Birgit Schinke, Author at

Independent Historian

Born in Montreal to newly immigrated Germans, Birgit Schinke has had the experience of growing up as an allophone during the birth of the sovereignty movement in Quebec. She lived in Cambridge, UK from 1978-85 and graduated with Honours BA in Geography and Economics (1983). After moving to Vancouver, BC she went on to graduate with a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Communications from Simon Fraser University (1991) and a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Creative Non-Fiction from the University of British Columbia (1992). It was through research on her ethnicity that Birgit completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology from the Adlerian School of Professional Psychology (1998). She has been clinically involved with social justice work since 1992.

Battle of Waterberg (1904)

The Battle of Waterberg took place on August 11, 1904, in German South-West Africa (Namibia) and triggered the annihilation decree by German military of the Herero people, the indigenous nomadic inhabitants of the area. An estimated 60,000 to 100,000 people perished after the Battle of … Read MoreBattle of Waterberg (1904)

Iyanla Vanzant (1953- )

Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant was born as Rhonda Eva Harris in Brooklyn, New York on September 13, 1953. In 1983, after being ordained as a Yoruba priestess, she renamed herself Iyanla, meaning “great mother.” Vanzant is now a famous relationship coach, author, TV host, ordained … Read MoreIyanla Vanzant (1953- )

Michael Bernard Beckwith (1956- )

Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, a leading New Thought minister, was born in 1956, and is married to Rickie Byars Beckwith, also a New Thought leader. Together they have four children and six grandchildren. Dr Beckwith was the founder, in 1986, of the Agape International Spiritual … Read MoreMichael Bernard Beckwith (1956- )

Petra Hoost (1976- )

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” At twenty years old, Petra Hoost, born January 16, 1976, in the city of Enkhuizen, Netherlands, became the first Afro-Dutch woman to win the Miss Netherlands pageant in 1996. She went on to represent Netherlands at the Miss World pageant held … Read MorePetra Hoost (1976- )

Youssou N’Dour (1959- )

Youssou N’Dour, West African humanitarian, activist, and musician, often cited as father of modern Afro-pop, was born in 1959 in the Medina neighborhood of Dakar, the capitol of Senegal. His father, Elimane N’Dour, of the Serer ethnic group, supported his family as an auto mechanic. … Read MoreYoussou N’Dour (1959- )

Adolf Badin (1747-1822)

Adolf Badin, also known as Adolf Ludvig Gustav Fredrik Albert/Couschi, was born in St. Croix, Danish West Indies in 1747, and died in 1822 in Sweden. Badin came to Sweden a slave but became a titled person in the courts of King Fredrick and Queen … Read MoreAdolf Badin (1747-1822)

Richard Pierce [“Richie”] Havens (1941-2013)

Born Richard Pierce Havens, Richie Havens was an esteemed musician, writer, educator, and actor. Havens, the eldest of nine children, was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 21, 1941, to a musically talented parents. His Blackfoot Native American father, Richard Havens, played piano by … Read MoreRichard Pierce [“Richie”] Havens (1941-2013)