View allAll Photos Tagged Immigrate_to_Canada
Ian David Nsenga, aka Creative, was born in the city of Nairobi, Kenya as one of many diasporas of a war torn Rwanda. His journey began on the continent of Africa but he eventually immigrated to Canada in 1993. His love for music and literature shaped his style - fusing poetry and hip-hop during his university days in British Columbia. His journey brought him to major venues in the community and diverse settings from International Festivals to Non-Profit Organizations during the 2010 Olympic Games.
George Lord was born in Essex County, England on April 21, 1816 to Felstead and Anna Siggs Lord. He immigrated to Canada in 1834 and worked there for two years. He then moved to New Orleans and joined other volunteers under a Capt. Lyons to serve in the military of the young republic of Texas, they arrive in Galveston in 1837.
As part of the Texas Army, Lord participated in a number of operations, including suppression of the Cordova Rebellion (1838) and the fight against Manuel Flores (1839). he also fought in Mexico with the Federalists before returning to Texas. He joined the Somervell Expedition to expel forces of Gen. Adrian Woll from the Republic, fighting at the battle of Salado Creek (1842) with many notable Texas figures like John C. "Jack" Hays and William "Bigfoot" Wallace. Lord was among those who then followed Col. William Fisher into Mexico. Fisher's men were captured after fighting at Mier, and as part of the infamous "Black Bean Incident," ten percent were executed while the others remained imprisoned. Lord was not selected for execution; he survived the harsh conditions at Mexico's Perote Prison, returned to Texas and fought in the Mexican War as a ranger.
In 1849, Lord accompanied Jack Hays and others to California during the gold rush. Along the way, he wed Catherine "Kate" Myers (1832-1909) in Eagle Pass, Texas. The couple spent three years mining for gold, Kate sold pies to other miners while her husband collected gold dust. they returned to Texas with $7,000 worth of gold and settled near this site in DeWitt County, where they established a longhorn cattle ranch and reared 11 children. Lord died while working in his garden in 1895. Today, he is remembered as a Texas patriot. (2004) (Marker No. 13071)
Ian David Nsenga, aka Creative, was born in the city of Nairobi, Kenya as one of many diasporas of a war torn Rwanda. His journey began on the continent of Africa but he eventually immigrated to Canada in 1993. His love for music and literature shaped his style - fusing poetry and hip-hop during his university days in British Columbia. His journey brought him to major venues in the community and diverse settings from International Festivals to Non-Profit Organizations during the 2010 Olympic Games.
Stranger 20 of 100
I met Li on the Toronto subway system way earlier this year, but I just took forever to finish the roll and never got the chance to scan these negatives!
Our train stopped at moving at a station, and a bunch of cops ran by our car. A bunch of passengers, including Li, rushed to the doors to see what was happening. When I asked what happened, he told me a man with a bike got arrested.
"I have lived 38 years here in Toronto, and this is the first time I've seen this happen" he said.
Li was a traveler in his earlier years, but it seems as if he settled down in Toronto. He was born in India, lived in China, then moved to Hong Kong, living in the Jordan district for 5 years before setting off to Europe. Li traveled all across Europe before coming to Canada in 1975.
Li is a welder by trade, a profession that allows him to make decent money and travel as welders are often in demand in all parts of the world. He wanted to live in Australia, but had no blood relatives there. He said immigrating to Canada was easy because of his ability to speak English and his profession as a welder.
Li's daughter is a dress maker, and his son is a computer engineer, all of them have very different professions!
Li was heading to Niagara Falls that weekend. He said his friends like to gamble, and they invite him out once a year to join in. Li doesn't like to gamble much, but goes to spend time with his friends.
Zorki 1 | Canon 35mm F2 | Arista Premium 400 | Epson 4870
.... Napoleon Theodore Lyon - (1843-1919) was an Irish Catholic who immigrated to Canada in 1861. An aspiring artist in stained glass, Lyon began his career in 1868. By the 1880s, he had set up his own stained glass design studio, N. T. Lyon’s studio flourished until the end of the 1920s ....
Tombstone of Dr. Barry Shandling (February 20, 1928 - October 1, 2016), a paediatric surgeon. Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Canada. Spring evening, 2021. Pentax K1 II.
Obituary from humphreymiles.com/tribute/details/4750/Dr-Barry-Shandling...
BARRY SHANDLING, MB, ChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(C), FACS
Professor Emeritus Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
Passed away on October 1, 2016 at Sunnybrook Hospital after a long illness.
Dr. Shandling was born in South Africa on February 20, 1928, graduating from the University of Cape Town in 1950. He did postgraduate work at the Royal College of Surgeons and at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street in London, England, specializing in Paediatric Surgery.
He married Mary Elizabeth Gordon in 1959 and with their infant daughter, immigrated to Canada in 1961. He worked at The Hospital for Sick Children (now known as Sick Kids) in Toronto as a staff surgeon where he taught generations of young surgeons his meticulous, gentle operative techniques, as well as caring for little children, and kindness and consideration for their families.
Upon his retirement in 1996, he was appointed Professor Emeritus in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto. Dr. Shandling, as his personal Centennial project in 1967, founded and was a past-President of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons.
In 1972 he was the first surgeon in Canada successfully to separate Siamese twins and also the first to succeed in treating infants in Canada with atresia of the bile ducts. As Director of the Bowel Clinic at the Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre (now known as the Bloorview MacMillan Centre) he was responsible for improving the quality of life for thousands of incontinent children and teenagers and their families, both in Canada and throughout the world, as a consequence of his inventions and innovations.
His delightful letters to referring doctors reflected his sense of humour and were prized by those who received them. He traveled widely as a Visiting Professor, lecturing on many different paediatric surgical subjects.
In addition to surgery Dr. Shandling's interests included fly-fishing, cooking, music, the English language and history. He loved his two Siamese cats. He was a member of the Churchill Society as well as the Royal Commonwealth Society.
He is survived by Mary, his beloved wife of 57 years, his older daughter Susan Shandling of Milton (Byron), his son Ian (Clare) of Shinfield, Berkshire, England and younger daughter Alexandra (Richard) of Hudson, Quebec, as well as by his six cherished grandchildren, Graham and Emma Bignell, Alexander and Christopher Shandling, Elizabeth and Felix Gratton.
Private cremation. If wished, memorial donations to Sick Kids Hospital, 555 University Avenue, Toronto ON, M5G 1E2.
Private Hugh Williamson King
Regimental Number: 490652
Born February 4th, 1890 in London, England. Immigrated to Canada circa 1907. He was a provincial Constable in Nelson, and he lived on Fifth Street in Fairview. Enlisted on May 18th, 1916 in Nelson with the 1st Canadian Pioneers. Joined the 3rd Pioneer Battalion upon arrival in France in May, 1916. Suffered from pyrexia (a catch-all term for fevers) in December, 1916. Suffered from inflamed connecting tissue from an injury to his right arm in February, 1917. Transferred to the 123rd Battalion in May, 1917 and to the Canadian Light Railway Construction Company in November. Suffered from pyrexia again in June and July, 1918. Transferred to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot and served as a sapper with the engineer battalions for the remainder of his service. Returned to Canada in April, 1919. Demobilized in St. John’s, New Brunswick on April 25th, 1919. Married Doris Amy Beckwith at some point. Moved to Penticton circa 1942 and retired from police work in 1945. Died on February 25th, 1955 in Penticton; 94 years old.
Panelists:
(L-R) Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Ian David Nsenga, aka Creative, was born in the city of Nairobi, Kenya as one of many diasporas of a war torn Rwanda. His journey began on the continent of Africa but he eventually immigrated to Canada in 1993. His love for music and literature shaped his style - fusing poetry and hip-hop during his university days in British Columbia. His journey brought him to major venues in the community and diverse settings from International Festivals to Non-Profit Organizations during the 2010 Olympic Games.
(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi,
Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Patricia Luna and Bro. Paul Tuz. Paul was an IPA Region 2 Toronto member for many years. Paul got us interested in collecting Montblanc products.
Paul Tuz Album: www.flickr.com/photos/21728045@N08/sets/72157630198553412/
Patricia Luna: Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Ms. Luna received an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mexico in 1984. Luna worked in the financial industry until she immigrated to Canada in 1988. She joined Royal Bank in 1990 and held several positions, mostly in retail. She attained the Personal Financial Planning Designation in 1999 from the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and has been a Financial Planner for the last 10 years. She has been the Honorary Vice Consul of Mali since 2010. Her spouse, Paul Tuz (deceased), was the Consul General of Mali for the last 25 years and was a strong link between Malian and Canadian business community.
L. Col PAUL JOHN TUZ CM, CStJ, CD Peacefully passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012. Born October 20, 1929 at Vienna, Austria. Served 27 years in HM service, 10 years Chrysler, 20 years President Better Business Bureau and Hon Consul General of Mali. Survived by son Matthew, daughter Elizabeth, sons James and Mark and daughters Michaelle and his youngest and most precious Rebecca. Also survived by his spouse of 25 years Patricia Luna, who nurtured him during his last years. Special thanks for Dr. K. Yee, Dr. R. Chisholm, Dr. K. Pace and the caring and compassionate staff at St. Michael's Hospital Palliative Care Unit. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and 19, 2012. A service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, June 20 at 11 o'clock. Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery to follow. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society , 55 St. Clair Ave. West, Suite 500, Toronto, ON, M4V 2Y7 or Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave., Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9 would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com - See more at: www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=l-c&...
This is my Great Grandfather Tom, his wife Sophia and their family of seven boys and five girls. Tom and Sophia were my father's father's parents. I used to know which one was my grandfather but I don't like to say right now. (I'm pretty sure it was the chap sitting right beside my Great Grandfather Tom in the second row.)
