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karen ward

@kwardvancouver.bsky.social
3.6K followers 1K following 19K posts

once called «Canada's only public intellectual» drug policy researcher ⁕ historian ⁕ artist ⁕ schemer ⁕ disorganizer ⁕ ephemera vancouver bc canada institute for the history of possible futures free-futures-society.org

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Reposted by karen ward
Emily Lowan (she/her) @emilylowan.bsky.social · 1h
Why are Indigenous people now being subjected to levels of overt hostility and racism unseen in decades? One chief recently told me he was denied entry into a store for being “Indian”.
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Bruce Arthur @brucearthur.bsky.social · 4h
On Tuesday the BC Supreme Court vacated the convictions of the co-founders of DULF, which bought and sold clean illegal drugs on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, and struck down a part of Canada's drug laws. None of it was ideal, but in this crisis, it was to the good. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
thestar.com
Bruce Arthur: B.C. court right to absolve founders of Drug User Liberation Front
The B.C. Supreme Court concluded that DULF kept people alive and did no public harm, Bruce Arthur writes.
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BC Humanist Association @bchumanist.ca · 10h
Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. As part of our commitment to reflecting on Canada's past, present and future relationship with First Nations and Indigenous communities, read our latest report from historian Robert Jago. www.bchumanist.ca/origin_and_m...
bchumanist.ca
The Origin and Meaning of Land Acknowledgements
The Coast Salish origins of modern land acknowledgements
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Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · 10h
recommended reading today — Aaron Hemens’ interview with Phyllis Webstad, published two years ago on @indiginews.bsky.social. Webstad is not even mentioned on the federal government’s webpage for NDTR/Orange Shirt Day indiginews.com/news/orange-...
indiginews.com
Orange Shirt Day’s founder fears Sept. 30 is being co-opted from residential ‘school’ survivors
‘I don’t want Orange Shirt Day to be forgotten — it was started by a survivor,’ says Phyllis Webstad, whose 11-year-old event now coincides with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 3h
research reveals.
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Hannah Harris Green @whatsitlike.me · 29/09/2026
But one by one, Canadian OPCs are being shut down. This is not because they didn't successfully save lives. It's because Canada is moving to the right politically and away from harm reduction—something that is happening around the globe. Powell thinks these closures are a good thing.
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Hannah Harris Green @whatsitlike.me · 28/09/2026
When I set out to fact check “The Cities That Said Yes to Drugs” which argues that harm reduction may increase overdoses, I expected some cherry picking and misdirection. But not to find basic math errors and debunked right wing talking points asserted as fact in the Atlantic’s print edition.
whatsitlike.me
Atlantic's anti-harm reduction screed riddled with errors
A close read of "The Cities That Said Yes to Drugs" found errors in basic arithmetic as well as more deliberately misleading elements
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Emma Arkell @emmaarkell.bsky.social · 4h
"There are those who oppose both supervised consumption sites and public displays of drug use... who support rehab as a panacea, without acknowledging research that shows rehab without adequate supports increases fatalities, because those who relapse have a reduced tolerance for drugs."
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Joanne Hammond @joannehammond.bsky.social · 4h
Essential @wickdchiq.bsky.social reading on Canada's political hypocrisy: "Conservatives have built party real estate around disdain for Indigenous Peoples", and Liberals too: "Prime Minister Mark Carney is also is streamlining anti-Indigenous sentiments into this government’s modus operandi."
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Castanet.net @castanet.net · 4h
Two First Nations elders killed in crash outside Tsawwassen Mills Mall #Tsawwassen
castanet.net
Two First Nations elders killed in crash outside Tsawwassen Mills Mall - BC News
UPDATE 3:25 p.m. Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Tsawwassen First Nation in Delta, B.C., has lost two beloved elders in a crash at a shopping centre, which police have said appears to have been set off by a medical emergency.
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Joanne Hammond @joannehammond.bsky.social · 5h
Dallas Brodie and OneBC out here doing anti-Indigenous racism, masks off, day-to-day lives and in their election platform. #bcpoli
from ONEBC platform:
Reconciliation

1

Repeal DRIPA and declare UNDRIP to have no force and effect in BC

2

Halt all voluntary transfers of cash, land, and control over public resources to band governments

3

Restore oversight and accountability for Indigenous Band spending

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Demand constitutional reforms to repeal the Indian Act, transform reserves into townships, and unite all British Columbians under one law and political framework.

