group of 7 exhibit

exclusive Tom Thomson and Group of Seven engagement 

By William Doyle-Marshall

 Until January 6 there is an exciting exhibition at the McMichael Canadian art collection in Kleinburg, Ontario. The title of the show is –Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Images of Algonquin Park, Algoma, Quebec and British Columbia are included in the exhibition.
  The show by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection is being done in conjunction with London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery and the National Gallery of Canada. It is considered the most impressive exhibition dedicated to Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven ever to travel to Great Britain and Europe. In the early decades of the twentieth century, circumstances brought together several artists who explored and fell in love with the varied landscapes of Canada. Collectively, they agreed that the country’s magnificent wilderness  regions needed to be recorded in a painting style that captured the untouched beauty of the landscapes that inspired them. Today these artists have become the most famous amongst Canadian artists and, indeed,  have become national icons.
   This is an exclusive engagement for the exhibition designed for Canadians to experience the works of these famous artists. Nine works and personal objects of the artists that were not in Europe have been added to the exhibition by the curator. Talk about serenity, relaxation and a spot that could evoke your creativity– that is the McMichael. During a specially conducted tour of the exhibition with Katerina Atanassova, McMichael’s Chief Curator, I  concluded that the McMichael is somewhere that Torontonians should devote some of their precious time, irrespective of the season.
  Ms. Atanassova proudly reflected on being at the collection at various times of the year, in our conversation. As someone who was born and grew up in Europe, this idea of the north being in the wild country was very foreign for her. However, 23 years ago when she came to Canada and friends took her to McMichael, that was the most interesting experience she had. “To come to McMichael and be surrounded by this virgin north land and territory even though I am not that far away (from the city). We are not Algonquin Park, we are not in Algoma but being surrounded by the beautiful  scenery, looking through windows and at the same time depicting the same idea of wilderness is perhaps one of the most moving experiences in every season of the year,” Atanassova reminisced.
   “You can come in the winter and you will see winter works or you can come in the fall as we are right now in November and you can see the follies through the windows and works of art. And the same thing for spring and summer. That is truly uniquely Canadian and I think there is no other gallery, there is no other location in Canada that really allows visitors to have such
An experience.”

Tom Thomson's Moonlight

    The current exhibition  started just over a year ago with 128 paintings at the Dulwich Picture Gallery and that grew into a European tour including the National Gallery in Oslow, Norway and then a stop in the Netherlands. Media reports from Europe boldly illustrates that the exhibition was an attraction for Canada among lovers of art and perhaps curious gallery viewers. We have a chance to see for ourselves. One must bear in mind when the works of these same artists went to Britain back in the 1920s there were negative responses. But with the passage of time and generations later opinions and appreciation have changed.
   The artists’ focus on the Canadian landscape as the subject for their art reflected an increasingly nationalistic sentiment within a deep-rooted love for the natural environment of Canada. The group’s intention was to produce work in a style that broke with European traditions in art. Their bright and bold use of paint and colour seemed a suitable complement to the aggressive expansion that the country was experiencing at the outset of the 1920s. Before the end of the decade, this new and distinctive painting style was supported by the National Gallery of Canada and gained an enthusiastic audience amongst the general public as well.
   The original members of the Group of Seven were J.E.H. MacDonald (1873-1932); Arthur Lismer (1895-1969); Frank Johnston (1888-1969); Frederick Varley (1881-1969); Franklin Carmichael (1890-1945); Lawren Harris (1885-1970) and  A.Y. Jackson (1882-1974).
  Later members were A.J. Casson (1898-1992); Edwin Holgate (1892-1977) and Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald (1890-1956)
   If you’ve never gone to Kleinburg, you are cheating yourself.(www.mcmichael.com) or phone(905) 893 1121

a warm vacation?

Visit Caribbean With An Open Mind
By William Doyle-Marshall
When one entertains the thought of tourism, visions of sandy beaches where some foreigners land and mindlessly collapse for days burning themselves crisp. But that image is seriously changing especially when the vacation spot is on any of the Caribbean islands.
   Promoters of tourism in that part of the world have begun to recognize that the industry known as tourism extends beyond that very narrow confine. Gone are the times when mainly people of European heritage were catered to under this rubric. Anyone qualifies for this designation as long as you are a traveler and spends at least one night in a particular community. It doesn’t matter where you sleep – in a rooming house, a tent, on the river bank, at the YMCA or YWCA or maybe a hotel. To put it simply, you could be a tourist in the country of your birth or the same city where you live with members of your family.
    A loud hallelujah has to go out to the leadership of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The irony of this situation is truly mind boggling. For decades some leaders from that region have spoken of their respective islands being cosmopolitan in nature. But that boast, while accurate, did not extend into the real world that followed their glorious speeches. Most likely those same leaders never went too far from their very comfortable homes and places of work. A few did but most feared to explore the unknown. And the adventurous ones are richer for it.

