Empire Fading?

Funding for Empire Days cut by council
http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/news/funding-for-empire-days-cut-by-council-1.1737512


Editorial: It's time to end the debate on event name
http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/it-s-time-to-end-the-debate-on-event-name-1.1737509




As most folk know I have been a staunch advocate to eliminate 'Empire Days' as a celebration in the City of Nanaimo.  Below is a letter to the editor I wrote in response to this comment from the story;
"City council voted to cut funding for the Empire Days Celebration Society at Monday night's meeting unless the organization changes its name. Coun. Diane Brennan tabled the motion, which passed with a 7-2 vote. Jim Kipp and Gord Fuller were opposed."


Re: Funding for Empire Days cut by council


The following statement in the story needs to clarified; “Coun. Diane Brennan tabled the motion, which passed with a 7-2 vote. Jim Kipp and Gord Fuller were opposed.”

I have received a number of calls, one by the story writer, with regards to my vote as it is well known that, over the years, I have been one of the most vocal in the community against our celebration of “Empire Days.” 


Why choose to oppose the ‘motion’? It was simply because the recommendation that “the society be exempt from the 2015 budget for operating grants, festivals and events” was tied to a broader motion to approve the Cultural Operating Grant Recommendations being awarded to a number of organizations that were before council that night; which I did oppose; the reason a story for another time.


Over the years for my stance against I have been labeled a professional agitator, funny never did get paid, and in one instance, which I have saved, had a message left on my answering machine accusing me of trying to ruin Nanaimo and its’ history; that I should get, ‘bleeping’ real; get a ‘bleeping life’ and get a ‘bleeping’ job.


As an Advocate for Social Change in the community for close to two decades, prior to being elected to council, my opposition to the celebration of ‘Empire’ is one I am most proud of.


The British Empire faded into history years ago and it is well past due that Nanaimo’s celebration of it fades away as well.

Empire Fading

Letter was published in the Daily News on the 11th, nothing in the papers since so I guess we wait patiently until next year.

It's time to change the name of empire days

More Empire than needed

Here are a couple of more stories Re: Empire Days, my comments as well as many others can be seen by clicking on the story.  Bottom line if we had a council with kahonees they could simply not approve next years proclamation of Empire Days when it comes up.  Will they do so; I doubt it but we can try.

Philip Wolf: Time (again) for a name change

Editorial: We need civil debate not more hyperbole

Here also is a letter by Simon Schachner who has been opposing the Empire for a while now.
http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/letters/story.html?id=46bc5580-634b-4130-817b-831f9b7b7eeb

I sent this one in but nothing as of yet:

Re:  Re: 'Chief takes to Twitter to criticize Empire Days moniker' (Daily News, May 29)

For almost a decade many groups and individuals have been proposing a change to the weeklong celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday known as ‘Empire Days’ in Nanaimo.  While the controversy was slow to materialize this year Chief White’s comments have lit the proverbial fire once again in this ongoing debate.  This in my opinion is a good thing.

I think everyone can agree that the volunteers of the Empire and Lions Societies do a wonderful job; all we ask is for a change of name of the event/celebration.  No one is asking the Society to change its name; celebrate your accomplishments of the last 145 years, kudos to you all for your hard work. 

This said the time has come to change the name to something that all can celebrate.  Something that does not carry with it the baggage of a not too pleasant experience suffered by the colonized in the name of “Empire,”  something that celebrates the shared history of all whom now live in this land. 

Empire 2012

For a brief while it looked like there would be no controversy over Empire Days this year but that was all undone, and rightfully so, by Chief Doug White twittering.

For me, being involved in trying to see the name of Empire Days changed to something less offensive for almost a decade, I had held off saying anything this year.  Usually I would have written a letter to the editor or tried to stir the pot in other ways.

The latter of the two following stories from the Daily News and the comments attached, mine included, show that this is a hot issue and will remain so until the name is changed.  As for next year, plans are already in the works:)

Empire Days great tribute to our history

My comment:

"It was refreshing this year not to have letters to the editor or protesters decrying the origins of Empire Days and criticizing the society because it brought back memories of Great Britain's imperial past and the treatment of British Columbia's First Nations. Undoubtedly, these are part of our history but that's all - history." Empire was a part of our History and not a part to be celebrated. Kudos to the Empire Days Society and Lions Society's for putting on a great parade but lets do it in Celebration of Victoria Day as does everywhere else in the commonwealth except Nanaimo & Cumberland. The abuses against First Nations across the world were perpetuated by the Empire and in many countries these abuses continue. Empire to is a "part of our history but that's all - history." It should be quite simple for the Society to maintain its name but the City does not have to perpetuate the use of Empire as a holiday in Nanaimo.