Tom
Great grandfather Tom was in the English army and was a veteran of the Crimean War (1853-1856). It is said in the family that he met Florence Nightingale during the war. To the best of my knowledge there are no other surviving stories of his service. He immigrated to Canada circa 1860 and married Sophia whose maiden name was Trott.
Postscript: (August 2008) I was going through some of mother's stuff over the last few days and came across a newspaper clipping from 1980 in her effects. This clipping gave a bit more information regarding Great Grandfather Tom's service during the Crimean War.
It is a historical fact that dysentery was rampant among the British troops in the Crimean War and many British troops died from dysentery. According to the newspaper clipping, Great Grandfather Tom did contract dysentery but he managed to recover.
It is also a historical fact that sanitary conditions for the British soldiers in hospital in the Crimea were atrocious, and it was because of these atrocious conditions that many soldiers were dying. Florence Nightingale made her name by coming to the Crimea, taking control and improving these conditions. She undoubtably saved the lives of many British soldiers. Arguably, I wouldn't be here except for Florence Nightingale.
The newspaper article also said that at one point Great Grandfather Tom had been Florence Nightingale's mailman. Reading that kind of jogged my memory as I do recollect hearing that fifty or so years ago when I was visiting relatives in the Hillsburg area.
Sophia Trott
Sophia Trott was a member of two interconnected families (Toby and Trott) who came from England about 1840 to the Hillsburg/Erin area of Ontario where they remained for about thirty years until about 1870. At that time the whole extended Toby and Trott families moved to the Midwestern U.S. (Wisconsin sounds about right). When they moved they left behind only two members of the family. These were my great grandmother Sophia and her brother Will.
My great grandmother, Sophia, was left behind because she was already married to Thomas. Sophia was only seventeen and Thomas was forty-one when they married.
Will Trott was also left behind when the Toby and Trott families moved to the U.S. He was left behind because he had become a successful businessman by that time, and later became the Mayor of the town of St. Thomas in Ontario.
Tom (Sophia’s husband) lived to a reasonably old age but because of the difference in their ages Sophia was still fairly young when he passed on. She remarried after Tom died and the curious thing about that is that she remarried to a man who had the exact same name as her first husband – both the first and last name. This gentleman had also been previously married and had had a large family as had Sophia. The last name which I won’t mention just now is a fairly common one and I often think I am probably related to a lot of them either through Sophia’s first or second marriage.
Hello, Doug:
I am also a grand-grandson of Thomas Hall and Sophia Trott.
Briefly, Sophia's parents, James and Susan Trott, came from England as part of the Toby family, headed by Charles and Lydia Toby.Susan (Toby) Trott was the eldest daughter, and was already married to James Trott.The family settled in Hillsburgh, Erin Township, Wellington County, around 1850 and remained in the area for about 30 years.James and Susan had nine children, including Sophia.About 1880 most of the extended Toby and Trott family moved to Wisconsin, except for Sophia, who was already married to Thomas Hall and had a family, and William, an older brother who was already established in business, and who later became mayor of St. Thomas.
I can give you considerably more information off-line in the form of a GEDCOM file sent to me from relatives in Wisconsin - apparently the source of the family history was a lady named Rowena Larson in Wisconsin who wrote down what her older relatives told her.(The Ontario and Wisconsin branches of the family had lost touch entirely for almost a century - my mother, now 89, could remember a visit from a great-aunt from Wisconsin - until we made contact via the Internet last year.)My mother also knew "Uncle Will" Trott from several visits to Hillsburgh.
I have gotten behind in my family history research for the past year or so but would like to pick it up again.I now live in Toronto but spent part of my youth in Hillsburgh and have many relatives there.I would also be interested in any information you might have about Thomas Hall - I have
confirmed that he was born in Knapton, Norfolk, England to parents John Hall and Abigail Lynn in 1832, as this is recorded in the 1851 Norfolk census and matches the info on his death certificate in 1919, and I also know he was married to Sophia in 1870 and their first child soon followed (he was 41 while she was 17 at the time of their marriage), but there is a "gap" in between 1851 and 1870 - my mother says that family lore had him at Scutari Hospital with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War as a kind of handyman or servant or assistant, but I haven't been able to confirm this.Good to hear from a second cousin!
(L-R) Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Panelists:
Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)
(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum. Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Panelists:
Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)
(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo
Nahual Soldier, 2012
Screen print / Serigraph / Silkscreen
Edition of 50 (Serie XIX / 19)
Visit the artist's page on our website to purchase this print. For more information about other artists in the series, visit serieproject.org/shop.
Born in El Salvador in the late 1970s, Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo immigrated to Canada in 1989 as a result of 12-year civil war. His allegorical drawings explore issues of collective memory, cultural identity and historical trauma.
Panelists:
Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)
(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Sergeant Joseph Cotter
Regimental Number: 931277
Born April 20th, 1876 (on death certificate) / 1877 (on enlistment papers) in Belfast, Ireland. Had previous military experience serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers for eight years, likely during the Boer War. Earned the Irish Campaign Medal and the South African Medal. He immigrated to Canada circa 1908, and came to BC circa 1910. Lived in Nelson at 717 Victoria Street; worked as an accountant for British Columbia United Agencies. He enlisted with the 225th Battalion in Nelson on April 17th, 1916. Held ranks of acting Corporal and Sergeant throughout his service. Contracted bronchitis in November, 1917 but did not spend much time in hospital. Demobilized on April 2nd, 1919. After the war, he lived at 314 Gore Street and worked at the Land Registry Office in Nelson as a clerk. Retired in Vancouver in 1945 after a total of working 35 years as a clerk and bookkeeper. Died on October 21st, 1948 in Vancouver; 72 years old.
Private John Statham Goulding
Regimental Number: 77324
Born November 20th, 1889 in Leicestershire, England. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1901. Lived in Nelson at the foot of Front Street, and worked as a cook. Left Nelson with the 2nd Contingent and enlisted with the 30th Battalion in Victoria on November 9th, 1914. Transferred to the 16th Battalion in February, 1915. Fought during the battle of Festubert and received a gunshot wound to his left thigh. He was carried to safety by his brother, Joseph Eli. While in the hospital, he was transferred to the 30th Reserve Battalion, the 43rd Battalion, and the 17th Battalion. Discharged on May 13th, 1916 by reason of being medically unfit, and was invalided back home to Canada. Left service with difficulty walking due to muscular atrophy in his left leg. Returned to Nelson and lived at 1614 Stanley Street, while working as a clerk at the Land Registry Office. Married his first wife, Ethel Annie Deacon, in Nelson on August 23rd, 1916. After Ethel Annie Goulding’s death in 1919, he lived for some time in Slocan City circa 1921. He was married again to Flora Victoria McCloud. He lived for some years in Victoria while working as a florist. Died on May 20th, 1983 in Victoria/Saanich; 93 years old.
Jewish youth liberated at Buchenwald lean out the windows of
a train, as it pulls away from the station.
The train, which has been marked with the phrase 'Hilter
kapout [sic]' [Hitler is finished], will transport the
children to an OSE (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants) home in
Ecouis, France.
Robert Waisman (born Romek Wajsman) is the son of Rywka
(Gil) and Chiel Wajsman. He was born on February 2, 1930
in Skarzysko, Poland, where his father worked as a tailor.
Romek had five older siblings, Chaim, Mottel, Moishe,
Abram and Lea. The Wajsman family was forced into the
local ghetto in the fall of 1941. Romek's older brothers
were sent to work in the HASAG factory camp in Skarzysko.
Chaim obtained information about the planned liquidation
of the Skarzysko ghetto shortly before it was to occur. In
the early morning hours of the appointed day, Chaim entered
the ghetto and smuggled Romek out in the back of a truck.
Chaim managed to obtain a permit for Romek to work with
his brothers at the HASAG plant, marking aircraft shells
with the factory's initials. With the advance of the Red
Army in the summer of 1944, the HASAG camp was closed, and
Romek was sent to dig anti-tank ditches in Przedborz.
Subsequently, he was transfered to the HASAG camp in
Czestochowa. He remained there for several months, before
being sent to Buchenwald. Romek was liberated in
Buchenwald on April 11, 1945. Shortly afterwards,
representatives of the OSE (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants)
came to the camp and arranged for the transport of 430
Jewish children, Romek among them, to an OSE children's
home in Ecouis, France. Romek was transferred from Ecouis
to the OSE home at Le Vesinet, near Paris. In 1948 he and
twenty other OSE children immigrated to Canada with the
help of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Romek and his
sister, Lea, were the only members of the family to survive
the war.
The Buchenwald children were a group of approximately 1000
Jewish child survivors found by American troops when they
liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11,
1945. Most of the children were originally from Poland,
though others came from Hungary, Slovenia and Ruthenia.
Unsure of what to do with the child survivors, American
army chaplains, Rabbi Herschel Schacter and Rabbi Robert
Marcus, contacted the offices of the OSE (Oeuvre de Secours
aux Enfants), the Jewish children's relief organization in
Geneva. They arranged to send 427 of the children to
France, 280 to Switzerland and 250 to England. [Vivette
Samuels reverses the figures for England and Switzerland in
her monograph, 'Sauver les Enfants.'] On June 2, 1945 OSE
representatives arrived in Buchenwald, and together with
Rabbi Marcus escorted the transport of children to France.
Rabbi Schacter accompanied the second transport to
Switzerland. Because of the difficulty in finding clothing
for the children, the boys were clad in Hitler Youth
uniforms. This created a problem, for when the train
crossed into France, it was greeted by an angry populace
who assumed the train was carrying Nazi youth. Thereafter
the words 'KZ Buchenwald orphans' were painted on the
outside of the train to avoid confusion. On June 6, 1945
the French transport arrived at the Andelys station and the
orphans were taken to a children's home in Ecouis (Eure).
The home had been set up to accommodate young children,
but in fact only 30 of the boys were below the age of 13.
