July 1, 1991, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER SO1 i h i n

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Vancouver,

R . C . (604)605-2289

Y,OlJT-'FTHE J!J!ll!WLE" them a;e :

I am w r i t i n g i n response t o t h e q u e r i e s about F i r s t United Church and i n s u p p o r t of C h r i s Downing's l e t t e r i n t h e last newsletter. C h r i s i s a woman w i t h g u t s . When s h e c h a l l e n g e d u s on s t a f f a t F i r s t United Church about racism s h e was t a k i n g a chance. How many of us w h i t e m i d d l e - c l a s s people l i k e t o f a c e up t o o u r i g n o r a n c e and p r e j u d i c e ? Well, some of u s w h i t e middle-class t y p e s did hear on s t a f f and on t h e board what C h r i s and J a c k i e and Tracy a r e s a y i n g about r a c i s m and c l a s s i s m , and we j o i n e d them i n naming t h e i s s u e s and w a n t i n g t o change t h i n g s . Things have changed a l r i g h t but n o t f o r t h e b e t t e r . S t a f f have been f i r e d , have become ill o r have q u i t . And t h e community worker group i s no l o n g e r i n existence. What a r e t h e q u e s t i o n s b e i n g asked t h a t l e d t o t h e c r i s i s ? Well, some of

- why i s n ' t t h e r e community r e p r e s e n t a t i o n on t h e church governing board (Oversight Board)? - why do w h i t e middle-class p e o p l e who d o n ' t l i v e anywhere n e a r t h e downtown a r e a and who a r e n ' t even c l o s e t o b e i n g p o o r g e t t o make a l l t h e r u l e s about what s e r v i c e s poor people g e t ? - why a r e w h i t e m i d d l e - c l a s s people running s e r ~ i c e s / ~ r o g r a mwhen s the people coming through t h e d o o r s a r e mostly N a t i v e ? - why i s i t okay t o c r i t i c i z e g o v t . p o l i c i e s f o r b e i n g r a c i s t and opp r e s s i v e t o poor pebpI.e and n o t okay t o examine o u r own o r g a n i z a t ions? Because t h e r e h a s been such f o r c e f u l and s w i f t s t a f f changes a t FUC and because some of u s have been a b l e t o speak o u t about i t , many p e o p l e a r e now aware t h a t t h e FUC a d m i n i s t r a t i o n

h a s been c h a l l e n g e d . And p r o b a b l y F i r s t United i s n o t t h e o n l y o r g a n i z a t i o n i n t h e downtown e a s t s i d e t h a t needs t o look at t h e i r i n t e r n a l racism, classism a n d power i s s u e s . There. a r e . . s t i t r i n g s t h a t o t h e r groups need t o a d d r e s s q u e s t i o n s l i k e t h o s e above. I am a w h i t e m i d d l e - c l a s s woman who t h o u g h t s h e h a d a h a n d l e o n race a n d class -issues. Working w i t h z h i r s , T r a c y a n d Jackie h a s t a u g h t m e o t h e r w i s e . Over t h e p a s t f e w m o n t h s we h a v e become f r i e n d s a n d I ' v e come t o , u n d e r s t a n d how well-meaning p e o p l e still need t o unlearn a t t i t u d e s t h a t I hope t h a t o t h e r oppress others. p e o p l e s t a f f i n g and d i r e c t i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h i s community make a p o i n t o f l e a r n i n g n o t f r o m t h e i r own c l o s e d systems which o n l y r e i n f o r c e i n e q u a l i t y , b u t f r o m p e o p l e who know a b o u t t h e s e i s s u e s b e c a u s e o f t h e i r own experiences. I n o l o n g e r work a t F i r s t U n i t e d Church. I am s a d a n d I am a n g r y t h a t my employment e n d e d o n t h e n o t e t h a t it has. G o r g i n a Narshall

I n t h e l a s t 2 i s s u e s of t h e C a r n e g i e N e w s l e t t e r t h e r e have been l e t t e r s q u e s t i o n i n g t h e a c t i o n s & t a c t i c s of t h e adm i n i s t r a t i o n of F i r s t Church. The l e t t e r you've j u s t r e a d , w r i t t e n by Georgina M a r s h a l l , a g a i n shows t h e r e s u l t : Georg i n a , one o f t h e s t r o n g e s t advocacy worke r s e v e r t o b e a , p a r t of o u r community, no l o n g e r works a t t F i r s t Church (FUC) I n May I ' d w r i t t e n a r e p o r t on a k b i o n s t a k e n , t a c t i c s u s e d , by t h e Oversight Board f o l l o w i n g t h e f i r i p g o f . C h r i s t i n e Downing. It would have t a k e n up about 8 pages. The m a j o r i t y on t h e N e w s l e t t e r Review committee f e l t t h a t because FUC was a "cornmunit y o r g a n i z a t i o n " and worked w i t h and f o r Carnegie u s e r s , t h e r e p o r t should b e more b a l a n c e d o r p r e s e n t e d w i t h more i n p u t from FUC' s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n .

f a s t when d e l a y s a l l o w more of t h e same a c t i o n s & t a c t i c s C h r i s Downing. f i r e d ; Alan A l v a r e r e s i g n e d b e c a u s e t h e s t r e s s of working under FUC's O v e r s i g h t Boazd was s e r i o u s l y a f f e c t i n g h i s h e a l t h ; now Georgina g o t h e r n o t i c e and i s gone. I n p u t - t h e r e a r e , of c o u r s e , ' o f f i c i a l e x p l a n a t i o n s 1 ; a s k i n g anyone a t FUC w i l l a u t o m a t i c a l l y g e t you r e f e r r e d t o one of t h e r e v ' s , and what t h e y s a y i s supposed t o be believed a s gospel t r u t h (!) The p e o p l e a c t i n g a s an O v e r s i g h t Board supposedly have a 'Mission' t o empower & s e r v e , t h e n e e d s o f o u r community, y e t a l most a l l p e o p l e a c t i v e i n o u r community g e t t h e h o n e s t f e e l i n g s of workers who were e l i m i n a t e d s t a t i n g i t is a c r i s i s . . t h e same workers who were o r d e r e d t o b e s i l e n t and t a l k t o no one i n o u r communit y about any of t h i s . P e o p l e n e e d i n g w e l f a r e a d v o c a t e s had an e x c e l l e n t r e s o u r c e i n t h e s e community workers a t FUC. Now t h e y have been e l i m i n a t k d . C h r i s was doing a damn good job y e t s h e was f i r e d f o r b e i n g " d i s r u p t i v e " ; Alan & Georgina had o v e r 15 y e a r s e x p e r i ence between them and had earned r e s p e c t and t r u s t t h e h a r d e s t way. T h i s o v e r s i g h t Board had looked f o r a y e a r t o f i n d someone w i t h a " t h e o l o g i c a l background'' t o h i r e f o r t h e job C h r i s was d o i n g . . Is it more i m p o r t a n t t o t h e O v e r s i g h t Bd. t o have s t a f f , who a r e e x p e r i e n c e d and i n volved i n o u r community o r who have t o bow t o t h e s u p e r i o r wisdom of t h e c h u r c h ' s O v e r s i g h t Board? Is i t worth it t o a s k t h e f i l l - i n s : a theology s t u d e n t . . o r t h e woman who d i d advocacy few y e a r s ago? For t h e p a s t 4 y e a r s about 20 c o p i e s of every i s s u e of t h e N e w s l e t t e r have been p u t i n FUC. They a r e around f o r a t l e a s t a few d a y s . The l a s t ' 2 i s s u e s , w i t h t h e mentioned l e t t e r s & q u e s t i o n s , ' d i s a p p e a r e d ' - a l l 20 , c o p i e s of e a c h - magic!! Did everyone t h e r e want t o r e a d them a t t h e same t i m e . . o r d i d one o r two p e o p l e n o t

. . .. . .

m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s caused t h e s e p e o p l e t o l e a v e . A l e t t e r from t h e Revs t o t h i s Newsletter w i l l be a b a r e beginning. By PAULR

TAYLOR

b @ fl

THAT'S HOW M A N Y CANADIANS ARE SOFTBALL PLAYERS

On JULY 27, from 12-6pm, there will be a community craft fair held at Oppenheimer Park (400 Powell St.). This is an invitation for artists and craftspeople to pre-register to show their work. It is also an opportunity for artists to assist in the development of this fair. Tables will be set up for every artist registered. Music and economically-priced food will also be provided. This is a chance to show your work to a large audience who will be coming from outside the local area. Interested? Please call 665-2210 (for Pam) or leave messages: 665-2274.

