It is totally fitting that today is the 60th anniversary of the Convention on Refugees. Please read on:
The 2011 National tour is now complete -- with 21 cities in ten provinces visited and over 200 people participating in the meetings of the North Star Triangle Project. I am honoured by the participation, interest and enthusiasm of so many people. In the coming days and months I will be reflecting on what these 3 1/2 months have meant. I will keep everyone who indicated an interest posted through email and this blog. Read about the meetings in the last 3 cities below this post as I have just completed meetings in London, Toronto and Ottawa.
It was 60 years ago today that delegates from 26 countries, including the United Kingdom, gathered in Geneva to sign 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was created to protect European refugees after the horrors of the Second World War.
60 years later, the Convention still serves as a beacon of protection. It has saved the lives of millions of people around the world; and while war, persecution and human rights abuses still exist, the Convention will continue to save millions more.
The 1951 UN Refugee Convention is the cornerstone of 60 years of the Refugee Council’s untiring work to support and protect people who flee to the UK[ or Canada!] in search of safety. Today, we continue to speak out for the right to asylum and to ensure that a safe haven will always be there for those who need it.
(Thanks to the UK Refugee Council for this).
Thursday 28 July 2011
Ottawa -- a "home" run!
How do you express gratitude to family, friends, activists and everyone who has come out to a North Star Triangle Meeting?
Coming home to Ottawa I felt exhilarated and exhausted. A 3 1/2 month tour across Canada primarily by bus, some train and few planes has not left me physically exhausted but so energized. I must confess that my mental exhaustion was starting to take hold after 21 cities and 10 provinces in such a short time. I had the occasional slip of the tongue as to what city or province I was in -- and in the last leg of the trip, I woke up on 2 different mornings having to think for a long minute: "where am I?".
I could not believe that 42 people (by my count) made their way to the Catholic Immigration Centre in downtown Ottawa last night for my last presentation. It was incredible. It was warm (literally and metaphorically); and it was energized. I am so excited about the future of community mobilization around queer refugee issues in my city. We will be able to join the work already underway for LGBTQ refugees and give further help I believe.
There is a fair bit more to say -- and I am going to be spending the coming weeks pondering those thoughts and coming back to everyone with them.
In terms of Ottawa -- I must say thanks to a few people. My partner Michael has been incredible throughout. Being away on the road at an important time of his life was a sacrifice for him and I am so thankful that he always insisted on the work carrying on. My other "partner" Michael (in community action) surprised me in the most touching way last night by bringing out of his purse a beautiful cake that he had decorated himself and a "21" candle on it. Check it out below. Michael Stephens is an incredible human being who has given me so much insight into how to make activism fun. He was also an amazing sounding board back in the winter when we met at the famous Green Spot Restaurant in Montreal to talk it through. Thanks to my Michaels….
Every stop required a volunteer photographer and an old friend, colleague and supporter Larry Hill was there for me (again) last night. He along with 5 of my colleagues from the Ottawa Police made my homecoming that much more special.
Thanks to the Ottawa 42! We have a great journey to continue...I hope you will stay on it!
Best,
David Pepper
Coming home to Ottawa I felt exhilarated and exhausted. A 3 1/2 month tour across Canada primarily by bus, some train and few planes has not left me physically exhausted but so energized. I must confess that my mental exhaustion was starting to take hold after 21 cities and 10 provinces in such a short time. I had the occasional slip of the tongue as to what city or province I was in -- and in the last leg of the trip, I woke up on 2 different mornings having to think for a long minute: "where am I?".
I could not believe that 42 people (by my count) made their way to the Catholic Immigration Centre in downtown Ottawa last night for my last presentation. It was incredible. It was warm (literally and metaphorically); and it was energized. I am so excited about the future of community mobilization around queer refugee issues in my city. We will be able to join the work already underway for LGBTQ refugees and give further help I believe.
There is a fair bit more to say -- and I am going to be spending the coming weeks pondering those thoughts and coming back to everyone with them.
