For the third year in a row, CUPE is proud to support the Downtown East Side Aboriginal Days celebration in Vancouver. The daylong event is on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, and will feature cultural performances, storytelling, a feast, and children’s entertainment.
“There is more to the downtown eastside (DTES) then what we see in the news,” says Dale Whitford, chair of CUPE BC’s Aboriginal Working Group. “This community has one of the highest concentrations of aboriginal people in an urban centre. This event is a vital opportunity to showcase a different side to the DTES - a more positive and cultural perspective, compared to images we too often see when the eastside is mentioned.”
CUPE BC’s Aboriginal working group is organizing the event alongside the Carnegie Community Action Project, Women Against Violence Against Women, and staff at Oppenheimer Park to organize this year’s festivities.
“CUPE is a prominent part of the DTES- we have members who live and work in the community, and we have a history of involvement in DTES activities,” said Whitford. “We are proud to be part of this event.”
Everyone is welcome to come down and check out the gathering on June 21, from 11 to 6 p.m., at Oppenheimer Park (440 Powell Street).