BRAVES Hi-Lite of Little Lite

San Francisco's Little Lites - the pre-tournamnet favourites - went home empty-handed when the local Downtown Eastside Slowpitch League teams finished in the top four positions when the Ninth Annual L.L. Tournament concluded last weekend. Braves downed the Eagles 14-10 in the final, winning top honours. The Eagles were second, followed by the Orcas and the Maritimers. The champions won all four games; the hard hitting of Dave, Rob, Sandra, Glenn and Elroy coupled with Brad's pitching & Elroy's fielding was too much for their rivals. Bob Hay's hardworking Orcas were chosen the Most Sportsmanlike Team, while Marion McGrath (Eagles) and Glenn Quocksister (Braves) were the Most Valuable Players. In the consolation final, Blue Demons were forced to go an extra inning to subdue the Black Sox 8-6. Marie Narcisse was the winning pitcher.

The Dog Throughout history, always called down Dog gone this, Dog gone that Yet he remians loyal and obedient Dog catchers love to nab them; just 'cause they left a lettle fertilizer on some lawn or lifted a hind leg on some rose bushes that needed watering. Still he'll remain my friend forever, 'Lause he'd sooner wag his tail than his tongue. A1 Militant

Editor,

I ' m writing i n regards t o Sheila B a x t e r ' s i s s u e i n t h e June 1 5 t h Newsl e t t e r . The i s s u e was rape. I do n o t b e l i e v e f u l l y i n what s h e s a i d , which was t h a t s o c i e t y ' s a t t i t u d e i s o f t e n one of d i s b e l i e f . Not t r u e ! I was raped i n 1980. It was t h e I most h o r r i d e x p e r i e n c e of my l i f e . f e e l t h a t i f someone does n o t p u r s u e t h e i s s u e of going t o c o u r t , t h e rapi s t has t h e r i g h t t o do i t a g a i n , w i t h t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of g e t t i n g away w i t h i t again. ~ o n ' tg e t me wrong. I f u l l y a g r e e w i t h h e r t h a t what t h e r a p i s t d i d was degrading and b r u t a l . When i t came t o going t o c o u r t I was t e r r i f i e d . T h i s was going t o be t h e h a r d e s t t h i n g I e v e r had t o do i n my l i f e , because I knew t h a t a l l t h e

News ...?

d e t a i l s would be heard by everyone i n t h e courtroom, ~t a l s o took a v e r y l o n g t i m e t o mend e m o t i o n a l l y . I ' l l always be s c a r r e d by t h a t awful experience. For m e , I was lucky t o have a v e r y s u p p o r t i v e o f f i c e r handle my s o - c a l l e d c a s e . What t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s a i d t o m e s t i l l r i n g s c l e a r i n my mind: "Are you going t o l e t t h a t r a p i s t do t h i s t o someone e l s e ? " Because of t h i s he was s e n t t o p r i s o n f o r what he had done t o me. A f t e r he went t o p r i s o n I f e l t resp o n s i b l e f o r p u t t i n g him t h e r e ; ~ u t ,I a l s o had t o r e f l e c t back on 'why' he went t h e r e . Although I f e l t no blame f o r t h e r a p e happening I was a f r a i d everyone I knew would t h i n k i t was my f a u l t I was raped. I n my e y e s , i f I had n o t charged him I would have g i v e n him t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o do i t a g a i n . I f I had g i v e n him t h a t o p p o r t u n i t y I t r u l y would be t o blame f o r h i s n e x t rape. S.H.G.

P a u l T a y l o r , e d i t o r , Carnegie Newsletter, Great work y o u ' r e doing t o g e t h e r with a l l t h e volunteers & s t a f f at Carnegie. Thanks. Annette ( O f f i c e of O f f i c i a l Opposition Calgary, A l b e r t a )

s l

A s we approached Canada Day my mind went back t o where I w a s born and

grew up. Saskatchewan w i l l always have a s p e c i a l p l a c e i n my h e a r t bec a u s e of many happy childhood memorI l o v e going back t h e r e f o r reies. unions. It i s wonderful t o g e t back

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t o your r o o t s as i t g i v e s one a d i f f e r e n t p e r s p e c t i v e on l i f e . I have always been f a s c i n a t e d by t h e A r c t i c as A l b e r t a and Saskatchewan were c a r v e d o u t of t h e Northwest T e r r i t o r i e s i n 1905. I r e a l l y m i s s t h e s m e l l of w i l d p r a i r i e g r a s s and endl e s s blue skies. Grandpa w a s a g r e a t s t o r y t e l l e r and was h a p p i e s t when h e w a s surrounde d by a l l o f h i s g r a n d c h i l d r e n . One of o u r f a v o u r i t e s t o r i e s w a s t h e one he t o l d a b o u t t h e w h i t e man s t a r t i n g t h e s c a l p i n g because they loved t h e b e a u t i f u l b l a c k h a i r f o r wigs. H e ended t h e s t o r y by s a y i n g t h e I n d i a n s p e r f e c t e d t h e s c a l p i n g and d i d a much b e t t e r job. Grandpa o f t e n t o o k u s f o r w a l k s a l o n g t h e Saskatchewan R i v e r . H e a l s o showed u s a f o r d i n t h e r i v e r where t h e l a s t I n d i a n wars were f o u g h t . Saskatchewan i s a n Cree word meaning " s w i f t l y flowing waters". One day I found y e l l o w t i g e r l i l l i e s which a r e r a r e w h i l e w a l k i n g i n t h e woods. The d e e r were s o tame t h e y used t o l i c k t h e same s a l t b l o c k w i t h the c a t t l e . We s h o u l d a l l be proud of o u r h e r i t a g e and t h e most i m p o r t a n t t h i n g i s t o p a s s on o u r f a m i l y h i s t o r y t o t h e c h i l d r e n s o t h a t t h e y know who t h e y a r e o r where t h e y came from. O r i g i n a l l y o u r d o l l a r c o i n s were supposed t o p o r t r a y a b e a v e r , however t h e mint was s t o l e n . P e r h a p s i t i s j u s t as w e l l because a b e a v e r is a n h o n e s t and r e s p e c t e d animal w h i l e t h e Looney d e p i c t s t h e t r u e c h a r a c t e r o f o u r prime m i n i s t e r . The b e s t Canada Day p r e s e n t w e c o u l d r e c e i v e i s t o be a b l e t o impeach B r i a n Mulroney.

By IRENE SCHMIDT

Sex abus "at problem'

A "staggering" 50 to 70 per cent of native people interviewed for Canada's first in-depth study on residential schools disclosed sexual abuse. The study of 187 adults, twothirds of whom attended the StJoseph's Mission Catholic - -- - - - residential school near Williams Lake, "suggests abuse is an enormous problem," says University of Guelph clinical psychologist Dr. Roland Chrisjohn. He says the residential school students who had been sexually abused displayed more anger, sexual problems and depression linked to alcohol abuse and suicide than other students. Three Catholic clergy have been charged or convicted of abuse at St. Joseph's. Chrisjohn's study was presented yesterday during a residentialschool conference in Vancouver, which concludes today with responses from officials from W w m C atholic, Anglican and United churches, which ran the schools. Tsimshian elder Harvey Brooks, 59, said he and many other boys bad been sexually abused at the United Church's Alberni residential school. Brooks said he was whipped and locked in a closet for up to 24 hours with only bread and water. "They abused me ysycholol(irally and made us feel we were wrthless and evil," he said. "l'm afraid I passed that on to iny kids and I had an alcohol problem until I got sober four years 11g0." ijv~ u z k t n eFournier

Mercredi to em Stories Staff Reporter by Canada's "I lth premier" - the new chief of the Assembty of First Nations - says he will place aboriginal child welfare at the top of his priority list. Hcalin generations of native people w(t,o attended residential schools is critical, AEN chief Ovide Mercredi told the first national !conference on residential schools in Vancouver yesterday. I But he said the healing - must 'extend to today's children. "I am not blind to the fact the churches and government have responsibility to our people to make sure resources are available to individuals and our community on our self-directed quest for recovery," said Mercredi, a Cree lawyer from Grand Rapids, Man. "Our children still feel the impact of residential schools toda . "All Indian communities shou d have the o portunity to get control of their c ild welfare system outside agencies cannot help.

e residential-school issue He also wants the ne Royal "What happened to our children has been called cultural genocide Commissiorr on Aborininsl7 Affairs bv Manitoba Judge W n Kimel- to look at compensatio~for natives -

our peoge did not learn parenting $kills at residential schools and the result was the massive removal of Indian children. "Now there is a need for repatriation of Indian kids taken to the U.S. and MERCREDI Europe." Mercredi said he has a list of topics "as long as your arm" to raise at his first meeting with lndian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon next Wednesday. Mercredi said he wants swift action from Siddon on compensation relakd to the schools. If Siddon stalls, Mercredi said a private member's bill will be introduced by aboriginal Liberal MP Ethel Blondin.

