GEM (Global Eyes Magazine) summer 2017

Global Eyes Magazine Summer 2017 1

Manitoba African and Caribbean Quarterly Magazine

SecondQUARTER

Summer 2017

gggggloballoballoballoballobal eeeeeyyyyyeseseseses

AngelaDavis inWinnipeg


As I Began to Love Myself” by Charlie ChaplinAs I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering

are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebodyAs I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the timewas not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though thisperson was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life,and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happensat the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time,and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to doand that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and inmy own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good formy health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drewme down and away from myself. At first I called this attitudea healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever sinceI was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worryabout the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHINGis happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it“FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb meand it can make me sick. But As I connected it to my heart, mymind became a valuable ally. Today I call thisconnection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind ofproblems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of theircrashing new worlds are born.Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!

ReflectionBroken people or broken leaders create many problems in the world thatno one can solve except them. Broken people often do not love and acceptthemselves. When they don’t they are constantly trying to prove theirworth and in doing so hurt themselves and others. This poem speaks to that.Enjoy.

Kenya has created a strong prece-dent in Africa by Kenya’s SupremeCourt declaring that last month’sPresidential election be cancelledwith a 60 day window to repeat theprocess. This cancellation wastriggered by the opposition partyaccusing the ruling party of electionirregularities. One local African commented thatthey are pleased to see this develop-ment in Kenya and that Keyna isteaching the rest of Africa new waysof doing politics and a civilized wayof resolving conflicts. The election commission haddeclared incumbent Uhuru Kenyattathe winner by a margin of 1.4 millionvotes. Raila Odinga, Mr Kenyatta’sopponent, said members of theelectoral commission had committeda monstrous crime.President Kenyatta said it wasimportant to respect the rule of law.It is amazing to see that even thoughthe international community hasaccepted the result, Kenyatta agreesfor redoing election.It is amazing tosee that the court did not care aboutthe cost of redoing election in thename of the fidelity of theconstitution.

BREAKING NEWS


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Global Eyes Magazine is an independent quarterly publicationdevoted to promoting cultural awareness of the African andCaribbean communities of Manitoba and highlighting the issuesand concerns of these communities. It also aims at promotingcultural diversity and appreciation. It features articles ranging from the achievements of local,national and international personalities and general informationthat is of interest to the African/Caribbean Diaspora. It offerseditorials with African/Caribbean sensibilities and letters to theeditor. The Magazine is produced under a volunteer editorialcommittee that assists with proof-reading, publicity anddistribution.

Editor: Beatrice WatsonDistributed to local busi-nesses, and in Winnipeg andvia email to individuals inManitoba and formerManitobans in various partsof the world.

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Whats InsideFeature on AngelaDavis’s Visit toWinnipeg, Health &Wellness, Reflection,Regulars: Letter tomy children, GlobalCounsellor, Recipes,Pictorial of Maiko &Friends Concert,NICCOMMulticulturalism DayConference, CreativeFoundation Workshopand More


Editorial -Take One

Editor: Beatrice WatsonDistributed to local businesses, and in Winnipeg and viaemail to individuals in Manitoba and former Manitobansin various parts of the world.

To receive Global Eyes by mail please send a cheque for$15.00 to:Global Eyes Magazine671 Rathgar AvenueWinnipeg, Manitoba R3L 1G6Phone: [email protected]

All contents are copyrighted.

One of the things Angela Davistalked about in her presentation wasthe importance of music in the CivilRights Movement.

She said music was veryimportant in bringing home themessage of justice, equality andracism in American society.

There was also hope in thelyrics, and music had a way of makinga bad situation seems better andbearable.

Musicians and other artistsalways appear to be ahead of theirtime when they push music to theedge. Hip Hop/rap music for examplehelped to bring the issues of inner-cityblack and Latino youths to the fore.

Many people at first criticizedhip hop music for being gangstas,vulgar and misogynistic and it was allthat but it also reflected the mood ofthe youth and sent a message tosociety. They had taken it to theextreme and crack cocaine andconcomitant violence were part of themix. What was happening to younginner city children? Were they reactingto their own situation where no oneseemed to care and the police constanthunt to find petty drug dealers andlock them away for years instead of

dealing with the underlying socialissues of the day for young Black andLatino youth?

Today Hip Hop has attainedacceptability in all areas and it isbeing sung from coast to coast to coastall over the world. It’s still a clarioncall for emerging issues but done in amore socially acceptable manner. It’slike now that we have your attention,here’s what we have to say.

During the civil rights movement,old spirituals were turned into songsof freedom e.g. Oh Freedom, Weshall overcome, “Ain’t Gonna LetNobody Turn Us Around” and othersongs that encouraged folks to stay thecourse and don’t give up.

They were singing and dancingto these songs so there was thiselement of fun which was important tokeep people uplifted as they press onin the struggle.

Social scientists claim that thefreedom songs sung by activists on thefrontlines of the civil rights strugglehold an iconic place in the musicalhistory within the movement. Therewere al also other forms of popularmusic which blended in to give voiceto freedom struggle, black racialconsciousness and race relations such

as - blues, gospel, folk, jazz, rhythmand blues, rock and roll, and soul inwhich both blacks and whites andothers were involved.

When Angela Davis wasimprisoned and there were marches to“Free Angela” all across the country,Yoko Ono and John Lennon wrote asong for the “Free Angela” campaignwhich speaks to what was happeningin that moment in time.

Sister, there’s a wind that never diesSister, we’re breathing togetherSister, our love and hopes forever keepon moving oh so slowly in the worldThey gave you sunshineThey gave you seaThey gave you everything but thejailhouse keyThey gave you coffeeThey gave you teaThey gave you everything but equalityAngela, can you hear the earth isturning?Angela, the world watches youAngela, you soon will be returning toyour sisters and brothers in the worldSister, you’re still a people teacherSister, your word reaches farThey gave you sunshineThey gave you seaThey gave you everything but thejailhouse keyThey gave you coffeeThey gave you teaThey gave you everything but equalityAngela, they put you in prisonAngela, they shot down your manAngela, you’re one of the millions ofpolitical prisoners in the world


LOCAL AND GLOBAL BRIEFSAfrican

Canadian Youthwith a Broad

Vision How can African youth

who immigrate to Manitobamaintain their connection with theirmotherlands? How do thenewcomers keep a strong Africanidentity while also integrating intothe mainstream Canadian culture? InJuly 2016 in Winnipeg in responseto these crucial questions, a group ofyouth formed the African CanadianYouth.

In their first four meetings, theAfrican Canadian youth who hailfrom various countries on theAfrican continent have cometogether to get to know each other, tocelebrate their diverse cultures andto discuss current social issues intheir homelands. In addition, theyouth in Canada plan to help theyoung people back home by sendingthem educational materials whichare so scarce there. Therefore, inSeptember, they are going to hold abig discussion conference in theUniversity of Winnipeg (UofWpg).These youth, as protagonists forchange, have a vision of how theycan unite together, and assist theyoung in Africa.

