It is with great sadness that we share that David Greenfield, a great leader of the Council of Canadians Saskatoon chapter, passed away on Thursday, April 18th at the Saskatoon Royal University Hospital. He was surrounded by close loved ones.
Dave lived in Saskatoon and was an active part of the progressive community there and across Saskatchewan. Dave was also a prolific creator of poetry and song. Many of his poems were part of The Weaver, the Green Party of Saskatchewan Newsletter (fall 2022).
PROPHET AND PROFITEER, A SONNET By Dave Greenfield
We stand outside the gates of corporate might
And hear the mindless soulless corporate cheers,
As prophets in a world of profiteers,
As leftists in a world of might makes right.
Our message haunts the dark Mordorian night,
And hopes that every mindful human hears.
It whispers in the opened minds and ears
To turn this dark-spun planet toward the light.
All those whose beings have been bought and sold,
Whose souls have died, whose hearts have grown cold,
They know not what to make of our small voice
That speaks and dares to offer them a choice.
They walk past without seeing it would seem,
But something in them begs their hearts to dream.
I have known Dave for many years as part of the peace and social justice movement. I was first introduced to him during protests against the Multilateral Agreement on Investments (MAI) in the late 1990s. He was singing and playing his drum as he did so many times at events. He ran as a candidate for both the NGA and the Green Party of Canada in provincial and federal elections for many years. He attended more community events than most could count and was always accompanied by friends. He would often rise and ask questions or make thoughtful comments at the microphone. Dave was also a major contributor to the national board of the Council of Canadians as our Prairie/NWT regional representative.
Dave was a long-time member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), having attended Meeting for Worship since the 1990s. He will be missed by Friends/Quakers across Canada and especially by those who attended Saskatoon Meetings for Worship with him.
In recent years, Dave would get dropped off at Turning the Tide (a local bookstore) by Access Transit to pick up books he had ordered. There would usually be some time before the bus would stop to pick him up and he would chat with staff. When they were occupied, they would put on Democracy Now! for him to listen to while he waited for his ride. Dave was always up on current events and politics and we would always have lively, thoughtful discussions.
I had heard recently that he was in the hospital but that he was expected to be released in the coming days. I guess that his health took a turn for the worse. I will definitely miss him. David Greenfield spoke his mind, usually following lots of research and study. He was also admired for not always agreeing with the current trend in politics, ideology and cultural norms. Rest well, David – you have made a significant mark and will be remembered.
In lieu of flowers, he has asked that you consider making a donation to one of the following: the Council of Canadians; Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); Canadian Friends Service Committee; or another organization that upholds David’s concerns for environmental and social justice.
Jim Elliott
Regina Chapter
Council of Canadians