5

Restore the original names of public institutions and public places — Names must primarily be in English

6

End the practice of mandatory land acknowledgements within the government and government-funded institutions.
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 5h
Strong Surrey is a suburb of Strongbadia
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 5h
absolute must-read here
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Anna Mehler Paperny @mehlerpaperny.bsky.social · 13h
If we're going to talk about truth and reconciliation we should talk about Canada fighting First Nations in court. ijb.utoronto.ca/news/liberal...
ijb.utoronto.ca
Liberals are playing legal hardball with First Nations over drinking water - Investigative Journalism Bureau
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government is playing legal hardball with First Nations fighting for clean drinking water — and First Nations are fighting back. Interviews and hundreds of pages o...
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Erica Ifill @wickdchiq.bsky.social · 7h
Read my latest column on this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. I name names! “Political institutions and political leaders have effectively played their part in minimizing the horrors of residential schools” www.hilltimes.com/2026/09/30/o...
hilltimes.com
Outrage rings hollow when paired with lack of action on residential school denialism - The Hill Times
Political institutions and political leaders have effectively played their part in minimizing the horrors of residential schools.
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Shannon Waters @sobittersosweet.bsky.social · 21h
That seems like such a key point here: someone in power understood the urgency Governments have so utterly failed to respond to this crisis. People like Nyx and Kalicum stepped in and this court ruling acknowledges both their efforts and the abdication of government
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Shannon Waters @sobittersosweet.bsky.social · 21h
Can we stop pretending the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is a credible, non-partisan org now? Their press releases get an awful lot of play in news stories considering Binda, Gunn, etc
The BC Conservative Party announcing on Twitter that Carson Binda, director of CTF BC, is the party's candidate in Vancouver-Quilchena in the 2026 election
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Adam Klasfeld @klasfeldreports.com · 9h
The ACLU's Jeffrey Stein called the ruling a "huge step in the right direction." “The public deserves to know how our government is justifying the cold-blooded murder of hundreds of civilians." 🔽
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The Serfs (youtube.com/theserfstv) @theserfstv.bsky.social · 7h
BREAKING: Tsawwassen First Nation ends Truth and Reconciliation event early as police say 4 people hit in collision. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Tsawwassen First Nation ends Truth and Reconciliation event early; police say 4 people hit in 'collision' | CBC
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Andrea Woo @andreawoo.bsky.social · 7h
Statement from Tsawwassen First Nation
Tsawwassen First Nation is deeply saddened to confirm that an incident occurred during today’s Truth and Reconciliation Walk. 

Emergency responders remain on site. We ask members of the public to avoid the area and allow responders to carry out their work. 

Out of respect for Tsawwassen First Nation families and ongoing response efforts, we will not be providing additional details at this time. Further information will be shared when appropriate. 

Tsawwassen First Nation extends its sincere gratitude to the Delta Police Department, emergency responders, and community members who assisted during the incident.
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bianca wylie @biancawylie.com · 8h
The curious part about engaging with power and capital is that time may be a more available and accessible tactical lever than money. lesscomputer.ca/ask-questions/
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bianca wylie @biancawylie.com · 8h
Questions are specific tools that do not require immediate action. They are a full action in themselves, and an action that borrows time and puts it back on our side to create space. lesscomputer.ca/ask-questions/
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APTN News @aptnnews.bsky.social · 8h
The Memorial Cloth is a 60-metre commemoration the honours the names of thousands of children that died as a result of residential schools in Canada. It is displayed each year as part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Parliament Hill.
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 8h
who benefits
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janelle 𓆝𓆞 @janellelapointe.bsky.social · 8h
Hypocritical politicians are a vile stain on Truth & Reconciliation day. Shameful.
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Shannon Waters @sobittersosweet.bsky.social · 21h
I dream of someday having the space to report on how David Eby went from telling NDP supporters BC could not afford to keep approving fossil fuel projects to being one of LNG's biggest boosters He made that shift in less than 4 years
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Dan H @hanoomansingh.com · 21h
Often in the case of Charter challenges — especially on social issues — people disparagingly talk about 'legislating from the bench'. This case shows how laws are overly complex and not responsive to the situation on the ground. We rely on the courts figure out how that applies in real life. #BCpoli
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Rhea Myers @rheamyers.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The backlash against safe supply in BC has been disgusting and it is absolutely fantastic to see this win.
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Corinne Green @ket.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
tears at this. so grateful for people who do right knowing they'll be done wrong. it doesn't always turn out like this. harm reductionists are the best fucking people and there is absolutely nothing stopping you from being one of them.
Justice Murray ended her ruling by addressing DULF’s founders directly, saying they did the public interest a service “at considerable personal cost.”

“You selflessly put yourselves to the side for this cost, and it’s something that most people wouldn’t do,” said Justice Murray. “I applaud you for what you’ve done. I think you should be very proud of yourselves, and it’s people like you who make a difference.”