All Manitoban African youthare welcome to join. For moreinformation about the group,reference Facebook page and group:African Canadian Youth or send anemail to [email protected]

IRCOM Opens newHousing for

Refugees

Submitted by Stephanie Bloodworth

In keeping with the spirit ofreconciliation with Canada’s firstpeoples, the provincial governmentannounced that effective immedi-ately, in its written communicationsto the media or public, they willuse the term Indigenous whenreferring to First Nations, Métisand Inuit people. This will replacethe use of the word Aboriginal,except when the word Aboriginalis part of a formal name or title.

Indigenous is theWord

With great fanfare IRCOMHouse opened its new social hous-ing facility at 215 Isabel Streetwhich will welcome some 60refugee families of various sizes.

Finding housing for largefamilies is an extra challengedealing with the current shortage ofhousing in Winnipeg. This housecaters to lager than normal families.

Housing is one of the mostchallenging settlement issues facingnew immigrant, refugees and settle-ment agencies in Manitoba. Not alllandlords like to rent to people withno rental history or no jobs and thenon-profit agency Immigrant andRefugee Community Organiztion ofManitoba (IRCOM) was establishedin 1991 to focus on the housingneeds of newcomer refugee fami-lies.

IRCOM offers a refugeefamily or single individual transi-tional housing for the first threeyears at which time they have to findtheir own accommodations.

As one attendee at the openingreception said “It is very hard toleave. It is like leaving your familyall over again. It’s the best experi-ence I had living in IRCOM House”she said.

The building is made up of 60modular units that can be joined tocreate up to four-bedroom suites forlarge families.

It also includes an on-sitedaycare, library, classrooms, accessto legal and support services,laundry, bike storage and a high techbed bug heat treatment room.


Commentary

Paternity leave is on the riseglobally as cultural attitudes shift infavor of fathers taking a more activerole in parenting. On May 24, 2017,the Republic of Panama became thelatest member of a growing group ofcountries that require paid paternityleave. Law 27 of May 23, 2017,grants three business days of paidpaternity leave from the date ofchildbirth, as long as the maleemployee provides his employerwith (i) at least one week of noticeof his spouse’s or cohabitant’s duedate, and (ii) a birth certificateissued by the National Directorateof the Civil Registry certifying himas the father of the child. The three-day paid leave qualifies as servicetime in Panama, and the employeemay not work for any otheremployer or be self-employedduring his leave.

(Source Mondaq)

Culture ChangesFosters better

ParentingOne Nation Exchange is a Social Enterprise project supported by

SEED Winnipeg that is helping immigrant and refugee women in Winnipegto create meaningful work and at the same time have a social outlet wherethey can meet and connect with other women. The One Nation was housedat City Place for the month of July as a pop up business at no charge. CityPlace has been offering new businesses the opportunity to promote theirbusiness and to test the location as a viable business location for theirproduct.

The women at One Nation Exchange sew bags and prepare t-shirts tobe screen printed with the One Nation Emblem designed by Winnipegprinter Karen Cornelius. The products are attractive and appear to have thepotential to do very well. The screen print is bold and makes a powerfulstatement of unity. To date their products include t-shirts, tablecloths,shoulder bags and pillow cases. You can find the bags at the CanadianMuseum for Human Rights boutique. According to the organizers,consumer demand for these products is on the rise. Dedicated volunteerswork with the women to help with the business and organizational end ofthings. One Nation Exchange (O.N.E.) is a not-for-profit organizationcommitted to promoting unity by creating opportunities for interculturalexperiences, training & employment for women representative of Canada’sdiverse cultures.

Two Indigenous speakers wereinvited by the The ManitobaAdvisory Council on the Status ofWomen to commemorateCanada’s National Aboriginal day.They spoke about the importan ceof storytelling and oral history inIndigenous communities and alsotold the story of water. Bannockand jam with tea were served.

National Aboriginal Day

Some of the women who are part of theproject. They said they were veryhappy and loved to sew.


I cringe each time I hearsomeone speaking about Colonizationbecause the Europeans brought terrorto every indigenous community theyinvaded. In an effort to appease thosewho are stuck in the colonial mode, Icoined the word Colonial Terrorism.

The Berlin conference of1885 was called when Europeancountries were arguing over whichpart of Africa they would TAKE.Without asking any African’s opinion,they met and decided whom theywould invade, terrorize and take,much like they are still doing today.Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and nowSyria, all non-white, non-Europeancountries, are examples.

The most proven way tocontrol a people is to take away theirculture. Africans brought to theCaribbean and the Americas wereculturally divided. Siblings wereseparated, parents were separatedfrom their children and the slaveswere not allowed to speak their ownlanguages nor practice any culturalactivity. They were fed food foreign totheir bodies, yet were expected to

Colonial Terrorism

work from sunup to sundown everyday. Literacy meant sure punishment.Those same Europeans traveled toCanada, tricked the indigenouspeoples into giving up their land andforcibly removed children from theirhomes. They put them into residentialschools where they treated exactly thesame as the Africans were.

A short article is not enough todocument the atrocities perpetrated byEuropeans in their MARCH OFTERROR on indigenous peoplearound the world. Suffice it to say thatin each case the Europeans ended upwith the land and resources, imposed

their religion while dissentersended up dead. Yet we see todaythat those groups who want to returnto their land and their religion arebranded as terrorists. Maybe weshould refer to them as anti-colonizers.

In a few days Canada willbe celebrating 150 years as a nation.That means 150 years of dominationand oppression, much asAmerica(241) will do a few dayslater. Both these countries alongwith France, Italy Germany, The EUcoalition, are still destroyingeverything in countries alreadymentioned. Now the Europeannations are closing their borders toprotect their citizens from refugeswho have nothing to protect but thedead bodies of their loved ones andrubble created by US and EUbombs. Colonial Terrorism neverstopped. Europeans became filthyrich by raping and plundering thesenations. Now it has become such abad habit, they cannot stop.

Submitted by Victor Vaughan

MarianaCañadas sangat the Pride2017celebration atthe Scotiastage, Forks.

“It is a dreamcome truesinging on theScotia Stage”she said.

The Bahitizz sisters; Sylvie, Rachel, Francine and OdetteBahati, perrformed on June 1, 2017 at the Manitoba for HumanRights’ Annual General Meeting and Open House.