Chief takes to Twitter to criticize 'Empire Days' moniker

One of my comments:

"There's a lot of admirable stuff we all have to celebrate and that's what we should be celebrating, not the ugly parts of our past and history."  Well said Chief White!  Mr. Linder your group can be admired for the efforts you all do to promote Victoria Day in Nanaimo but no one really knows that because it is held under the guise of 'Empire Days.' If as you say,  "We still have Queen Victoria's birthday, that's what we're really celebrating," or celebrating the Cities heritage then change the name. This City has far more heritage to celebrate than that of Empire..

For other comments on this subject view my facebook page

Gord Fuller Municipally (A)MUSING

Empire Days

This will likely be the last for this year though there may be another letter or two which I will post here if they come in.

Philip Wolf: Hard to make real change Comments following the column are once again interesting.

Empire Days 144 years

So another Empire Days has come and gone with very little fanfare. Some of the comments on the DN story of the 19th are very amusing though and worth a read. Three letters at this point have been published including mine in response to Diane Denton's of the 21st. I think it but just a matter of time before there is a change to the naming of the weekend in Nanaimo though it will not come soon enough for me.

Time to rename long weekend celebration
Philip Wolf, The Daily News
Published: Thursday, May 19, 2011

Letter: May 21, 2011
Empire days volunteers deserve more praise

May 24

Gord Fuller
Wanting new name is no dishonour to volunteers

Dave Cutts
Honouring Victoria at least gives us a day off

On Empire, HST, VICC and Affordable/Social Housing

Empire days letters
May 19, 2010
Empire Days opposition is insulting, ridiculous
At least she doesn’t call him a professional activist.
Changing events name will create opportunities

May 20, 2010
Time to bring an end to the use of term 'Empire"

HST
Good outline of the process and what could happen.
May 20, 2010
HST: is the Recall Act designed to fail?

Conference Centre
Ya gotta read this.
Philip Wolf: Vicc gets some press

Affordable Housing
Have been discussing affordable housing with a number of people lately and usually what comes up is how one defines it. I came up, literally, with these two definitions that I think put it quite succinctly.

Affordable Housing:

Housing, whether purchased or rented, that cost no more than 30% of a person or families monthly gross income.

Subsidized/Social:

Housing, whether purchased or rented, that is supported by Municipal/Provincial/Federal subsidies and cost no more than 30% of a person or families monthly gross income.

Empire Days 2010

And so it begins yet again. This year it will be a far more low key response on the part of those involved. It is really hoped that we can make some progress, progress that will make this a truly inclusive celebration of COMMUNITY.

The PPM got the ball rolling with Simon Schachner sending the following off to the papers and the Empire Days Society. A story came out in the Daily News today Funding trumps protest as threat to Empire Days and my letter in response appears after Simons.

May 12, 2010

Dear Nanaimo Empire Days Celebration Society,

On behalf of the Popular Participation Movement, I would like to acknowledge allthe hard work your committee and volunteers have done to make the festivities ofEmpire Days possible. Having attended the event for many years, I can attest tothe spirit that the parade brings out in our community. Nanaimo is indeed a cityworth celebrating.

Still, many in our community are uneasy with the society's continued emphasison the British Empire at the heart of the festivities. We hope you can appreciatethat this criticism is not radical. In fact, it is consistent with what the British havebelieved for over 50 years. Recognizing that Empire Days does not reflect theplurality of history, the United Kingdom abolished Empire Days in 1958 in favourof a more inclusive event: Commonwealth Days. We hope for a similar changeto come to Nanaimo.

It's difficult to understand why the celebration society would object to a change inname that is more respectful of our history and diversity. After all, the societywas founded as an organization committed to the "heritage of Nanaimo and thefuture of its young people." Given that we are a growing, evolving community ofmany origins and histories, Empire Days is simply out of touch with the truth.

As our annual efforts to raise public awareness of this issue have been rather effective, we are not planning a counter-event or any such interventions this year. We hope that the society will have the courage to respond to the community’sconcerns and transform the name and focus of Empire Days into something respectful of the experiences of all people of Nanaimo.

