I am going to share Mission’s best kept secret. Blackberry Kitchen, one of Mission’s finest family oriented restaurant offers quality service. How do you like your East Indian food? In Canadian standards they offer: mild, medium and hot. Indian Standards you can have it: no spice, subtly spiced and just right. Located at Heritage Park in the Norma Kenney House you can dine in or have it delivered to your door in Tiffins. They also do free delivery service from 11-3pm and special events. Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 9 pm they have a large selection of gourmet disks from breakfast to vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals during lunch or dinner. I decided to pay them a visit this week with a friend. With easy accessible parking and a short cemented walkway guiding you into the luxurious log building, the park will leave you searching for more. With the Grotto in the distance and the Mighty Fraser thundering below its a great place to enjoy an Indian meal. Guests have the choice of being seated inside or outside on their patio. We decided to stay inside for lunch and enjoy the fresh aroma smell of authentic East Indian meal being prepared. Owner Sat Grewal, opened the restaurant on May 1st of this year, with his wife Harjit. You may also recognize them as the owners of Coffee Blends on the Cedar Connector. My friend and I started off with a Corona watering down our throats. We opened our menu’s and the Grewal’s recommended a couple of choices. I shared my sensitivity with them: “I like chicken with some bread. But, please make it mild in Canadian standards.” They recommend one of their wraps for starters. I agreed to try the Tandoori Chicken Wrap, which is a popular lunch item. Was it ever filling and delicious. With rice, yogurt sauce and literally killer butter chicken sauce all wrapped up together, it hits the tender spot in the belly with no complaints. With a staff of 6-7 the Grewal’s have been extremely busy and running off their feet of late. During the recent, “Folk Fest”, which is held annually at the park, they served 800 plates for visitors and 350 for volunteers at their outside booth. The young couple moved to Mission six years ago, and love the local community atmosphere. Many coffee goers, who enjoyed their wraps at Coffee Blends, encouraged them to open an East Indian restaurant in town. The opportunity came up at the park when they were selected out of 10 applicants. Sat said, “ they liked our food, prices and service.” We were ready to order and I selected the Butter Chicken melted in creamy tomato sauce with naan bread. It comes with rice. My friend, decided on the Chilli Chicken with hot green chilies, green bell peppers, red onions and tomato’s in curry sauce. It also came with rice. Both of them came steaming in bowls. When you eat Indian food, do it so slowly. Otherwise, you may find yourself getting sick later. If you find yourself sweating. Don’t panic. It’s a natural reaction. The Butter Chicken is a fantastic meal at either lunch or dinner. With lots of fresh chunks of curried chicken, you won’t be disappointed. My friend described the Chilli Chicken as, “scrumptious, spicy and tender with a healthy portion of chicken that melts in your mouth.” If you have room at the end try their famous Blackberry Pie with ice cream, which were coming back for next time. As I was leaving out the door with my stomach stuffed, Sat said, " could you let people now, we offer coffee and lattes." It was time to go home and take a quick afternoon nap
KenHera@gmail.com
Monday, October 26, 2009
Improving Canada's Immigration System
By KEN HERARBlack PressSep 05 2006
Canada is known to have one of the best immigration models in the world because of its openness and fairness when dealing with applicants from abroad. Is the system working or does it need overhauling? The reports of fraudulent marriages have created red flags, and Canadians are asking for tighter regulations. Here's a typical scenario: A Canadian goes abroad and gets married and when their future partner arrives on Canadian soil the marriage dissolves. The issue of enforcement is difficult because the issue of trust is placed in the hands of people who are building a future together. When one partner turns love into opportunity it creates a mess in the system. I know the system can work because I have family and friends who have come through the immigration process who make a valuable contribution to Canada. There is a heavy burden placed on the sponsor if things don't work out as planned. Speaking with a few disenchanted people who have lived through this unfortunate circumstance supporting the person up to three years is an unjust policy that needs government reviewing. If individuals choose to go on government assistance the sponsor is fitted with the bill. A Vancouver-based Canadian Marriage Fraud Victim Society is petitioning Ottawa to change the policy if marriages fails before three years that the immigrants be deported back to their country of origin. I totally agree. We don't want foreigners going underground. Many countries have adopted such a policy like United States, Britain Australia and New Zealand. However, some Canadian politicians disagree stating this is not the Canadian way. Abbotsford MP Ed Fast said, "we had approximately 800,000 immigration applications in process at the time of the 2005 election. At the same time, approximately 35,000 illegal residents disappeared into the woodwork. When you combine this with the problem of "marriages of convenience" and the work necessary to determine the legitimacy of spousal re-unification applications, you can see that we have significant problems to overcome." Fast said it is "also clear that the large majority of immigration and visa applications are honest and trustworthy. Unfortunately, the bad apples in the barrel have made it much more difficult for both government staff who process these applications, and the people who patiently wait in line to have their applications processed." "Staff are conducting more rigorous investigations of marriage-related applications, and where red flags appear, applicants will likely be rejected. Ultimately, the person best able to judge the intentions of the applicant spouse is the sponsoring spouse." Fast's office is dealing with a file of an individual who is going abroad to get married for the third time. Unfortunately, most of these cases are occurring from the region of Punjab, India. Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission MP Randy Kamp said: "Perhaps the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration should review the Immigration Act to determine whether the legislation should be amended to include additional deterrents to discourage applicants from engaging in marriages of convenience in order to obtain legal status in Canada. While the issues surrounding marriage and immigration are complex, that should not prevent us from trying to improve the system in order to protect innocent victims of immigration fraud." With all the heightened security and red flags appearing, visa applicants are being screened much more carefully. If there is any doubt by immigration officials that a person may not return to their country of origin after their visit they will declined entry into Canada. Fast explains that when someone applies for a visa, the processing officer takes into account many considerations, chief of which is whether the individual is likely to return to his/her home country. "In determining eligibility for a visa, they will look at the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant, the financial circumstances and purpose of the visit." Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes disagrees with this over screening of visa applicants. He said that over the past five years "my office has written letters of reference on many occasions for Indo-Canadian Mission residents who have family attempting to visit from India. They have been declined visitor's visas in the Canadian Consulate offices in India." "We have experienced fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters in India who have been denied permission to attend weddings or funerals in Canada because someone in the Consulate seems to believe there is a risk that they will not return to India at the expiration of their visa. In many cases the screening officers within the Canadian High Commissioner's office ignore the guarantees put forward by long time and respected community members and the reference letters written to support the visa application." Hawes said, "We have been informed that there have been some incidences of visitors who have not returned and have disappeared within Canada. Based on the behaviour of a few, we seem to have developed a national policy to apply against the many. We have had absolutely no similar requests for reference letters from Caucasian residents. It appears that Canadian consulates in other parts of the world do not see the same risks and screening is somehow much less stringent. It is difficult to conclude that the current policy is based upon anything but racial prejudice." Along with these concerns the Canadian immigration system has changed dramatically over the decades from European to Asian markets which has left some Canadians unhappy. For example, in 1968, the top four countries that had the highest number of citizens come to Canada were: United Kingdom, Italy, United States and Germany have been replaced. In 2001 China, India, Pakistan and Philippines topped the list. Regardless, where you are from immigration makes Canada strong. Safeguards need to be in place to protect Canadians from foreigners who want to abuse the system. The current system fails to do so. KenHerar@yahoo.ca
KenHerar@gmail.com
Canada is known to have one of the best immigration models in the world because of its openness and fairness when dealing with applicants from abroad. Is the system working or does it need overhauling? The reports of fraudulent marriages have created red flags, and Canadians are asking for tighter regulations. Here's a typical scenario: A Canadian goes abroad and gets married and when their future partner arrives on Canadian soil the marriage dissolves. The issue of enforcement is difficult because the issue of trust is placed in the hands of people who are building a future together. When one partner turns love into opportunity it creates a mess in the system. I know the system can work because I have family and friends who have come through the immigration process who make a valuable contribution to Canada. There is a heavy burden placed on the sponsor if things don't work out as planned. Speaking with a few disenchanted people who have lived through this unfortunate circumstance supporting the person up to three years is an unjust policy that needs government reviewing. If individuals choose to go on government assistance the sponsor is fitted with the bill. A Vancouver-based Canadian Marriage Fraud Victim Society is petitioning Ottawa to change the policy if marriages fails before three years that the immigrants be deported back to their country of origin. I totally agree. We don't want foreigners going underground. Many countries have adopted such a policy like United States, Britain Australia and New Zealand. However, some Canadian politicians disagree stating this is not the Canadian way. Abbotsford MP Ed Fast said, "we had approximately 800,000 immigration applications in process at the time of the 2005 election. At the same time, approximately 35,000 illegal residents disappeared into the woodwork. When you combine this with the problem of "marriages of convenience" and the work necessary to determine the legitimacy of spousal re-unification applications, you can see that we have significant problems to overcome." Fast said it is "also clear that the large majority of immigration and visa applications are honest and trustworthy. Unfortunately, the bad apples in the barrel have made it much more difficult for both government staff who process these applications, and the people who patiently wait in line to have their applications processed." "Staff are conducting more rigorous investigations of marriage-related applications, and where red flags appear, applicants will likely be rejected. Ultimately, the person best able to judge the intentions of the applicant spouse is the sponsoring spouse." Fast's office is dealing with a file of an individual who is going abroad to get married for the third time. Unfortunately, most of these cases are occurring from the region of Punjab, India. Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission MP Randy Kamp said: "Perhaps the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration should review the Immigration Act to determine whether the legislation should be amended to include additional deterrents to discourage applicants from engaging in marriages of convenience in order to obtain legal status in Canada. While the issues surrounding marriage and immigration are complex, that should not prevent us from trying to improve the system in order to protect innocent victims of immigration fraud." With all the heightened security and red flags appearing, visa applicants are being screened much more carefully. If there is any doubt by immigration officials that a person may not return to their country of origin after their visit they will declined entry into Canada. Fast explains that when someone applies for a visa, the processing officer takes into account many considerations, chief of which is whether the individual is likely to return to his/her home country. "In determining eligibility for a visa, they will look at the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant, the financial circumstances and purpose of the visit." Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes disagrees with this over screening of visa applicants. He said that over the past five years "my office has written letters of reference on many occasions for Indo-Canadian Mission residents who have family attempting to visit from India. They have been declined visitor's visas in the Canadian Consulate offices in India." "We have experienced fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters in India who have been denied permission to attend weddings or funerals in Canada because someone in the Consulate seems to believe there is a risk that they will not return to India at the expiration of their visa. In many cases the screening officers within the Canadian High Commissioner's office ignore the guarantees put forward by long time and respected community members and the reference letters written to support the visa application." Hawes said, "We have been informed that there have been some incidences of visitors who have not returned and have disappeared within Canada. Based on the behaviour of a few, we seem to have developed a national policy to apply against the many. We have had absolutely no similar requests for reference letters from Caucasian residents. It appears that Canadian consulates in other parts of the world do not see the same risks and screening is somehow much less stringent. It is difficult to conclude that the current policy is based upon anything but racial prejudice." Along with these concerns the Canadian immigration system has changed dramatically over the decades from European to Asian markets which has left some Canadians unhappy. For example, in 1968, the top four countries that had the highest number of citizens come to Canada were: United Kingdom, Italy, United States and Germany have been replaced. In 2001 China, India, Pakistan and Philippines topped the list. Regardless, where you are from immigration makes Canada strong. Safeguards need to be in place to protect Canadians from foreigners who want to abuse the system. The current system fails to do so. KenHerar@yahoo.ca
KenHerar@gmail.com
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Responding to a Racist..
Just as I was starting to forget about the last racist e-mail, another one unfortunately appeared.
I was quite disturbed to read the language of hate. I thought we ended this discussion and were prepared to move on to other worthy topics.
This latest letter definitely deserves a response. I feel it is important to expose issues of this kind because we cannot hide the fact that racism still exists in our communities. Sweeping it under the rug won't do it justice.
For the record, this will be the final time I will be entertaining any comments of this nature. So if you're looking to get your hate message published, you're knocking on the wrong door.
This latest individual, who claims he is originally from India but not from Punjab, goes on a rampage of assaulting Sikhs.
I have censored many parts of his letter and here are just some of his mindless thoughts:
". . . Week after week, you trot out the same Sikh stories. Tell me, do the Sikhs pay you to do this? You are like their mouthpiece.
"Come Christmas and you trot out one column about your white friends. Sikhs should make an effort to assimilate into this country and get out of the ghetto mentality.
"You just have to take a look into the Criminal Code of Canada and see the number of Sikhs who figure in it. Stop brainwashing your kids into thinking that the Komagatu Maru was somehow Canadians' fault and the Sikhs were entitled to be here. Be thankful they let you stay - the Americans will not tolerate this diversity nonsense."
First mistake: I don't trot out the same old Sikh stories every week. I believe in balance and have proven that over my 14 years writing this column in Abbotsford-Mission.
Second mistake: Sikhs don't pay me for this and I am not their mouthpiece. I am paid by the Abbotsford-Mission Times. Just so you know, I was offered to write a column for another newspaper that wanted me to focus on Indo-Canadian issues only. I turned it down. I wanted something more inclusive and community-oriented.
Third mistake: Sikhs have already assimilated into our country. Travel across Canada and take a look around.
Fourth mistake: The last time I went to teach tennis at a prison, Sikhs appeared to be the minority in the criminal justice system.
Fifth mistake: I never brainwashed children about the 1914 Komagatu Maru incident and never blamed anyone for it.
Sixth mistake: I am thankful Canada let me stay - especially since I was born here.
Hey, if you focus on the negative, you'll find the negative.
Building an inclusive, diverse community takes inspirational leadership and as a community newspaper we are taking steps toward establishing this everyday.