Talents within the Community


Letter to my children

Global CounselorDear Globalcounsellor,I am 35 year old African Americanman who is engaged to an Irish-Canadian woman. We are planningour marriage to take place nextSpring but to be honest I am havingsecond thoughts. I am not a racistand I am open to diversity but of latethe idea of having bi-racial childrenis bothering me. My motivation foreven dating outside my race is tohelp to bring about unity to showpeople that we can find love in anycolour. It was to break downbarriers but when I see in 2017black men in the USA are still beinglynched for being with a whitewoman, I am thinking, am I willingto sacrifice my life in this way?Would I feel comfortable walkingwith my white wife in Virginiawhere I am from originally but madeCanada my home for the last 10

years. My roots are in Virginia. Iknow my bi-racial children willalways find a home in the Blackcommunity because that my peopleare not fussy about race, they lovepeople and they love family regard-less of how they come out. But whatabout my children’s family on theirmother’s side? Will they be ac-cepted? It seems ridiculous that Iam asking these questions in 2017but here we are again fighting thesame old demons. I just want peaceand I don’t know how to bring theseissues up with my wife to be. I amnot a coward but I just want peacein my home and in my life. Pleasehelp me.Conflicted

Dear Conflicted,I hear you my brother but don’t takethe easy way out. In this life theremust be something you believe in so

strongly that you are willing to giveyour life for it. From all you’vesaid, making a difference, bringingpeople together, breaking downbarriers are strong values. TheLoving couple made it through JimCrow days, you can make it throughtoday. Love conquers everything. Inthe face of hate you show love andeven if you die, you’d be dying forsomething you believe in and youwill be remembered. Your lifewould not have been in vain.If you really love your Irish sweet-heart do not let the racists rob you ofa minute of pleasure and happinesswith this woman. Go and create alife based on love with the blessingsof your ancestoros who died so thatyou can enjoy greater freedom tochoose. Goodluck on your weddingday.

My beloved children,Believe in your dreams.

dreams can come true and docome true. I was thrilled tofinally meet Angela Davis whohas been one of my favouriteactivists as a young womangrowing up in an obsure village.She made Afro cool and everyonewanted Angela Davis’ afro. Shewas strong, confident, brilliant allthe qualities that I admired andmost of all she could talk in a waythat made you want to listen moreand more.

I liked the fact that in thosedays she was not afraid to goagainst the grain when she saidthat even though she is a feministher primary focus was with humanrights and the prison industrial

complex in which there was andstill is an over representation ofblack men. She could not seefighting for women’s rights withoutlooking at the broader picture ofhuman rights. She refused to put oneover the other. What would bewomen’s rights if black men werestill at the bottom of the barrel withno accest to human rights? Sheunderstood there can be no women’srights without addressing thequestion of racism anddiscrimination on the basis of skincolour. At that time in historywomen’s rights were mainly aboutwhite women’s rights for white menruled the roost then as they do now.

“Liberation is a dialecticalmovement – the black man cannotfree himself as a black man unless

black women can liberate herself.Black women’s liberation isinseparable from the liberation ofthe male. Women’s liberation in therevolution is inseparable from theliberation of the male.

“As a black woman, mypolitics and my political affiliationare bound up with and flow fromparticipaptiion in my people’sstruggle for liberation and withfight of oppressed people all overthe world against Americanimperialism.

Davis was clear and articulateand she stuck to her passion evennow some 40 years later. She stillcalls for abolishment of the prisonsystem one of the most racistsystemic bastion of institutionalracism


IS THE GRASS THATGREENER IN WINNIPEG?

Spring is there while summer tiptoesaround the corner. My roomtemperature switched, back andforth, from the heater to the airconditioner. Winnipeg’s weather isso intriguing. That explains the coldI caught last month. Microbes,viruses and allergies fought hard tokeep me in bed, but I won! Spring ismy favourite season because I amnot chased by hungry mosquitoes.No kidding, I was stung in May butlet’s pretend, it never happened.Okay? Anyway, compared to theones in Paris (France), I noticed thatWinnipeg’s grass looks greener. Myneighbours’ grass exhibits a greenthat seems too intense or artificial.Don’t get me wrong, the colour’sbrightness is breathtaking. Thegreenest grass I’ve ever seen is,here, in Winnipeg! That really gotmy attention. Or is it a contrast withthe winter scenery? I mean dwellingamong slippery, melted, snowy anddirty sidewalk… you name it.

In Paris, the grass was just green.When I looked around everything

was sad, hopeless and lifeless.Circumstances were tough. So Imade-up mind to look for a greenergrass. In 2011, I packed up my bagsfor a better life in Canada. But thereality hit me. Life won’t be easy inSlurpee-city as a foreign worker.And then moodiness, unhappinessand depression became my allies. Itwas silly to walk around with mywinter clothing from France –equivalent to Canada’s fall clothes.Once again spring kicked winter tothe kerb. I love spring because it

resets the temperature to give us abreak like a recovery period; a newbeginning that gives new strengthsand hope. There are challengeseverywhere, but I keep dreamingbig. And I just decided to staypositive no matter what. I praise theLord for giving me a job and a goodhealth. I came to Canada to bettermy future. God allowed tough timesto happen in my life to draw mecloser to Him. I grew stronger in myspiritual journey and it was worth it.Is the grass that greener inWinnipeg? The answer is yesbecause I learned to water mine. J

Bénédicte Brou

Follow me on Tweeter at https://twitter.com/BenebrouCa andbenebralive.blog.spot.ca

“The announced function of thepolice – to protect and to serve thepeople – becomes the grotesquecaricature of protecting the interestsof the people.”

I studied her works during myuniversity days in the Women’sStudies program and wrote one ofmy major papers on her work andvision of feministm. ReadingAngela Davis I changed my focusfrom rah rah feminism to a moreglobal approach the liberation of apeople.

Meeting her in person isdefinitely one of the highlights of mylife . Even though I admired her so

much I was satisfied with beingconnected to her through her books.It was never my dream because Inever thought it was possible butwhat if I had this dream?

Letter ...continued from p11

Beatrice and Angela

Congratulations to Rachel Alao,pastor and former Settlement Coun-sellor at Immigrant Centre whorecently had a book launch for herfirst book `The Spirit of Empower-ment`.


If someone had told me that,Winnipeg would host the OlympicGames; I would have said: “Nah!Not even in your dreams! Go getlost!” Boy, how I was wrong! TheSummer Games 2017 will takeplace in Winnipeg. I couldn’tbelieve it! What a good surprise.There is finally hope in Winnipeg!Just kidding! I know that you justfrown… got you! Anyway, I live inWinnipeg for more than 5 yearsnow, and I noticed some changes.There are many new events and newactivities.

That is good news because I getbored easily, so I crave for novelty.For instance, I have been toFolklorama and to the ‘Festival duVoyageur’ twice in 4 years. Why?Because I already know theoutcome. I need to be surprised. But,the upcoming Summer Games arevery appealing. They are not

Winnipeg’s seasonal events. Icherish new concepts; I am anti-routine. I can’t help it.

