Category Archives: Scottish, Gaelic, Irish Celtic events and stories

Seattle Gung Haggis Fat Choy Seattle: Scots-Americans enjoy a big success for a first initiative south of the border!

Gung Haggis Fat Choy Seattle: Scots-Americans enjoy a big success for a first initiative south of the border



Toddish McWong meets
Seattle “Gung Haggis” couple Rory Denovan and Becca Fong.  Rory is
Scottish-American and Becca is Chinese-American… and they are a
lovely couple! – photo courtesy of Becca Fong.

Tiny pieces of red firecracker paper
litter the entrances of Chinese restaurants, as I walk down the streets
of Seattle's International District.  Darn!  I had just
missed the local Lion Dances, part of the Chinese New Year
celebrations, meant to bring good luck to the restaurants.  There
were pieces of lettuce scattered on the sidewalk too.  If the Lion
accepts the restaurant's gift of lettuce, good luck will come to the
restaurant.

I see a man in a kilt walk accross the street and enter the Ocean City
restaurant at 609 S. Weller St.  A kilt in Chinatown? 
Definitely a strange site.  It bemuses me. 
I look at the all four story building. 
There are two stories capable of holding banquets + parking levels
below.  Tonight, the top floor will host the first annual Gung
Haggis Fat Choy Seattle event.

Inside I quickly find Bill McFadden, organizer of this event.  Two
months ago, Bill phoned me and said he would like to co-create a Gung
Haggis Fat Choy event in Seattle.  He wanted to recognize my
creation and bring me down to Seattle to create a benefit dinner for
the Caledonian and St. Andrew's Society of Seattle – funds raised to go
to the North West Jr. Pipe & Drums, in their quest to attend the
World Championships in Scotland.

My musician friends Harry Aoki and Max Ngai are already inside setting
up.  Harry is an octogenarian survivor of the Japanese Canadian
internment camps who plays harmonica, Chinese shung-like instrument,
and double bass (which we left in Vancouver because it wouldn't fit in
my car).  Max is an Australian born Chinese who moved to Canada at
age one, who loves to play Celtic violin.  While I have played
with Harry on occasions since 2003, and Max has played many times with
Harry – the three of us, have never played together before.

People were filing into the restaurant in anticipation of the
event.  I meet Don Scobie and Jesse Bishop, of the duo Bag 'N'
Pipe Hoppers – this duo busks in Seattle with contemporary hip hop
sounds.  Jesse wonders if the many elderly looking people dressed
in traditional Scots kilts and skirts know what they are in for tonight.
Meanwhile, the drone of bagpipes could be heard in the distance.



Max Ngai on violin, Harry Aoki on harmonica and Todd Wong on accordion. -photo Becca Fong

The event started with a performance by the North West Junior Pipes and Drums.

more later

Performers at Gung Haggis Fat Choy 2007 – where to see them next!

It was incredible that so many of our performers were creating ways to
play with each other and be inclusive – just like real interculturalism
– instead of being in little multicultural boxes looking pretty for
multicultural show and tell… You guys make it so dynamic!

Silk
Road with Heather Pawsey & Kathryn Cernauskas performing Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flower)…
Harry Aoki with Leora Cashe and Jaye Krebs performing Stardust and Chinatown My Chinatown…
Leora &
Jaye with Qiu Xia and Andre performing a jazzy instrumental…
Grace Chin, Zen Shane Lim, Priya Ramu all joining Margaret Gallagher, Heather Pawsey,
and myself on the singalsongs.
Chris Trinidad and Nealamjit Dhillon from Brave Waves joining in bass
and tabla drums on
the Gung Haggis RAP Choy with  No Luck Club's Trevor Chan, while
Todd and Joe McDonald rapped the Robbie Burns verses, with Grace,
Margaret, Heather and Leora joining in on the Chorus. 

Awesome…  I am still trying to
take everything in.

