Ariadne’s Notes: The World Poetry Café Radio Show with hosts Ariadne Sawyer and retired Human Rights worker Victor Schwartzman welcomed our community partners Jennifer Chieh Ho, Lorene Oikawa and Karoline Klug in a special radio show panel on  Asian Human Rights which aired on May 5th, 9-10 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. World Poetry Theme Song by Yoshifumi Sakura and music by Ablaye and Volker completed the Asian Heritage Month Program. To listen to this insightful and informative show: CLICK HERE!

Special Event!

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month in May:
May 14th 6-9PM
UNIFOR Hall
326 12th Street, New Westminster.
short films & panel discussion | snacks | photo booth and henna!
For more information and to RSVP: Jennifer.ChiehHo@une-sen.org
sponsored by: Canadian Labour Congress, BC Federation of Labour, Public Service Alliance of Canada, Union of National Employees – BC/Yukon, Unifor, BCGEU, Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association,

Panellists:

Jennifer Chieh Ho is of ethnic Chinese background, born and raised in Brunei Darussalam, North West Borneo in South East Asia. She immigrated to Canada in 1988 with her family.

Jennifer has been a strong union activist for a number of years and empowers members in her community and union. In 2011, she was elected the first racialized Regional Vice President for BC and Yukon in the Union of National Employees of Public Service Alliance of Canada. Then in 2014, she was re elected by acclamation of the same title for the 2014 – 2017 mandate.

Jennifer is the Representative for racialized workers for two labour organisations; The BC Federation of Labour and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

As a leader of the racialized equity group, Jennifer fights discrimination, mentors and builds networks of potential leaders from democratic grassroots and pushes for inclusion and fairness in the workplace.

Jennifer`s principle is “Go with your heart and respect“ Jennifer.ChiehHo@une-sen.org

Lorene Oikawa is an activist who speaks and writes on a range of topics including women in leadership, human rights, and social media. She is the President of the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association. She is the founder of the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance in BC. She is a director on the board of the Canadian Labour International Film Festival. She was the first Asian Canadian Executive Vice President for the BC Government and Services Employees’ Union and served from 2005-2014. Lorene is a fourth generation British Columbian whose family migrated from Japan in the 1800’s and 1906. 

Added information and links:”We will be launching the Hastings Park 1942 website that will include more stories and photos about Japanese Canadians imprisoned there in 1942. The signs are on permanent display in Hastings Park. http://hastingspark1942.ca/  Photos and stories in next month’s magazine. http://jccabulletin-geppo.ca/ ” Lorene

Karoline Klug

“Past National Vice President for Human Rights (7 years) of the Union of National Employees, PSAC. I have worked with numerous social justice groups to further diversity. The primary goal has always been to create space for different voices.”