Tag Archives: community

Economic Alternatives to Oil

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Last night I exploded into bliss at a RAVE. The Great Bear Rainforest RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) premiered at the MOV and showcased the photographic works of 9 of the world’s top conservation photographers who partook on an expedition around BC’s pristine Hartley Bay and the mighty Great Bear Rainforest, an ecosystem completely intact with indigenous villagers still harvesting off the land.

Enbridge Inc. wants to pipe oil from Alberta’s very controversial Tar Sands to this precious coastal land at great risk to the biodiversity of the world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest. The images captured by the lenses of the iLPC photographers on display last night were unreal. This project is a lens which can create a real connection to to the Great Bear Rainforest for all of us that don’t have the opportunity to travel to this remote location along BC’s bountiful coast. The images and video produced by this project moved me deeply, I crave a connection to the delicate creatures that live on our coast and to the intense perfection that presents itself in the natural world. I feel that if we can’t use our current technologies to connect ourselves to the natural and magnificent world that is still intact to cultivate our reverence then we need to re-focus ourselves.

If a pipeline was pumping crude oil to these lands then there would be a risk of an oil spill, they do happen. I met a man that biked, hiked, and kayaked from the Tar Sands to the coast along the proposed route of the pipeline. They traversed terrain so remote that it would not be immediately accessible if there was a pipeline rupture. And with all of the tankers coming through the rugged passages it would be certain to disrupt the habitat for so many species, without even an oil spill. That expedition will be made into a documentary, check out their website HERE.

The most moving part of the evening was to hear stories from some of the photographers and their experiences in this special place. Gerald Amos, from Hartley Bay, moved many in the crowd to tears with his heart felt talk. He passed along his belief that our most important right is the right to be responsible. It is not rocket science: our way of life is at stake and we need to talk about it and do something about it.

In his tribe it is a law to welcome anyone who enters their land hospitably and take care of them. He welcomed us all aboard his magic canoe. His canoe can fit as many people who want to come on board. I have been waiting for a magic canoe, an embodiment of inclusiveness, my whole life. The wisdom from the BC Native communities has got my attention, every thing I hear moves me deeply and strikes a chord that this view and this wisdom needs to be heard, this wisdom can correct our societies perversion which has created conditions on our planet to get funky.

This land and its inhabitants have survived many storms, but it surely would not survive an oil spill. The question to get to the root of is: WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVES TO OIL? This is our challenge and I know we can find them.

This summer, for the first time since I moved back to Vancouver with young children, I took my car off the road for 6 weeks. I fully embraced cycling in the beautiful city of Vancouver and it brought experiences I would otherwise not have had. I felt so much healthier for it. As I accustom my children to relying on pedaling themselves around the city rather than me driving them, I plan to take my car off the road on a regular basis. It was a rewarding experience.

The pinnacle of last nights RAVE was the Gerald Amos saying that he was filled with hope for the future. I too have moments where I am flooded with hope that we can achieve a more sustainable and harmonious existence on this planet. To hear this wise man share his hope fortified mine. I am not afraid to change. Bravo to everyone who was involved with the creation of this inspiring project, and bravo to all of the people out there finding solutions to conserve and restore nature and for discovering economic alternatives to oil. You are my heroes.

Please support:
http://tidescanada.org/about/gbr-rave

Nomadic Injections

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This summer fellow nomadic bliss seeker and beat maker, Shamik, released a new CD which is something to be excited about. It’s amazing. He collaborated with musicians around the world in the creation of his second CD, here is a video of one of the tracks that I helped him out with:

Shamik is a Canadian beat boxer who has performed around the world with an impressive blend of groups and musicians including some of my personal favorites Thievery Corporation, Delhi 2 Dublin, and Oka. He’s a stellar person to have tea and conversation with, I picked his brain and this is what he had to say. Enjoy.

It is impressive to be able to create a dance party with nothing other than your vocal cords/mouth and a loop pedal. Physically what else do you draw upon to be able to sustain high energy beat making?

Breathing is very important. I breathe in and out deeply all day. Something as simple as breathing (which we do all the time) can make such a difference in staying calm and focused. Living in Vancouver is good for being outside and doing a lot of walking too:)

With your nomadic travels this summer performing in BC’s best music festivals what has been inspiring you? What have you been impressed by?