This was only one of the many problems faced by the OSE
personnel, who were not prepared to handle a large group of
demanding, rebellious teenagers who were full of anger for
what they had experienced. At Ecouis the boys were given
medical care, counseling and schooling until more permanent
accommodations could be found. Most of the children
remained only four to eight weeks at Ecouis before being
moved elsewhere, and the home was closed in August 1945.
Among the first to leave were a group of 173 children who
had family in Palestine. They were given immigration
certificates and departed from Marseilles in July aboard
the British vessel, the RMS Mataroa. The remaining boys at
Ecouis were soon transferred to other residences and homes.
Some of the older ones were sent to the Foyer d'Etudiants
located on the rue Rollin in Paris, where they boarded
while attending vocational training courses or working at
jobs in the city. Others were sent to the Chateau de
Boucicaut home in Fontenay-aux-Roses (Hauts-de-Seine).
Many of the boys came from religiously observant homes.
Since the OSE could not obtain kosher food for everyone,
they divided the children into religious and non-religious
groups. Dr. Charly Merzbach offered OSE the use of his
estate, the Chateau d'Ambloy (Loir-et-Cher) for the summer,
and between 90 and 100 boys chose to go there in order to
receive kosher food and live in a religious environment.
In October 1945 the children and staff of Ambloy were
relocated to the Chateau de Vaucelles in Taverny (Val
d'Oise). About 50 of the non-religious boys were taken to
the Villa Concordiale in Le Vesinet (Yvelines) near Paris
that housed an equal number of French Jewish orphans. In
the summer they went to the Foyer de Champigny in
Champigny-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne). In all the homes
attended by the Buchenwald children vocational training as
well as regular classroom instruction was offered. At the
same time OSE social workers made every effort to locate
surviving relatives, succeeding in about half the cases.
By the end of 1948 all of the Buchenwald children who had
come to France had left the OSE fold and begun new lives
for themselves.
[Sources: Hemmendinger, Judith and Krell, Robert. 'The
Children of Buchenwald.' Gefen Publishers, 2000; Grobman,
Alex. 'Rekindling the Flame.' Wayne State University Press,
1993; Hazan, Katy, 'Chronologie de l'histoire de l'OSE
L'action de l'OSE apres la guerre.'
(31 December 2002).]
Photo Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Robert
Waisman
Date: Jun 1945
This handsome Philippine jeepney has a Mercedes Benz logo. The jeepney is based on WWII Willy's jeep - they basically just extended the back to accomodate anywhere from 12 to 20 passengers or more. The engine is generally surplus engines from Japan, Taiwan or Korea and body and other parts are made and assembled in mom and pop foundries, sometimes a lowly neighborhood vulcanizing shop, and then painted with beautiful folk art. Some shops can actually become large operations. This one I saw in Kalibo, Aklan.
BTW, the Canadian flag in front may not mean anything or it may mean that a somebody in the family has immigrated to Canada and is sending money back to the Philippines to finance the making of this jeep.
This is Amy's mom, a delightful lady who accompanied her daughter, Amy to our company Christmas party yesterday. Amy just introduced her as "This is my Mom" so unfortunately I don't know her name. She could not speak a word of English and has just recently immigrated to Canada but Amy's mom managed to carry on a conversation with just about all the staff through the help of Amy and her grandson who were translating for her. Amy told us that her next door neighbour was East Indian and could not speak English either, but her mom and the neighbour would communicate with each other by smiling and giving hugs to each other. Such a delightful little lady! December 3, 2011 (Lynda Kuit)
Find out more about the 100 Strangers Project at www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/.
Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Manfred Radius began his career in flying sailplanes in 1961 at age 17 in Hamburg, Germany. He has logged in excess of 5,000 flights and accumulated over 2,000 hours in at least 60 types of sailplanes.
Manfred immigrated to Canada in 1969 and became a gliding instructor in 1972, adding the glider aerobatic instructor's endorsement in 1977. He is a former member of the Flight Training and Safety Committee of the Soaring Association of Canada.
In 1974 he reached a high point in his career when he achieved an altitude of 35,000 feet above sea level over the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs. Flying the same sailplane in which he performs at air shows, Manfred flew a distance of 600 km (375 miles) over the Appalachian Mountains in May of 1986, a flight lasting 8 hours and 45 minutes.
For many years, Radius was the only one in North America who competed in glider aerobatic championships. In 1977, in 1979 and in 1981, he competed in the prestigeous German Glider Aerobatic Championships, and in 1977, received an award as the 'best foreign aerobatic pilot'. In 1985 he competed in the First World Championship in Glider Aerobatics, held in Austria, representing Canada as its leading glider aerobatic pilot.
Manfred Radius is a top professional air show performer who ushered in a new era in sailplane demonstrations. He has the distinction of having introduced world championship-level sailplane performances to air shows in North America.
Manfred's award-winning main act The Ultimate contains samples of all aerobatic maneuver families, including unique maneuvers performed by only himself with a glider at air shows in North America.
The grand finale of The Ultimate is the spectacular inverted ribbon cut. Performed by a sailplane without the benefit of engine power, this difficult stunt leaves the audience in awe and amazement.
In addition to his daytime demonstrations, Manfred also performs at night with his sailplane. His spectacular night act has been enjoyed by millions in North America and in Australia.
His extensive background in glider aerobatics and competing in world-class aerobatic championships enables him to demonstrate the capabilities of his fully aerobatic glider to the fullest.
As a result of his hard work at air shows and his never ending quest for excellence, Manfred has earned the reputation of being one of the top performers in North America. In 1989 he was the first recipient of an Excellence in Performance award, presented by the Corn Belt Shrine Club in Mattoon, Illinois.
Manfred Radius has been described as 'Sailplane Superstar' and as 'The King of Sailplane Aerobatics'. Spectator's comments about his performances include superlative terms such as: awe-inspiring - fantastic - mesmerizing - outrageous - heavenly - and 'you made the show'. USAviator wrote in it's January, 1995 issue: He is absolutely incredible; a truly phenomenal presence in the airshow biz. Very highly recommended. In his bestseller The Cannibal Queen, Stephen Coonts writes: ......and we were treated to the most spectacular flying exhibition I have ever witnessed......The silent crowd watched, mesmerized...... His mastery of his craft was total, his exhibition a tour de force.
His skills go far beyond doing a simple air show performance. On Sept.6,1992, he succeeded in doing the world's first inverted ribbon cut by a sailplane over water. He did it during the Canadian International Air Show, held over Lake Ontario across downtown Toronto.
Manfred was featured on television shows such as That's Life, Stuntmasters, Magic in the Air, Skybound and Science of Fun. He was also featured in the books A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE by Daniel V. Dempsey, THE CANNIBAL QUEEN by Stephen Coonts and THE FLYERS by Noah Adams.
He performs from coast to coast in North America and internationally as well. Manfred thrilled large audiences when he performed his daytime and night acts at the Australian International Air Show and Aerospace Expo near Melbourne in 1995, 1997, 1999 and again in 2001.
He joined the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) in 1978.
An experienced skydiver, he logged over 1,000 jumps in more than 30 years in the sport.
Manfred enjoys spending time with the spectators and signing autographs. He appreciates them coming to the show, and he lets them know they are the reason he is here.
Panelists:
Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)
(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum. Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
(L-R) Omisoore Dryden (audience) reacts to what she perceives as a eurocentric comment from the moderator Fred Kuhr, who apologizes. Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
In the past year there were many tragic cases of teen suicide, so I decide few months ago to write about my experience with depression and suicidal thoughts. I hope this writing be of help to someone who needs it.
Background
As you might know I grew up in Iraq to a Roman Catholic family. In the Middle East depression and suicide are almost taboo because of ignorance. Many people equate depression with mental illness (not that mental illness is something to jeer about), and so the general thought patterns goes something like this, “You can’t marry him because his brother has depression and tried to commit suicide once!” To them depression is like bad genes you really don’t want your children to have. So people often times become depressed but don’t tell anyone and don’t get any treatment because they feel ashamed. And if a family member attempted suicide the family doesn’t tell anyone because they feel ashamed, and are scared that nobody will marry from their family anymore. Because depression went untreated there were many cases of suicide especially by women.
Growing up as a Roman Catholic didn’t help either. I remember being told since I was a child that God forgives all sins except the sin of suicide. It wasn’t until many years later when I left the Roman Catholic church and embraced Christianity as taught in the Word of God, that I realized the teaching of the Roman Catholic church about suicide has no biblical grounds.
Immigration to Canada
Immigrating to Canada at the age of 17 was depressing. I found it hard to adjust to the Canadian way of life, and Canada’s long winters didn’t help. Not having extra money meant I couldn’t do a lot in the summer time either. On top of that I was always the introvert thinking type of person and was overly sensitive. Having Trichotillomania also made me more introvert, and both my dad’s family and mom’s family have a history of depression. In the high school years I was doing ok as school kept me busy and I felt that I had a goal—to finish school.
But in 2003 when I graduated from high school I went to work in a warehouse as a general labour and forklift operator. My job was very physically exhausting, and the nature of the job (general labour) made doing it very difficult mentally—I felt like I was dead on the inside with no dreams or hopes. My job involved loading and unloading trucks manually on daily basis. My feet were always hurting from lifting heavy things all day long and from wearing the steel-toe work boots. I was physically tired about six days a week.
Emotionally and spiritually I was simply in my own world. I had started working in the warehouse after high school because I believed God has a plan for my life and I wanted to know what it was so I could obey Him. (I believed He had a plan even for my career.) I had intended to work in that warehouse as long as I haven’t heard from Him. Of course that presented a problem to my family and people close to me. They didn’t understand my motives and I got no support from them. They told me that’s not how Christianity works--that I had gotten it all wrong. I didn’t care if that’s how Christianity worked or not. My goal wasn’t to succeed—Christianity to me wasn’t about making it big—all I wanted is to know this God who so intimately loved and scarified His Son for me. I wanted to hear His voice, I wanted to know personally that He cared.
