A newsletter from another fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.
Canadian Studies Announcements
In this issue:
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month in the US and Canada
Last chance to apply for Canadian Studies research funding!
In the News: Faculty affiliate David Card elected to Nat’l Academy of Sciences
External event: Applying to Higher Education in Canada
External event: “La démocratie féministe. Réinventer le pouvoir”
Please note: Beginning this week, our newsletter is moving to our summer schedule of once every two weeks.
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada and the US! During this month, we celebrate the many contributions made by members of the Asian-Pacific Islander community to our countries and societies.
Originally established through the advocacy of a number of Asian-American congresspeople in the United States, President Jimmy Carter approved the first official celebration in 1978. The commemoration was adopted unofficially in Canada the 1990s to recognize the Asian-Canadian community. An official declaration designating May as Asian Heritage Month was issued by the Canadian government in 2002.
At a time when both the US and Canada are seeing increased reports of violence and harassment towards people of Asian descent, we believe it’s more important than ever to acknowledge and support these communities. In Canada, the 2021 theme is “Recognition, Resilience, and Resolve“, highlighting the perseverance of Asian communities in the face of discrimination, and calling on all people to fight against anti-Asian racism.
While many live events are still on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to celebrate from home. The US Library of Congress hosts the official Asian Pacific American Heritage site, featuring virtual exhibits, event links, and more. Meanwhile, CBC Calgary has put together a free resource for all ages to learn about the contributions of Asian Canadians to Canada, and explore the Asian-Canadian experience more broadly.
Last Chance to Apply for Canadian Studies Research Funding!
The Canadian Studies Program is currently accepting research funding requests for both graduate and undergraduate students at UC Berkeley. Applications for AY 2021-22 will close this Friday, May 7, 2021. Learn more and apply by clicking the links below.
The Edward E. Hildebrand Graduate Research Fellowship provides travel and research support for Berkeley graduate students whose work focuses primarily, or comparatively, on Canada. Fellowships range from $5,000 – $10,000.
The Rita Ross Undergraduate Prize in Canadian Studies provides a cash prize of $250 to the Berkeley undergraduate who has produced the best research project engaging with a Canadian topic for a class or independent study program.
Please circulate this information to your students, peers, and networks!
In the News
Faculty Affiliate Economist David Card Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
Labour economist and Canadian Studies affiliate David Card was one of three UC Berkeley faculty recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to the field of economics. Card, who was born in Canada, has taught at Berkeley for over twenty years, His research focuses on inequality and growth; his best-known work includes studies that challenged prevailing orthodoxies on the negative impacts of a higher minimum wage on employment figures, and of immigration on the wages of native-born workers.
Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest national honours in the scientific field. The Academy was chartered by the US Congress and President Lincoln in 1863, with the aim of promoting development of the sciences and providing the government with advice on scientific topics. New members are inducted annually by a vote of current members, and hold their position for life.
Affiliate/External Events
DML Chesterfield Chat: Applying to Higher Education in Canada
For young Americans considering attending college in Canada, it can be difficult to know where to start. The Digital Moose Lounge invites families to meet three adventurous young adults in an upcoming Chesterfield Chat panel. All of these university students grew up spending some or all of their time in US schools before heading to Canada for university. Please join them for an open discussion and Q&A to find out why they chose a Canadian university, what they’ve enjoyed about their experience studying in Canada, and their tips for applying.
The panel will be hosted by past DML chair and current Canadian Studies Advisory Board Chair David Stewart. Special guest Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco, will share opening remarks.
Dans ce programme virtuel, l’Alliance française de Berkeley accueille Marie-Cécile Naves, Docteure en Science politique pour mener une discussion sur les nouveaux enjeux politiques internationaux, au prisme du féminisme.
Le pouvoir prédateur sur les autres et la planète, incarné par les populismes néofascistes et le néolibéralisme, n’est pas une fatalité. Avec les crises démocratiques, environnementales, sanitaires et sociales que nous traversons, ce sont à la fois les récits, les agendas et les styles politiques qui doivent être questionnés. Le féminisme figure parmi les réponses. Fort d’une histoire plurielle, sur tous les continents, il est de plus en plus inclusif et transversal. Sur les plans théorique, pratique et programmatique, en multipliant les terrains d’expression et de revendication, il propose de renouveler les cadres de pensée pour construire un nouvel universel.
