Journalist, environmentalist, musician, podcaster, and video producer Jack Emberly got to wondering what was happening last summer on Vancouver Island at the Fairy Creek Blockade, which had lasted for about a year at that point. In an age of abundant deceitful propaganda, he sought the truth of the matter. He had heard that the RCMP were illegally blocking media movement. He was curious as to who the protestors and supporters were. And why they were there. So he set out to see for himself and to personally ask the people involved. 

Over three days, Jack visited the blockade to interview and record, film and photograph the people there. He came away with some startling impressions that he compiled into an investigative documentary with the help of videographer Chris Clavette and the musical duo, Kat and Tony. 

And now, Jack is sharing the experience with you through an exclusive screening and discussion of his documentary, Fairy Creek Blockade--As I See It at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House. Twenty-five lucky people will view the 38-minute video on April 14 (Thursday). Following the screening, Jack will lead a discussion of the issues to which the video gives rise. Admission is free. The doors open at 6:30 pm and the film will start at 7:00 pm. The screening is a collaboration of the CEED Centre Society with Cinema Politica Ridge Meadows. 

Fairy Creek Blockade--As I See It
Doors: 6:30 pm    Screening: 7:00 pm   Discussion: 7:40 pm
CEED Centre Neighbourhood House
11739 223 Street, Maple Ridge
Free Admission for 25 people:
call to register 604-463-2229​

Ever wonder how the television image of the prison system in BC stacks up against the reality? In Episode 11 of CEED Pod, we talk to Jerrica Hackett who spent more than a decade in provincial corrections and related organizations as an officer and case manager. She speaks compellingly about how her perspective changed from a strict security approach to a more nuanced and helpful understanding of what it's like to make mistakes and do time. And how society could benefit from a less judgmental approach. Listen to her chat with Alisha and Christian in Episode 11.  

 Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Trauma.
 
I affect everyone differently, but I hide from the minds of those who have not yet met me. I'll try to convince you I don't exist.
 
I'll make it hard for you to be who you were before you met me. I'll make it difficult for you to even remember that person.
 
I'll make everyday tasks feel like climbing Mount Everest.
 
I'll continue getting stronger every time we meet.
 
I'll convince sleep to stop visiting.
 
I'll stand by as you relive your meetings with me.
 
I'll take over your mind until you feel my presence there.
 
I'll drown out the familiar voices of reason and logic.
 
I'll have you running in circles until those around you question your behavior.
 
I'll make it difficult to explain me away.
 
The more you try to hide from me, the harder your life will become.
 
If you try to drown me out, my friends will surely find you.
 
Be on the lookout for my good friend Addiction. He takes the physical form of numbing agents, but if you walk off with him alone, he will inevitably lead you right back to me.
 
You may encounter my friends, Depression and Self-harm. Consider them my hit men.
 
Don't forget about my friend, Cycle. He might pretend to help you heal by finding others for you to personally introduce me to.
 
When I got you, I've got you. There's only one thing I hate: my name. When people speak my name openly, I start to diminish. It may take years for me to become so injured I can no longer peel myself off the ground to continue my vice grip on your life.
 
Until then, I'll be with you every minute of the day. I'll grow strong watching my impact on your life. Your attempts to overcome may paralyze me for a while, but when if you take off the gloves, I'll meet you on the next corner.

Yours truly,
Trauma

As told by Teesha Sharma, (June 27, 1992-February 15, 2019)

CEED Pod--the podcast that features Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows people and stories--comes out on Wednesdays, usually the third one of the Month.
This month, Episode 4 will debut on June 23. It features two segments. The second segment features Amy in conversation with Kristen Dobbs about Wellness on the Farm and her podcast "the Struggle is Real."
You'll also be treated to the Froggy Symphony, written and performed by Jack.
Christian's poem, Tiny Ripples, reflects his memories of canoeing on a lake high on a mountain plateau in B.C.'s Thompson-Nicola region.
In the first segment, you'll hear Part 3 of Jack's conversation with Christian about Geoff Clayton's epic battle over restoring water flows in the Alouette watershed for salmon--a glimpse at the 100 Year War that has been waged on salmon by power companies and ineffective government agencies.

