February 15, 1993, carnegie newsletter

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* MARCH through the neighbourhood. We wilEry to go back to the places where the bodies of women we know were found.

March to REMEMBE the WOMEN KILLED in the Downtown Eastsi \

EDITORIALS

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"In t h e l a s t decade i n Canada you've had democratic e l e c t i o n s t o produce a d i c t a t o r i a l g o v t t , ramming l e g i s l a t i o n through' How it ' s going.. with abusive procedures. When t h e h i s t o r y V a l e n t i n e ' s Day, a s whoever r e a d s t h i s , of t h e Mulroney g o v l t i s w r i t t e n , t h e t i t gone. T h e r e ' s a h i s t o r y t o it. l e can be, 'Prime M i n i s t e r of Canada, on h a s come where t h e name came from & s o o n . . & maybe Loan from Washington'. I have never seen a i t ' s become a time t o remember & c e l e b r a t t head of s t a t e so contemptuous 02 preservjoy E l o v e . The f r o n t page of t h i s Newsing t h e s o v e r e i g n t y of a n a t i o n . f t i s j u s t l e t t e r d o e s n ' t deny t h a t ; t h e f e e l i n g s be- inconceivable, o t h e r t h a n because of a hind t h e memorial march a r e a c t i v e s p i r i t - p e r s o n a l i t y f a i l u r e , t h a t a prime m i n i s t e r uality. I t ' s essential that the destructwould c o n s i s t e n t l y thumb h i s nose a t h i s t ion of t h e s e women's l i v e s 6 t h e degradinl ory, evidence 6 p u b l i c opinion.It of t h e l i v e s of each of u s s t i l l h e r e add (On s i m i l a r i t i e s between C l i n t o n 5 Mul.) s t r e n g t h t o our s p i r i t u a l s t r u g g l e s .

"Clinton i s an accommodationist. In many A s you r e a d on, ( i f you read on!), t h e ways h i s p e r s o n a l i t y i s s i m i l a r t o Mulrono z e r s t u f f i n h e r e may eyi s , Up from a r e l a t i v e l y poor background, writing, poetry help i n even t h e s m a l l e s t way t o g e t u s climbed h i s way t o t h e t o p & e v e r s i n c e t o t h e s t a g e where ' a l l i s not l o s t t . ( ! ) has been saying 'Gee whiz, h e r e I a m ~ w o f l ' .

Knowledge is t h e beginning-of a c t i o n , Hobnob with powerful c o r p o r a t i o n s & fly on l i k e S t a r T r e k ' s Spock saying "Logic i s t h e i r j e t s . Go t o t h e i r mountain lodges. t h e beginning o f wisdom". I t ' s s e e i n g how That i s what C l i n t o n i s , He bas j c a l l y cony much t h e c o r p o r a t e media sways t h e t h i n k - ceded i s s u e a f t e r i s s u e i n Arkansas when ing of most o f u s by deciding what g e t s t h e c o r p o r a t i o n s wanted something a g a i n s t f e a t u r e d & what i s kept q u i e t . J u s t know- t h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e average people, Hehas ing when t h e shade has been p u l l e d down i! no p o l i t i c a l f o r t i t u d e . But we're always a powerful view of how i t ' s going. hopeful t h a t t h e White House w i l l change a - 50,000 p e o p l e demonstrated i n Montreal person. Pending t h a t , we w i l l j u s t have t o i n -25 degree weather. CBC gave it 4 keep m o b i l i z i n g i n o u r democracy, gake it seconds, t h e n 10 seconds f o r t h e Minis tougher, s t r o n g e r , s o t h a t p u b l i c s e r v a n t s t e r r e s p o n s i b l e . On t h e same broadcast a r e s e r v a n t s of t h e p u b l i c (5 o ' c l o c k news) t h e y had 4 minutes on how t o f i n d t e r m i t e s .

- A m u l t i n a t i o n a l c o r p o r a t i o n borrowed $800 m i l l i o n from t h e New Brunswick The o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e North American g o v ' t , opened a b u s i n e s s , made m i l l i o n Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) i s growing. i n p r o f i t , t h e n gave t h e e n t i r e workMulroney E h i s bosses w i l l t r y t o ram i t f o r c e 20 minutes n o t i c e t h a t i t was through Parliament before an e l e c t i o n . He s h u t t i n g t h e p l a n t & moving t o t h e US. knows he c a n ' t win an e l e c t i o n . . s o does Workers stormed t h e p l a n t , occupied it big business. They've a l r e a d y s t a r t e d buypeople woke up, screamed a t t h e g o v ' t ing L i b e r a l s . The reform p a r t y i s worse t o g e t i t ' s ( t h e i r ) money back, t h e than t h e T o r i e s . The NDP may be p a r t of a c o r p o r a t i o n had t o s e t t l e with both thc c o a l i t i o n g o v ' t . There a r e v a r i o u s ways t a x p a y e r s , t h e workers, & moved t o Que t o g e t involved, o r t o j u s t add your v o i c e CTV r e p o r t e d on t h e "unlawful" a c t i o n s t o a few m i l l i o n o t h e r s i n Canada a l o n e . of t h e workers!

Nothing i s i n e v i t a b l e . I t ' s o n l y s l i g h t - 85% o f Canadians opposed t h e GST l y l e s s important than t h e a i r you b r e a t h e - 94% of Canadians t h i n k t h e Free Trade

By PAULR TAYLOR Agreement has h u r t Canada The following passage i s from an i n t e r view with Ralph Nader i n MacLean's:

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END LEGISLATED POVERTY: 58 " p"UNDERSTANDING THE BIG PICTURE ON WORKSHOP m

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DATE FEBUARY 4,11,18, 25 TIME 1:30 P.M. TO, 3:30 FLOOR CARNEGIE CENTRE BY: CARNEGIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

COME AND TALK ABOUT THE CAUSES OF POVERTY AND

WUAT WE CAN DO TO REDUCE POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY. FREE TRALIE, HUNGRY CHILDREN, HEALTHCARE, UNEMPLOYMENT,

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LOW WAGES AND WELFARE RATES AND OTHER JUSTICE ISSUES. COME TO NANLIS - ON WORKSHOP ABOUT THE ECONOMY

ORGANIZE FOR JUSTICE!!

Carnegie corporate The C a r n e g i e Community A s s o c i a t i o n and End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y sponsored a Corpo r a t e Agenda workshop i n t h e lunchroom on J a n . 2 9 t h . About 20 p e o p l e p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e whole workshop & about 35 p e o p l e were i n some p a r t s of i t .

The i d e a of t h e workshop i s t o f i n d o u t what p e o p l e know about t h e c a u s e s of pove r t y & what c o r p o r a t i o n s want. Then we used b i g p a n e l s o f newspaper c l i p p i n g s t h a t show what c o r p o r a t i o n s want, how t h e y g e t what t h e y want, & what t h e r e s u l t s of t h i s a r e : t h e r i c h g e t r i c h e r & t h e poor g e t p o o r e r . Then S h e i l a B a x t e r l e d t h e f i n a l s e s s i o n where p e o p l e t a l k e d about a c t i o n & a g r e e d t o keep meeting t o s t a r t b u i l d i n g a Carnegie group t h a t can b e an a c t i v e p a r t of t h e poor p e o p l e ' s movement f o r j u s t i c e . Rose Brown, a board member of ELP & J e a n Swanson, of t h e ELP s t a f f , h e l p e d w i t h t h e workshop.

What c a u s e s p o v e r t y ? P e o p l e s a i d : t a x e s l i k e t h e PST & GST w e l f a r e department inheritance r i c h & c o r p o r a t i o n s d o n ' t pay t a x e s rent c u t s i n s o c i a l programs n o t enough decent j o b s * mismanagement of t h e environment and r e s o u r c e s c o n t r o l by a c a p i t a l i s t s o c i e t y l a c k of a d e q u a t e c h i l d c a r e world d e b t & monetary system s e x u a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n & harassment c o u r t system l a c k of o r g a n i z a t i o n apathy w e ' r e f o r c e d t o f i g h t among o u r s e l v e s * mass unemployment institutionalized discrimination corporate greed/controlofinformation s t o l e n land abused c h i l d h o o d s l a c k of t r a i n i n g & e x p e r i e n c e * h o u s i n g market c o n t r o l l e d by t h e r i c h Some p e o p l e a l s o s a i d t h a t t h e s e t h i n g s c a u s e p o v e r t y : no v i s i o n , l a c k of educat i o n , l a c k of a m b i t i o n , v i o l e n t n a t u r e & infighting

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We d i s c u s s e d t h e d i f f e r e n c e between t h e two k i n d s of c a u s e s of p o v e r t y . P e o p l e pointed out t h a t things i n t h e f i r s t list caused t h e t h i n g s i n t h e second l i s t . One s a i d t h a t t h e t h i n g s i n t h e 2nd l i s t were l a b e l s p u t on t h e poor by p e o p l e who a r e not poor.

What do c o r p o r a t i o n s want? J e a n s a i d an agenda was a l i s t of t h i n g s t o do. A corp o r a t i o n , f o r o u r d i s c u s s i o n , i s a corpora t e lobby group l i k e t h e F r a s e r I n s t i t u t e o r t h e b i g banks t h a t a r e always t e l l i n g g o v ' t & t h e p u b l i c what p o l i c i e s t o maker A c o r p o r a t i o n i s n o t a p e r s o n who j u s t happens t o work f o r a c o r p o r a t i o n .

T h i s i s what p e o p l e s a i d t o a b s o l v e t h e m s e l v e s from blame l e s s g o v ' t involvement low t a x e s f o r t h e m s e l v e s money and power t o reduce the'workforce world monopoly - c o n t r o l corrupt politicians * c o n t r o l of i n f o r m a t i o n p a r t t i m e work w i t h no b e n e f i t s t o i g n o r e t h e environment t o implement f r e e t r a d e high prices us t o be ignorant s e t t i n g t h e middle c l a s s a g a i n s t t h e poor ( d i v i d i n g s o c i e t y ) racism yk u s t o b e l i e v e l i e s about o u r s e l v e s t o be the smartest t o keep d r u g s i l l e g a l

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

why i s it i m p o r t a n t t o understand? t o do something about i t t h i s i s o u r home s o we don' t- blame o u r s e l v e s f o r p o v e r t y s o w e ' l l have a l o t of i n f o r m a t i o n t o educate o t h e r s with t o continue t o f i g h t t o know t h y enemy i t ' s destroying our p l a n e t , our only u l t i m a t e means o f s u r v i v a l t o build unity t o fight effectively with understanding t h e r e is s h a r i n g c o r p o r a t i o n s work w i t h right-wing peop l e t o suppress people t h e y ' r e t h i e v e s & k i l l e r s & don't c a r e t o know how t h e y c o n t r o l u s & how we d i s a g r e e & t o t e l l g o v ' t what changes.

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What can we do a t Carnegie? * have 4 more workshops a t 1:3O Thurs.

-. : . go t h r o u g h t h e s e n o i e s a g a i n & s t u d y w have t h e c o r p o r a t e agenda newspaper c h a r t s hung up a t Carnegie f i g u r e o u t what i s s u e we want t o work on & go f o r i t . Some p o s s i b i l i t i e s a c c e s s t o r i g h t s f o r poor p e o p l e immigrants' r i g h t s r i g h t s of people w i t h l e a r n i n g d i s a b ilit i e s p o o r p e o p l e & s a f e t y on t h e s t r e e t s b u i l d a movement of poor p e o p l e (tada!

By JEAN SWANSON

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1992 P o v e r t y L i n e s

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WELFARE:

Family size

U. S. 1986

CXhlADh 1987

500 ,Oo0

100,000499,999

\\'. GERMANY

U,. K.