In terms of Ottawa -- I must say thanks to a few people. My partner Michael has been incredible throughout. Being away on the road at an important time of his life was a sacrifice for him and I am so thankful that he always insisted on the work carrying on. My other "partner" Michael (in community action) surprised me in the most touching way last night by bringing out of his purse a beautiful cake that he had decorated himself and a "21" candle on it. Check it out below. Michael Stephens is an incredible human being who has given me so much insight into how to make activism fun. He was also an amazing sounding board back in the winter when we met at the famous Green Spot Restaurant in Montreal to talk it through. Thanks to my Michaels….
Every stop required a volunteer photographer and an old friend, colleague and supporter Larry Hill was there for me (again) last night. He along with 5 of my colleagues from the Ottawa Police made my homecoming that much more special.
Thanks to the Ottawa 42! We have a great journey to continue...I hope you will stay on it!
Best,
David Pepper
The Cake. It wouldn't be community development
if there wasn't a cake!
The Ottawa Group
The Ottawa Group (with Larry Hill IN the picture!)
The meeting
The meeting was.....full
Chris Luesby in Ottawa asking a question
We actually ran out of chairs....
Lots of people
Great discussion and dialogue
Michael (Mimi) Stephens and the cake
The clean up crew -- thanks everyone for pitching in!
Toronto -- home of 3 amazing LGBTQ groups for queer refugees!
Heading to Toronto was going to be a homecoming of sorts for the North Star Triangle Tour. There are a few people in Toronto who have given me so much support and encouragement throughout that I knew it would be an incredible second last city on the national tour.
And of course my dear and amazing friend Joan Anderson from Rainbow Railroad did not let me down. www.rainbowrailroad.ca/ Joan was one of the very first people I consulted in January of this year about the North Star Triangle Project. We met at a Tim Horton's (in true Canadian spirit) and she gave me invaluable insight into the work. She followed my progress over these past six months and was always keen to pitch in and help on anything.
And of course my dear and amazing friend Joan Anderson from Rainbow Railroad did not let me down. www.rainbowrailroad.ca/ Joan was one of the very first people I consulted in January of this year about the North Star Triangle Project. We met at a Tim Horton's (in true Canadian spirit) and she gave me invaluable insight into the work. She followed my progress over these past six months and was always keen to pitch in and help on anything.
She was joined by David Snoddy, a long time colleague in the struggle for equity and equality, in bringing the meeting together at the newly renovated (to me) 519 Church Street Community Centre. It was a beautiful location where we were joined by 18 folks as well as two other incredible organizations which I have spoken about throughout the tour.
First there was Gilles Marchildon from the IRQR -- Iranian Refugee Queer Railroad -- http://www.irqr.net/ . Gilles spoke about their work and I was thrilled he could bring a message from Arsham at IRQR who was away on emergency business.
Finally we were joined by Brian Brenie from the MCC -- the Metropolitan Community Church where the Rev. Brent Hawkes is the senior pastor. Check out their amazing refugee work at: http://www.mcctoronto.com/. And now Brian is the full time coordinator of refugee programs. Watch for amazing things to happen at the MCC!
There were so many others who spoke and shared their personal experiences as refugees currently in the process with the Immigration Refugee Board or working in the area of research. This included Robert Lidstone who is doing his doctorate at the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University. I appreciated their insight and participation which made the meeting even more meaningful.
It was a very productive meeting and good to be in the heart of queer Toronto.
PS: There is always a PS! Two of my dearest supports in Toronto also joined me on Tuesday night. Their ongoing enthusiasm, confidence, feedback and all around "being there for me" attitude has been touching beyond belief. Thanks for my bed in Toronto Glen -- and thanks for the true cheerleader (without the outfit) attitude Kerry!
Most of the Toronto group - July 26, 2011
Tonight.....at the 519!
The incredible Joan Anderson
Half of the meeting.......
The other half of the meeting
Gille Marchildon and Robert Lidstone
My Toronto Support Group!
David Snoddy, Joan Anderson and Kerry Pond
(Glen Brown is shy and hiding!)
The 519 host!
London, Ontario -- in the home stretch!
Reaching city #19 -- London, Ontario -- was a reminder that I was in the home stretch of the 2011 National Tour.
One of the principles of the North Star Triangle Project is to tap into my old "cob-webby" networks and rely on the kindness of strangers.