   Clearly there is emerging on the Caribbean archipelago a fresh breed of thinkers. And this is visible at a glance to a point. Colourful brochures that fall into our hands beckon us to come and explore natural beauties.

   A place in point is St. Kitts and Nevis. I am always at home when I land on that blessed soil. There is a certain calm that occupies you from the moment you arrive at the lovely airport where very attentive and personable staff process your travel documents. They seem to set the scene for you to enjoy your stay. For some good reason their smiling faces are real. According to the song ‘their smiling faces tell no lie’.
    I love to eat. My greatest pleasure is enjoying the delight in the middle of the city or countryside beaches where the nationals of the country create dishes based on their true natural customs. I am talking about those ladies who use the pinch method. They create the dishes from day to day with a heavy serving of love. You can tell by its taste that the creator of that meal wanted you to enjoy it so they did their natural best to tantalize your pallet.
    Let’s say for a moment you know nothing about the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, you would be compelled to read about the place prior to even purchasing your airline ticket or maybe you plan to use your boat. But whatever your method of transportation, you feel compelled to explore by letting your fingers do the advance walking.
   There are exhausting, mind-boggling culinary offerings awaiting your arrival. The well produced colourful periodical – St. Kitts & Nevis Visitor – Two Islands, One paradise – that the government and hoteliers make available leaves very little to your imagination. It is a must read if you are the cautious kind of conservative traveler.
   Chief Damien Hearney offers you “fire roasted shrimp with a passion fruit and sorrel vinaigrette served over rainforest greens with a refreshing Banana Coolata at The Beach House. At Serendipity Restaurant Chef Alex ensures that everyone who dines under his roof savours the taste of royalty in his beef tenderloin and Sauteed Black Tiger Shrimp topped with pate and sliced truffles. The Royal Palm at Ottley’s Plantation Inn merges island favourites with cuisines from around the world.
   Dominica prides itself on being the only Caribbean destination with a walking trail that extends the length of the island. The Waitukubuli National Trail – named after the Carib Indian name for Dominica – is 115 miles long and is divided into 14 contiguous segments that can take an experienced hiker nearly two weeks to complete. The trail leads visitors into the heart of local communities while passing through mountainous landscapes and rainforests, and past rivers and waterfalls. The annual Hike Fest in May every year, celebrates the Nature Island’s best hiking venues, which include the Waitukubuli National Trail.
    According to the country’s press information, Creole food is its specialty. It featuring fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, local fish, island herbs and spices. Dishes are spicy, but not flaming hot. Dominica's restaurants serve an eclectic menu of continental and West Indian dishes served with a backdrop of captivating panoramas of the island's unmatched natural beauty.
   Shopping in Grenada is truly a treat.  It is advised that best buys are locally made handicrafts, spice baskets, straw work, wood carvings, batik and screen-painted items, spices, herbal teas, and locally produced jams, jellies and syrups, and nutmeg in particular. The “Spice Island" of Grenada retains a pre-eminent position in the production of nutmeg. Duty free buys include crystal, jewelry, liquor and perfume.
    Statistics show that tourist appeals include the country’s 40 plus stunning white-sand beaches and 9 black-sand beaches, national parks, spectacular waterfalls, museums, historical landmarks, open-air markets, and anything else you can imagine. There are excellent restaurants from which to choose and accommodation ranges from cozy guesthouses, cottages, apartments  to luxury resorts and villas.
The vast array of options available to visitors to Caribbean countries, including nationals who live in the Diaspora forces unto us a greater sense of curiosity. For instance instead of searching for the foods that you consume at home daily, you are now blessed with the privilege of sampling something different. And difference is usually good. Even in the broader expanse of culture it is time to stop asking musicians to play “Hot, Hot, Hot”. That is a major and important musical act but Caribbean cultural expressions is much larger than one song.
   Unless we are prepared to expand our limitations, there is grave danger of going fast asleep one day with cockeyed knowledge and never waking up to fresh realities.