The Abbotsford-Mission Times, myself and editor-friend Gord Kurenoff are presenting "Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community."
If you are between the ages of 14 to 26 and enjoy writing, we would like to hear from you. Your answer should be 300 words or less and should answer the following:
"What have you done or what can you do to make our community more inclusive?"
The deadline will be early September. Responses can be e-mailed to me at kherar@gmail.com, to Gord at gkurenoff@abbotsfordtimes.com, or dropped off at the Times office on Peardonville Road.
[Columnist Ken Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times and the Mission Extra. To comment, e-mail him at KenHerar@gmail.com.]
July 4, 2009
I was quite disturbed to read the language of hate. I thought we ended this discussion and were prepared to move on to other worthy topics.
This latest letter definitely deserves a response. I feel it is important to expose issues of this kind because we cannot hide the fact that racism still exists in our communities. Sweeping it under the rug won't do it justice.
For the record, this will be the final time I will be entertaining any comments of this nature. So if you're looking to get your hate message published, you're knocking on the wrong door.
This latest individual, who claims he is originally from India but not from Punjab, goes on a rampage of assaulting Sikhs.
I have censored many parts of his letter and here are just some of his mindless thoughts:
". . . Week after week, you trot out the same Sikh stories. Tell me, do the Sikhs pay you to do this? You are like their mouthpiece.
"Come Christmas and you trot out one column about your white friends. Sikhs should make an effort to assimilate into this country and get out of the ghetto mentality.
"You just have to take a look into the Criminal Code of Canada and see the number of Sikhs who figure in it. Stop brainwashing your kids into thinking that the Komagatu Maru was somehow Canadians' fault and the Sikhs were entitled to be here. Be thankful they let you stay - the Americans will not tolerate this diversity nonsense."
First mistake: I don't trot out the same old Sikh stories every week. I believe in balance and have proven that over my 14 years writing this column in Abbotsford-Mission.
Second mistake: Sikhs don't pay me for this and I am not their mouthpiece. I am paid by the Abbotsford-Mission Times. Just so you know, I was offered to write a column for another newspaper that wanted me to focus on Indo-Canadian issues only. I turned it down. I wanted something more inclusive and community-oriented.
Third mistake: Sikhs have already assimilated into our country. Travel across Canada and take a look around.
Fourth mistake: The last time I went to teach tennis at a prison, Sikhs appeared to be the minority in the criminal justice system.
Fifth mistake: I never brainwashed children about the 1914 Komagatu Maru incident and never blamed anyone for it.
Sixth mistake: I am thankful Canada let me stay - especially since I was born here.
Hey, if you focus on the negative, you'll find the negative.
Building an inclusive, diverse community takes inspirational leadership and as a community newspaper we are taking steps toward establishing this everyday.
The Abbotsford-Mission Times, myself and editor-friend Gord Kurenoff are presenting "Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community."
If you are between the ages of 14 to 26 and enjoy writing, we would like to hear from you. Your answer should be 300 words or less and should answer the following:
"What have you done or what can you do to make our community more inclusive?"
The deadline will be early September. Responses can be e-mailed to me at kherar@gmail.com, to Gord at gkurenoff@abbotsfordtimes.com, or dropped off at the Times office on Peardonville Road.
[Columnist Ken Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times and the Mission Extra. To comment, e-mail him at KenHerar@gmail.com.]
July 4, 2009
Talk at Damesh Students..
What would you do if you weren’t a writer? “Probably, be a teacher. I am actually a teacher at heart”, I replied. “What is the best part of being a writer? It’s meeting people in the community and that where some of my best ideas are created”, I replied. These were some of the questions and my responses from the speaking session editor Gord Kurenoff and I had at the Dasmesh Punjabi School on Tuesday. We were both there to promote our Times Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community essay contest pitch to students. What an inspiring morning we had meeting entertaining hundreds of well-mannered kids and their excellent teachers. I arrived a bit early than expected and waited for Kurenoff to drive up. He explained he was caught up in few road construction sites. As I stood outside the main entrance in the frosty morning air with Vice principal Jaspal Dhaliwal and watched the yellow school buses roll up almost every student greeted me with a big smile or “ Hello Sir” as they stepped foot on there school property. They knew I was there guest for the day and made me feel welcome. The discipline and courtesy these kids had all dressed up in their school uniforms was well beyond their years. Actually, I have never seen an entire school that all looked like one large team. Before, our session with the kids we had the opportunity to sit down with Principal Sulochana Chand, founder and now retired Principal Dalip Gill and School Administrator Sandeep Lidder. Mr Gill, who started the school in early 80’s said, “ we have a multicultural teaching staff and just hired our first Metis instructor at our school.”