London was a perfect example of this as I relied heavily on a very old and dear friend and former colleague Peggy Sattler. Peggy is currently a Trustee with the Thames Valley School District Board. She is also a remarkable woman who has worked for social justice. We don't see each other nearly often enough -- but when we do -- it is like no time has passed. Peggy made London happen. She got me the room, she publicized the meeting and with the help of others made for a nice meeting on Monday, July 25th.
Now for the kindness of strangers. Steve Holmes is a retiring London bus driver. A union activist. A candidate for the NDP in London Centre in the upcoming provincial election. He was also the (former) stranger who was there at my meeting to open the doors, help me set up and participated fully.
London also has an incredibly LGBTQ positive school board, currently under the leadership of Board Chair Tracy Grant who was a wonderful participant and a joy to connect with after the meeting over a drink.
I can't imagine how the tour could have happened without the support and assistance of so many friends, colleagues, strangers, and people who just want to make a safer world for people.
Thanks London! And congratulations on a fabulous event and an amazing Pride Weekend with the full participation of your mayor and chief of police!
PS to Hurly at www.thumbsupcanada.blogspot.com : My couch surf in London was incredibly comfortable!
One of the principles of the North Star Triangle Project is to tap into my old "cob-webby" networks and rely on the kindness of strangers.
London was a perfect example of this as I relied heavily on a very old and dear friend and former colleague Peggy Sattler. Peggy is currently a Trustee with the Thames Valley School District Board. She is also a remarkable woman who has worked for social justice. We don't see each other nearly often enough -- but when we do -- it is like no time has passed. Peggy made London happen. She got me the room, she publicized the meeting and with the help of others made for a nice meeting on Monday, July 25th.
Now for the kindness of strangers. Steve Holmes is a retiring London bus driver. A union activist. A candidate for the NDP in London Centre in the upcoming provincial election. He was also the (former) stranger who was there at my meeting to open the doors, help me set up and participated fully.
London also has an incredibly LGBTQ positive school board, currently under the leadership of Board Chair Tracy Grant who was a wonderful participant and a joy to connect with after the meeting over a drink.
I can't imagine how the tour could have happened without the support and assistance of so many friends, colleagues, strangers, and people who just want to make a safer world for people.
Thanks London! And congratulations on a fabulous event and an amazing Pride Weekend with the full participation of your mayor and chief of police!
PS to Hurly at www.thumbsupcanada.blogspot.com : My couch surf in London was incredibly comfortable!
The London Group of 7
The "other" London Group of 7 -- guess who took each photo!
(Thanks Saleha and Tracy!)
Sunday 24 July 2011
Friday 22 July 2011
What can you say? Serendipity? Awesome? Incredible......Newfoundland!
I am sitting in a coffee shop right now -- at the end of my first full day in St. John's, Newfoundland. (There are bag pipes playing outside the window -- believe it or not!).
If I wrote the whole story right now -- you will not believe it -- so, I will give you 4 highlights -- and catch up tomorrow with finer details.
#4 -- Waking up this morning and going to a swimming jazzercise class with the amazing Gerry Rogers and 40 Newfoundland women!
#3 -- Seeing the whales off of Cape Spear (eastern most part of North America) this afternoon with Ottawa friend, and true Newfoundlander Roger Butt and his pup!
#2 -- Meeting in person and blogging together with him right now, Hurly from www.thumbsupcanada.blogspot.com . I heard about Hurly and his travels several months ago and have been following his blog. I am in total and unrelenting awe of his activism. An amazing man who is putting his values and beliefs and vision into an amazing cross-Canada tour......check him out, you will be in awe too....
#1 -- I must pay tribute to the 25 (yep -- 25!) locals who took their lunch hour here today in St. John's to come out to the North Star Triangle Project at RIAC -- the Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council. It was an incredible meeting -- and the connections made were over the top. Having Hurly attend has moved me into the stratosphere. Who would have thought out two activist tours would cross paths here -- in amazing, awesome and brilliant Newfoundland!
Now -- off to dinner, then a Newfoundland house party and then a Pride dance! Can't be up too late though as I am running tomorrow with the St. John's Frontrunners!
Thanks everyone!
