It was a joyous Olympic torch celebration in Six Nations of the Grand River Monday night despite earlier anxiety over protests hindering the spirit of the event. More than a thousand people gathered at the local bingo hall, waving Six Nations flags in support of the flame being passed through their community, about 90 kilometres southwest of Toronto.

Earlier in the day, the relay route was altered amid growing anticipation of conflict with protesters. Instead of being carried through the town, as was the original plan, the flame was passed by the 25 Six Nations torchbearers doing laps on the path leading up to the bingo hall where possible protests easily could be contained. The roads surrounding the event were blocked and Six Nations police patrolled the area. “This is really exciting,” said 12-year old torchbearer Caytlen Burning. A resident of Six Nations, Burning excels at running mid-distance races and is an Olympic hopeful, herself. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics and this is encouraging me to follow my dream,” she said.

For Phyllis Bomberry, 67, a former softball player who grew up in Six Nations, the flame represents unity in athletics. “You play sports and it doesn’t matter if you’re black, orange, white, it doesn’t matter — you’re together,” Bomberry said. Bomberry was recently inducted into the Canadian Softball Hall of Fame, and won a gold medal at the first Canada Games in 1970. At a news conference Monday afternoon, Six Nations Parks and Recreation director Cheryl Henhawk said the change of route was to make sure the flame was successfully carried through the community, and to ensure the safety of the torchbearers and spectators. “There are people in this community who want to see it (the flame),” Henhawk said. “We need a different venue to make this work.” Six Nations Chief Bill Montour alluded to the momentous nature of the event. “This is history. This is where we show the world what Six Nations is about,” he said.

Protesters arrived outside of the news conference at a local recreation centre with banners reading “No torch no trespassing.” “It’s a victory that we have the power to get our voice out there, to change those plans. It is a victory,” Melissa Elliott, a front person for the resistance, said of the change of venue. Elliott said she is protesting the Olympics as a call to fair treatment of aboriginal people in Canada. “We are a nation of people. Canada is refusing to recognize our treaties and our sovereignty,” she said. Six Nations torchbearer, Justice Harry Laforme said the issues being brought forward through the protests are “legitimate.” Born and raised on a reserve, the 63-year-old Mississauga native said he grew to realize the voice of aboriginal peoples is not easily heard, so he understands why many protesters chose international events to raise awareness of their concerns. But, he said, an event such as the Olympics has the ability to bring people together, differences aside. “I look at it (the Olympics) as an opportunity to demonstrate to the international community and to Canada, that we’re part of (this country), and we believe in respect, equality and acceptance.” The torch relay was briefly delayed last Thursday in Toronto when hundreds of protesters filled the streets shouting, “No Olympics on stolen native land.” The land claim issue has been a sensitive one in Six Nations.

Located about 20 minutes southwest of Hamilton, the area has the largest population of all First Nations in Canada. Earlier in the day, the flame exited Niagara Falls and passed through such communities as Chippawa, Fort Erie, and Caledonia. As Tracy Phelps waved the torch proudly from Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls on Monday morning, the spirit of the moment wasn’t lost on her friends and family who came out to support her. “It not only brings us together to celebrate sport, but people and relationships,” said Mark Cushing, a longtime friend of Phelps. A light snow fell as hundreds whooped and waved flags beneath the majestic steel bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ont., and Niagara Falls, N.Y., across the Niagara River. “It was unbelievable, with the falls in the background, knowing my friends and family were all here,” said Phelps, who was born and raised in Niagara Falls. “It (the torch) makes everyone feel like a champion.” Phelps’ mom, dad, sister and a large group from her church were out in the early morning hours to cheer her on. “She deserves this,” said Sue Ferrier, who attends the same church as Phelps. “She’s an all-around great person between her commitment to sports and her way of life. She’s such an example to young people.”

A youth pastor at a local church, and a volunteer basketball coach at a nearby high school, Phelps, 40, who is also a basketball player, is known in Niagara as a community mentor to kids of all ages. “I’m proud of her. She’s an awesome person,” said 12-year old April Cianfagna, who has been taught by Phelps at her church. “She’s a person I feel good about.” The torch relay was to pause Monday night in nearby Brantford, Wayne Gretzky’s hometown. The flame’s unprecedented 45,000 kilometre trek will conclude in Vancouver at the start of the Olympic Games on Feb. 12.

Take our FREE Online Assessment Today!