With our heads covered out of respect it was time to go upstairs to join in the morning assembly and pay our respects to the Guru Granth Sahib were intermediate students were seated. Kurenoff, who was introduced first and shared his award winning story of how nobody would pick Kevin to be on their hockey team. Kevin, who had a disability, was left out of many games because they thought he couldn’t play. When, Kurenoff’s mother found out she was very unhappy with our Gordo. He later picked Kevin to be on his team, he proved them all wrong. As their goalie, he stopped everything from entry the net.
I shared some similar ideas with the students that many times in life we are often told that we are not good enough and face the rejection slip. This is all part of the game of life I told them and it is important how we move forward and treat others. There is no better feeling when you can prove people wrong. I also shared that some people will not like me because of my skin color or my ethnicity. I am ok with that. We cannot fight with everyone. I encouraged them to volunteer and integrate in the community and be good role models. In my losing remarks I said, “ As members of the Indo Canadian community we have the most to gain, but also the most to lose”.
They are actually 7 days remaining for the essay contest deadline. Again, the question is, “what have you done or what can you do to make our community inclusive?” Most of the entries have currently come from Mission. You must be from the ages of (14 to 26) and all responses must be 300 words or less. Submissions can be emailed to me at the address below or dropped at the Times office.
I also shared that some people will not like me because of my skin colour or my ethnicity. I am OK with that - we cannot fight with everyone.
I encouraged the students to volunteer and integrate in the community and be good role models.
As for the contest, there are seven days left before the entry deadline. Again, the question is: What have you done or what can you do to make our community inclusive?
You must be between 14 to 26 years of age to enter and all responses must be 300 words or less. Entries can be e-mailed to me.
- Award-winning columnist Ken (Kulwinder) Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times. E-mail him at Kenherar@gmail.com.
© Abbotsford Times 2009
With our heads covered out of respect it was time to go upstairs to join in the morning assembly and pay our respects to the Guru Granth Sahib were intermediate students were seated. Kurenoff, who was introduced first and shared his award winning story of how nobody would pick Kevin to be on their hockey team. Kevin, who had a disability, was left out of many games because they thought he couldn’t play. When, Kurenoff’s mother found out she was very unhappy with our Gordo. He later picked Kevin to be on his team, he proved them all wrong. As their goalie, he stopped everything from entry the net.
I shared some similar ideas with the students that many times in life we are often told that we are not good enough and face the rejection slip. This is all part of the game of life I told them and it is important how we move forward and treat others. There is no better feeling when you can prove people wrong. I also shared that some people will not like me because of my skin color or my ethnicity. I am ok with that. We cannot fight with everyone. I encouraged them to volunteer and integrate in the community and be good role models. In my losing remarks I said, “ As members of the Indo Canadian community we have the most to gain, but also the most to lose”.
They are actually 7 days remaining for the essay contest deadline. Again, the question is, “what have you done or what can you do to make our community inclusive?” Most of the entries have currently come from Mission. You must be from the ages of (14 to 26) and all responses must be 300 words or less. Submissions can be emailed to me at the address below or dropped at the Times office.
I also shared that some people will not like me because of my skin colour or my ethnicity. I am OK with that - we cannot fight with everyone.
I encouraged the students to volunteer and integrate in the community and be good role models.
As for the contest, there are seven days left before the entry deadline. Again, the question is: What have you done or what can you do to make our community inclusive?
You must be between 14 to 26 years of age to enter and all responses must be 300 words or less. Entries can be e-mailed to me.
- Award-winning columnist Ken (Kulwinder) Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times. E-mail him at Kenherar@gmail.com.
© Abbotsford Times 2009
East versus west..
'East versus west' stuff shows ignorance
Ken Herar, Special to the TimesPublished: Friday, July 31, 2009
Iwas walking down a corridor recently when my roaming eyes caught an interesting poster on the wall - Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.
Due to a possible memory lapse, I grabbed a piece of paper and jotted it down. The Abbotsford-Mission Times is offering this collective strength to our young readers (aged 14 to 26).
The Times is presenting: Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community, giving our youth an opportunity to express their opinion how we can make our community more inclusive. Or, are we are already inclusive?
Unfortunately, I still witness challenges in how we see and speak to each other. For example, someone who I know recently said to me all the problems seem to occur on the "west side" of Abbotsford.
He added there is a small minority in the community (Indo-Canadian) who are causing these problems.
I was just waiting for him to say: "Ken, I am not racist." It's funny how that always seems to follow.
The ones who insist they are not racist, are often the ones who are. He later said he resides on the more peaceful "east side" of Abbotsford.