If I wrote the whole story right now -- you will not believe it -- so, I will give you 4 highlights -- and catch up tomorrow with finer details.
#4 -- Waking up this morning and going to a swimming jazzercise class with the amazing Gerry Rogers and 40 Newfoundland women!
#3 -- Seeing the whales off of Cape Spear (eastern most part of North America) this afternoon with Ottawa friend, and true Newfoundlander Roger Butt and his pup!
#2 -- Meeting in person and blogging together with him right now, Hurly from www.thumbsupcanada.blogspot.com . I heard about Hurly and his travels several months ago and have been following his blog. I am in total and unrelenting awe of his activism. An amazing man who is putting his values and beliefs and vision into an amazing cross-Canada tour......check him out, you will be in awe too....
#1 -- I must pay tribute to the 25 (yep -- 25!) locals who took their lunch hour here today in St. John's to come out to the North Star Triangle Project at RIAC -- the Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council. It was an incredible meeting -- and the connections made were over the top. Having Hurly attend has moved me into the stratosphere. Who would have thought out two activist tours would cross paths here -- in amazing, awesome and brilliant Newfoundland!
Now -- off to dinner, then a Newfoundland house party and then a Pride dance! Can't be up too late though as I am running tomorrow with the St. John's Frontrunners!
Hurly and me blogging -- how amazing is that?
Check out www.thumbsupcanada.blogspot.com !
The St. John's meeting at RIAC -- standing room only!
Isn't this a great group? Yeah St. John's Newfoundland!
Roger and me (and Caryk sp?) at Cape Spear
on an amazing day!
Thanks everyone!
Friday 15 July 2011
Thursday 14 July 2011
London, Ontario - July 25th details
I hope you can join us in London on Monday, July 25th. Details are attached in the poster. Please circulate widely to your networks. Thanks to my old dear friend Peggy Sattler for her help in organizing it and Saleha Khan for her help too!
Friday 8 July 2011
Toronto confirmed!
Thanks to the lovely talents and skills of two amazing people in Toronto -- Joan Anderson and David Snoddy -- I am now able to confirm the upcoming meeting in "T.O".
When: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Where: The 519 Church Street Community Centre
Where exactly: Room 106, Main Floor
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Please circulate to any and all Toronto networks. We are now working on a Mayor's Proclamation.
When: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Where: The 519 Church Street Community Centre
Where exactly: Room 106, Main Floor
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Please circulate to any and all Toronto networks. We are now working on a Mayor's Proclamation.
Final city dates confirmed - St. John's, London, Toronto, Ottawa
Breaking news: The North Star Triangle Project will be in the following cities at the end of July:
St. John's, Newfoundland: July 21-24 - exact date/location still in the works
London, Ontario: Monday, July 25, 2011
London, Ontario: Monday, July 25, 2011
Toronto, Ontario: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at the 519 Church Street Community Centre
Ottawa, Canada: Wednesday, July 27, 2011
If you are in one of these cities or know someone who is, please contact me to discuss how we can make it a success!
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Halifax post follows the one below
Still a blogging newbie so I don't know how to re-order the pages!
Charlottetown yesterday - interview online
Charlottetown Morning host Matt Rainey - at work
Irene Larkin -- Islander extraordinaire!
She hosted me, put me up, drove me, fed me...
and she made me laugh!
Thanks Irene.
Another city, another CBC interview?
Thankfully the Charlottetown station didn't close
a few years ago. It is a vital Island resource.
Martime tour ends on high note in Halifax
I could get used to Maritime hospitality! Five city tour is now over -- ending in Halifax tonight on an incredibly interesting note.
The meeting attracted 16 people at ISIS -- the Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services. (Check them out at: http://www.isisns.ca/ ). It is the largest orgnaization in Halifax doing work in this area (100+ staff). There were a number of folks from the LGBT community and several from ISIS. This was the first time we have had such a mix of concerned community with ground level agency settlement people. It allowed for a great discussion and exploration of the issues.
The LGBT community folks had great ideas and questions about what is involved in refugee issues and sponsorship. Similarly, the ISIS folks who were there are very interested in LGBT issues and challenges for refugees in terms of settlement and integration. We have an incredible opportunity for agencies and the queer community to join together and learn from eachother.
