February 15, 1992, carnegie newsletter

401 I h i n S t . ,

-Vancouver, B . C .

FEBRUARY 15, 1992 (604)665-2289

Each of u s h a s a view of t h e u n i v e r s e & sometimes i t ' s b e a u t i f u l . Each of u s c a n and do s e e w h a t l s . u g l y & j u s t p l a i n wrong. None of u s a r e p e r f e c t & t h e r e a r e n o known s u r v i v o r s on t h i s p l a n e t . A l i t t l e w i s p of wisdom - t h e w i s e p e r s o n molds h e r o r h i m s e l f , t h e f o o l l i v e s t o d i e . Most of u s a r e i n t h e g r e y a r e a between. I f o u r p e r s o n a l c h o i c e i s n o t t o c h o o s e , t h e o n l y game i s i n o u r h e a d s - w e ' l l d i e . I f each of u s , any one of u s , d e c i d e s t o b e t h e f i r s t s u r v i v o r t h e n you o r I h a v e t o work t o make a world t h a t we'd want t o l i v e i n f o r e v e r . That sounds l i k e a c r e a t i v e , s e n t i e n t p e a c e . paulr

taylor

LINES *FROM THE LEARNING CENTRE Come t o t h e Learning C e n t r e ! ( 3 r d f l o o r , Carnegie C e n t r e ) .

Meet Sharon, one o f o u r new s t a f f members. She i s a p a r t - t i m e Education & s t u d e n t a t Simon F r a s e r U n i v e r s i t y and a p a r t - t i m e t e a c h e r a t o u r Centre.

Sharon i s an A l b e r t a n who h a s become a confirmed B r i t i s h Columbian. I n t h e p a s t she h a s t r a v e l l e d i n J a p a n , g e t t ing t o know o u r n e i g h b o u r s d c r o s s t h e P a c i f i c Ocean.

She h a s a l s o worked i n t h e r e s t a u r a n t b u s i n e s s a s a cook, a manager and a w a i t r e s s , where she l e a r n e d a l o t about people - t h e i r wishes and f o i b l e s .

She h a s always wanted t o have h e r owr r e s t a u r a n t where she would have a t r a i ning c o u r s e t o t e a c h s t u d e n t s t h e knowledge and s k i l l s o f r e s t a u r a n t work.

Her dream r e s t a u r a n t w i l l have a pink neon s i g n of a c o w g i r l on a bucking horse.

Come t o t h e Learning C e n t r e and meet Sharon. Everyone welcome from Beginne r s up t o High School Graduation. I t ' s f o r you and i t ' s FREE. Be s e e i n g you.

I f t h e human r a c e i s o f f e n d i n g you, do n o t c r y .

You can t h i n k a n y t h i n g b u t . do n o t s a y .

Go t h r o u g h l i f e w i t h a s m i l e on y o u r f a c e .

When t h e y c u t you down t o s i z e , Most p e o p l e o f t o d a y w i l l n o t g i v e you a h e l p i n g hand; because t h e m a j o r i t y o f p e o p l e today have no h e a r t .

Joan Doree,

b u t t r u l y l o v e s on t o t h e c l o s e . - T. Moore

THE MOUNTAIN With i t s snowcaps r i s i n g t o t h e heavens, The sun and c l o u d s overhead, The c r e a t u r e s down below l o o k i n g up a t t h e m i s t y t o p s Some may b e d e f e a t e d , and o t h e r s f a l l t o t h e i r d e a t h .

With h o t sun beaming down on w h i t e snowcaps, The w h i t e snow and i c e come down, and c a u s e a l a n d s l i d e , The mountain i s t a l k i n g back t o t h e Envoy He i s t h e k i n g o f t h e f o r e s t , and t h e Eagle o f t h e b l u e sky The mountain can b e b e a u t i f u l , b u t it can be dangerous t o o , Respect i t s power o r l e a v e i t a l o n e . .

...

Barry Saunders

Tllc I'uverty Business :

ON THE STREET THAT I LIVE

There a r e p e o p l e bumming money and c i g a r e t t e s There a r e p e o p l e s e l l i n g d r u g s There a r e p e o p l e s t a b b i n g p e o p l e f o r whatever r e a s o n on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e There a r e p e o p l e s t a n d i n g around a r g u i n g about e v e r y t h i n g There a r e p e o p l e w i t h b i g p l a n s There a r e p e o p l e b u s t i n g p e o p l e and throwing them i n j a i l on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e There a r e p e o p l e p a i n t i n g and carving Native a r t There a r e p e o p l e s i n g i n g songs There a r e p e o p l e d r i n k i n g booze and g e t t i n g i n t o f i g h t s on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e There a r e p e o p l e t h a t c a r e f o r t h e problems o f o t h e r s There a r e p e o p l e b e i n g born There a r e p e o p l e confused by l i f e There a r e p e o p l e p l a y i n g games on t h e s t r e e t where I l i v e There a r e p e o p l e scrounging i n o t h e r p e o p l e ' s garbage There a r e p e o p l e t e a c h i n g a b e t t e r way There a r e p e o p l e l e a r n i n g about S p i r i t There a r e p e o p l e having f u n on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e There a r e p e o p l e who a r e hooked on coke o r H There a r e p e o p l e smoking p o t There a r e p e o p l e s t e a l i n g what t h e y can on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e

3.

The p e r p e t u a t i o n o f p o v e r t y i s b i g b u s i n e s s . Many b e n e f i t from having many poor p e o p l e .

There a r e thousands o f b u r e a u c r a t s , s l e a z y l a n d l o r d s , p o l i c e , p r i s o n guards and employers and, o f c o u r s e , t h e c l o s e s t ones t o t h e poor - t h e churches, a g e n c i e s , c h a r i t i e s E o t h e r f l i m flam a r t i s t s who would be unemployed i f t h e y d i d n ' t have a l o t of poor people coming t o them f o r a s s i s t a n c e .

Of c o u r s e t h e a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , with paycheque i n p o c k e t , d e l e g a t e t h e work f o r n o t h i n g t o t h e poor who v o l u n t e e r under t h e phony g u i s e o f l e a r n i n g s k i l l s f o r i n v i s i b l e jobs i n t h e f u t u r e .

U s u a l l y t h e a d m i n i s t r a t o r s come downtown t o c r e a t e t h e i r l i t t l e empires of e x p l o i t i n g t h e poor. Many o f them have t h a t a r r o g a n t a t t i t u d e t h a t ' i f you d o n ' t l i k e it l e a v e i t . ' I ' d s u g g e s t t h a t t h e y t a k e o f f back t o s u b u r b i a and l e t t h e poor implement t h e i r own improvements t o t h e u s e l e s s way t h i n g s a r e run now. I t ' s t h e o u t s i d e r s who bind t h e poor i n c h a i n s o f poverty.

Once t h e s e f l i m f l a m a r t i s t s r e a l i s e t h a t t r u e reform t o e x i s t i n g s t r u c t u r e s means t h e i r j o b s would c e a s e t o e x i s t , t h e y c r e a t e problems on t o p o f problems. By c r e a t i n g a pool o f v o l u n t e e r s t h e y c r e a t e a b u r e a u c r a t i c b u f f e r zone whereby t h e y c o n t r o l p o l i c y w i t h t h e i l l u s i o n of concern i n t h e i r c h i l d i s h meetings.

By BRIAN WAGGET

There a r e p e o p l e l i v i n g day t o day Trying t o f i n d a b e t t e r way There a r e p e o p l e abusing people To con o r n o t t o con There a r e p e o p l e s u f f e r i n g i n p a i n on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e and I have t o l o v e and understand e v e r y s i n g l e one o f them on t h e s t r e e t t h a t I l i v e Dreamweaver

--

?uest ions.

..

He s a i d he d i d n ' t know t h e r e a r e people who a d v o c a t e f o r o t h e r p e o p l e i n t h e i r d e a l i n g s w i t h MSS. He d i d mention t h e name o f one p e r s o n who worked f o r MSS. Warner s a i d h e ' d been r a i s i n g money by a s k i n g f o r d o n a t i o n s from b u s i n e s s e s .

