Public rally at Manitoba Legislature March 5, 2009 in support of Gordon Bell students
WINNIPEG, MB– A group of passionate and determined inner-city high school students can rally a community and four years later, kick a soccer ball in their field of dreams. Now The University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies is celebrating the remarkable accomplishment of Gordon Bell students in the first offering from a new series of In–Brief booklets entitled, Going Old School: Activism Reborn in Winnipeg’s Inner City.
“It is important for us to tell our urban stories from the grassroots up, and capture the energy and perseverance of our neighbours, our seniors, our youth,” said Dr. Jino Distasio, Director of the Institute of Urban Studies. “What emerges in the Gordon Bell story is ordinary citizens and others working collectively to make a difference in the community. We see that getting involved using “old school activism” still works, especially when you introduce modern social media to get the word out.”
The 10 page, highly-readable booklet contains pictures, maps and interviews with Gordon Bell students who spent years mobilizing support to acquire an empty field from Canada Post and who raised more than $400,000 for the project.
“So many Gordon Bell field-of-dreams supporters from all walks of life worked together as a team and never gave up hope that the creation of an inner-Winnipeg sports field would finally become a priority to governments and a reality to the community,” said Nancy Chippendale, a Gordon Bell graduate who helped kick-start the campaign. “The amazing Gordon Bell students who stepped up to the plate and tenaciously vocalized the importance of a sports field to their school continue to be an inspiration to us all.”
To view the booklet click here at The Gordon Bell .
The IUSIn-Brief series provides new space for thought on urban issues from a variety of perspectives — from academic research to journalistic investigation, from editorial comments to public stories. It is intended to provide concise comment, thought and informed discussion on a range of urban issues.
The next topic planned for the ongoing IUS In-Brief series: an exploration of the affordable housing question in Winnipeg, from an inner-city, neighbourood perspective.
The Institute of Urban Studies invites ideas for the In-Brief series at: ius@uwinnipeg.ca