There is a lot of great music out of here, so outdoor festivals feel like celebrations of what we’ve been working on all year! Bass Coast Project in Squamish Valley was a prime example of that. We literally danced under a full moonlit sky in the valley to amazing music coming out of the west coast. This year at Shambhala I walked around pretending like it was my first time or like I didn’t know a lot about the music playing…and I left there with a huge smile on my face because it’s surreal how this wonderful festival happens in the Kootenays. I had a blast at Komasket in Vernon, Soundwave in Ucluelet…also had good times at Edmonton Folkfest and Astral Harvest in Alberta. One of my most memorable moments this summer was performing with Kellylee Evans as support for the one and only George Benson at Victoria and Vancouver Jazzfest. Wow he was unbelievable!! I feel very grateful that people take time to come out and support live music, and these people are just as integral to our vibe as the artists. It’s been really inspiring to see so many BC peeps working hard and having huge success.

Musically what do you have your sights set upon for the upcoming year?

I’m hoping to do a few more collaborations in the studio. Now that my album is finished, working with other artists on their projects is a top priority. I seem to always have my hands in multiple pots because thankfully beatboxing helps me tap into many scenes. In December, I’m working on going back to Asia and Australia. It’s important to me to keep trying to spread my music to other continents, so I’m excited to head back to the other side of the globe. There is definitely a lot of love out there and tonnes of good music!

Nomadic Injections

Nomadic Injections

-Download a free track from Nomadic Injections here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?cqxz88pk6h4dx2x

-Purchase Nomadic Injections on iTunes:
http://bit.ly/bpeFP3

-Purchase on CD Baby:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/Shamik1

Here’s a little video I captured of Shamik’s set at the Komasket Music Festival.

Nomadic Bliss

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This past long weekend was the pinnacle of my summer so far. I traveled to the Komasket Music Festival for the third time along with a sweet group of friends. I felt a strong connection to our ancestral heritage and imagined the days when we lived as tribal nomads, all the tribes gathering for summer celebrations. This was a more sustainable time on our planet. The teepees and Komasket nations’ sacred grounds greatly contributed to that feeling.


DJ Cheb I Sabbah

Instead of traveling by foot and horseback we caravaned in vehicles from the city up into the Okanagan. We slept in tents and teepees and ate in the open air, swam in the Okanagan lake, and celebrated amazing world music in an earth friendly environment under the sun and moon.


Koolant from The Wailers

People at Komasket observed that there was a very pure and magical energy, the performances were electric and elevating; for the performers and the audience. The Arbour structure that hosts two of the stages is round and with the round sun and moon shining upon the crowds it seems to have evoked a different quality as opposed to a rectangular or formless venue.


Shamik

On the way back, in a wicked state of elation, we stopped at Kalamalka Lake for an invigorating swim. That is my favorite lake from my childhood, the lake of many colours as named by the indigenous tribes in that area. We then ran around an orchard and bought some fresh peaches and cherries before visiting my 89 year old grandmother.


Komasket Music Festival Grounds

My grandmother, the only family member other than myself to have blue eyes, gave birth 16 times and it is her strength and love that inspired me to be a Doula. She is still very independent and active and definitely the most loving and caring person I know. I feel connected to and a strong reverence for my elders.


Traditional Pow Wow Dance

There is something to be said about gathering your ‘tribe’ and celebrating life, raising our vibrations collectively. Be it at a special festival such as Komasket or inviting all of your friends over to your back yard. Get together and eat and play music and dance, celebrate being alive and whole heartedly lift each other up. Activating, supporting and inspiring others fortifies those elements within. I am still coming down and plan to ensure that I get together with my tribe to keep the connections that fuel this bliss fortified.


Lotus on Kalamalka Lake

This summer I have captured video and photos for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival’s ‘Festival Stories’ social media initiative and captured video to help promote the growing Komasket Music Festival. Along with my love of making music videos I immensely love capturing the magical energy of people coming together to enjoy music festivals and performances.

Nomadic tribal love to you all.