I&I

who attended the 80 residential schools in Canada. They were run by churches for the federal gwernment. The last one closed in 1980. "I support recommmendations that the Royal. commission has a mandate to do a full review, including compensation," said Mercredi. The government's stated goal was to use the schools to prepare natives for the labor force and to eradicate native culture and religion through Christianity. Revelations of abuse at the schools have rocked the church and the native community, which is using traditional methods and psychotherapy to recover from shame, loss of culture and parenting skills. The conference aimed at personal and political strategies. "We included healing workshops so people wouldn't go home to their communities feeling more pain," said organizer Charlene Belleau of the Cariboo Tribal Council.

Zalm of Sod ,. (in peasant pastoral minor mode)

~ ~ ~ &*,A~G 'wk

~on'tvote Socred, Don't vote Cope, The wined and dined are thus inclined For a pulpit puppet dope Ballots, bulls and bullets publicly resigned . - as a pope with magic rope entwined lnterporclned Aquaduct us, evict us, Secrets part the screens, Zalmzummus resurrectus 0 Garden heart of dreams.

When He comes again from heaven Which is my fondest hope He'll make B.C. a garden Let the socialists eat soap.

,?y ,'

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Yn-eclipsed He comes in power, With moral, laurel and rose, Un-solipsed forgiving flower, Underneath the nasties nose; That sniffed at fantasy policy, Suffering He to Himself depose. ~ a l m z m ipraise ~ ~ the blameless one, Synesthasians praise the stainless one, Pray for nameless Lady Poverty To Grace the Face of Fun.

Some of the more interesting ones include the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency where 30% of its 299 employees are francophone (and this based in Atlantic Canada), the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat where all 17 employees are francophone, the Law Reform Commission of Canada where 71% of its 34 employees are francophone and the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer where 86% of its 65 employees are francophone. Now, are these examples of effective bilingualism or examples of blatant

ernment departments. Darren Lowe

KATHY THOMSON REIGNS Most of o u r p a t r o n s probably know o u r Kathy Thomson who works t h e t h i r d f l o o r when s h e ' s n o t gardening a t t h e S t r a t h c o n a Cornunity Gardens. Kathy i s famous ( o r imfamous) f o r h e r o u t rageous s e n s e of humour. Kathy's a c t u a l l y been working a t Carnegie f o r t h e p a s t f o u r y e a r s ( i n a highly i r r e g u l a r fashion!). With t h e completion of t h e k i t c h e n , C i t y Counc i l agreed t h e r e would be enough addit i o n a l c $ e r k / s t e n o time f o r us t o p o s t a r e g u l a r f u l l t i m e p o s i t i o n (complete w i t h s i c k l e a v e , paid v a c a t i o n , t h e works !) Because w e a l l a p p r e c i a t e Kathy and h e r work and because s h e w a s t h e o n l y c a n d i d a t e c e r t i f i e d by t h e C i t y ' s Pers o n n e l Dept., t h e i n t e r v i e w p a n e l (Donald, Diane, S i b y l and Board member Margaret P r e v o s t ) decided t o u s e t h e l i g h t h e a r t e d approach. W e planned a s e r i e s of tricks/tests/psychological assessments and we asked some of ~ a t h y ' smale buddies t o t a k e t u r n s dropping i n t o d i s r u p t t h e i n t e r v i e w . W e prepared a word-association q u i z , a f i l l - i n - t h e - b l a n k s s t o r y , a gobbledygook t y p i n g t e s t , and Margaret P r e v o s t was determined t o keep a s k i n g t h e same q u e s t i o n over and o v e r a g a i n -- "So, Kathy, why do you want t h i s job?" But, Kathy's t o o quick f o r t h e l i k e s of us. She a r r i v e d i n unusual a t t i r e : gumboots, f e l t b e r e t (complete w i t h a dangerous h a t p i n ) , 1940's s u i t corsaged w i t h a crushed f l o w e r , w h i t e g l o v e s , s p a r k l i n g r h i n e s t o n e d sunglase s , two watches around h e r neck p l u s one on h e r w r i s t and q u i t e unusual make-up ( c l a s s i c ruby r e d l i p s p a i n t e d i n a p e r f e c t small "moue"). H e r p u r s e ( a l s o w i t h a l a r g e c l o c k f a c e on t h e f r o n t ) and Mickey Mouse shopping bag f i l l e d w i t h props. Kathy had a t r i c k y , funny response t o every one of o u r

1I8

q u e r i e s . When i n doubt she'd r e f e r t o t h e P r o f e s s i o n a l S e c r e t a r y ' s Manual s h e c a r r i e d under h e r arm, o r used a prerecorded c u r t l i t t l e message o f f a small tape recorder. From t h e moment s h e e n t e r e d t h e room, Kathy took c o n t r o l of t h e i n t e r view. Even down on h e r knees t r y i n g t o plug i n t h e t y p e w r i t e r , s h e k e p t up a running commentary. T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g l e f t t o be s a i d exc e p t t h a t Kathy topped u s , b e s t e d u s , showed u s who's t h e boss (and even used a l i t t l e blackmail -- Now s h e t e l l s me h e r l i t t l e t a l k i n g box a l s o recorded t h e e n t i r e i n t e r v i e w ! ) So we h i r e d h e r . God h e l p u s a l l !

D. Mac. I

A Pseudo-Poem by Kazutoshi Wakatsuki Everyone in hislher life, at one time or another, finds himlherself in circumstances which he/she didn't think of nor did even dream of getting into. Then, helshe finds a circle of people trying to help him/her out, consciously or otherwise and out of inevitability or not. ~ e / S h enaturally feels appreciative of them and wishes to express his/her sentiment toward them as a token of hislher gratitude in one way or another. The following was written

Anders that makes me high-spirl here is somebody who counts on places his trust in me

admire Darlynne and Anders

L I F E GOES ON AND ON AND ON

Hopeful Hope i s a t a n end of a l l t h i n g s :

breathing, breathing, water placidly lapping lakeshore, intently reflective of t h e b l u e s h e e t i n g o v e r i t .

A t t h e very end, t h e r e is only t h e c e r t a i n t y

t h a t more i s t o follow / ABirthistle

faintly detectable d r a g t o t h e undertow, thrashing desperation A breathi

!f--

The b a l a n c e o f J u s t i c e i s weighted h e a v i l y "'.stby p e r s o n a l f o r t u n e ; ""-;nr,::, s o t h a t a n o l d , : spare, d i s t i n c t i v e figure crossi the l o t ( l e f t - t r o u s e r - l e g backsewn p a s s e s unimpeded A, i n a veteran's entitlement, *+.&&

face lovely a s a f a i r i t e r n 1s i s bewildered . -f i n d -i t-s- e- l f condemned t o t r a c e for eternity,

t h e c l e f t s and burrows of a d e v a s t a t e d s h o r e l i n e : And where i s t h e J u s t i c e i n t h i s ? 11 na A B i r t h i s t l e 1' H0

to mislead any readers.

Dear PaulR Taylor, 000PS!...the collective letter you published (Thanks) in June 1, 1991 issue of Carnegie Newsletter was from a Conference on Global Awareness. Our workshop was on poverty and poverty does inter-relate to many issues around the Globe but it was one of the workshops. The other workshops were: Animal Concerns, Issues for Children, Recycling, The Middle East, African Issues, Native Issues, Central America, Deforestation, Global Warming, Poverty and Media Perspective. I didn't want

11.

IS THE FEAR OF POVERTY A FORM OF POLITICAL CONTROL?

