It’s September 30, which means today is Orange Shirt Day & National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Last year I shared a poem titled, Ghost from the Past, that I wrote back in 2022. You can read it here.
You can also read my personal Land Acknowledgment here.
Now you can also see it in my newest YouTube video here! https://youtu.be/6sUxD-FE25w
It's hard to believe it's been two years since I received the 2022 OTIP Education Support Staff Worker award. As I reflect on this, it seems so crazy how fast time flies. It literally feels like it happen last week.
It was such an honour to be chosen as the recipient of the big honour from among the thousands of nominations OTIP received from all across Ontario. Moreover, I was even more honoured and humbled to be the first (and so far only) person of colour to receive award, as well as being the first person from Toronto and the youngest person to ever receive it. I am proud to be the person who has shattered this glass ceiling and to be an inspiration and representation for others in visible and radicalized minority groups.
See the original post with photos from the incredible event here: http://vickrambachan.blogspot.com/09/2022-otip-support-staff-award
Some exciting news to announce today! This winter my new poem, Lament Through the Eagle's Eyes will be published in a brand-new collection by the Polar Expressions Publishing titled, Winter's Melody.
This book is composed of poetry by talented Canadians from all across the nation. I am honoured to once again be featured in Polar Expressions annual collection.
The book will be available just in time for the Holidays season and would make a great Christmas gift for the avid reader in your life.
Winter's Melody is available for pre-oder now exclusively from Polar Expressions Publishing shop: https://polarexpressions.ca/Shop.html
Be sure to order your copy(s) now!
Some exciting news to share that I received today! This winter my new short story, The Waitress will be published in a brand-new collection by the Polar Expressions Publishing titled, Seaside.
This book is composed of short stories by talented Canadians from coast to coast to coast. I am honoured to once again be featured in Polar Expressions annual short story collection.
The book will be available just in time for the Holidays season and will make a great Christmas gift for the avid reader on your list.
Seaside is available for pre-oder now exclusively from Polar Expressions Publishing's shop: https://polarexpressions.ca/Shop.html
Be sure to order your copy(s) now!
Click here to see that post from a few months ago http://vickrambachan.blogspot.com-2024-etfo-international-humanitarian
See the media release from ETFO from earlier today:
https://www.etfo.ca/news-publications/media-releases/etfo-announces-its-2023-2024-award-winners
https://www.etfo.ca/about-us/awards-scholarships/2023-24-award-recipients
I want to thank ETFO once again for this incredible recognition and honour.
Today I was honoured to receive the 2024 Ontario Public School Boards' Association Achievement Award of Excellence!
https://www.opsba.org/what-we-do/achievement-award-award-of-excellence
https://www.opsba.org/what-we-do/awards-programs/
https://www.opsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OPSBA_AnnualReport_2024.pdf
"The OPSAB awards are presented annually to volunteers of school boards for outstanding, exemplary and/or unique contributions to the overall well-being of the school or community through in-school, board-wide, extra-curricular and/or volunteer activity.
The OPSBA Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of non-teaching staff, parents, volunteers and community partners involved in education in the member boards. This award provides an opportunity to raise awareness and promote the importance of celebrating excellence and the necessity of recognizing the work of all members of the education community. Outstanding, exemplary and/or unique contributions to the overall well-being of the school(s) or community(s) through in-school, board-wide, extra-curricular and/or volunteer work or contributions.
The award is intended to support and enhance the present individual member boards’ awards programs and at the same time raise the profile of the OPSBA awards program in the local boards, schools and communities. The award plaque will be prepared by OPSBA and supplied to the local board for presentation at the appropriate board determined occasion and location."
It's June 21, Happy Summer Solstice! In celebration of National Indigenous Month, and of Indigenous People's Day today, I wanted to share my own personal Land Acknowledgment that I wrote a few weeks ago.
I acknowledge that I am situated on land that was called Turtle Island and inhabited by the Indigenous peoples, who were the first caretakers of this land before colonialism. I acknowledge that though I am a first generation born in Canada and call this land my home, my family immigrated from South America in hopes of a better life here in North America. I am thankful for the opportunities I am afforded in Canada and I am committed to making things right in our ongoing efforts and work towards reconciliation for the cultural genocide committed in residential schools across Turtle Island by the European colonialism and the Catholic Church. As a faithful and devoted Christian, I am ashamed of what the Catholic Church did and emphasize that it was wrong and not the way of Christianity. Those individuals were not real Christians but evildoers claiming to be. As a descendant of slaves and a son of immigrants, I empathize with the pain and suffering indigenous people have endured and I am dedicated to ensuring nothing like this ever happens again in the future as we move forward towards a nation and world of peace and acceptance of all people. I acknowledge that no nation or race holds dominion over another; all people, land and things belong to God.