It's always a small minority in every community group that ruins it for the rest. This is not the first time I have heard such a stupid remark.
To add further insult to injury, to automatically assume that all the crime occurs where the "brown people" live is disturbing.
To build and improve this collective strength, we need to stop geographically dividing east versus west. To put the record straight, Indo-Canadians live in all parts of Abbotsford, not just the west.
This topic would be a fantastic submission for someone to explore.
Our question again: "What have you done or what can you do to make our community inclusive?"
As promised last week, here are some excellent examples toward building an inclusive environment:
- The Punjabi Patrika, also known as "Abbotsford's third newspaper," is going weekly.
The unveiling will take place on Aug. 29 at publisher Andy Sidhu's residence from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A garden party is being held to mark this special occasion.
The first edition is being sold and all monies raised will be going to the Abbotsford Police Foundation. The Patrika will be celebrating 13 years this October.
- The Abbotsford Police Department is reminding citizens that the Chief Constable's diversity advisory committee is always seeking input from citizens who are interested in diversity.
For more info, contact Const. Wanda Lane at 604-864-4776.
- Award-winning columnist Ken Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times and the Mission Extra. E-mail him at KenHerar@gmail.com.
Ken Herar, Special to the TimesPublished: Friday, July 31, 2009
Iwas walking down a corridor recently when my roaming eyes caught an interesting poster on the wall - Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.
Due to a possible memory lapse, I grabbed a piece of paper and jotted it down. The Abbotsford-Mission Times is offering this collective strength to our young readers (aged 14 to 26).
The Times is presenting: Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community, giving our youth an opportunity to express their opinion how we can make our community more inclusive. Or, are we are already inclusive?
Unfortunately, I still witness challenges in how we see and speak to each other. For example, someone who I know recently said to me all the problems seem to occur on the "west side" of Abbotsford.
He added there is a small minority in the community (Indo-Canadian) who are causing these problems.
I was just waiting for him to say: "Ken, I am not racist." It's funny how that always seems to follow.
The ones who insist they are not racist, are often the ones who are. He later said he resides on the more peaceful "east side" of Abbotsford.
It's always a small minority in every community group that ruins it for the rest. This is not the first time I have heard such a stupid remark.
To add further insult to injury, to automatically assume that all the crime occurs where the "brown people" live is disturbing.
To build and improve this collective strength, we need to stop geographically dividing east versus west. To put the record straight, Indo-Canadians live in all parts of Abbotsford, not just the west.
This topic would be a fantastic submission for someone to explore.
Our question again: "What have you done or what can you do to make our community inclusive?"
As promised last week, here are some excellent examples toward building an inclusive environment:
- The Punjabi Patrika, also known as "Abbotsford's third newspaper," is going weekly.
The unveiling will take place on Aug. 29 at publisher Andy Sidhu's residence from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A garden party is being held to mark this special occasion.
The first edition is being sold and all monies raised will be going to the Abbotsford Police Foundation. The Patrika will be celebrating 13 years this October.
- The Abbotsford Police Department is reminding citizens that the Chief Constable's diversity advisory committee is always seeking input from citizens who are interested in diversity.
For more info, contact Const. Wanda Lane at 604-864-4776.
- Award-winning columnist Ken Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times and the Mission Extra. E-mail him at KenHerar@gmail.com.
Editor Gord Kurenoff column on Dasmesh Punjabi School..
Unity comes in all colours
Gord Kurenoff, The TimesPublished: Friday, October 23, 2009
"We may have come over on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now."
- Whitney Young, Jr.
It is a lively Tuesday morning in Matsqui Village as parents manoeuvre minivans through a bustling parking lot at Dasmesh Punjabi School.
Principal Sulochana Chand stands outside the Riverside Street school offering big smiles and greetings to everyone who makes eye contact with her.
Adrenalized students, in matching sweaters and slacks, buzz by their principal as another day of learning begins for the 580 enrolled in the kindergarten-to-Grade 10 private school.
The scheduled morning lesson is all about tolerance and diversity, and the guest speakers are Times' columnist Ken Herar and yours truly. But the first challenge is figuring how to make a quasi-turban out of a blue kerchief, and the second to hide the small "air conditioning" holes in your socks when asked to remove footwear.
The 40-year-old Herar, a local diversity award winner and the best-ever tennis player to call Mission home, is passionate about eliminating racism, promoting diversity and making people understand that "brown and white" can thrive together.
I, on the other hand, am trying to not look like a stagecoach robber as the kerchief keeps slipping over my eyes.
School administrator Sandeep Lidder, easily mistaken for one of those Bollywood goddesses, says "everyone" has that problem at first. Methinks this is how Captain America, The Green Hornet, Robin, X-Men and Flash Gordon got started, but I digress.