I must mention Evelyn Jones at ISIS who organized the meeting space, bought the goodies, and provided plenty of handout material on private sponsorships and Group of 5. I learned a great deal tonight -- and also solidified my hope and belief that the potential for amazing collaborations exists. No question.
This ends the Maritime portion of the tour.
Next stops -- as we approach the end of the national tour are St. John's, London, Toronto and Ottawa. Stay tuned. Those will come in mid- to late-July.
Returning to Montreal and then home tomorrow and Thursday. Will be offline for a little while recharging batteries and enjoying the Ottawa Jazz Festival.
The meeting attracted 16 people at ISIS -- the Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services. (Check them out at: http://www.isisns.ca/ ). It is the largest orgnaization in Halifax doing work in this area (100+ staff). There were a number of folks from the LGBT community and several from ISIS. This was the first time we have had such a mix of concerned community with ground level agency settlement people. It allowed for a great discussion and exploration of the issues.
The LGBT community folks had great ideas and questions about what is involved in refugee issues and sponsorship. Similarly, the ISIS folks who were there are very interested in LGBT issues and challenges for refugees in terms of settlement and integration. We have an incredible opportunity for agencies and the queer community to join together and learn from eachother.
I must mention Evelyn Jones at ISIS who organized the meeting space, bought the goodies, and provided plenty of handout material on private sponsorships and Group of 5. I learned a great deal tonight -- and also solidified my hope and belief that the potential for amazing collaborations exists. No question.
This ends the Maritime portion of the tour.
Next stops -- as we approach the end of the national tour are St. John's, London, Toronto and Ottawa. Stay tuned. Those will come in mid- to late-July.
Returning to Montreal and then home tomorrow and Thursday. Will be offline for a little while recharging batteries and enjoying the Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Finally! After 17 cities I have learned to use the
timer setting on my camera -- thanks to the
nice guy standing on the right!
Pretty good group eh?
Monday 20 June 2011
Do you want to do something important on World Refugee Day (or after!)?
The Canadian Council for Refugees is a remarkable organization that works on a shoe-string but produces some of the most important work on refugee law and policy in Canada.
I fully endorse their concerns about what is called "the Nairobi problem". (Note: it is a Canadian problem). If you want to do something that could help make a difference, please read on.
Refugees in Africa seeking family reunification or resettlement in Canada wait years for their applications to be processed by Canadian immigration officials. Canada’s processing of refugees is particularly slow in Nairobi. These delays mean that refugees are denied protection, and children wait in vulnerable situations to be reunited with their parents in Canada. The longer the wait, the greater the risk to the security, the health and the lives of refugees.
The CCR has prepared a Statement on Responding to African refugees that is open for sign on by other organizations. The statement is available at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/
If your organization would like to sign on to this statement, please send an email to nairobi@ccrweb.ca.
Statement on responding to African refugees
Sadly Canada’s processing of refugees is too slow in many parts of the world, but it is slowest of all in Africa.
Processing is particularly slow in the countries of East and Central Africa covered by Canada’s visa office in Nairobi.
The long delays at Nairobi leave vulnerable refugees in dangerous situations for longer than anywhere else in the world.
We call on the Canadian government to do more to respond to African refugees, who are currently being neglected by Canada’s immigration program.
We call on the Canadian government to ensure fair treatment for African refugees and their families by:
1. Resettling more refugees, both privately sponsored and government assisted, and significantly speeding up their processing at the Nairobi visa office.
Take Action!
For background information to encourage organizations to sign the statement, see:
All organizations are encouraged to do anything else they can to draw broad public attention to the unjust delays at visa offices abroad, particularly Nairobi.
Thank you for considering taking action in support of refugees in the world.
I fully endorse their concerns about what is called "the Nairobi problem". (Note: it is a Canadian problem). If you want to do something that could help make a difference, please read on.
Refugees in Africa seeking family reunification or resettlement in Canada wait years for their applications to be processed by Canadian immigration officials. Canada’s processing of refugees is particularly slow in Nairobi. These delays mean that refugees are denied protection, and children wait in vulnerable situations to be reunited with their parents in Canada. The longer the wait, the greater the risk to the security, the health and the lives of refugees.