1964

1986

Community S i z e 30,000less t h a n 99,999

30,000

FRANCE NETHERLANDS SWEDEN 1967 1967 1984

Clearly poverty rates among single-parent households in Canada are high when compared to other industrialized countries. While this fact may be a source of embarrassment for Canadians, it also emphasizes the possibility that poverty can be reduced. If other nations can do it, why can't Canada?

rural

M u l t i c u l t u r a l Week Kitchen Program SUNDAY

F&TZi MONDAY

F&IZZ

G r e e t i n g s from t h e Carnegie Kitchen!

T h i s i s t h e f i r s t column i n what w i l l b e a r e g u l a r f e a t u r e i n t h e Newsletter, where we hope t o inform & e n l i g h t e n you about t h e food & p o l i c i e s t h a t govern what You e a t from o u r k i t c h e n . W e a l s o hope t o a l l ay t h e rumours & s u s p i c i o n s about what r e a l l y goes on w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n e s of o u r v e r y busy p l a c e .

For s t a r t e r s , l e t ' s j u s t s a y t h a t t h e Carnegie k i t c h e n h a s a d e f i n i t e p l a y and i t r e l a t e s t o h e a l t h , well being & of c o u r s e c o s t & p r i c i n g , which w e ' l l t a l k about i n f u t u r e weeks.

L e t ' s s t a r t by i n t r o d u c i n g you t o t h e hard-working s t a f f : * C a t r i o n a Moore i s t h e k i t c h e n programme r & h a s t h e u n e n v i a b l e job of looking a f t e r t h e menues, p r i c i n g , o r d e r i n g and stock control. * John Ferguson h a s r e c e n t l y become Catr i o n a ' s a s s i s t a n t (KPA), & h a s y e t t o u n d e r s t a n d what it i s h e ' s supposed t o b e doing. * J a n i c e Saul makes t h o s e g r e a t b u r g e r s on Tuesdays, a s w e l l a s p r e p a r i n g t h e d i n n e r s on Sundays, Mondays & Thursdays. * Donna Zinkowski i s c a l l e d upon t o f i l l i n - a l l o v e r t h e p l a c e , and does a g r e a t job on s e n i o r s 1 & v o l u n t e e r s ' o u t t r i p s . * Ron Hanson i s t h e ' d i s t i n g u i s h e d ' lookmaki n g g e n t who c m ' u s u a 1 l y be i n g & s e r v i n g t h e b r e a k f a s t on weekends. * T a l l , good looking Mike McGee does eve r y t h i n g , i n c l u d i n g hunting down t h e p e r s o n who u s e s o u r cups a s an a s h t r a y . * F e l i x Smalley i s t h e s t r o n g , s i l e n t t y p e guy who looks a f t e r you on Wednesday and Thursday n i g h t s .

Okay, had enough? Well, next time w e ' l l t e l l you about t h e meat & p o t a t o e s & t h e t o f u of t h e Carnegie k i t c h e n : v o l u n t e e r s , who make t h e whole t h i n g work. T i 1 t h e n happy e a t i n g !

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European B r e a k f a s t Soup of t h e day - Borscht. Dinner - French Canadian.

Soup o f t h e day - Miso.

Dinner - P a s t a ( I t a l i a n ) .

Dinner-Baked N a t i v e Salmon.

SATURDAY

B r e a k f a s t - H u e r i a s Rancheros Leek soup. P i z z a

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- .and i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e Kitchen Program

V o l u n t e e r s must have had a TB t e s t withi n t h e P a s t Year. T e s t s a r e done Tuesday mornings a t t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e ~ e a l t h C l i n i c a t 412 E. Cordova.

Kitchen O r i e n t a t i o n s a r e h e l d i n t h e k i t c h e n a t 2:00 on Mondays & g e n e r a l l y take an hour. ' p l e a s e be on t i m e .

Kitchen v o l u n t e e r meetings a r e h e l d a t 2:00 on V o l u n t e e r Dinner Wednesdays. These meetings a r e an o p p o r t u n i t y t o keep i n formed of k i t c h e n procedures, upcoming eve n t s , new i d e a s , e t c .

break t h r e e

break through

On b e h a l f of t h e Downtown G r a n v i l l e k. t h e rhythm of y o u r name T e n a n t s ' A s s o c i a t i o n , I would l i k e t o s t i l l makes my h e a r t s i n g t h a n k a l l t h e C a r n e g i e members & p e o p l e , k . why'd you h a v e t o make i t u g l y i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e communitv w h n 'why a r e you a l w a y s d e s t r o y i n g e v e r y t h i n g have g i v e n s!!pport t o o u r newly formed your f a c e your eyes your l i e s community o r g a n i z a t i o n . l y i n g t o y o u r s e l f a b o u t t h e s t a t e of t h i n g s I t was r e a l l y h e a r t e n i n g f o r o u r membhatred ruins. ers t o f e e l your s u p p o r t a t t h e C a r ~ l e g i e we had e v e r y t h i n g . t h e s t a r s t h e w i l d s Town H a l l m e e t i n g on J a n . 2 4 & r e c e i v e love child c a l l s s u p p o r t i n g o u r endeavors. Y h i s h a s s l e e p l e s s n i g h t c h i l d c r i e s l o v e wants encouraged u s & g i v e n u s energy f o r o u r incensed s c e n t s s i g h t struggle . u n i v e r s a l rhyme rhythm w r i t h e W e remain your b r o t h e r s & s i s t e r s on k . a l o s t l o v e of mine t h e s o u t h s i d e & w k l o o k forward t o workl o s t i n t i m e s i d e screams i n s i d e i n g c l o s e l y w i t h you i n t h e coming- y ears. , scream d i e a g a i n i n s i d e r e a l i v e , -realize a r r i v e L a r r y S c a f e , P r e s i d e n t , DGTA k . on my mind s c a r s i n s i d e h e a t h e l d t o l d you warm s o f t i n s i d e s - k . i n s i d e warm food warm n i g h t s a t home on t h e r o a d b e s i d e quiet, alone t h e r o a d c a l l s me a g a i n i t ' s a windy n i g h t i h e a r a b o u t a f r i e n d of mine - k. i guard my e a r s from e e r i e sounds b r e a k i n g down o u r l o v e sounds i c r y a t n i g h t you f o r g e t my name i t ' s i n s a n e r u n n i n g around super-hyper c r a s h games - t r a s h and b u r n - fame and f o o d y o u r own mind speak, l i v e no l o v e crimes p e a c e t o you k. who was a f r i e n d of mine bend, move - i t ' s t i m e - you t o l d me i t was t i m e k. b e a u t i f u l - what commands you t o b e unkind unwind r e d e s i g n r e s i g n , The L e a r n i n g C e n t r e , i n c o n j u n c t i o n what makes you mad i n s i d e w i t h t h e P u b l i c Legal Education S o c i e t y , go home t o l o v e s s i d e q u i e t c r e a t i o n i s h a v i n g workshops once a month on what mind a r e o b v i o u s i s s u e s of c o n c e r n t o a l o t of no g r e e d n o c r i m e n o s p e e d g r i n d u s . The f i r s t one was i n J a n u a r y , on. f e e d warm music m e , dream WELFARE RIGHTS & G A I N , i n t h e 2nd f l o o r weep mourn g r i e v e t h a t p e a c e non-smoking l o u n g e , and t h e room was f u l l .

The 2 n d one i s on Wednesday, ~ e .b 1 7 , you and m e free from 2pm t o 4pm. I t ' s on CHILD APpREHENchemical p o l l u t i o n d i s g u i s e d t h e r e never SION. C a l l 665-3013 f o r more i n f o r m a t i o n . was a t h i n g w o r t h f i g h t i n g o v e r n o t I t ' s f r e e of c o u r s e . w i t h me a healing love being K i m Slade - - J

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am not i n t o crowds. I went because I was asked by t h e e l d e r s t o come up 6 speak a t a d i n n e r . My mind went i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s , most of which brought me back t o my childhood which, a t t h e time, was n o t much t o remember. Most o f what I remember i s n o t good b u t I d i d s u r v i v e , s o I ' m h e r e t o t e l l you a l i t t l e about myself.

A l e r t Bay i s my home town (by biirth only!).

I ' v e l i v e d h e r e i n Vancouver f o r many y e a r s f, c o n s i d e r t h i s my home. I t ' s been a s t r u g g l e a t t i m e s , t r y i n g t o work o u t t h e f e e l i n g s i n s i d e m e . . t r y i n g t o g e t i n touch with t h a t l i t t l e g i r l who g r e w u p t 0 0 f a s t To a l l o w t h a t young g i r l t o be h e r s e l f i s n o t easy.

On a day-by-day b a s i s I t r y t o l i v e l k f e . a s simply a s I can. I need t o remember t h a t o n l y I can make t h i n g s a s I want; I need n o t g e t on t h e l e v e l o f angry, f r u s t r a t e d o r a b u s i v e people. Because I d o n ' t need t o be h u r t anymore. I ' v e been through a l o t of ups 4 downs i n my l i f e 15 used t o d e a l with problems by d r i n k i n g 6 u s i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs. I t numbed t h e p a i n s o I d i d n ' t have t o d e a l with anyone i n c l u d i n g myself. I t o r t u r e d myself on a d a i l y b a s i s . I used t o t e l l myself t h a t I was

Today I know d i f f e r e n t . I know t h a t I'm a good p e r s o n . . I can l o v e myself f o r who I am. I can look i n t o a m i r r o r 4 t e l l mys e l f t h a t I ' m b e a u t i f u l , whereas b e f o r e I used t o j u s t do my h a i r 4 n e v e r f o c u s on my f a c e .

Today I am a b l e t o a c c e p t my wheelchair a s my t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , my l e g s . I t ' s a p a r t o f me. When I ask some o f my f r i e n d s t o go f o r a walk t h e y laugh 4 s a y " d o n ' t you mean a wheel!"

Anyway, I ' v e been l e a r n i n g a l o t about myself because you p e o p l e have allowed me t o be me.6 n o t j u s t what you wanted me t o be. FOT t h a t I thank you. With you p e o p l e I ' v e been a b l e t o work with you t o b e t t e r o u r community. You've e l e c t e d me on v a r i ous boards, we've w o ~ k e dt o g e t h e r on some committees E walked t h e s t r e e t s t o .see w h e ~ eimprovements a r e needed. But we can n o t a l l o w people t o f o r g e t who we a r e and where we came from. We need t o be reminded t h a t t h e r e i s l i f e a f t e r being l o s t ...we were j u s t l e a d a s t r a y by t h e system.

Margaret (Why d o n ' t you t e l l me your s t o r y ? Send i t c a r e of M v g a r e t , 200 words o r l e s s . ) A

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The 2nd of 4 workshops on t h e c o r p o r a t e agenda a t Carnegie happened on Feb. 4 t h .

Rose, P a u l i n e , Pam 6 J e a n came w i t h i n f o from t h e f i r s t one, which i s i n t h i s p a p e z J e a n began by e x p r e s s i n g h e r d e l i g h t 4 amazement a t t h e d e p t h o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g people have on t h e b a s i c s , l i k e answers g i v e n t o t h e q u e s t i o n "What do c p r p o r a t i o n s want?"

- t o a b s o l v e themselves from blame; - money and power - world monopoly..control..

- f o r us t o believe l i e s a b o u t o u r s e l v e s and s o on.

The u n d e r l y i n g f e e l i n g , a s more G more of t h e c o r p o r a t e agenda becomes a p p a r e n t , i s always one of overwhelming powerlessn e s s . I t ' s d e p r e s s i n g , e s p e c i a l l y when t h e v a s t m a j o r i t y o f poor, low-income p e o p l e compare o u r s i t u a t i o n with t h e mega b i l l i o n s o f t h e s e g l o b a l p i r a t e s . However, we believe i n f a i r n e s s , i n j u s t i c e . I t ' s not a m a t f e r o f having t o e s c a p e from t h e

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e x p l o i t a t i o n But o f s t a r t i n g with t h e f i r m knowledge t h a t t h e system o f e l i t e c a p i t a l i s m i s wrong."Capitalism makes humans beggars; communism makes t h e beggar a b e a s t . " There i s a b e t t e r way.

