ART... trying to stay focused on the fence now

Well further to my body falling apart post of late I’m happy to say “it’s still happening” hahaha. I’m much better but it is a dance of movement, no movement, movement, no movement. Ground zero can take you to a place of (insert appropriate emoji).

So after last week’s post on the continued miss management by all parties dealing with Strathcona Park (inside and outside of the park). More news hit the papers today which basically is stating the powers that be are going to do what should have been done 7 months ago. The extra bonus is that there are stipulations to the injunction so they’re basically dangling a carrot while holding a big fat stick with which they’re ready to strike people on the head. How can action be soooooo inactive? Where are BC Civil Liberties when it comes to protecting everyone from safety?

I ask these questions as I reflect last nights antics. Trying to not think of the agony I’m in with some joint problems I distract myself by inviting my Mom to come watch Turkish netfilx series with me. It’s become a great sidebar watching these really great cornucopia of films, series and soaps. I’m on the couch with the heating pad and Mom’s sipping her coffee as I hear bomb like sounds going off outside. I look out the window facing south and see the sky light up red? Hmmmm, what was that? We never want to think the worst such as bombs are being dropped on the park and prefer the thought of failing fireworks??? Sirens go off, which prior to 7 months ago I never heard that type of noise pollution. Only today did I discover my disturbed restful evening was because someone saw fit to blow up propane tanks in the park.

The Parks Board and city knew those tanks were there and didn’t see fit to serve an injunction for public safety? The Province has a responsibility for the safety of everyone as does the Feds. So why does it take 7 months to move people to a clean dry safe environment — like the Stadium (which is owned by the Province)? Could it really be that difficult and why isn’t anyone asking and answering the question “who is benefiting from people living and being left in the park?”

I look forward to arts groups doing some great and creative work around this issue. Until then I’ll post some of those “piece flags” for your viewing pleasure — have a safe and healthy week.

Opps those aren’t “piece flags” those are from Festiball Kyle and his Mom — “MeLoveBingo”!! Check it out I think you’ll love it and have so much fun. Who thought something good could come out of Covid? — online bingo is the answer!!

Back to the “piece flags” now…

Safe, warm, dry, and healthy wishes to everyone!!

PEOPLE...sending a letter about people

This weeks post will refer to yesterday’s sad news of death in the park. I was inspired by a neighbour who wrote to many gov’t players and agents regarding women on the DTES and how we, as a society, have become numb to tragedy resulting in lack of humanity (she shared the link to the article written by Daphne ).

I do not know about the person who died yesterday, and I do not know details and for this I am glad. I’m glad not to know, because it doesn’t matter. A life is gone and that is the sad truth. What we do about loss is what makes us a healthy society or a sick one.. Hopefully this loss was not in vain and “the powers that be” will DO something that matters so here we go:

Subject: People should not live in PARKS, STREETS OR ALLEYS: move people to the STADIUM

Dear…

December 6th 2020 CityHallWATCH on twitter posts Death in Strathcona Park -- no details yet.

We who live in this community knew this tragedy was inevitable. We tried reaching out to "the powers that be", that being all of you, for MONTHS!! Many horrible things have happened in this park and now a death. This is a shameful loss and National disgrace. Lack of humanity by city, province and national government and agencies is how we deal with this country's social problems; it has gone too far.

Even a child knows it's not acceptable to leave people to live in parks, streets and alleys. They look to "grown ups" for protection, safety and common sense -- we tell them the role of the gov't is to keep us, the environment and others safe and clean.

It's a sad day that no one has seen fit from the Parks Board (because it's your "jurisdiction") to file the injunction required and work together with other forms of bureaucracy to get people properly cared for until permanent housing is an option. The STADIUM is the obvious solution but far be it for me to tell you your job. Everyone of you has access to solutions that we in the neighbourhood don't -- out protests, letters, petitions... have fallen on deaf ears, or perhaps it's people who do not have any sense of taking action or leadership.

Some of you from Parks Board have taken time to go to the park and/or meet with people in the community for what appears to be your own p.r. campaign as NOTHING has resulted. It certainly has not been to take action in any positive way for people who need help. Please take action or step aside and give your spot to someone who understands his or her role. Another option is to hire a person who is accountable and wipe out the Board entirely, but that is a conversation for a later date. Presently what we have to work with is you.

