Skip to main content

The Eagle Feather

On Wednesday Urban Native Homes Inc. hosted a luncheon honoring the Eagle Feather and what it symbolizes in our Native culture.  Guest speaker Walter Cooke did an excellent presentation and I got the opportunity to chat with him. Even though we tenants received an open invitation I had not idea what to expect when I walked in the community room most in attendance were the UNH’s employees and only 8 tenants showed up.
Awkward moment – When Walter signaled the Director to sit at our table I could tell by her body language she didn’t want to but reluctantly sat down anyway.  Can you imagine Tony King & the UNH’s Director sitting and dining at the same table, sort of like The Iron Lady sits with Chief Crazy Horse. :D
*It should be noted according to the history books Chief Crazy Horse was a handsome man.*  ;)
Funny moments – Standing in the buffet line I decided to tease the computer guy which in turn made Tammy T. laugh.  Charles was a good host in offering us what beverages were available I said “I’ll have a run & coke on the rocks” ;) but knew I was shit out of luck so I asked for coffee. :)
It was nice that staff member Teresa offered to serve us and honorable mention goes to Tracy the receptionist for the fish cakes.  In the end I shook Mr. Cooke’s hand and said goodbye.  The only piss off  is when new tenant Deb Chrysler who sat beside me said a disparaging remark about my son.....which I chose to ignore.

Comments

Tony King said…
According the my stats this blog post is the most popular. and why not it's a great blog about a special day. It's too bad events hosted by Urban Natives Homes have declined dramatically since then. :(
Glen P said…
It was nice that staff members offered beverages and food.

Popular posts from this blog

Poor Working Environment

My unit is located near the KMHC office, along with a friendly wave or hello I see the junior staff going about their business in a cheerful manner with the exception of one employee.   You would think KMHC has a pleasant working environment but that is not the case.   March 2016 is when Urban Native Homes head office was forced to move from their former spacious location to the cramp basement level of KMHC.   There were approx. 8-10 staff members at the time.   Then the Urban Native Homes financial scandal broke out and soon after the current UNH acting director’s illicit past became public knowledge, everyone was worried will they have a job.  Fearful meetings going on in the community room, the rumor mill was in full rotation while I just stood back and observed the panic.   Check your search engine it states this building location is Urban Native Homes head office yet that is not correct.  There is no real head office, the organization has s...

The Passing of Dean King

There's not many original KMHC tenants left that I know, last week I got word tenant Dean King passed away, we were not related and I remember when he moved in the building we got along well, we hung out often and he shared stories about his life and family. Eventually I notice he wasn't the sharpest pencil in the drawer and I started drifting away thus ended our friendship. Dean didn't have the usual addictions most male aboriginals endure he didn't drink or do drugs the problem was his mental state which I believe began after an auto accident years before.  After I moved out of KMHC I'd often see him standing in line at the food bank in Gore Park in downtown Hamilton or hanging out with street friend Galina in Jackson Square food court. He didn't have many friends and other KMHC tenants just tolerated and accepted his strange behavior. He'd walk the streets looking disheveled and lost.  When I received the news Dean died I didn't feel sad I felt surpri...

Sandy Holland

On February 27th 2025 I heard the passing of tenant Elder Sandy Holland. I knew she was in bad health and said to her friend she's ready to go.  I met her years ago when she moved to KMHC she seem a bit daffy yet in a nice way, never spoke mean about others but had strong opinions about UNH staff. We would meet at UNH dinner functions and meetings and always offered me hug. She never got personal sharing her life stories with me which I can respect. RIP