End L e g i s l a t e d Poverty has a B e t t e r Incomes f o r B e t t e r Lives campaign & a v i d e o was made o f an e v e n t c a l l e d "Walk on t h e Rich" l a s t y e a r . Pam showed t h i s , a f t e r a minor s t r u g g l e with a s t r a n g e machine. I t helped show t h a t t h e c o r p o r a t e / p o l i t i c a l powers a r e n o t a s impeccable o r onmipotent as they've t r i e d t o get us t o believe.

Next cane "Here we a r e . . w h a t can we do, who w i l l do what...?" We s t a r t e d with a 'wish l i s t t t o f o c u s : 1. S t o p "Free Trade" E t h e NAFTA. 2. Higher t a x e s f o r c o r p o r a t i o n s & wealthy 3 . Cancel t h e G.S.T. 4 . S t o p d e f e r r i n g huge t a x b i l l s f o r c o r p o r a t i o n s & c l o s e l o o p h o l e s i n t a x law 5. More s u p p o r t s e r v i c e s ( c h i l d c a r e , f r e e e d u c a t i o n , s o c i a l housing, s e n i o r s a i d , mental h e a l t h s e r v i c e s , ) 6. Higher w e l f a r e r a t e s ( t o t h e p o v e r t y l i n e ) , minimum wage a t 125% o f p o v . l i n e 7. Regain c o n t r o l of n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s 8. Use media t o e d u c a t e 9. Value c a r e g i v e r s 1 0 Understand g o v t t 6 i t s workings 11 Question b i g b u s i n e s s r h e t o r i c 12 Reduce u n n e c e s s a r y m i l i t a r y 13 New system where important d e c i s i o n s a r e made by referendum 1 4 Expose g o v l t / c o r p o r a t e l i n k s How t o even begin?? We can l e a r n , t a l k t o p e ~ p l e ,keep awareness growing; we can c e l e b r a t e o u r s t r e n g t h , haye a n t i - p o v e r t y e y e n t s ( l i k e a n o t h e r "Walk on t h e Rich"), w r i t e a r t i c l e s on s p e c i f i c o r s y s t e m i c i n j u s t i c e , g i v e energy & s u p p o r t t o o t h e r s i n t h e blossoming network o f p e o p l e everywhere who f e e l t h e weight o f c o r p o r a t e greed 6 p o l i t i c a l manipulation.

The t i m e came, s e e i n g t h a t we were i n agreement about most t h i n g s , t o g i v e t h e group a name. A f t e r a few s u g g e s t i o n s t h e Econame S.T.E.W, was chosen - Share The nomic Wealth. More t o comeT

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By PAULR

TAYLOR

SOME PEOPLE HAVE Sweat Lodge Ceremonies The Sweat Lodge i s re-enactment o f a r e t u r n t o o u r mothertomb l i k e e x p e r i e n c e , which i s t h e c l e a n s i n g of t h e body, mind 6 s p i r i t . I t r e q u i r e s an a c t of h u m i l i t y t o s i t i n a f e t a l p o s i t i o n a d m i t t i n g powerl e s s n e s s b e f o r e our Maker, d i s c l o s i n g o u r d i f f i c u l t i e s , s h a r i n g o u r problems with o t h e r people E i n prayer asking f o r t h e needs o f o u r innermost s e l f . Then, a f t e r t h e rounds, we r e - e n t e r c r e a t i o n r e b o r n with new hope 4 a changed a t t i t u d e .

Sweat Lodge h a s been amongst o u r people long b e f o r e t h e churches were b u i l t on o u r l a n d s . This i s where o u r p e o p l e went t o p r a y E come i n c o n t a c t w i t h a h i g h e r power o r Creator.

There a r e f o u r rounds t o each ceremony.

Four rounds i n honour of f o u r g r a n d f a t h e r s o r f o u r d i r e c t i o n s . S i x c o l o u r s a r e used i n Sweat Lodge ceremony.

Colour Red - i n honour of r e d r a c e o r n a t i v e p e o p l e . The g i f t g i v e n t o r e d man i s t h e g i f t of v i s i o n t o be a b l e t o look back wards i n time o r t o be a b l e t o s e e i n t o the future.

Colour Yellow - In honour of t h e yellow race o r Chinese people. The g i f t they were given i s time. They a r e an ancient people i n t h e i r b-eliefs & rekigion.

Colour Black - i n honour of black r a c e o r black people. The g i f t they were given is reason t o be a b l e t o reason with t h i n g s .

Colour White i n honour of white o r white people. The g i f t they were given is movement; t o be a b l e t o move t h i n g s l i k e j e t s , planes E c a r s . i n honour of Mother Earth, Colour Green g i v e r of new l i f e t o a l l c r e a t i o n . She gives l i f e t o a l l two-legged, four-lCgged, t h e one's t h a t f l y , t h a t crawl, t h a t s w i m , f n s e c t s , t r e e s , water, rocks E g r a s s .

Colour Blue i n honour of Father Sky, C ~ e a t o r(GodCGreat S p i r i t ) ) , t h e u l t i m a t e of a l l unhrersal powers. Blue i s a sacred colour.

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Round One - In t h i s round we honiur Mothe r Earth, t h e f i r e , rocks, water & steam s p i r i t s . Prayer of thanks s a i d by a l l t h e p a r t i c i p a t i n g individuals. Sacred songs a r e sung. People can e i t h e r pray s i l e n t l y i n Native o r English. People remove a l l a c c e s s o ~ i e sl i k e watches, r i n g s & g l a s s e s , t o remember t h a t when we came i n t o t h e world, each one of u s were naked. We ask Mother Sweat Lodge t o p u r i f y our minds, bodies & s p i r i t s & t o take away a l l our bad f e e l i n g s , h u r t s , anger & resentments.

Sweats a r e a place where we can c r y , pray sing be able t o humble ourselves & c r y f o r our people.

Roumd Two - In t h i s round we honour a l l s i s t e r s , because women a r e t h e backbone of Native people they have t h e g i f t of bringing new l i f e i n t o t h i s world. We have t o remember t h a t some of our women got caught up i n alcohol & drug abuse; they g e t weak & need our p r a y e r s 4 t h a n k s .

We pray f o r our mothers, s i s t e r s , grandmothers, nieces, cousins, a u n t i e s , e l d e r s pipe carriers, s p i r i t u a l advisors & a l l s i s t e r s whoiare i n i n s t i t u t i o n s , j a i l s , b a t t e r e d women's homes & younger s i s t e r s who a r e i n f o s t e r homes. We ask t h e Creat o r t h a t He w i l l help them f i n d t h e i r i d e n t i t i e s . Prayers a r e s a i d & a sacred o r sweat song i s sung.

Round Three - In t h i s round we honour a l l our brothera. We remember our f a t h e r s grandfathers, uncles, nephews, cousins, e l d e r s , s p i r i t u a l advisors, medicine people, pipe c a r r i e r s 5, i f any of t h e above a r e i n t h e s p i r i t world, we s t i l l pray f o r them t h a t t h e i r s p i r i t s a r e s e t f r e e by t h e i r loved ones. We remember a l l our b r o t h e r s i n j a i l s , i n s t i t u t i o n s , jung l e s E skid row. We ask t h e Creator t o forgive u s f o r our wrong doings. We humbl e ourselves & c r y f o r our people. Sacred sweat lodge songs a r e sung.

Round Four In t h i s ~ o u n dwe honour ours e l v e s now t h a t we have prayed f o r everyone e l s e . We ask t h e Creator t o h e l p u s with our d a i l y l i v i n g problems & t o work on our c h a r a c t e r defects. We can use any amount of rocks we want.

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After t h e f o u r t h round i s over t h e sacred pipe is smoked by a l l p a r t i c i p a n t s .

The sacred pipe i s given t o people who have earned them by f a s t i n g , v i s i o n quest attending sacred ceremonies such as sun dances, sweat lodge, pipe ceremonies.

Most of t h e men carrying pipes a r e Elders who have earned t h e r i g h t t o c a r r y a sacred pipe ( j u s t f o r men a t t h i s time).

Smudging sweetgrass, sage, cedar o r whatever g r a s s o r root i s e d t r a d i t i o n a l l y i n your a r e a f o r personal E ceremonial preparation.

The sweetgrass b r a i d i s s i g n i f i c a n t of body, mind E s p i r i t . We smudge each weekday morning t o being our day. We reyove watches, r i n g s , & g l a s s e s t p s i g n i f y t h a t we came i n t o t h i s world with nothing & w i l l leave with nothing. Each individual washes themselves with t h e smoke, praying i n s i l e n c e f o r t h e i r s p i r i t u a l needs.

-from SECHELT NATION NEWS (submitted by Joe Paul)

For Heather i n a r t h i s t o r y , d i d t h e y reckon an i n e v i t a b l e p e r s i s t e n c e among i t s wreckage? summers grew on u s s e p a r a t e l y , through t h e broken p a s t u r e d windows o f f r e e d f o r s a k e n time unmarried by cynicism i n t h o s e days, a slow warm s e r i o u s n e s s grew i n you a q u i e t , t a n g e n t i a l labour making s p a c e f o r t h e v i s i o n t h a t came toward you l i k e t h e headlights ( a r t l e s s , informal) o f a pick-up t r u c k t h a n k s g i v i n g 1990 (Debbie 4 J. C i n t h e back s e a t t o g e t h e r 10 y e a r s , j u s t married

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The Sick S o c i e t y

t o o l a t e , p e r h a p s you saw t h e boundary y ~ u ' dc r o s s e d i n a v a g r a n t moment, a l l c o l o u r flowing backward t o white t o p a r a l y s i s w h i l e behind you , t h a t o t h e r s t r a n g e r occasion unfolded i t s n o i s e , i t s b r i l l i a n t h i t s c h red streamers

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C h a r l e s Taylor i s an i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y respected teacher of p o l i t i c a l science a t McGill U n i v e r s i t y i n Montreal. His CBC Massey L e c t u r e s ( 1 9 9 1 ) o n o u r s i c k s o c i e t y were p u b l i s h e d a s a book c a l l e d "The Mala i s e of Modernity", T h i s book was n e v e r t a l k e d about i n t h e mass media a s f a r a s I know.

Taylor i s a p p a l l e d a t what he s e e s happening t o us. He n o t i c e s t h a t o u r authent i c , c a r i n g , human e x i s t e n c e i s warped int o an e g o t i s t i c a l , consumer i n d i v i d u a l i s m T h i s consumer i n d i v i d u a l i s m r e f e r s a l l of l i f e t o t h e market. There i s a commodity f o r e v e r y problem.

T a y l o r o b s e r v e s t h a t o u r compassionate u n d e r s t a n d i n g of o u r d w e l l i n g t o g e t h e r i s being d e s t r o y e d by t e c h n o l o g i c a l , bureauc r a t i c decision-making t h a t does n o t cons i d e r t h e moral r e s p o n s i b i l i t y we have f o r each o t h e r . C o r p o r a t e economics with i t s emphasis on mathematical i n c a n t a t i o n s i s a good example o f t h i s s i c k n e s s .

T a y l o r i s a l s o concerned about o u r l o s s of f a i t h i n p o l i t i c s a s t h e a r t of govern i n g o u r s e l v e s i n community. I n s t e a d of common a c t i o n t h a t e x p r e s s e s s o l i d a r i t y , we have consumer i n d i v i d u a l i s m t h a t expr e s s e s i t s e l f i n a m u l t i t u d e o f small purchasing a c t s .