We, Our Stories

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From June 11th to 13th at Vancouver’s little gem, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Gardens, there will be an event that will fortify our collective sub consciousness in the form of The 18th Vancouver International Storytelling Festival. We have evolved as a species by telling stories, they are integral to our well being. We listen to and seek out stories from our toddler years throughout the span of our days, sometimes in formats other than the story bound by a book.

http://www.vancouverstorytelling.org

I love stories painted by music, poetry, and videos. I love stories told in movies and I love observing nature and phenomena, interpreting how this experience stirs me, thus contemplating my own story. I mostly enjoy stories that are told by a story teller. Some of the story tellers involved in this event I know and they are the bright and vibrant sort of people that you want to soak up their presence and listen to them tell tales from far and wide, absorbing as much detail as your mind will hold. There will be workshops and walking tours as well.

Culture your mind, cultivate some magic, and support your friendly neighborhood storytellers.

Olympic Contemplations

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This evening I happened by chance to witness the passing of the Paralympic torch from one carrier to the next downtown Vancouver. There was the torch bearer carrying the torch, a few people surrounding him, a few police officers on bicycles and that was about it. No procession of 50 plus police officers in various vehicles, no Coke, McDonalds, RBC vehicle creating hype. No corporate sponsor for that matter. No massive crowds. Just business as usual.

Paralympic Torch Relay

Paralympic Torch Relay

The torch bearer that finished his route stood there holding his extinguished torch on the sidewalk surrounded by a few friends and family members that were taking pictures and that was it. Vancouver is over the torch relay it seems, the city has recovered from the Olympic hang over and no one is giving this event the time of day. I do not know much about the Paralympic games though I stood there on the street with a bit of a sad emotion lingering in the air around me. Perhaps the Paralympic athletes are enjoying their time to shine though it seems to me that the IOC could enhance the organization of these games to give these deserving participants more of the glory that the Olympic athletes experienced. One thought is to perhaps have the Paralympic games precede the Olympic Games. Just my impression from what I witnessed a few hours ago. To top it off, the Paralympic opening games are not going to be broadcast live, they will be aired the following day by CTV. Sigh.

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I was observing mainstream and alternative media coverage during the Winter Games here in Vancouver. On February 22nd I gained heaps of inspiration and focus while attending the ‘Fresh Media Olympics’ discussion at W2 Community Media Arts. I sat in a charged room of media makers that had been covering the Olympics and or the independent events in protest to the games. Professor Andy Miah, keynote speaker originating from the UK, delivered a truly inspiring talk to a room full of PhD students from around the world; international journalists, local media activists and the media savvy. With over 3 billion people globally tuning into their televisions to watch coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in our city, it made Vancouver an ideal location to address the topic of media and its progressive evolution. Planning for London 2012 is well underway and it will be interesting to observe how Vancouver’s games will have progressed to London’s experience.

Andy Miah has been researching the Olympic phenomenon with a focus of new media, culture and politics. He shared experiences and observations from previous game locations that he has attended and analyzed, Torino, Mexico, Beijing, Vancouver. He had such a concise and focused understanding of the games that gave me the realization of how far beyond the actual sporting events the Olympics reached.

Fresh Media Olympics

Andy Miah at W2

The host city sells stories that are picked up by accredited journalists then are conveyed around the world by television and newsprint conglomerates via well organized media hubs. Only during the Vancouver games more eyes than ever were on citizen and unaccredited journalists. The IOC launched a Flickr page in realization that this is the social media Olympics and everyone is capturing their own images and videos and uploading it, sometimes even in real time thanks to devices such as the iPhone. Independent media hubs such as W2 Community Media Arts and True North Media House were bustling with activity during the games with local and international journalists and observers. On twitter the dominating trends were often associated to the Winter Games and managed to keep me totally informed and amused.

CTV was a self curated + authorized media content platform that payed billions for official media rights to the 2010 Winter Games. The IOC must know the power of blogging as they set up guidelines for the athletes to follow while the games were on in attempt to control coverage. Independent media is inclusive, not just an IOC style broadcast. To be a small part of the community working together to cover and observe the games was a very stimulating experience. People want to be engaged in dynamic communication, it appears that conventional media is being challenged by new media as the music industry was challenged by invention of the mp3 format.