There is a large sign inside the school's Worship Room. It says "Recognize the whole human race as one." Nobody in this gathering has a problem with me being white. And I wonder, who really needs the lesson of tolerance?
In my Caucasian, born-in-Canada world, I have watched as we "white guys" screamed about allowing turbans in the RCMP, sending gangsters "back to where they came from," ceremonial daggers, bicycle helmets, affirmative action hiring, negative stereotypes, you name it. We have had prouder moments in this country.
Herar, embraced by many in the South Asian community for his media involvement, and nicknamed "Air India" by his basketball buddies, shares an e-mail from a family that claims to be moving away from Abbotsford because "there are too many East Indians."
The usually cool columnist admits this makes his blood boil, especially when nobody says they're leaving the area because of the white Bacon brothers or the white gangsters or the white drug dealers or the white pimps or the white thieves.
Dr. Dalip Singh Gill, a brilliant and kind man who founded this school in 1985 citing a need to recognize all human beings as equal, says he has seen some progress here, but notes there are many challenges ahead.
The school, which has been in Matsqui Village since expanding in 2005, now has a staff of 40 that includes a teacher from Hong Kong, several Caucasians and one Métis educator. It promotes a lifestyle free from smoking, drinking, drugs and gangs.
Their objective is to integrate Sikh studies with the B.C. education curriculum. And their successful sports teams, nicknamed the Falcons, have been praised for sportsmanship and class.
Gord Kurenoff, The TimesPublished: Friday, October 23, 2009
"We may have come over on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now."
- Whitney Young, Jr.
It is a lively Tuesday morning in Matsqui Village as parents manoeuvre minivans through a bustling parking lot at Dasmesh Punjabi School.
Principal Sulochana Chand stands outside the Riverside Street school offering big smiles and greetings to everyone who makes eye contact with her.
Adrenalized students, in matching sweaters and slacks, buzz by their principal as another day of learning begins for the 580 enrolled in the kindergarten-to-Grade 10 private school.
The scheduled morning lesson is all about tolerance and diversity, and the guest speakers are Times' columnist Ken Herar and yours truly. But the first challenge is figuring how to make a quasi-turban out of a blue kerchief, and the second to hide the small "air conditioning" holes in your socks when asked to remove footwear.
The 40-year-old Herar, a local diversity award winner and the best-ever tennis player to call Mission home, is passionate about eliminating racism, promoting diversity and making people understand that "brown and white" can thrive together.
I, on the other hand, am trying to not look like a stagecoach robber as the kerchief keeps slipping over my eyes.
School administrator Sandeep Lidder, easily mistaken for one of those Bollywood goddesses, says "everyone" has that problem at first. Methinks this is how Captain America, The Green Hornet, Robin, X-Men and Flash Gordon got started, but I digress.
There is a large sign inside the school's Worship Room. It says "Recognize the whole human race as one." Nobody in this gathering has a problem with me being white. And I wonder, who really needs the lesson of tolerance?
In my Caucasian, born-in-Canada world, I have watched as we "white guys" screamed about allowing turbans in the RCMP, sending gangsters "back to where they came from," ceremonial daggers, bicycle helmets, affirmative action hiring, negative stereotypes, you name it. We have had prouder moments in this country.
Herar, embraced by many in the South Asian community for his media involvement, and nicknamed "Air India" by his basketball buddies, shares an e-mail from a family that claims to be moving away from Abbotsford because "there are too many East Indians."
The usually cool columnist admits this makes his blood boil, especially when nobody says they're leaving the area because of the white Bacon brothers or the white gangsters or the white drug dealers or the white pimps or the white thieves.
Dr. Dalip Singh Gill, a brilliant and kind man who founded this school in 1985 citing a need to recognize all human beings as equal, says he has seen some progress here, but notes there are many challenges ahead.
The school, which has been in Matsqui Village since expanding in 2005, now has a staff of 40 that includes a teacher from Hong Kong, several Caucasians and one Métis educator. It promotes a lifestyle free from smoking, drinking, drugs and gangs.
Their objective is to integrate Sikh studies with the B.C. education curriculum. And their successful sports teams, nicknamed the Falcons, have been praised for sportsmanship and class.
Up close and impersonal with intruder..
Up close and impersonal with intruder
Ken Herar, The TimesPublished: Friday, July 17, 2009
Earlier this week, I probably encountered the most dangerous situation in my life. Even writing about it kind of creeps me out.
It began on a peaceful Sunday with a gym workout around 9 p.m. and basketball an hour later at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre.
Yes folks, Air India was in full flight and even nailed a few three-pointers from downtown - this old dog can still play with some of the best local talent.