I would like to meet with you to discuss this matter further. Members our groupwill gladly assist with an effort to develop a more inclusive direction for thesociety. We appreciate that this is your busiest time of year. We will not betroubled if a meeting has to wait until June.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Simon Schachner, Organizer
Popular Participation Movement
simonschachner@gmail.com
250-591-7575

May 14, 2010
To the Editor:

Re: Funding trumps protest as threat to Empire Days

The whole point this year is not to get into a war on words with the Empire Days Society but to sit down and have a rational discussion. While the PPM has been vocal the last five years organizations like the Multicultural Society and people like me have been pushing for a change of name for much longer. This will be my only letter on the subject this year.

We all realize the hard work the Empire Days Society and Lions Clubs do to arrange the events and parade each year, we honestly commend them for their efforts. The point is all this could still be accomplished with less controversy, and stigma attached to it, under a different name.

As an Advocate for Social Change and Community Activist I am the first to agree that cuts to gaming grants have had a negative effect throughout the non-profit sector and there is no absolute guarantee, as yet, that even with a change of government the monies lost will be reinstated.

Personally I see an opportunity here. If we look at these events as a celebration of COMMUNITY, not Empire, then something as little as a name change could result in bringing the very people opposed to the table in helping organize and raise funds in the future. While I can’t speak for the others I for one would be willing to make that commitment. Let us truly celebrate community through inclusiveness.
Gordon W. Fuller
604 Nicol St Nanaimo, BC V9R 4T9 Ph: (250) 754 6389
Cell: 797 0531 e-mail: http://ca.mc1133.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=gorfathome@yahoo.ca
http://gordonfuller.blogspot.com/

This should be it re Empire

The posts to the Daily News below will likely be the last on this subject.

Just to re-iterate, no one who spoke against the name of EMPIRE wants to see the parade and other events cancelled but simply(yes it would be simple) the name changed to be a more positive reflection of the many cultures, especially first nations, who have contributed to the History of Nanaimo.

No one denies the extreme amount of volunteer commitment needed to put on the parade, in fact the Lions Society not only helps with this but does so much more throughout the year for the betterment of our society.

As for the parade, I personally thought it was not up to the former standards which I have seen in the past. Seemed to be less floats and bands and far shorter than usual. My opinion.


No place for antiquated 'Empire Days' namesake Published: Tuesday, June 23, 2009


Empire Days society is grateful for all support Published: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Empired Out

The two letters below are from the Bulletin, one from June 4th. This has been the most published feedback on the subject of Empire Days ever and whether positive, from my point of view, or negative it has been worth while discussion. My favourite, perhaps this one was not so worthwhile, was the letter that stated Simon Schachner and I were Professional Activists. Golly gee, if I could get paid for this does that mean I can quit my day job?

Perhaps even better was a phone message I received one day, have kept it for posterity. It went like this; Are you the activist that is trying to destroy Nanaimo's heritage by eliminating(pregnant pause) Empire Days? Well if so why don't you get your life together, get your act together, and get a fucking job. Guess if I was to quit my job he might actually have something.

Anyway through discussion comes change and while it may seem slow it is in the longrun inevitable.

From the Bulletin:

Nothing shameful about our history published June 4, 2009
(This comes in a three pack and is the third letter down, a good one re homelessness 2nd down as well)

Colonizers took land Published: May 29, 2009

More of the Empire

Below are more entrys into the great debate. The event put on by the PPM after the parade was pretty successful, one suggestion would be more of a variety of music and FOOD. Speakers are also good but must have a time limit put on them, many people left during some of the delegations.

A lot of the letters seem to talk about erasing history. This is in no way what those that seek a change of the name are trying to do, in fact we must remember the past so we do not repeat it. The following is from a letter I wrote in 2005;

The word Empire is defined as "a group of nations, states or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other sovereign,"(Random House Dictionary, 1991). In no way does a vague definition such as this define how those nations, states or peoples came to be controlled under such sovereign rule. Histories however show that empire is primarily achieved through conquest and seldom do independent nations voluntarily join.

To impose its will over others and become the greatest Empire of the last five hundred years the British Government, yes that even of Queen Victoria, participated in the conquest and genocide of many peoples. One only has to look at Canada as an example. In its war against the French, in Canada, in the 1760's the British used germ warfare, spreading smallpox by infected blankets, against the Indian population. Sounds horrible but it is fact supported by actual letters in the British Manuscript Project, at the Library of Congress in the United States.
http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/legal/amherst/jeff_docs.html

During Queen Victoria’s reign and with the collusion of the Canadian Government the Residential School System for First Nations peoples in Canada came into being. Attendance became compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 16; parents not placing their children in these institutions could be jailed (Barman, et. Al. Indian education in Canada: the legacy [1996]). In 1907 Dr. Peter Bryce, Medical Inspector for the Department of Indian Affairs cited an average death rate of 40% in the residential schools (Bryce, Dr. P.H., The story of a national crime: Being a record of the health conditions of the Indians of Canada from 1904 to 1921[Ottawa, 1922]). He reported children being deliberately infected with diseases like tuberculosis, and left to die untreated, as a regular practice.