And hopefully more people from the audience will find our 2007 performers:

  • Listen to Priya Ramu, host of CBC Radio's “On the Coast” – 690 AM, 3pm to 6pm 
  • go see Twisting Fortunes with Grace and Zen and Charlie!
  • come out to a traditional Burns dinner (Ian – we can start a “Young Burns Club” as an auxilliary to the Burns Club of Vancouver)
  • see
    Qiu Xia He perform at Capilano College on Feb 2, at “Night Bird Singing”
    concert before Silk Road Music goes for an extended tour in Toronto Feb
    4 to March
  • recognize Heather Pawsey at the Vancouver Opera's Magic Flute, or see her at “Night Bird Singing,” at Capilano College on Feb 2
  • see
    Leora Cashe Feb 11th at Terry Fox Theatre or on March 11  at The Cellar for a
    Joni Mitchell tribute set at The Cellar on March 11… or most Sunday
    mornings with Jaye at the Centre for Spiritual Living, at the Masonic
    Hall.
  • see Margaret Gallagher on “Living in Vancouver” on CBC TV with fello hapa Jennifer Burke.
  • come to see No Luck Club at the Anza Club on Feb 2, for the CJSF Anniversary party!
  • recognize Lensey Namioka's books at the stores, or the libraries!
  • come to Harry's First Friday Forum at the Nikkei Heritage Centre for intercultural music and discussion.
  • say Hi to Carl, when he does his cound gigs at The Roxy or around town.
  • catch Joe McDonald with Brave Waves, Mad Celts or solo around town…

Glasgow's “Back of the Moon” plays at St. James Hall on Robbie Burns Night

Glasgow's “Back of the Moon” plays at St. James Hall on Robbie Burns Night

Here's an event from the Rogue Folk Club, if you aren't attending a Burns supper on January 25th


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday, January 25th 8pm
Back of the Moon
St James Hall (3214 West 10th Ave)
Tickets: $23 ($20 members)
 
BURNS BABY BURNS!!!
Glasgow’s Back of the Moon heats up the St James Hall on Robbie Burns Night!


Back Of The Moon

“Leading the next generation of great Scottish Trad Bands.” – Director of
Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival.

With
a name like Back Of The Moon you could be forgiven for thinking this is
a Pink Floyd tribute act, but in truth it’s one of the hottest
traditional
music groups in Scotland. Together for six years now,
these four young musicians are widely engaged in sessions, gigs and
studio work, have recorded three albums of their own (their latest
release is called Luminosity), and pursue a full touring schedule. All
of this involvement has been great for honing the skills and enriching
their feel for the music, and they have grown to become one of the
sharpest and most powerful trad bands around.

Young Scottish
Musician of the Year in 2001, Gillian Frame is an excellent fiddler,
and sings in both Gaelic and English. Findlay Napier is a strong
singer
and guitarist, and Findlay’s brother Hamish also sings, and provides
piano and flute. Along with those three founding members is more recent
addition Ali Hutton, the group’s new player on border pipes, whistle,
and bodhrán. The word on Ali H is that’s he’s one hot piper.

Their
repertoire is extensive, full of traditional songs and tunes from
Scotland and Ireland. As well they feature newer compositions, like
Archie Kenneth’s reel Back of the Moon (hmm…there must be a story
there), and great pieces they have written themselves, adding to their
own tradition’s vast collection of stirring music.

Between the
CD’S and the many concerts they have caught the imagination and the
hearts of their audiences, and the notice of music critics too. Reading
various reviews the superlatives are liberally applied to this quartet,
variously recognized for “the locked-on cohesion of the ensemble.”

Gung HAGGIS RAP Choy – Robbie Burns Address to a Haggis set to rap music

Gung HAGGIS RAP Choy
– Robbie Burns Address to a Haggis set to rap music

To my dear Scottish
Friends…


literary friends…


musical friends…


intercultural friends…




Here is something to welcome Robbie Burns Day Eve.


My new musical gift to the world for Robbie Burns Day:



You guy are in INSANE!!  :-)
That's hilarious - I love it!!!!
- Heather Pawsey, opera soprano

Gung HAGGIS RAP Choy

(see MP3 attachment below)


performed by
Toddish McWong & Joseph McDonald w/Brave Waves
produced by Trevor Chan  – The No Luck Club Mix

Todd Wong aka “Toddish McWongis a 5th generation Chinese-Canadian who has been holding “Gung Haggis Fat Choy:
Robbie Burns Chinese New Year dinners for 10 years.  He is also a writer
and poet, and plays a mean but joyous accordion.


