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THE BIRTH OF EDMONTON CARIBBEAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
BY ANDREW PATRICK EDWARDS `ANDY'
SOMETIME BETWEEN 1977 AND 1978 BEFORE ANY OF THE EXISTING CARIBBEAN ORGANIZATIONS IN EDMONTON CAME INTO BEING, THE LATE MIKE LANCASTER PROPOSED THE FORMATION OF AN ORGANIZATION TO REPRESENT ALL THE IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WHO WERE RESIDING IN EDMONTON AT THAT TIME. WE HAD RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR SUCH AN ORGANIZATION FOR QUITE SOMETIME, HOWEVER THIS BECAME MORE EVIDENT IN THE SUMMER OF 1977 WHEN MR. LANCASTER ATTENDED A MULTICULTURAL FUNCTION AT THE JUBILEE AUDITORIUM IN EDMONTON AND REALIZED THAT ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES AND ALL OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS HAD A VERY VISIBLE AND STRONG REPRESENTATION PRESENT.
THE FOLLOWING DAY HE CALLED ME AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO ME, AND SUGGESTED A PLAN TO CORRECT THIS. WE BEGAN CONTACTING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN IN EDMONTON FROM THE WEST INDIES, FORMED A COMMITTEE AND AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF MEETINGS WE EVENTUALLY PRODUCED CONSTITUTION , A SET OF BYLAWS, AND A NAME FOR THE PROPOSED ORGANIZATION. `EDMONTON CARIBBEAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION' "ECCA". WE THEN SUBMITTED IT ALL TO THE ALBERTA CONSUMER AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS FOR REGISTRATION. WE RECEIVED CONFORMATION IN MAY 1978 THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS INCORPORATED ON MAY 15, 1978.
THE DEMISE OF ECCA 1993
The association went on to serve the Caribbean Community for many years until it folded in 1993. The reason for it's demise, was due to the fact that during those years, nationals from several of the West Indian Islands formed their own individual organizations. This made it difficult for ECCA to function because we were all competing for the same community members to attend all of our social and cultural functions, as well as our meetings. There was not enough of us to do this, and as a result ECCA had to suspend its activities.
Periodically, over the following years, I would often get the feeling that there is a need for ECCA once more, and this idea became more evident when several individuals would approach me and express their desire for the same thing. During the years between 1993 and 2016 I called three meetings to address the subject but each time it resulted with nothing happening.
THE REVIVAL OF ECCA 2017
In July of 2017 I decided to make another attempt to do something about it I sent out notices to the Caribbean Community to attend a meeting on October 1st, the venue was The Caribbean Women Network office, Suite 12-9353-50 Street Edmonton. Twenty-one people attended, and we were able to elect an executive board. In the following two weeks we submitted an application to the Alberta Government for incorporation of the association, AND ARE NOW AWAITING A REPLY.
OUR FOOTPRINTS IN EDMONTON
April 2012 was fifty years since I immigrated to Edmonton. To mark this occasion I wrote and published a book entitled `Footprints of the Caribbean Community in Edmonton'. It is a documentation of my involvement and contributions to the Caribbean Community, and also the contributions of the Caribbean Community to Edmonton and to Alberta. From here on I will refer to this book as `FOOTPRINTS'
HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF ECCA
1978 TO 2018
FIRST BRAIN STORMING MEETINGS ---------1976 - 1977
INCORPORATED ----------------------------------MAY 15, 1978
WE REPRESENTED: ALL THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AT:
Government public meetings, and at all of the city' s annual festivals.
WE PARTICIPATED IN: ----Klondike days. Heritage days, the City of Edmonton Convention Centre Caribbean Extravaganza, and were members of the Edmonton Folk Art Council
We took every opportunity to promote our Caribbean Culture by displaying arts & crafts at several shopping malls, and at community functions.
We put together a Resource Library Kit, and made it available to any one or any group who requested to have it on loan. This idea was spearheaded by Mrs. Deloris Jack and Mrs. Lynette Payne.