PM Spencer on Antiguan Tech

Antiguans Becoming Fully Techno Savvy  

By William Doyle-Marshall

Antigua and Barbuda’s eighth annual ICT Fest (Information and Communication Technology) is currently taking place in the island’s Multi-purpose cultural Center. It started Tuesday and concludes Thursday.

   Prime Minister Winston Baldwin Spencer spoke about the event last Sunday during a town hall meeting here with nationals while organizers were preparing to host what he termed this very successful innovative, regionally and internationally acclaimed festival.

   The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Science and Technology (MIBTST) is taking the lead role in the initiative and it is committed to ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to make Information and Communication Technology( ICT) accessible to all residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

 According to Prime Minister Spencer the ICT Fest attracts individuals, companies and anyone with an interest in the technology. “We are able to bring to the fore during that period some of the tremendous work that Antiguans and Barbudans are doing innovating things by utilizing modern technology to set up their own businesses,” the Prime Minister said.

   He reported that there are many young Antiguans who are into IT in a big way. This is in keeping with the government’s vision of what the future of Antigua and Barbuda is going to be like with this technology. Spencer stressed.

PM Spencer gets an

ear full from MP Jim 

Karygiannis, MP for 

Scarborough-Agincourt 

 

Everyone wants a word with PM Spencer

      Under the Connect Antigua and Barbuda initiative which has been in place for some time, Prime Minister Spencer said government can take mobile IT (information technology) classrooms to students and communities around the island on a daily basis. In these mobile IT classrooms students and members of the community can have access to them as they roam throughout the island.

   “We also have 24 access centers in schools and seven community empowerment centers. We also have a technology for the physically, visually and otherwise challenged. So as we say we are not leaving anyone behind. Even these individuals will be exposed and have access to the modern technology,” the Prime Minister promised.

    Spencer express his pride in those nationals who have been able to come to Canada and make a name for themselves and their family. He confessed being aware of the challenges some have overcome in order to make a living and a home here. “For that reason I am indeed happy to be here this evening to share this dialogue with you on the growth and development of our beloved country and the challenges we encounter as my government and people forge ahead to make Antigua and Barbuda strive,” he assured.

The Prime Minister was in Canada to participate in independence celebrations organized by Consul General Janil Greenaway. He informed the town hall gathering that he was there to focus on them and he was particularly interested in their concerns. “Your homeland Antigua and Barbuda is in steady and safe hands as we manage our affairs in these challenging times,” Spencer advised.

  While Antigua and Barbuda are faced with many challenges and problems like most countries in the world, the Prime Minister was satisfied, the government and people of Antigua are doing reasonably well under the circumstances.

   He agreed that things can be better and there can be absolute improvement. However, he continued “within the context of the times I would want to believe we are doing our best and there is always room to do better to improve”.

  On the economic front Spencer reported, despite the challenges, things appear stable and government has not been forced to lay off hundreds of public sectors. The global slowdown between 2009 and 2011 severely affected economic activity in tourist arrivals, foreign direct investment inflows and remittances and a collapse in fiscal revenue. Never-the-less things have begun to improve with gross domestic product projected to expand by 2.3% this year as tourism related activities are showing encouraging signs of a recovery, Spencer said.

“Implementation of far reaching and structural reforms, financially supported by three standby facility with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) aimed at creating a more dynamic and flexible economic environment are fostering sustainable long-term economic activity. In this regard for 2013 and 2014 economic activity is expected to increase by 2.8% and 3% respectively. Already figures for the first quarter of 2012 are showing improved fiscal performance.”

  Prime Minister Spencer returned home after leading nationals in a flag raising ceremony at the Toronto City Hall, delivering the keynote speech at the independence gala and meeting nationals at the town hall session in the North York Civic Center.

Sandwich Baptist Church

Too Many Churches, Dr. Smith

By William Doyle-Marshall
Jamaican-born Reverend Dr. Colin Smith is the new moderator of the Amhert Regular Missionary Baptist Association which has a congregation of approximaely 500. As pastor of the First Sandwich Baptist Church his eyes are currently focused on the 171st anniversary celebration on the last Sunday of November.
   Sandwich was declared a national historic site by the three levels of government. As a result tourists have been visiting the church for conducted tours that include re-enactments of what it was like back in the days when enslaved African men and women sought refuge from the slave masters' agents known as bounty hunters. "They get a historical account of how the church came into being. Visitors sit and they are told what it (the experience) was like back in 1821 to 1841," Dr. Smith explained.