Joseph McDonald
is a multi-generational Scottish-Canadian
bagpiper/singer/songwriter and has performed at every Gung Haggis Fat Choy
dinner since 2001.  He is leader of the band Brave Waves .”

features new world music fusion with bagpipes, South Asian tabla drums,
chinese flute, sitar + other
world instruments.  The bagpipe instrumental track titled
“Gung
Haggis Fat Choy” and is available on the Brave Waves album
Havens of Light

Trevor Chan
is Canadian born mastermind behind “No Luck Club“,
a
Chinese-Canadian instrumental hip hop band.  No Luck Club is
recently returned from a cross-Canada tour, and released their album
“Prosperity.” In 2005, No Luck Club released a mash-up titled Our
Story, that included historical quotes about the Chinese head tax.
Listen to it on
No Luck Club on radio3.cbc.ca or Dogma Radio

 


ENJOY….. 
Toddish



SEE the Live performance of Gung HAGGIS RAP Choy, at the 10th Annual Gung
Haggis Fat Choy: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner.

January 28th, Sunday 5:30pm
Floata Restaurant
#400 – 180 Keefer St .
Vancouver Chinatown


Tickets available from Firehall Arts Centre 604-689-0926

Fundraiser for Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop / Ricepaper Magazine, Joy
Kogawa House, and Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team




And now the guidelines…


This music file is intended for personal use only…


Please do not post in public or play in public or for profit, without
permission.


For written permission contact:

Todd Wong  

phone:  778-846-7090
e-mail:  gunghaggis @ yahoo .ca
www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com



Joseph McDonald

Phone
604-435-2954



Copyright 2007, SOCAN

Gung Haggis Fat Choy update for January 10th


Gung Haggis Fat Choy update for January 10th


What's happening with Gung Haggis Fat Choy 2007?

Just confirmed today…  Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan is attending.  This will be the second time he has attended as Mayor, in addition to two previous times as a city concillor.  Mayor Sullivan definitely has Scottish ancestry… and he's learned to speak Chinese

Haggis is ordered.  I really like haggis from Peter Black and Sons, from Park Royal South, in West Vancouver.  I have used it every year since 2002.  When I don't use it, there's usually complaints.  This is a nice spicy family secret recipe.  I have never “gagged” on a Peter Black haggis, as I have on other haggis.  Peter and family attended last year and had a great time.  Peter even gave the Selkirk Grace.

Erin Cebula of Global TV, called me on Monday – she's going to do a story about the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner event.  Look for her and a television cameraperson at the Vancouver Public Library on January 15th, when I host Gung Haggis Fat Choy World Poetry Night with Ariadne Sawyer as part of the World Poetry Series.

Jazz-gospel singer Leora Cashe is really really excited about performing for GHFC – we talked on Sunday.  Leora wants me to perform accordion with her for the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner – an old Scottish song that her Scottish uncle used to sing and perform on accordion – “My Luv Is Like a Red Red Rose.”  Leora is also really excited about helping to lead the singalongs for the dinner, such as “Loch Lomand (You Take the High Road)” and others…

And the dinner menu???
This year we are having something very special – Haggis Dim Sum appetizers.
I am talking with Floata Restaurant and trying to haggisize some of my favorite dim sum foods such as Hah-Gau shrimp dumplings.  I think my mother will be upset… shrimp dumplings are one of her favorites too!

Crab is definitely on the menu…  and lots of other good foods.  Look for an improved menu from last year's dinner.

January 15th, Gung Haggis Fat Choy World Poetry Night at Vancouver Public Library

January 15th, Gung Haggis Fat Choy World Poetry Night
at Vancouver Public Library


Check out the new January events brochure for the Vancouver Public Library
Gung Haggis Fat Choy World Poetry Night is the feature picture. 

see the 2007 poster on the attachment!

Yup… that's me underneath the mask.

January 15th, Monday
7:30pm
Central Library, 350 West Georgia St.
Alice MacKay room (lower level)

Celebrating Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year. 
Featuring poets and performers:

Fiona Tinwei Lam
(author of Intimate Distances – Vancouver Book Prize finalist for 2005)
Leon Yang
Dr. Ian Mason (president of the Burns Club of Vancouver)
Joe McDonald (bagpiper, and band leader of Brave Waves)
Ariadne's Dream Dragon Dance
+ special guest to be announced.

Hosts are Todd Wong and Ariadne Sawyer

Christmas 2006

Christmas 2006

This has been one of my busiest Christmases ever.  And it has also been one of the best Christmases.

Here are some of my highlights:

December 15th, Friday: 
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team social – movie and eats at the Bacchus Lounge


December 16th, Saturday:
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team activity – skiing on Grouse Mountain, snow boarding and sleigh ride:  check our article
Gung Haggis Fat Choy paddlers enjoy the winter


December 17th, Sunday:
I play my accordion during social hour for my Church group, Centre for Spiritual Living.
Christmas carols and Christmas songs – with my friend Bob on his accoustic guitar.  This is our gift of song for others to enjoy.

