Dench, Sarah

The fourth in a series of forums that Douglas College is hosting in partnership with SFU and the City of New Westminster. The goal of these forums is to provide an occasion for frank discussion on important issues facing urban and suburban communities, to both inform and learn from academics, practitioners, and citizens. Truth and Reconciliation is spoken about a lot, but what does it actually mean for cities and individual citizens? Learn some uncomfortable truths of New Westminster history, how the city is responding to Truth and Reconciliation, and why it’s the responsibility of all citizens to effect change. Welcome: Sarah Dench, Associate Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs (Douglas College) Dave Seaweed, Territorial Acknowledgement. (3:28) Moderator: Dr. Frank Cunningham, Emeritus Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences (University of Toronto); Associate Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences (SFU). (4:52) Panelists: Dr. Gail Edwards, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College). Dr. Edwards teaches in the History department at Douglas College and is a member of Douglas College’s Indigenous Studies Working Group. Her current research draws on the intersecting histories of children’s book publishing and public library services to explore the ways that Canadian children’s print culture in the post-war period reflected complex and conflicted ideas about the relationships between Indigenous peoples, nature, modernity, and national identity. (8:30) Rob McCullough, Manager, City of New Westminster’s Museums and Heritage Services. Rob’s interests lie in understanding the role that museums can play in promoting community development and helping to facilitate sustainable community renewal. His work focuses on generating awareness, pride, respect, and understanding amongst people around the shared histories and current issues in the places they live. Currently, Rob is working on reconciliation efforts for the city of New Westminster with a specific effort being placed on meaningful response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action. (25:22) Dave Seaweed, Aboriginal Student Services Coordinator (Douglas College). A member of the Douglas College Board and the recipient of the President’s Distinguished Service Award. (34:31) Q & A with panelists (43:50)

The SFU Urban Studies Program joins Douglas College and the City of New Westminster in co-sponsoring two public forums on urban challenges. Taking a hard look at the political, historical and social roots of the homelessness crisis in Canada and the Metro Vancouver region. Explore how our perception of housing has shifted from home to commodity and learn how the City of New Westminster has emerged as a leader in fighting homelessness. Welcome: Sarah Dench, Vice President, Student Affairs (Douglas College) Moderator: Dr. Peter Hall, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (SFU). Dr. Hall is a professor and Director of Urban studies at SFU. His research examines the connections between port cities, seaports, and logistics as well as community, economic, and employment development. He was a director of reclaiming the New Westminster Waterfront Research Partnership, which included museum representatives, education, labour, and community partners. As a resident of New Westminster, he also serves on the city’s Advisory Planning Commission. (2:50) Panelists: Dr. Joseph Moore, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College). Dr. Moore teaches sociology at Douglas College. He is particularly interested in notions of home, and he is the co-editor of a new book, Sociology of Home: Belonging, Community, and Place in the Canadian Context. Joseph has degrees from the University of Toronto, Concordia University, with a PhD from McMaster. He makes his home in East Vancouver and speaks about sociological approaches to housing and poses the question: what does home actually mean? (8:44) Jonathan Coté, Mayor, City of New Westminster. First elected in 2005 to Council, Jonathan X. Coté served three terms on New Westminster City Council before being elected as Mayor in 2014. He lives in New Westminster with his wife and his daughters. He’s a board member with Metro Vancouver and serves on many of their committees, including the Regional Homelessness Task Force. He’s a member of Metro’s Housing Committee and is a member of the TransLink Board. Outside of his mayoral duties, he’s worked in the insurance industry and has completed an Urban Studies degree at SFU. (26:33) Q&A with panelists (50:46)