I am enclosing a Syntax Newsletter which has a reprint from the Calgary Herald of a newsstory about a sign we have running on the Calgary Transit system. After June 23 the poster will be available. We wondered if other cities would like to put the sign on their bus systems. Do contact me or Syntax if you want further information.

FORM OF POLITICAL CONTROL?

Poverty coalition,tackles politics Campaign tries I to turn poor into a pub1ic concern

By Lorraine Locherty ( H c d d rn~hr)

A campaign is under way to make Calgary's poor a political force. In an unusual coalition, artists, lawyers. social workers and other professionals are joining forces with welfare recipients, the homeless and the working poor to form the Calgary Poverty Focus Group. The group began last fall as an experiment in pplitical organizing and appears to be gathering momentum. Its latest campaign strategy, the result of a meeting with local artists, is a poster de-

figned to make poverty a public issue. The poster poses the question: "Is fear of poverty a form of political contro~?~l and wiu be visible all over town for the next three weeks on city transit buses and the LRT. The poster was designed by local artists Mireille Perron and Paul Woodrow. "We wanted to sensitize the public to the way fear - of losing a job, or of being punished by the system if you don't have a job silences people," commented Marilyn Seelye, who belongs to the poverty group and to Syntax Arts Soc~ety. About 105,000 Calgarians, or 16 per cent of the population, live below the poverty line, says Statistics Canada. ~h~ number is work& out us. in, ~ ~~ ~ ~of we1faress ,~ ~~

necessary for a single Person to live adequately in a city the size of Calgary. The minimum income for a four-person family is $28,061.

In spite of their numbers, the poor have no effective way of l o b bying city hall or other governrnent agencies. commented focus group member Kim Pate. who works for the John Howard Society. ,~ l l

why with $20.00 buy enough Kraft dinner to last until month end

"... the struggle goes on.. ." her last twenty dollars goes to bingo

I'm O.K. I can take

'hard ship trapped by beat & howl of wind 8 rain we're tough I'm good less we'll survive on less

at least a chance she may win the caller calls her

g less

Fate

fill t h e fridge the kids until the govY Cheques come

GOT $1 6.00 ... 51c A DAY BOX OF KRAFT DINNER A DAY

at least a chance of a week a month of everybody well/. . Our food Our fridge full Marilyn Seelye

Webb and Kmft and Celics disea=...if he ate Kraft ...he would atanre

CAN KIDS CAN ANYONE EAT MACARONI

High Marks f o r DERA: tical." Libbv Davies. member of Counc i l , did not accept t h i s dismal reason. P r a c t i c a l l y every group o r organizae d * Marathon, Concorde ic Boss t i o n t h e C i t y i s involved w i t h h a s some m u l t i n a t i o n a l s worth b i l l i o n s political significance; it certainly Brothers got nothing* DERA put in d o e s n ' t s t o p u s from working w i t h them f o r f i v e s e p a r a t e p r o j e c t s and won t o p if t h e best f o r t h e job at hand. honours and $lo in funds What p l a c e does m e r i t have i n your vote?'i f o r t h e b i g g e s t one! The h i g h marks? J i m Green, r e p o r t i n g When people come ahead of p r o f i t on t h e 6+5 r e j e c t i o n , s a i d simply: "The NPA voted 'no' s o w e ' l l do it With f i r m s u n p o r t from community anyway." DERA workers & v o l u n t e e r s w i l l groups, s o c i a l p l a n n e r s , e n g i n e e r s do most of t h e work, f i g h t i n g f o r peoand a broad spectrum of p r o f e s s i o n a l s p - lawyers, a r c h i t e c t s , s e n i o r o f f i c i a l s l e over p r o f i t , and i n a few y e a r s t h e in the city's s t a f f DERA went t o C i t y same people who t r i e d t o s t o p them t h i s t i m e w i l l be t e l l i n g everyone of a n o t h e r Council t o win a p p r o v a l & funding f o r o f Vancouver's unique s u c c e s s e s . o p e r a t i n g i n Downtown South. The NPA's 1-vote m a j o r i t y s a i d no. "DERA i s p o l i By PAULR TAYLOR

150+ f o r provinc i a 1 housing g r a n t s , 18 were a c c e p t -

Out

.....

1 I

& &

i n s i d e murdered s o u l s whose l i v e s a r e worn-out d e m o l i t i o n s i n screaming a l l e y s of vomit & unending m i s f o r t u n e s f o r t h o s e c r a w l i n g drunk & s i c k i n t o jaws o f r a b i d doorways & h a n d c u f f s of p o l i c e f o r t h o s e who f a l l o r g e t pushed o r r a v i n g l e a p from caged-in h o t e i windows of desperation & h a t e & g r i e f i n a greedy r a p a c i o u s c i t y f o r t h o s e l i n i n g up more p a t i e n t t h a n s a i n t s i n c o l d r a i n & crow s h i t impaled by e x h a u s t of t h e o b l i v i o u s t o r e c e i v e c r u s t s of b r e a d f o r those s n i f f i n g glue beside r a i l r o a d t r a c k s of u s e l e s s n e s s t o d e r a i l t h i e r b i r t h p l a c e renovated i n t o e x i l e f o r t h o s e plunging needles through v e i n s seeking e c s t a s y b u t f l o w i n g w i t h nervous shams & m i s e r y

& for those whose scared runaway skin

& & &

is sold wfthout hope by hypocrisy's ghosts for those cheated by political schemes & drown in tidal waves of unknown committees for those hardened like steel by the arson of their childhoods' gentle visionary love of the real for refugees pouring from the earth's economic wars for refugees fleeing wars in the roots of their hair for those straightjacketed into numbers & things whose whicherad spirits don't interest the scientific god who has forsaken them for those smelling & looking like death staggering through whirling neon vertigos of east hastings & whose leering faces are scarred with rejection for those run-over by monstrous rush-hours of mountains & skyscrapers of enormous wealth & who get busted for jaywalking a puddle of small debt for those whose lungs are wrecked in a quicksand of fialnourished infested tubercular rent for those eaten by fears sending them reeling from a breeze turning a corner or a shadow thrown over them reminding them of all they've tried to forget for those whose inarticulate cries for help are thrown out like garbage arrived from hell for those who sur~iveon what's tossed aside into gutters of abundance denied & no way to live & are somewhere naked & shaking with a life no one else could endure for those who are loneliness frozen in tiny rooms & whose mental rainbows of aliveness & joy are sucked-dry by fragmenting screens of colour teevees for those overdosed on jealousy & bitterness for what might 've.been for the bad luck decades thatlve bitten them for

for those who are nc & no one to emp: pushing them out & over the edge crushing the lij beneath them wht & for those fighting 1 reviling betray: & for those who can't away from them & for petty sneak thit & for killers of plum & for the abandoned & unleashing vandi & for those whose chi: by-social cops 3 & are driven m& of unnatural I& & for those peddling 4' & pawning every for another fix creating a purpc out of a daily I & for those.who 've grc & left behind a but whose batte~ is a victory of & for those whose rel: is a lottery-bir reversing their but whose numbel & whose horses I & for those strugglinj against all odd: an authentic pel &