Horrible as these instances are they are but a few in a litany of what we would now call Crimes Against Humanity.

As I say I am not totally against the celebration of Victoria Day, but to celebrate “Empire” I think I will pass.


More from the news media:

Harbour City Star

It's disheartening that some try to spoil the fun of others Published: Friday, May 22, 2009

Perhaps it's time for the empire to get more civilized Published: Friday, May 22, 2009

Protest didn't rain on parade Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Daily News

Paul Walton: Nanaimo Heritage about far more than empire Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009

Parade followed by protest Published: Sunday, May 17, 2009

Letters D/N

Writer reveals smugness in his historical analysis Published: Monday, May 25, 2009

Tolerance in order for any group having a parade Published: Monday, May 25, 2009

English is universal but a second language helps Published: Monday, May 25, 2009

Many things more vital than the name of a parade Published: Saturday, May 23, 2009

Nothing shameful about British Empire Legacy Published: Friday, May 22, 2009

Empire days deserved more coverage in paper Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009

British Empire heritage something to celebrate Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Disheartening that some try to spoil others' fun Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

No one should demand we negate our history Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Canada is in danger of becoming homogenous Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Bulletin

Empire opposition eager to talk with organizers Published: May 20, 2009

Letters

More names will need to be changed Published: May 25, 2009 3:00 PM

Empire consisted of men asserting power over men & Empire opposers standing up for their beliefs, cause Published: May 22, 2009

City’s past celebrated & Dispute over celebrations name silly Published: May 20, 2009

Letters (3)
Name controversy appalling Published: May 18, 2009

Opinion
Use discussion to settle name Published: May 13, 2009

Empire Days

Nanaimo boasts the oldest annual continuous community celebrations of Empire, 143 years, and, other than Cumberland which will celebrate their 111th celebration, is the only city still lauding the subjugation of conquered nations by the former British Empire. Interestingly Britain stopped calling the Victoria days celebrations Empire days in 1958 and even the school system no longer places focus on the former empire. Those communities in the commonwealth that do simply celebrate a holiday celebrate Victoria Day in remembrance of Queen Victoria’s birthday.

For the past 6 years a number of people and organizations have been working to take the Empire out of Empire days and make it more culturally respectful and appropriate, Nanaimo Heritage Days for example. On April 20th council passed a proclamation that May 11th - 18th be designated Empire Days week, I have since found out that council actually has no choice but to ratify proclamations submitted to them. This is all a result of the Community Charter, initiated by the provincial government, that came into being a few years ago and has in many cases given municipalities no options when dealing with certain items that are in the purview of said municipalities.

Also on the 20th Council Agenda was a letter from the Multi-Cultural Society requesting council change the name of Empire Days to Nanaimo Heritage Days. As is typical council simply made a motion to accept correspondence, passed the motion, and did nothing with it. At question period I asked council if they had plans to deal with the letter and after some verbal diarrhea, on both our parts, Councillor Unger stated that if I was to submit another letter to council he would make a motion towards effecting change. Below is my letter to council followed by the original from the Multi Cultural Society.

This was done and cc’d to both the Popular Participation Movement, who for the last 4 years have been trying to affect change, as well as the Multi Cultural Society. The Popular Participation Movement, for a couple years, infiltrated the parade as "Slaves of the Empire' and last year started a counter event, United Against Empire: Rally for Peace Justice & Equality.

There has been more publicity this year than any other though the Multi Cultural Society has born the brunt of some borderline racist calls. The other day when I checked my answering machine the following anonymous message was there. "Are you the activist that thinks we should abandon our heritage and drop Empire Days? Why don't you get a grip on life, get your act together and get a fucking job." The call was amusing from my perspective, I get the odd negative call regarding mys activism, and in case the caller ever sees this I have a F'ing job. I really value open debate and hope that we don't see too much of the hate based. After all it is one of those aspects of empire that has given us cause to seek change in the first place.