Here is a heads up: these gameswill display 16 different sports. Andseveral artists and the pastOlympics will entertain us. Isn’t it anice way to spend time with yourfamily and friends? I see Winnipegas a family-centered city. And Iadmire the time that people set apartto enjoy activities with their family.

For ‘carless’ fellows like me,the carpool or taxi might help. Iassume that the cabs would be verybusy. And the traffics would beinevitable especially during rushhour. I know that the bus transitreally sucks in the evening. Thetourists may come from all acrossthe globe. The hotels will beoverbooked. That would boost thecity’s finances, I guess. That also

reminds me that we should be awareabout sex trafficking that mightoccur during the events. Let’s be onguard, folks.

The tickets are available onlineat www.2017canadagames.ca. Theprice goes from $5 for children upto $200, the latter if you plan toattend various venues on differentdates and time. The Games are fromJuly 28th to August 13th. Enjoy yoursummer in Winnipeg! Such a dreamcomes true.

Bénédicte BrouFollow me on my blog at http://

benebralive.blogspot.ca/ and onTwitter https://twitter.com/BenebrouCa

Winnipeg Summer Games 2017

In this book, 36 overcomers(included Delia Joseph, Life Coachin Winnipeg) share their testimonyof pain, setbacks, fear, illnesses,drugs and alcohol addictions. Theyall went through hell, but they madeit. Today they live in victory.Moreover, as successful coaches,they dedicate their lives to helpother. They give hope. This bookshows that nothing is impossible toresilient people. The 36 writersnever looked back with regret. Theyjust keep going. Furthermore, theymake our world a better place tolive. This book is so inspiring that Irecommend to everyone.

GEM joins in congratulatingDelia (Veronica) Joseph forthis great accomplishment.We wish her continuedsuccess in her coaching andwriting in service to other.

A New Book for yourBookshelf or Kindle

Submitted by Bénédicte Brou Owner and founder ofImproveology Coaching


Community in Action

This annual food and culturalfare by the St. Vincent and theGrenadines community has alwaysattracted a multicultural crowdpartly because their food andentertainment are tops. You get to eat your belly full inCaribbean parlance. And there isalways goodies to buy and takehome for the rest of the week -sugar cake, sweet bread, coconutdrops and other Caribbean de-lights. This community has added apopular addition to their entertain-ment and that is Caribbean styleauction. This is the game that youpay to bid. It is a great fun-Raiserespecially with someone like JohnJack as the auctioneer. He had thecrowd going wild and spendingbig dollars.

Bajan Night It’s when the Barbadian commu-nity get to show off their foodspecialities such as coo-coo andsalfish, flying fish, cassava pone andtheir version of the famous Carib-bean coconut drops. The organization announced a newpost secondary scholarship thatwould help asutdents with theirfinancial expenses.

2nd Annual Torch ofDignity Relay

Ah We Kind a Food A few hundreds of Winnipeg

people participated in the Manitobansfor Human Rights MHRI) 2nd AnnualTorch of Dignity Relay, Agusut 7,2017 from the Kildonan Park to to theOodena Celebration Circle at thehistoric Forks site. The Bear ClanPatrol and the Winnipeg Police werehonorary marshals for the route.

It was a beautiful sunny dayperfectfor a relay. Elder Louise MaeCampbell blessed the event with anopening prayer followed by a Treaty 1Welcome by Chief Jim Bear ofBrokenhead First Nation. FormerWinnipeg CEO David Northcott gavethe keynote address.

Speakers included Rajat Iyal therefugee who lost his fingers to frost-bite. He could not thank Canada andthe people of Winnipeg enough foraccepting him as a refugee and foroffering him their kindness.

He said all he wantedd to do knowwas to give back to the community.

Other speakers was a formerhomeless man who spoke about thepoor treatment he received from thehospital . Today he is giving back tothe community trying to help thoseless fortunate than himself,

Valerie Thompson, president ofMHRI said she was encouraged by thenumber of people who showed up andvows to continue working towardsmaking Winnipeg a Human RightsCity.

Antoinette Zloty, Board member,Barbados Assoc.


What do you do when you comeface to face with an iconic figurelike Angela Davis? You give hermultiple standing ovations for justshowing up, you scream and showerher with loving adoration andappreciation. That was how theroom felt on Sunday May 6, 2017when Angela Davis graced the stageat Knox United Church to addressthe assigned topic - Race,Resistance and Revolution:Freedom is a Constant Struggle.” .

The sold out event organizedby the Centre for Alternative PolicyInitiatives, Black Space and QueerPeople of Colour was packed withthose who grew up with Angela’slarger than life figure in the BlackPower Movement during the headydays of the Sixties in the UnitedStates of America and the youngergeneration of feminists and activistswho were introduced to her through

her books and university courses.There was a healthy mix ofTraditionalist, Boomers andZoomers, Genx, Millennial andeveryone in between.

What is the attraction ofthis phenomenal woman, thateverywhere she goes she is greetedlike a modern day guru of socialactivism, her words are carefullydigested and in the midst ofhundreds of people you can almosthear a pin drop in the hush silenceher voice commands and yet she isnot a strident speaker but soft andplayful at times.

Her life reads like an actionmovie that keeps you on the edgeof your seat. She is a woman whoescaped the death chamber, awoman who was jailed for 18months, who faced the demon ofAmerican racism, a woman who

was stripped of her citizenship ofthe USA and found refuge in Cuba,she ran for Vice President of theUSA on the Community Party Ticketand she spoke her truth wherevershe could.

A former leader of theCommunist Party USA (CPUSA),civil rights activist and academic,Angela Davis has dedicated her lifeto freedom fighting. She has beendescribed as “the most recognisableface of the left in the US.”She hasbeen associated with revolutionarymovements such as the BlackPanther Party in the 1960s. She alsoco-founded Critical Resistance —an organisation which exists tocounter the US’s prison system. Whowould not want to hear such awoman speak her truth?

Davis acknowledged being onTreaty land and the home of the

Angela Davis in Winnipeg

Left to right: Molly McCracken (CCPA) , Adeline Bird, AlexaPotashnik, Kemlin Nembhard, Krishna Lalbiharie, UzomaAsagwara, foreground sitting: Angela Davis


Métis Nation. As she spoke itseemed like everyone hung on everyword for pearls of wisdom to drop.

“Sometimes we cannotdistinguish between freedom andunfreedom” She said. “Theproblematic character of the notion offreedom that can be talked about inthe USA constitution which states “allmen are created equal” means thesemen have access to rights andliberties. The US claims it is the firstdemocracy. The hardness of thesenotions has to be pulled apart. What

men were they talking about? We failto grasp the elitist character ofdemocracy as it is offered to us.

Davis says she is excited that wefinally seem to be recognizing whyissues of racism is so central to theUS and Canada.

“Colonization provides theground upon which these countrieswere developed. Consider thisregion and we recognize the extent towhich oppression of indigenouspopulations and the enslavement ofBlacks provided the bedrock of thesesocieties.”