Par l’onde de choc qui est la sienne, dont #MeToo n’est qu’un exemple, le féminisme, avec d’autres approches du réel, jette les bases d’un projet durable et solidaire. Il promeut aussi un nouveau leadership, fondé sur la coopération et la responsabilité collective. Dans des contextes de crise, le féminisme est indispensable au renouveau démocratique, à l’émergence d’une nouvelle forme de pouvoir, de l’action publique à l’entreprise, en passant par l’art ou encore le sport.
A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area – and thanks to the Digital Moose for promoting our events and call for volunteers.
Where is Team Canada?
As DML community members are completing their COVID-19 vaccinations, after more than a year, some are starting to gather in small groups. Spotted in Berkeley: Sunday lunchers at Augie’s in Berkeley. Spotted in Fairfax: BC Trade partners brainstorming over beer and bites at a picnic table outside. Spotted on Google Meet: A Thursday night Canada Day planning meeting because, well, virtual meetings aren’t going anywhere!
In this update:
Moose Event just announced! Join our Chesterfield Chat: Exploring Higher Education in Canada on Tuesday, May 11th.
More Canadian happenings in the Bay Area: May 2-4 Happy Hour, PLUS Canada Day plans already underway!
Royal Canadian Legion: Do you love singing anthems? Want to design a coin? Find out more!
🇨🇦🇺🇸 Canada-US Border crossing restrictions: important links.
🛒 #ShopSmallBayArea: What is your favourite Canadian owned/managed/affiliated small business in your community?
Chesterfield Chat: Exploring Post Secondary Options in Canada
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Free event – more details below
May 2-4 Happy Hour for Canadians
Monday, May 24, 2021 Time TBA
Sign-up coming soon…
June: Canada Day is coming! We’ll have all the news on everything from how to safely celebrate in person and when to join our virtual Canadian wine tasting, and other virtual fun.
High school will soon be out for kids in the Bay Area and throughout the US. “College” list-making is in full swing for rising Seniors, who will be applying to university this Fall. Even Sophomores and Juniors (and their parents!) are thinking about life after high-school, including Canadian higher education options available to them. It can be difficult to navigate college planning in this country. But what about making plans for university in Canada? How does that actually work?!
The Digital Moose Lounge invites families to meet three adventurous young adults on our upcoming Chesterfield Chat panel. All of these 2nd year university students grew up spending some or all of their time in US schools before heading to Canada for university. Please join us for an open discussion and Q&A to find out why they chose a Canadian university, what they’ve enjoyed about their experience studying in Canada, and their tips for applying.
Join our host, David Stewart,DML Past Chair for an informative and engaging discussion with three GenZ panelists. David grew up in Canada and attended McGill for both his degrees. David relocated to the US for work and eventually landed in the Bay Area where he and his wife Margaret raised three wonderful children, He was unable to convince any of them to attend university in Canada. Special guest, Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco, and father of two, will share opening remarks.
The Panel: Sophia Renn (2nd year) is studying Natural Resources Conservation at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her home is a short drive away in Gig Harbor, Washington. Sophia’s mom is originally from Canada. That made Sophia a dual citizen and also made attending university in Canada a reality.
Lauren McLaughlin (2nd year) is at Carleton University in Ottawa completing a Bachelor of Media Production and Design with a double minor in Film Studies and Women and Gender studies. Lauren’s parents are both Canadian. She grew up in San Diego, California and was interested in studying in her parents’ homeland.
Leah Csermak (2nd year) is at the University of Ottawa. She is currently completing her Bachelor degree in Human Kinetics with a focus on the social sciences. Leah’s childhood home was in Niagara Falls, Ontario before moving to Laguna Niguel, California with her family.
Canada-US Border restrictions extended
Since March of last year, Canada and the US have banned nonessential travel between the two countries, and recently announced that this will continue through at least May 21, 2021. We know that many in our community are asking questions and when there are changes to the restrictions, we will be sure to provide more information and answers from the experts.
In the meantime, our best advice is to keep reviewing the existing requirements for travel to Canada by air or by land crossing.
Seeking anthem singers
Traditionally, the Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion (representing the San Francisco Bay area) hosts two in person services each year. One on Remembrance Day in Liberty Cemetery in Petaluma and one on US Memorial Day in Greenlawn Cemetery in Colma. Both cemeteries have plots for Canadian and British veterans that the Branch helps maintain.
While the overall situation in California is improving, the Memorial Day service will be a virtual one this year. As such, the Branch is looking for volunteers who might be interested in singing one of:
O Canada
The Star-Spangled Banner
God Save the Queen
If you are willing and interested in recording a video (cell phone video is fine) of yourself singing one or more of these anthems, please contact Michael Barbour (mkbarbour@gmail.com).
