AHA Media

The Downtown Eastside Smudge ceremony came to be through a vision and has been carried out by a very dedicated group of women. The Aboriginal Women’s Working Group is made up of traditional ceremonial women and men that work within organisations in the helping field. Over the past two times the smudge was carried out WAVAW took the lead to help with the organising of the ceremony, the working group has many partners and this year we are proud to say that the Pacific Association of First Nations Women is taking the lead with the organising. These women are taking leadership with the help of our men to bring this ceremony to the people to pray for the healing of the world and to bring an end to violence against women beginning with mother earth.

Each direction will have a youth to lead the way bearing the sacred flag, a traditional firekeeper bearing medicines to cleanse the sacred mother earth, one ceremonial man and women of each of the sacred races in the east yellow, the south black, in the west red, and north white. Also in each direction there will be four aboriginal ceremonial women and four aboriginal ceremonial men. These people are all known to the people as our helpers and healers. The drummers are also in ceremony and a sundance drum is used. The traditional people of these territories have given permission to do this work and all protocol of ceremony is followed for the entire ceremony from the first offering of tobacco to the closing.

Below are photos of the DTES Smudge Ceremony from an aerial view perspective

Below is a video of  Sacred Races in the west Red marching to Main Street in DTES Smudge Ceremony 2010 in Vancouver

This video was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a New Media camera – Panasonic DMC-ZS3. AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of this video or for additional footage, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

Below is a photo of Jenny Kwan, MLA

***Additional photo and video footage of this event is available upon request***

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Below are photos taken by Hugh Lampkin at National Aboriginal Day Celebration at Oppenheimer Park

Below is Rockin’ Randy giving a Big Smile

AHA MEDIA is pleased to attend Pigeon Park’s Grand Re-Opening in Vancouver Downtown Eastside ( DTES ) on Tuesday Dec 15, 2009

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
www.vancouverparks.ca

“The fences are coming down”

The Pigeon Park renewal project is substantially completed, The removal of the fencing represents the return of this important public space to the community.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

In this photo and video, Sarah Blyth of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation welcomes us to Pigeon Park’s Grand Re-Opening in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) on Tuesday Dec 15 2009

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a New Media camera Panasonic DMC-ZS3. AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or —Facebook.com/AprilFilms

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

In this photo and video, A speech is given where Beverly Dobrinsky and Carnegie Village Choir are invited to sing at Pigeon Park’s Grand Re-Opening in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) on Tuesday Dec 15 2009

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a New Media camera Panasonic DMC-ZS3. AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

—————————————————————————————————————————————————-

In this photo and video, Beverly Dobrinsky and Carnegie Village Choir sing at Pigeon Park’s Grand Re-Opening in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) on Tuesday Dec 15 2009

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a New Media camera Panasonic DMC-ZS3. AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

In this photo, Hendrik Beune of AHA MEDIA and Ellen Woodsworth – Vancouver City Councillor watch the performance by Carnegie Village Choir

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

In this photo and video, Terry Hunter, Joseph Pepe Danza and DTES Samba Band play at Pigeon Park Grand Re-Opening in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) on Tuesday Dec 15, 2009

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a New Media camera Panasonic DMC-ZS3. AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

——————————————————————————————————————————–

In this photo, Dalannah Gail Bowen of  Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts  sings

———————————————————————————————————————————–

In this photo, Andrea Reimer  - Vancouver City Councillor chats with Constance Barnes – Vancouver Park Board

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Hungry Folks line up for Chili, Cheese Scones and Hot Chocolate at Pigeon Park

———————————————————————————————————————————-

In this photo, Garvin Snider gives his thoughts on the new Pigeon Park

Please see all 35 photos on our Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahamedia/sets/7215762288446

AHA MEDIA attended a CCAP meeting at Carnegie Centre where Carole James – British Columbia NDP Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant came to see a presentation of ” Mapping the Community “ done by Vancouver Downtown Eastside residents

CCAP ( Carnegie Community Action Project ) is at http://www.ccapvancouver.wordpress.com

Below is a photo of Jenny Kwan and Carole James

——————————————————————————————————————–

In this video, A round of introductions occur at a meeting at Carnegie Centre where CCAP ( Carnegie Community Action Project) invited guests such as Am Johal together with Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

———————————————————————————————————————

In this video, Wendy Pedersen – CCAP (Carnegie Community Action Project) Researcher/Organizer gives a presentation on the “Mapping the Community” project done by residents of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and CCAP to tell their stories of our neighborhood to Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

—————————————————————————————————————–

Below is a photo of everyone watching the presentation

——————————————————————————————————————-

In this video, Wendy Pedersen – CCAP (Carnegie Community Action Project) Researcher/Organizer gives a presentation on the “Mapping the Community” project done by residents of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and CCAP to tell their stories of our neighborhood to Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

——————————————————————————————————————-

In this video, Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant comment after seeing a presentation by Wendy Pedersen – CCAP (Carnegie Community Action Project) Researcher/Organizer

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

AHA MEDIA supports local Vancouver Downtown Eastside Street Artists

Below is a photo of Pigeon Park taken on July 15, 2009 – The park is still open with neighborhood residents sitting and making use of the space.

Below is a photo of Pigeon Park taken on July 16, 2009, where fences  have been placed all around to begin renovations.

Below is a link to more information on the Pigeon Park renovation.  Initial consulation with park visitors began in 2004!

http://vancouver.ca/Parks/info/planning/pigeonpark/index.htm

Project Information

Pioneer Place (Pigeon Park) upgrade

• Description

Project Description

The proposed improvements would:

1. Preserve features that make the park popular with the community
2. Replace aging features in the park with new ones
3. Add new features in the park
4. Integrate the park with the Carrall Street Greenway

——————————————————————————————–

Below are photos and video of Hendrik Beune, Director of AHA MEDIA at the empty Pigeon Park.

In this video, Hendrik Beune, Director of AHA MEDIA speaks about the new renovation of Pigeon Park to Pioneer Place.

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter

In this video, April Smith of AHA MEDIA speaks with Tony, a City of Vancouver Worker and the renovation plans to transform Pigeon Park to Pioneer Place in Vancouver Downtown Eastside

This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter

AHA MEDIA looks forward to the new Pioneer Place opening up soon, the pigeons and the people need this park!