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RECOGNITION OF THE NATIONAL POETRY AND THE 2018 MAYOR’S POETRY CHALLENGE
Mayor Lehman commented that the month of April was proclaimed as National Poetry Month to celebrate poetry, writing and the contributions of poets and all writers to the identity and quality of life of our communities. He noted that that this initiative also celebrates libraries and the work of municipal leaders to promote literacy, reading, culture and the arts. Mayor Lehman remarked that poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals everywhere share the same questions and feelings and that poetry is a mainstay of oral tradition and over centuries, can communicate the innermost values of diverse culture.
Mayor Lehman outlined that thousands of organizations participate in National Poetry Month through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops and other events.
Mayor Lehman invited Mr. Damien Lopes, Barrie’s Poet Laureate from Poetry City to recite one of his poems in honour of National Poetry Month.
Mr. Lopes advised that Michigan State University Press is producing an anthology expected this fall and that it will contain three of his poems. He advised that the collection will contain social justice poems by Poets Laureate from the Great Lake Region. Mr. Lopes provided background information on his three poems.
Mr. Lopes discussed on the poem he was presenting entitled “Indian Act 1876 or citizens aren’t Indian”. He noted that the Act received Royal Assent on 12th of April, 1876 and that his poem examines and reviews the attitude of the time.
Mr. Lopes recited a poem entitled “Indian Act 1876 or citizens aren’t Indian”. (Attached as Appendix “A” to the minutes).
Mayor Lehman thanked Mr. Lopes for providing a poem and on providing an important and timely message at this point in our Countries History.