Crab Park Women’s Memorial Longhouse Project

Crab Park Women’s Memorial Longhouse Project Fred Arrance, community activist, and the organization West Coast Aboriginal Network on Disabilities (WAND) call on all levels of government and the community at large to endorse the construction of a Women's Memorial Longhouse in Crab Park. This space would pay homage to the large number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada, and could be used as a gathering place for Aboriginal and other community groups across British Columbia. The Native Women's Association of Canada has compiled 582 cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls. In 2012, the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry put forward strong recommendations to address the systemic violence and neglect toward Aboriginal women in Canada. Cultural connectedness and reconciliation featured heavily in these recommendations, especially in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES). The WAND society was formed 20 years ago by a group of individuals who noticed a lack of attention paid to Aboriginal people dealing with addiction, alcoholism and disabilities. WAND coordinates cultural, recreational and spiritual programs and activities, and an Elders Council for Aboriginal people with disabilities, and those at risk of becoming disabled. Strengthening community and connections to the natural world are key components of this organization. Crab park is proposed for the location of the longhouse because it is a traditional gathering space on unceded Aboriginal land. Musequeam, Salish and other coastal Aboriginal people would travel across the water by canoe and potlatch on the shore where Crab park is today. Crab Park is now considered part of the DTES and is still a significant location for Vancouver's urban Aboriginal community. Call for Support WAND is seeking letters of support from government and community organizations, to be compiled and presented as a proposal for the construction of this longhouse. Contact information: For more information, or to express your support, email WANDlonghouse@gmail.com Fred Arrance has a long history of grassroots activism in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Among many things, he was a key organizer of the Women's Memorial March, worked as a cultural development worker for the City of Vancouver and is one of the founders of the WAND society.