro’s actions are increasing tensions on the ground.”

“We are absolutely outraged that BC Hydro is working at the proposed dam site when critical court proceedings are in motion and a decision on Site C proceeding has yet to be determined,” Grand Chief Phillip said in a statement. “Members of Treaty 8 and landowners are defending their land and way of life, and in response BC’s Crown Corporation BC Hydro presents impoverished take-it-or-leave-it offers to private land owners and sends First Nation contractors to face-off with Treaty 8 Elders, women, and residents,” explains the Grand Chief. “It appears the sanctity of private land rights and the promise of reconciliation with First Nations do not apply at the proposed Site C site.” He added, “We completely reject the blatant hypocrisy and racist double standards being promoted by the BC Liberal government through its Crown Corporation BC Hydro.”

The road ahead looks difficult for stewards of the land. The proposed Kinder Morgan oil pipeline expansion will increase tanker traffic, and an oil spill along the BC coast would be devastating to the environment, the wildlife, the people, and the economy. Dam construction at Site C threatens critical habitat and some predict power costs will increase across the province, with benefit going to industrial interests and the people footing the bill.

Corporations and governments are intimidating entities with a lot of money to drive their will forward. They look at land and see expansion, resources, economic growth, and ears ring with the promise of jobs, money, a better “standard of living.” But to the people who live and breathe in the cradle of the Peace River Valley, their commitment to the land started long before there were corporations and industry, and it extends generations into the future. The land sustains them, and they want to preserve its bounty. Industry comes to resource-rich lands with its hands out and its mouth full of promises. When the land is destroyed and its resources ravaged, when the construction jobs dry up and the valley is flooded, what promises will be made after that?

Melanie Mark has become the first-ever First Nations woman elected to the BC Legislature, and her win has been celebrated by Indigenous people and supporters throughout Canada. “Today is another milestone in the history of the Nisga’a people and for Aboriginal women across British Columbia,” said H. Mitchell Stevens, President of Nisga’a Lisims Government.

Melanie Mark is of Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Ojibway, and Cree ancestry. She was raised in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by parents who struggled with addiction and a father who died of an overdose. A single mother and the former president of the Urban Native Youth Association, she is now the new NDP MLA for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant. “This isn’t my first rodeo,” she said. Ms. Mark joins Jody Wilson-Raybould (the first Indigenous female Minister of Justice) and Carole James (the first Metis MLA) as prominent Indigenous politicians in BC.

Melanie Mark is of Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Ojibway, and Cree ancestry. Raised in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, she is the first ever First Nations woman elected to the BC Legislature.

After all the ballots were counted, Mark won with a commanding NDP stronghold in the Mount Pleasant riding (5,353 votes at 61%). Trailing distantly was Green Party candidate Pete Fry with 2,325 votes at 26%, followed by the Liberal Party’s Gavin Dew with 994 votes and 11%. Ms. Mark succeeds Jenny Kwan, who resigned the seat in advance of her successful run for Parliament as the NDP candidate in Vancouver East.

“It’s exciting to see that happen with Indigenous women in BC,” says Wab Kinew, acclaimed Indigenous educator, author, and activist—one of an increasing number of First Nations people to throw his hat into the ring of Canadian politics. Kinew has announced his candidacy for the Manitoba NDP in this year’s provincial election.

The first Aboriginal man ever elected to a legislature in Canada was Frank Calder. He was elected in the BC constituency of Atlin in 1949 and remained in office until 1979. But it wouldn’t be until 1978 that Len Marchand, a member of the Okanagan Indian Band, would become the first Indigenous member in the House of Commons. The second Aboriginal man elected was Larry Guno, a lawyer and playwright who represented Atlin from 1986 to 1991.

Ms. Mark focused her campaign on achieving a fairer deal for low-income people, highlighting the lack of affordable housing, the precarious job market, and rising costs of tuition, medical-services, and BC Hydro fees. She wrote on a website before the elections, “I was raised in social housing in East Van, and I moved more than 30 times in my life.”

It will be people like Melanie Mark who ensure the history books don’t look as bleak another 100 years from now. “It’s always scary, as you can imagine, to stand up and fight power when you don’t come from privilege,” Mark said at a campaign event. “And people say if you’re a leader you can’t be emotional.” Mark said she can’t wait to fight.