He a l s o i n d i c a t e d he had a p r i v a t e s o u r c e o f money. He s a i d hel.d s p e n t about $50,000 i'n t h e p a s t y e a r o r s o G most o f it had gone t o a d m i i l i s t e r i n g t h e e s s a y c o n t e s t and keeping t h e o f f i c e going.

Warner t a l k e d a s i f he wanted t o h e l p people, b u t he d i d n o t seem t o have any knowledge about t h e p e o p l e he c l a i m s t o want t o h e l p . He i n d i c a t e d he l i v e s an a l t e r n a t e l i f e s t y l e and i s n o t concerned w i t h amassing p e r s o n a l w e a l t h . When I asked what m o t i v a t e d him t o do t h i s he began t a l k i n g about h i s f r i e n d who'd d i e d . He d i d n o t t a l k about t h e p l i g h t of women o r c h i l d r e n a t a l l ; he o n l y t a l k e d about t h e s i t u a t i o n i n t e r m s o f t h e money h i s f o u n d a t i o n c o u l d r a i s e and hand o u t .

Warner d i d s a y he wanted t o l e a r n more about t h e p o l i t i c s o f t h e s i t u a t i o n but s o f a r he had been t o o busy with g e t t ing t h e foundat i o n going. :By SUSAN TURANSKY

'

On J a n . 3 1 I went t o t a l k t o David Warner, t h e person r e s p o n s i b l e f o r s e t t i n g up a s o c i e t y c a l l e d The Canadawide Foundation f o r S i n g l e P a r e n t s .

This o r g a n i s a t i o n i s s p o n s o r i n g q~e s say c o n t e s t f o r c h i l d r e n o f s i n g l e p a r e n t f a m i l i e s . Warner s a i d he t r i e d t o g e t forms f o r it i n t o s c h o o l s b u t t h e y s a i d no, so he ended up d i s t r i b u t i n g e n t r y forms through w e l f a r e o f f i c e s .

The t i t l e o f t h e e s s a y i s t o be "Why I would l i k e t o l i v e i n a house w i t h only 3 r u l e s - Don't l i e , Don't s t e a l , Don't be l a z y - and what it would be l i k e t o l i v e i n such a house t o g e t h e r with my p a r e n t and o t h e r p e o p l e . " Warner t o l d me h i s i n s p i r a t i o n comes from a f r i e n d o f h i s who d i e d r e c e n t l y , but had l i v e d communally i n Toronto 6 t h e o n l y r u l e s o f t h e house were d o n ' t l i e , d o n ' t s t e a l E d o n ' t be l a z y . T h i s e s s a y c o n t e s t i s b e i n g c a r r i e d o u t because Mr. Warner ' s f r i e n d wanted somehow t o g e t money t o s i n g l e p a r e n t famil i e s E he b e l i e v e d i n t h e s e 3 r u l e s .

When I spoke t o Warner I found it s t r a n g e t h a t h e r e was a man who d i d n ' t p r e s e n t himself a s a s i n g l e p a r e n t who had s t a r t e d a f o u n d a t i o n f o r s i n g l e p a r e n t s . H i s m o t i v a t i n g f o r c e , accordImprisonment rates ing t o him, was t h a t h i s f r i e n d had , Canada ranks fifth in wanted t o s t a r t t h i s o r g a n i s a t i o n . He the world -tied with s a i d he had n o t c o n t a c t e d any o f t h e China -in the rate at a l r e a d y e x i s t i n g a g e n c i e s i n Vancouver which it puts people t o f i n d o u t any o f t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h e behind bars, according to a Washington-based . research poverty t h a t e x i s t s among s i n g l e p a r e n t group called The Sentencing Project. f a m i l i e s . He appeared confused when I No. 1 is the United States, with 455 out switched o v e r t o s a y i n g s i n g l e mothers; of every 100,000 people imprisoned. he p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h i s f o u n d a t i o n was The rest of the top five: South Africa, 3 1 1 per 100,000;Venezuela, 177; Hunfor single parents. I pointed out that gary, 1 17; Canada and China, 1 1 I . most s i n g l e p a r e n t f a m i l i e s a r e headed a The U.S. imprisonment rate for black by women and t h a t i n ' f a c t u n d e r s t a n d i n g males is 3,370 per 100,000 - almost the issue of poverty i n s i n g l e parent five times South Africa's rate of 681 per I nn nnn f a m i l i e s i s dependent on an u n d e r s t a n d The murder rate in Seattle is sir timee that of ing o f d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a g a i n s t women.

Vancouver on a per capita basi*. Me1 Hurtig, Ilc s a i d h e ' d n o t heard- of ELP o r SPARC. Vancouver, November22,1991

1

America:

What Went Wrong?

P h i l a d e l p h i a I n q u i r e r r e p o r t e r s Donald B a r l e t t and James S t e e l e wrote a 9 - p a r t s e r i e s examining t h e d i s m a n t l i n g o f h e r i c a ; The s e r i e s was c a l l e d "America: What Went Wrong?", and was p r i n t e d i n t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a I n q u i r e r from October 20 t o 28, 1991. I t proved s o p o p u l a r t h a t it i s being expanded i n t o a paperback book w i t h t h e same t i t l e .

The main theme of t h e s e r i e s i s t h a t " t h o s e who have t h e power t o make t h e r u l e s by which t h e economy o p e r a t e s have r i g g e d t h e game.. . t o f a v o u r t h e p r i v i l eged, t h e powerful and t h e i n f l u e n t i a l , A t t h e expense o f everyone e l s e . " Corpora t e l e a d e r s g e n e r a l l y c r i t i c i s e government, and t h e n u s e it s h a m e l e s s l y t o g e t t h e l e g i s l a t i o n t h e y want. O r d i n a r y c i t i zens o f t e n h o l d t h e view t h a t government c o u l d n ' t r u n a two-car f u n e r a l , and somet i m e s we a r e n o t well-informed about t h e l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t s h a p e s o u r l i v e s . Also, we a r e l e d t o b e l i e v e t h a t "the marketw d i c t a t e s what happens t o o u r economy and t h a t t h e r e i s n o t h i n g we can do about i t .

In t h e s e a r t i c l e s B a r l e t t and S t e e l e show t h e American working/middle c l a s s t h a t t h e y a r e b e i n g c l o b b e r e d by l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t works a g a i n s t them, and t h e a u t h o r s make t h e i r c a s e i n p l a i n language w i t h many c o n c r e t e examples from t h e l i v e s o f p e o p l e who have become unemployed, poor, and d e s p e r a t e .

In t h e a u t h o r s ' view, t h e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 34 m i l l i o n i n d i v i d u a l s and f a m i l i e s i n t h e U.S. who e a r n e d wages and f i l e d f e d e r a l t a x r e t u r n s f o r 1989 r e p o r t i n g i n comes between $20,00-0 and $5,9,000, r e p r e s e n t t h e h e a r t of America's q r k i n g / m i d d l e c l a s s . The middle (median)', f a m i l y i n come i n t h e US i n ' 8 9 was $ W , 2 1 3 .

.. .

B a r l e t t and S t e e l e demonstrate t h a t thc r u l e s which govern t h c c o r p o r a t e gnnlc (agenda) have (1) c r e a t e d a t a x system '' t h a t i s f i r m l y weighted a g a i n s t t h e working/middle c l a s s ; (2) g r a n t e d s u b s i d i e s t o b u s i n e s s e s t h a t c r e a t e low wage jobs t h a t a r e e r o d i n g l i v i n g s t a n d a r d s ; (3) undermined longtime s t a b l e b u s i n e s s e s and communities; (4) p l a c e d home ownership o u t o f t h e r e a c h o f a growing number o f c i t i z e n s . In s h o r t , t h e y show t h a t t h e working/middle c l a s s i s being d i s m a n t l e d .

P a r t 5 o f t h e s e r i e s i s on d e r e g u l a t i o n and we i n Canada could l e a r n much from t h e d i s a s t e r s t o t h e t r u c k i n g and a i r l i n e i n d u s t r i e s i n t h e U.S. a f t e r d e r e g u l a t i o n .

