Help Replace Brians's Stolen Items
Donation protected
My name is Giselle Ruemke, and I'm starting this campaign for a dear friend who's come to mean quite a lot to me. His name is Brian Grandbois, and he has made a profound difference in the lives of many, many people, here in Canada, and beyond. He certainly has in my own life. I had the privilege of meeting Brian while volunteering at Unist'ot'en Camp earlier this year. (For those of you unfamiliar with Unist'ot'en Camp, I encourage you to learn about it here: http://unistotencamp.com)
Brian is a Dene father and grandfather from Cold Lake, Alberta. He was the only child from his village that that not taken away by force to "residential school," thanks to his grandfather and grandmother, who, along with the other elders, were able to protect and raise him safely. Brian grew up speaking Dene, and benefitted from learning traditional skills including how to hunt, trap, and fish, and other cultural knowledge. When he did attend school he excelled academically, and became a skilled artist. He was one of very few students chosen to attend the Banff School of Fine Arts.
He has dedicated his life to advocacy and social justice activism on behalf of his own Dene Nation and many other Indigenous peoples who are working to protect their lands and waters from damage via large scale industrial energy projects that seem to hold little regard for traditional territorial rights. He joined the American Indian Movement (A.I.M.) back in the 1970s, and has stood in solidarity with other communities from the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, to Oka and Kanawake, from Cold Lake to Gustafson Lake to Unist'ot'en Camp, and many communities in between. He has held a band council position in Cold Lake, and has also served as a representative for several chiefs. He has contributed greatly to Indigenous language preseveration programs. He works primarily as an artist, and is a well respected teacher, ally, advocate, and activist, as well as a loving friend, father, and grandfather.
This past weekend, Brian had travelled to Vancouver to take part in an art show and sale at the Native Friendships Centre. On November 28th, Brian's car, with several tools and larger framed pieces of art, was stolen. Brian has reported the theft to the police, but even if it is found, it is not likely that the tools or artwork would still be in the vehicle. This campaign is to raise enough money to replace his 1991 Honda Civic, the framed art pieces, and the tools. I'm not sure if this amount will even cover those losses, but it will at least help.
Please, if you're able to kick in a few dollars, it would be extremely helpful to this incredible human, and would enable him to continue creating beautiful works of art, and travelling to the communities he serves and inspires. Thank you so much! <3
In gratitude,
Giselle Ruemke
Brian is a Dene father and grandfather from Cold Lake, Alberta. He was the only child from his village that that not taken away by force to "residential school," thanks to his grandfather and grandmother, who, along with the other elders, were able to protect and raise him safely. Brian grew up speaking Dene, and benefitted from learning traditional skills including how to hunt, trap, and fish, and other cultural knowledge. When he did attend school he excelled academically, and became a skilled artist. He was one of very few students chosen to attend the Banff School of Fine Arts.
He has dedicated his life to advocacy and social justice activism on behalf of his own Dene Nation and many other Indigenous peoples who are working to protect their lands and waters from damage via large scale industrial energy projects that seem to hold little regard for traditional territorial rights. He joined the American Indian Movement (A.I.M.) back in the 1970s, and has stood in solidarity with other communities from the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, to Oka and Kanawake, from Cold Lake to Gustafson Lake to Unist'ot'en Camp, and many communities in between. He has held a band council position in Cold Lake, and has also served as a representative for several chiefs. He has contributed greatly to Indigenous language preseveration programs. He works primarily as an artist, and is a well respected teacher, ally, advocate, and activist, as well as a loving friend, father, and grandfather.
This past weekend, Brian had travelled to Vancouver to take part in an art show and sale at the Native Friendships Centre. On November 28th, Brian's car, with several tools and larger framed pieces of art, was stolen. Brian has reported the theft to the police, but even if it is found, it is not likely that the tools or artwork would still be in the vehicle. This campaign is to raise enough money to replace his 1991 Honda Civic, the framed art pieces, and the tools. I'm not sure if this amount will even cover those losses, but it will at least help.
Please, if you're able to kick in a few dollars, it would be extremely helpful to this incredible human, and would enable him to continue creating beautiful works of art, and travelling to the communities he serves and inspires. Thank you so much! <3
In gratitude,
Giselle Ruemke
Organizer
Giselle Ruemke
Organizer
Victoria, BC