https://ceedpod.buzzsprout.com   This is the podcast website. You can also listen via many directories, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

https://www.patreon.com/ceedpod   You can support us here and get early access to new episodes.
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Pandemics can play havoc with all the factors that contribute to well-being, such as frequent social interaction with friends and family, outings and mental stimulation. For seniors at risk for COVID-19, it can be a challenge to keep spirits up when one's only social window is a telephone, TV or radio. Enter the Tech Peers Program for Seniors.

The CEED Centre Neighbourhood House is launching the Tech Peers Program to help seniors get online, access people and programs, and stay safe. It has partnered with the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Seniors Network, which funds the program through the New Horizons for Seniors Program of the Canadian government. 

We will pair seniors with tech savvy youths to train them as peers so they can work closely with seniors at risk of isolation. The primary goal is to get seniors comfortable with online communications technology so that they can

• have a rich interaction with family and friends,
• attend online meetings for information and to give input,
• participate in online recreational programming, 
• access government services and departments,
• and avoid online fraud 
• ​use email and basic computer and communications equipment and software.

What Tech Peers Do

• commit to a few hours of teaching each week
• agree to a free criminal record check for vulnerable sectors (seniors and youth)
• attend some one-on-one workshops to learn how to train learners
• partner with a youth who will be their tech mentor
• train learners at the computer booth at the CEED Centre (COVID safe) or provide remote telephone support
• when it's safe to do so, network with other tech peers and youth and attend some fun activities

Required Tech Knowledge (moderate)

• understand how to use keyboards, mice, trackpads, and other input devices for computers
• be able to use email programs and web email
• understand how to log onto wifi and connect a computer to the Internet (basics only)
• be able to use Internet browser application software (Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
• be able to learn Zoom and FaceTime in a couple of sessions

Why It's Fun 

• if you get satisfaction from contributing to your community, you will like this program. Learners will tell you how your efforts have opened a bright window where it was dark
• in view of the pandemic, it's hard to meet new people--we take safety precautions to reduce risk 

To discuss becoming a tech peer, contact Christian at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House. 

 A decade ago, the Golden Ears Transition Initiative announced its existence with the first GETI Fest, an all-day celebration. In the transition town movement, this was called a Great Unleashing. The CEED Centre Society was instrumental in launching GETI, designing it to eventually become bigger than itself and representative of the entire community, from grassroots organizations and individuals to businesses and government to some degree. The purpose of GETI is to build greater resilience into our communities to withstand the expected changes of climate change, changing energy regimes and new economic dynamics. 
A decade later, GETI Fest is adapting to our COVID-19 reality by recreating itself online. On September 19, the festival will go live online. On the 25th, the performances will go live at Memorial Peace Park for a small audience and will then be streamed online for the next year. The free tickets are available by calling 604-467-7422.

Despite the arrival of COVID-19, the fiscal year ended June 2020 was a busy year for the CEED Centre. Read more about it in our annual activities report.  

In 2015, a young couple from the UK, Zoe and Chris, learned about the transition town movement and set out to understand how the massive change required to fix the many problems confronting the world could be tackled. They toured transition town initiatives in the UK, Canada and the US, making a film in the process. 

They visited a few transition towns movements in BC, including our own Golden Ears Transition Initiative (GETI), which emerged from the Climate Change Solutions Forum held by the CEED Centre Society in 2009. Their film, The Secret of Change, includes footage of a Wednesday Community Discussion at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House and interviews of Gerry Pinel, Christian Cowley, Jack Emberly, and Teesha Sharma. In Episode 2 Pt, the footage starts at minute 10:26. 

The film series, hosted on Vimeo, shares many insights on how community can come together to make a difference without burning out the individuals that step up in leadership roles. Enjoy the film series.

 The Secret of Change
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