T a y l o r warns u s t h a t when we skek o u r narrow s e l f - i n t e r e s t i n o mI o s i t i o n t o t h e needs o f o t h e r human b e i n g s i n s o c i e t y , 4 i n o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e needs of t h e e a r t h , we f a l l i n t o t r i v i a l i t y . A u t h e n t i c l i f e demands moral r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , o r t o expr e s s t h a t thought i n a Native American way, a person could s a y ' ' A l l my r e l a t i o n s " In h i s d i s c u s s i o n o f a u t h e n t i c i t y , Tayl o r l a y s t h e foundation f o r an e t h i c of c a r i n g t h a t he hopes w i l l g i v e d i r e c t i o n t o t h e technological, bureaucratic decision-making p r o c e s s he c a l l s i n s t r u m e n t a l reason. This i n s t r u m e n t a l reason i g n o r e s I

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---"Well,

this isn't very promising."

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moral r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , and c a u s e s u n i v e r s -

w i l l guide u s o u t of p o l i t i c a l d e s p a i r . He d e s c r i b e s s o c i a l f r a g-m e n t a t i o n i n terms o f an a t o m i s t i c s o c i e t y o f c i t i z e n s i n c r e a s i n g 1y i n c a p a b l e of forming common, democratic purpose. Although he s e e s t h i s powerlessness a s a g r e a t danger t o democr a c y , he i s n o t despondent, and b e l i e v e s t h a t concerns about t h e f a t e o f t h e earth, and t h e s u r v i v a l of democracy i t s e l f , a r e i s s i ~ e st h a t can h e l p u s b u i l d a common purpose.

By SANDY CAMERON

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So I c a n ' t f i n d a job. I spend l o t s of time looking b u t e v e r y time I a p p l y f o r a have a p p l i e d f o r i t a s w e l l . I even went back t o school t o f i n i s h g r a d e twelve, & a f t e r I graduated I s t i l l c o u l d n ' t g e t o n e .

Being t u r n e d down makes me f e e l d e p r e s s ed 6 angry. "What's t h e m a t t e r w i t h me?"

I a s k . Then I n o t i c e t h a t l o t s o f o t h e r p e o p l e c a n ' t f i n d j o b s e i t h e r . There a r e hundreds & thousands o f u s . That makes me t h i n k t h a t I'm a s k i n g t h e wrong q u e s t i o n .

I should be a s k i n g , "What's wrong w i t h o u r c o u n t r y because it c a n ' t produce j o b s a t d e c e n t pay f o r a l l t h e c i t i z e n s who want t o work?"

Being unemployed, I'm a l s o p o o r , & t h a t makes me f e e l depressed 6 angry. I t seems t h a t a l l I t h i n k about i s where t h e n e x t d o l l a r i s coming from.

"What's t h e m a t t e r with me?" I a s k . Then I n o t i c e t h a t l o t s of o t h e r people a r e poor a l s o . There a r e hundreds & thousands o f u s . That makes me t h i n k t h a t Fm a s k i n g t h e wrong q u e s t i o n . I s h o u l d be a s k i n g , "What1 s wrong w i t h o u r c o u n t r y because s o many o f i t s c i t i z e n s a r e poor?If I dropped o u t of school a f t e r g r a d e t e n because school made me f e e l d e p r e s s e d and angry. "What's t h e m a t t e r with me?" I a s k Then I n o t i c e d t h a t l o t s of o t h e r p e o p l e dropped o u t o f school a l s o . There were hundreds & thousands of u s . That made me t h i n k t h a t I was a s k i n g t h e wrong q u e s t i o n . I should have asked, "What's wrong with school bedause s o many p e o p l e d r o p o u t b e f o r e t h e end o f t h e i r high s c h o o l education?"

My new q u e s t i o n s l i n k m e t o o t h e r p e o p l e .

They t u r n an i n d i v i d u a l problem i n t o a community problem. Nowb i n s t e a d o f blaming m y s e l f , I can work with o t h e r s t o change t h i n g s . I ' v e been a l o n e s o long t h a t worki n g w i t h o t h e r people is h a r d t o do, b u t i t ' s b e t t e r t h a n s o l i t a r y confinement.

By J O H N N Y IIERON

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One d a y l a s t f a l l , t h e J e r s e y c a l f was born. ~ 1 of 1 u s i n t h e barn witnessed w i t h awe ~t t h e new s p i r i t ; such d e l i c a t e form.

One o f N a t u r e ' s g r e a t m i r a c l e s we saw.

To d r i n k from a p a i l was t h e f i r s t t h i n g t a u g h t To t h e d a i n t y one, whom we named Maggie.

Her c o l o u ~fawn, p a i n t e d with a white s p o t ; Her neck s o g r a c e f u l , h e r l e g s s o gangly.

For t h e warmth o f h e r mother, s h e n u z z l e s Up c l o s e t o t h e comforting, sweet, s o f t f l a n k .

With e y e s o f a d e e r , and a moist muzzle That s n i f f e d a t t h e bucket from which s h e drank./' ~ u l l yc o n t e n t e d , s h e l a y i n h e r s t a l l .

There was goad Karma surrounding u s a l l .

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Raising Adults

The h i g h e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s a hard p l a n e t o keep i n when people p u l l you down t o t h e p h y s i c a l l e v e l o f s e d u c t i o n . The sedCeeds C-184, Horse Lake S i t e u c t i o n h a s a f f e c t e d o u r c h i l d r e n . They, t h e R.R.#l, Lone Butte, B , C a d u l t s , t h i n k o f t h e i r own s e x u a l i t y & exVOK 1x0 pose themselves. I c a l l i t dogging.

The m e n t a l l y w e l l - b u i l t p e o p l e a r e hard t o f i n d . People a r e busy e x e r c i s i n g t h e i r b o d i e s & t h e y do n o t b u i l d t h e i r minds.

The medication I am on has p u t a h o l e i n my head t h a t o t h e r people can g e t i n t o .

They know my t h o u g h t s & can s t e e r me. E i t h e r t h a t o r I have a machine i n my head II t h a t t r a n s m i t s my t h o u g h t s . I rieed time t o Inside t h e City myself t o t r y t o b u i l d myself a g a i n , by o n l y connecting w i t h t h e good.

I n s i d e t h e d i r t y c i t y a i r , sounds comWhile I have been s h u t away i n Riverview i l e d t o g e t h e r meshing a l l around, and t h e s o c i e t y h a s been t o o f r e e , l e t t i n g e v i l l o o k s o f w i l t e d p e o p l e , d r a i n e d by d i s e a s overpower good. S o c i a l d r u g s have given ed waves o f e l e c t r i c a l f o r c e s , them down t h e underworld power. S a t a n i c i n f l u e n c e i s t o t h e ground. S i m i l a r t r a c e s a r e on t h e f a c e s o f t h e b o l d b u s i n e s s men, p r u d e n t l y shown by t h e d e s t r u c t i o n i n movies and TV shows. People t r y t o make you a f r a i d s o walking t h e i r s t r e e t s w i t h b r i e f c a s e and t h e y can c o n t r o l you. You become t o o a f s u i t . Together a s t h e y may seem, c r e e p i n g r a i d t o speak t o defend y o u r s e l f . Then c o l d s h i v e r s , under t h e i r s h e e t s , w h i l e t h e y r u l e you. t h e y s l e e p , p l a g u e them w i t h d e s i r e s t o I have energy t o buck them o f f & overd i s c o v e r who t h e y r e a l l y a r e . And with power them. My s o u r c e i s s p i r i t u a l i t y . l o n e l y housewives l a y i n g down by t h e man Living i n a s o c i e t y t h a t has become det h e y d o n ' t r e a l l y know, w i t h t h e i r l o n e l y g r e s s e d 6 p r i m i t i v e is d i f f i c u l t . I p l a n house wive eyes, wide open. Praying f o r t h e d a y t o come where some day t h e y ' l l be, t o r & u i l d myself by g e t t i n g more educaone. And some husband dreams, deep i n s i d e I t i o n & l e a r n i n g how t o cope with t h e physt h e f o r g o t t e n n i g h t , f a r from h i s daydream i c a l p l a n e .

B e t t y Jacquelinei~Robentson schemes of a p l a c e s o f n e e E f u l l o f p e a c e .

While t h e c i t y sounds s h u t down f o r t h e n i g h t . Except f o r t h e f r i g h t e n e d s i r e n i n t h e d i s t a n c e & f o r t h e howling t r a i n s , screaming on t h e c o o l e r c l e a n e r c i t y winds o f consumers demand.

David King

4

CREATION SPIKll UALITY

lo

SEPTEMBER/OCTObER

1992

behave as spectatox-s to a sport. 111 Jaul, Fi~rone, it would rc-jnjecl a huge dose of this has bccorric the prevailliig ddytrarnic in powcr i11tu tl~etnttldnational rorpor~tions North Amcrica. It is as if responsibility lies arid into corruption. If the h t h Sum~njlas a ~ R Ifor ~ S concept md & reality were aflowcd to <litquisolely in lhi. h i d 6 of S ) O I ~ ~ Cand, some, Uie church. Who says we need tu wait c.tlyt Uic p u w m of opp~zssionwould remain for the politicians before we change' Tl\c utttoucl~dand unquestiuncd. ' R e silence adjustment begirts with us, nu rnsttcr w l ~ o and collusion of thc measrlj i s the greatest initiates the precise moment of clmge. "army." This willhguess to drift back gcnlly Cd)vemrnetils l o d ~ ywe owned by n~nlti. into failure a i d passivity of mind as much as national wrporations, some by corruption action cannot bc nliowetl t~ be. (both overt and c o ~ e r t )Though . it was to The reawn Lfrnt ~ O ~ ~ l i bisi ~sul lpowcrful the adramge of the p1u1i.l m d the people 1s thls. Virtuatiy every institutiun which we that rntljor cllsnges be set into action at the encounter teaches us to give away Out' power: h r t h Smmit, the opposite was !rue for the Ruth our power and our responsibii!~.X1c multinational corporations. Ex&oitative church, the schools, our elders, t!~e govern. power wants to rnsinLail;'ris power. And men& are all given power by us lo acl for us, when it is B~re.atcned,it will re-exert itself. to be responsible for our drtclsions, our wellAs at) exmplc, the t1.S.'~ choice not to sign being, our behavior. We atlow othcrs l u the hiodjvemity treaty was in no way out of enforce us. We are cnHuded i r r h believing consideration fur tlhc plet~ct.I[ was an act of that we cannot think nnd act fot-ou!selvcs, greed primwily to protect the American that o!hc.r$ of "wisdon~"and at~lhurilyartd indusoy of biutechnolugy. seniority do it better. Mairy people do not T h e mass media, loo, arc controlled by even question this. multi-natiorlal corporations whose interest is One thing that the Earth Surrunlt made 16 have Ihc &th Slimlit perceived by the blatantly .dear Is that "authority" rarely am public a5 s resounding failure. Ninety-nine in our b t interests (or ui Iht:tnsl htetestr percent of the media's attention was on the of &c. planet. Fhrth, our hiwpa~ablefriend). "officid" conferenc,e of the Heads of State, a if the au&horitics wcrc ,yer~uinelyconcer-ned confrrt'nce txclusive 111 Its par'ticlpatlon and about such thcy would unyuastioning~yand ftiviialion. Amongst. those not invited were without liesltation be entering iuto selfthe Indigenous peoples. ar1a1)ds and arnendmcnl. 7"lic. ~ 1 1 t his and 'I%? rr~air~-line tiieilia iailed to expose to always has been that audiori~is a aatt.uctcrrr the onlooking world the rren~enduus1)rc.s- cuns~rrtutcrlto ~~iaiiltait) j;cwel- taken from ence of non-governmental power. Ovcr some to feed R few. The Earth has bwir 30,IK)Opeople fi-om around the ~ 8 t h - dcluded. ered aal the Global Forum, the Earth Farlia.

