SEA September Members Meeting

SEPTEMBER 16th at 5:30pm
560 Johnson Street
Green Cuisine, Lower Level, Market Square ...  

August 26th, 2018
6pm - 9pm
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF VICTORIA
5575 WEST SAANICH RD

Vote Regional Farmland Trust 2018 - Save the UCB

Everyone is welcome to attend an inspiring evening with the founder of the Agricultural Land Reserve and one of the most distinguished environmentalists in Canada, Harold Steves. We will discuss the state of our farmland, food insecurity provincially, whats working in Richmond and could be applied to Saanich's urban containment boundary-- our mini-ALR -- the most important tool in protecting farmland in Saanich.

We will discuss the inspiring community project that is going on to Save the Royal Oak Golf Course!

We are hopeful at this time that improvements to Saanich's urban containment boundary (UCB) are possible to protect the remaining farmland in Saanich.

This municipal election, we must ensure that CRD Directors that we elect will vote Yes! to the Regional Farmland Trust Vote this October.

Our other inspiring speakers include:
North Saanich Mayor Alice Finall will chair the event.

Linda Geggie is the Executive Director of CRFAIR, serves on the CRD Food and Agriculture Task Force, and is the lead on the development of a proposal for a regional Local Government Food and Farmland Trust.

Nathalie Chambers is a farmer at Madrona Farm, & co-author of the book, Saving Farmland, the fight for Real Food, 2015. She is seeking a seat on Saanich Council in the October Municipal Elections and advocates for strengthening Saanich's UCB and regional farmlands trust now!

David Chambers is an organic farmer at Madrona Farm and will share his best farming practices, thoughts on UCB repair, the ALR and the lengths he was willing to go Save Madrona Farm with the Land Conservancy of BC.

In a spirit of gratitude and respect we acknowledge the traditional land of the Straits Salish First Nations, on whose lands we gather.

Renter Roundtable community discussion 

Join the Community Social Planning Council and the Victoria Tenant Action Group to engage in a tenant-centred discussion about the challenges of renting in Greater Victoria and living within such instability.

If you haven’t yet been able to join us at a Renter Roundtable discussion event, no problem! It would be great if you could join, to add your voices and experiences to the conversation.

Wednesday, August 29, 6-8pm
at the Community Social Planning Council office
216-852 Fort Street

Please RSVP if you’ll be able to make it - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And as a reminder, if you haven’t yet filled out our Online Survey for Renters in Greater Victoria, you can do so here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/RentersYYJsurvey

 

Join us this summer as we kick-off Rights Club! A FREE workshop series all about your rights at work and getting workplace justice. Here is the next upcoming event: 

Legal, but Unfair: on Aug 29 1:00-2:000pm @ The Dock #300-722 Cormorant Street

Learn what the bare minimum standards for worker's rights are, discuss how laws can often leave employees vulnerable and exposed, identify ways to help improve working conditions and push for more workplace democracy. 

All ages welcome. Snacks, refreshments, bus tickets provided. No need to register!

Protect What You Love: People, Planet, Place

We will be hosting a Town Hall gathering focused on the state of our endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) and the risks they face here in the Salish Sea.

Misty MacDuffee, renowned Biologist and Program Director for the Wild Salmon Program at from Raincoast Conservation Foundation, will speak about the SRKW's for 45 minutes with time following for questions. She will discuss the vital relationship between the Orcas and the wild Chinook Salmon, pipeline concerns, scenarios for spill impact and response, and more. 

Nathalie Chambers, a former major gift fundraiser for Raincoast Conservation Foundation has found much hope in the Population Viability Analysis that indicates: if Chinook populations are increased by 30%, vessel disturbance are decreased, and the pipeline is stopped, then, scientifically we can save the SRKW population.

Following the Town Hall, at 9PM, all are welcome to a Ceremony at Cadboro Bay Beach to honour our Orca relatives and grieve for the loss they have endured.


Everything is coming together for an inspiring, important event, which Turning the Tide is organizing in partnership with Tsawout First Nation and other organizations, happening on Sunday September 2 beginning at 9:00 am at TIXEN (Cordova Spit) (view map here). 

There are a few administrative details we would like to share in advance of the Paddle:

1. Option of Camping at Island View Beach
Some paddlers are camping prior to the community paddle at the CRD Island View Beach Campground, on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (August 31-Sept 3). A block of campsites has been reserved for these nights, and you are welcome and encouraged to join for all or some of these nights. Please let us know if you would like to camp, so we will have an idea of numbers. We are asking for $20 per person to cover camping costs. Meals will be on a self-catered basis, with encouragement of potluck dinners for those who are inclined. 

2. Community Action Bus to and from Victoria, Island View Beach and Tsawout 
The Community Action Bus is driving people up to Island View Beach for camping on Friday Aug. 31, leaving Victoria at 5:00 pm, returning at the end of the weekend. Shuttles will also be provided the day of the Paddle between Victoria, Island View Beach and Tsawout. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 250-893-7848 for details and to reserve your spot on the bus!