So through those years of working at the warehouse I was constantly depressed and wanted to die. I didn’t know how long I had to wait for him, and the longer I waited the more I wondered if that’s how I will spend the rest of my life: forgotten by God. And I didn’t know who to talk to or where to search. I knew nobody who waited for God for anything. The best examples were from the Bible, but everybody told me that I had misunderstood how the God of the Bible works.. I constantly heard things like, “God help those who help themselves”, and “You do your own thing and ask God to bless you and He will!” Those ideas didn’t ring a bell to me as I had read the Bible cover to cover before a couple of times, and nothing even remotely close to those ideas appear in the Bible.
Suicide
Needless to say I wished I would just die and end with the misery. I regularly cried asking God to just end my life. But I never acted on those thoughts for one main reason:
You see, my family is originally Roman Catholics but few of them now have become atheists, and the rest abandoned the Roman Catholic church and embraced denominations that teach salvation is by grace alone like the Bible teaches. The atheists always make fun of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Bible. They also scoff at a Christian if something happen to him/her, and they knew I believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. So I knew if I had committed suicide then they would scoff at our Lord saying things like, “Where is his Lord, now? How come Christianity didn’t work for him!” I simply didn’t want to be a bad witness.
Another thing that kept coming to my mind were those words by my high school teacher Mrs. Weinstein. On the topic of suicide she told me, “Fadi, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” Being a logical thinker her words made sense to me.
The most painful memory I have of depression were of one night when I was talking to a very close friend (someone I loved way more than myself!) and I told her that I was very depressed and wished I was dead. She calmly told me, “Well, it’s not that difficult, all you have to do is take about 20 tables of Tylenol and you won’t wake up in the morning.” I was shocked when she told me this. I remember going to the kitchen later on that night to drink water and I passed by the Tylenol bottle thinking, “WOW! If I was someone else he might have went ahead with it and killed himself.” I remember that incident because she was someone I was willing to give up my life for hers, so those words from her hurt me deeply. Later on, as I matured, I realized that she was just being sarcastic as we talked daily and I was often depressed. I guess she was just sick and tired of listening to me complaining about the same things day after day, without me willing to change my situation so I won’t be depressed anymore!
What I want to emphasis here is that don’t joke about suicide with a depressed person...you never know what he/she will do. I was lucky to think logically about the matter. And it wasn’t until later that I realized my friend wasn’t seriously about me committing suicide, but what if I thought she was serious? Depression and suicide are not matters that we should take lightly.
Suicide is Selfish
If you are depressed the last thing you want to hear is that committing suicide is selfish, but it is true! For many years, as far as I could remember, I felt unworthy. I felt ugly, unwanted, undesirable, unloved, and so on. If someone said a single thing that hurt my feelings I remembered it forever, but if someone made a huge sacrifice for me I rarely remembered it! The best word that described how I felt about myself is ‘expendable’. I felt that way about myself because the culture I grew up in esteemed educated men and I was nothing more than a general labourer. I constantly heard things like, “Oh, this girl is so lucky because she married a pharmacist!” or, “...married a doctor”, and so on. And as a man in my early 20s I yearned to find that young woman who would love me for who I am, but all I found was a society obsessed by what a man has and not who he was.
Then when my nephew was born I realized this child really, really loves me! I mean, when my sister’s family visited he would be quiet all day long until I came from work, and then the smile on his face would be shinning because he knew he would be playing with me! All he wanted was to play with me...he loved me. And one day out of nowhere it hit me how selfish it is to take my own life—to strip my nephew and nieces from their only uncle whom they loved. Then I thought about my mom who has dedicated her life and sacrificed everything to make sure I am comfortable and happy. Yet I wanted to take her only son, me, away from her, knowing very well how much that would have devastated her. I thought about my future wife, my kids, and my Lord and realized how selfish I was.
May be you are depressed and thinking nobody loves you, and you see yourself as “expendable”. No you are not, and the word “expendable” should never be used to describe a human being. I guarantee you there is at least one person who loves you more than you love yourself, and there are many people who dearly care about you but you don’t know about it. Not necessarily because they haven’t shown their love to you, but may be because of your over sensitivity or (honestly) your selfishness.
I haven’t gotten depressed in a long time now, and I haven’t thought about ending my life in years. I’ve matured a lot: I am less sensitive, more confident, less selfish, and a much more joyful person today. God matured me in His own way and His own timing. Pray that He does the same for you. As you mature your look on life will change as you understand life and yourself better. After all my teacher was right: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
PS: Special thanks to my classmate Karen Lindsay for posing for the photo, I hope you like it :)
(Toronto, ON; winter 2011.)
Organizer Bryen Dunn and Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
Artist: Hilda Woolnough
Title: Apple Box Noon/Fall '84
Medium: Colour Blocks
Size: 26x32 inches
Acquisition date: 1984
Current locations: Premier's Office, 5th floor, Shaw Building
Hilda Woolnough has left her mark on Island art like no other. During her 30 years on the Island, Woolnough has been a teacher and tireless champion of artist's rights and opportunities, serving on the boards of many professional provincial and federal arts organizations. She was a driving force behind The Phoenix Gallery, The Gallery-On-Demand, the Great George Street Gallery, The Arts Guild, the Printmakers Council and the Student Art Expo.
Woolnough has pursued her own work with equal vigour, constantly exploring new media. Her passion is for expressive line in drawing and printmaking but she has also created jewellery, weavings, and quilts. Hilda Woolnough was born into a creative family in Northampton, England. Her mother, uncle, and brother were all painters; her father built and restored houses. In 1952 she began traditional training at the Chelsea School of Art in London, drawing from plaster casts and still life, developing strong discipline and technique. It was here that she first experimented with printmaking, a medium she has passionately pursued throughout her career. But it was with a specialty in painting that she graduated in 1955. Woolnough immigrated to Canada in 1957, settling in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1965 she headed to the San Miguel de Allende Instituto in Mexico, where she studied experimental etching for two years, graduating with a Master's of Fine Art degree in graphics. Back in London, she did post-graduate work at the Central School of Art and Design in metal techniques. After designing the etching and lithography departments at the Jamaica School of Art in Kingston, Jamaica, Woolnough found her way to PEI. Together with her husband, UPEI professor, writer and publisher, Reshard Gool, she formed part of the nucleus for a vibrant arts community.
In 1999 Hilda Woolnough received the Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award for "contribution to the arts in Prince Edward Island" and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy. Her work is in many public and private collections including the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Canada Council Art Bank.
Woolnough most often works in series, exploring an idea fully, guided by both intellect and intuition. Nature and the human form provide a starting point, but she moves beyond the representational to a deeper, more universal expression.
"I'm interested in evolution of plants, land, the world," Woolnough once said in a interview. "There are stages in the growth of the brain that are reptilian or flower-like. They're proof that we are all the sum of our parts, like the land or sea." This interest in evolution embraces the development of myth and human culture and the process of transformation, themes she has explored throughout her career.
"What is most important to me as an artist are 'accidents and mistakes' If I don't make them technically and intellectually on a regular basis I don't feel I'm going anywhere. I have lived on Prince Edward Island for about thirty three years, but I have travelled, taught, and done my own work all over the world; and been fortunate enough to have my work in many collections and exhibitions in Canada and abroad, including the Canadian Pavillion in the Spanish Biennial in Seville."
Hilda Woolnough passed away in December 2007.
Recent Accomplishments:
2001 June - October TIMEPIECE, a collagraph installation , Confederation Centre of the Arts, PEI sponsored by Canada Council, Ottawa, and the Royal Bank Investment Group
1999, Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy./02 Elected to the board of the RCA
1999, Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award Major Provincial Award honouring individual "contribution to the arts in Prince Edward Island."
1999 -04, Fishtales - a marine mythology, Salt Spring Island, B.C. Gallery built especially to house this permanent exhibition, originally curated by Joan Murray,Robert MacLaughlin Gallery .Oshawa; Ontario
Collections (Public)
Air Canada, Montreal, Quebec
Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario
Art Gallery of Jamaica
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.
Canada Council Art Bank
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Ottawa, Ontario
Canadian Catholic Conference
Canterbury College of Art, Kent, England
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario Also archival collection Art Gallery 98 and Museum.1998. (work from 1970-98n)
CBC Montreal
Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Esso Resources Division
Gotland Museum, Visby, Sweden
Government of Prince Edward Island
McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontar
Memorial University Art Gallery, St. John's, Newfoundland
Montreal Museum of Fine Art, Montreal, P.Q.
New Brunswick Art Gallery and Museum
Prince Edward Island Art Bank
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Shell Canada Collection
St. Mary's University, Halifax, N.S.
Toronto Dominion Bank Collection & Universities of New Brunswick, N.B, & PEI
Lance Sergeant Joseph (Joe) Eli Goulding
Regimental Number: 77374
Born May 6th, 1895 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1901. Lived in Nelson at the foot of Front Street, and worked as a bookkeeper. He was also a student at the Kootenay Business College. He enlisted in Victoria on November 11th, 1914. Gave his age as two years older than he actually was; said he was born in 1893. He fought in the battles of Festubert and Ypres, and carried his injured brother, John Stratham, to safety at Ypres. Received his sergeant’s stripes at the front in September, 1916. Reported missing and wounded on Oct 8, 1916, in the Regina Trench; 23 years old. Awarded the Military Medal in January, 1917. Officially declared Killed in Action seven months after on October 8th, 1916. Buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Somme, France.
This is a photo of a photo taken by a friend's father not long after he immigrated to Canada. He took the picture standing near where my parents now live. The car is a 1959 English Ford Consul (convertible).
Photo credit: T. Glave.
Photo of photo: Me.