I ant t.oncerr\ed that lnany people may met& atid other non-governme~talforums to continue the work at the grassroors icvc.1. laliurc. Ii this happ '1% i s whew Ihe char;@ ti happening. Ihe Earth are number media did not cover it. poorer, I h c Earth At thc Global Porura 1 expel-ienct-d 90 fcw w110 niisu6e w n y or'ganimtions and individuals, itom ~ l l for all else will di over 1he world, working ~ctivelyto change Iiour mti thlls uiorld flourisk $toe dc not b f m k pcrc.sptions and behaviors. To have bwn In open to trw r~pnsjbility?To bclieve thsl a community of SU,000 people who a r e is well in the hands of authurily is the g m t aware, open, and active, was a miracle. 11 is a est delusion and collusion of all time. Thr platielary hc;?~nhrob. power is williin us, it always is and always M~roughthe process of rllese pas! feu' has been. All else are lies. $# weeks 1 have becornc aware of collusion. I f the gcricnl public worldwide see9 the Ewth Sumn~itas a failure, many will give up and sity. feel disernpuwrred. Tllis would be the greatIt is easy to hy Ute blame outside of us, est ~ ~ s s ~ I trxgedy.

Ac flit:rr is darigcr and disempowerrnenl in seeing the Earih Strmmit, heid HI June in Rip de Janttiro, as a iailurc.

T h e ideal i~nrnediatc.ou~tcorneof the Earlh Summit would have been for world leaders to haw experienced proiour!d personal awakenings which would hsve led to afircttncnt and ut~dcrstatldingall sound and, for tlic pc-oplc of die world likewise to have cxfterier~cedprofound pelsnnal awa-enrsses of our own roles and I-esponsibilities in the undeniable, presyr.( xorltf crises. This r~liracle did no1 happen. Ifowi.ver, it is my opin. ion that it is better that treaties/agrecwere not signed for ments/con~mitmt.,n~s "show" by govertmetlts who have no intern tiort trf tinswering responsibly to them. In fact, Ule process of bringing people together for discussion may have been the ultitnate success in ibell for various rcasons.

Firstly, the Earth Summit was the fitinf titn.4 suer that 180 Heads of State complete with negotiators had cotnt together to become aware of and to understand each other's perspective-s in what are being recognized as intcrhoitndary crises affecting all of 11s (not only people, hut Lhr planet arid all that sustains if). It is not possible for R corn. ing together of this magnitude, with the cstrrmes and diversities presoril, not to effect change. It nus[ be kept in miid that the Ear& Summit was not an event: it is a process. Dwp changes hepin t~nnotic.edarid takc titnc.

Secondly, rmking the assurnyliorl h t the goal of the Earth Sumtnit was tor' all rialforls Lo Agree on, ideally, all (or any) issues whicl~have beer, addressed as ttceding international attctriti~riis assuming t!lat agreement is the way. 'i'fiere are some nations wtiich ctnbrace the $ision of a mon+ cutlure. 'Phrrc arc others for which t h e issue will always br. respect and acknowl. cdgemcnL of their clivcrsity and autonon\y.

Recognition and acknowledpment of iticiividual r.i%Xea allow for gwmr it'rtitnecg,peace, and Irust. I a l l this p r o u s houndaties, It's. the way the univcrse breathes. And so it) the case of son>?treaties not being sigr1c.d it1 thc treaty -mkis~gp r ~ c t s sthe , iri19sMe victory may well be the "sbrnbling blockn of divcr-

An example of how complex NAFTA is: .

S e e i f you c a n f i g u r e o u t what t h i s means : " A r t i c l e 1206 : ~ e s e r v ai to n s . A r t i c l e s 1202, 1203 a n d 1205 do n o t a p p l y t o . . ( c ) a n amendment t o a n y non conforming measure r e f e r r e d t o i n subparagraph (a) t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e amendment d o e s n o t dec r e a s e t h e conformity of t h e

.

,

l y b e f o r e t h e amendment, w i t h A r t i c l e s 1 2 0 1 , 1203 a n d 1205."

Hundreds of pages of t h i s k i n d o f l a n g u a g e i n t h e NAFTA are reshaping our future.

(The following a r t i c l e s on t h e North Ameri c a n Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) appear i n Action Lipe, p u b l i s h e d by E . L . P . ) NAFTA i s a massive document, about 3 i n h i g h when p r i n t e d on b o t h s i d e s . Some of t h e Annexes ( e x t r a P a r t s of t h e trade t h a t a r e n ' t w r i t t e n y e t ) s t i l l a r e n ' t included. I t t s v e r y complex. Even if You can g e t a copy, which i s d i f f i c u l t , you then have t o u n d e r s t a n d it. One s e c t i o n can ref e r t o a n o t h e r s e c t i o n which can r e f e r tQ a n o t h e r 6 s o on. S p e c i a l i s t t r a d e lawyers could have g r e a t d e b a t e s i n t e r p r e t i n g d i f f e r e n t c l a u s e s . Do you know w h a t ' s i n t h e NAFTA? Does t h e p r o v i n c i a l g o v ' t ? teac h e r s o r people i n v a r i o u s i n d u s t r i e s Qr c i t y governments? How many people have even seen it, l e t a l o n e u n d e r s t a n d w h t it m a n s ?

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The garment F, t e x t i l e i n d u s t r y i n Canada i s t h e l a r g e s t employer o f women. S i n c e f r e e t r a d e with t h e US 10% o f garment indu s t r y j o b s have a l r e a d y been l o s t . Canada mostly produces mostly high q u a l i t y garme n t s made o u t o f f a b r i c t h a t ' s imported from Europe..mostly wool.

Canada produces a l o t of men's wool s u i t s t h a t a r e s e n t t o t h e US- These t a k e up 6% o f t h e US marketinmen'swool s u i t s .

NAFTA would allow a c e r t a i n amount o f wool garments t o go t o t h e US without bei n g taxed. T h i s amount is c a l l e d t h e tari f f f r e e quota. Men's wool s u i t s would be p a r t of t h e wool quota. So f a r s o good.

But NAFTA changes t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f a wool garment. Before NAFTA a wool garment had t o have 50% o r more wool. A f t e r NAFTA a wool garment has t o have o n l y 36% w o o l i f i t t s woven 6 23% i f i t ' s k n i t t e d . (Did you know t h a t NAFTA changes t h e d e f i n i t i o n of wool? Do you t h i n k i t m a t t e r s ? ) Reduci n g t h e wool c o n t e n t i n a Mwoolwgarment means t h a t t h e wool quota f o r s u i t s h a s t o b e shared with o t h e r garments t h a t have l e s s wool c o n t e n t . As a r e s u l t , more Canad i a n wool s u i t s t h a t a r e s e n t t o t h e US w i l l have a t a x p ~ i tnn them. 'I'llcv'll h e

more expensive & won't s e l l a s w e l l . The Canadian wool s u i t i n d u s t r y w i l l be i n t r o u b l e , More workers, e s p e c i a l l y women, w i l l g e t l a i d o f f . Other workers, e s p e c i a l l y women, w i l l be f o r c e d i n t o r e a l l y poor working c o n d i t i o n s , o r home work where t h e y have no b e n e f i t s , no v a c a t i o n no unions & no way of a c t u a l l y measuring t h e i r h o u r l y pay, which w i l l be low.

Who would have imagined t h a t NAFTAwoul i n c r e a s e poverty i n Canada by changing t l d e f i n i t i o n .of wool?

(Thanks t o Leah Vosko, a graduate studeni a t Simon F r a s e r U n i v e r s i t y , & Lynne Haze. t o n , a Vancouver c l o t h i n g d e s i g n e r , f o r t h e i r hard work digging out t h e above i n formation & s h a r i n g i t with u s . )

Who should decide what our teachers should h o w ?

Did you know t h a t NAFTA, supposedly a f r e e t r a d e d e a l , covers education?

A r t i c l e 1201 o f NAPTA a p p l i e s t o "profThese include essional service providers t e a c h e r s , d o c t o r s , a r c h i t e c t s & o t h b r s , The BC Teachers1 F e d e r a t i o n t h i n k s i t ' s import a n t t h a t people i n BC have a s a y about t e a c h e r s t a n d a r d s i n BC. Right now t h e s e s t a n d a r d s a r e s e t by t h e BC College o f Teachers. People i n Arkansas o r Baja C a l i f o r n i a might have d i f f e r e n t i d e a s about t e a c h e r s t a n d a r d s than people i n BC. That i s f i n e . We a11 have d i f f e r e n t c u l t u r e s .

But A r t i c l e 1210 of t h e NAFTA s a y s t h a t conduct & e h t i c s , p r o f e s s i o n a l development & t h e scope & p r a c t i c e of p r o f e s s i o n a l s e r v i c e p r o v i d e r s should be made t h e same i n Canada, t h e US & Mexico. S h o u l d n ' t we have more c o n t r o l o v e r what we want o u r t e a c h e r s t o know Ewhat s t a n d a r d s we want?

."

So what do ratchets have to do with free trade and NAFTA? A r a t c h e t i s a t o o l . I t has a s e t of t e e t h on t h e edge of a b a r o r wheel. When t h e t e e t h h i t t h e b a r , motion can happen i n one d i r e c t i o n o n l y .

In NAFTA s o c i a l s e r v i c e s a r e commodities

n o t n e c e s s i t i e s . NAFTA r u l e s w i l l h e l p t h e corporations t h a t provide these services f o r p r o f i t , n o t t h e people who need them.

NAFTA w i l l have a r a t c h e t e f f e c t on s o c i a l ', s e r v i c e s . They w i l l be a b l e t o go i n one d i r e c t i o n only, t h a t of g e t t i n g worse.

T h i s i s how it works. NAFTA a p p l i e s t o t r a d e i n s e r v i c e s l i k e h e a l t h , education, c h i l d c a r e & s o c i a l s e r v i c e s . A r t i c l e 1203 s a y s t h a t each c o u n t r y has t o t r e a t t r a n s n a t i o n a l c o r p o r a t i o n s from t h e USorMexico t h e same o r b e t t e r t h a n l o c a l s e r v i c e providers. A r t i c l e 1201 says t h a t c o u n t r i e s E p r o v i n c e s can provide law enforcement, i n come s e c u r i t y , s o c i a l s e c u r i t y , p u b l i c education, public t r a i n i n g , health G childc a r e according t o t h e r u l e s o f t h e c h a p t e r .

I n t h e r e s t o f t h e c h a p t e r , A r t i c l e 1205 says t h a t t h e transnational t h a t providesaliservice doesn't even have t o open an o f f i c e i n o u r country. That means it won1t have t o h i r e any l o c a l people o r buy any l o c a l p r o d u c t s . A r t i c l e 1206 s a y s t h a t provinces can l i s t s e r v i c e s t h a t t h e y want zxcluded from t h e s e o t h e r a r t i c l e s . But they have t o be l i s t e d w i t h i n two y e a r s & the f e d e r a l g o v l t has t o a g r e e t o exclude them. I t ' s n o t hard t o imagine an NDP govt l i s t i n g some s o c i a l s e r v i c e s t h a t it wants to p r e s e r v e from t h e t r a n s n a t i o n a l s & t h e r o r i e s saying "no way.'!

A f t e r a s e r v i c e t h a t d o e s n ' t comply with JAFTA i s ended, it c a n ' t b e s t a r t e d up ag% i n i f i t reduces t h e r i g h t s of t r a n s n a t i o n a l ~ .For example i f t h e T o r i e s a r e a l l ,wed t o u s e B i l l C-69 t o end u n i v e r s a l meI i c a r e , NAFTA w i l l make it d i f f i c u l t f o r a iew g o v l t t o s t a r t up medicare a g a i n be: a w e It would v i o l a t e t h e s o - c a l l e d r i g h t )f t r a n s n a t i o n a l i n s u r a n c e companies. What bout t h e r i g h t s o f s i c k people?

