Fallen Stanley Park Trees to be Transformed for Aboriginal Youth

Many trees fell during the devastating storm at Stanley Park in December, 2006. Three of those large cedars have been donated by the Vancouver Parks Board to the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre. These logs will become canoes, welcome figures or totems poles, in hope for presentation in front of the world at the 2010 Winter Games.
This project will commence with a Blessing Ceremony for the Cedar on TUESDAY APRIL 8th at 3pm at the present location of the logs (outside the Britannia Pool Lobby Entrance).
Youth will learn the art of carving and the ceremonial and cultural teachings associated with the various stages of canoe-making. This process will be documented, photo and journal, by youth interested in learning design and creating content for the youth magazine, “Constant Content”. Activities involving their families will be incorporated into the transformation process. Members of the Vancouver Police Department will participate as a way of building bridges between the Aboriginal community and the VPD.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre, the Vancouver Police Department, Constant Arts Society, Britannia Community Services Centre Society along with the Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Parks Board and the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre.
Please join the carvers, elders and ceremony witnesses in a celebration to kick-off this amazing community relationship/respect building project. Food and light refreshments will be served! Check it out and look for the project info table.
Ceremony Witnesses are: Chief Constable Jim Chu, Vancouver Police Department; Jerry Adams, Aboriginal Representative, Vancouver Police Board; Bev Seed, Principal, Britannia High School; Enzo Guerriero, Executive Director, Britannia Community Centre and the youth.
Project Mandate:
To provide leadership in promoting healthy, positive and transformative relationships between all people who live, work, play and serve in this community. These logs are a symbol of the cooperation and respect between all members dedicated to making this community one where all youth feel safe and a sense of belonging. This alliance will create understanding and respect of First Nations culture and the civic systems that are in place to educate, protect, and serve all who live here.
For more information, contact:
Christine Germano, Project Coordinator, Executive Director, Constant Arts Society 604-721-4117
John Sakamoto Kramer, Coordinator, Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre 604-678-3790