“Why is it so hard to recognizethe Haitian revolution? They wereforced to pay the French governmentwhat amounted to some #34 billion

dollars. The Issue of race appearsto be the property of the victims.

All of us in this region haveto grapple with it. Our futuredepends on our understanding ofit.”

Slavery in the US wasabolished without abolishingslavery. Today we are stillgrappling with the afterlife ofslavery, she said.

How do we developconsciousness? How do webecome aware? How is racism

transformed in contemporaryworld? Movements such as theBlack Lives Matter have aphilosophical relevance, they helpus to realize the moral damageracism has caused.

“Everything should be subjectto questions. We need to questionthe questions, that is criticalthinking – we need to engage in thecritical process of questioning”

However, the media and othersystems want to normalize racismand other oppressions. We have tohold on to that sense of disbelief,Davis encouraged.

Davis had a lot of positivethings to say about music and itscentrality to movements over theyears. She said music was one of

the major drives against the movementagainst racism and it was central to thedevelopment of revolutionary movement.She said musicians seem to have a gift ofmaking complicated ideas simple andunderstandable through their music andlyrics.

She said that focussing on how toarticulate the nature and structuralcharacter of racism, unlearning racismworkshops and admonishing whites whenthey use the wrong words are smallactions but the more import thing is aboutthe structures that persists that enableracism to exist. “Racism has not declinedbecause Blacks and Latinos are morevisible. We do not look for racism in theindividual but the ways in which our waysof knowing shift.”

She said Obama was electedbecause of a movement. The young peoplerefused to believe that it was impossiblefor a black man in our post racial era tobe elected President “One Black man inthe White House but millions of blackmen in the Big House” adding that thereare more black men in prison today thanwere enslaved in the 18th century.

She called attention to the historyof imprisonment in the USA and theconnection with rehabilitation. Prisons

continued on p21

Angela Davis with the staff of CCPA staff -Molly McCracken, Karen Schlichting andLynne Fernandez

Elder Albert McCleod opened with a blessing.

Calvin Joseph was the official photographerfor the Angela Davis Event. Thanks toCCPOA for sharing it with GEM


Creative Foundation of Manitoba Stimulates Student Creativity in In-teractive Workshops

The Creative Foundation ofManitoba, Inc. delivered a highlyinteractive and stimulating work-shop for elementary school childrenin Winnipeg. More than 100 grades 5, 6 and 10school children converged at theHoliday Inn South Venue for a dayof creative and interactive activitiesincluding, music, moving cartoon,visual art, poetry and human rightspresentations. In each of the workshops, thestudents were fully engaged. Theywere as sharp as nails, bright asstars and brave as David in theireagerness and enthusiasm andwillingness to take risks. Hon. Rochelle Squires broughtgreetings on behalf of the provin-cial government. She encouragedthe children to see themselves asartists even though they may nothave artworks hanging in a gallery.She told them they are all artists andto have fun with it. Presenters included, YisaAkinbolaji, Catherine Akinbolaji,Dr. Sunday Olujoku, President ofCreative Foundation and writer, andBeatrice Watson, Manitoba HumanRights Commission staff. To all account the day went byvery quickly, the children enjoyedtheir pizza and salad lunch and eachgot a gift i.e. the artwork theyproduced - to take to their mothersfor Mother’s day, which was theSunday following the workshop.They each prepared a piece of artwork using Yisa’s patented tech-nique remoglue that sparkled withcolour. The teachers gave the confer-ence their thumbs up.

Kamta Roy Singh shares his wit and wisdom with the Nigerian Professionals of Manitoba

Kamta Roy Singh originally from Guyana, South America ,was recentlyinvited as the guest speaker at the Nigerian Professionals of ManitobaInformation session where he shared his struggles and victories as animmigrant. He spoke about arriving in Canada with about $27 dollars in hispocket to being the proud owner of several Tim Hortons Franchise today.

Students showing off theirpainting s; Group photo ofspeakers/facilitatorsYisa Akinbolaji demon-strating remoglue tech-nique and student follows


Maiko Watsonand friends

at theDalnavert Museum

performed to asold out

supportive fanbase.

Maiko Watson Wows Hometown Fans

Maiko and her favourite grade 2teacher Joan Lloyd

Heather Gaskin a customer of Maiko’shair braiding business days

New fans

Lisa Hacket and Mavis McClaren fiercecomunity supporters

Ms Atwell and Maiko’s first vocal coachstudent

Cliff, Michael and Keith from the Baha’icommunity

Maiko delivers a donation to Helen &Randi of Match International

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you thank you to all who came out. Itt was one of the best concerts I’ve had.Love, love love. Maiko Watson.


Tasha Spillett, a Cree andTrinidadian woman from Manitoba,will use feminist and race theory tolook at the impact of Indigenousland-based education on the well-being of Indigenous girls in urbanareas. Land-based educationreconnects Indigenous peoples withthe land and the social relations,knowledge and languages of theland.Through interviews with Elders andIndigenous teenage girls whoparticipate in land-based educationinitiatives in urban areas, Spillettaims to identify best ways ofconnecting Indigenous girls withland-based knowledge anddetermine how that knowledge canbe an effective response to systemicviolence.“I believe it’s my responsibility toserve my community,” said Spillett,who is supervised by Alex Wilson,educational foundations professorand director of the U of SAboriginal Research EducationCentre. “Having the support of theVanier allows me to not only focuson my research, but also to remainan active member of my communitywhile engaged in my studies.”

Ahmed Tiamiyu, a mechanicalengineering student from Nigeria,will study a special type of stainlesssteel which could be used for hightemperature and load-bearingapplications. His goal is to improvethe strength and wear resistance ofthis material for possibleapplications in the design of nuclearand chemical reactors in Canada,thereby improving safety.“The Vanier scholarship offers me aunique opportunity to achieve mycareer goal of advancing technologythrough the development of new andimproved engineering materials,”said Tiamiyu, who is supervised bymechanical engineering professorAkindele Odeshi and Jerzy Szpunar,Canada Research Chair inAdvanced Materials for CleanEnergy.

Interim TreatyCommissionerLoretta Ross

Congratulations to LorettaRoss, Winnipeg lawyer who wasrecently appointed as interim TreatyCommissioner for the Treaty Rela-tions Commission of Manitoba.

Ms Ross in additjon to beinga promiinent lawyer is a member ofthe Board of Commissioners at theManitoba Human RightsCommision, and a Board member ofManitoba Wise - an equality rightsseeking organization.

On July 29, 2017 The TreatyCommission held an open house tointroduce the new Commission tothe community in a relaxed informalmanner.

Ross is slated to be guestspeaker at the Wise Breakfast inOctober this year, celebratingWomen’s Equality Rights inManitoba.