The big hand struck midnight and it was time to head home back to beautiful Mission. I don't know what it was, but I was anxious to get home.
It started to pour like crazy as I was coming over the Mission Bridge - thunder, some lightning; it basically was the perfect storm.
A short time later, as I pulled into my driveway and started to walk to the rear of the home, I heard movements in my backyard. I paused for a few moments because it was extremely dark and wanted to make sure it was safe to enter.
The neighbour's dogs were barking. I figured it might have been a cat making its way home, but my guard was up and I decided to proceed with caution. I made it inside with no issues.
The first thing I did was head straight to the laundry basket and get rid of my sweaty clothes. With both cars in the driveway and a few lights switched on, I felt safe. If you don't feel secure at home where else can you?
With my laptop turned on I decided to spend some time checking my e-mail downstairs before I headed to the main floor. My instincts where telling me something just wasn't right.
I was going to head to the shower, but decided to wait. Bringing my laptop upstairs, I decided to sit in the living room for a few minutes. Enjoying my last few minutes before heading to the sack, I heard the screen door in the kitchen opening. I thought it was the wind blowing it open. I heard it again and it just didn't sound right.
So, I decided to take a look and head to the kitchen in a tactical approach you see on CSI! I moved slowly and methodically around the fridge and noticed a person on my rear patio.
One, possibly two, scumbags trying to break into my house at 1 a.m. via the kitchen door.
We were face-to-face with only the door protecting him and me. He saw me and took off like a speeding bullet. I was stunned; so was he.
It took a few minutes for me to gather my composure and decided to give chase. I realize the police don't recommend this, but I was furious. I took the car and went a few blocks down the street to locate these thieves. But I couldn't locate these would-be criminals.
I called 9-1-1 and a few Mission RCMP cruisers were dispatched to the house. From what I could gather, the thieves were probably only minutes away from gaining entry into my home. I believe someone was looking out for me.
Who knows what the outcome could have been if I had been in the shower and him in the house. I made the correct decision to be upstairs at that precise moment. Sometimes it's good to follow your gut.
- On a happier note, the Abbotsford- Mission Times is presenting: Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community.
KenHerar@gmail.com
Ken Herar, The TimesPublished: Friday, July 17, 2009
Earlier this week, I probably encountered the most dangerous situation in my life. Even writing about it kind of creeps me out.
It began on a peaceful Sunday with a gym workout around 9 p.m. and basketball an hour later at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre.
Yes folks, Air India was in full flight and even nailed a few three-pointers from downtown - this old dog can still play with some of the best local talent.
The big hand struck midnight and it was time to head home back to beautiful Mission. I don't know what it was, but I was anxious to get home.
It started to pour like crazy as I was coming over the Mission Bridge - thunder, some lightning; it basically was the perfect storm.
A short time later, as I pulled into my driveway and started to walk to the rear of the home, I heard movements in my backyard. I paused for a few moments because it was extremely dark and wanted to make sure it was safe to enter.
The neighbour's dogs were barking. I figured it might have been a cat making its way home, but my guard was up and I decided to proceed with caution. I made it inside with no issues.
The first thing I did was head straight to the laundry basket and get rid of my sweaty clothes. With both cars in the driveway and a few lights switched on, I felt safe. If you don't feel secure at home where else can you?
With my laptop turned on I decided to spend some time checking my e-mail downstairs before I headed to the main floor. My instincts where telling me something just wasn't right.
I was going to head to the shower, but decided to wait. Bringing my laptop upstairs, I decided to sit in the living room for a few minutes. Enjoying my last few minutes before heading to the sack, I heard the screen door in the kitchen opening. I thought it was the wind blowing it open. I heard it again and it just didn't sound right.
So, I decided to take a look and head to the kitchen in a tactical approach you see on CSI! I moved slowly and methodically around the fridge and noticed a person on my rear patio.
One, possibly two, scumbags trying to break into my house at 1 a.m. via the kitchen door.
We were face-to-face with only the door protecting him and me. He saw me and took off like a speeding bullet. I was stunned; so was he.
It took a few minutes for me to gather my composure and decided to give chase. I realize the police don't recommend this, but I was furious. I took the car and went a few blocks down the street to locate these thieves. But I couldn't locate these would-be criminals.
I called 9-1-1 and a few Mission RCMP cruisers were dispatched to the house. From what I could gather, the thieves were probably only minutes away from gaining entry into my home. I believe someone was looking out for me.
Who knows what the outcome could have been if I had been in the shower and him in the house. I made the correct decision to be upstairs at that precise moment. Sometimes it's good to follow your gut.
- On a happier note, the Abbotsford- Mission Times is presenting: Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community.
KenHerar@gmail.com
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