The CCR has prepared a Statement on Responding to African refugees that is open for sign on by other organizations. The statement is available at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/
If your organization would like to sign on to this statement, please send an email to nairobi@ccrweb.ca.
Statement on responding to African refugees
Sadly Canada’s processing of refugees is too slow in many parts of the world, but it is slowest of all in Africa.
Processing is particularly slow in the countries of East and Central Africa covered by Canada’s visa office in Nairobi.
The long delays at Nairobi leave vulnerable refugees in dangerous situations for longer than anywhere else in the world.
We call on the Canadian government to do more to respond to African refugees, who are currently being neglected by Canada’s immigration program.
We call on the Canadian government to ensure fair treatment for African refugees and their families by:
1. Resettling more refugees, both privately sponsored and government assisted, and significantly speeding up their processing at the Nairobi visa office.
2. Significantly speeding up refugee family reunification at the Nairobi visa office.
For background information to encourage organizations to sign the statement, see:
- Statement with backgrounder
- http://ccrweb.ca/en/nairobi
- Report, Nairobi: Protection delayed, protection denied (available on above webpage)
- Pamphlet, Refugees from Africa: Are we being fair? (available on above webpage)
- Writing letters to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and to local MPs
- Publicizing the statement (for example, posting it on their website, publishing it in their newsletter, making a press release)
All organizations are encouraged to do anything else they can to draw broad public attention to the unjust delays at visa offices abroad, particularly Nairobi.
Thank you for considering taking action in support of refugees in the world.
Charlottetown tonight!
It is World Refugee Day!
Hope to see lots of Islanders at the meeting tonight. Did a great interview with Matt Rainey on the CBC Morning show today.
Hope to see lots of Islanders at the meeting tonight. Did a great interview with Matt Rainey on the CBC Morning show today.
Tonight!
Thursday 16 June 2011
Thursday - Fredericton - New Brunswick is 3 for 3!
I had to remind myself in the title of the day of the week and the city...because I did it again tonight and called the wonderful city of Fredericton by the name of the other wonderful city of Saint John!
But that did not in anyway dissuade the great group who came on Thursday night for engaging in a really nice way. We had a lot of questions after my presentation. Lots of practical questions about the refugee process, how can the LGBT community help, what are the issues facing refugees with children, what about previously married LGBT people?
I am trying to capture as many of the questions in the "Journal" that I ask people to write in during the meetings. And in the coming weeks and months I am going to be finding out more detailed and substantive answers and posting them here on the blog. (I had hoped to be able to do that now, but realistically, the basic logistics of getting into a city, meeting people, and posting blog information is totally consuming.) So -- keep watching the blog into the future. It will continue to grow and expand with the network I am tapping into.
Thanks again to Rob Frenette at Bullying Canada (http://www.bullyingcanada.ca/ ) who organized the meeting tonight and got an amazing donation from the Crowne Plaza (again!) for the meeting room. (I think that I am very close to declaring Crowne Plaza an honourary North Star Triangle patron based on the New Brunswick generosity!).
Also many thanks to Francis here in Fredericton. He single-handedly got the wheels in motion that saw the North Star Triangle Project have 3 amazing meetings on three successive nights in New Brunswick.
One of my goals on this tour was to visit places in Canada I have never had the opportunity to visit yet in my life. I must say that New Brunswick not only exceeded my expectations, I am surprised that more Canadians haven't discovered its beauty and history. Go New Brunswick tourism go!
So, some pictures.....
But that did not in anyway dissuade the great group who came on Thursday night for engaging in a really nice way. We had a lot of questions after my presentation. Lots of practical questions about the refugee process, how can the LGBT community help, what are the issues facing refugees with children, what about previously married LGBT people?
I am trying to capture as many of the questions in the "Journal" that I ask people to write in during the meetings. And in the coming weeks and months I am going to be finding out more detailed and substantive answers and posting them here on the blog. (I had hoped to be able to do that now, but realistically, the basic logistics of getting into a city, meeting people, and posting blog information is totally consuming.) So -- keep watching the blog into the future. It will continue to grow and expand with the network I am tapping into.