Rev.Dr.Colin Smith

According to folklore this was the mouth of the tunnel (a few windows or places to exit and find themselves out into the community. The oldest section was a log cabin from 1820 to 1841, when it was demolished.
   The existing church was not there at the time. Originally, the congreation worshipped in a building that only housed a few members back in 1821 but with the growth in membership that structure was torn down and replaced with the current edifice in 1841. A unique feature in the church building, Dr. Smith noted, the bricks were made by former slaves and runaway slaves who went down to the Detroit River where they dug up dirt , took it back to the church, designed and created bricks for the building.
   "Each family member would have a colour coded brick or bricks for recognition purposes. So you'd have bricks with yellow, brown or black so you'd know which family donated those bricks," the pastor recalled.
   "Interesting enough the bricks are still in existence as we speak. Because of the refurbishing that had to be done for the procurement of those bricks. That was very much part of the church history. There is a subsealing but beyond that you will se the real McCoy up there. From there we look at the pews. The pews were not like the pews today. They were benches and they served a significant purpose because runaway slaves or refugees who were being sought were told to sit at the edges of the benches so that whenever e.g. on a Sunday whenever the pastor -- he would place someone outside who would signal there was a bounty hunter," the moderator reflected.
   "Bounty hunters were not alowed here because the Governor Simcoe did not allow it," Dr.Smith reported. But some would still come into Canada and sneak out runaway slaves. "So when someone was approached, someone who looked unusual the lookout peson would give a few raps on the door so that the pastor would know and the congreation would break out into a hymy like "Someone Is Standing at the Door". Those who were being sought after would hideby sneaing out. They would go down through a hole in the floor and remain down there until they got another signal whether or not the bounty hunter is still nosing around. They would know while down there in the hole (no basement) what to do. "They would vacate the premises, get lost somewhere or go back through the tunnel from whence they came,"Dr. Smith reflected.
   "The bounter hunter would decide this is it: I am not going to prolong tis. And he decides to return from whence he came."
    "They (refugees) would know: they would have a signal to come back up and they would return to the service. Gaining access to the service: they would come up through this way -- a sort of make shift pathway. When I came here we had strips of wood. We try to keep this as original as possible," says the pastor.
   Since taking over the stewardship of the First Sanwich Baptist Church Dr. Smith has been pursuing a venture to increase the number of people who attend his nine churches in Amherstburg, Dresden, Chatham and other locations. He concedes when a pastor passed on or leaves the flock usually go asunder. This is what is happening at Sandwich. "When my pre-decessor passed, quite a few went to other churches. Now we are rebuilding, trying to entice more people to come in here. It’s relatively slow. They come and they leave. You have to look at how to sustain people. One of the reasons I think there are too many churches in Windsor," Dr.Smith reminisced.
  While no one is about to suggest a merger of churches in the comnmunity, Dr. Smith believes such a move would be good for all concerned. “A typical example is on Mercer Street: we have a church there., Bishop Morton’s brother has a mega church in Atlanta and one in Florida, his church is also on Mercer Street. Another Bishop has a church on Mercer Street and there is one more on the street. They should be considering merging,” the moderator concludes.

Treble Clef

Brampton’s philosophy attract Treble Clef

   “You know Brampton has a great beat. This is the city with a rhythm. it’s the city with soul. This is beat town. Brampton is a great city”. – Mayor Susan Fennell

By William Doyle-Marshall
“This whole thing that you see here was because a young man was allowed to dream and that’s all that was. It was a dream and somebody once said to me ‘Al, this thing is a dream. Isn’t it? You are really dreaming, you can’t do this.’ And I felt bad at first but I don’t feel bad anymore because everybody dreams and he is absolutely right. This was a dream and it has come through today because of you guys. So thank you.”
    Award-winning musical arranger Al Foster, owner/operator of Treble Clef Music School and Musiquariam, made the foregoing comments recently at the official launch of a new  facility in Brampton to house the Treble Clef Music. He  proudly dedicated the facility to the City of Brampton.