Almost 17,000 people have died from drug toxicity in BC. Between January 2016 and March 2026, 57,509 people died from opioid toxicity in Canada
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 11h
what will David Eby say today this is from 2011 youtu.be/4begFT-ZPHcc...
youtu.be
David Eby on Strategic Litigation
YouTube video by Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN)
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Native Calgarian Podcast 🪶🧡>🇨🇦 @nativecalgarian.bsky.social · 14h
🤣 I wonder if they ever found them? 🤣
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Emma Arkell @emmaarkell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
My second article for the day is about this morning's historic BC Supreme Court ruling in favour of the founders of the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF). The judge praised DULF's work, said a safe supply is necessary to save lives, and threw out charges of drug trafficking.
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 15h
all colonial states are insatiably bloodthirsty some people are saying Fuck That and Fuck You and Death Can Fuck Right Off Too some of those people are even doctors its a choice #SafeSupply *some are journalists. but definitely not Marcus Gee.
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 18h
the ruling says that people who use drugs are people: citizens of Canada with constitutional rights and members of the public. that's a big fucken deal
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Andrew Weichel @andrewweichel.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Another election, another police candidate running with Mayor Ken Sim's ABC party. The latest is a crime analyst who detected the pandemic-era spike in stranger assaults that became a major campaign issue in 2022. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
ctvnews.ca
‘Unusual’ ties between Vancouver police, mayor’s party scrutinized as crime analyst joins campaign
For the second election in a row, a senior crime analyst with the Vancouver Police Department has stepped away from her role to run in a partisan campaign—raising new questions about politicization wi...
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Victoria De Capua @victoriadecapua.com · 20h
Your glass house has a whale in it
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I am not at my best and if I get worse I will need some help to be on the safe side. a 30$ for safety ok that's vague. im doing very badly right now, ok cut off is 9pm (because bank) etransfer: thefool.ward@gmail.com
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Tim Ford @timfordwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
There are dorks (evil, destroying the planet, forcing garbage down our throats nobody wants) And there are dorks (wonderful, making things everyone wants, often for free or very reasonable prices, like this guy who set out to make kits to convert the Lego Game Boy into a FUNCTIONAL GAME BOY WHAAAT)
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I am not at my best and if I get worse I will need some help to be on the safe side. a 30$ for safety ok that's vague. im doing very badly right now, ok cut off is 9pm (because bank) etransfer: thefool.ward@gmail.com
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Reposted by karen ward
Kelly B @kellyblack.ca · 29/09/2026
Here’s the thing about white supremacy in BC today: The Premier and opposition party have spent the last year saying “First Nations are coming for your homes. Private property is sacrosanct.” These politicians deny such statements are stoking racist backlash. But they are
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Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉 @alonghurst.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“The paramount concern is we’re not seeing this policy direction achieving the results that the government claimed it would,” Longhurst said at a news conference Monday. “And we’re a number of years into this.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli #cdnpoli
cbc.ca
Wait times for most priority surgeries in Ontario have increased since 2017, study says | CBC News
Wait times for most of the province’s publicly funded priority surgeries and procedures have increased between 2017 and 2025, according to a study released Monday.
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Mark Carney's Values
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Jenny Kwan @jennykwan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Liberal MP Sean Casey was demoted by Mark Carney last week after voting in favour of Jenny Kwan’s Bill C-233, the No More Loopholes Act. When will the Liberals stop punishing MPs for doing their job—and finally act to close this loophole?
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B @monnomdeguerre.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
People just now discovering that the members of Rush are right-wing millionaires is like the flip side of all those chuds being surprised that Rage are left-wing. Neal Pert loved Ayn Rand. Geddy lives in a mansion and collects wine.
Photo of Geddy Lee's instagram post supporting Brad Bradford in the Toronto Mayoral election.
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
instead of Question Period, the next legislative session will have government and opposition throwing critical minerals at each other across the aisle for a full hour
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I was surprised that they announced this
Goya's "Saturn Devouring His Children" 

Saturn is labeled BCNDP 
the children are tje children 

Saturn says "the BC Conservatives are really scary so no vote-splitting or having principles"
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cageyratfish (UTC-7) 🐟🏳️‍⚧️ @cageyratfish.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
it's very upsetting how this residential-school denialism has been growing up here, there are quite a few right-wing politicians who are supporting this hate both openly & tacitly. As well as calling for the elimination of land acknowledgements & other steps taken towards reconciliation. And --
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Michael @snowrunner.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Amazing how Canadian conservatives find money for burning down the planet a little bit faster, it turns out their pockets out when it comes to investments that would create a better future for generations
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Thomas Seal @twseal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I asked @davidebybc.bsky.social about what's coming tomorrow in light of the Prime Minister's Office saying Carney will highlight "an historic investment" in Canadian energy in Vancouver tomorrow. Eby answered about what it would mean "if" it's LNG Canada Phase 2
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karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
FFS
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