~~~~~POLITICS ~~~~~
Whenever possible we embraced all opportunities to get involved in the city and the Province's political process.
~~~~~ WE HAVE DONATED FUNDS TO: ~~~~~
The Edmonton `WIN House', a shelter for young pregnant women.
The Dalhousie University (in Halifax)
To the Cariwest Caribbean Carnival Association
To Caribbean perspective, a cultural media organization created by Selwyn Jacob
Eccabats Cricket Club
~~~~~SOCIAL FUNCTIONS: ~~~~~
An Annual Games day at various school grounds, as well as an annual picnic at different community parks, and a few times at, Pigeon Lake.
Quarterly Dances at various community halls
ANNUAL INAUGURAL BANQUETS:
12 of them---1980 to 1991, In addition to inviting City and Provincial Representatives, we invited Hi Commissioners from Caribbean Islands to attend as guest speakers
Trade Commissioners from various Caribbean Islands who visit Edmonton on official business.
We took the opportunity to set-up functions to allow them to meet nationals from the Island which they represented
We recognized members in the Community at our Banquets for their contributions to the Community. And from 1984 to 1989, We also presented to youths in the community, an achievement award for their excellence in Academics, Sporting, and other activities.
~~~~~EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING AND ASSISTANCE ~~~~~
When Jamaica experienced the devastating flood in 1979 and was crying out for help, ECCA responded by organizing a benefit dance. We raised $3,172.88 and sent all of it to Jamaica:
NETWORKING: WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN EDMONTON, AND AROUND ALBERTA.
We coordinated dates of social and cultural functions with all Caribbean associations, and even with other non Caribbean groups, to ensure that our dates did not clash. We also made an effort to send delegates to each other’s functions.
~~~~~ NETWORKING NATIONALLY~~~~~
May 21, 1984 three of ECCA’S members attended the Barbados National Caribbean Conference in Ottawa. We were there for three days.
Etty Cameron and Mrs. Vilma Nicholson, develop a program for Caribbean children who resided in Edmonton. this was a bi-weekly event at the Alex Taylor school in downtown Edmonton.
WE PRODUCED NEWS LETTERS AND NEWS MAGAZINES
We published in our news magazines: job opportunities in the Caribbean Islands, the Consulate offices in Ottawa and Toronto provided us with the information. Sometimes we got it directly through correspondence from the Islands.
We made available to our members; passport application forms from all Caribbean islands
We communicated with Consulate offices in Toronto and Ottawa on behalf of members who requested such help.
We had meetings with the Alberta Education Department to address the matter of starring Caribbean and black students away from university and into apprentice courses.
We frequently attended meetings with the police department about the targeting of our community members without cause to do so. as well as addressing many other issues, and agreeing to satisfactory solutions.
~~~~~FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ~~~~~
WHAT HAPPENED TO ECCA’s LAND? ---See page 56 to 58 in the book `Footprints'
~~~~~ DID WE EVER APPLY FOR GRANTS? ~~~~~~
Once, on behalf of the Caribbean Perspective Association, and we received $2,965.00. All of it was handed over to them See page 33 of` FOOTPRINTS' for more details
~~~~~IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE ~~~~~
Promote another Grand Banquet to recognize past members in the Community who excelled and made a difference.
ECCA’S past recipients of the Youth Achievement Awards, what became of them? Tell their story.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OF THINGS THAT YOU LIKE THIS REVIVED ASSOCIATION TO ACCOMPLISH?