Al Foster, of Treble Clef
Music School, left, welcomes
Mayor Susan Fennell
to the launch

     Susan Fennell, Mayor of the City of Brampton turned up to the occasion and was elated by the enthusiastically warm welcome she received from the gathering. “I bet as we are learning these instruments, we are going to make some noise and it’s going to be hot, hot, hot,” the Mayor observed.
    “I love it because there are so many traditions; there are so many drums and there are so many instruments and to carry on and learn a musical instrument; how to make music as part of a group is just so fulfilling,” Mayor Fennell continued.
  Treble Clef Music School and Musiquariam, conducts  classes for tutoring students in the art of playing  steelpan piano guitar, tabla and harmonium. There are plans to add West African Dance classes to the programme.  This is the school’s tenth anniversary. In 2002 this was just an idea that influenced Foster’s decision to create a job for himself.
   Among those present for the launch was veteran steelbands man Pat (Panman Pat) McNeilly who was Foster’s high school music teacher. “He gave me my first pan sticks and I still call him Sir. “Sir it’s an honour to still be in your presence,” Foster said.
  McNeilly was thanked for everything he gave to Foster, including  all the life lessons and music lessons. “I hope we could continue doing lots of things together, lots of music; play lots of music together,” Foster added.
  The Mayor congratulated Foster and his team for providing a place for people to come to Brampton and learn  to play the instruments. She brought with her an experience of volunteering a few years ago at the Caribbean pavilion to lead a conga line performance at the annual Carabram cultural festival. At the conclusion of the speeches Mayor Fennell sat at the drums and played along to the song “Celebration” much to the audience’s delight.
   Foster thanked the City of Brampton through the Mayor for welcoming Treble Clef into the city. He did a lot of research and concluded  “Brampton picked us”.
  “I would like to tell you how appreciative I am of that,” he told the mayor, to loud applause.
    Brampton’s philosophy and commitment to the arts reflect so strongly in what Treble Clef Music School does and Foster admitted that has brought joy to his heart to be able to be actually operating the school in the city of Brampton.
   “You know Brampton has a great beat. This is the city with a rhythm. it’s the city with soul. This is beat town. Brampton is a great city,” the mayor emphasized.
   Prior to arriving at Treble Clef that Saturday afternoon, Fennell had been cutting ribbons at  other new businesses. She urged Treble Clef celebrants to imagine living in a city where they were cutting ribbons that simply represented the significance of the real work that’s gone on that somebody had become an entrepreneur; invested; were hiring employees and growing in Brampton’s economy.
    Treble Clef, it is impacting on the city’s creative economy and this, according to Fennell is the way of the future. “We are very grateful for you for taking this idea and making it happen and that takes a special kind of person,” Mayor Fennell affirmed.

Barbadian labour

Barbados Wants to Deepen Relations with Canada

By William Doyle-Marshall

Barbados and. Canada have had very fruitful relationship, a long historical relationship to the extent, at one stage in its history Barbados offered to become part of the Canadian federation. We’ve got a lot of our international businesses out of Canada.” says Prime Minister Freundel J. Stuart

He was in Toronto earlier in the Fall and  was the keynote speaker at the DLP Barbados (Canada)  annual fundraising dinner/dance,  at which  Ten time Calypso Monarch of Barbados Red Plastic Bag performed current hits “Feting” and “Sweetness” and previous top tunes to get the dancing started.

   At a Saturday morning press conference  with members of the Canadian ethnic media Mr. Stuart reported that during a previous visit with representatives of the Canadian banking industry, he left satisfied that the bankers were comfortable with Barbados. Their confidence in the country remains undiminished, he emphasized. Among the Canadian institutions operating in Barbados are the Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Royal Bank of Canada.

PM Stuart and his power team in Toronto

   Prime Minister Stuart who is also Minister of National Security and is responsible for the portfolio Public Service and Urban Development wants to deepen the Canada-Barbados relationships especially after being assured that there were no challenges facing them that his government should address. “We don’t only want that to remain staple, we want our relationship deepen so that our international business and financial services can benefit,” Prime Minister Stuart said.

   Stuart acknowledged that unemployment is a challenge in Barbados (between 10 and eleven percent). Even though Barbados is doing better than many countries, the government is not satisfie. It has been trying to find out where the skills deficits in Canada can be found and the extent to which Barbadian labour can respond to some of those deficits. “There is a close relationship between the two countries and we have to concentrate on deepening that relationship, enriching it, broadening it for the benefit of the parties” the Prime Minister explained.

  Recently Barbados’ Minister of Labour and Social Security Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, was here exploring some of those possibilities. He visited Alberta and other provinces talking with representatives about the situation. The Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic trains a lot of young people with technical skills, the Prime Minister said. His government is looking for similar Canadian institutions with which there can be a smooth exchange of training opportunities that hopefully could result in the movement of people out of Barbados.