& f o r t h o s e who c a n ' t s t a n d t o be a l o n e & c a n ' t s t a n d t o be known by anyone & f o r those picking f i g h t s

t h i n g w i t h o u t a job oy them e x c e p t more t r o u b l e on a l i m b e o u t of anyone !n they f a l l . e r r o r i z i n g v o i c e s i n t h e i r heads .ng & p o s s e s s i n g them help d r i v i n g everyone e l s e wes s t e a l i n g p i e c e s of themselves t r e e s & t h e moon damned a d o l e s c e n t s a l i s m & f i s t s of vengeance Ldren a r e s t o l e n

i by t h e a n g u i s h 5s

every remnant of innocence f r i e n d b e l o n g i n g t o them or a b o t t l e ose nothingness own o l d b r e a t h a t a time red d i g n i t y t h e i r own igion ngo-longsho t a d d i c t i o n history & bringing salvation rs n e v e r g e t p i c k e d o r c a l l e d never come t h r o u g h g t o make s r s o n a l change

o u t of a d i s a b l e d d e s i r e f o r human communion & end-up w i t h t h e i r l i v e s & others' i n ruins & f o r t h o s e b o a s t i n g of b e i n g on t o p of what i s o b v i o u s l y p i n n i n g them t o i l l u s i o n s of m u t i l a t e d l i g h t n i n g ti f o r t h o s e dreaming p l a n a f t e r p l a n o f excape b u t h a v e n ' t t h e means t o g e t through yesterday & f o r t h o s e whose g r i p on a can of l y s o l i s a t least a p e r i l o u s f u t u r e o f savage r e l i e f & f o r t h o s e c a l l e d p a r a s i t e s o r p a r i a h s o r bums b u t who gave t h e i r l a s t s h i r t o r p a s s a k i n d word & f o r t h o s e whose l o v e i s c r i p p l e d & t w i s t e d yet bursting t o give b u t c a n f i n d no one a b l e t o heal & receive i t & f o r those picking b u t t s & f i g h t i n g withdrawal w i t h emergencies t o g e t t h r o u g h on n o t h i n g b u t s t o p l i g h t s & s t a r l i g h t & ' t o h e l l with it a l l ' & f o r t h o s e who s e n t e n c e themselves t o d i e obsessed with b r i d g e s & r a z o r blades & c a l c u l a t i o n s of b a r b i t u a t e s & a l c o h o l & f o r t h o s e wandering day and n i g h t searching curbs & glances f o r wallets & miracles & f o r t h o s e fed-up & d i s g u s t e d enough t o l i v e o u t o f shopping c a r t s beneath v i a d u c t s o r hidden i n t r e e s i n t h e parks & f o r t h o s e who'ye n e v e r known a momentls peace & are s o d i r t y & u g l y & mean i t l s worth t i m e i n t h e bucket t o s h a t t e r self-satisfied expressions of t o u r i s t s s t r o l l i n g by . looking c l e a n & f o r t h o s e g r i p p e d by w h e e l c h a i r s wobbling on c a n e s l u r c h i n g between c r u t c h e s of u n r e m i t t i n g p a i n & whose courage mocks a world s p e e d i n g by i n d i s d a i n

& for those deliberately sabotaging

every attempt at helping themselves adjust to a mass social madness accurately perceived as more insane than themselves for those trying to get by & take care of a family on little more than defiance & love in overwhelmed & worried eyes for those collapsing in shadows pissing their lives down the front of their pants for those whose tattoos & time dots are the only possessions that haven't been lost or stolen from them for those talking only to birds & stones & sweeping evil spirits from the air with magical movements of their hands for those longtime lovers & partners desp-itepoverty's pressures clinging together amidst years of shit raining down on them a bad human weather for those the most frightening fearing no one & nothing after having fear kicked out of them as soon as they could feel anything for all these my own my selves my tortured prey & degraded predators my brutally condemned sisters & brothers let my words sing a prayer not a curse to the terrible tragic & sacred mystery of our beautiful suffering infinite worth

WE CAN SAY NO!

W e Can Say NO!' Featuring Maude Barlow, Chairperson, Council of Canadians - and Tony Clarke, Chairperson, Action Canada Networ-k with an introduction by ~MelHurtig.

# FIGHTING BACK

'Fighting Back' Featuring Mel Hurtig, Honourary Chairperson Council of Canadians VIDEO

- 60 minutes

"lhir Agreemew shall remain in fd force rrnlerr terminated by either P w upon sir mowhs notice to the other Party. "

VIDEO - 28 MINUTES

Maude Barlow, Tony Clarke and other Canadian voices explode the myths about Free Trade Free Trade will mean more jobs' ...'Free Trade will not harm Canada's social programs' ...and more.

Article 21.06 The final article of the U.S.-Canada Free Tnde Agreement

...I

'We Can Sav No!' is a lively and hard hitting indictment of how the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement is fast destroying Canada's economy, social fabric, national identity and e mwonment. ' The Mulroney government has abandoned Canada's national interests in the service of international corporate interests. Mulroney and his Tory cohorts must he thrown out of office as soon as possible. Canadians must elec: a federal government committed to terminating the Free Trade Agreement. -

Me1 Hurtig presents a stunning analysis of the economic and social devastation being wrought by the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement. With extensive data and compelling arguement Mel Hurtig revea!~the truth of the first 2 years of the F.T.A..

*****

If you care about Canada's future you owe it to8 yourself to see these two videos. If you are moved to help save Canada the "We Can Say No!"/"Fighting Back" video print kit can help you mobilize other Canadians.

Prodilced for the Action Canada Ncrwork by Rcpcal Thc Deal rroductions - Media Rcsourccs Tor Mobilization, 211 - 456 W. Uroadw;~y,Vancuu\.cr, B.C. VSY I R 3 Ti.]: (604) 879-120 I'roduccd in a U n i o i ~O l l i c c

COI J I ? ?

THE TOOLS TO FIGHT THE TOOLS TO WIN ORDER FORM "We Can Say No!"/Fighting Back" Video-print kit (VHS Format) Dear Friends:

Date

Please send me/us the following video-print kit/s. copies @ $30.00/kit (Individual Rate)

= $

copies @ $50.00/kit (Organizations Rate)

= $

copies @ $75.00/kit (Institutional Rate)

= $

copies @ $U).OO/video cassette only*

= $

Add $4.00 per kit or additional videocassette for postage and handling

= $

TOTAL: =S *After the first kit ordered additional copies of the video cassette are available for $20.00/cassette. Bulk orders can be negotiated. Please make your cheque or money order out to and send your order to your choice of the following: Action Canada Network 904-251 Laurier Ave. West Ottawa, Ontario KIP 556 Tel: (613)233-1764

The Council of Canadians 1006-251 Laurier Ave. West Ottawa, Ontario KIP 556 Tel: (613)233-2773

Repeal The Deal Productions 211-456 W. Broadway Vancouver, B.C. VSY 1R3 Tel: (604)879-1209

Please print your name, address and postal code in the label box Organization Telephone

(

)

e enc:ountered there, .on needsI must also be met lack of understanding, ther:apeutic treatments.

But you'll never break my spirit. You can destroy my art but my ideas will live on. Knowing that we've reached an impasse. We've gone as far as we can go with one another. And now, firm in resolve not to return to my tormentors Justifiable rage against those who have defiled and diminished me. To be understood and revitalized rather than drained by constantly having to explain myself.

To select by whom I wished to be touched, Given tenderness and held and caressed and soothed When conflict has given me losses and great sadness, When my beliefs and essence of being are diminished Oh, but the craving of earthly flesh. And And And And And

the sadness disappointments misunderstandings recriminations craziness of love

And the violence and atrocities and torturous methods Committed by the ugly and jealous in power Against the sweet and the beautiful Who dare to raise their voices against injustice.

DOWNTOWN STD CLINIC - Monday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , 9am - 5pm. EASTSIDE FREE MEDICAL CLINIC - Mon.,Wed.,Fri. 5:30-7:30 YOUTH NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main, e v e r y d a y , 9am-5pm ACTIVITIES N e e d l e e x c h a n g e van - on t h e s t r e e t Mon.-Sat. e v e n i n g s SOCIISTY N.A. m e e t s e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 223 Main S t r e e t . N a r c o t i c s Anonymous (NA) m e e t s a t Dugout, 57 P o w e l l , 7:30 F r i 1991 DONATIONS: C h a r l e y B.-$30 O l y ( s v e n ) -$20 Cement Masons -$175 Mendel R.-$15 M a r i l y n S .-$36 H e a t h e r M.-$15 D a r r e n L.-$50 IJEWSLI I T C I ~ Herman L.-$10 F o r e s t Lawn -$20 ) - -. C e c i l l e C.-$10 E t i e n n e S.-$20 TIII~, N I W \ I F ~ T F I < A I ~ ~ I R[I( A T I O N III r11t Sandy C.-$35 Nancy W.-$75 N~~~ issue t s I A U N I I,II ( O V I I I ~ J I ~ Y ( t N r R F A ' V N I A I 10t. S u ~ I , , i S S i oA n ~ ~ I C H I N , V " t LINo f I ~ ~ I I V I , I U, I T e r r y T.-$200 A r t VL -$5 <mtr f h ! ~ t o r 111cl ~ nor a r f t l n r A<. I I,,,, Brenda - $ 5 V i s h v a A.-$15 DEADLINE J a n e t B.-$20 E l l e n -$5 11 J u l y F r e e - Ihrint i o n s accc-pted. L i l l i a n H.-$20 Sue H.-$50 Thursday c ~ t yi n f o s t a f f c a n ' t a c c r p t C o l l e e n E.-$25 Donald M.-$5 d o n a t l o n s f o r t h i s N e w s l e t t e r , no Dave - $10 B i l l T.-$20 i f you can h e l p , f i n d P a u l T a y l o r Nancy J.-$10 A n n e t t e R.-$30 and h e ' l l g l v e y o u a r e c e i p t . W i l l i a m B.-$20 Rhinos -$3.03 Thanks e v e r y b o d y . ~ a u-g h i n gB e a r -$200 A l b e r t -$3 S a l v a t i o n Army c h i l l i w a c k -$30 F i r s t U n i t e d C h u r c h -$500 L e g a l S e r v i c e s S o c i e t y -$500 The Downtown Eastside Residents' Association Anonymous -$36

IPS

VIVW

NEED HELP ?

can help you with: * any welfare problems * information on legal rights * disputes with landlords * unsafe living conditione + income tax * UIC problems * finding housing * opening a bank account

ICome into the DERA Office a t 0 East Hoating~St.

or phone us a t 602-0931.