Celebrating Excellence inAcademia - Two Bright Stars

It is by education that we becomeprepared for our duties andresponsibilities in life. . If one isbadly educated he must naturallyfail in the proper assumption andpractice of his duties andresponsibilities. Marcus Garvey


Creative ExpressionsI saw first that things were uglyAnd most of all ugly was IThat’s when you hinted at beautyA beauty too great for my eye.

You told me of a garden freeFor those who live their life for youI said that’s not the path for me‘Cause it was meant for others too.

I thought I was still approachingAs I began to walk awayBut the dark was soon encroachingAnd all night came over my day.

I can‘t remember how I talkedFor I slept in a dreamer‘s bedI can‘t describe the land I walkedFor I was blind and deaf and dead

Then a man bearded withy birdsongWith the loveliest perfumed eyesHappened along my way alongHis proud journey among the skies

I said, you‘ve been to this gardenHe said won‘t you come tooThe journey will be a hard oneJust a leap of the heart will do

I leapt and still haven‘t landedThe direction I ‘m in is upI can see and hear one-handedIn my other hand there‘s a cup.

And all the birds and bees are drawnTo take drink from its flowing lipThey come to see me at the dawnAnd go home on their midnight trip.

My words fail so in this beautyI‘m shamed how much failure showsStill I’m drawn by love and dutyTo offer you this song my rose.

John Dunn, Winnipeg Poet¸Playwright. Now lives in China wherehe teaches English but visits ‘home‘To visit daughter Laila and hisbeautiful grandchildren living inDauphin Manitoba

NATURALLY

You laughCall me ‘redundant’How many times have I drawnThe same substance’As many times as a manNeeds to breathe...’Be it a recipe for a barbequeOr new method for the abdomensOr a better way to wear my pantsI would continue to pretend...

AROUND

You’d rather split profitThan to share a secretSomehow, I thought itThe other way...Sure we had somethingNot much for promotingBut kept a smile glowingThe other way...

Reflections of LifeWe take for granted what we seeThrough the eyes of mortalityWe touch the wood and think it’sreal Think this is the real dealWe don’t know this isn’t soWe don’t know it’s all too shallow

What we see and what we feelThings we’re offered as a mealAre creations of our imaginations?Abstractions of our contemplations

We see a man he is blackWe run clackety clackHe is a killer and a robberA jive talking slobber

What if we live in the moment?What if we suspend judgment?What if we open our hearts andmind?And see what we can findIt might surprise us what lives inthat dustwe may find gems of kindnessinstead of disgust

What if we just let go of the egoWhat if we just let our feelingsflow?What if we let it take us to thatspace?That space of pure grace.(BAW) (c)

Optics

I was thinkinghow the design of a spider;s web

might seduceThe compound eye

of a flywhen your breastsCalled my attention

From a distance.John Dunn

Neil Pitamber

CONDOLENCESOur thoughts and prayers go out toall those who have departed thisworld and the families and lovedones they left behind. May thesesouls RIP

We celebrate with those who aremarking anniversaries, birthdays,births. May your lives be blessedand enriched by these significantevents.

Special condolences to the Atwellfamily who have lost their fatherGeorge Atwell and to the family ofJoan Joseph. We grieve with you andpray for your strength to carry on.


HEALTHWISE RecipesCHEAT PIEROGIES2 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled andhalved½ cup mayonnaise1 cup sharp old cheddar, gratedsalt and pepper (to taste)

Sauerkraut filling:1 tbsp vegetable oil1 tbsp butter1 yellow onion, diced (or 2 yellowonions, caramelized)2 cups sauerkraut, rinsed anddrainedsalt and pepper (to taste)Assembly:1 package egg roll wrappersvegetable oil (for frying)butter (for frying)water (for sealing)Garnish options:sour creamfried onion slicescubed smoked bacon, friedminced chivespaprika

PreparationPotato and cheese fillingAdd potatoes to a pot of coldsalted water. Bring water to a boiland cook until potatoes are tender,about 20 minutes. Drain potatoesand mash with butter. Fold incheese, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Sauerkraut fillingSautee onions in oil and butter untilsoftened and lightly browned. Adddrained sauerkraut to pan, sauteefor 5 minutes, season with salt andpepper. Set aside to cool slightly.If making caramelized onionoption, caramelize onions, then addsauerkraut to pan, season with saltand pepper, sautee for an

additional 5 minutes.AssemblyPlace about 1 heaping tbsp of fillinginto centre of wonton wrapper. Usefingers to wet perimeter of wonton.Fold wonton in half and seal edges,making sure to push all air out offilling. Continue until all wontonsare stuffed.Blanch to pierogies in salted boilingwater for 2-3 minutes, until wrapperis translucent. If working in batches,place blanched perogies on an oiledplate, separating layers withparchment paper as they will sticktogether.Heat a non-stick pan to mediumheat, and add a splash of oil. Frypierogies until golden brown onboth sides. Continue until allpierogies are cooked, add more oilas needed.

Top with sour cream, fried onionslices, fried bacon cubes, chivesand paprika I’m not betting on it.

Ingredients1. 3 ½ cups all purpose flour2. 1 tbsp dry yeast3. 1 ¼ cup plus 1 tbsp warmwater at 110 degrees4. ¼ cup melted butter5. 1 tsp salt6. ¼ cup sugar7. 1 egg yolk + 1 tsp waterInstructions1. Preheat oven to 375degrees.2. In a large bowl place warm

water and sugar, then sprinkle yeaston to water and let sit for 10 minutesto allow the yeast to proof.3. Add flour, melted butter andsalt in the mixture with the yeast andmix to form a dough. The dough willbe sticky. Add just enough flour(about 2 tablespoon) and knead for5 to 10 minutes. A stand up mixerwith the dough hook attachmentwould be an excellent alternative tohand kneading the dough.4. Cover bowl with a clothe thenset in a warm place and allow torise for 45 minutes.5. After 45 minutes, remove thedough from the bowl and place on alightly floured surface. Knead for 2minutes to form a smooth ball, thisshouldn’t take long. Next cut thedough into 3 even pieces then rolleach piece into equal logs about 14inches.6. Braid the 3 logs to form theloaf. Make sure both ends are secureby pressing them together firmlythen tucking under.7. Let rise for 45 minutes in awarm place. On the cooktop of thepreheated oven would be perfect.

8. In a small bowl mix egg yolkand water with a fork then brush onthe top of the bread. This will createa golden brown crust.

9. Place in preheated oven andbake for 30 minutes.

10. Remove from oven and allowto cool, then place in a bag and seal.

GUYANESESAVOURY PLAITBREAD

Jehan Peters recipe


If you are looking for goodhealth, have tried a lot of dietprotocols and health regimes butstill not quite where you want to beyou may want to up your game andgive Dr. Sebi’s nutritional formulafor better health a chance.

