This event is held on the unceded territory of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh, sel̓íl̓witulh, & xʷməθkʷəy̓əm nations. The TSSU Solidarity & Social Justice Committee is very honoured to be working with people at the heart of The Survivors Totem Pole project to bring to the screen the stories and journey of the Totem Pole on:

Thursday, January 31
7:00 - 9:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Djavad Mowafaghian, SFU Woodward's
149 W. Hastings St.

The Survivors Totem Pole is a grassroots community art and action project. The pole is a three-year collaboration between DTES advocates, First Nations, members of the LGBTQ community, along with Japanese, Chinese, and South Asian survivors of racism. The Survivors Totem Pole symbolizes inclusion in the Downtown Eastside as well as resilience, fierce resistance, and solidarity of people in the DTES community. Carved from a 1,000-year-old cedar tree, the Survivors Totem Pole was raised in Pigeon Park on November 5th, 2016.

In order to create a legacy of the Survivors Totem Pole project, local filmmaker Susanne Tabata documented both the lead up to the pole installation and the historic pole raising day. The result is a moving and stunning film (24') where we witness the journey of the Survivors Totem Pole and a tribute to the undying strength and unity of a community of displaced people. Lead by carver Skundaal Bernie Williams, local Indigenous voices soar, interwoven with commentary from Sacred Circle supporters Sid Chow Tan, Raj Toor, Grace Eiko Thomson, hereditary Squamish Chief Bill Williams, Haida elders Wilfred Price and Woodrow Wilson, Musqueam activist Audrey Siegl, and anti-poverty activist Jean Swanson. (Description credit: Terry Hunter)

Please join us in a night of learning and witnessing the story of the Survivors and dialogue with those who have been the heart of this project.

To learn more about the Survivors Totem Pole, please visit: https://survivorstotempole.wordpress.com/

or read:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/survivors-totem-pole-vancouver-downtown-eastside-1.3838801

Event details and accessibility information:

Accessible washrooms available on the same floor. Elevator accessible from the ground floor.

We aim to have a scent-free environment. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or any scents to the event due to sensitivities.

Mandarin interpretation will be provided. Please contact us if you need interpretation.
提供中文翻譯。如果您需要翻譯，請提前聯絡何宜謙小姐 778-872-1222 / ssjc@tssu.ca

Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or specific needs. To inquire, email Jade Ho at ssjc@tssu.ca