To g i v e 2 examples: (1) Since d e r e g u l a t i o n o f t h e a i r l i n e s i n 1978, a dozen of them have merged o r gone o u t of b u s i n e s s .

More t h a n 50,000 of t h e i r employees have l o s t t h e i r jobs. (2) Since deregulation of t h e t r u c k i n g i n d u s t r y i n 1980, more t h a n 100 o n c e - t h r i v i n g t r u c k i n g companies have gone o u t of b u s i n e s s , and more than 150,000 workers a t t h o s e companies have l o s t t h e i r jobs.

The l a s t a r t i c l e i n t h e s e r i e s i s c a l l ed "How Washington R e a l l y Works!'" This s e c t i o n i s about t h e lobbying of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t groups such a s U.S. c o r p o r a t i o n s .

I n Washington, 11,000 o r g a n i s a t i o n s a r e lobbying Congress, and t h e g r e a t m a j o r i t y o f them speak f o r t h e r i c h , n o t f o r t h e working/middle c l a s s . The a u t h o r s remind u s t h a t t h e s e l o b b y i s t s n o t o n l y push f o r l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t b e n e f i t s t h e wealthy, but t h e y s t o p l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t might move America i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of a more democ r a t i c society.

For example, i t i s because of such lobbi e s t h a t Congress h a s f a i l e d t o r e w r i t e t h e laws t h a t p e r m i t wealthy c i t i z e n s t o pay combined income t a x and S o c i a l S e c u r i t y t a x e s a t a r a t e well below t h a t p a i d by i n d i v i d u a l s and f a m i l i e s e a r n i n g l e s s than $20,000 p e r y e a r . I t i s because of such l o b b i e s t h a t Congress has f a i l e d t o do a n y t h i n g about t h e 40 m i l l i o n Americans who a r e going w i t h o u t h e a l t h c a r e i n s u r ance and m i l l i o n s more who have insurance t h a t provides only limited protection.

Although these a r t i c l e s Bre,'abou't 'the dismantling of the American working/middle c l a s s , they a r e relevant t o Canada because. the same process i s happening here, and w r i t e r s such a s Linda McQuaig i n her book "The Quick and the Dead" have documented the Canadian corporate agenda. In order t o build global s o l i d a r i t y , i t i s important t o know how ordinary folk a r e being clobbered i n other p a r t s of t h e world.

B a r l e t t and S t e e l e p r e d i c t t h a t the '90s w i l l be as d i s a s t r o u s f o r the working/midd l e c l a s s a s t h e '80s, and t h a t t h e corpor a t e global economy w i l l be t o t h e '90s 6 beyond what corporate r e s t r u c t u r i n g i n t h e U.S. was i n the '80s.

Unless, of c o u r s e . . . . . .

The paperback c a l l e d "America: What Went Wrong?" i s being published by Andrews and McMeel i n Kansas City, Missouri. Maybe our l i b r a r y could buy a copy.

CRABTREE CORNER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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? On-going S i n g l e Moms Support Grpup

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* Videos

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Tuesdays G F r i d a y s a t 10 am.

ACOA E d u c a t i o n a l S e r i e s - Wednesdays a t 2:00 Exploring t h e Medicine Wheel - Tuesdays a t 2 :00

The n e x t Family Dinner w i l l b e on Tuesday, Feb.25. P l e a s e p r e - r e g i s t e r .

Free soup E bannock i s a v a i l a b l e e v e r y Tuesday, Wednesday G F r i d a y a t noon.

By SANDY CAMERON

(In unity there is 'strength) ' Iu u s s i p Update.. .

PA

. . .everything, everything.

Whoever does n o t know i t i s happy -

I

I 1

Rumour h a s it t h a t I ' m l e a v i n g CarI am o r I s h o u l d s a y negie. I ' m not. have l e f t t h e p o s i t i o n o f F a c i l i t y l e r k i n t h e 3 r d f l o o r program o f f i c e .

I won't be around a s much a s I used o be b u t I w i l l s t i l l be around.

I work i n t h e L i b r a r y on S a t u r d a y s and Sundays and am on c a l l i f someone g e t s s i c k and c a n ' t work t h e i r s h i f t a t t h e I n f o Desk. I a l s o hope t o v o l u n t e e r f o r t h e k i d s ' e v e n t s I always volunt e e r f o r ( E a s t e r , Hallowe'en, e t c . ) .

I l o v e t h i s p l a c e and p l a n t o b e around f o r a long t i m e t o come.

(Sorry, y o u ' r e n o t g e t t i n g r i d o f me t h a t e a s i l y ! ) See you around!

Sincerely, Lisa Lilge

I

Available a t Chief ' s ask i n Gastown -

Maurice McArthur Maurice McArthur, from Southeastern Saskatchewan's Pheasant Rump Nakota Band, is making his debut on the Sunshine Label. His recent 10 song cassette, titled Justice Now is available on the market now.

A rundown of what McArthur calls his "main themes" includes the headline-grabbingMohawk battles against Canadian Soldiers in Oka, Quebec in 1990, the successful fight against Ontario Loggers by the Temagami Indians, and a homage to Elijah Harper, the native Manitoban MLA who single-handedly scuttled the Meech Lake Accord last summer. This is all mentioned in his song entitled "Take a Stand".

Other musical topics include the Micmac Indian Donald Marshall, who spent 11 years in a Nova Scotia jail for a murder he didn't commit, this song is titled "Blind Justice".

McArthur also shows us his soft side when he sings a tribute about his friend J. J. Harper. J. J. was the native Manitoban who, three years ago, was found fatally wounded in the chest by a police bullet on a Winnipeg street.

From the ballad of "Mystic Woman" to a special song entitled "Pow WOW Singers", which is SlDE A -Shaman IMystic Woman ILife Afler IThe Cree Round Dance I dedicated to all Pow Wow groups, brings out the Blind Justice SlDE -Taka a Stand I Trlbute lo J.J. IPow Wow Singers IMisly Dawn I besf of McArthurvswriting abilities.

Lady Fancy Dancer Maurice McArthur - a name to remember.

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WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TAKE A LIFE You took t h e l i f e o f a human being.

You a s s h o l e ! You cockroach! I t would o n l y g i v e you more s a t i s f a c t i o n and power. P i c t u r e y o u r s e l f , a s you b r u t a l l y t o o k t h e l i f e o f a human being I ' m walking down a busy s t r e e t , peopl e a r e coming from a l l d i r e c t i o n s . I f e e l t r a p p e d , nowhere t o go and no one t o t u r n t o f o r help. I y e l l a t t h e top o f my l u n g s , b u t no one can h e a r . I ' m running as f a s t a s my f e e t can t a k e me . . t h e y ' r e s t a r t i n g t o t i r e . . I 1 m running o u t o f b r e a t h . Power t o e s c a p e i s a l l u d i n g me. P a n i c and h o r r o r s e t s i n , s u r v i v a l i s on my mind.

A l l o f a sudden I remember p l a c e s I have been, t h e power I ' v e s e e n . The People I l o v e . Where's t h a t POWER I

need t o l i v e , s o I can s e e my c h i l d r e n grow up. Then d a r k n e s s came o v e r a s my l i f e f l a s h e d b e f o r e me. My body i s numbing, b r e a t h i n g becomes h a r d e r , l i f e i s s t a r t i n g t o f l o w from my body. Then comes d e a t h .

So what g i v e s you t h e r i g h t t o t a k e t h e l i f e o f a human b e i n g , t h e r e ' s no such t h i n g a s "Satan t o l d me t o do i t " - God does n o t h u r t anyone - drugs may make you h a l l u c i n a t e s t i l l it d o e s n ' t g i v e you t h e r i g h t t o k i l l .

So where d o e s t h a t l e a v e you? In j a i l t h r e e s q u a r e meals a day a r o o f o v e r y o u r head and p o s s i b l e p a r o l e i n 10/15 y e a r s , w i t h no r e h a b i l i t a t i o n .

So you do t h e crime a g a i n , you a r e back t o s q u a r e one. S o c i e t y i s l e f t i n f e a r once a g a i n .

By MARGARET PREVOST

This had no name w i t h i t , b u t t h e w r i t e r i s on

Living on w e l f a r e i s t h e road t o d e a t h and w i l l n o t improve l i f e f o r most Native people.