Details on how to view the service will be shared in May.
We Support Canadian Small Businesses and Affiliates. #ShopSmallBayArea
Do you have a favourite local business that either caters to your Canadian addictions or is owned/managed by a Canadian? Please let us know so we can add them to our Market and keep updating this curated list of (primarily) Bay Area Canadian-owned/operated/themed shopping.
Keep your antlers to the ground with all the latest news, updates and fun
Our website is undergoing a makeover. Please be patient!
The Battle of the Atlantic was Canada’s longest campaign of the Second World War from September 3, 1939 to May 8, 1945. Legion Magazine and Canada’s Ultimate Story present Military Moments | Battle of the Atlantic. Narrated by Canadian musician and artist Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, the video takes us back hours after Britain declared war on Germany on Sept. 3, 1939, when the German submarine U-30 sank the ocean liner SS Athenia.
The Battle of the Atlantic raged for 68 months. Germany’s objective was to starve Britain into submission by cutting shipping supply lines. The Allies responded with escorted oceanic convoys and the Royal Canadian Navy played a critical role, protecting convoys from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom. By 1944, Canada had proven itself as one of the world’s best U-boat hunters.
Narrated by Alan Doyle
Directed & Edited by Adam Tindal
Written by Don Gillmor
Graphics & Animation by Julia Paddick, Sophie Jalbert
Produced by Jason Duprau, Jennifer McGill, Eric Harris
Executive Producer Jennifer Morse
Music from Pond5
“Nearer my god to thee”Composed by Norm Hastings
“Song of the sea / Ethereal Eb Drone“ Composed by Raw Materials
“Epic Drums” Composed by Steve Raphael
Recorded by Skinners Hill Music Ltd. St. John’s, NL
*Special thanks to Louis Thomas
An item from Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project.
Dear Sir/Madam:
Please find attached: the News Release: 76TH Anniversary of the End of Action in the Battle of the Atlantic, May 2, 2021; The May 2nd BOA 76 Rollout on RCN SM Channels; and, blessings from some of our world religious leaders.
My very best regards,
Stéphane Ouellette
President and Chief Executive Officer
Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP)/
Founder/President
Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award Institute
Tel: 613.421.9005
E-mail: ouellettes@rogers.com
Website: www.alliedmerchantnavy.com
RBLI’s Tommy’s Race to Victory is well underway with the team currently on their way to Newcastle.
For those of you that haven’t seen #TeamTommy are currently on an 800 mile relay between our social enterprises, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, in Erskine and Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, in Kent.
On route, the team is stopping at cities and key military locations, presenting specially-made VE Day Tommy figures, made by injured veterans working in RBLI’s factories, to notable members of the local military community.
Our specially chosen team of seven, which includes RBLI’s chief executive Steve Sherry CMG OBE, are carrying a specially-made silver Tommy soldier figure, as a sign of national unity in the run up to the anniversary of the end of the war in Europe and are aiming to bring Tommy home to Aylesford on VE Day itself – 8th May.
You can find out more about the relay, donate, and track #TeamTommy via our website.
We are also posting regular #TeamTommy updates across our social media channels – take a look and show the team your support
How you can get involved with Tommy’s Race to Victory
We are challenging the nation to stand together and show their support for the remarkable generation that won our victory. Help us mark VE Day and go the distance for our Tommie’s!
Complete, 25km, 50km or 100km over the month of May – you can walk, run, wheel, cycle, scoot or even rollerblade your way through the distance.
It’s FREE to take part, all we ask is that you set up a fundraising page and share it with your friends and family. You also get a FREE Tommy’s Race to Victory technical t-shirt and fundraising pack posted out to you once you’ve set up your fundraiser. PLUS, anyone that hits the fundraising target will receive a limited edition challenge medal!
When?
Start your challenge anytime between 1st – 31st May
Where?
This event is virtual – you can take part from anywhere in the UK and get your miles in your local area!
There is still time to order your VE Day bunting, stickers and flags so that you can dress your garden, house or street.
Help us to reach a marathon length in VE Day Bunting. Every purchase you make helps a veteran in employment here in our Aylesford factory, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.
Moose Event just announced! Join our Chesterfield Chat: Exploring Higher Education in Canada on Tuesday, May 11th.
Royal Canadian Legion: Do you love singing anthems? Want to design a coin? Find out more!
Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 