Hello! There is an exciting Deaf Canada Conference coming – Summer 2010 is just around the corner! YES! Deaf Canada Conference committee is working hard towards the goal of our exciting theme, In Solidarity, We Act! It will bring us into an exciting Conference!
Let me back up and introduce myself before I continue rambling, I am Sarah Hrycenko, from Vancouver, BC. I moved back to my home roots relocated from Winnipeg, Manitoba after graduating from MSD and spending several years at Gallaudet University. I have been working on various jobs throughout my life, now I am sitting on a part time self employed tile setter job doing different sub-contracts as well as Deaf Interpreter.
Should you have any questions or concerns or ideas you would like to share, please do not hesitate to contact me. Make sure you sign yourself up when the forms are up on the website and be sure to brace yourself for a full throttle experience of pure excitement at the Conference!
Aastrid Evensen-Flanjak is a Deaf woman who loves her British Columbia roots – especially its fabulous natural environment and the diversity of its people. She loves to travel. She has had a varied educational background, including years of experiences since birth: in residential school and mainstreaming programs at the public schools; a mother of four daughters; various workshops mostly relating to the field of Deaf Studies; and conferences in some parts of the world.
Her other experiences include presenting workshops locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. She was on a Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf executive committee as an Evaluation and Training Director for 8 years. Aastrid attended England’s University of Bristol to study under the MSc Deaf Studies program.
“AE’s” artistic accomplishments include performing in several Deaf video productions, mentoring / tutoring Deaf youths, and serving on committees or boards for Deaf community organizations. She is currently teaching ASL / Literacy English to immigrant Deaf / Hard of Hearing learners at Vancouver Community College and ASL Instructor Certificate Program to Deaf adults across Canada.
Kristen is the administrator for Deaf Canada Conference 2010. I am very excited to be a part of this exciting endeavor that will bring Canadians together in Vancouver. I have worked within the Deaf community for over fifteen years in various capacities such as teaching ASL, working at Deaf summer camps, consulting various organizations or agencies about Deafness and ASL.
I have enjoyed the experience of several international Deaf conferences such as Deaf Way 2002, WFD 2007 and Summer Deaflympics in 2001. Also, I sit on the Board of the BC Cultural Society of the Deaf.
When not running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I enjoy running, bikram yoga, a good meal with good friends and shopping local. I look forward to showing off Vancouver to the Canadian Deaf community in July 2010!
As information is key to empowering the Deaf Canadian community to be respected as citizens within the Canadian society, conferences such as the DCC are critical. DCC 2010 promises to be a revealing experience for all involved so sign up! Have questions about how to register? Contact me as I am the hospitality lead for DCC 2010.
As a graduate of University of British Columbia with a degree in biotechnology, I have just initiated a career in the sciences and am currently involved in scientific research of natural health products-botanicals at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. When not volunteering in helping organize DCC 2010, I keep myself busy skiing and snowboarding within the local mountains in BC.
Vancouver promises a West Coast style welcome, so come join us!
Roger Chan is sign language specialist of Services for Family and Community Development under Provincial Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) that provides the family service. He collaborates with sign language instructors to achieve ASL communication among the family throughout British Columbia. He currently is a president of British Columbia Deaf Sports Federation and manages this organization for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes. His focus is to see D/HH athletes who could stand a podium. His experience would help Deaf Canada Conference 2010 to achieve the best conference.
Raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Roger now lives with his wife, Carolyn and two children and pet Jasper in Vancouver, BC. Roger received his B.A. degree in Computer Science at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and Certification of American Sign Language instructor at Douglas College. He mainly enjoys curling with his team and went several Canadian Deaf Curling Championships. His team and he recently went to British Columbia Club Curling Championships and received an award.
Leanor Vlug is a Deaf woman with a variety of experiences in the Deaf Community. She graduated from Gallaudet College (now University) with a B.A. in History, and earned an M.Ed. in Adult Education from UBC. She worked for deaf organizations and service agencies before becoming an instructor in the Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults at Vancouver Community College more than 20 years ago. Leanor has always been interested in Deaf women’s issues, especially related to Deaf immigrant women and their families. Leanor served as Secretary for the Organizing Committee of the Canadian Deaf Women’s Conference 2007, and is on the DCC 2010 Logistics Committee.
Leanor’s vision for DCC 2010 is for the many diverse Deaf people in Canada to come together to develop clear and definite action plans. We must use the best of our abilities to encourage full participation by everyone in the Deaf Community in these plans.
Max Fomitchev was born in Moscow Russia where he was discovered as a Mime protege’ at the age of 13. Not only was Max the youngest student at Moscow Government University, he was also the only deaf student.
At 17 Max was recruited by Zakutok Theatre group with whom he toured throughout Russia, as well as to Spain, Germany, Taiwan, England, the USA, and Canada. Once in Canada he fell in love with Vancouver, and decided to defect. It was a frightening to leave his homeland, and learn a new language verbally and in sign, but he knew he had to follow his dreams.
Soon Max impressed Vancouver’s film industry acting in commercials, TV, and the feature film Saving Silverman starring Jack Black. Max’s career dreams we realized recently when he was cast as in an upcoming episode of The L-Word working with his
hero Marlee Matlin.
His education background and performance skills are at the highest level -- but more importantly Max is a touching example of courage delivered in comedic performances audiences don’t soon forget.
He continues to perform at festivals around the world: Melbourne, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Toronto, and Oregon. He is also a much sought after Mime instructor, working with students of all ages as well as film actors and theatre sports improv comedians.
We are so pleased to host DCC 2010 right here in Vancouver and give you all an experience you will not forget. Vancouver will also welcome the world in February 2010 for the Winter Olympics, which will leave a lasting legacy on the city and the Province. DCC 2010 is looking to create its own legacy that will be a model for all future DCC hosts to come.
DJ Lampitt, a CODA coming from both parents being deaf and an extensive Deaf family all across Canada has been passionate about supporting a community that has given him so much out of life. Originally from Vancouver Island and now living in Vancouver, he has had the experience of living in Montreal where he trained as a competitive figure skater in Ice Dance and then moving to Sydney, Australia to also try his hand at competitive figure skating. Being the sponsorship and PR coordinator for DCC 2010 fits into his previous experience with owning his own event company and developing long lasting sponsorship relationships and also his extensive experience working on many different PR contracts within Vancouver. One of those contracts was a once in a life time opportunity that took DJ to Torino, Italy to work as the media relations person for the then Mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan at the 2006 Winter Olympics Games. He loves being outdoors, traveling, and being an advocate for the causes that are close to his heart.