When you a r e on w e l f a r e you a r e t o l d what t o do a t e v e r y t u r n : how t o r a i s e your c h i l d r e n ; how t o l i v e ; where t o l i v e . . . b u t n o t g i v e n enough t o l i v e on.

When you have c h i l d r e n it i s even h a r d e r . Your c h i l d r e n need c l o t h e s , c l o t h e s t h a t o t h e r c h i l d r e n wear o r c l o t h e s t h e y s e e on TV. I t h u r t s when your c h i l d r e n come home with a n o t e s a t i n g t h e r e is an o u t i n g o r ' h o t dog day' and money i s needed and you have none.

Landlords don' t want you i n t h e i r apartments i f you a r e Native and on welfare.

So d e p r e s s i n g . B i l l s , C h i l d r e n , Rent, Food, e t c . No Money. What t o do - how t o f o r g e t - Booze l e a d s t o d r u g s day i n day o u t - h e l p s t o make you f o r g e t . . y o u can t e l l y o u r k i d s t o wait o r you y o u r s e l f go o u t t o e a r n money f o r your k i d s and y o u r " h a b i t s " t h a t h e l p you f o r g e t why you a r e doi n g what you a r e doing.

While you a r e t r y i n g t o keep your l i v e s t o g e t h e r something happens and your c h i l d r e n a r e gone. Welfare.

They p u t you through h e l l t r y i n g t o g e t y o u r c h i l d r e n back - g e t c o u n s e l l i n g , go t o AA, go t o c o u r t . Don't s e e your c h i l d r e n f o r a month o r j u s t once a week.

While i n c a r e t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s encourage t h e c h i l d r e n t o c a l l them Mom E Dad and g i v e them t h i n g s you c o u l d n ' t a f f o r d t o g i v e them, which MSSH pays f o r .

I d o n ' t know i f t h e r e is a s o l u t i o n t o t h i s problem of why N a t i v e s o r o t h e r women become a burden, b u t I do know t h a t t h e system i s going t o have t o change.

I d o n ' t want t o s e e any more o f my f a m i l y o r f r i e n d s d i e . The l i f e t h e y l e a d i s h a r s h and w i l l o n l y g e t worse.

Where can i t end?

We could t r y t o h e l p c h i l d r e n o f hookers o r drug a d d i c t s t o s t a r t .

We could s t o p glamourizing t h e hookers and d r u g a d d i c t s .

I was t o l d by a person t h a t h e r daughter couldn't wait t o g e t o l d enough t o wear t h e c l o t h e s t h a t hooke r s wear and hoped t h a t t h e y were

The laws a r e going t o have t o g e t s t r i c t e r on J o h n ' s and s e l l e r s .

I d o n ' t have t h e answers and I d o n ' t know why anyone would want t o kill.

Cheryl Ann J o e was a l o v i n g , happygo-lucky person. She d i d n ' t d e s e r v e t o d i e t h a t way. She was always l a u g h i n g and dancing t o h e r Walkman.

She o n l y wanted h a p p i n e s s f o r everyone and t o dance f o r h e r s e l f ... a e r o b i c s , a s s h e c a l l e d i t . Why???

Rent i s p a i d . . b i l l s a r e p a i d . . k i d s taken out f o r a l i t t l e t r e a t a t t h e Big M o r w h e r e v e r . . l a u n d r y i s done (once a month, t w i c e i f p o s s i b l e ) .

Food i s bought. Very l i t t l e money i s l e f t , s o maybe we could buy Johnny o r Lisa o r Larry a p a i r o f r u n n i n g shoes o r a jacket o r pants. Birthdays a r e coming up - Yikes! - where i s t h e money coming from? TV..Broke..No Money .. .e n t r a n c e f o r a b a r , have a few drinks then h i t t h e s t r e e t s , earn a b i t , go back t o t h e b a r , s i c k o f s e l f and need a n o t h e r d r i n k and something e l s e t o c o v e r up t h e h u m i l i a t i o n maybe coke, maybe h e r o i n . Back o u t l e s s a f r a i d o f Big Bad John ...n i g h t a f t e r night.

S u r e AA i s needed b u t n o t t o be forced i n t o it. That's not a solution.

C o u n s e l l i n g i s needed but being forced i s n ' t t h e solution.

Most people know t h e y need h e l p but w a i t i n g f o r a good p l a c e t o go i s hard and t h e h u m i l i a t i o n t h e y have t o go through t h e r e i s bad.

People need h e l p b u t n o t on a s e t b a s i s . Maybe t h e y need a p l a c e t h a t i s open 24 h o u r s where t h e y can go t o t a l k o r look f o r h e l p . Drug homes, abuse homes, b u t not c r i s i s phone l i n e s ... p e o p l e who c a r e and people who have been through t h e same t h i n g .

We need people t o h e l p people, n o t v o i c e s o v e r t h e phone. Peopke who und e r s t a n d . I t could happen. Maybe.

Money i s t i g h t b u t l i v e s a r e more i m portant.

I t i s n o t e a s y t o q u i t hooking when you know t h e money i s t h e r e . That i s also the addiction.

Maybe something could be invented f o r h o o k e r ' s h e l p . They have t o touch t h e door t o g e t i n t o t a l k t o t h e Johns. Maybe a f l o u r e s c e n t f i n g e r t o mark t h e Johns. We g i v e o u t condoms and rigs..why n o t t h a t ?

keys t o kingdoms c o l d black n i g h t s i c k & broke b i g tough c l i f f i e showed-up & knew where wine was f r e e

Bud Osborn

down t h e s t r e e t a n o t h e r run-down roominghouse an o l d b o o t l e g g e r s i t t i n g on h i s bed "give t h i s guy some wine!" c l i f f i e s a i d t h e o l d man r e p l i e d he d i d n ' t have any "you b e t t e r f i n d some," c l i f f i e s a i d "or you're gonna wish you had some!" "hey c l i f f i e , " I s a i d , " i t ' s a l l r i g h t , l e t ' s go!" "you're not leaving," c l i f f i e s a i d , " u n t i l you g e t something t o d r i n k ! I f

--

LL LIICIL

hg g r i i i i i d S t o l d t h e b o o t l e g g e r : " t h i s guy w i t h me h a s a gun & h e ' s gonna u s e it i f y y don't f i n d some wine!"

t h e o l d man moved from h i s bed t o h i s beat-up d r e s s e r removed a p i n t o f cheap wine & a revolver he placed t h e gun b e s i d e him & passed t h e wine t o c l i f f i e who handed me t h e b o t t l e & commanded: "drink!"

I t i l t e d t h e b o t t l e & guzzled c l o s e l y watching t h e o l d b o o t l e g g e r ' s hands when t h e b o t t l e was empty c l i f f i e & I l e f t a couple of n i g h t s l a t e r I was l a y i n g i n bed drunk 6 broke b i g tough c l i f f i e came i n t o my room with h i s f r i e n d jimmy & s a i d : " l e t ' s go g e t some more wine!" b u t t h i s time jimmy pinned t h e o l d man's arms c l i f f i e pulled a knife & said: " I ' m going t o have t o c a r v e you up because you d o n ' t have any wine & you don't have any money!" he swept t h e k n i f e p a s t t h e b o o t l e g g e r ' s eyes & feinted with it laughing when t h e o l d man f l i n c h e d away shaking & trembling

I

I1please c l i f f i e , " he pleaded, I f I ' 1 1 . g e t you some tomorrow! p l e a s e j u s t l e t me alone!" c l i f f i e handed me t h e k n i f e & s a i d : " t h i s g u y ' s gonna c u t your throat!"

t h e knifeblade a g a i n s t h i s quivering s k i n & t h e f e a r flooding from him made me drunker deeper than I ' d ever been we took t u r n s with t h e k n i f e

* threatening & laughing a t t h e old whitehaired man before leaving him uncut h i s t - s h i r t soaking wet 3 days l a t e r r i c h a r d who l i v e d i n t h e room across from mine & c a l l e d himself "satan" came i n t o my room & s a i d : "go h e l p c l i f f i e , he1s carrying some beer . I t

on t h e sidewalk I headed towards c l i f f i e n~cc~r ~ i' n m ~ i gghe y k a l yni2ng w b f ~ eg11y5 r----standing i n f r o n t of t h e old bootlegger's house & one of them s a i d : " t h i s i s t h e guy who p u t a k n i f e t o my g r a n d f a t h e r ' s balls!" they surrounded me

I s a i d : "I d o n ' t know what you're t a l k i n g about!