December 19th Tuesday:
Holly Cole concert with Vancouver Symphony Orchesta.  I treat my girlfriend, and we are joined by two good friends who had never attended a Holly Cole concert before – they love it!

December 21st, Thursday:
Kogawa House committee Christmas Party
What could be better than hanging with incredible people that you admire and like – and who admire and like you back!
Joy Kogawa returns to Vancouver.  Committee organizers Ann-Marie Metten and David Kogawa rent Baldwin House on Deer Lake for the dinner party.  Bill Turner, executive director of The Land Conservancy of BC attends. Me and my accordion lead Christmas singalongs.

December 22nd, Friday:
Winter Solstice at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens.
The gardens and park are transformed into a wonderland of light and magic.  Very cool.  members of GHFC dragon boat team come out to join Deb and me for a traditional walkabout celebrating Chinese Dong Zhi (winter solstice). check our article
Gung Haggis Fat Choy paddlers enjoy the winter


December 24th, Sunday:
Jean Downey of the Kyoto Journal wants to write a piece about me and Gung Haggis Fat Choy for her column  Ten Thousand Things: Multicultural Webfinds.  She says that she really likes my humanitarian perspective on interculturalism and multiculturalism.

December 24th, Sunday:
Meet friends for drinks and appetizers at The Sandbar Restaurant on Granville Island.  Judy Maxwell returns to Vancouver from Australia where she is working on her PhD on Chinese migration.  She has done research on the Chinese Canadian veterans.

December 24th, Sunday:
Attend Christmas Eve service for Centre for Spiritual Living.
Play more Christmas songs and carols on my accordion with Bob and his guitar.  I sing so much, I loose my voice the next day.

December 25th, Monday:
Open presents with my family.  I have a new two month old niece.  My 3 1/2 year old nephew is excited with every gift – whether receiving or giving.

My girlfriend gives me a wonderful red vest, made with a Chinese gold dragon pattern.  Perfect for Gung Haggis Fat Choy events!  pictures to come soon!

December 26th, Tuesday:
Drive to Vernon with girlfriend and friend to visit her parents.  It starts snowing as we arrive at Kalamalka Lake by 4:30pm.  Wonderful to see everybody.  I get to carve the ham.  We watch Polar Express dvd.  It snows all evening – light powdery stuff.


December 27th, Wednesday:
We wake up to 4 inches of snow,  a real winter wonderland.  We open stockings and presents.  It's Christmas morning all over again!  Christmas dinner with turkey.  Zsuzsanna Luckas and I play Christmas songs for dinner guests, on piano and accordion.

And throughout this Christmas season, whether rich or poor, yellow or white, red or black, happy or sad….  there is intercultural grace whether we see it or not.  It lives and breathes within our lives, sometimes so subtley that we do not recognize it.  Sometimes it is blatantly proud, and thunders it's arrival.

But here I am on the outskirts of Vernon.  I haven't seen another Asian person since I waved goodbye to my father yesterday morning.  Yet, tonight with friends of my girlfriend's parents I could talk to them about our differing views about Chinese head tax redress, First Nations land claims, Gung Haggis Fat Choy, history revisionism…. and still lead them in games of poker and Christmas carol singing.  Life is only as wonderful as you choose to make it.

Dec 22, Winter Solstice House Concerts near the Drive: featuring Orchid Ensemble + more!

Dec 22, Winter Solstice House Concerts
near the Drive: featuring Orchid Ensemble + more!

Myriam Steinberg is the artistic director of the In the
House Festival. She sends me the following notice.  The
House concerts idea is great.  Many of the events are
intercultural, and I am delighted that they feature my storytelling
friends Pauline Wenn and Mary Gavan, as well as the Orchid Ensemble.

On Friday, Dec. 22nd, In the House is co-producing a
series of house concerts with the Secret Lantern Society in honor of solstice.
There is a Celtic folk music concert included in the line up of house concerts.
I was wondering if you would be able to send this event announcement to your
distribution list and/or
post in on your webiste. Below is the complete description of what is
happening. Thank you!

Winter
solstice is on Friday! There are still some seats left for the solstice house
concerts that are being put on by the In the House Festival and the Secret
Lantern Society. The concerts will happen in conjunction with the 13th Annual
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival which celebrates the coming of longer days.