Private Frederick George Hamblin
Regimental Number: 931146
Born January 10th, 1872, in Newbury, Berkshire, England. Immigrated to Canada circa 1892 and came to British Colombia circa 1895. Lived in Nelson at 918 Carbonate Street. Worked as a gardener. Enlisted with the 225th Battalion in Nelson on March 9th 1916. Transferred to the 16th Battalion in February, 1917. Served in France with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles as well. Demobilized on March 28th, 1919 in Vancouver. Married Evelyn Smith at some point. Worked 50 years as a farmer and horticulturist and retired in 1940. Died on June 7th, 1962 in Vancouver; 89 years old.
Private John Gillespie Halliday
Regimental Number: 931148
Born March 3rd, 1890 in Howliggate, Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Immigrated to Canada and arrived in Boswell circa 1908. He was employed as a labourer there by Captain Roland Ellis. Enlisted with the 225th Battalion in March, 1916. He was later transferred to the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. While serving as a machine gunner, he was gassed, but later returned to the firing line. He was killed in action during the battle of Amiens, at Demuin, on August 8th 1918; 29 years old. It was reported that he was killed almost instantly by an explosion from an enemy shell, shortly after leaving the “jumping off” trench. Buried at the Caix British Cemetery, Somme, France.
4446 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.
This West 5th Avenue house is a fine example of a
craftsman-style home built shortly before the outbreak
of World War I. One of the first houses built on the
block, the value of the house in 1913 is listed in the
building register at $3,500. In photos acquired by the
current owner, and likely taken in the early 1920s, the house
is shown with a wooden City sidewalk in front and nothing
on the north side of the street. Other early homes can be
seen on the south side of the street and the Queen Mary
Elementary School (1915) is visible in the distance.
While not much is known about the history of the house,
the City Directories at the Vancouver Archives show that
C.W. Misener designed, built and owned the house in 1913.
From 1918 through to the 1940s it was the home of J.W.
Barron, a manufacturer’s agent; and in the 1950s George
and Dorothy Jackson, the owners of Jacksons Meat Market,
a Fourth Avenue institution until just a few years ago, lived
in the house. Dorothy Jackson, who now lives on a heritage
farm in Ladner, related to the guidebook researchers that
the Jackson’s were long-time butchers in London, England
before immigrating to Canada in 1905. The senior Jackson
started by working night shift at a meat-cutting plant and
selling meat from a wheelbarrow to Kitsilano houses. Mrs.
Jackson recalls a 1950s renovation that removed the dark
wood paneling, plate rail and light fixtures in the dining
room and the black iron face plate over the fireplace.
The current owners have lovingly restored and rehabilitated
the house, and in 2002 won a City of Vancouver Heritage
Award for the front façade restoration and conservation of
the streetscape.
- Vancouver Heritage Foundation
The Postcard
A postally unused postcard bearing no studio name. Although the card was not posted, someone has written the following on the back:
"With fondest love from A. P.
30 Sept. 1951
After a Baptism."
There's not much to go on, but if anyone out there recognises the church entrance portal, please leave a note.
Charlotte Whitton
So what else happened on the day of the baptism?
Well, on Sunday the 30th. September 1951, Charlotte Whitton became the 46th. mayor of Ottawa.
Charlotte Elizabeth Whitton CBE, who was born on the 8th. March 1896, was a Canadian feminist. She was the first woman mayor of a major city in Canada, serving from 1951 to 1956, and again from 1960 to 1964. Whitton was a social policy pioneer, leader and commentator, as well as a journalist and writer.
Charlotte Whitton - The Early Years
Charlotte Elizabeth Hazeltyne Whitton was born in Renfrew, Ontario, a small Ottawa Valley town about 100 km northwest of Ottawa.
She attended Queen's University, where she was the star of the women's hockey team, and was known as the fastest skater in the league. At Queen's, she also served as editor of the Queen's Journal newspaper in 1917; and was the newspaper's first female editor. She was a top student, winning several scholarships at Queen's. She earned her Master of Arts degree in 1917.
Charlotte Whitton's Career and Accomplishments
From Queen's, she became a civil servant as the private secretary for Thomas Low, MP and Minister of Trade in Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's first government.
When Low lost his parliamentary seat, Whitton then focused on her role as founding director (1922) of the Canadian Council on Child Welfare, and worked there until 1941. This became the Canadian Council on Social Development, and helped bring about a wide array of new legislation to help children and immigrants.
In 1934, Whitton was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1934 New Year Honours.
Whitton was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by Queen's in 1941.
Despite her strong views on women's equality, Whitton was a strong social conservative, and did not support making divorce easier. She was a regular columnist in Ottawa's daily newspapers.
Charlotte Whitton's Political Career
Whitton was elected to Ottawa's Board of Control in 1950, leading the city-wide polls, and started her term on the 1st. January 1951.
Upon the unexpected death of mayor Grenville Goodwin in August 1951, only some eight months into his term, Whitton was immediately appointed acting mayor, and on the 30th. September 1951 was confirmed by city council to remain mayor until the end of the normal three-year term.
Whitton is sometimes mistakenly credited as the first woman ever to serve as a mayor in Canada, but this distinction is in fact held by Barbara Hanley, who became mayor of the small Northern Ontario town of Webbwood in 1936. Whitton is nevertheless the first woman to serve as mayor of a large Canadian city.
Whitton was elected Ottawa mayor in the general municipal election in her own right in 1953, serving until 1956. She turned it into a full-time job.
She ran again for mayor of Ottawa in 1960, and was elected, serving until 1964, when she was defeated on her try for re-election.
Charlotte Whitton's Opposition to the New Canadian Flag
Whitton was a staunch defender of Canada's traditions, and, as Ottawa mayor, condemned Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson's proposal in 1964 for new national flag to replace the traditional Canadian Red Ensign.
Whitton dismissed Pearson's design:
"It is a white badge of surrender, waving
three dying maple leaves which might as
well be three white feathers on a red
background. It is a poor observance of
our first century as a nation if we run up
a flag of surrender with three dying maple
leaves on it."
For Whitton, the Red Ensign, with its Union Jack and coat of arms containing symbols of England, Scotland, Ireland and France (or a similar flag with traditional symbols on it) would be a stronger embodiment of the Canadian achievement in peace and war.
She became well-known for her assertiveness, and for her vicious wit with which many male colleagues, and once the Lord Mayor of London, were attacked. She is noted for the quotation:
"Whatever women do they must
do twice as well as men to be thought
half as good.
Luckily, this is not difficult."
In 1955, while mayor, she appeared on the American game show and television series What's My Line.
In the 1958 federal election, Whitton made her only attempt to run for Parliament, in the riding of Ottawa West, as the Progressive Conservative nominee.
Although Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and Ontario Premier Leslie Frost campaigned for her, Charlotte lost to Liberal Party incumbent George McIlraith by 1,425 votes.
Whitton was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967.
Charlotte ran for the position of city alderwoman (councillor) in 1967, and was elected, serving until 1972.
Accusations of Racism
Whitton had many remarkable achievements, but her story is framed by current controversy over some of her actions.
Fraidie Martz wrote a book titled 'Open Your Hearts: The Story of the Jewish War Orphans in Canada' which accused Charlotte of espousing a 'scientific' racism that viewed groups such as Jews and Armenians as 'undesirable' immigrants.
In 1938, Charlotte attended a conference in Ottawa to launch the Canadian National Committee on Refugees (CNCR). While there she showed opposition to some of the other attendees' arguments.
A common belief is that she was directly opposed to Jews, and in particular Jewish children. Oscar Cohen of the Canadian Jewish Congress is reported to have said:
"She almost broke up the inaugural
meeting of the congress on refugees
by her insistent opposition and very
apparent anti-Semitism."
This sentiment is countered by the official record, which includes notes from her presentation, including:
"We need to lobby the government to
initiate a long-term refugee program and
to protect all at risk, particularly Hebrews
in the Reich and in Italy."
However, according to the Canadian Jewish Congress:
"Certainly in the course of the Second World
War and the Holocaust, she was instrumental
in keeping Jewish orphans out of Canada
because of her belief that Jews would not
make good immigrants, and were basically
inferior."
As Mayor in 1964, she declined Bertram Loeb's $500,000 donation to Ottawa Civic Hospital. The official rationale was that the city could not afford to keep the centre operating. However the sentiment also exists that:
"She simply didn't want the name
of a Jewish family on an Ottawa
hospital building."
According to Patricia Rooke (co-author of a 1987 biography of Whitton), Charlotte was a "complete anglophile" who opposed all non-British immigration to Canada:
"Charlotte Whitton was a racist. Her
anti-Semitism, I think, was the least
of it. She was quite racist about the
Ukrainians, for example. She really
didn't like the changing character
of Canadian society."
In opposition to the anti-Semite argument, Whitton was well received by various Jewish organizations in her lifetime, including B'nai B'rith and various Jewish-centred publications.
She was also a supporter of—and the first to sign the nomination papers of—the first Jewish Mayor of Ottawa, Lorry Greenberg, who served as Ottawa mayor from 1975–1978.
In 2011 Whitton's name was kept off a new Archives Building in Ottawa due to the ongoing controversy.
Charlotte Whitton's Personal Life
Whitton never married, but lived for years in a Boston marriage living arrangement with Margaret Grier (1892 – 9th. December 1947).
Her relationship with Grier was not widespread public knowledge until 1999, 24 years after Whitton's death, when the National Archives of Canada publicly released the last of her personal papers, including many intimate personal letters between Whitton and Grier.
The release of these papers sparked much debate in the Canadian media about whether the relationship between Whitton and Grier was lesbian, or merely an emotionally intimate friendship between two unmarried women.
However, Whitton never publicly identified as lesbian during her political career, and Grier died before Whitton was elected as mayor, so Whitton could not be credited as Canada's first out LGBT mayor regardless of the nature of her relationship with Grier.