   Prime Minister Stuart visualized Canada as a vast country with still a lot of unexploited opportunities. As part of the growth agenda of Canada, Barbados would like to see itself playing a critical part, he suggested.

   Emphasizing the close link between both countries the Prime Minister recalled a time in Barbadian history, not too long ago, a former Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker spent his summers in Barbados. The late Pierre Trudeau had an excellent relationship with Barbados resulting not only from the traditional Barbados-Canada connection but from a link through personal association between Trudeau and the late Errol Barrow, prime minister of Barbados. They were students at the London School of Economics along with Guyana’s Forbes Burnham and Jamaica’s Michael Manley.

   Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney paid a state visit to Barbados and Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also visited the island. Recently Harper met with Canada’s Governor General David Johnston on Barbadian soil to discuss matters of mutual interest between both countries.

   Questioned about a recent decision by the Government of Canada demanding that nationals of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia require visas to enter the country he could not say what caused those nationals to make fraudulent applications to become Canadian citizens. Being aware of the situation that demanded a response by the Canadian government, Stuart said emigration from the region and  immigration into countries in the North Atlantic have always been a challenge that is not going to end any time soon.

   “The challenge has now taken a different shape. Emigration from the North Atlantic into some of the islands of the Caribbean is a challenge too. So it’s not a one-way street. It’s not that people from the Caribbean are all lining up trying to get into the North Atlantic but people from the North Atlantic are trying to get into the Caribbean. What this crisis has been showing is people in so-called richer countries have been leaving those countries and going to developing countries where the prospects seem better,” the Prime Minister observed.

    Angola is seeing an increasing number of people out of Portugal and a number of people from Spain have been emigrating to Latin America because the Spanish situation is so bare and Latin America is not doing badly in the context of this global crisis, Prime Minister Stuart reported

Austin Clarke's 2012 literary award

Harbourfront Awards Author with little regard for recognition

By William Doyle-Marshall
The eminent Barbadian-born author Dr. Austin C. Clarke received the 2012 Harbourfront Award towards the end of October in recognition of his years of writing and contribution to the Canadian literary scene.
  When he learnt of his selection from Geoffrey Taylor, director of the International Festival of Authors, it took him a while to recognize this was not just a beautiful recognition for his existence in the city. But it came at a time when he was completely broke.
   So it was a time of rejoicing as he was between books when news of the award broke. It made the writing easier, for this prolific Barbadian author who has been a pillar of the Caribbean-Canadian literary community. ”This is a very serious thing to say because it has implications that you writing for money which of course you don’t want to admit to, but of course is the fact,” he admitted.

Dr. Austin Clarke at York University
receiving his Honourary
Doctorate

   “It was an appreciated recognition by me of the number of years I spent writing and being broke and suffering and so on. I took it very seriously because it was not a personal thing but it was more serious than that. “After all these years I have been recognized; not that I was seeking recognition but it doesn’t detract from the worth of the award of the prize when you are recognized,” Clarke confessed.
   His first attempt at creative writing was a long poem in 1964 “Intractable”and poorly structured which he showed to Bob Weaver, a literary guru of the city who advised Clarke to quit wanting to be a poet and concentrate on prose. Reflecting on the advise these many years later, Austin remembers telling Weaver that he made possible for “Canada’s best poet” and his reputation to be cat spraddled because he thought it did not have any worth. He still has the poem although he cannot remember it by heart. In retrospect the award-winning author concludes Weaver’s judgement was correct.
   Dr. Clarke’s combined contribution to the civil and literary life of his adopted province and country inspired honours like the Order of Ontario, the Order of Canada the W.O. Mitchell Prize and the Martin Luther King Junior Award for Excellence in Writing,
    Martin Singer Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies  presented Clarke for an Honourary Doctorate at York University two years ago. He told the convocation ceremony Clarke represents one of Canada’s most respected and prolific writers, one whose fiction reaches across barriers of race, class and geography to offer a picture of a complex Canadian landscape into which are etched the memories and rhythms of the Caribbean.
   Back in 1964 Clarke worked for a Don Mills firm. His boss sent  him to do radio programmes in Toronto. Reflecting on that experience the aging Barbadian literary icon noted the whole concept of distance (leaving Don Mills for downtown Toronto) was quite a journey especially in the winter.
    “Being trained by the Thompson press you were exposed to every aspect of publishing including sweeping and learning to use the camera and all that,” Clarke recalls. One Monday morning a mail came to him (in the office) and he felt that was very good. And being a bit of a braggart, announced it to the whole editorial room and the boss heard. “He came to me and said ‘oh no. That is not for you. It is for the company.’”
   That spurred on the young, aspiring, un-named writer to consider writing for himself. He immediately contacted a friend about creating his personal letterheads. That launched his career as a freelance writer and later a winner of awards.  He played down the importance of awards.
   “I would write the book and then surrender it to the critics and book reviewers. I would not hinge my life to that kind of material success. I was writing for pleasure and I told myself I was writing for pleasure and to be writing for pleasure meant you were a real writer. I wasn’t writing for awards. Of course now that I have had a few awards it is very beautiful. I am not saying anything deleterious about that.”
   Clarke novelist, short story writer, journalist and public intellectual, arrived in Canada 1955 at the age of 21. The journalism he undertook for the CBC in 1963 included reporting on the civil rights and black power movement in the United States where he had the opportunity to interview, among others Malcolm X.
October 27, 2012