Homes
in the East Side (all around
Commercial Dr. )
will open their doors as hosts to this wonderful event. Lanterns will be sold
at each house – after the concert participants form their own small
processions, creating a gentle constellation of lanterns throughout the
neighbourhood as they make their way to the free festivities at Britannia
Community Centre.

Feel
free to spread the word to all your friends, family and co-workers! This is a
wonderful community event.

Date:
Friday, December 22nd, 2006

Time:
Shows are at 6:00 pm and again at 7:15 pm. Illuminate the neighborhood with
your lantern and attend two concerts in two different houses. After the concert
join fellow participants in your own mini lantern procession down to the
Britannia Community Centre for free solstice activities.

Tickets:
You can see a single show or get a double pass. When purchasing tickets, please
ensure that you indicate whether you would like the 6 pm show, the 7:15 pm
show, or the pass.

Tickets
for single show: $10 / adult,  $8 /
kids 
Tickets
for two shows: $15 / adult,    $13 / kids

You
can reserve your seat by calling 604-874-9325 or emailing
info@inthehousefestival.com. Please indicate which show you want to see, at
what time, and how many tickets you need.

 

Tickets
are also available at:

On-line
at www.inthehousefestival.com
Highlife
Records
At
the door (may be limited space available)

Performers & Venues:

Orchid
Ensemble

1957 Venables 
The Orchid Ensemble blends ancient musical instruments and traditions
from China
and beyond, creating a beautiful new sound that is both creative and distinct.
The ensemble has embraced a variety of musical styles to its repertoire,
ranging from the traditional and contemporary music of
China , World Music, New Music to
Jazz and Creative Improvisation.

The
energetic yet endearing performance style of the ensemble consistently
intrigues and delights its audiences, consistently receiving standing ovations.
Acclaimed as 'One of the brightest blossoms on the world music scene' (Georgia
Straight), the Orchid Ensemble has been tirelessly developing an innovative
musical genre based on the cultural exchange between Western and Asian
musicians. 

Mariachi
Romantico

1190 Semlin Dr.
El Mariachi Romántico was founded to maintain and promote the
beauty of Mexico
through traditional and uplifting music. El Mariachi Romántico International is
a multicultural band which delivers the passion, love and respect we feel for
Mexico .

Nihavend
1929 Napier St.

 This trio composed of François Houle on clarinet, Gordon Grdina on oud,
Neelanjit Dhillon on tabla, will be playing music based on Persian, Turkish,
and middle-east themes.

Oak
Bones

2063 Grant St.
Diana Halter on harp, bodhran, and vocals and Steve Quattrocchi on
mandolin. This duo performs traditional and contemporary Celtic music.

The
Adama Trio

1510 Salsbury Dr.
The music of The Adama Trio
explores the boundaries of classical, contemporary jazz and world music.
Adama creates exciting and original material, rich with Middle-Eastern and
Flamenco sounds, unusual melodies and complex rhythms.

Mary
Gavan & Pauline Wenn

1676 Grant
St

Mary Gavan's
grandparents in both Scotland and Ireland taught her the old legends
and the long ballads as they regarded storytelling as
a way of life rather than a festival event. She also learnt much from
my parents
who were skilled raconteurs. At first, she told the old stories,
especially those
of working with animals. On coming to Canada , she began to expand on
the
stories to explain Celtic ways and to include my own experiences. Now,
she writes her own stories combining the wisdom of the past legends
with the understanding
of my present experiences.

Pauline
Wenn
grew up in a typical Scottish working-class home, with typical
Scottish storytelling, Pauline was never bored. Having left that home at the
age of 18, she made a  new life in
Canada .
She brings to her stories rich experiences and memories from both sides of the
Atlantic .

For
more information, please go to www.inthehousefestival.com
For full Winter Solstice Lantern Festival information: www.secretlantern.org

Phone:
604-874-9325
Email:
info@inthehousefestival.com

 
Myriam Steinberg
Artistic Director

www.inthehousefestival.com
info@inthehousefestival.com

Happy St. Andrew's Day Vancouver 2006

Happy St. Andrew's Day Vancouver 2006

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. 

The British Consulate of Vancouver held a reception to mark the occasion of the visit to Vancouver of
the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, The Rt Hon George Reid MSP
and to celebrate
St Andrews Day.
I was fortunate to recieve an invitation to this event. held at the Vancouver Club.