He is the African Honduranherbalist and holistic healer taughtby a Mexican herbalist and hisgrandmother . Through diligentresearch Dr. Sebi developed a dietand herbal regime which have beenused to cure diseases that stillbaffle traditional medicine e.g.AIDS, diabetes, sickle cell,Arthritis, stroke etc. He wascharged by the US government offraud (making false claim) and wonhis case by producing more than 80patients who came forward to telltheir stories of healing.

One of Sebi’s claims to fameis his belief that rendering the bodyinto an “alkaline state” makes itimpossible for disease andailments to exist. Dr. Sebi alsocreated vegetable cell compoundsin order to fortify the body. He alsoclaimed to have a cure for AIDSand cancer along with a long list ofother related cures.

To put your body in an alkaline

state Dr. Sebi recommends certainfoods to avoid in particular animalproducts, dairy products, wheat,sugar, GMO and hybrid foodswhich create mucus and damageto the mucus membranes. Herecommends natural spiring waterfor its significant mineral content.

You do not have to follow hisrecommendation to the letter but ifyou are suffering from some kindof chronic disease, isn’t it worth atry, to enjoy better health?

Dr. Sebi died under tragiccircumstances in a jail inHonduras for having on his person$20,000 in cash. He was accusedof money laundering. If you lookat his videos and writings frommore than 10 years ago, Dr. Sebiapparently loved to walk with realmoney and not depend on banksetc. There are people who are likethat. What is wrong with havingreal money? Why that was acrime? His case is still beinginvestigated and the people closedwot him feel certain that Dr. Sebi’sname will be cleared. Dr. Sebiatreated many celebrities as wellincluding Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez,Eddy Murphy, John Travolta,Steven Segal among others.

Alkaline foods include ;kale, romaine lettuce, tomatillo,grape tomatoes, seeded grapes,seeded watermelon, teff grain,spelt flour, spelt bread, ryebread, seeded water melon;

The Alkaline Way to Better Health

Oh man, I’mup to hey wid disracism crap all ova de place especiallyin Winnipeg. Dis is the home ofFolklorama biggest cultural festival inNart America, we like Chinese food,jerk chicken and curry chicken, we aremarrying each odda den what is deproblem? Ah met a guy from India deadda day talking bout how he’s beingtreated soh bad because ah he race anting. Ah seh bouy wheh yuh comefrom nah gat racism? He seh na man.Ah seh what about de Dalit people. Heseh oh, they are simple peopleuneducated and people help dem out bygivin dem odd jobs here and dere. Ahseh dat is discrimination, yuh keepingdese people down an not giving dem achance. Ah ask him how he tink demust feel and he seh dey happy doingodd jobs, dat is dere job and no bodycompete wid dem. Dey work get payan feed dey family. Ah seh well dewhite people tink we are good doingodd jobs in Canada too, how aboutdat? Is like me Rasta friend Dannyshooting off he mout and mekking funof two guys holding hands. He seh datpeople like dem need to be put in jailand dun way wid. Ah seh rememba detime when black people used to be putaway… nah whipped and lynched fuhless dan dat. Ah seh we kiant wantrights fuh weself and not give it toodda people. Dat is wrong.

Everybady gat rights jus fuh beinghuman. If we don’t see dat promotingdiscrimination based on race, sex,religion etc. is like shooting weself onwe foot. We black and brown folks arenat out a de racism woods. We still facebad discrimination. If anything weshould be at de front promoting civilrights fuh everyone. Man I kiantunadastan people. I mine me ownbisness. Once people don’t get up inme bisness I’m okay. It’s live an letlive. Ketch yuh nex time.

Gaffin Wid Buddy


The Nigerian Canadian Con-gress Organization of Manitoba(NICCOM) celebrated Manitoba’sMulticulturalism Day with a confer-ence themed “EngenderingMulticultural Harmony : Graspingthe nuts and bolts for Progress, thatfeatured various speakers from themulticultural community whosetopics expanded understanding ofdiversity and multiculturalism inManitoba.

Held on June 23, 2017, atthe Winnipeg Technical Institute ,Pembina Highway, the speakersincluded Dr. Lori Wilkinson Profes-sor at University of Manitoba, YisaAkinbolaji, Helen Wang, Won JaeSong, MLA Waab Kinew. Guestspeaker was Ms Deborah Handziukhead of the Winnipeg TechnicalInstitute. Minister Rochelle Squiresbrought greetings on behalf of theprovincial government and Council-lor Janice Lukes, brought greetingson behalf of the City of Winnipeg.

Dr. Sunday, Olukoju, NICCOMpresident warmly welcomed theguests and promised participants aday of great multicultural intellec-tual feast.

Dr. Lori Wilkinson’s power-point presentation captured thegrowing diversity in Manitoba , andnew cultural groups settling inManitoba over the last few years.

Helen Wang , Editor of Chi-nese Tribune, & President ofManitoba Chinese Family CentreandWon Jae Song, Publisher of Diver-sity Times and Korean TimesNewspapers, spoke about thechallenges and opportunities ofmulticulturalism at the grass rootslevel e.g. language barriers andadapting to a new culture.

Multiculticultural Diversity on the upswing inManitoba

Middle: Won Jae Song,Bottom: Selina Bieber,Conference emcee,Kenny Daodu, PublicRelations Officer,NICCOM and JudithHayes, Executive Direc-tor, Manitoba Start

Yisa Akinbolaji, Tehani Jainaire, Director,Multiculturalism Secretariat, Dr.LoisStewart-Archer, CBW past president & acommunity member

Top:(Member of theChinese communityMinister RochelleSquires, Helen Wang andJanice Lukes ,


were supposed to be a more humanealternative because it was retainedin the Slave Law. “Slaveryprovided a model for punishmentthat persists in the aftermath. It wasnot just about a Southern form ofpunishment. Under the newcapitalism two million people wereincarcerated.”

Global capitalism destroyeddreams for black people, Davisasserts, as factories shut down andmoved across the water. Ascapitalism sought cheaper labourand tried to escape unions, theymoved and people began movingacross the borders like thecorporations move and when thathappened they were called illegal.“No human being is ever illegal.”

Davis said we have to make theglobal connection. Black LivesMatter reverberated all over theworld. Islamophobia plays into theracism of today.

“We need to use the tools offeminism to deal with racism andnot glass ceiling feminism. Talkingabout glass ceiling reminds peoplethat she is already way up there butfeminism for those women whom thefloor is threatening to collapse.”

She said Queer black womenunderstand that trajectory in theconstruction and reproduction ofgender, and how we have beenoppressed by the binary system ofgender – a gendering apparatus.

Davis has so much knowledgeand so much to share that during theQuestion and Answer session heranswers became mini talks. To thequestion, how do we teach towardssolidarity and the steps to a strongermovement? She responded to takesmall steps, do what you areinterested in, and find a way toconnect that passion with radicalmovement. Do what you can.

