Dear President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico,

 

The Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC), an organization comprised of 24 member-groups across Canada that work in solidarity with Cuba, would like to express our highest commendation and support for your recent statements and declared intention, pledging that Mexico will lead an international movement against the more than 60-year-old illegal US blockade against Cuba, and your rightful recognition of the successes of the Cuban Revolution and the example that the resistance of the Cuban people sets for countries around the world.

 

The CNC applauds Mexico’s position both in the context of solidarity with Cuba, as well as in its broader importance with regards to foreign policy, national sovereignty and independence, and the prioritization of basic, fundamental human rights, such as access to healthcare and education, and food security for all people, as opposed to allowing them to be marketable for profit by oligarchs.

 

Canada and Mexico were the only two countries in the Americas that did not sever relations with Cuba after its revolution in 1959. The CNC fully supports the Mexican people in this endeavor of solidarity with the Cuban people, and we affirm our commitment to join in solidarity with Mexico, and all progressive countries, and contribute to this movement in any way that we can.

 

The United States has no right to subjugate another country or people, and Cuba has been a victim of its terrorism for more than six decades. The Cuban people need our collective solidarity more than ever before, and that we act to demand and actualize the removal of the criminal sanctions against Cuba. The CNC will continue doing everything that it can to show our gratitude to revolutionary Cuba for the precedent that it sets for the world, and that necessitates the elimination of the blockade.

 

¡Abajo el bloqueo! 

 

  

Samantha Hislop

Julio Fonseca

Co-Chairs, Canadian Network on Cuba

               VOLUNTEER WORK BRIGADE

The 29^th annual Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade is almost here!

Since 1993 hundreds of people of various ages, skills and backgrounds living across Canada have enjoyed an exciting and informative three week stay in Cuba with the Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade. The trip provides the opportunity to look at the gains and victories of the Cuban Revolution, as well as to understand the challenges Cuba faces first hand, in particular the impacts of more than 50 years of illegal economic blockade from the United States.

 

The Che Brigade fulfills two main goals. On the one hand, it is a great way to show support for the struggle of the Cuban people to maintain their independence and on the other hand it is an important opportunity for people from Canada to learn and understand the dynamism of all aspects of life in Cuba.

 

The Cuban people, committed to maintaining their Revolution and its great gains, receive the Brigade participants, known as Brigadistas, with warmth and friendship. Brigadistas coming from Canada to share friendship help reaffirm to many people in Cuba the value of social change they are carrying in Cuba for their own their country and also for the world.

 

For more information, questions or to receive updates on the Che Guevara Brigade please contact through email or phone the Che Brigade Coordinator Tyson Strandlund at chevolbrigade@gmail.com or at 250-883-7321. You can also follow the Che Brigade on social media.

 

Please finds us on:

·        Instagram@cdnntwrkoncuba,

·        Facebook at www.facebook.com/CheVolBrigade,

·        Twitter@CheVolBrigade.

 

The Che Guevara Brigade looks forward to travelling to Cuba later in 2023 and we hope you will join us!

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In Memoriam

Immortality  (1932)

Clare Harner Lyon

Journalist and poet from Kansas

 

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush.

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

 

Nova Scotia Cuba Association (NSCUBA) shares the sad news of the passing on Nov 15, 2022 of Sheila MacDonald. Sheila has been a life-member and co-founder of NSCUBA and her actions and contributions were always a source of support to many sharing her dream of justice for Cuba. Sheila's quiet and firm example was always a true inspiration to our members. Her involvement and belief in a better world are recognized by all of us and by the representatives of the people of Cuba. Sheila will be greatly missed at our gatherings, by all of us and, we are sure, by the many who were touched by her generous spirit.

We will remember Sheila and Innis generous hospitality and thank them in our hearts for the many evenings of camaraderie and friendship they made possible at their Fresh Start Bed & Breakfast in Halifax. Many guests from Cuba stayed at their place enjoying first hand their hospitality. Sheila and Innis hosted numerous NSCUBA AGMs and made possible numerous memorable potluck receptions at their home. We, NSCUBA members and friends, want to extend our love and condolences at this challenging time to Sheila's family and, especially, to Sheila's sister Innis.