westend celebrates silver jubilee

Praise for its youth empowerment initiatives ... greater glory of communities in mosaic.

By William Doyle-Marshall
It was a night of praise and congratulations for Westend Sports and Cultural Club as it celebrated its Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary) with its annual fundraising gala last Saturday night.
   Ayanna Bolden  and Faith Sky Cuffy were winners of the club’s 2012 awards. Aisha DeCouteau was awarded a scholarship and Cherese King and Jared Bolden, two ninth graders received special awards for their outstanding performances in high school. The celebrations was viewed as a symbol of honour for their stellar achievements.
   Motivational speaker Jonathan Hood, a past award winner, is now a member of the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He encouraged the awardees to be proud of their achievement because the selection committee recognizes there are kings and queens within them.
   Fairness Commissioner Jean Augustine, who could not attend, sent a congratulatory message.  She noted that the organization’s dedication for the advancement of  “our  at risk youth is laudable and worthy of praise”.
   Mayor Hazel McCallion acknowledged that Westend was established to provide activities for youth in the community while promoting Caribbean culture. “The annual Scholarship Awards Dinner Dance recognizes the importance of education in providing important tool in the empowerment of young people,” she added.
   Bob Delaney MPP also brought congratulatory greetings from Premier Dalton McGuinty and he stressed that the club’s valuable work with youth through scholarships builds good students and good characters.
   Keynote speaker Michael Lashley, former Consul-General for Trinidad and Tobago extended to the organization thunderous congratulations on its 26 years of selfless community work, scholarships and bursaries now totaling 86, educational, cultural, youth empowerment projects all for the greater glory of the West Indian and the other communities that make up the Canadian mosaic.
   Lashley announced his intention to launch his personal crusade for financial growth within the community. In his new capacity as a business consultant, the former diplomat is now free to undertake a venture he has always cherished. “I dare you to join me now to empower yourself and youth to break out from financial dependence to financial freedom,” the keynote speaker urged.
  By investing  three hours a week, he advised individuals in the community could create a source of revenue and leave their community in a, better condition than how they found it. This calls for a process  of re-education and it also demands that they cease being employees. The retired career diplomat advised that the Internet and personal telecommunication techniques can be used to enhance  skills.
  In addition, Lashley presented what he described as an energetic call to arms for the empowerment of  “our youth through business and finance, music and Caribbean cuisine.”
    Members of the Caricom Consular corps who attended the celebration included Jamaica’s Consul-General  Seth George Ramocan, Antigua’s Janil Greenaway, Dr. Vidhya Tota-Maharaj, Trinidad & Tobago and Karen Stephenson, Tourism sales representative for Grenada.
 “Of all of our assets, Caribbean cuisine is one of those that we have neglected the most as an asset for consolidating our cultural identity, building self-reliance and self-sufficiency; instilling team work in our family lives and for publicizing the significant contributions that we have made to the rest of the world,” Lashley observed.
   He told the gathering of celebrants that in his personal, family and professional life, as a foreign student in France and a diplomat in Switzerland, Venezuela and Canada, he made it his extremely pleasant duty to enjoy and to share with classmates, friends and foreign colleagues the delicious joys of the region’s  distinctly multicultural cuisine.
   Until quite recently, he stressed, he continues to do his part in reversing the North American trend towards buying meals. His family also saves a lot of money by relying mainly on top quality, tasty, home cooked food, Lashley disclosed. “I can therefore insist that socially , culturally and financially, it is in our interest to ensure that our young people draw deeply on our unique Caribbean cuisine for all of these diverse benefits and joys,” he continued.