I don't even know your grandfather!"

I looked a t b i g tough c l i f f i e he gave me a big g r i n & kept walking

a guy p e e l i n g o f f h i s jacket said: " I ' m gonna fuck you up!"

I thought of h i t t i n g him while h i s arms were trapped i n s i d e h i s jacketsleeves i n s t e a d I backed-up a g a i n s t a parked c a r l a i d on t h e hood bent my l e g s & covered up with my arms t h e i r f i s t s pounded m e but before any s e r i o u s damage could be done a p o l i c e c a r roared around t h e corner & onto t h e sidewalk beside u s I walked quickly i n t o my roominghouse & s a t down on t h e bed i n r i c h a r d ' s room

c l i f f i e was laughing a t me 2 cops stomped up t h e stairway demanding i . d . from everyone

r i c h a r d had warrants o u t under h i s r e a l name so gave them fake i . d .

t h e p o l i c e examined h a t c h e t s & k n i v e s 6 p e l l e t guns we used f o r t a r g e t p r a c t i c e on t h e w a l l s 6 f u r n i t u r e one of t h e c o p s s a i d t o me: "1 want t o s e e y o u r room!"

& when h e d i d he s a i d : Ifoh my god! t h i s i s t h e f . i l t h i e s t room I ' v e e v e r s e e n ! " " t h e r e was a f i r e i n h e r e t h e o t h e r day," I s a i d , "a l o t o f w a t e r was thrown a r o u n d , & I h a v e n ' t had a c h a n c e t o c l e a n it up." r i c h a r d ' d s m e l l e d smoke I ' d passed-out with a lit c i g a r e t t e 6 he saved my l i f e heaving p a i l s o f water o v e r me t h e bed the walls everything t h e cop poked c a r e f u l l y t h r o u g h t h e s t i n k i n g mess o f a s h e s & wet c l o t h e s he gave me a h a r d l o o k G s a i d : " i f t h a t o l d man f i l e s c h a r g e s I ' m coming b a c k f o r you & y o u ' r e g o i n g away f o r a s s a u l t w'ith a d e a d l y weapon & a t t e m p t e d murder!"

"I d o n ' t even know him!"

I said

& s t a y e d s o b e r i n bed f o r t h e n e x t 2 d a y s s i c k & weak & r e f l e c t i n g w i t h shame upon t h e t o r t u r e of t h e o l d man & c l i f f i e ' s practical jokes

t h e n r i c h a r d ' s ex-wife s p e n t t h e n i g h t w i t h him s h e ' d once t o l d me how much s h e h a t e d r i c h a r d f o r t r e a t i n g h e r s o c r u e l l y when t h e y were l i v i n g t o g e t h e r "he owes m e ! " s h e ' d s a i d & &

r i c h a r d o f t e n t o l d me how much h e s t i l l l o v e d h e r how wounded h e was b y h e r r e j e c t i o n of him

I walked down t h e h a l l w a y t o u s e t h e bathroom i n t h e morning & g l a n c e d i n s i d e r i c h a r d ' s room h i s ex-wife was s t u f f i n g a 5 - d o l l a r b i l l i n t o h e r handbag

when r i c h a r d r e t u r n e d t h a t n i g h t h e y e l l e d f o r me t o come i n t o h i s room I y e l l e d back t h a t I was t o o s i c k t o move "you b e t t e r g e t i n h e r e ! " h e s h o u t e d , "I want t o t a l k t o you!"

I g o t up

crossed t h e hallway & s a t down on h i s bed

" w h a t ' s g o i n g on?" I a s k e d him a l e x was a l s o i n t h e room & a l l a l e x e v e r wanted t o do a s f a r a s I could t e l l was h u r t somebody "I l e f t a 5 - d o l l a r b i l l on my d r e s s e r t h i s morning," r i c h a r d s a i d , "now i t ' s gone & I want t o know who t o o k it!" "it w a s n ' t me," I s a i d , "I d o n ' t know who t o o k i t "I t h i n k you d i d , " r i c h a r d s a i d , It& I ' m going t o f i n d out i f y o u ' r e l y i n g o r n o t ! "

.I1

b e f o r e I c o u l d make a move h e wrapped my l o n g h a i r a r o u n d o n e of h i s f i s t s & p l a c e d t h e t i p of a k n i f e a g a i n s t my j u g u l a r v e i n a l e x p r e s s e d t h e b l a d e of a h u n t i n g k n i f e a g a i n s t my t h r o a t "now t e l l m e t h e t r u t h ! " r i c h a r d demanded, " I ' l l know i f y o u ' r e l y i n g o r n o t & i f you a r e I ' l l k i l l you!" h e yanked h a r d on my h a i r & s t a r e d c r a z i l y i n t o my e y e s "can I c u t him?" a l e x asked e a g e r l y

1

"wait u n t i l I know i f h e ' s l y i n g o r n o t ! " r i c h a r d answered

B

"I d i d n o t t a k e y o u r money," I s a i d , "I am t e l l i n g you t h e t r u t h ! ' ' " h e ' s l y i n g ! " a l e x s q u e a l e d , "I 'm gonna c u t him!" "no," r i c h a r d s a i d , removing t h e k n i f e , " h e ' s n o t l y i n g . l e t him go."

I l o c k e d my d o o r & had b a r e l y c r a w l e d b a c k i n t o bed when r i c h a r d wanted me t o r e t u r n

"I'm sick!" I shouted, " I ' m t r y i n g t o sleep!

I ' m n o t g e t t i n g up a g a i n ! " " i f you d o n ' t open y o u r door!" h e screamed, "1'11 know you t o o k t h e money!"

1 y e l l e d : " p l e a s e l e a v e me a l o n e !I t

r i c h a r d s t a r t e d chopping t h e d o o r w i t h h i s h a t c h e t s p l i n t e r s & c h i p s of wood began s p i t t i n g i n t o my room I h e a r d s o m e t h i n g a t t h e window l o o k e d up & saw a l e x k n e e l i n g on t h e r o o f - l e d g e prying t h e l a t c h with t h e hunting k n i f e

i t ' d b e moments b e f o r e t h e y invaded & r i c h a r d i n h i s drunken f u r y w o u l d n ' t h e s i t a t e t o sink h i s hatchet into me & a l e x ' d h a p p i l y s t a b m e a s many t i m e s a s h e c o u l d

a l a r g e c o k e b o t t l e w a s l a y i n g empty on t h e f l o o r I t h o u g h t t o smash i t t h r o u g h t h e window i n t o a l e x ' s f a c e t h e n g r i n d i t i n t o r i c h a r d when h e came t h r o u g h t h e d o o r I reached f o r t h e b o t t l e but j u s t a s I grasped i t let it f a l l & s a n k down on t h e bed d e c i d i n g I w o u l d n ' t move a m u s c l e t o s a v e myself but s a i d s i l e n t l y : "please l e t t h i s violence stop!" & my f e a r became a calm n i g h t b l u e mountain p o o l

I heard a shout t u r n e d my head & saw a l e x s l i p o f f t h e 2 n d - s t o r e y l e d g e & disappear r i c h a r d ' s h a t c h e t s t o p p e d d e m o l i s h i n g my d o o r t h e roominghouse became a s q u i e t a s i t had e v e r b e e n I f e l l asleep easily i n t h e morning tapping s o f t l y r i c h a r d woke m e s a y i n g : " I ' v e g o t a cup of t e a & a c i g a r e t t e f o r you."