Grier was laid to rest at Thompson Hill Cemetery, Horton, Ontario. Whitton died aged 78 on the 25th. January 1975, and was laid to rest alongside her.
Portrayals of Charlotte Whitton in the Media
Whitton's relationship with Grier was dramatized in a 2008 play called Molly's Veil that was written by Canadian playwright and actor Sharon Bajer.
Bajer was inspired to write the play after reading letters written between Whitton and Grier, and used these as the basis for the play. The play explores Whitton's relationship with her partner Grier, portraying Whitton as a loving partner in a lesbian relationship, and deals with the tension between Whitton's private life and her public one.
Two biographies of Whitton were published in 1987 and 2010. Author David Mullington's 2010 work 'Charlotte: The Last Suffragette' won the 2011 Donald Grant Creighton Award for biography from the Ontario Historical Society.
Organizer Bryen Dunn and Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,
An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,
Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
Moderator: Fred Kuhr
Panelists:
(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum
Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.
Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.
Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.
N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.
Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.
Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.
Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.
Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada
Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.
I kept this envelope in my work desk for close to 30 years until I retired to remind me of the reality that many refugees had faced before immigrating to Canada. It had been given to me by a Vietnamese man who had escaped Vietnam by boat. His boat had been set upon by Thai pirates but somehow he survived the ordeal by being picked up by a freighter. I suspect that he eventually made his way to either the Thai, Hong Kong or Palawan, Philippines refugee camp, eventually arriving in Toronto as a sponsored refugee. Eventually I worked settling refugees in Ontario.
If you look closely, you will see the one boat filled with refugees, and a number of Thai fishing boats with no nets attacking their boat, robbing them, tossing the men and children overboard, and making off with their women. The man who gave me this set of photos told me that he had lost his family in this manner. He somehow got his hands on these ariel photos, likely while he was in his refugee camp. These photos may well have been part of the evidence which motivated the world to become aware of the plight of the seabound Vietnamese refugees and to start their Boat Movement. His name may have been Van Nghia Tran. I can't remember correctly or read his script properly. Many freighters, even if they sighted refugees bobbing in the water ignored them as it would be costly to stop and troublesome to deal with the paperwork.
I eventually on my own dime visited the old refugee camp near Puerto Princesa on the Island of Palawan Philippines. I viewed what was left of the camp as it had become a military base and took a look at the new, improved and safer camp.
A related subject: www.flickr.com/photos/30797556@N08/6250387262/in/photolis...
www.flickr.com/photos/25857074@N03/5260443084/in/photolis...
On February 7th, 2008 Carmelina and I [Charles Bray] and the kids will be celebrating our wedding anniversary, 49 years married.
How did I meet Carmelina: I go back to December 1957 when I was young 21-years-old with the British Royal Air Force. In 1957 I was posted in Malta at RAF Ta-Kali from RAF Nicosia, Cyprus. Than transferred to 203 S.U. Radar site at Dingli right by the cliffs.
One day I went to Valletta, [down town] to buy a Record called Diana by Paul Anka, coming out from the record shop, while I was looking at the record cover, this young lady hits me by accident, and she broke the record. I was a bit rude to her, by saying, don’t you watch were you’re going, look what you did, you broke my record. She answered back, and said sorry, don’t worry; I’ll will buy you another one. We both went inside the store, and the owner said, sorry, that was the last one you took, come back in two weeks time, and I will have more. Still, I didn’t know her name, I told her that I will meet her here by the store in two weeks time, she agreed.
Two weeks past, and I went to Valletta to get the record Diana, never dreamed that I will see her again, but there she was waiting for me by the record store. I was kind of shocked, seeing her so beautiful waiting for me. I said to her you kept your promise, she answered of course. We went both inside the store, and I got the record Diana, of course I paid for it. I asked her if she would like to come with me to have a drink, or for tea, or coffee. She answered I’m not allowed to go to Bars, but I will come for a cup of tea with you. Walking with her, I felt little proud, due that she was so very beautiful, and all the Maltese Wolves, were giving me such a dirty look, due that I was in Royal Air Force uniform. Of course none of them knew that I was a half breed, Maltese/English/Irish.
While we were having a tea, she hardly looked at me due to her shyness; I asked her if she would like to see me again. She answered yes. So we kept seeing each other, until one day, I asked her if she would like to marry me. With those big eyes she stirred at me and she said yes, I will… Story shorts on February the 7th, 1959; we got married at St. Joseph Church at St.Venera.
On December 1959 Carmelina gave a birth to a baby girl, in which we named her Diana, so we could always remember our little love story, how we met with each other. At the end of 1961, I was posted back to England. In 1962 I volunteered to go to Africa in Congo, in 1963 returned back to England. Carmelina joined me in London.
In December 1964, Carmelina gave birth to another baby girl, in London, England, and we named her Ramona. In 1965 we immigrated to Canada, because all her family, were living in Canada. Same year, I joined the Toronto Transit Commission. In May 1969 Carmelina gave a birth to a baby Boy in which we named him Charles Jr. four years later in September 1972, Carmelina gave another birth to a baby Boy and we named him Shaun. I could write a book about our love and understanding. Up to day we still enjoy each other and the kids. “What’s our secret?”
We always made sure that the kitchen is for cooking; the living room for relaxing with family and friends, but the bedroom is a private domain of love and intimacy where we never bring our anger or cares of the day. Since our life is a gift from God, we always thank him. The children will benefited so much, to see their own family always happy, and united, ready to help each other in all needs.
Charles and Carmelina posing together in our Wedding Day February 7th 1959.
On February 7th, Carmelina and I [Charles Bray] and the kids will be celebrating our Happy Wedding Anniversary, as together we been ever since.
How did I meet Carmelina: I go back to December 1957 when I was young 20-years-old with the Royal Air Force Regiment posted in Malta at Ta-Kali from RAF Nicosia, Cyprus. Than transferred to 203 S.U. Radar site at Dingli right by the cliffs.
One day I went to Valletta, [down town] to buy a Record called Diana by Paul Anka, coming out from the record shop, while I was looking at the record cover, this young lady hits me by accident, and she broke the record. I was a bit rude to her, by saying, don’t you watch were you’re going, and look what you did, you broke my record. She answered back, by saying I’m sorry, and don’t worry; I’ll buy you another one. We both went inside the record store, and the sales man said, I’m sorry, that was the last one you took, you could come back in two weeks time, and I will have more. Meantime I Still didn’t know her name, I told her that I will meet her here by the store in two weeks time, she agreed.
Two weeks past, and I went to Valletta to try to get the record Diana, never dreamed that I will see her again, but there she was waiting for me by the record store as she promised. I was kind of shocked, seeing her so beautiful waiting for me. I said to her you kept your promise, she answered of course. We went both inside the store, and I got the record Diana, of course I paid for it. I asked her if she would like to come with me to have a drink, or for tea, or coffee. She answered I’m not allowed to go inside any Bars, but I will come for a cup of tea with you.
Walking with her, I felt little proud, due that she was so beautiful, and all the Maltese Wolves, were giving me such a dirty look, due that I was in Royal Air Force uniform. Of course none of them knew that I was a half breed, Maltese/English/Irish.
While we were having a tea, she hardly looked at me due to her shyness; I asked her if she would like to see me again. She answered yes. So we kept seeing each, than one day, I asked her if she would like to marry me. With those big eyes she stirred at me and she said yes, I will? Story shorts on February the 7th, 1959; we got married at St. Joseph Church at St.Venera.
On December 1959 Carmelina gave a birth to a baby girl, in which we named her Diana, so we could always remember our little love story, how we met with each other. At the end of 1961, I was posted back to England. In 1962 I volunteered to Africa in Congo, in mid 1963 returned back to England. Carmelina joined me in London.
In December 1964, Carmelina gave birth to another baby girl, in London, England, and we named her Ramona. In 1965 we immigrated to Canada, because all her family, were living in Canada. Same year, I joined the Toronto Transit Commission. In May 1969 Carmelina gave a birth to a baby Boy in which we named him Charles Jr. four years in September 1972, Camelina gave another birth to a baby Boy and we named him Shaun. I could write a book about our love and understanding. Up to day we still enjoy each other and the kids. What’s our secret, you might ask?
We always made sure that the kitchen is for cooking; the living room for relaxing with family and friends, but the bedroom is a private domain of love and intimacy where we never bring our anger or cares of the day. Since our life is a gift from God, we always thank him, and our children will benefit to see the family always happy and united.
SMITH, GEORGE WASHINGTON, barber and news-vendor; b. 15 March 1845 in Charles Town (W. Va), son of Washington Smith and Sydney ------; m. 5 July 1866 Eliza Jane Campbell in Toronto, and they had two daughters and three sons; d. there 24 Dec. 1921.
George Washington Smith immigrated to Canada in 1864 at age 18 or 19, and settled in Toronto. Two years later he and Eliza Jane Campbell, a young black woman from Bowmanville, were married by Baptist minister Thomas Ford Caldicott*. By this time, Smith had already established an entrepreneurial presence, having started out on King Street as a barber. By 1871 he had a shop in the Queen’s Hotel on Front Street, in addition to his Colossal Shaving Parlour at King and York streets. An advertisement in the city directory of 1874 promised patrons a “good refreshing bath” and “shampooing, shaving, and hairdressing done with neatness and civility.” By this juncture Smith had clearly come into his own; his business was doing so well that he had set up shop at yet another location, the American Hotel at Yonge and Front.