    On the matter of music and particularly music for youth empowerment, Lashley proudly observed “there is no need to advance any argument to support this ideal in our community. All generations are basking in the lusty pleasures of the steelpan, Chutney, Soca, Calypso music. We are dancing to those and other rhythms. Aided and abetted by such local stalwarts as Richard Luces, DJ Badlad, Pan Fantasy Steel Orchestra, Macomere Fifi and our own lovable Parang promoter the venerable Joan Alexander.”
   In support of his “ingrained view” of the value of music for cultural identity, self-confidence and personal empowerment, the keynote speaker quoted from his Super Star David Michael Rudder’s definition of Calypso Music: “It is a living vibration, rooted deep within my Caribbean belly”. He also took time to highlight the other Rudder reference related to the power of calypso literature – “lyrics to make a politician cringe, to make a woman belly turn into jelly”
   Following the awards presentation segment, patrons partied into the morning with tasteful and nostalgic calypso music provided by Badlad Music (Ian Gould and Carl Harvey) and DJ Desmond from Trinidad’s Wack Radio.
October 15, 2012

Caribbean Tourism Organization values Diaspora

Diasporic Tourists valuable to Region’s Tourist Industry

By William Doyle-Marshall
The Diasporic community is now being acknowledged as a major contributor in the Caribbean tourism industry. “Forward Home: the Power of the Caribbean Diaspora” , a 50-minute film, produced for the Caribbean Tourism Organization, captures this reality in living colour.
   Trinidadian scholar Dr. Keith Nurse, producer of the film and lead researcher in a two year study funded by the International Development Research Center, brought his findings to Caricom community leaders here Wednesday as part of the 2012 Caribbean Week programme of the CTO.
   Professor Nurse and Hugh Riley, Secretary-General of the CTO recalled negative response to the initial proposal to get involved with the project. “When we started to talk about the Caribbean Diaspora people didn’t really get it,”Riley remarked. They questioned why the CTO was even concerned about the Caribbean Diaspora.

   The objections were based around a “foolish idea” at the time that Caribbean people were always going to go back to the Caribbean. There was also the view that Caribbean people assimilate into their new countries. As a result some objectors felt Caribbean nationals did not require special attention to be paid to them.
   Dr. Nurse’s study took two years, involved nine researchers and covered four Caribbean countries and diasporic tourism. Researchers looked at four global cities – Guyana and Toronto; Jamaica and London; the Dominican Republic and New York City; Surinam and the major cities in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague). The scholar and his team of researchers also  interacted with people and collected data as they looked at the movement of tourists and travelers as well as the flow of investment.
   The study proved that in Guyana and Surinam Diasporic tourist accounts for 70% of visitors to those territories, Without Diasporic tourist, Dr. Nurse observed there would be no tourism to speak of.
   In the case of Jamaica and the Dominican Republic – mature destinations with large tourism plants – and tourists in excess of a million visitors Diasporic traffic was a significant factor. Close to 30% of the traffic comes from Diaspora traffic.
   The CTO Chief spokesman emphasized reasons why the regional tourist body would and must talk to Caribbean people in the Diaspora.  “People are starting to understand the CTO would want to talk to Caribbean people. We are not some nondescript group which just blend into a society. We maintain a strong identity and we are proud of that. Our children who are second or third generation Caribbeans also identify very strongly with the Caribbean. Caribbean people don’t only want to go back to the country of their birth or to the country of their parents’ birth,”Riley explained.

  CTO officials are intrigued that Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora want to visit countries only 100 miles away from the country of our birth because they never had a chance to go there before migrating to Canada or where they now make their new home.
   “It is important for the CTO to help people to understand all of those aspects of why Caribbean people need to be talked to about coming to the Caribbean, the secretary general added. People from outside the Caribbean don’t really realize the Caribbean people love Caribbean vacations and they don’t understand that even though they have some similarities, the differences are amazing, Riley observed.
   At a press conference Riley talked about plans to improve service on behalf of the organization’s 32 members. Media practitioners also heard that CTO is in the process of rewarding members of the Diaspora for returning to the region and bringing along their family members and friends.