***

I actually didn’t know that it is in the Olympic charter that the Olympics are to address social issues. From my own perspective it did not appear as if the IOC or VANOC had any significant impact on social issues at a very penetrating level. I felt an authentic inclusiveness towards First Nations representation though the top social issues on the city seemed to be worsened by the games such as homelessness. A large representation of BC residents voted against hosting the 2010 Games so naturally there was a resistance movement.

On the opening day of the Olympics, thousands of peaceful protesters converged at the North side of the Vancouver Art Gallery then marched through the streets of Vancouver.

Anti-Olympic Convergence

While, on the other side of the Vancouver Art Gallery thousands of excited people flocked Robson Street which was closed for the duration of the games as well as Robson Square.

Pro Olympics Celebrations

Visitors to Vancouver for the Games had no understanding of our social problems, they just wanted to celebrate. Were all of the protests and initiatives successful? Many people were heard. ‘Tent City’ that sprung up during the games in a vacant lot managed to find homes for the homeless people who set up camp there. On some levels Vancouver was transformed by the direct action from citizens in opposition to Vancouver being a host city for the 2010 Winter Games.

Hands down, the Olympics are the best festival of sports. The best party. The best opportunity to catch a lot of great music and art all at once in Vancouver. A powerful mechanism to unite Canadians and give us an opportunity to shine. And the best demonstration that all voices need to be heard and deserve equal media coverage.

More Than One Story

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As with any significant event, there is always a story within a story, within a story. Here is a story captured by my friend Heiko Decosas about a Vancouver DTES resident Robert Martin and his experience carrying the Olympic torch.

There is more than what mainstream television and media sources are telling you. I am happy to see independent community based media centres such as W2 Community Media Arts emerging to capture stories that may not get to be told with an uncensored view. In this particular story Robert Martin was significantly empowered about being asked by Mayor Gregor Robertson to carry the Olympic torch, the experience goes beyond the physical act of carrying the flames. I believe all people need to be heard, especially the underprivileged. Give them the spotlight and watch them shine.

Pandora on Earth

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This past week I broke a personal record and saw Avatar for the second time. I have never seen a film in the theater twice so this is an impressive feat. James Cameron brilliantly revived the theater experience by developing a new method of filming and the result is beautiful, I am sure you have experienced it for yourself. The second time I put on the 3D glasses and immersed myself into the luscious lunar landscapes of Pandora I was further enchanted by the beauty of the animated jungle environments and the sensuality of the Nav’ii, how they interacted with their environment with such agility and grace. The movements and expressions were exquisite and made up for a story that could have been further developed in many ways.

Nav'ii glow

The message of the film is totally required and relevant to this moment on Earth and has been well received by the masses having raised more at the box office than Cameron’s Titanic. As well as living in harmony with their environment, the Nav’ii lived in peace as a spiritual community “seeing” each other with a deep connection to the divine. So evolved, so primitive. It was so refreshing for my eyes to take in the exotic Nav’ii’s reverence for all life. According to Mayan prophecy, this is where we are heading; we are ready for these shifts!

The violence in the film I could have lived without though I realize without tension the film would likely not have reached the masses. Thankfully we don’t need extreme science to bring us into the body of a genetically engineered Avatar to learn how to connect to nature in such a profound way, to learn to fly. We don’t need an unspeakable crisis or catastrophe to take a giant leap and start living in line with our deeper potential, though sometimes we need these life altering experiences to gain a new perspective. It is interesting to conceptualize a moon based society that worships the divine mother as female energy is coming into power in our masculine dominant world. I see it all around me, we are waking up and changing our priorities. We are lucky, all we have to do is open our heart and go outside and make a connection to the world around us. Dare to dream and remember how important our Earth is and all of the life she hosts.

In appreciation for the precious flora of my environment I am currently drinking dandelion tea. Thank you for stopping by.

We Are One

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Exactly one week ago my singing teacher told me about an existing technology that has the capacity to cause earthquakes and that many people speculate that this technology was involved with the catastrophic Indonesian earthquake and tsunami that devastated the coasts of SE Asia. I personally don’t have the time to focus too much of my awareness on conspiracy theories though I do have a strong feeling that things on this planet are not right. So imagine my surprise when the very next day after hearing about this technology Haiti is devastated by a massive quake. There are a lot of people out there that feel something along those lines was possibly correlated with this most unfortunate disaster. I have no evidence of this though I am deeply shocked at how relief efforts are progressing, or not progressing.