FREE ASSESSEMENT

Socialize with Abrams & Krochak

• AKCanada
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter

A reappointment to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s (CRRF) Board of Directors was announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

“The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is committed to building a national framework for the fight against racism in Canadian society,” said Minister Kenney. “This government seeks to fill the Board with qualified individuals who can provide dedicated expert advice to manage the Foundation. I look forward to Mr. Chow’s contribution to the Foundation.”

Mr. Lyn Q. Chow was reappointed for a four-year term. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chair and up to nineteen other directors appointed by the Governor in Council (Cabinet). CRRF directors serve for terms of up to four years, which are renewable.

Canada is internationally recognized for its commitment to human rights and for its fight against all forms of discrimination, including racism. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is Canada’s leading agency dedicated to the elimination of racism in the country. Governments, NGOs, and the national and international community regularly call upon the Foundation to contribute to developing policies, programs and workshops leading towards a more equitable and just society.

For a biography on the CRRF member being reappointed, please see the attached backgrounder.

BACKGROUNDER

Reappointment to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

One member was reappointed to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Biography of the members is below.

Mr. Lyn Q. Chow

Calgary, AB

A professional electrical engineer, Mr. Chow was employed by Manitoba Hydro for 33 years and retired as the senior manager of the engineering systems department. Previously, he was a junior engineer with the Saskatchewan Power Corporation.

Mr. Chow has also been involved in community organizations. He was a member of the board of directors of the Winnipeg Chinatown Non-profit Housing Corporation and served as its chair for two years. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre.

After moving to Calgary, Mr. Chow continued his community service as a member of the board of directors of the Wu Yi Association, vice-president of the board of directors of the United Calgary Chinese Association, member of the board of directors and member of the executive committee of the Chinese Christian Wing Kei Nursing Home Association, vice-president of the board of directors of the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association, and member of the board of directors of the Calgary Chinatown Seniors Centre Foundation.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation undertakes research, collects data, and develops a national information base to further an understanding of the nature of racism and racial discrimination. It provides a knowledge base from which governments, academia, business, labour and community organizations can draw for the development of effective race relations policies and practices. The Foundation also disseminates information to increase public awareness of the importance of eliminating racism.

The Olympic torch which started the day in Oshawa has begun to wind its way towards the downtown. Police are asking motorists to be patient throughout the afternoon as the relay heads south on Yonge St. into the city through Richmond Hill, Thornhill and North York and then to the Scarborough Town Centre. From there it will go to City Hall to be followed by fireworks and music between 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. For that celebration, Bay St. will be closed from Queen St. W. to Dundas St. W.; Hagerman St. will be shut from Elizabeth St. to Bay St.; Elizabeth St. remains to be cordoned off from Dundas St. W. to Hagerman St; Albert St, from Bay St. to James St; and James St. from Queen St. W. to Albert St. This afternoon, police say there will be traffic delays and brief rolling road closures along the route and that they will be tagging and towing illegally parked vehicles. But Const. Tony Vella says that as soon as the procession passes a given street or intersection, officers will reopen roads.

Here is the route:

Richmond Hill Start 12:26 p.m.:

Hwy 7 E at Exit 25 12:40 p.m.:

North on Valleymede Dr. West on Briggs Ave.

Follows west along Bantry Ave. 1:07 p.m.:

Red Maple Rd. and Bantry Ave.

South on Yonge St. Finish 1:34 p.m.:

Yonge St. at Hwy 407 Thornhill Start 1:34 p.m.:

South along Yonge St. Finish 1:52 p.m.:

Yonge St. and Morgan Ave. North York Start 1:52 p.m.:

South along Yonge St. 2:11 p.m.: Newtonbrook Plaza Finish 2:39 p.m.:

Willowdale Plaza Scarborough Start 2:54 p.m.:

South on Grangeway Ave., from Progress Ave. South on Town Centre Ct. Through Scarborough Town Centre West on Borough Dr. 3:03 p.m.:

South at Brian Harrison Way Finish 3:36 p.m.:

Brimley Rd. and Ellesmere Rd. Toronto Start 3:41 p.m.:

Ellesmere Rd., west of Warden Ave. Follows west onto York Mills Rd. 4:21 p.m.:

York Mills and Leslie St. South along Yonge St. 5:18 p.m.:

Lawrence Park South on Yonge St. 6:06 p.m.: Bloor St. and Yonge St. 6:16 p.m.:

West on College St. from Yonge St. South on Elizabeth St. West on Elm St. 6:28 p.m.:

North on University Ave. East on Gerrard St. W South on Yonge St. West on Queen St. W Finish 7 p.m.:

Old City Hall

Take our FREE Online Assessment Today!

FREE ASSESSEMENT

Socialize with Abrams & Krochak

• AKCanada
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter