Fall
2009 Newsletter
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Sponsors Non-Profit Program for Inner-City Kids
Starting September 15, 2009
Shudokan Karate and Education Canada Society
is set to begin
its 8th year of providing
free martial arts lessons and perspective-broadening educational
experiences to underprivileged children and students
of East Vancouver. This year will likely see the 1,000th
student through the program. The purpose of the program is to teach
healthy living, self-control, manners, responsibility, discipline, and self-defence
to challenged inner-city children. Though the program is located in the
gym of the Grandview/?Uuqinak'uuh
Elementary School it is open to all
students and parents at no cost.
The Society is most
pleased to acknowledge the major sponsorship contribution of
for the 2009/2010 years.
is the first corporation to become a "Circle of the Eagle Feather" sponsor and
is an uncontested leader in promoting healthy living and positive relationships
for youth in communities in which they are active.
The society is grateful for the vision and
leadership of CN Chairman, David McLean, for recognizing the opportunity to
assist those
most in need, to find a chance for a better life through self-reliance. The
dedication of CN has permitted children in 2009 to experience the Spring 2009
Karate Camp and a rare opportunity for some of its most dedicated
students to travel to Japan this October to further their study of karate, and
experience the beautiful Japanese culture. The society would also like to thank
the McLean McCuaig Foundation
for their contribution as platinum feather sponsors
(to see other past sponsors of the Society go to:
http://www.shudokan.ca/sponsors.shtml and
http://www.native-invest-trade.com/index_basic.shtml).
Principal of Grandview/?Uuqinak'uuh Elementary SchoolI, Gloria Raphael, has noted that "We are most blessed to have such a program run by the Shudokan Society. The children in our school and region benefit enormously from the opportunity to improve their lives through martial arts and the other activities organized by the Society. When financial resources are so scarce, we all appreciate the enormous contributions of sponsors like CN to making our community a better place to live."
Karate Camp 2009
At the end of April 2009, the
Westbank First Nation hosted the Society
students for their weekend karate camp at the Westbank Community Centre.
A
traditional dancer greeted the group with a formal welcome
dance, the community provided the most wonderful traditional dinner,
and
WFN
member, Chris Derickson, provided an informative tour of the progressive
community.
In addition to their
karate camp practice, the Society students performed a karate demonstration for the
members of the Westbank First Nation. As well, the students were able
to travel
to Nk'mip Desert Cutural Centre which
was generously provided by the Osoyoos Indian Band.
The Society wishes to provides its most grateful thank you to Councilor Mike DeGuevara, and to community member, Chris Derickson, for their wonderful efforts expended to make this a memorable occasion for inner city students (for more photos of the camp click here).
Karate and Cultural Visit to Japan
Thanks to the generosity of kind sponsors such as
,
a key group of hardworking and dedicated students
has been selected for a karate
training and cultural visit to Japan. They will travel to Japan in the
first two weeks of October 2009. The students selected are:
The circumstances of student,
Tucker Parnell, were featured last year nationally on widely
viewed
CBC National News Program. Tucker, Conor, Robert, and Stephanie have
spent the last several years practicing diligently, and attending classes
regularly. Jeannette Angus, Tucker's Grandma, also has attended classes regularly
and has been asked to participate as a chaperon.
Among other highlights, students will have the rare opportunity to train with Master Akira Shiomi, and will experience a range of uniquely Japanese cultural experiences.
Website is Now Available in Japanese Language
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Touchstone Webworks Inc. the Society website is now available in Japanese.
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For further information go to: http://www.shudokan.ca/ or Call (604) 275-6670
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Shudokan is a non-profit society intended to help Aboriginal and inner city children and youth move forward in education and life through the practice of martial arts. Since its inception, it has had over 700 hundred students join, and is now in its 8th year of operation.