Haiti

It is humbling to see the world come together so quickly, utilize social media and modern communication tools to raise millions within days. One nation is down, and the world steps into action. If you feel compelled to donate to relief efforts do so with mindfulness. Please do your research. I don’t trust Bush’s intention for us to raise money and wouldn’t let my cash go anywhere near that individual. Some organizations I trust and I believe to have positive impact are Amma’s charity Embracing The World, Avaaz, and Doctors Without Borders.

Haitian born Wyclef Jean’s organization Yélé Haiti has a great blog you can follow to keep up to date with how relief efforts are unfolding.

I greatly hope that swift aid comes to the Haitians. I am deeply moved by video footage of survivors singing in procession through the damaged streets of Port-au-Prince. I pray for balance on our planet and that the unethical power structures that ruthlessly pursue their own agenda be brought to their knees.

visualizing swift aid

In solidarity for Haiti. In solidarity for all people living together on this precious planet.

“One of the greatest problems of history is that the concepts of love and power are usually contrasted as polar opposites. Love is identified with a resignation of power and power with a denial of love. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic.”-Martin Luther King Jr.

Arts Cuts: Make Your Voice Heard

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The BC Liberal Government has proposed massive cuts to arts funding over the next few years. If you are an artist, have artistic children, or if the arts in any form have enhanced your life PLEASE contact your MLA and encourage your tribe to do so too.

Be informed, check out the Stop Arts Cuts website: http://www.stopbcartscuts.ca/

Apparently ‘ink’ petitions are more powerful, so get out your pen and write right now! This blog has some great guidance: http://stopbcartscuts.wordpress.com/

I can’t even begin to articulate how opposed to the cutting of 92% of the funding allocated to Arts in BC over the next few years I am. At the Wrecking Ball, a fund raising event put together by the vibrant theater community, the statistics were presented so colorfully and humorously. In the new year the government is going to be making some big budget related choices, NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTACT YOUR MLA. I don’t feel like reiterating the facts, I just want to remind you that your voice counts and now is the time to speak out.

If you Twitt follow these great tweeps:
http://twitter.com/AllianceArts
http://twitter.com/stopbcartscuts

May BC remain a colorful province. May artists everywhere be victorious. :: Creativity Counts ::

Carefully Crafted

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In an electric fast paced bustling world, I seek solace in anything hand crafted with love. I find these objects spark imagination and don’t over stimulate my already overstimulated mind. I especially find delight in hand spun fabrics, woven together on handlooms. On textiles I love traditional patterns with natural dyes developed over centuries by cultural traditions. Preserving these traditions from becoming extinct due to globalization is as important to me as buying organically grown food. So that is why I have been supporting the work of Maiwa Handprints since I discovered their existence on Granville Island years ago.

handloom

a handloom in a small village, Kerala, India.

Charlotte Kwon, the heart and soul that founded Maiwa and the Maiwa Foundation has been a part of the resurrection, preservation, and development of handcrafts from artisans across the globe. Touching base with Charlotte ensured my trip to India two years ago was filled with magic, from checking out natural textiles being dyed by hand with indigo and eucalyptus, watching hand looms in action, to spending a day at a Toda Hilltribe settlement in the mountains of Tamil Nadu. These experiences fed my love for natural textiles in such a refreshing way, added a deeper dimension to our travels.

Toda

Toda Hilltribe Elder, Tamil Nadu, India

traditional embroidery

Traditional Toda Hilltribe Embroidery

The Maiwa Textiles Symposium is one of my favorite events in Vancouver. This year, as the VIFF was wrapping up, the symposium was just getting under way. I attended a few lectures that informed and inspired my love of the woven world. Autumn in Vancouver is a good place to be with such inspiring events, I only wish I could attend them all… Today I watched Tibetan Monks dismantle a vibrant sand mandala that they have spent days creating and submerged the grains of sand in the ocean, symbolizing impermanence and allowing the sand to continue its existence in another form. These grains of sand are blessing the waters of Spanish Banks as they have been a part of a highly charged sacred mandala. In a reflective state I observe the impermanence in my life, ebb and flow, every moment infused with perfection, only sometimes not visible. Inspired from my environment, inspired from within.