The rest of you that have been c.c.'d are included for a reason. Each of you has been contacted by our community groups such as the S.R.A. or Safe Homes for All, or directly by individual residence. Perhaps you should ask yourself what have I done? How have I improved the lives of people living in Parks, Streets and Alleys? What contacts have I made, what changes have I put in place, who, what or where have I accessed connections that make me feel proud to help my fellow human being?

Right now, there has been a death in Strathcona Park. Right now, you have 150 people who need to be housed. Right now, there are more #'s whos focus is illegal behaviour who have tagged along with this first group. Right now, that first group is comprised of poor, racially diverse, drug addicted, out of province individuals, mental health, mentally challenged, physically challenged, sex trade workers and more individuals we lump into a category of homeless. Right now, we are treating these people like garbage. Right now, is when you can change this situation.

Let's change all of this tomorrow!!

Please move these people to a dry warm place (like the Stadium) before more death and disease spreads.

Sincerely,

(resident of Union St. one block away from Strathcona Park)

p.s. friends from the community and outside of our hood I have included you in the hopes that you too will shout out by "reply all" to let our people of power for change know they have a responsibility. May every delete key they hit because of the chain register that bigger action is required -- let's not make liars of the "grown ups" for the children's sake and giving them people to believe in. (also please feel free to share)

This letter went to the Parks Board, City Council and Mayor, Provincial ministers and the Premier along with the Prime Minister and federal mla’s — basically “the players”. Happily I will share the e-mail addresses with you should you like to join in the letter writing of Parks, streets and alleys are not a place for people to live.

Will it make a difference? Who knows? However, the alternative of doing nothing, really isn’t an option. So as we wait to see where it all goes enjoy more of the “piece flags” done recently to add to filling in the holes of the ones that are missing.

COMMUNITY...the people who help you out

2020 has certainly proven to be a year of tossing unexpected and unprecedented things our way. Don’t know too many people who don’t agree with that one. If it’s not a family member or friend who’s suffered from the pressures of 2020 than it’s probably you who’s doing the dance with coping. There are times when the pendulum has swung into “this is great” and the love fest for quieter times and less fuss seem like heaven. No matter where you are we’ll all have our story of 2020.

It sure started out great for me with “finally” completing project 851 it was sure to be a year of relaxing, savouring the fruits of my (everyone who worked here’s) labour and a time to reflect on all it took to get here. Ya well that kind of got side tracked the moment COVID 19 hit the scene and the ball just kept roling. Now it’s November in it’s final days and I’m depending on the kindness of my community. Stresses of late have me laid up a bit and it’s those amazing people that come over and help out. Especially taking out this little cutie pie when daily outings are not on the agenda for me.

This weeks post is just a reminder for myself about all the really good things people in the community do for each other. All those times of sharing and helping each other cope, celebrate, reflect, and deal with the small things in life that can tip one over the edge. The times we’ve been just that little bit kinder to one another. 2020 has pushed us to the brink in many ways and I’m wishing everyone more love as we head into the month of December and give 2020 the big boot!

PROGRESS... missed a week in the name of threading (not eyebrows)

Well the discussions of abOUT Damn Spot have woven into the slogans of Connecting Threads while the city continues to see no resolve in people living in our streets, alleys and Strathcona Park. Shame shame parks board, city of vancouver, province of British Columbia and the federal gov’t. It’s unbelievable that tents in a park are not seen as an emergency and people are placed in a dry shelter ie. the Stadium; armoury, UBC building (many many out there)… I’ve made a commitment (to myself) to continue stitching and Connecting Threads until this Country changes the way we treat human beings. Wouldn’t it be amazing to say “Oh in Canada we don’t have that problem anymore?”. Well that’s how long I’m prepared to continue making, encouraging and hanging “piece flags”.

The ball has started rolling and here are a few of the slogans that will be heading to a fence near me.

The plan is to pick and/or make up a slogan and select a panel on the fence for the message. It’s exciting as so far we have “Float the Boat”, “Never give up”, “Give me shelter”, “Safe Supply”… Once we have a few finished we’ll head to the fence and hang. Anyone interested? Pick a slogan and stitch away then hang it along side ours or we’ll be happy to do the hang. The template for the flags is on the website so it’s easy to get involved!

Heading off to the fabric store to see if any fabrics or threads sing “put me on a piece flag please”.