She was asked about the

connection between the Black andIndigenous struggles. Davis saidwhen slaves were freed they werepromised 40 acres of land and amule. “I want my 40 acres. Whoseland is that?”

How to talk about privilegewith the privileged? She said it isreally important that we all becomeaware of our own particularprivileges. “I prefer to talk aboutWhite supremacy.”

In her concluding remarks shesaid that we have made littleprogress in purging our collectivepsyche of racism. Prison has beena powerful institution. We putpeople away where we can be safe.We incarcerate the problem anddon’t deal with it because it is toohard.

Mindfulness and social justicehave a connection. How can we usemindfulness to create community,how can we bring our whole selvesto the table and be supported. Howcan we create a movement wherepeople know how to share their painwithout judgement. “I am bearingwitness for those who did not make itthis far. We have to take care of oursadness and our spirit and learn to betogether. And we need to develop arepertoire of response to deal withracism and microaggresions..”

Davis encouraged the youngpeople to build coalitions withwhite people. Its not aboutalienating people but creating amovement that would help totransform our society that willbenefit everyone. In the end it ispeace, justice and equality we allwant.

Davis left her audience with alot of food for thought and hungerfor more. After the formalpresentation there was a receptionwhere she was surrounded andpatiently spoke and took pictures

Molly McCraken, Ex Dir of Cana-dian Centre for Policy Alternativeswelcome address, and UzoAsagwara emcee

Angela Davis contyinued from p 13

with those who were there. Thanks to three incredibly

strong women who were the moversand shakers behind this historicmoment – Molly McCraken, Centrefor Policy Alternatives, UzomaAsagwara, Queer People of Colourand Alexa Potashnik, Black Space.

Beatrice Watson


It was a night of celebration andappreciation to five outstandingwomen in the community who wererecognized for their contributions tomaking Manitoba batter.

Sandra Kloss, Council ofWomen of Winnipeg, BarbaraNielsen, Consumers Association ofCanada, Barbara Toews, ProvincialCouncil of Women of Manitoba andHelen Whetter of MATCHInternational, Manitoba Region whoreceived the Women HelpingWomen Award - and HumairaJaleel, leader of Islamic Circle ofNorth America, winner of the NotAfraid to get your hands dirty”Award. She is a professionalMuslim woman who wants todemonstrate it is possible to be bothstrong, empowered women andwomen of faith. All these womenhave volunteered tremendousamount of time towards communitybuilding work.

An annual event organized bythe Provincial Council of Women ofManitoba Inc., (PCWM) AlexandraShkandri, President, said that sincePCWM’s inception in 1949, thisorganization has had the privilege ofcounting many exceptional womenamongst our members and“tonight’s honorees carry on that

legacy and were selected by theirpeers for their outstandingcontribution to Manitoba.” The NotAfraid to get Your Hands Dirtyaward was established in 2013 byUNPAC (United Nations Platformfor Action Committee) of Manitobato honour the long time service oftheir Executive Director, JenniferDeGroot. The award is intendedfor a Manitoba woman/girl whorecently demonstrated a creativeactivist response to an identifiedinjustice, in an attempt to bringabout social or political change forwomen. Humaira did just that whenpreparing for an activist event inWinnipeg and realized the morningof event that there was not going tobe a stage. When you are going tohave an event with speakers oneneeded a stage she thought and,woke her husband up and had himtake their bed apart and also had afriend do the same, they took thebed frames got some plywood andhastily put together the stage forspeakers.

Soroptimist organizationreceived the Federate Honoureeaward for their consistent financialsupport to women and girls achievetheir dreams through scholarships,both locally and abroad. Theirmost recent project is Dream it be

Celebrating Women Gala Event

l-r:Humaira Jaleel, Sandra Kloss, Helen Whetters, Barbara Toews, Barbara Nielsen

it - a mentoring program for youngwomen.

Each year they give out the Liveyour Dream bursaries for womenreturning to school to improve theirfamilies, economic situations, theyalso make and distribute comfortpillows to women who have undergone breast surgery and help womenand girls in other areas as well.

The evening was filled withchatter, laughter, food, silent auctionand networking opportunities.

AlexandraShkandri,President,PCWM.

Members of Soroptimist Group


Thanks to Hope McIntyre,Artistic Director of SarasvatiTheatre for giving me thisopportunity to share mythoughts on the importance ofhearing immigrant and refugeestories.

Chimamanda NgoziAdichie brilliantly asserts inher essay the danger of a singlestory”, how what people read,hear about, or watch on TVcan influencetheir view offoreignersthe idea that a storyhas more than one side. We arenot one-dimensional beings.We are complex and so areour stories.

There are manypreconceived ideas aboutimmigrants and refugees and if youonly listen to what the media haveto say you may not get the entirestory. When we hear stories ofimmigrant and refugees especiallyin their own voices we get apersonal angle, they tell aperpetual human tale of the searchfor peace and a better life for theirchildren, they speak about thedifficulties of living in a state ofconstant war, the journeys theymake on foot, through snake andlion infested habitats to get tosafety. The safety that we all craveas human being. When we heartheir stories we begin tounderstand that they are humanbeings just like us, with needs justlike us, and that given the chancemay have chosen to remain in theircountries and build a life amongfamily and friends, connectionswhich are lost when they areforced to run for their lives andscatter abroad. These immigrantand refugees stories help to bridgethe divide between those of us whohave lived her longer and thenewcomers, by fostering deeper

understanding.Hearing their stories may shift

our position from judgement tocuriosity and human compassion.You will hear them speak of notcoming here to take our jobs but togive as much as they can ingratitude for being welcomed here.You hear stories from allperspectives: teenagers, older andyounger adults of how hopeless itfeels living in refugee camps andbecause they do not want to be aburden on people are willing to dothe grunge work Canadians do notreadily take, like cleaning toilets,working in factories and otherminimum wage jobs, that in orderto make ends meet everybody hasto work. It helps us to understandthat people do not come here to beon welfare, though it isappreciated. They want to workand take care of their families.Learning about immigrant andrefugee stories through theatre isboth entertaining and a source ofaccessible learning that help tobreak down barriers and expandour horizons. A co-worker whosemother migrated from Germanyafter the Second World War said

they ran and took risksbecause there wasnothing left to lose,they had losteverything. And eventhough we live inglass houses and drivefancy cars we are atheart still hunters andgatherers – we gowhere food is, we gowhere there is achance to survive andthrive. No border canstop folks from tryingto move. It’s ournature, the continuing

story of our evolution. And finally itis important for us to hear thesestories because they remind us of ourown stories of migration.

Sarasvati Theatre Season Kick Off

FEMFEST Starts September 16with the Opening Cabaret you do notwant to miss. Get your tickets early.The best deal is a season pass.

HURRY HURRY


Lifestyle

GEM (Global Eyes Magazine) summer 2017