DERA HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 18 YEARS

SLAYING DRAGONS push. You enter. The sliding door closes. YOU press. You rise, then you stop in mid-air, and cry yourself to sleep on the floor of horror. YOU

Too late they come, and open the mind-raping cell, setting you free to bruise. A week. Six months. Or has it been over a year? The healing is upon you, my friend. Let it flow within. You'll be who you were; only better for having run the gambit thru Frankenstein's Alley; like the first time. DEside Joe

The dreamweaver's dream has been dreamt, The generation's spent its first and last dime, & we will only reminisce about a world like this If the dreamweaver's wasting his time. Time could not exist in a vacuum, A vacuum is like a black hole, 6 we will only reminisce about a world like this If a dreamweaver's dream can be stole.

Stealing a dream is not easy, Federal agents.. their talents do fail For the dreamweaver's dream has been dreamt And the dreamweaver is not for sale.

The generation's spent their last dime, Balls fly A black hole has in a holy silence, white doves swallowed up time, bearing prayers to Heaven and me And the system that claimed already on my knees. it was supportive, But it's some other acolyte shouts While people lived, worked ingo go !" or was that, "Amen!" & died on the street, Has been arrested As in other places of worship and convicted the congregation here is mostly female and God Of ultimate fraud & deceit. is male: Caller watching all his flock The dreamweaver's dream bestowing blessings has been dreamt on the just and unjust alike. The dream is for Has he got my number? one & for all Dusty, whatever god or gods you got, And the Man for all people He/She/It has got your number all right. Is telling you now of this call. Sooner or later, you'11 collect Aardvark Dusty Sunday Worship at the Mission Hall

How many r e w r i t e s h a s h e a l r e a d y gone through! S c r i p t s gone s t a l e . How many S e r i o u s Cinematographers, p r e v i o u s l y , who a r r a n g e d him a t s u c h and s u c h p r e c i s e a n g l e , t h e g a f f e r s w i r i n g him i n t o s p o t , y e t who n e v e r g o t him t o s t a n d q u i t e s t r a i g h t enough or stay perfectly still l o n g enough -H e h a s watched them, p r o u d l y , grow weary and withdraw, c i t i n g h i s intransigence. ABirthistle -

I n w r i t i n g a b o u t t h e c o n t r o l s on t h e f r o n t of a TV s e t i n a p r e v i o u s i s s u e , I f a i l e d t o mention t h e C o n t r a s t and B r i g h t n e s s c o n t r o l s . There i s n ' t much t o be s a i d about t h e C o n t r a s t b u t t o n i t s u s e i s s e l f - e v i d e n t . However, t h e B r i g h t n e s s c o n t r o l can be a d i f f e r e n t matter. Some y e a r s ago I had s o l d a b l a c k & w h i t e TV. About 3 . d a y s l a t e r t h e buyer brought i t back. He was i n a bad mood because now h e had sound b u t t h e p i c t u r e had e n t i r e l y d i s a p p e a r e d , l e a v i n g t h e s c r e e n d a r k . I i n v e s t i g a t e d and found h e had a c c i d e n t a l l y t u r n e d t h e Brightness c o n t r o l completely o f f . When I t u r n e d t h e knob t h e p i c t u r e r e t u r n e d . "That w a s n ' t v e r y b r i g h t Georg e , " I t o l d him i n a b r i l l i a n t d o u b l e entendre. I f t h e s c r e e n g o e s d a r k , check t h e Brightness control. T e l e v i s i o n s e t s v a r y i n what cont r o l s t h e y have a t t h e back of t h e s e t .

l!r-

0 To most TV v i e w e r s , t h e y a r e Un nown T e r r i t o r y and t h i s s h o u l d n o t be. They are t h e r e t o be used i n o b t a i n i n g t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e p i c t u r e . However, i t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t one be v e r y g e n t l e i n m a n i p u l a t i n g them. I know of two Carn e g i e p a t r o n s who b o t h b r o k e o f f t h e V e r t i c a l Hold b u t t o n s a t t h e back of t h e s e t , presumably by t u r n i n g them f a r t h e r t h a n t h e y were meant t o go. Always u s e a l i g h t touch. The Focus c o n t r o l i s u s e f u l o n l y when you a l r e a d y h a v e a p i c t u r e and you want t h e g r e a t e s t p o s s i b l e c l a r i t y . (A m i r r o r i s u s e f u l i n s e t t i n g t h i s . ) Midway i n i t s t r a v e l , r a t h e r t h a n a l l t h e way i n one d i r e c t i o n o r t h e o t h e r , may g i v e you t h e b e s t and s h a r p e s t picture. The same i s t r u e of t h e Sharpness c o n t r o l ( i f t h e r e i s one). I f y o u r set conks o u t , b o t h sound and p i c t u r e , t r y t h e r e d b u t t o n . It i s a b r e a k e r s w i t c h , t a k i n g t h e p l a c e of o n e o r more f u s e s . With t h e set plugged i n & t u r n e d on, p r e s s i t i n , holdi n g i t i n a minute b e f o r e r e l e a s e . I n t h e next i s s u e , provided I d o n ' t m i s s t h e Editor's deadline, I ' l l t a l k a b o u t a d j u s t i n g a t t h e back f o r t h e best possible colour.

By ERIC ERICKSON

FUTILE DREAMINGS

T i m e t o c e a s e your f u t i l e dreamings, Wasting hopes t h a t cannot be; T i m e t o l e a v e , t o S t a y no-longer, Leave t h i s s t r e e t of misery. Hide your h e a r t and your emotions, Now i s n o t t h e t i m e t o g r i e v e ; You must t e l l h e r on t h i s h o u r , T e l l h e r now t h a t you must l e a v e . She i s S p r i n g and you a r e Autumn, Autumn l e a v e s must tumble down; I f you f e e l s h e needs your p a s s i o n , You a r e n o t h i n g but a clown. Do n o t l e t h e r t e a r s i n p a r t i n g , Blind your e y e s o r touch your h e a r t ; Loving h e r would be l i k e g r a s p i n g , Empty shadows i n t h e d a r k . Loving h e r i s wasted p a s s i o n , ' T i s a love t h a t has a price; She would p l a c e you on a n a l t a r , As a blood-spilled s a c r i f i c e . Through h e r body churns a c r a v i n g , Churning deep a r e c r y i n g t h i r s t s ; S t a y w i t h h e r and y o u ' l l be keeping, Sorrows from a h e a r t t h a t b u r s t s .

Stay Lost Stay Know

w i t h h e r and you s h a l l wander, upon a burning p l a i n ; w i t h h e r and know t h e meaning, t h e f e e l i n g t h a t is p a i n .

Special p a i n ' t h a t s t a y s forever, Searing p a i n , y o u r e y e s w i l l see; Clutching p a i n f o r e v e r t w i s t i n g , Tearing a t your memory. Then t o l i v e w i t h d e s p e r a t i o n , Naked a s a rocky s h o r e ; Knowing i f s h e l o v e s you e v e r , She w i l l l o v e t h e Needle more.

