Introduction

"It takes a whole community to raise a child"

This proverb from Africa is one of the guiding principles behind the recent growth and activity going on in the Grandview/?Uuqinak'uuh Elementary School in East Vancouver. It is our hope that this collection of stories written by adults in the neighbourhood will contribute to the growing spirit of revitalisation within this community.

Web of Life: Stories from the Adult Writing Group has grown out of a partnership between Grandview/?Uuqinak'uuh School and the Basic Education Department of King Edward Campus, Vancouver Community College. Since January 2001, a group of neighbourhood adults along with instructors, Rene and Sally, have been studying and writing in a small portable that sits in the elementary school's backyard. This classroom is surrounded by a native plant garden, a maple grove and community vegetable plots. Over the spring, we have watched the school grounds transform into a beautiful garden that attracts birds, butterflies, insects and people of all ages.

The gardens and the children playing there have inspired us to retell stories of gardens we have known in our pasts and in our imaginations.

We hope you will enjoy these stories.