A r t i c l e 1207 s a y s t h a t t h e r e w i l l be on:oing n e g o t i a t i o n s t o remove r e s t r i c t i o n s :o s e r v i c e providing t r a n s n a t i o n a l s , The 3C Teachers' Federation s a y s t h a t t h i s r e riew & ene ego ti at ion o f s e r v i c e s means :hat o u r "cherished Canadian ways o f providing s e r v i c e s w i l l have t o b e harmonized )ut o f existence."

In o t h e r words, every way you look a t JAFTA 4 s e r v i c e s , t h e s e r v i c e s t h a t we f o r our h e a l t h , education & communit i e s , can o n l y g o i n o n e d i r e c t i o n : worse.

I i

I

National treatment. I t ' s not e x a c t l y a phrase t h a t sends f e a r i n t o , t h e h e a r t s & minds of Canadi,ans. But it should.

National treatment is a.phrase t h a t appe a r s again & again throughout t h e f r e e trade d e a l with t h e US & t h e NAFTA.Nationa1 treatment means t h a t each of t h e 3 countries i n t h e t r a d e d e a l have t o t r e a t t r a n s n a t i o n a l corporations from t h e o t h e r two c o u n t r i e s t h e same d r b e t t e r than t h e y t r e a t l o c a l corporations. To say it anothe r way, Canada c a n ' t make laws o r subsidi e s t h a t help out a l o c a l company more than t h e y would t o h e l p out a t r a n s n a t i o n a l based i n Mexico o r t h e US. This i s an i n c r e d i b l e new r i g h t f o r TNS1s. I t ' s a r i g h t t h a t makes ilt hard f o r u s t o u s e our e l e c t e d governments t o design economies t h a t meet our needs. I t is l o c a l companies t h a t c r e a t e t h e most jobs, buy t h e most l o c a l products 4 a r e p a r t of t h e community.

How can we ensure t h a t they continue i f it i s i l l e g a l t o h e l p them i n any way t h a t t r a n s n a t i o n a l s a r e n ' t helped?

Besides, a r e t r a n s n a t i o n a l s r e a l l y t h e group i n our s o c i e t y t h a t most needs new r i g h t s ? What pbout gays & l e s b i a n s , poor people, t h e unemployed, v i s i b l e m i n o r i t i e s & women? They need new r i g h t s a l o t more than t r a n s n a t i o n a l corporations.

The r i g h t o f n a t i o n a l treatment a p p l i e s t o t r a d e i n . goods, t r a d e i n s e r v i c e s , i n vestment, energy, e t c . I t a l s o a p p l i e s t o laws & s u b s i d i e s from provinces & s t a t e s .

And it even a p p l i e s t o l o c a l gov't u n l e s s t h e d e a l s t a t e s otherwise.

Transnationals a l s o g e t another so-called ' r i g h t 1 i n t h e NAFTA. I t i s t h e r i g h t of "national establishment." This means t h a t t r a n s n a t i o n a l companies from Mexico & t h e US can do business i n Canada without havi?g t o open an o f f i c e here o r even h i r e one person. This w i l l c o s t Canadians l o t s of jobs i n d a t a pxocessing, .fox example.

US corporations w i l l be a b l e t o c o n t r a c t t o do d a t a processing f o r banks, f o r example, without even being i n Canada.

A r t i c l e 1102 says t h a t n a t i o n a l t r e a t -

owned by non c i t i z e n s 6 it would be i l l e g a l , according t o NAFTA, f o r t h e p r o v i n c i a l g o v l t t o pass any laws l i m i t i n g t h e soc a l l e d "rights" of any US o r Mexican inv e s t o r s i n BC. But shouldn't our c i t i z e n s have a r i g h t t o decide whether o r not t o r e g u l a t e land ownership? Why should multi n a t i o n a l i n v e s t o r s have more r i g h t s than c i t i z e n s of BC when it comes t o investment i n our own province?

National treatment a l s o applies* t o energy. This means t h a t i f our gov't gives a subsidy o r a t a x write-off t o a Canadian o i l company, it a l s o has t o give one t o Exxon o r She11.

National treatment is t h e phrase t h a t g i v e s r i g h t s t o t r a n s n a t i o n a l corporations & t a k e s them away from our e l e a t e d govts.

Already i n our world we a r e seeing an inc r e d i b l e amount of corporate cdncentration General Motors i s 113 t h e s i z e of Canada, l a r g e r than BC. Toyota i s l a r g e r than New Zealand, Greece & Portugal. The United Nations says t h a t of t h e 100 l a r g e s t economies i n t h e world, 47 of them a r e corpora t i o n s . The t r a d e d e a l s give enormous power t o t h e s e corporate g i a n t s t h a t have no a c c o u n t a b i l i t y except t o t h e i r owners. I f t r a d e d e a l s give corporations more & more power & i f corporations a r e g e t t i n g bigger & bigger, i t ' s not t o o f a r fetched t o s e e t h a t we w i l l soon be l i v i n g i n a world r u l e d by unaccountable g i a n t corporations.

Fighting back a g a i n s t NAFTA Here a r e some of t h e t h i n g s you can do t o help f i g h t a g a i n s t NAFTA: 1. Read a s much a s you can about NAFTA and d i s c u s s it with your f r i e n d s .

2. Organise a meeting i n your community about NAFTA. Call 879-1209 f o r info.

3. Educate your p o r v i n c i a l p o l i t i c i a n s on NAFTA 6 urge them t o p a s s laws t h a t d i r e c t l y challenge NAFTA: laws t o p r o h i b i t water exports, laws t h a t . s a y crown corpora t i o n s can be o p e ~ a t e dt o conserve e n e ~ g y o r c r e a t e jobs.

4. Get involved i n your l o c a l Action Canada Network.

ACRE FOR CARNEGIE

From small acorns, l a f g e oaks grow.

This i s happening with o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h Carnegie ComnlOnity Centre. When you took o u t a s u s t a i n i n g membership i n Ceeds we were indeed pleased. (Such a mombemhip amounts t o a $500 loan & we pay it back with $100 worth o f produce f o r 5 y e a r s .

To d a t e we have 25 s u s t a i n i n g members.)

When shipping our veggies t o Carnegie we always wish we could do more. We s t a r t e d t h i n k i n g of t h e i d e a of supplying t h e Carnegie k i t c h e n with a year-round supply of p o t a t o e s . We began looking i n t o it E found t h a t it was i n t h e neinhbourhood o f 3000 l b / y r . We can do it! weYd l i k e t o s e t an a c r e of land a s i d e f o r a p o t a t o a patch f o r Carnegie. We'd l i k e t o p l a n t Cariboo p o t a t o e s i n t h e p a t c h .

We r e a l i z e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i s a h u r d l e w e ' l l have t o overcome. However we're a h e l l of a l o t c l o s e r than Mexico.

We would be prepared, through drawings & w r i t i n g s , t o keep you informed every month of t h e p r o g r e s s of t h e p o t a t o crop the potato t r a i l

m

...

...

BETTY' PLACE Last s p r i n g we signed an 8-year l e a s e w i t h B e t t y Johnson f o r a 160-acre h e r i t age farm c o n s i s t i n g of 40 a c r e s of hay l a n d , a good l o g house & barn E s e v e r a l o l d e r o u t b u i l d i n g s . We have 1/2 m i l e of w a t e r f r o n t with a year-round c r e e k s i t u a t e d on t h e e a s t end of Horse Lake i n c l o s e proximity t o our two o t h e r farms on t h e l a k e . I t ' s h e r e , o v e r t h e next 8 y r s . we p l a n t o b u i l d a model, organic, commun a l farm, an example f o r t h e whole country, u s i n g horse power & g e n e r a t i n g o u r own e l e c t r i c i t y .

I t ' s a l s o h e r e t h a t we'z-e going t o p l a n t t h e a c r e of p o t a t o e s f o r Carnegie, P r o j e c t s a t t h e Betty Place i n c l u d e b u j l 3ing a bunkhouse, p i g barn ,!f chickenhouse d i t h l o g s f r o v t h e p r o p e r t y , f e n c i n g and ork king with t h e d r a f t h o m e s .

We u r g e n t l y need h e l p on a l l our farms ?ow. We have accommodation E work f o x 12 people d i s t r i b u t e d throughout our farming qetwork. But we're not t h e o n l y ones t h e r e a r e o t h e r h i p p i e s i n t h e h i l l s who ~ e e dpeople a s w e l l , OUT p l a n i s t o e s t a , 7 l i s h Ceeds community farms throughout BC For more information you can c o n t a c t u s i n t h e Cariboo a t : ~ e e & C-184 Horse Lake S i t e RR # I , LONE BUTTE, BC, VOK 1x0 395-4225 In Vancouver, c a l l : 253-4718

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TIIE CARIB00 POTATO STORY In 1977 6 ' 7 8 , when we were l i v i n g on t h e Sugar Cane I n d i a n r e s e r v e , we used t o buy c u l l p o t a t o e s f o r o u r p i g s from t h e l a t e Tommy Windt up a t Alexandria.

Tom was a commercial p o t a t o grower,Then i n h i s 8 0 ' s 6 s t i l l managing t h e farm, he told us the story.

The c e r t i f i e d Cariboo p o t a t o was d e v e l oped on h i s farm i n c o - o p e r a t i o n with t h e g o v ' t e x p e r i m e n t a l farm i n P r i n c e George.

Tom was proud of t h e Cariboo p o t a t o . He used t o s e l l 6 d e l i v e r p o t a t o e s along t h e Cariboo Highway. 6 i n Quesnel, Then, bang, h e g o t a l e t t e r E ~ o mt h e M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u ~ ea d v i s i n g him t o s t o p growing t h e Cariboo p o t a t o , a s i t was now d e c e r t i f i e d ! No e x p l a n a t i o n a t all.

Tom wrote back t h i n k i n g t h e r e must be some m i s t a k e . I t was no m i s t a k e .

The r e a s o n t h e n given f o r d e c e r t i f i c a t i ion was because of t h e i r tendency t o c l i n g t o t h e v i n e . Too many p o t a t o e s were going o u t w i t h t h e v i n e s with t h e b i g h a r v e s t i n g machines. I n o t h e r words, a g r i - b i z couldn't handle t h e Cariboo p o t a t o . Another s t r o n g point i n i t s favour.

We wanted some of t h a t s e e d !

Tom d i d n o t have a Cariboo p o t a t o on t h e p l a c e . Me was a c e r t i f i e d seed p o t a t o g r o wer 6 was n o t allowed t o grow any p o t a t o e s on h i s land t h a t were n o t c e r t i f i e d .

However h e gave u s a l e a d . A b a c h e l o r by t h e name of John Ryser who l i v e d up ah Hixon Creek.waa theionlly p e r s o n he could t h i n k of who might s t i l l have some Cariboo s e e d . We wrote t o John 6 mailed i t l o Hixon Creek. We l e a r n e d l a t e r t h a t John n e v e r did receive it; n e i t h e r w a s i t returned.

I n t h e f a l l o f 1982 we wrote t o t h e Mini s t ~ yo f A g r i c u l t u r e a s k i n g f o n . i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e Cariboo. We l e a r n e d t h a t it is ille g a l t o grow t h e Cariboo. This a l s o whetted o u r i n t e r e s t .

Then, a s c a n d i d a t e s i n t h e P r o v i n c i a l e l e c t i o n i n ' 8 3 (6 Hixon being i n t h e Cariboo r i d i n g ) , we campaigned t h e r e . We asked i n t h e s t o r e f o r d i r e c t i o n s t o J o h n ' s .

The s t o r e owner informed u s t h a t John was known l o c a l l y a s t h e p o t a t o man. S e v e r a l m i l e s o f f t h e highway we met John Ryser on h i s farm by t h e F r a s e r R i v e r . I t was a n i c e v i s i t . The bad news was t h a t John, a c e c t i f i e d seed grower, 'had no Cariboo s e e d .