While i t h o l d s h e r w i t h i t s hunger, With i t s t a s t e , i t s touch a s w e l l ; She w i l l spend each l i v i n g moment, Racing through t h e h a l l s of H e l l ,

Watch your l o v e t u r n i n t o a s h e s , When you t r y t o make h e r choose; You must know t h a t i n h e r answer, That d e c i s i o n , y o u w i l l l o s e . Time t o c e a s e your f u t i l e dreamings, Wasting hopes t h a t cannot be; Time t o l e a v e , t o s t a y no-longer, Leave t h i s street of misery. Michael James McLellan

Helping Spirit Lodge To:

A l l I n d i v i d u a l s , Native O r g a n i z a t i o n s , R e f e r r a l Agencies

W e are p l e a s e d t o i n f o r m y o u t h a t as o f J u n e 3 r d , 1 9 9 1 HELPING SPIRIT LODGE TRANSITION HOUSE I S TAKING REFERRALS. H e l p i n g S p i r i t Lodge c a n p r o v i d e t h e f o l l o w i n g s e r v i c e s f o r b a t t e r e d a b o r i g i n a l women ; - a s a f e p l a c e f o r women a n d t h e i r c h i l d r e n - f r i e n d s h i p a n d s u p p o r t f r o m a b o r i g i n a l women who a r e q u a l i f i e d counsellors - a s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h t h e women a n d c h i l d r e n w i l l learn a b o u t f a m i l y v i o l e n c e i n terms of awareness, p r e v e n t i o n & p r o t e c t i o n - c o u n s e l l i n g i n a l c o h o l / d r u g a b u s e , s e x u a l abuse and c h i l d r e n ' s counselling r e f e r r a l s t o s p e c i a l i z e d t r e a t m e n t w h i c h may n o t b e a v a i l a b l e a t t h e t r a n s i t i o n home on-going s u p p o r t and follow-up s e r v i c e s

W e w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o i n v i t e y o u t o o u r OPEN HOUSE ON JULY 1 2 , FROM 1

a t THE VANCOUVER INDIAN CENTRE

4 pm,

1607 E. H a s t i n g s . F u r t h e r i n f o : 872-6649

RECLAIMING YOURSELF: Many p e o p l e f e e l "powerless" - b u t know somehow a t t h e g u t l e v e l , i n s t i n c t i v e l y , t h a t t h e y o n c e were powerful b e i n g s , & t h a t t h o s e p e r s o n a l "powers" were p a r t of t h e i r natural birthright, - t h e i r inherit a n c e ( h e r i t a g e ) a s human b e i n g s . These "powers" a r e n o t h i n g u n u s u a l . . n o t t s t r a n g e o c c u l t o r m y s t e r i o u s . They o n l y seem t h a t way now t h a t most of u s have l o s t a c c e s s t o them. None of u s gave up o u r p e r s o n a l powers w i l l i n g l y , w i t h o u t a s t r u g g l e . They were f o r c e f u l l y t a k e n from u s by a g e n t s o f a s o c i e t y t h a t d o e s n o t unders t a n d t h e v a l u e of them,& t h e r e f o r e f e a r s them. S c h o o l s , c h u r c h s , law-enforcement agencys, b u s i n e s s e s , governments, a l l f e a r t h e powers i n h e r e n t i n one human bei n g - you, me, t h a t o t h e r p e r s o n - i n f a c t , e v e r y human e n t i t y - e a c h of u s i n d i v i d u a l l y c o n t a i n s t h e s e "powers" s o c i e t y s e e k s t o c o n t r o l , deny & e v e n t u a l l y g e t r i d of.

s p a r e n t s s t a r t working t o l i m i t o r ' n o r m a l i z e ' them a t a n e a r l y age. Most of t h i s " s o c i a l i z i n g " & " s y s t e mitizing" is c a r r i e d out unconsciously, unknowingly; i t ' s j u s t p a r t o f t h e a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o u r t h a t was p u t i n t o p a r e n t s when t h e y were growing up - t h e y d i d n ' t want t o r e c e i v e i t from t h e i r p a r e n t s any more t h a n t h e i r c h i l d r e n want t o r e c e i v e i t from them. So t h i s c h a i n of d e n i a l c o n t i n u e s , & i s a v e r y s e r i o u s b u s i n e s s t o s o c i e t y , which i s n o t h i n g more t h a n a group of " s o c i a l i z e d " b e i n g s a t t e m p t i n g t o c r e a t e more s o c i a l i z e d beings. A n i n d i v i d u a l who d i s c o v e r s , c o n t r o l s & l e a r n s t o i d e n t i f y with & use h i s o r her own p e r s o n a l powers d o e s n o t r e p r e s e n t s o c i e t y , but-something h i g h e r , deeper & g e n u i n e l y r e a l t h a n any " s o c i e t y " c o u l d e v e r be. These h i d d e n & l a r g e l y d e n i e d powers o f r h e i n d i v i d u a l have b o t h c r e a t i v e & d e s t r u c t i v e a s p e c t s . The d e s t r u c t i v e c l c m e n t s , s o f e a r e d by a s o c i e t y of

socialized individuals, a r e there f o r a very good r e a s o n . - t h e i r main p u r p o s e i s t o c l e a r away a l l t h e deadwood - g e t r i d of o l d c o n c e p t s t h a t d o n ' t work anymore & destroy t h e l i e s t h a t s e e k t o confuse us. Those who b e l i e v e & c l i n g t o t h e s e l i e s a r e d e t e r m i n e d t o p e r p e t u a t e them. Thus they engage i n a l i f e - o r - d e a t h s t r u g g l e w i t h whoever m a n i f e s t s t h e s e " d e s t r u c t i v e " powers. T h e i r most e f f e c t i v e weapons against things they f e a r a r e t h e l a b e l s insanity, craziness, they o u t on them madness, d i s a b i l i t y , r e g r e s s i o n , e t c . ) When d e s t r u c t i v e p e r s o n a l powers manifest a s serious p o l i t i c a l action, other l a b e l s a r e used ( t e r l o r i s t a n a r c h i s t , r a d i c a l , e t c .) Yet i n t h e r e a l m of i n d i v i d u a l psycho&ogy, d e s t r u c t i v e p e r s o n a l powers a r e simply t h e r e t o c l e a r t h e way f o r b r i l l i a n t c r e a t i v e i m p u l s e s t h a t a r i s e o u t of r e a l contact w i t h one's o r i g i n a l s e l f . . .That is " o r i g i n a l s e l f " ? - n o t h i n g more t h a n t h e s e h i d d e n powers t h a t a r e t h e r e a l you - t h e real m e before society f o r c e d u s t o deny who we a r e . I f you t h i n k I ' m j u s t t a l k i n g a b o u t mys e l f o r someone e l s e & t h a t t h e s e powers d o n ' t e x i s t i n you, a s your n a t u r a l b i r t h r i g h t , i t o n l y p r o v e s how f a r s o c i e t y h a s led you from t h e p a t h of your r e a l s e l f . Now t h a t many o f u s have s e e n s o c l e a r l y how much i s wrong w i t h t h i s s o c i e t y (& the n e g a t i v e a s p e c t s of i t a r e u n d e n i a b l y overwhelming) i t ' s time t o dump your f a l s e s e l f & s e t o u t i n s e a r c h of t h e r e a l t h i n g . The b e a u t y of i t i s t h a t you d o n ' t have t o go anywhere i n t h e o u t s i d e world t o accomp l i s h t h i s . . . b u t you do have t o l e a r n t o go d e e p e r & d e e p e r i n s i d e y o u r s e l f . There is nothing mystical, strange o r o c c u l t about t h i s - s u c h i d e a s a r e c r e a t e d by people who've n e v e r looked i n t o i t - t h e y a r e p a r t of t h e l a b e l l i n g p r o c e s s used by s o c i a l i z e r s t o d i s c o u r a g e you from e x p e r i encing t h e powers t h a t b e l o n g t o you. I n a t o x i c , i n d u s t r i a l i z e d environment, where t r u s t & f r i e n d s h i p a r e t r e a t e d a s t r a n s i e n t s o c i a l e n t e r t a i n m e n t , we must l e a r n t o f e e l & t h e r e f o r e r e c l a i m o u r own bodys. T h i s h a s n o t h i n g t o do w i t h s e x which i s a n o t h e r l a b e l t h e s o c i a l i z e r s want you t o b e l i e v e i n .