Thanks again to Rob Frenette at Bullying Canada (http://www.bullyingcanada.ca/ ) who organized the meeting tonight and got an amazing donation from the Crowne Plaza (again!) for the meeting room. (I think that I am very close to declaring Crowne Plaza an honourary North Star Triangle patron based on the New Brunswick generosity!).
Also many thanks to Francis here in Fredericton. He single-handedly got the wheels in motion that saw the North Star Triangle Project have 3 amazing meetings on three successive nights in New Brunswick.
One of my goals on this tour was to visit places in Canada I have never had the opportunity to visit yet in my life. I must say that New Brunswick not only exceeded my expectations, I am surprised that more Canadians haven't discovered its beauty and history. Go New Brunswick tourism go!
So, some pictures.....
Great group of people came out for Fredericton!
The Fredericton group shot -- I love this part of the meeting!
Presenting the North Star Triangle Project
Another nice circle of discussion:
people care about refugees you know.
Crowne Plaza -- official NSTP helper.
Loved being in this grand old hotel. Amazing staircase!
I noticed not one or two but many many cats in Fredericton
just out and about.
This is special -- because he looks just like my Malcolm (for Michael)
Another day -- another bus ride!
I love Canadian towns with great names...and
Oromocto reminds me a little of Vulcan, Alberta
For those keeping track of my bus stations...
this is Saint John.
I will blog more about one of the other principles
of the NSTP -- doing a national tour as inexpensively
as possible. Obviously staying at hostels helps.
This is Fredericton -- and although minimalist it is
very comfortable (yes!) and welcoming.
The hostel used to be a monastery....
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Saint John - made up of saints?
It is hard to describe arriving in a strange city, being met by a stranger, and being welcomed by that city and those strangers like royalty.
But that is the way of Saint John and the group of five gay men (not one of those group of 5s...yet!) who welcomed me.
I can't say how touched I am to be hosted by Jim and Carl the owners of Mahogany Manor Bed & Breakfast.
They hosted the meeting in their splendid living room which was a reminder of the Vancouver meeting we held at Barclay Manor. Wing backed chairs and a fireplace!
We talked well past 10 pm and just kept going. Thanks to Mack, Fred and Bobby who also came out to hear more and be part of the NSTP.
But that is the way of Saint John and the group of five gay men (not one of those group of 5s...yet!) who welcomed me.
I can't say how touched I am to be hosted by Jim and Carl the owners of Mahogany Manor Bed & Breakfast.
They hosted the meeting in their splendid living room which was a reminder of the Vancouver meeting we held at Barclay Manor. Wing backed chairs and a fireplace!
We talked well past 10 pm and just kept going. Thanks to Mack, Fred and Bobby who also came out to hear more and be part of the NSTP.
Moncton's unofficial group of five!
We couldn't figure out the timer for the camera...
I accidentally got confused....and called Saint John
Moncton.....but the sign didn't help clear that up
Stay at the Mahogany Inn....my bed....where
Kate Clinton and Mark Tewksbury slept (separately)
A stop on the bus from Moncton to Saint John
For those keeping track of Canadian bus depots....
this is Moncton's!
Being questioned in Moncton.....by CBC
I was interviewed by local CBC Morning Host Dave MacDonald this morning at the Moncton CBC studio. (Thankfully -- this is one of the CBC stations that previously faced closure but continues to play a vital role in the area).
It was a good interview with plenty of questions about the reality of it all -- but not in a way that was prurient or exotic. I appreciated the interest but also the challenge of saying why it is important for use to care about refugees in this world.
I pushed my luck and asked for photos...and the results are obvious.
CBC Reporter Vanessa Blanch is also doing a news story today on the NSTP and local participation.
It was a good interview with plenty of questions about the reality of it all -- but not in a way that was prurient or exotic. I appreciated the interest but also the challenge of saying why it is important for use to care about refugees in this world.
I pushed my luck and asked for photos...and the results are obvious.
CBC Reporter Vanessa Blanch is also doing a news story today on the NSTP and local participation.
The Host - Dave MacDonald
CBC Moncton's Information Morning
After the interview -- I am not sure why we are not smiling
It was a good interview!
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