Back in September, on Orange Shirt and National Truth & Reconciliation Day, I shared my poem Ghosts From the Past, which you can see here. http://vickrambachan.blogspot.com/2023/09
I recently had an interview with Atmosphere Press to discuss my writing. I talk a bit about one of my books, a collection of poetry I completed and a couple of years ago and am currently seeking publication for.
I also share a little about my writing process, what inspires me and my passion for creative writing, and the audiences I write for.
Check out the interview here: https://atmospherepress.com/interview-with-vickram-bachan
Also be sure to check out and support my GoFundMe page, to help with the cost of entry fees for writing competitions. https://gofund.me/26d48914
"This award may be granted each year to an individual or a group of individuals who do not hold ETFO membership, but have given outstanding service to supporting children in the global community. The recipient shall receive acknowledgement by ETFO and a Certificate of Recognition from the union's president."
For more information on this award, check out ETFO's website here: https://www.etfo.ca/about/etfo-awards
I will be featured in their Federation's Annual Meeting later in August. This is the media release from ETFO. Visit their website for more: https://www.etfo.ca/2023-24-award-recipients
"The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has presented its 2024 International Humanitarian Award for a Non-ETFO member to Vickram Bachan. This award is presented annually to an individual or a group of individuals who do not hold ETFO membership but have given outstanding service to supporting children in the global community.
Bachan, an Educational Assistant with the Toronto District School Board and member of CUPE Local 4400, has enthusiastically implemented several exciting programs to engage and serve students’ needs, as well as the needs of children locally and around the globe. He started the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Fan Club, the Poetry for Hope Writing Club, spearheaded the United for Ukraine Food Drive, ran a poetry book writing project during the pandemic called Planting Seeds of Change, and started the Dobby's Socks and Gloves Drive.
At each of the schools he has worked at, Bachan innovates by setting up one or more programs that particularly benefit the students of that school. The projects either give services and aid, such as clothing and food for Ukrainian refugees and the homeless in Toronto, raise money for organizations like the Lumos Foundation, or spread the values of the Toronto District School Board, including globalism, anti-poverty, anti-racism, peace, education, and sharing with the less fortunate.
Bachan has a passion for literacy, the curriculum and working in classrooms, and has a way of bringing out the best in his students, helping them find their courage and voices. He is a champion of inclusivity, equity, and supporter of mental health initiatives. His compassion, kindness, and leadership have benefited children locally and worldwide. His ability to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities is inspirational and admirable."
Thank you very much to ETFO for this incredible recognition!
I hope everyone is safe and well following the exciting once in a lifetime Total Solar Eclipse yesterday.
As you no doubt know by now, there's nothing I love more than filling a blank page with the ink of a pen and creating something brand new that never existed before for the world to read, enjoy, be entertained and inspired. I write poetry, short stories, novels and recently began a course on script-writing. I have been seeking to get published with no success yet, but with hope and determination you will one day see some or all of the books I am working on in stores and on bookshelves soon.
In the meantime however, I am looking to participate in writing competitions, mainly poetry and short story contests. Now the thing about this, is that while some are free to participate in, most of them have an entry fee which can cost from $25 to as much as $50 to participate. While this may not seem like much, for me it adds up a lot over time to participate in all the contest I want to enter. So this is where you come in, with your help and support I can be able to participate in more of these fantastic writing competitions. Remember that no donation is too small, it all adds up. With all of your contributions added together, I will be able to compete.
You can support me with this by visiting and donating to my GoFundMe page and contributing to the campaign! Check it out here at the link below where more information is provided.
Help Fund Vick's Creative Writing Journey: https://gofund.me/9c0b812b
I also have other GoFundMe pages for some other dreams, goals and ambitions of mine. You can read through them for yourself and make donations by clicking these links:
Help Vick Educate the Future Generations (University tuition): https://gofund.me/e7a19807
Help Vick get to Work Safely and On Time (get a car): https://gofund.me/0faf989a
Thank you very much for your kind generosity, time and consideration. Your donations are much appreciated, more than you'll ever know. Your contributions will enable me to get more of my writing out into the wider world and hopefully inspire more people with it.