The good news was t h a t h e knew an o l d man up i n Vanderhoof who might have some.John s u g g e s t e d we l e a v e t h e s e a r c h w i t h him 6 herd s e e what he could do.

I n March of ' 84, John wrote t h a t he had 4 Cariboo s e e d p o t a t o e s f o r u s . Apparently a g o v ' t h o r t i c u l t u r i s t a t a meeting i n P r i n c e George had 7 Cariboo p o t a t o e s a s p a r t of a d i s p l a y . John managed t o o b t a i n 4 of them, That Spring of '84 we p l a n t e d t h e 4 p o t a t o e s whole, we d i d n ' t c u t them. We had an e x c e l l e n t y i e l d . We o n l y allowed o u r s e l v e s one f e e d ; t h e r e s t were kept f o r seed.

Now we grow a few t o n s a y e a r .

We look upon t h e Cariboo a s a p o l i t i c a l p o t a t o . The m u l t i n a t i o n a l s , with t h e coo p e r a t i o n o f t h e governments, a r e f a s t rnonopolising t h e seed i n d u s t r y .

From a l l of u s h e r e a t Ceeds.

Losing baby bonus is nojoke IIo\vever. now the luml) sum of

I

NE SATURDAY morning in September, I was listening to one of my favorite CRC radio comedy shows, Double Exposure. One of the characters said, 5 ' ~ y ebye baby bonus, where am :I going to get the money for a case of beer now?"

I felt insulted on behalf of my mother and all the other parents who have relied on the family allowance to .see them through a week when the food budget was tighl.

How and why docs money a h cated to children in a universal program somehow get reduced to money?

In January of 1993 the universal program of family allowance will no longer exist. I t will become Bill C-80,the Child Uenvfi t Bill.

The demise of Canada's first social program concerns me. It .signals the futher erosio~iof all :of our social programs.

"Taking from the rich-er and giving to the poor-er" always 'sounds great until it is examined.

In a federal NDP memorandum rlaled Sept. 23. 1992. sent to constituent omces to field questions from the public. it clearly slates: If you are receiving welfare, UIC,or are npt working. you will receive no more than you were entitled to under the old lxncfit system. '

I\\e refundable tax credit. nor-

mally paid in November. will be part of a monthly paymen\. For ' families who looked forward to this lump sum as a means to amord costlier needs such as beds, tables or couches, this monthly payment arrallgemenl is no hnnns.

Within this new bill i~ great dcnl is being made of the supplemrlnl available to the working I w r of up to a maxi~numof $500 a I ear targeting tile $10,000 to %20,UOO inconw group. But if you've been the working poor :md laid olT for a gear, you cannot access this money. Your income must be bilsed on a paying job. And, of course, the working poor ore being laid off in ,ever-increasing numbers.

-4 This year, they say, the cut-ofT income for the benefits is $67,000. But wi thout u~iversnl.ity, what will the cut-off irmme 'be next year - S0,000 or $37.000 or $25.000? ; Even if somc families tvi I see 'some immedialc benefits rnder the new Bill C-80, it is not reliable or ongoing income. 1 inow of man)' parents who reliel 011 the family allmance to elilentl a stretchtd food budget, or gave it 0s an allowat~ceto tlleir chi]ciren, or banked it for posl-sec. ~ n d a r ytuitiol~fws. 11 could be counted up011 and i t use w s usually very specific.

I

Having worked for a number of years with families who struggle from paycl~eclucto paycheque, trying lo maintain some dignity in this clrsig~~cr society, I am fed up with the attitude that they should have lo accou~~t for every penny they make arid become lhe victil~isol'a "knefil" that gives with one hand i n ~ l Lakes with the other.

With a federal govurrir~ic~it intent on butchering the social safety net, family allowanre is only one such casualty oS the Tory knife.

We need a f~deralgovernment that will create a fairer system or taxes lo maintain our universal programs. Corporations pay less than 12 per cent of the taxes in Canada We need a corporate and wealth tax to create more revenue for our progarns.

As more and more citizens lose their jobs. in every sector. and begin to walk the walk of the low~r-incomepopulation, maybe the flippant attitude that destruction of our universal programs is a laughing matter will change.

Maybe the tune will change .from Bye Bye Baby Bonus to Bye : Bye Tories. :. Tltercsa MacDotlald is a probafiott officer who works i w the Lurrw Afaidaird.

FALLEN PENNIES FROM HEAVEN December 16, 1992 was t h e f i r s t day o f snow i n New Westminster. I t was a l s o t h e f i r s t B.C. snowfall f o r my new neighbour from Montreal t o see!

We had p r e y i o u s l y planned t o do some good deeds f o r t h e community, even b e f o r e t h e snow a r r i v e d .

I had v a r i o u s items t o be donated t o r e c y c l i n g , such a s s e v e r a l bundles of newspapers, g l o s s y paper, a telephone book, an assortment of mixed paper (which c o n s i s t e d f l y e r s , envelopes 4 a d s ) , some f l a t t e n e d cardboard boxes which were f r e e from food p a r t i c l e s 4 a shopping bag f u l l of c l e a r g l a s s j a r s . The r e c y c l i n g depot a l s o acce p t s coloured b o t t l e s & j a r s .

I borrowed my d a u g h t e r ' s f o l d i n g c a r e &, of course, my neighbour brought h e r own.

T h i s woman c o l l e c t s rocks 6 s h e l l s f o r a hobby &, becahse s h e ' s going t o move soon, thought o f d i s p o s i n g of some of h e r "treasures" from h e r l a r g e c o l l e c t i o n where t h e y could b e seen & enjoyed by o t h e r s .

So with b r i m - f i l l e d c a r t s o f f we went t o d i s t r i b u t e our 81goodiesw.The f i r s t s t o p we made was i n Queen's Park.

M r f r i e n d i s a t e r r i f i c a r t i s t & found a choice s p o t t o a r r a n g e t h e s e " n a t u r a l b e a u t i e s f 1 . Some were placed on a g r a s s y k n o l l 4 some under an evergreen t r e e . The remaining rocks & s h e l l s were p a r t l y hidden under shrubs & l a c y f e r n s . I t looked l i k e a m i n i a t u r e e l f and F a i r y l a n d .

A s we continued on o u r s l u s h y snow walk, we saw a few small snowmen & two l a r g e r ones, which t o me were no b i g d e a l .

Eventually we l e f t t h e huge r e c y c l i n g y f l ~ dwith i t g ggny $$US E decided t o t g k e a s h o r t c u t thzough a f i e l d ; , w C ~2 0 t h e Royal Square.

Suddenly we n o t i c e d an e x c e p t i o n a l l y c u t e snowman! I wished I had taken my cam?e along hecause t h i s l l c u t i e l l had pennies f o r eyes, nose 4 mouth (4 b e l l y b u t t o n ! ) .

I ' v e had a p e t saying f o r a long time 6 t h a t i s , whbnevert,I f i n d pennies on a s t r e e t o r a sidewalk, I simply say, "Oh! ' mem oh! my, pennies from heaven!"

Well anyway, t o make a long s t o r y s h o r t , we d i d n ' t have t h e h e a r t t o d i s r o b e t h i s l i t t l e s m i l i n g snowman with such a face!

By YERNA JOHNSTON

'p r tThe budget t o be brought down by t h e j v i n c i a l NDP g o v ' t i s due i n March. m e n t h e socred d i s e a s e i n f e c t e d V i c t o r i a it d i d n ' t m a t t e r much what segment of t h e population was t a r g e t t e d a s long a s t h e buddies of t h e s o c r e d s were t a k e n c a r e oâ&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;&#x2122; They'd f r o z e n t h e minimum wage f o r 6 y r s , slammed l a b o u r with B i l l 1 9 & t e a c h e r s w i t h B i l l 20, t r i e d c u t t i n g w e l f a r e f o r s i n g l e p a r e n t s - t h i s was t o be an "ince n t i v e " t o t a k e any w o ~ ki n any c o n d i t i o n a t any wage - & o t h e r l i t t l e p e r k s , keepi n g p r o f i t s a s high a s p o s s i b l e .

Pam Fleming, on s t a f f a t End L e g i s l a t e d Poverty, got a c a l l from Alan Eastwood o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f Finance, asking t o meet with ELP. The M i n i s t e r o f Finance, Clark, had met with d e l e g a t i o n s from ~ e c f e r a t e d Anti-Poverty Groups, t h e BC C o a l i t i o n o f People with D i s a b i l i t i e s & ELP o v e r t h e l a s t year. Each had made s t r o n g appeals f o r reform t o t h e t a x system t o b e t t e r fund 4 expand s o c i a l programs. Eastwood was under i n s t r u c t i o n s t o meet a g a i n with such s e c t o r s .

On Monday, Feb.8, Alan Eastwood, Paul Flannigan 6 Michael B u t l e r came t o ELP1s o f f i c e . Pam, Jean, A n t o i n e t t e S a l e h E P a u l Taylor had prepared a s much a s p o s s i b l e , not being q u i t e s u r e what t h e outcome o r e x p e c t a t i o n s would be.

We had t h r e e b a s i c a r e a s . . q u e s t i o n s t o begin: 1 . What i s t h e intended d i r e c t i o n o f t a x reform?

2. How does t h e NDP p l a n t o p i c k up t h e ' s l a c k ' a s t h e f e d s cop out on t r a n s f e r payments t h a t now fund s o c i a l programs?

3 . Clark mentioned looking a t a "gauranteed annual incomev; p l e a s e e x p l a i n .

Eastwood : "-no reform p l a n - movement t o i n c r e a s e t a x e s f o r wealthy & c o r p o r a t i o n s while n o t causing c a p i t a l strike or flight; - both p r o v i n c i a l & c o r p o r a t e t a x r a i s e d - c a p i t a l t a x r a i s e d , p l u s school, l i q u o r , e t c . t o spread i t .

'Every p o s s i b l e t a x a l l o c a t i o n i s examin?d & recommendat i o n s (pros/cons) a r e made" 3 u t l e r : - c u t s i n t r a n s f e r payments a r e causing a ~ s h o r t f a l l h f$1.6B a y e a r , which w i l l be $4.6B by 2000.

I

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not l e g a l l y binding (Supreme Court) ;

- keeping even by economizing, i n c r e a s -

. ,

ing taxes, n e g o t i a t i n g with f e d s t o t r a n s f e r tax-resources, c u t s i n "none s s e n t i a l service^^^ l i k e roads A guaranteed annual income s t a r t e d , a s a concept, back i n t h e '60's with a n t i poverty a c t i v i s t s . I t ' s s i n c e been t w i s t ed E corporate lobby groups a r e pushing f o r t h e i r version. ELP1s concerns a r e t h a t t h e NDP w i l l promote t h e Big Busine s s version, which Mulroney E t h e Tory's a r e pushing. The Fraser I n s t i t u t e , t h e Canadian Manufacturer's Association Gthe Business Council on National I s s u e s want: 1. To k e e ~t h e amount low 11/3 of poverty l i n e ) ,* lower t h a n c u r r e n t ' welfare; 2. To d e s t ~ o ys o c i a l programs so f a r k i l l i n g family allowance, c h i l d t a x c r e d i t , g u t t i n g U I , Medicare, education; 3. To keep wqges low with no t ~ c r e a s ei n f e d e r a l minimum wage ($4[hr) ; 4. To use GAI as a top-up f o r inadequate wages.

The people from t h e m i n i s t r y professed scant awareness but took our i n

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Paul began with what ELP wants: "Inheritance t a x - on wealth pas t h a t exceeds $1 m i l l i o n ; "Speculation t a x - on windfall p r o f i t s from ' f l i p p i n g t r e a l e s t a t e , e t c . ; *Wealth t a x - on mega-assets *High income surcharge l i k e 5 o t h e r provinces a l r e a d y have; "Increase corporation t a x by a t l e a s t 2% *Raising minimum wage t o $9.05/hr.