You may contact us at:-------
~~~THE NEW 2017 - 2019 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS ARE: ~~~
President .....................................Andrew Edwards
Vice President ........................... Ralph Robinson
Secretary .....................................Etty Cameron
Treasurer .....................................Earl Ellis
Public Relations Officer ..........Donna Barker
Public relations Officer ...........Desmond Edwards
Public relations Officer ..........Greg Davis
THE BIRTH OF EDMONTON CARIBBEAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
BY ANDREW PATRICK EDWARDS `ANDY'
SOMETIME BETWEEN 1977 AND 1978 BEFORE ANY OF THE EXISTING CARIBBEAN ORGANIZATIONS IN EDMONTON CAME INTO BEING, THE LATE MIKE LANCASTER PROPOSED THE FORMATION OF AN ORGANIZATION TO REPRESENT ALL THE IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WHO WERE RESIDING IN EDMONTON AT THAT TIME. WE HAD RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR SUCH AN ORGANIZATION FOR QUITE SOMETIME, HOWEVER THIS BECAME MORE EVIDENT IN THE SUMMER OF 1977 WHEN MR. LANCASTER ATTENDED A MULTICULTURAL FUNCTION AT THE JUBILEE AUDITORIUM IN EDMONTON AND REALIZED THAT ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES AND ALL OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS HAD A VERY VISIBLE AND STRONG REPRESENTATION PRESENT.
THE FOLLOWING DAY HE CALLED ME AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO ME, AND SUGGESTED A PLAN TO CORRECT THIS. WE BEGAN CONTACTING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN IN EDMONTON FROM THE WEST INDIES, FORMED A COMMITTEE AND AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF MEETINGS WE EVENTUALLY PRODUCED CONSTITUTION , A SET OF BYLAWS, AND A NAME FOR THE PROPOSED ORGANIZATION. `EDMONTON CARIBBEAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION' "ECCA". WE THEN SUBMITTED IT ALL TO THE ALBERTA CONSUMER AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS FOR REGISTRATION. WE RECEIVED CONFORMATION IN MAY 1978 THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS INCORPORATED ON MAY 15, 1978.
THE DEMISE OF ECCA 1993
The association went on to serve the Caribbean Community for many years until it folded in 1993. The reason for it's demise, was due to the fact that during those years, nationals from several of the West Indian Islands formed their own individual organizations. This made it difficult for ECCA to function because we were all competing for the same community members to attend all of our social and cultural functions, as well as our meetings. There was not enough of us to do this, and as a result ECCA had to suspend its activities.
Periodically, over the following years, I would often get the feeling that there is a need for ECCA once more, and this idea became more evident when several individuals would approach me and express their desire for the same thing. During the years between 1993 and 2016 I called three meetings to address the subject but each time it resulted with nothing happening.
THE REVIVAL OF ECCA 2017
In July of 2017 I decided to make another attempt to do something about it I sent out notices to the Caribbean Community to attend a meeting on October 1st, the venue was The Caribbean Women Network office, Suite 12-9353-50 Street Edmonton. Twenty-one people attended, and we were able to elect an executive board. In the following two weeks we submitted an application to the Alberta Government for incorporation of the association, AND ARE NOW AWAITING A REPLY.
OUR FOOTPRINTS IN EDMONTON
April 2012 was fifty years since I immigrated to Edmonton. To mark this occasion I wrote and published a book entitled `Footprints of the Caribbean Community in Edmonton'. It is a documentation of my involvement and contributions to the Caribbean Community, and also the contributions of the Caribbean Community to Edmonton and to Alberta. From here on I will refer to this book as `FOOTPRINTS'
HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF ECCA
1978 TO 2018
FIRST BRAIN STORMING MEETINGS ---------1976 - 1977
INCORPORATED ----------------------------------MAY 15, 1978
WE REPRESENTED: ALL THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AT:
Government public meetings, and at all of the city' s annual festivals.
WE PARTICIPATED IN: ----Klondike days. Heritage days, the City of Edmonton Convention Centre Caribbean Extravaganza, and were members of the Edmonton Folk Art Council
We took every opportunity to promote our Caribbean Culture by displaying arts & crafts at several shopping malls, and at community functions.
We put together a Resource Library Kit, and made it available to any one or any group who requested to have it on loan. This idea was spearheaded by Mrs. Deloris Jack and Mrs. Lynette Payne.
~~~~~POLITICS ~~~~~
Whenever possible we embraced all opportunities to get involved in the city and the Province's political process.
~~~~~ WE HAVE DONATED FUNDS TO: ~~~~~
The Edmonton `WIN House', a shelter for young pregnant women.
The Dalhousie University (in Halifax)
To the Cariwest Caribbean Carnival Association
To Caribbean perspective, a cultural media organization created by Selwyn Jacob
Eccabats Cricket Club
~~~~~SOCIAL FUNCTIONS: ~~~~~
An Annual Games day at various school grounds, as well as an annual picnic at different community parks, and a few times at, Pigeon Lake.
Quarterly Dances at various community halls
ANNUAL INAUGURAL BANQUETS:
12 of them---1980 to 1991, In addition to inviting City and Provincial Representatives, we invited Hi Commissioners from Caribbean Islands to attend as guest speakers
Trade Commissioners from various Caribbean Islands who visit Edmonton on official business.
We took the opportunity to set-up functions to allow them to meet nationals from the Island which they represented
We recognized members in the Community at our Banquets for their contributions to the Community. And from 1984 to 1989, We also presented to youths in the community, an achievement award for their excellence in Academics, Sporting, and other activities.
~~~~~EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING AND ASSISTANCE ~~~~~
When Jamaica experienced the devastating flood in 1979 and was crying out for help, ECCA responded by organizing a benefit dance. We raised $3,172.88 and sent all of it to Jamaica:
NETWORKING: WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN EDMONTON, AND AROUND ALBERTA.
We coordinated dates of social and cultural functions with all Caribbean associations, and even with other non Caribbean groups, to ensure that our dates did not clash. We also made an effort to send delegates to each other’s functions.
~~~~~ NETWORKING NATIONALLY~~~~~
May 21, 1984 three of ECCA’S members attended the Barbados National Caribbean Conference in Ottawa. We were there for three days.
Etty Cameron and Mrs. Vilma Nicholson, develop a program for Caribbean children who resided in Edmonton. this was a bi-weekly event at the Alex Taylor school in downtown Edmonton.
WE PRODUCED NEWS LETTERS AND NEWS MAGAZINES
We published in our news magazines: job opportunities in the Caribbean Islands, the Consulate offices in Ottawa and Toronto provided us with the information. Sometimes we got it directly through correspondence from the Islands.
We made available to our members; passport application forms from all Caribbean islands
We communicated with Consulate offices in Toronto and Ottawa on behalf of members who requested such help.
We had meetings with the Alberta Education Department to address the matter of starring Caribbean and black students away from university and into apprentice courses.
We frequently attended meetings with the police department about the targeting of our community members without cause to do so. as well as addressing many other issues, and agreeing to satisfactory solutions.
~~~~~FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ~~~~~
WHAT HAPPENED TO ECCA’s LAND? ---See page 56 to 58 in the book `Footprints'
~~~~~ DID WE EVER APPLY FOR GRANTS? ~~~~~~
Once, on behalf of the Caribbean Perspective Association, and we received $2,965.00. All of it was handed over to them See page 33 of` FOOTPRINTS' for more details
~~~~~IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE ~~~~~
Promote another Grand Banquet to recognize past members in the Community who excelled and made a difference.
ECCA’S past recipients of the Youth Achievement Awards, what became of them? Tell their story.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OF THINGS THAT YOU LIKE THIS REVIVED ASSOCIATION TO ACCOMPLISH?
You may contact us at:-------
~~~THE NEW 2017 - 2019 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS ARE: ~~~
President .....................................Andrew Edwards
Vice President ........................... Ralph Robinson
Secretary .....................................Etty Cameron
Treasurer .....................................Earl Ellis
Public Relations Officer ..........Donna Barker
Public relations Officer ...........Desmond Edwards
Public relations Officer ..........Greg Davis
FOLLOWING IS A TABULATED RECORD OF DECEASED MEMBERS
OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY 1977 TO2018
No NAME FROM DATE DIED No NAME FROM DATE DIED
1.........Winston Elcock-----------Trinidad-------June 21,1977 51 .....Welton Graham -------- Jamaica -------???,??, ????