Smith’s success set a foundation from which he was able to prosper for some years. Between the mid 1870s and the turn of the century, the Evening Telegram would note at his death, he was “well known in downtown business circles.” His barber-shops, which appeared at various times on Queen Street and in Union Station, with periodic returns to King Street, were evidently frequented by many of the city’s business elite. According to the Toronto Daily Star, his economic presence simultaneously enabled him to become “prominent . . . in Toronto’s political circles.” Though generally a staunch Conservative, he supported Robert John Fleming, a populist, Liberal-leaning mayor who ran on anti-business platforms that advocated worker’s rights and temperance. His campaigns were also infused with undertones of racial and gender equality. Smith’s affiliation with the Royal Templars of Temperance as well as his black identity likely drew him to Fleming, even though this position was arguably antithetical to his interests as a businessman. Taking to the stump in support of Fleming on several occasions between 1891 and 1897, Smith earned a reputation as an entertaining and compelling orator. His other associations helped cement his standing: he was a member of the Orange lodge, the Ancient Order of Foresters, and the York Pioneers. Thus, through his various affiliations, he became known as a leader of Toronto’s “colored colony.”
Despite his success, Smith found himself compelled to give up barbering around 1909 or 1910, likely because he had lost his sight and perhaps because of advancing age. The death in 1907 of his wife, who owned the family home, may also have affected his state of affairs. Eliza left her property to him and four children but stipulated in her will that George was to take possession only after relinquishing all other claims to her estate. He managed to sustain himself as a newspaper dealer. The status he had enjoyed in earlier years can be gauged from the fact that his stand, at the northwest corner of Queen Street and Spadina Avenue, was, the Globe would recall, “the first permitted on the city corners.”
Smith met a tragic end. On a cold December night in 1921 he reportedly fell against a hot stove in his news-stand. He was taken to Toronto Western Hospital, where, after 24 hours, he died of “shock following burns,” an agonizing death for a blind man of 77 years. He was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The circumstances surrounding his passing made the city take note – the Globe, the Star, and the Telegram all ran brief chronicles of his life. Probate records indicate that his estate consisted of residential property, real estate, and Victory Bonds with a total value of $2,716.46, a figure that placed him in the ranks of the city’s tiny black bourgeoisie. A lifelong Baptist, he left $150 to the Beverley Street Baptist Church.
George Washington Smith’s life is intriguing. A relatively obscure figure in Canadian black history, he had nonetheless been known to contemporaries as a leader in Toronto’s black community and, later, as a stock figure of sorts at street corners. Further research is needed, however, to determine whether he was widely seen as a leader by members of the black community or whether the mantle was a result of his associations with the city’s white elite and the integrationist ethos that characterized much of his life. There is no doubt that, at his peak, Smith had managed to carve out a place for himself at a time when the majority of Toronto’s “colored colony” struggled in the face of racial slurs, Jim Crowism, and residential, social, and occupational discrimination.
Pacific Mall is an Asian shopping mall in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Opened in the mid-1990s amid a period of significant Chinese immigration to Canada, Pacific Mall is the largest indoor Asian shopping mall in North America.
Coming 2021: B&W Night Photography.
Coming 2022: 80s&90s Television.
37089 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC.
Description of Historic Place:
The Abbotsford Sikh Temple is a one and one-half storey, wood-frame vernacular structure set on a full raised basement, with a false front parapet, an upper balcony running along three of the facades, and a prominent poured concrete stairway leading to the main central entrance on the upper level. It is located on a prominent knoll on South Fraser Way in the centre of Abbotsford, between the early settlements of Clearbrook and downtown Abbotsford. The Sikh Temple has been designated as a National Historic Site, including the original Temple building with its additions, the present 'Nishan Sahib' (flag pole) and the bases of earlier flag poles, including the remnants of the base of the original 'Nishan Sahib'.
Heritage Value:
The Abbotsford Sikh Temple ('Gurdwara') is a valuable symbol of the early roots of the Sikh community and the larger Indo-Canadian community in this region of Canada. The builders of this temple were part of the initial wave of immigration from India, before a restrictive immigration policy was implemented, making further immigration virtually impossible for the next fifty years. The Sikh population was centred in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, and consisted mainly of male sojourners, whose families remained in India. Locally, most of the Sikhs worked for the Abbotsford Lumber Company, once B.C.'s third largest forestry employer. The use of local materials to construct the Temple was significant, representing the Sikh connection to the lumber industry and to the Abbotsford Lumber Company, which donated the lumber for the temple, demonstrating the mutual interdependence of large, isolated industrial plants and their local workforce.
The Abbotsford Sikh Temple is the only Gurdwara from the pioneer phase of Sikh immigration to Canada that has survived, and is the oldest surviving Sikh Temple in North America. Construction started on the Temple in 1910 and was completed by 1912. Built of wood-frame construction, the false front parapet, simple rectangular floor plan and front gabled roof are typical of vernacular commercial buildings of the period. This was a pragmatic adaptation of Sikh traditions using a common frontier style, which expressed the men's limited financial resources and their desire to integrate with the community. The building is typical of early purpose-built Canadian Sikh temples, containing all the elements of a traditional Gurdwara, including the prayer hall on the upper level and a communal kitchen and dining area at ground level. The utilitarian interior, with tongue-and-groove wooden walls and regular fenestration, became common features of early Canadian temples. The location at the crest of a hill on busy South Fraser Way contributes to the Sikh Temple's landmark status.
The Temple was the centre of Abbotsford's Sikh community, serving both religious and social needs and acting as the reception centre for new immigrants. It was enlarged to the rear in 1932 to extend the prayer hall and a second addition was built in the late 1960s, changes which reflect the growth of the Sikh community, particularly once wives and children were allowed to immigrate. A new, much larger Temple was constructed across the road in 1983, but the original Temple was retained as a symbol of the struggles and achievements of the Sikh pioneers.
Source: City of Abbotsford
Character-Defining Elements:
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Sikh Temple include its:
- original location on a prominent knoll on South Fraser Way
- institutional, vernacular form, scale and massing as expressed by its one and one-half-storey height, full raised basement, simple rectangular floor plan, and informal additions to the rear
- exterior architectural details such as its: false front parapet; front gable roof with generous porch roof, supported by steel posts; wraparound upper verandah running along three sides; a prominent central, poured concrete stairway leading to the main entrance on the upper level; five separate staircases to access the upper level
- wood-frame construction, with horizontal wooden drop siding, and door and window mouldings of dimensional lumber
- masonry elements such as board-formed concrete foundations and brick chimneys
- exterior details of the two rear additions, the first with a dropped roofline and the second with a slightly sloped roof
- regular fenestration, with double-hung 1-over-1 wooden-sash windows
- spatial configuration of the interior, such as the main central entrance opening directly into the upper-storey prayer hall, with a community kitchen and dining hall on the lower level
- interior details in the prayer hall including: narrow tongue-and-groove wooden panelling; picture rails; raised floor; wooden arches and ornate canopy defining the altar; and early pendant light fixture
- the present 'Nishan Sahib' (flag pole) and the bases of earlier flag poles, including the remnants of the base of the original 'Nishan Sahib'.
Pacific Mall is an Asian shopping mall in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Opened in the mid-1990s amid a period of significant Chinese immigration to Canada, Pacific Mall is the largest indoor Asian shopping mall in North America.
Coming 2021: B&W Night Photography.
Coming 2022: 80s&90s Television.
La Maison Pierre du Calvet (The Pierre du Calvet House), at 401 rue Saint-Paul Est, was built in 1771. With a characteristic sloped roof meant to discourage snow buildup and raised end walls that serve as firebreaks, the building is constructed of Montréal graystone. It is now a hostellerie and restaurant, with an entrance at no. 405 rue Bonsecours.
Pierre du Calvet, believed to be the original owner, was a French Huguenot, and known as a trader, justice of peace, political prisoner and lampoonist. Pierre du Calvet immigrated to Canada in 1758. He participated the in last French victory battle on the coast of Lévis. After the conquest, he became a prosperous merchant and obtained the Sir Rivière David title where he also played the role of justice of the peace in Montreal A supporter of the American Revolution, Calvet met with Benjamin Franklin here in 1775 and was imprisoned from 1780 to 1783 for supplying money to the Americans.
In 1962, Jean-Jacques Trottier and Gertrude Beaupré Trottier decided to relocate their family and seven children to the old house Pierre du Calvet where they founded the restaurant Les Filles du Roy. They furnished it with family antiques, wicker chairs with counterpane cushions made of boys pants and family portraits adorning the walls. Gaëtan Trottier and his associate Ronald Dravigné, later became the owners of the Calvet house, transforming it into a fine grocery store and café where they held cultural meetings called "Thursdays at Calvet". Over time they joined the contiguous house to the original Calvet house and created what is known today as The Pierre du Calvet Hostelries.
It was overcast in Toronto today with showers coming and going. I was downtown and decided to take a half hour stroll down Yorkville Ave. which was once the heart of the “hippie”culture in the city but has since become a very upscale residential and shopping street.
There weren’t nearly as many people out and about as I had expected in the early afternoon but as I passed by a driveway between tall buildings I noticed this man sitting on a ledge relaxing. (Come to think of it, I could probably make a separate set of photos comprised of Strangers who were sitting on ledges.) There was something about this man’s face in the soft light bouncing off the buildings and pavement that caught my interest so I turned around and backtracked toward him. He met my eye contact and stood up to receive my invitation to take his photo for my 100 Strangers project. I was happy with his quick positive reaction and he asked what I needed. Meet Daniel.
I explained the project and found out that Daniel was working at a valet for a high-end specialty food shop located in the highrise building that towered above him. He parks customers’ cars, retrieves them, and helps carry their groceries and packages. I had known of this shop and knew it was upscale but I never imagined a specialty food shop having a valet service.
I told Daniel that he needn’t stand and for him to return to sitting on the ledge would be fine. I gave my usual instruction to simply look right into the lens of my camera and explained that I would take a few photos to guard against blinks and camera movement. He asked if his glasses should be on or off. I suggested a couple with them on but then a few with them off since I could see his eyes would photograph quite well. He also agreed to hold my reflector in position for all but the initial three or four photos. His facial expression was quite sad-looking but I felt there was a sensitivity in his face along with a very nice, sincere quality to his presence.