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Too many p e o p l e jump i n t o t h e s e t h i n g s u n p r e p a r e d , u s e m a s s i v e amounts of powerf u l d r u g s t o b l a s t t h e i r way i n t o themselves t h e y t h i n k i t ' s funny o r b r a v e t o do t h i s & n e v e r r e a l i z e t h a t a s i m p l e , g e n t l e , slow s t e p - b y - s t e p i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e i r i n n e r p r o c e s s e s i s p o s s i b l e . These t h i n g s t a k e t i m e - b u t of c o u r s e t h e s o c i a l i z e r s have convinced a l m o s t everyone t h a t i t ' s r u s h Lour & t h e r e ' s no time l e f t t o be s i l e n t , slow & c a r e f u l . When you have f i n a l l y g i v e n up on a l l t h e c o m p l e x i t y & s o p h i s t i c a t i o n of t h e s o c i a l i z e r s , t h e o n l y h o n e s t way t o approach t h i s e x p l o r a t i o n of i n n e r p r o c e s s e s i s from s q u a r e one - you have t o s t a r t a l l o v e r a g a i n . The maps & s i g n p o s t s provided by s o c i e t y w i l l o n l y m i s l e a d you. A l l t h e " a u t o m a t i c " t h i n g s a b o u t y o u r s e l f - how you move, b r e a t h e , e a t , s l e e p , wake up, t h i n k , t a l k & f e e l must b e r e - e x p e r i e n c e d from t h e point-of-view of one who knows n o t h i n g a b o u t b e i n g t h i s way - one who i s j u s t d i s c o v e r i n g f o r t h e f i r s t time what .jit means t o be human. I f you l o o k i n t o t h e s e t h i n g s , you w i l l b e g i n t o d i s c o v e r how s t r i c t l y l i m i t e d t h e y a r e . How much of your l u n g s you d o n ' t u s e . . . How l i m i t e d t h e r a n g e of your v o i c e i s . . . How r e s t r i c t e d & mechanical t h e movements o f your body a r e , even when everyt h i n g seems "normal". You w i l l b e g i n t o r e a l i z e how l i t t l e your e y e s a c t u a l l y s e e ; how your e a r s f i l t e r o u t t h i n g s t h e y d o n ' t want t o h e a r . How you respond e m o t i o n a l l y & a u t o m a t i c a l l y t o buzz-words & body l a n guage o t h e r s u s e t o m a n i p u l a t e you..how l i t t l e you a c t u a l l y t a s t e of t h e food you eat. I n s h o r t , you w i l l come t o know how l i t t l e of your s e l f you a c t u a l l y own - how much s o c i e t y h a s f o r c e d you t o g i v e up. To r e c l a i m f u l l awareness i s a f u l l - t i m e j o b . You need 24 h o u r s a day f r e e time t o even b e g i n t h e p r o c e s s of r e - d i s c o v e r i n g what i s r i g h t f u l l y y o u r s . Those who d o n ' t do t h i s work a r e j u s t p r o c r a s t i n a t i n g . P e o p l e who s o c i a l i z e & s y s t e m i z e t h e m s e l v e s f o r merely economic ' p u r p o s e s a r e w a s t i n g t h e i r humanity & cont r i b u t e n o t h i n g o f any r e a l v a l u e t o t h e future.

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TnP A

Dear C a r n e g i e News,

I r e a l i z e what your problem i s . You a r e o p e r a t i n g w i t h impeccable conduct and m o r a l decency. ~t a l l began w i t h a s h o r t a r t i c l e I w r o t e on r a b b i t s . P a u l , t h e e d i t o r , t o t a l l y screwed i t up and somehow became a c r i p p l e . I have been somewhat c r i p p l e d mys e l f . I consider t h a t he t o t a l l y fucked up h i s b r a i n waves i n d e a l i n g w i t h my d i a t r i b e , s e t h i m s e l f up i o r an a c c i d e n t , which f u r t h e r e d my c a r e e r i n t h e looney b i n . The whole t h i n g i s u t t e r nonsense. R e a l l y , i f you would open y o u r s e l v e s up, p r e t e n d t h a t you a r e a s t a t i o n t h a t c a n p l a y looney t u n e s , and i n t h e v o i c e of b i t t e r e x p e r t i s e - be n o t s o concerned w i t h c o m p l e t e s e t s , maybe somebody would pay you f o r Your good taste. Wendy Tompson

I ' v e enjoyed reading t h e Carnegie Newsletter. This n e w s l e t t e r f a i r l y z i n g s w i t h v i t a l i t y and h o n e s t y ! Thanks f o r ( u n e d i t e d ) p u b l i c a t i o n s of some o f my own s c r i b b l i n g s . I may be back t h i s way a g a i n i n September, and i f I am, I s h a l l l o o k forward t o r e a d i n g (and c o n t r i b u t i n g t o ) t h e N e w s l e t t e r once more. Take c a r e !

PHOTO WHAT? THE Bear t r e e , 85% b e e t l e s b e e r can o f Kokanee a t o p a n o t h e r t r e e B a t t l e s h i p s and Kayaks f r e e z i n g by t h e l a k e r a i n i n g and t h e Geese knew i t would be a b i g m i s t a k e Don't camp o u t any l o n g e r and d o n ' t m i s s t h e bus!!! S t a n d i n g on t h e w a i t l i s t c o n s t i p a t e d members d e c r y u n s u i t a b l e f o r membership o r h o u s i n g God g i v e n s e l f e v i d e n t ( i t w a s u s ) i n t e r e s t s invests percentages accrue Programs on t h e c o l o u r e d t u b e outstanding l i k e i t , not r e j e c t i o n and r e f u s e a l l t h e y d o n ' t have t h e a n s w e r s e i t h e r & Lord i t o v e r a l l Yah, t h e s l u g on t h e mountain p a t h Brown t r o u t l e a p i n ' i n t h e l a k e f l i e s and bugs and t h e m o s q u i t o e s and t h e d e e r s t a n d i n g by t h e highway, a second hand r e c o r d c o l l e c t i o n . Emerald S t u f f e d

I ...

Me1 Looks for Work

I kind of feel sorry for Me1 Couvelier. Don1t70u folks? It's not easy to find work at his age. I have to give him credit though..no low-paying job for him, no sir. Shoot for the top. Me1 doesn't know it yet - you good eople out there do not want him as the top dog of B.C. By the time he finds hat out, he'll have two'options: Retire an? take up knitting. open an ffice (that is if he has any money left). Poor Mel. By James Roadknight

Bill (alias 'Wim') looks & looks &

Closed socred government trying to run and hide

* When the socred govt. was asked to live On the first day of the current legisup to its commitment to pass a freedomlative session, Rita Johnston told us her of-information law, their answer ehowed government had dbsohtely nothing to hide. a govt. that cantt organize itself to The facts say that's simply not true. deliver on that promise, first claiming They tell the story of a eocred governthe questionllwas"out of order," the: ment trying to run from its record; a saying this reflects future policy. govt. working to keep you & I in the dark 2 . When-coqfuseddefl _ e ~ t ~ ~ ~ G h _ e r s . and refusing to answer questions in the * To a question regarding Rita Johnston's legislature. Rita Johnston has regularly admission that her govt. is borrowing deflected questions meant for her to oth$1.2 billion to cover this year's budget, ler cabinet ministers - even those questand not the $395 million dishonestly ions relating to statements she made. claimed by her cabinet, she refused to ' Two stonewalling tactics have emerged : answer and said go talk to the finance minister. 1. When in turmoil delay. ----,----L----,* To another question asking her to recon"en asked that a Richmond ban on the cile her statement that she was "scared imminent dumping of contaminated Expo stiff" of a free trade deal with Mexico, 1 soils on their farmland be dealt with while her govt. actively supported the , urgently, the socred govt. was caught previous trade deal with the U.S., Rita flat-footed, saying they would "take it Johnston again deflected the question to on noticeL1.and get back (later) with a another cabinet minister. response .I' * W e n requested to tell parents of It adds up to a socred govt thati,cantrary 14,000 kindergarten students hurt by to Rita Johnston's claim, has a lot to hide. the cancellation of 'dela entry' what After five long years in office, they've plans the government now had for these grown more secretive,unable to even honestchildren half-in &-.half-out of the ly answer straightforward questions. And as school system, the socreds showed the they grind down to the last months of the extent of turmoil in their govt, when last year of their mandate, it's clearly they declared it was "still under contime for an election and it's time to sideration" and that it may or may not change the government. be "future policy." Ey MIKE HARCOURT