2 .......Decarlo Hinds -------------Barbados -----1980 52 ......Lindsay Rambaran -----Trinidad ------Aug. 03, 2012 53 ......Herman Gemerts ------ Trinidad ----- Jan. 09, 2013
3........Dr. Jules Theodore--------Trinidad ------ ????? 54 ......Hammond Ingram ---- Barbados ------Dec. 25, 2013
4........Latch. Persaud------------ Guyana ------ May 27,1986 55.......Locksley Cameron ----- Jamaica------- Jan. 23,2015
5........Fewh Persaud ------------- Guyana------- Mar. 08,1992 56 ..... Ted Khan -----------------Guyana ------- Aug. 19,2016
6 .......Lance Fraser ---------------Jamaica --------Nov. 13,1991 57 ......Elsa M Gordon -----------Jamaica ------ Oct, 19, 2016
7........Lenora Edwards----------- Trinidad -------Jan. 26,1994 58 ......Sylvester Moses --------Trinidad ----- Sept. 17,2017
8 .......Finley Balkaran ----------- Trinidad ------- Feb. 14,1994 59.....Frank Boodram -------- Trinidad ------Oct. 24, 2017
9........Bert Cunningham ------- Trinidad--------May 21, 1994 60...... Hugh Mc. David --------Trinidad ------Dec. 02 2017
10 .......Avion Brown -------------- Trinidad --------July 4, 1994 61 ......Greg Banfield ----------- Barbados -----Jan. 26, 2018
11 .....Chevon Williams ---------Edmonton------1994 62 ......Fazal Bacchus -----------Guyana ------ Feb. 12, 2018
12 ......Pauline Pennyfeather --- St Kitts ----------Dec, 22,1998 63........John Battiste ------------Trinidad-------Mar. 01, 2018
13.......Kevin C. Black ------------ Trinidad --------Feb. 29, 2000 64.......Randolph Small---------Barbados ------May 22. 2018
14 ......Ramdeen g. Pardais ------Trinidad -------- May 7,2001 65.......Allan Pennyfeather......St, Kitts..............Aug. 09, 2018
15 ......Ozzie Job -------------------Trinidad --------?????????? 66........Henry Lepf ....................... .............Oct. 6, 2018
16 ......Julian B. Wright ---------- ??????? ---------Sept. 19, 2002 67 .....Alma Stewart .......... Jamaica .....................Dec. 30, 2018
17.......Leford Thompson -------- Jamaica --------Feb. 15, 2003 68......Bibi `Fatima" Reece ....Guyana ...............Feb. 12, 2019
18 ......Christopher Cardoza ---- ????? ----------Oct. 2003 69......Marjorie Ebanks .....Jamaica ..................March 15, 2019
19......Kishaum P. Barker -------- ??????? --------April 01,2004 70 ......Gloria Samuel ..........Jamaica .................April, 2019
20 .....Irwin Hunt ----------------Trinidad ------- Aug. 27,2004 71 .......Dalton Philip .............Trinidad..................May 3, 2019
21 ......Eunice Famer------------- Trinidad -------May 12,2002 72 ......Dorothy Howard ..... Grenada ..............June 19,2019
22.......Rita I, Pilgrim -------------Trinidad ------ Aug. 22, 2004 73 .......Joyce Lepf...................Trinidad ...............July 6, 2019
23 ......Junior Ferdinand---------Trinidad -------Oct. 20, 2004 74 ........ Frank Seerattan Trinidad ...............Sept. 9, 2019
24 ......Mike W, Lancaster ------Tobago --------Feb. 25,2005 75 ........Goddard F, Casimir Trinidad ................Oct, 25, 2019
25......Varnado G Stobbs --------???????? -------Oct 06, 2006 76 .......Cynthia Fraser ..........Grenada ...............Nov. 20,2019
26 .....Sol Ramsankar ------------Trinidad ----- Dec. 01, 2006 77..........Pearl T. Small.............Barbados ..............Dec. 17, 2019
27 ......Veronica Peters ---------- Trinidad -----March 18,2007 78 ........Julian T. Brereton .....Trinidad ..............Jan. 29,2020
28 ......Steve Ramsankar -------- Trinidad ---- July 02, 2007 79 ........Richard Shelford ......St Kitts ................Feb. 08, 2020
29.......Winston Ramsankar ---- Trinidad -----Aug 17, 2007 80 ..........Trevor Jordan ...........Trinidad .............March 07, 2020
30 ......Lynette Ramlogan ------- Trinidad -----Nov 09, 2007 81..........Noel Hudson..............Jamaica...............????, ????, 2019
31 ...... Albert Brown ------------- Tobago --------March 01, 2008 82 ...........Helen Fraser--------.......Grenada --------Nov. 24,2020
32 ......Barry Thompson----------Jamaica--------April 02, 2008 83..........Rita Cottle..............