3. Safety Policy and Participant Consent Agreement
Please take a few minutes to read the Paddle for ȽEL¸TOS Safety Policy and Participant Consent Agreement, which every participant will be required to sign before leaving TIXEN the morning of the Paddle.

4. Donation to Cover Costs of Community Paddle
We are asking for a suggested donation of $20 to cover costs associated with the Paddle (including promotional materials, honouraria for elders, and costs associated with the Sept. 2 breakfast and community meal). Larger donations are also welcome. You can pay via e-transfer to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or pay in cash the morning of the Paddle.

5. Organizing Spots in Boats
Generally, we encourage participants to make their own arrangements for a kayak, canoe or other human-powered water craft. We are also facilitating a boat-sharing system. If you have a spare spot in your boat, or an extra boat available for Sept. 2 for someone else to use, please respond to this email by letting us know. If you need help finding a spot in a boat, please email and we will match you up (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). For the Paddle, please arrive at TIXEN (Cordova Spit) (view map here) no later than 9:00 am on Sunday September 2, to get your boat ready and have some breakfast. It is also important to bring plenty of water, a sunhat, and snacks for the paddle, along with your PFD and other safety equipment appropriate to your vessel. We are returning to TIXEN at approximately 2:00 pm, after a 14 kilometre group paddle around ȽEL¸TOS. 
 
6. Help with Promotions for the Paddle
The purpose of the Paddle for ȽEL¸TOS and the Salish Sea is to demonstrate support for the Tsawout First Nation's claim to ȽEL¸TOS (James Island), which despite never being surrendered fell into private hands contrary to the Treaty and Crown policy. The island is current listed for sale by the American owner. The Paddle is intended to ramp up pressure on the Crown to reach a fair settlement and return the island to Tsawout. We are therefore asking if you can help us spread the word. You can also join, share and invite friends to the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/465166783945217/ .

We've posted a new promotional film about the significance of ȽEL¸TOS to the WSANEC People at www.turningthetide.ca. 

Thank you -- and see you at the Paddle (and, hopefully, for camping too)!
The Turning the Tide Organizing Committee
   

  People for a One Planet Region:

Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday September 18, 7:30 pm

University of Victoria, Hickman Auditorium
 

Join us for the launch of the Common Vision, Common Action Solutions Statement
and a public discussion on how citizens can mobilize and organize to advance social and ecological justice at the local government level.

What role can citizens take to speak out for the planet and the health of the population,
to oppose unsustainable plans, and to propose sustainable and healthy alternatives when local governments consider land use proposals, Official Community Plans and neighbourhood plans,
and operational policies on housing, transportation, parks, culture and other issues?

All welcome for this free event! 

Sponsored by: UVic Social Justice Studies Program,  Common Vision Common Action,
Conversations for a One Planet Region, Social Environmental Alliance - SEA

Xwaaqw’um Trail Runs and Cultural Celebrations
September 29 – September 30
Sep 29 at 12 PM to Sep 30 at 3 PM
Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park
101 Burgoyne Bay Rd, Salt Spring Island 

Registration is open for all events!!! 
Trail runs include:
Kids 1K — 5K — 12K — 23K 

Educational activities include:
Cedar Weaving — Traditional Plant ID and uses

All are welcome to register for any event ( NO RUNNING REQUIRED)
and be sure to register for the Salmon DInner!
Camping will be available this year as well with limited space so get yours now!

To register: 
raceroster.com/events/2018/19117/xwaaquwum-trail-runs-and-cultural-celebration






 

COURT SUPPORT FOR TENT CITY RESIDENTS

Hi supporters!

Thanks so much for your offer to help support Camp Namegans in court on Aug 27-29.
I've created a spreadsheet with a timeline and list of tasks based on what I've heard from all of you. If you can please update any information pertaining to what you can do, that would be great!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tKTy0VGOrjkmbJbus-Q11fMQM2JdPqjEMrPjMNIiv7A/edit?usp=sharing

For Monday, we will have a press conference at 9ish outside the court house. There are a few people that offered to drive on Monday morning, so if we could get 1 car at camp at 8am (I will also be able to drive people) and then another car at camp at say 9am (to take people to court for 10), that would be great. 

The schedule for court on Monday the 27th is: 
9am - press conference
10am-12:30pm - Morning session
12:30 - 2pm - Lunch break 
2pm - 4pm - Afternoon session 

If you offered to sit with residents during the court day, then this involves being there for people, giving people smokes, bus tickets, snacks (we will give you some to hand out), and debriefing with people if they need it. 

Note about court:
You are searched going in and you can't take phones, food, or beverages in. Your stuff will be kept in a cubby outside the door watched over by sheriffs. 

Depending on what happens on Monday, we might not have court Tuesday or Weds, but I will update you when I know. 
--
If you have any questions, please Text me at 778-678-2312. 

Thanks!

Ash

 

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