I g o t o u t of bed & opened t h e d o o r r i c h a r d gave me t h e tea & c i g a r e t t e "1. had t o t a k e a l e x t o t h e h o s p i t a l l a s t n i g h t , " h e s a i d , "he c u t h i s arm on t h e f e n c e i n t h e f r o n t y a r d & had t o g e t some s t i t c h e s . "

"well ," I s a i d , a t l e a s t h a l f - s e r i o u s l y , " I ' m g l a d h e d i d n ' t g e t h u r t any w o r s e . " "he l o s t h i s h u n t i n g k n i f e when h e f e l l , ' ' r i c h a r d s a i d , "I c a n ' t f i n d i t & i t ' s y o u r f a u l t b e c a u s e you w o u l d n ' t open t h e door!" & when h e l e f t t o buy a n o t h e r k n i f e

1 walked away from t h a t roominghouse

f e e l i n g lucky st ill unaware

of t h e k e y s my h e a r t carried

STD CLINIC - Monday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , 9a1n - 5pm.

D9WNT0WN FREE MEDICAL CLINIC - Mon, Wed, F r i d a y , 5 : 3 0 - 7 : 3 0 p m EASTSIDE NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 2 2 1 Main; e v e r y day 9am - 5pm.

'OUT" N e e d l e Exchange van - on t h e s t r e e t Mon-Sat e v e n i n g s .

ACTIVITIES N.A. meets e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 2 2 3 Main S t r e e t .

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1992 DONATIONS : Keith C. -$20 Nancy W.-$100 Luba P.-$10 Robert -$lo Four S i s t e r s Co-op -$SO0 DERA -$SO0 Legal S e r v i c e s -$200 Etienne S.-$30 F o r e s t Lawn -$25 Yvonne S . - $ 1 0

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CRAZY TUESDAYS RALF PRICE BOOKLETS AT EVEMNG SESSIONS !

T.V. FRJDAYS 20"COLOR T.V. PRIZE EVERY FRIDAY EVENING SESSION !

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS FREE COFFEE & COOKIES !

GET THESE SPECIALS NOW THEY ONLY LAST UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY

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COME TO OUR VUENTINE'Q PARTY !

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FRDAY WRUARY 14th. MNNG 8tMON

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DROP IN 50 CENTS FOR AFIlERNOONS & IN-BETWEENS

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M A R aM A D W! WATCHFORT~IFL~ENEW~~INMARCE~I m-mm-mmrmmm

WALKMAN SUNDAYS !

NINTENDO TUESDAYS !

MICROWAVE FRIDAY EVENINGS !

V.C.R. SATURDAY EVENINGS I INTRODUCING WACKY WEDNESDAYS ! WlTH : MYSTERY PRIZES - V.C.R., MICROWAVE, NINTENDO, WALKMAN, TRIP ?

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240 15th S t .

4:20.

P e l t i n g r a i n . A t Georgia and Bute s t o p . 2 i n d i s t i n c t f i g u r e s climbing on. 3 r d ' ~v o i c e i s s h o u t i n g , i m p a t i e n t , loudened by t h e e f f o r t o f making i t s e l f heard.

Lady busman s a y s t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g s h e can do. "I d o n ' t have a l i f t on t h i s bus, and t h e v o i c e h a r s h e n s , a g i t a t e d , gone immense.

Lady busman's s o r r y t h e r e ' s r e a l l y n o t h i n g s h e can do: h a l f an hour and a l i f t b u s ' l l be r i g h t by.

But s c h e d u l e s a y s 20 p a s t 4.

"Then y o u ' l l have t o t a k e it up w i t h B.C. T r a n s i t , s i r ."

A pelting rain.

The doors c l o s e .

There was n o t h i n g anyone could do.

ABirthistle

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Living Things He r e f b e s t o r e p r e s e n t Canada on t h e B r i t i s h I s l e s H i s i d e n t i t y i s n e a r e r t o t h e lumbering A f r i c a n e l e p h a n t , n e a r i n g e x t i n c t i o n , w i t h t h e monkey i n t h e laboratory, with t h e c r e a t u r e s o f t h e decimated f o r e s t f l o o r Only t o d e t e r m i n e t h a t a l l l i f e i s f r a g i l e And should h e e v e r be c a l l e d t o g l o r y a t t h e podium any anthem t h e y p l a y f o r him w i l l b e a l o v e song.

ABirthistle The supreme h a p p i n e s s o f l i f e i s t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t we a r e loved. - V.Hugo

many t i d i n g s , oceans seem f u l l space r i d i n g h i g h on m u l t i p l e s

t o s o a r once on r u l e s , once on f i n g e r t h e small h i s t o r i e s of t h e poor i n c h r o n i c l e d p n o t h i n g without i t s c i r c l e o f r e c o g n i t i o n a d a r k n e s s contemplating i t s e l f and i t s pinched v o i c e grey fountains i n r a i n t h a t s c a t t e r s a c c i d e n t a l dreams o f F l o r e n t i n e i n t r i g u e a mute d i s a r r a y of hands f a l l e n from r i t u a l lands l o s t in t h e t h i n miracles o f c o n c r e t e and s u n r i s e Daniel Feeney

1 p e r s o n 6 everybody e l s e .

- G.B.Shaw

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p o v e r t y i s p r e t t y c l o s e t o home f o r a l o t of r e a d e r s of t h i s N e w s l e t t e r .

U l t r a - r i g h t r a d i c a l s (sound f a m i l i a r ? ) a r e working l i k e h e l l t o m a i n t a i n t h e s t a t u s quo - r i c h g e t t i n g r i c h e r , p o o r g e t t i n g p o o r e r - & a r e d e a d l y s e r i o u s . So when push comes t o s h o v e w e h a v e t o b e c o n s c i o u s : What we want

The National A n t i - P o v e r t y O r g a n i s a t i o n (NAPO) p r o p o s e s t h a t s o c i a l and e c onomic r i g h t s b e e n t r e n c h e d i n t h e Canadian C o n s t i t u t i o n i n such a way t h a t t h e y can b e claimed i n a c o u r t o f law ( t h a t t h e y b e j u s t i c i a b l e ) i n t h e same way t h a t o t h e r r i g h t s p r o t e c t e d by t h e Canadian C h a r t e r and t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n can b e claimed. That t h e C h a r t e r of Rights E Freedoms be ammended 1) Everyone has t h e r i g h t t o an adequate s t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g , i n c l u d i n g adequate food, c l o t h i n g and housing.

2 ) Everyone h a s t h e r i g h t t o work, which i n c l u d e s t h e r i g h t o f everyone t o g a i n h i s o r h e r l i v i n g by work which he o r s h e f r e e l y chooses o r a c c e p t s .

3 ) Everyone h a s t h e r i g h t t o t h e enjoyment o f j u s t and f a v o u r a b l e c o n d i t i o n s of work which e n s u r e , i n p a r t i c u l a r : a ) Remuneration which p r o v i d e s a l l workers, a s a minimum, w i t h : i ) F a i r wages and e q u a l remuneration f o r work of e q u a l v a l u e without d i s t i n c t i o n o f any k i n d ; i i ) A d e c e n t l i v i n g f o r themselves and t h e i r f a m i l i e s ; b ) S a f e and h e a l t h y working c o n d i t i o n s ; c ) Equal o p p o r t u n i t y f o r everyone t o be promoted i n h i s o r h e r employment t o an a p p r o p r i a t e h i g h e r l e v e l , s u b j e c t t o no c o n s i d e r a t i o n s o t h e r t h a n t h o s e o f s e n i o r i t y and competence; d ) Rest, l e i s u r e and r e a s o n a b l e l i m i t a t i o n s o f working h o u r s and p e r i o d i c h o l i d a y s w i t h pay, a s w e l l as remuneration f o r p u b l i c h o l i d a y s .

4 ) Everyone h a s t h e r i g h t t o s o c i a l s e c u r i t y , i n c l u d i n g s o c i a l i n s u r a n c e .

5) Everyone has t h e r i g h t t o t h e enjoyment of t h e h i g h e s t a t t a i n a b l e s t a n d a r d o f p h y s i c a l and mental h e a l t h .

6 ) Everyone h a s t h e r i g h t t o e d u c a t i o n .

7 ) Higher e d u c a t i o n s h a l l b e made e q u a l l y a c c e s s i b l e t o a l l , on t h e b a s i s of c a p a c i t y , by e v e r y a p p r o p r i a t e means.

