CHAMPIONS
“We recognize and celebrate beloved champions who have come before us in the fight for drug user liberation. Their commitment, voice, and love live on in the movement we are building!”
Tracey “the Bannock Lady” Morrison
Tracey Morrison was a fearless advocate, community leader, and proud Ojibwe woman whose impact on Downtown Eastside will never be forgotten. As president of the Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society and a dedicated member of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, she fought tirelessly for dignity, justice, and an end to stigma.
Affectionately known as the “Bannock Lady,” Tracey nourished both body and spirit, bringing warmth, strength, and unwavering truth to her community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the movement she helped lead.
Bud Osborn
Bud Osborn was a fearless voice for justice in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and a founding member of Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users. A poet, activist, and community leader, he transformed his own lived experience into a powerful force for change. He stood shoulder to shoulder with people who use drugs, demanding dignity, housing, and the right to be heard at a time when few were willing to listen.
Through tireless advocacy, Bud helped bring attention to the urgent need for harm reduction and compassionate drug policy. His work contributed to the creation of Insite, North America’s first sanctioned supervised injection site and a lasting testament to his belief that every life has value.
Bud’s words carried truth. His actions carried courage. His legacy lives on in the lives saved, the policies changed, and the community he helped empower. He reminded us that hope can rise from the hardest places and that lasting change begins when we stand together.