Any who; I have attached my letter to council; a letter I wrote to the editor, published in both papers, is included in the links to all of the newspaper media coverage for your perusal. Check it out, especially the comments following some of the D/N stories, you may find many of the comments amusing and perhaps agree with some of those speaking against our activism on this subject. Where will it go from here, I don't know but suffice it to say that if there is no change we will be back at it next year.

Hope to see a few posts to this, positive & negative, and I will publish them all.


LETTER TO COUNCIL

May 5, 2009

Nanaimo Mayor and Council
455 Wallace Street,
Nanaimo, B.C.
V9R 5J6

Dear Mayor Ruttan and Honourable Councillors,

I am writing to you to discuss the possibility of a new way of celebrating Nanaimo’s history more inclusively. The following is about changing the focus of Nanaimo’s celebration of ‘Empire’ to that of a celebration of NANAIMO. I and others do not expect this to happen this year, as you have already proclaimed May 11th - May 18th Empire Days, but we would hope this council enlightened enough to give serious consideration of a change within the next year or two.

I write this in part due to my, as well as a number of other individuals and organizations, opposition over the past 5 years to the celebration of "Empire Days" in Nanaimo. I write this also at the request of councillor Unger who in response to my questions, with regards to correspondence (attached) from the multi cultural society, at the council meeting of April 20th stated he would make a motion to the effect of considering a change in the name from Empire Days to some other more inclusive alternative.

As a proud citizen of Nanaimo I believe it is the right of all varying cultures in this great city to celebrate their presence and contributions. Where I have a problem is when that celebration, in the broader context of "EMPIRE", actually celebrates the conquest of one nation for the direct benefit of another. I also see a dilemma in that a small group of people, the Empire Days Society, resist with the blessing of council a change that would more effectively and inclusively show respect to and benefit all cultures living within the City.

In the early years of the colonization of Nanaimo, by the “EMPIRE”, there was a native village at the mouth of the Millstone River; a village that may well have been there for hundreds or thousands of years. If you go down to the site today it is easy to picture why such a village would exist in this location. The discovery of coal initiated colonization to meet the all-consuming "Empires" need and greed for the abundance provided by these lands and within a matter of but a few years this village was gone.

First celebrated in Nanaimo in 1863, "as a means for many of the miners and their families to celebrate their connection with home and the British Empire", Empire Days became a tradition celebrated throughout the community to this day. Through a search of the internet I can find only one other community that continues to celebrate "Empire", Cumberland whose celebration has run continuously for 111 years. I find it interesting to note that even in the British Isles "Empire" is not focused on when teaching its history to the people. This, primarily because of the negative aspects of the conquest of other nations for the benefit of the mother country through the subjugation of those nations; negative aspects recognized and associated with all Empires throughout human history.

Perhaps it is time in Nanaimo that we also, while respecting the heritage aspect of the celebration, move from the focus of “Empire” to something that is more inclusive. This is after all a community now made up of many cultures some never associated with and some, after gaining independence from, wanting no association with the British Empire.

Many families in Nanaimo, from many different nations, “go back” generations. They are all proud of their long histories on this land. With respect to the many cultures, especially First Nations, represented in Nanaimo a more appropriate and inclusive name for the weekend could be, as suggested in Ms. Schlosar's letter, Nanaimo Heritage Days.

Recognizing that Council, on April 20th, proclaimed May 11th to May 18th "NANAIMO EMPIRE DAYS WEEK" in the City of Nanaimo no one expects this to be dealt with this year. We do hope that today a motion is made and passed to have this issue go to committee and the public for feedback in hopes of seeing a change in May of 2010 or 2011.

Council has the power to make a decision towards change. Let’s celebrate inclusively both the short history of Nanaimo, since first contact, and the much longer history of the Snuneymuxw now & before.

Best regards;

Gordon W. Fuller – Community Advocate
604 Nicol St.
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 4T9

NEWS STORIES & LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (all views)

Nanaimo Daily News

Protest targets Empire Days Published: Monday, May 11, 2009

May celebration should be more inclusive Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2009

City Log Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Imperial anachronism? Debate over empire name continues Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009

What people are saying on our website Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009

LETTERS

Protesters only oppose empire, not having fun Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

If empire is just a word, then it is easily changed Published: Thursday, May 14, 2009

Empire Days reflects the reality of our history Published: Friday, May 15, 2009

We should be proud to honour Canadian roots Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009

Nanaimo Bulletin

Empire opposition voiced Published: May 13, 2009 3:00 PM

LETTERS

Time to move on with name Published May 14th

City celebrates British heritage & Empire Days name suitable for former British colony Published May 16th