NAPO does n o t a g r e e w i t h t h e view t h a t s o c i a l and economic r i g h t s should n o t be j u s t i c i a b l e because t h e y i n v o l v e government spending, 6 should t h e r e f o r e be u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f e l e c t e d o f f i c i a l s , n o t t h e c o u r t s . Poor people have been f i g h t i n g , and w i l l c o n t i n u e t o f i g h t f o r t h e i r r i g h t s i n e v e r y way t h e y can. They w i l l c o n t i n u e t o f i g h t i n t h e p o l i t i c a l a r e n a . But t h e y should a l s o have t h e r i g h t o f u s i n g t h e c o u r t s t o f i g h t f o r t h e i r r i g h t s i f t h e y dec i d e t h a t i s t h e b e s t s t r a t e g y f o r claiming a s p e c i f i c r i g h t .

NAPO s t r o n g l y b e l i e v e s t h a t poor people should have a c c e s s t o t h e c o u r t s when t r y i n g t o c l a i m t h e i r r i g h t s . J u s t a s o t h e r d i s a d v a n t a g e d groups have a c c e s s t o t h e c o u r t s through t h e C h a r t e r of R i g h t s 6 Freedoms. S o c i a l and e c onomic r i g h t s should be r i g h t s t h a t c i t i z e n s can c l a i m , n o t r i g h t s t h a t governments d e c i d e t o g i v e o r n o t t o g i v e . Poor p e o p l e should make t h e d e c i s i o n when t o u s e t h e c o u r t s , and when n o t t o .

,

bloe S i h o t a ( M i n i s t e r of Labour)

End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y wants a minimum wage of $8.26 t o r e s t o r e t h a t wage t o t h e (Re - minimum wage) same p e r c e n t o f t h e p o v e r t y l i n e t h a t i t The End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y Board t a l k e d was i n 1975. In 1975 t h e minimum wage was about t h e minimum wage a g a i n a t o u r month- 122% of t h e p o v e r t y l i n e . l y meeting. I r e p o r t e d t h a t you'd c a l l e d R a i s i n g minimum wage i s one way governp r i o r t o t h e announcement r a i s i n g t h e wage ment can r e d u c e p o v e r t y without i n c r e a s i n g t o $5.50. While w e s r e p l e a s e d t h a t you r e - t a x e s - no government money is r e q u i r e d . cognised poor people w i t h t h e phone c a l l & R a i s i n g minimum wage i s a way t o i n c r ~ with your s p e e c h e s , ~ t h e ~ B o a rddo e s n ' t want e a s e p u r c h a s i n g power of low income people t o a c c e p t a p o s i t i o n on t h e minimum wage and p u t money i n t h e p o c k e t s of customers t h a t ' s l e s s t h a n what i s needed f o r a sub- who shop a t BC b u s i n e s s e s . sistence existence.

R a i s i n g minimum wages w i l l i n c r e a s e t a x The Board agreed unanimously t h a t o u r revenue t o governments. P o v e r t y i s t h e big. p o s i t i o n i s f i r m : t h e minimum wage should e s t i n d i c a t o r of poor h e a l t h . By r a i s i n g be a t $8.26 an hour (June 1991 d o l l a r s ) . minimum wage, gov ' t c o u l d reduce , p o v e r t y Everyone should be covered a t t h i s r a t e i n - and h e a l t h c a r e e x p e n d i t u r e s f o r p e o p l e c l u d i n g people under 18, farmworkers and who become s i c k because o f t h e m a l n u t r i t domestic workers. i o n and s t r e s s e s o f p o v e r t y .

We do n o t have a p o s i t i o n about phasing Sometimes p e o p l e a s k u s , "But won't r a i s . i n t h e minimum wage. That would be l i k e i n g t h e minimum wage h u r t small b u s i n e s s ? ' ' phasing o u t hunger when i t should b e elim- We t h i n k it i s i m p o r t a n t t o a d d r e s s t h i s i n a t e d immediately. q u e s t i o n . F i r s t , many o f t h e b u s i n e s s e s Here a r e some c a l c u l a t i o n s we have done, t h a t would have t o i n c r e a s e wages would u-_--------------_-------________________________________________----------------s i n g a minimum wage o f $5.50 an hour: be m u l t i n a t i o n a l s l i k e McDonald' s. who a r e d e f i n i t e l y n o t s m a l l . Secondly, we b e l i e v e Monthly income (40 hr/wk) $953.33 t h a t people who s t a r t b u s i n e s s e s should CPP and UI: ask themselves a q u e s t i o n f i r s t : Can my 44.74 b u s i n e s s succeed o n l y i f my employees l i v e Tax f o r a s i n g l e p e r s o n ( ! ! ! ! ) 91.55 i n p o v e r t y ? We d o n ' t t h i n k b u s i n e s s e s Average r e n t f o r a 1-bedroom 666.00 should be s t a r t e d i f t h e answer t o t h i s Bus p a s s ( t o g e t t o work) 50.00 Phone q u e s t i o n i s "Yes 14.00 R a i s i n g t h e minimum wage t o $8.26 would Amount l e f t f o r food, c l o t h e s , medical, c e n t a l , b i l l s , r e c r e a t i o n & LIFE: be a good s t a r t t o ending p o v e r t y i n BC. $87.04 Dear bloe,

."

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Another way of l o o k i n g a t a $5.50 minimum wage i s t h i s : You can be a v e r y compete n t worker, working f u l l - t i m e a t t h e minimum wage, and s t i l l be o v e r $3000 below t h e p o v e r t y l i n e i f you a r e s i n g l e . I f you a r e s u p p o r t i n g a n o t h e r person ( s i n g l e mom) you'd be o v e r $8000 below p o v e r t y l i n e s .

The minimum wage must be r a i s e d a l o t j u s t t o make up f o r t h e 7 y e a r s t h a t i s was f r o z e n by t h e Socreds a t $3.65.

The low minimum wage i s a c o n t r i b u t o r t o p o v e r t y , p a r t i c u l a r l y of young p e o p l e and s i n g l e p a r e n t s . I t i s one reason why low income people c a n ' t a f f o r d t o work themselves through u n i v e r s i t y l i k e p e o p l e d i d 20 y e a r s ago.

I t i s v i r t u a l l y i m p o s s i b l e f o r a person depending on minimum wage t o r e n t a d e c e n t s a f e apartment & support h e r s e l f .

J e a n Swanson Dear J e a n , A s you know, t h e government i s committed t o a f u r t h e r review of t h e minimum wage l e v e l d u r i n g t h e coming y e a r .

Your l e t t e r s u g g e s t s t h a t i n c r e a s i n g t h e minimum wage t o $8.26 a t one s t e p would, i n many c a s e s , l i k e l y a f f e c t l a r g e r s e r v i c e s e c t o r employers, and t h a t s m a l l f i r m s which cannot a f f o r d t h i s wage l e v e l should n o t be i n b u s i n e s s . T h i s i s simply n o t a r e a l i s t i c approach t o a mixed economy with unemployment a l r e a d y a t an u n a c c e p t a b l e l e v e l . I n c r e a s i n g t h e minimum wage a b r u p t l y by t h e amount ELP proposes would riot o n l y i n c r e a s e t h e lowest wage l e v e l s , b u t would undoubtedly have a s i g n i f i c a n t " r i p p l e " impact on wage s t r u c t u r e s above t h e

suggested l e v e l . T h i s could imperil jobs t h a t now provide many employees w i t h an a d e q u a t e though mod e s t income ( e g . $9-$12/hr.) rather than reducing povert . i n t h e way you s u g g e s t . .