33 ......Jency Henry ---------------Trinidad ------April 23,2008 84 ..........Lloyd Pennyfeathe...... St. Kitts .........February 6. 2021
34 .....Geoffrey W. Biddulph---England -------May 01, 2008 85 .......... Dennis Zyfdeen ..............Trinidad ...........March 19, 2021
35 ......Roland Joseph -------------Trinidad ------Aug. ??, 2008 .............86 .........Rody Macano .................Trinidad ........... 2021
36 ......Milton Zaiffdeen Sr. ------Trinidad -----Nov. 12, 2008............... 87 .........Gloria Providence..........St. Vincent
37...... Inez Blucher----------------St. Vincent--- Jan. 19, 2009 .............. 88 ........
38...... Jean Vishnu ----------------Trinidad ------Aug. 2009..... 89 .......
39......Victor Barker---------------Trinidad-------Sept. 05, 2009............90.........
40......Andrew Providence -----St. Vincent----Oct. 31, 2009................91 .........
41 .....Unita Codrington ---------Guyana --------- Dec. 2009 ................92 ........ Sastri Gosine .......Trinidad ..........March 30, 2022
43.....George Persaud ------ Guyana ------ Feb. 2010 ............93 ........Pearl Edwards ....Trinidad ........July 08, 2022
45..... Imhotet Austin --???????? --- Sept. 31, 2010 ........94 .... Ceyon Henry.........Trinidad.........October 2022
46......Barbara J Charles ---St. Vincent - Sept. 15, 2010
47......Marva Hamilton ---Trinidad ------July 06, 2011
48 .....Michael Sinanan ---Trinidad ------ ???, ??, ????
49 .....Osborne A. Loutan ---Trinidad ------ ???. ??, ????
50 .....Mahadeo Balkaran - Trinidad ------???, ??, ????
EDMONTON CARIBBEAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
(ECC
Will hold a
GENERAL MEETING
ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2018, 1:30pm
At the
CARIBBEAN WOMEN NETWORK OFFICE
SUITE 12, 9353-50 STREET, EDMONTON AB,
Come and join us, we are looking forward to seeing you.
Membership fee is $10.00, but don’t let that stop you
We will welcome you anyway
QUESTIONS? --- CALL: Andy -- 780-476-9175. Ralph: 780-616-909. Earl: 780-467-0940,
Etty :780-464-2086, Donna: 587-985-8157, Desmond: 780-200-7142
(ECC
Will hold a
GENERAL MEETING
ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2018, 1:30pm
At the
CARIBBEAN WOMEN NETWORK OFFICE
SUITE 12, 9353-50 STREET, EDMONTON AB,
Come and join us, we are looking forward to seeing you.
Membership fee is $10.00, but don’t let that stop you
We will welcome you anyway
QUESTIONS? --- CALL: Andy -- 780-476-9175. Ralph: 780-616-909. Earl: 780-467-0940,
Etty :780-464-2086, Donna: 587-985-8157, Desmond: 780-200-7142