Which kilt should I wear?  The invitation said “business
casual.”  I asked my Scottish friends, and they agreed that the
Maple Leaf Tartan would be appropriate.  But alas… one of our
dragon boat paddlers still has it after a Kilt Night at Doolin's Irish
Pub… so I wore the Ancient Fraser of Lovat tartan.  It is the
first kilt that I ever wore – pure wool – and perfect for a wintry
Vancouver night.  Definitely helped to keep my bum warm on Tuesday
night when I went to the Vancouver Opera performance of Macbeth… but
my knees sure were c-c-c-cold.

I walked up the steps to the third floor of the Vancouver Club.  I
could hear bagpipes playing.  One of the Burns Club of Vancouver
members Strachan recognized me, and introduced me to Donald and Wilma
Paton.  Both had heard about me and Gung Haggis Fat Choy.  It
just happens that Wilma is a wonderful singer of Scottish song… I
offered to feature her for next year's (2008)  Gung Haggis Fat
Choy World Poetry Night at Vancouver Public Library, as the January
2007 program is pretty well set.

It's great to meet so many people who work hard to keep Scottish
culture alive in the Americas.  I met Michael Corish of Scottish
Development Internationa, based in Toronto. 
It
was great to see my friends from the Burns Club of Vancouver: Robert
Barr, Tony Breen, Harry McGrath and Strachan.  Tony was there with
his wife Lori (who is Chinese-Canadian). 



I met James Baron, of Friends of Scotland, while based in Saratoga CA, told me about the Dressed to Kilt
event that they host in New York.  James was very interested in
the concept of Gung Haggis Fat Choy, and was very excited to tell me
about Sean Connery's participation in Dressed to Kilt.

Harry McGrath gave a good introduction about Scottish history in
Vancouver and BC.  I first met Harry at a Burns Club of Vancouver
meeting.  While he researched his doctrate on Scottish history of
BC, he also worked as coordinator of Scottish Studies program at Simon
Fraser University.

The Hon. George Reid gave a very good address about the role that
Scotland plays.  He talked about how important Scotland's
inventors and explorers have been, but also how important contemporary
Scotland is for Health Research and academic scholorship – as well as
it's oil rich reserves.  The Scottish diaspora is important in the
continuation of Scottish culture on a global scale, and Canada,
particularly BC, does very well, with it's annual BC Highland Games and
many other activities.

When I was able to introduce myself to Mr. Reid, and said that I
organized Gung Haggis Fat Choy, his eyes lit up as he said, “I've heard
of you! You are getting well known in Scotland.”

It turns out that Harry McGrath has been telling everybody back home in
Scotland about Gung Haggis Fat Choy – even if they didn't hear me on
BBC Radio Scotland last year, when I was interviewed for St. Andrew's
Day.

But if Scotland can embrace haggis wontons, and a character known as
Toddish McWong, while at the same time celebrate their status as a
“nation” within a United Kingdon – then there should easily be hope for
both Quebec and to be recognized as a “nation within a United Canada,”
as recognized in the Conservative government's recently passed
motion.  Hmmm…. but could BC also be recognized as a “nation
within a United Canada?”  Afterall… the two solitudes of BC, are
not so much English and French, but more likely Scottish and
Chinese…. and First Nations!

Roy Miki recieves Award for Truth, Justice and Non-Violence

Roy Miki Receives Award for Truth, Justice and Non-Violence

It seems like a few days ago that I was writing about Roy Miki
recieving the SFU Sterling Award for Controversy.  Today's
Vancouver Sun had an article about Roy receiving the Thakore Visiting
Scholar Award at SFU tonight.

Okay… I must like writing about Roy.

Here is the link to a similar article at www.nowpublic.com:
Roy Miki Receives Award for Truth, Justice and Non-Violence

Roy Miki to be presented with the Thakore Visiting Scholar Award on October 2, 2006 at Simon Fraser University

The
India Club of Vancouver, The Thakore Charitable Foundation, and The
Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University have joined
hands in celebrating Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd of each year since
1991 to foster the principles of truth, justice, human rights and
non-violence.This year the Thakore Visiting Scholar Award will be
presented to Roy Miki for his long and outstanding work and
achievements in the Japanese Canadian redress movement.

A
third-generation Japanese-Canadian, Miki has long been active in the
successful Redress Movement. As well as a recognized poet, Roy Miki is
a Professor of English  at Simon Fraser University, and is a well-known
editor and biographer. The award honours his long and outstanding work
and achievements related to redress, including his book, Redress:
Inside the Japanese Canadian Call for Justice.

Created in 1991
by former SFU faculty member Natverlal Thakore, the award honours
individuals who show a concern for truth, justice and non-violence in
public life.