"Legislation d i r e c t l y opposed t o "free" trade restrictions.

George Lawson made a b r i e f statement on t h e r e g r e s s i v e n a t u r e of s a l e s t a x e s , ask-

ing t h a t such be eliminated. He l a t e r modi f i e d t h i s t o say t h a t anything under $500 should have no s a l e s t a x .

Antoinette gave a f i r s t - h a n d account of t h e r e a l i t i e s of l i v i n g on welfare with a family. Her anger & f r u s t r a t i o n were palpa b l e , a s she d e t a i l e d how s t e r e o t y p e s & t h e c r u e l t y of t h e economic system g r i n d s on people who have'no a l t e r n a t i v e t o welfare, Jean c a l l e d f o r an end t o income t a x f o r people whose income i s below t h e poverty l i n e . S a l e s t a x e s (PST G GST) a r e likewise r e g r e s s i v e , penalizing low income people & s h i f t i n g t h e burden of t a x e s from wealthy t o poor people. In asking f o r an end t o h e a l t h premiums f o r low-income people, i t was shown t h a t BC i s one of only two provi n c e s t o s,till have them.

We ended t h e meeting with r e q u e s t s f o r information, f u r t h e r meetings E updates on s p e c i f i c measures t o g e t t a x e s back on t h e wealthy & corporations - on t h o s e who a r e a b l e t o pay. ELP hopes t o meet with Clark again b e f o r e t h e budget i s t a b l e d i n Vic'co r i a . , W e g l l f i n d out then what impact our i n p u t has had.

By PAULR TAYLOR I

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'DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY

STD C l i n i c - Monday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , 9am - 5pm.

FREE MEDICAL CLINIC - Eton, Wed, F r i d a y : 5:30-7:30pm.

NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main; e v e r y d a y 9am - 5pm.

Needle Exchange Van - on t h e s t r e e t Mon-Sat e v e n i n g s .

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 .

Out-to-Lunch

Bunch m e e t s d a i l y

1992 DONATIONS: Cement Masons-$100 Keith C.-$20 Paula R.-$20 Nancy W.-$100 Colleen E.-$25 Luba P.-$10 S t u a r t M. - $ l o Robert - $ I 0 CEEDS -$SO Rotary Club of Chinatown -$767.15 Four s i s t e r s Co-op -$SO0 Joyce M. - $ l o DEW - $500 The Old S a i l o r -$40 Tom-$5 Legal S e r v i c e s -$950 PLUM -$800 E t i e n n e S. -$SO Hazel M. -$25 C e c i l e C.-$20 Forest Lawn -$25 B i l l T.-$20 Yvonne C.-$10 Roberts ALC -$30 Jean F.-$15 E r i c E.-$10 Smithers S.S. -$45 Ken-$5 FAWs -$55 Mary G . ~ $ 2 5 Wm.B.-$20 Joy T.$20 Anonymous -$18 George Y. -$20 John K.-$50 Pam F.-$20 The K e t t l e - $ I 6

?! 59 Powell,

10-2:.30.

A

@g&;@q uEl

NEWSLETTER

THE NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF VIE CARNECIE COWUNITY C E N ~ R EASSOCIATION. Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association.

The Downtown E a s t s i d e R e s i d e n t s ' Association can h e l p you with: any w e l f a r e problem information on l e g a l righits d i s p u t e s with l a n d l o r d s unsafe l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s income t a x UIC problems f i n d i n g housing opening a bank account Come i n t o the DEW o f f i c e a t 9 East Hastings S t o r phone u s a t 682-0931.

DERA's General Membership meeting i s on t h e l a s t F r i d a y ; .-. oE every month i n C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e , s t a r t i n g a t 10:30am.'

DEM. IIAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 19 YEARS

L O ~ Sof t i m e s when I was i n t h e c i t y I drank wine w i t h t h e winos 6 1 thought t h a t

Lots of t i m e s whea I was i n t h e c i t y I with t h e winos 6 thought t h a t Was t h e way of l i f e . I had s o much p r i d e I would n o t go a s k f o r h e l p . That was t h e beginning o f my alcoholism.

In Calgary 6 Edmonton, I s l e p t o u t s i d e i n bushes, on r i v e r banks, abandoned housd r o p - i n p l a c e s where winos s l e p t . m e n e v e r I a t e , I would go t o soup l i n e s & l i n e s , and I ' d bum money o r s t e a l f o r money t o h e l p my a l c o h o l 6 drug h a b i t .

T would s t e a l from c a r s , I ' d s t e a l from my f r i e n d s when t h e y were passed o u t . I ' d s t e a l L i s t e r i n e 6 shaving l o t i o n from drug s t o r e s , and I ' d s t e a l anything v a l u a b l e from s t o r e s t h a t I could s e l l . I was g e t t ing s o bad - i f my mom was a l i v e I ' d s e l l her.

I remember t h e f i r s t time I g o t caught f o r s t e a l i n g Lysol s p r a y , which we drank, and t h e judge gave me t h r e e months i n t h e c o r r e c t i o n a l c e n t r e 6 t h e n t h e y s e n t me t o a r e h a b c e n t r e f o r alcoholism.

I would u s e t h e rehab c e n t r e s f o r s h e l t e r 6 food. I ' v e been i n 16 r e h a b c e n t r e s a c r o s s Canada. I d i d n ' t want t o q u i t .

Alcohol 6 d r u g s were my b e s t f r i e n d s . I had p e r i o d s o f s o b r i e t y because I d i d n o t d r i n k e v e r y day. Then when I g o t i n t o t r o u b l e T was s o proud t o s e e my name i n t h e paper. My f o s t e r mom h a t e d me f o r t h a t b u t s h e loved me.

The worst t h i n g I d i d i n my l i f e was when I s t o l e $500 from my mom b u t I had a good time d r i n k i n g it. But I p a i d h e r back i n many, many ways. I loved h e r s o much.

I t d i d n ' t m a t t e r where I was i n Canada.. she s e n t me money t o come home. I d i d n o t know s h e loved me s o much - because I t o o k c a r e of h e r a t home by c l e a n i n g house, cooking meals, washing d i s h e s , f e e d i n g t h e animals and doing many o t h e r t h i n g s . When she d i e d t h a t was t h e s a d d e s t day i n my whole e n t i r e l i f e and I'm s t i l l g r i e v i n g f o r h e r and my dad. Love you,

irank wine

..,

T e r r y Flamond

Mayor Gordon Campbell m e t w i t h t h e E d i t o r i a l Board of t h e P r o v i n c e newspaper and t h e s t o r y appeared a t t h e end of Janu a r y . When asked about t h e woodward's b u i l d i n g , h i s r e s p o n s e p u l l e d away p a r t of t h e mask he wears when it comes t o " t h e people". T h i s l e t t e r responds : Editor: What d i d Mayor Campbell mean i n h i s d i s c u s s i o n when h e s a i d : "we're a l s o conc e r n e d about c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of non-market p r o j e c t s of o v e r 40 u n i t s , " w h i l e commenti n g on t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r redevelopment of t h e Woodward's b u i l d i n g .

Does h e t h i n k t h a t f o r t y u n i t s of s o c i a l h o u s i n g i s t h e lower t h r e s h o l d of dens i t y t h a t lower income p e r s o n s can t o l e r a t e b e f o r e some dangerous s o c i a l p a t h o l o gy o v e r t a k e s them? Does h e f e a r t h a t t h e i r proximity t o t h e business core w i l l d r i v e head o f f i c e s o u t of t h e c i t y ? O r i s i t a r h e t o r i c a l s t a t e m e n t b a s e d on some s h a l l o w economic l o g i c t h a t he employs t o keep t h e s i t e s a f e f o r h i s condo b u i l d i n g friends & supporters?

Mayor Campbell need o n l y l o o k around t h e r e s t of t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e t o f i n d examples of non-market housing t h a t p r o v i d e s a f e , s e c u r e s h e l t e r f o r formerly h o t e l bound Vancouverites. A t t h e Four S i s t e r s Housing Co-operative, we r e a c h alfnost 4 t i m e s t h e Mayor's recommended c e i l i n g of 40 u n i t s f o r non-market h o u s i n g . Yet somehow t h e r e s i d e n t s manage t o l i v e i n a des i r a b l e s e t t i n g w i t h o u t any v i s i b l e s i d e e f f e c t s r e s u l t i n g from o u r 153 u n i t s of non-market housing.

The Mayor s h o u l d e x p l a i n e x a c t l y what he meant i n h i s comments t o your e d i t o r i a l board. L e f t u n e x p l a i n e d , h i s comments r e p r e s e n t an i n s u l t t o a l l t h o s e who l i v e i n non-market housing.

MIKE OLD Corresponding S e c r e t a r y . f o r t h e Four S i s t e r s Board of D i r e c t o r s

DERA aims to switch roles under its new The biggest landlord in the downtown east side is going to find itself out on the street.

The Downtown Eastside Residents Association is returning to its roots as a noisy street-based community group after an intense round of building affordable housing, says the high-profile group's new chief organizer.

Former art historian Barbara Daniel replaces Jim Green, who resigned after a 12-year stint that saw D E U grow from a shoestring to a $3.5 annual million budget and $40 million worth of housing projects.

"Housing took up a lot of the

energy in the last few years and we're still going to continue with that, but now we've also got to take a more active, political role in the community, as DERA has historically done," Daniel, 43, said in an interview.

She said residents have identified a range of issues @at need immediate attention, including safety h m drug dealers in Oppenheimer Park, better services for released mental patients and upgraded conditions in the hotels and rooming houses.

"The downtown east side has always been a tough neighborhood, but it hasn't been scary before," she said.

Daniel has a personal interest in

I n V i c t o r i a , t h e s t r e e t p e o p l e are eage r t o have a community c e n t r e l i k e Carne g i e i n t h e downtown a r e a . The more you do, t h e more you d i s c o v e r s t i l l t o do.

S e v e r a l came o v e r i n a group t o h a v e a look-see around h e r e , and w r o t e b a c k . . .

Dear P a u l , Thank you f o r making some of y o u r t i m e a v a i l a b l e t o o u r group. The i n f o r m a t i o n you gave t o u s , & o u r q u e s t i o n s you answe r e d about your o r g a n i z a t i o n was b o t h i n formative & i n s p i r a t i o n a l .

The t o u r of t h e C a r n e g i e was s e n s a t i o n a l . The mere s i z e of t h e b u i l d i n g , t h e ongoing p r o j e c t s & t h e y e a r s of work i t ' s t a k e n t o g e t where you a r e p r e s e n t l y w a s mind-numbing Once a g a i n , t h a n k you f o r y o u r t i m e & the tour.

Scott Kerr,

.

VICTORIA STREET COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION #203-620 VIEW ST. V8W 157 VICTORIA

the safety issue, since she is a single mother living with four daughters. ages six to 17, in a suite at the Four Sisters Co-op, DERA's award-winning project near the waterfront.

She has worked off-and-on for DERA for years, mainly as a housing relocator and tenants' advocate.

She takes on the $36,000-a-year job just when DERA is trying to recover from a rough patch of growing pains, including internal staff conflicts and questions about loose accounting practices.

At DERA's annual meeting two weeks ago, social planner Rick Gates said the city was satisfied with DERA's financial performance fdlowing a city-ordered audit.

In a neighborhood where threequarters of the residents are older, single males, how will a woman fare knocking on doors in the hotels?

"I think being a woman is an advantage," she said. "1 don't have to be in a p----- contest with anybody, or get into the male competitive thing."

Daniel said Green was burnt out in the job "as he himself admits, and no wonder, the guy worked his tail off for the community for 12 years."

Green said in an interview he wishes Daniel luck, and added he agrees that the street issues needs more emphasis. ."

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