Oki Nisokowa (Traditional Niitsitapi Greeting),
It is my hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health and Great Spirits.
One night I was coming back from a day of assisting two Elders with chores and keeping them company. It was around 1:00 AM when I walked down Granville and saw many 2SLBGTQIA+ and other youth. They had ended up in a different world that had changed in two weeks. It was heart wrenching seeing so many on the street and I gave what I could. The following week, I met with one of my brothers and asked if he would be up to giving back and making bags of food; he and my other family members did not think and answered yes.
For the past two months I, along with my three Brothers and Sister have taken it upon ourselves to deliver tokens of Respect and Love to our Sisters and Brothers who live on the streets of Vancouver.
With money we raise, including our own personal donations, two of us go shopping at Costco on Sundays. Then we all get together on Thursday nights to prepare bags which include: a sandwich, juice, a piece of fruit, a snack, chips or candy, all in a safe and clean environment. On some nights we include Bannock, which is prepared by myself and two of my brothers. As for personal safety, masks and gloves are used during preparation and delivery.
Each one of my Sister and Brothers, in their own way, have had to face homelessness. Some of us, by no choice of our own, have had to survive ‘below the poverty line’ with no relief in sight from today’s government. Today, with determination and will, we all have some sort of post-Secondary education. I am currently enrolled at the University of British Columbia, entering my final year. There are also two within our group who have the certification to cook and clean for the public.
All of this work is done out of my home, which is always clean and ready for the evening’s outings. As we have met in these past weeks, I have seen Jay provide Wisdom, Vince offer Honesty, Tei jae contribute Humility, and Daniel remind us of Courage (Personal Safety). Together we are…
“Brothers and Sister 4 Others…ALWAYS”
Today we will be making Stew and Bannock for our Sisters and Brothers at Strathcona Park, as we were invited to the Block Party there. I have discussed how long we will be doing this. In my heart I wish we could do it for as long as we see others on the streets, but we agreed we will be doing this until the end of August. In order for us to continue, we are asking for small donations to be sent via email transfer to rodney_l_m@me.com, no password needed.
To those who kindly gifted our endeavor…
Luke B., Joe C., Tim C., Chris C., Mike C., Lara D., Al H., Lydia L., Tamar R., Alison S., Rain S., Maria T., Ihaya T., Paul W., Lu Y., Terry S., LisaMarie C., Reuben J. and Matthew A. for the Masks, and the Little Mustache Family from Alberta. We all thank you for your kind gift. We have raised $1,020, spent $1,021 and gifted 490 bags to your/our Sisters and Brothers.
If you require further information please contact me at rodney_l_m@me.com or by telephone at 604.562.7267.
Kitaitamatsin, or Until We Meet Again…
Maistoo’a waastaan “Crow Flag”
Rodney Little Mustache