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open your eyes y o u ' l l s e e undead f a s c i s t s r e s u r r e c t e d remake unlead p a c i f i s t s p e r s e c u t e d i n t h e land f o u r t h r e i c h worldwide r e a r s i t s loathsome head f o r t h r i g h t c o u l d h i d e n e a r t h e gruesome dead

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open your eyes you' 11 s e e u n r e l e n t e d angel o f d e a t h new gods proclaim unrepented gambles wealth with new i d o l s profane n u c l e a r weapons being s o l d a t d i s c o u n t s a l e s u n c l e a r peon being t o l d h i s accounts f a i l e d

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open your e y e s y o u ' l l s e e p o l i t i c a l b a r g a i n s h i p i n which food i s used c r i t i c a l g r a i n s h i p i s used t o c a r r y f u e l hordes o f r e f u g e e s whose hands a r e f i l l e d with guns h e r d s a r e r e f u s e d t h o s e l a n d s where they began

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open your e y e s y o u ' l l se.e denuded e a r t h i n t h e s t r i p s e a r c h f o r Eden deluded b i r t h i n which n o t i s worth e a t i n ' s p i r a l l i n g v u l t u r e s s h r i l l c r y a t noon c h i l d r e n ' s c o r p s e s t h a t f i l l sand dunes

rere The c o u r t y a r d behind t h e Gastown Residence e n t a i n s a c e r t a i n charm. c o b b l e s t o n e 6 t i l e walkway, o l d f a s h ioned l i g h t s t a n d a r d s . 1 can watch t h e craftsman a t t h e a n i t q u e ' s h o p lovingly refurbishing antiques, quaint charm from a n o t h e r e r a .

There i s t h i s s p o i l a g e of scene the intrusion of the 21st century.

The p l e a s u r e of my v i s u a l enjoyment i s i n t e r r u p t e d by dope d e a l e r s o r t h e i r customers f i x i n g up. I t must look good t o them t o o , o r i s it j u s t a shooting g a l l e r y ?

Late y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n I watched a drug b u s t . . v e r y young p e o p l e . . t h e gend a r n e r i e d e p a r t e d , o n l y one c h o r t l i n g ; Zorro o f f t o g e t a h a i r c u t .

L a t e r some boys w i t h Ginseng Brandy s t a r t a t low l e v e l which i n c r e a s e s unt i l t h e y were done i n & wandered away.

Perhaps t h e s e c o n t r a s t . . s h o u l d enhance my a p p r e c i a t i o n o f t h e beauty o f t h i s c o u r t y a r d . . . t h e d e p a r t u r e of t h e pain & misery adds n o t h i n g .

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Loud music from t h e b a r s a t n i g h t , loud l a u g h t e r & arguments a f t e r t h e y c l o s e . The Downtown E a s t s i d e - A1 microcosm of a l l b u s i n e s s , bung, abuse r s , whores, s t r a i g h t , gays, t h e v i o l e n t . . a l l p a s s through my c o u r t y a r d .

T e l l me how t o p a i n t t h i s scene; two p i c t u r e s , one p i c t u r e , no p i c t u r e .

I have t u r n e d my c h a i r from t h e window, contemplating o n l y my l a c k o f knowing what i s t h e b e s t s c e n a r i o .

So s h a l l I move t o a window with a b e t t e r view, s h i r k i n g s a d l y my i n v o l vement, even worse a d m i t t i n g no r e s ponsibility.

For t h e s e a r e my neighbours and f e l l o w human b e i n g s - d e s e r t e d . Have I f l e d like a thief in the - adieux c o u r t y a r d - c i a o neighbours - a r i v e d e r c i my g e n t a l f o r t i t u d e f o r I s h a l l jump s h i p a t t h e p o r t of w e l f a r e day, l o s i n g something i n t e g r a l t o t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g of my f e l l o w man, moving t o an a r e a with a b e t t e r c l a s s of l o s e r s .

Tom Lewis

THE EAGLE

Love i s

He s o a r s t o freedom i n t h e b l u e h o r i z o n , The Eagle watches o v e r t h e Envoy below, The c r e a t u r e s s c a t t e r below, d o i n g t h e i r r o u t i n e The Eagle and t h e Envoy a r e one of t h e same, The c i r c l e i s f u l l ; t h e Eagle i s o u t s i d e t h e c i r c l e He watches f o r h i s c a t c h a t s p l i t - t i m i n g , The c a t c h i s made and he i s s a t i s f i e d , The Eagle i s a t peace w i t h h i m s e l f and a l l i s w e l l .....

Barry Saunders

.ove i s f r i e n d s h i p caught on f i r e :t i s q u i e t u n d e r s t a n d i n g mutual confidence, s h a r i n g and f o r g i v i n g : t i s l o y a l t y through good and bad t i m e s , . t s e t t l e s f o r l e s s t h a n p e r f e c t i o n and makes allowances f o r human weaknesses.

S h e i l a Bell

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COC Chair Maude Barlow Speaks February 19th at 7030 p.m.

It is certainly with great pleasure we announce that our very eloquent chairperson will speak to u s and the public as part of the Council's "TAKE BACK THE NATION" Campaign. Her address will deal with the topics of her newest book: The Subversion of the National Economy, The Continental Sellout, The Uetra a1 of Society, The ~ t t ond Culture, The Perversion of the Political Process. to Sthe PLUS Maude will rovide A L T E ~ & ~ ~ E disastrous policies o f t e radical right wing agenda A Constitution for All Canadians.

Economic Renewal. and The Restoration of ~ e s ~ o n s i bGovernment. le LOCATION: Robson Sauare Conference Centre.

-,N. --E. Comer. Robson & ~ornb;. Vancouver. 1tis well -serviced - - .- - - b transit ust a "hundred feet from the Hotel dncouver. slicht ---., "v less than one block from Georrria and two from Granville. Doors a t 6:45 p. m.j-i& admission. Come, you will be among friends.

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HURTIG SPEECH REBROADCAST Thursday, Feb. 20, 1:Wp. m.

Please tell ALI, your friends and family of the Friday, Feb. 21, 9:W p. m. follodng times and urge them to watch. ~fa~u Wednes., Feb. 26,10:30 p. m. don't get Rogers perhaps a friend does. Making Friday Is in Vancouver, Burnab 81 Richmond, only. a VCR copy and ci-latlng it to TfaPur or The other two are on the full o ers Cables stems invitin them besides bet very &at Community Network in the Lower k i n l a n d 81&torla.

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Better Incomes for Better Lives Moe Sihota, Minister of Labour C/OEnd Legislated Poverty #211 456 W. Broadway Vancouver, B. C. V5Y 1R3 Dear Mr. Sihota, This letter is part of a larger campaign for higher welfare rates and wages. These two issues are linked. Welfare rates act as an unofficial minimum wage. They are so low that people are desperate to get jobs--even at a minimum wage that doesn't pay enough to live on.

I strongly urge you to increase the minimum wage to $8.26 per hour for everybody. $8.26 per hour is what the minimum wage would be in June, 1991 if it were the same percent of the poverty line as it was in 1975.

Yours truly,

(signature) (print name) (address) (address and postal code) comments:

For your interest: The Better Incomes for Better Lives campaign is part of End Legislated Poverty's campaign for higher welfare rates and wages.

Please send your signed letters to End Legislated Poverty, #211 456 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B. C. V5Y 1R3 as soon as possible. ELP plans to collect and deliver these letters to Labour Minister Moe Sihota before the provincial budget expected in the Spring.

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Better Incomes for Better Lives Joan Smallwood, Minister of Social Services C/OEnd Legislated Poverty #211 456 W. Broadway Vancouver, B. C. V5Y 1R3

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This letter is part of a larger campaign for higher welfare rates atrd wages. These two issues are linked. Welfare rates act as an unofficial minimum wage. They are so low that people are desperate to get jobs--even at a minimum wage that doesn't pay enough to live on.

I strongly urge you to increase the welfare rates to the poverty line for everybody.

Everybody deserves the right to meet their needs for shelter., clothing, food, and other necessities. Current welfare rates are grossly inadequate.

Yours truly,

(signature) (print name) (address)

(address and postal code) MY comments:

For your interest: The Better Incomes for Better Lives campaign is part of End Legislated Poverty's campaign for higher welfare rates and wages.

Please send your signed letters to End Legislated Poverty, SI!:# 456 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B. O. VSY 1R3 as soon as possible. ELP plans to collect and deliver these letters to Labour Minister Moe Sihota before the provinciitl budget expected in the Spring.

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ELP represents 28 groups from around B. C. Interested in helping out in this c a m p g n ? Call 879-1209 in Vancouver. .'