I find that some of my subjects appear serious and a bit intense with the initial photos which I assume has to do with their wanting to “do their best” for my project. Others are simply smilers. With those who appear very serious, after the serious photos I often tell them “You can use any expression you want. You certainly don’t have to smile, but if there is a smile in there, you can go ahead and let it out.” I think there is something about this somewhat unexpected wording (rather than simply telling them to “Smile please”) that usually cracks them up in a rather natural way. Daniel had a half-smile which caused me to joke a bit and then this smile appeared and I snapped it. While making the photos I had to back a bit into the driveway to get enough distance and asked Daniel if he could warn me if a car was coming. “Getting killed by a car is not part of the 100 Strangers project” I said. He said he had an eye out and not to worry.
My chat with Daniel was very interesting and quite revealing. He told me he is 52 years old, was born and raised in Toronto, and has been working as a valet for about two years. Prior to that he was in the construction business working with concrete. His first job was painting cars. “I guess you could say I started out painting cars and wound up parking them” he said. I asked how people treat him and he said the vast majority are very polite and friendly and that people are generally quite good at heart. I said it was encouraging to hear that. He went on to tell me about the famous tenants in the condo above the store who he sees on a regular basis. Some are professional athletes and others are in the entertainment industry. “I know who they are but I pretend I don’t. Part of being professional is granting them their privacy and not asking for autographs etc.”
Daniel really liked the 100 Strangers project and we talked about how many of the photographers doing the project describe themselves as shy about approaching strangers and that we enjoy learning how to “step outside our comfort zone” and that I now love the project for all the interesting people I meet. When I asked what he likes most about his job he said “It’s kind of like your photo project. What I like most is meeting so many nice people in a day.” He went on to say he is quite shy by nature and never used to talk easily with people. “I was the guy who would hide against the wall at a party and most of my jobs were either working alone or with a very small, consistent team. This job forced me to get used to meeting new people all the time and it’s been good for me. If you’d met me two years ago, we couldn’t have had this conversation.” I told him that we have both grown through stepping outside our comfort zones and he agreed.
Daniel asked what made me approach him for the project and I said I sensed a friendliness in his face. He said that really pleased him. “Lots of people say I look so serious and kind of angry. I’m glad you could tell that I’m not.”
I told Daniel how much I had enjoyed getting to know him and how much I appreciated his doing the photos. He said “I’m here most days so if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, please stop by and say hello and tell me how your project is going. It would really make my day.” The vast majority of my Stranger encounters are quite positive but some really leave me with a large smile – both inside and out. This encounter was one of those.
Thanks again Daniel for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #227 in Round 3 of my project.
Additional update: Five months later I was in the area yesterday and stopped by to take Daniel up on his invitation to visit. I had his photo with me since he doesn't use a computer. His welcoming my arrival was enthusiastic and his handshake warm despite the cold weather. There was a sincerity in his interest in how my project is going and he was happy for me when I told him it was going great. His boss was there and proved a fascinating man with an interesting story of his immigration to Canada from Afghanistan many years ago as a refugee. Unfortunately, concern for the safety of relatives back home and abroad prevented him from being photographed for the project. He told a wonderful story about how he met Daniel as a neighbour when Daniel was suffering serious medical complications caused by unsafe job conditions where he was working. This man got Daniel a job as a valet where he himself was working (he is in a position of influence in the company) and it turned Daniel's health (and life) around. Daniel confirmed this account. This meeting was a great follow-up on a memorable Stranger encounter and Daniel was grateful for the photo.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
To browse Round 1 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157633145986224/
To browse Round 2 of my 100 Strangers project click here:www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157634422850489/
Maker: James Douglas Hope (1819-1892)
Born: Scotland
Active: USA
Medium: albumen print
Size: 4 1/4 in x 7 in
Location:
Object No. 2018.872
Shelf: E-12-H
Publication:
Other Collections:
Provenance: philarts
Rank: 5
Notes: James Hope was born in Scotland on November 29, 1819. After the death of his mother, his father immigrated to Canada. Hope’s father died in 1831, and James left Canada to apprentice as a wagon-maker in Fairhaven, Vermont. In 1841, he married Julia Marietta Smith (b. December 28, 1820) in West Rutland. Hope developed a skill for portraiture (and later for painting landscapes). After studying in Montreal, he supported his family by teaching painting and drawing at the Castleton (Vermont) Seminary. In the early 1850s, he took a studio in New York City where he painted and marketed his work during the winter and returned to his home in Castleton in the summer. In 1872, Hope built a studio and art gallery in Watkins Glen, New York, where he lived until his death on October 20, 1892.
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The Cranna house is culturally significant as a unique South Okanagan example of a whimsical and extravagant form of architecture known as “Storybook”. This style, based loosely on a mixture of European cottage styles, is associated with the exposure of North American troops to European architecture during World War One, and with the sets of Hollywood films in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
The Cranna house expresses many Storybook features. The side gabled form with steeply pitched roof and rolled eaves is typical. Other Storybook elements include the use of smooth stucco on the walls and chimney, triple windows with many small lights, the prominent conical tower, and the use of arched windows and an arched doorway in the tower. The heavy board door, decorative quoins around windows and doorways, and the extended battered walls are also important features true to the Storybook style.
This historic place is important for its association with the use of Lakeshore Drive as a residential neighborhood for prominent Penticton citizens in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The house was built for W.R. Cranna, a successful jeweler who moved to Penticton from Merritt where he had been mayor.. William Cranna was born in 1887 and immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1907 due to health reasons. He first established himself in Merrit, where he became the
mayor and owned a jewelry store with a partner.
In 1927, Merrit was on a downturn and Penticton was seen as an opportunity. Mr. Cranna bought out H.M. Ramsey's jewelry store in Penticton and relocated here. In doing so, he also taking on the watch inspector or timekeeper function for the Kettle Valley Railroad; which had specifications on what makes of watches its employees could use and who could service them, ensuring the trains ran on schedule. He also established a store in Oliver.
Maker: James Douglas Hope (1819-1892)
Born: Scotland
Active: USA
Medium: albumen print
Size: 4 in x 6 in
Location:
Object No. 2018.870
Shelf: E-52-MISC-US
Publication:
Other Collections:
Provenance: greatie1
Rank: 30
Notes: James Hope was born in Scotland on November 29, 1819. After the death of his mother, his father immigrated to Canada. Hope’s father died in 1831, and James left Canada to apprentice as a wagon-maker in Fairhaven, Vermont. In 1841, he married Julia Marietta Smith (b. December 28, 1820) in West Rutland. Hope developed a skill for portraiture (and later for painting landscapes). After studying in Montreal, he supported his family by teaching painting and drawing at the Castleton (Vermont) Seminary. In the early 1850s, he took a studio in New York City where he painted and marketed his work during the winter and returned to his home in Castleton in the summer. In 1872, Hope built a studio and art gallery in Watkins Glen, New York, where he lived until his death on October 20, 1892.
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Address: 37 Arnold Crescent
The structure at 37 Arnold Crescent is known as the William Cooper House. William Cooper immigrated to Canada from England sometime before 1851 and worked in the Richmond Hill area as a professional house painter until his death in 1872. Cooper was also involved in purchasing building lots and constructing houses for investment and rental income. 37 Arnold Crescent was one of these houses. Constructed in 1860 following Cooper purchasing this lot from John R. Arnold, there is little evidence to suggest that William Cooper or his wife Mary Ann Cooper ever lived in this house. It is likely this clapboard frame, one-and-a-half storey house was used as a rental property by the Coopers. This house was willed to a friend of the family, Andrew Loomis Skeele, who operated a jewelry store and clock repair shop. The property had several owners after Mary Ann Coopers death in 1878. Alex and Helena Patterson remodeled the house around 1860 with a hip roofed porch and an Edwardian Classical style porch. The William Cooper House became a designated heritage property in 2000.
Photo courtesy of Richmond Hill Public Library.
Sources
Town of Richmond Hill Bylaw # 15-00 heritage designation
Town of Richmond Hill, Inventory of Buildings of Architectural and Historical Importance, 2008
© Frank Newfeld
Here's the blurb about the event, Thursday, April 2, 2009 at SFU:
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The Alcuin Society is delighted to announce that one of the judges of the Alcuin Society's 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada has agreed to give a talk on the Thursday evening preceding the competition, during this rare trip to Vancouver.
One of the original judges at the first Alcuin book design competition, Frank Newfeld, book designer, illustrator, art director, and former Vice President, Publishing at McClelland & Stewart, will share some of his thoughts on illustrated books, particularly those for the younger reader. This should be of special interest to fans of Newfeld's illustrations for Alligator Pie (poems by Dennis Lee).
Educated in England, Frank Newfeld immigrated to Canada in 1954, after having spent a few months here back in 1947. On his return he founded his own design company in Toronto. In 1956 Newfeld, along with Frank Davies, Leslie (Sam) Smart and John Gibson founded the Society of Typographic Designers of Canada (TDC). He was elected president of the Society in 1959, the year that it received its Ontario charter. In the early sixties Frank joined the firm of McClelland & Stewart as art director, and was appointed to the board of directors in 1963. He held the position of Vice President, Publishing, when he resigned in 1970 to form his own company again.
Over his career Newfeld has designed, illustrated and/or art directed well over 600 books for publishers and art galleries in Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States. He has won over 170 awards. He is a Fellow of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, and a member of the Royal Canadian Academy. For many years he was associated with Sheridan College where he served first as an instructor of illustration, and later as Head, Illustration Program.
This co-sponsored free event is brought to you by The Alcuin Society, in co-operation with The Graphic Designers of Canada – British Columbia (GDC/BC), the Canada Council Book Publishers Promotion Fund, Communications Designers of Toronto (CDOT), and the Writing & Publishing Program of Simon Fraser University.