July 1, 1988, carnegie newsletter

Page 1

NEWSLETTER

No' XYLI:

<OUR FOOTPRINTS) A

PLAY

ABOUT

ANCESTRAL

LAND

The 100th performance of the play NO' XYA' (Our Footprints) happened in Vancouver's Waterfront Theatre 5 days before Vanada's 121st birthday. Thinking about this historic case, the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en Land

Claims, kept me apart from the festivities at ~arnegie'sCanada Day Picnic at Buntzen Lake, but the gaiety . and games and good food were enjoyed by all there. The words of the Native people are as solid as rock -

CARNEGIE NEWSLETTER, 401 Main, Van. B.C.

665-2220


ABORIGINAL TITLE: European immigration into Native lands now known as BC began -..-in the late 1700's. By the 18501s, settlement had taken place in major parts. Since long before European contact, all people in the region have belonged to a number of distinct political jurisdictions. Among these groups numerous languages and cultures have evolved. Each jurisdiction governs itself with its own laws and institutions, the most important of which govern how humans relate to the land, its plants and its animals. This relationship involves deep spiritual, social and legal obligations that, in western terms, can be expressed as ownerchip 2nd jilri,sdicrinn. ~'nnriginnir i ri P is based on this ,original state. -

GITKSAN NJD WET' SWETQN: The Gitksan and Idet' suwet ' en live around the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers in northwcsfern BC. Both groups are matrilineal. A11 inheritahce passes through the mother's line. They share a social and legal system based on their membership in two social units - the House and the Clan. The IIouse is the primary land-owning unit. Its members are close relatives who share a connnon history. Through their House Chief, the people fulfill their responsibilities for precise1~ defined land and fishing territories. In return, the land and rivers feed and support the Ilouse. Each person al-so has a formal and complex web of rights and responsibilities outside of his or her House which are idenA11 members of tified through the Clan. a House belong to the same Clan and are related to other Houses within that Clan, although the nature of the relationship may be lost ot history. There are four Gitksan Clans: Wolf, Fireweed, Frog and Eagle, and five Wet7suwet'en Clans : Wolf, Fireweed, Frog, Small Frog and Beaver. N1 important transactions must be validated in the Feast House. Feasts are given to mark all important occasions: death, marriage, settlement of disputes, inheritance of a name and territory.

It is the hundred or so territories belonging to each House which is the Gitksan snd Wet' suwet 'en spiritual and resource base, a base encompassing 22,000 sq. miles4 wi bi

i

CONFLICTS : With the ever-encroaching settlement into Gitksan and vet' suwet ' en territories in the 20th century, disputes and confrontations grew. The Canadian method to deal with these confrontations was to introduce the Indian reserves. The establishlnent and imposition of these reserves were protested by the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en. They persistently asserted they owned the House territories and never ceded their ownership or jurisdiction.

1-

AU"l'ON: On November /, l Y / / , the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en Declaration of ownership and jurisdiction was accepted by the Federal government but the Province of BC refused to recognize and acknowledge this declaration. On October 23, 1984, 54 hereditary chiefs representing 76 Houses, launched a land title action against the government of BC. This is probably the most important test of aboriginal rights that the legal world has yet faced. The Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en seek a declaration from the court to confirm their continued ownership and jurisdiction over their lands and all its resources.

h

CROWN POSITION: Shortly after the Gitksan and Wet' suwet ' en filed their Statement of Claim, the Federal government was compelled to join the Province of BC as Defendents to the action. They defend their case with 4 arguments-: 1. Denial of the existence of Aboriginal title. 2. If such title did exist, it was extinguished by the colonial government prior to BC joining Confederation, or by the Terms of Union when BC was admitted to Confederation. 3. If aboriginal title somehow survived Confederation, title was extinguished by the supposed acceptance of Indian reserves; that the Gitksan and ~et'suwet'en voluntarily gave up their claims to their territories in exchange for Indian reserves.

1

I


n 4. Assimilation - that the Gitksan and \jet'suwetlenno longer have a distinct way of life on the land. That is has been replaced by Indian reserves, public' education, Christianity, the wage econ- omy and provincial jurisdiction ov$r hunting, trapping, etc. They further deny that the Constitution affords any positive protection to the relief sought by the Native people. THE COURTS: The trial opened on May 11,

1987, in Smithers, BC, in the territory of Gyologyet, a Wet'suwet'en chief of the Wolf Clan. It went into summer recess in June, underwent a change of venue and reconvened in Vancouver on January 4, 1988. The trial in the Supreme Court of BC is expected to last until August, 1988. Regardless of the decision, this case will go to the Su-reme Court of Canada. It is estimated that the cost of this action will reach $5-6 million for the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en; $10-12 million for the Federal government; and $15-18 million for the Province of BC. For over 100 years, the Province of BC has refused to negotiate land title settlements with the Aboriginal peoples -of Bs. The entrenchment of aboriginal and treaty rights in the Constitution in 1982 has not changed that position, The Gitksan and ~et'suwet'en are in +-!Ee m r t e expLaicir,g vhc; they z r e . tile

basis of their ownership, how their institutions of jurisdiction operate the fact that they are two distinct peoples. They raise the evidence to challenge the Province of BC to answer the question "By what authority do You claim your ownership and jurisdiction over the same territory?"

...

spirit R ising Spirit Rising is accepting application for grades 1 to 7 on the 1988 -1989 school year. This program is designed for Native children of average or better ability who take pride in their culture and wish to learn more of it. The staff emphasizes basic academics, native arts, and use of the native community as positive role models. Special programs currently operating include computer education, instrumental enrichment, alcohol/drug awareness and personal decision making (Project Charlie) and the salmonid enhancement program. For further information or an application form, please call: 251-4414.

2055 Woodland Drive,

Vancouver, B. C. VSN 3N9 ' pH. 251-4414


L e t t e r t o t h e E d i t o r , P a u l Taylor

I would t o thank you f o r p u t t i n g i n f u l l time, and your a l l o u t e f f o r t i n e d i t i n g t h e Carnegie. Newsletter f o r t h e Volunteers and t h e r e a d e r s , I n every n e w s l e t t e r , t h e r e i s always c o n s i s t e n c y on important t o p i c s a n d . s p e c i a 1 e v e n t s , p l u s o t h e r int e r e s t i n g c r e a t i o n s . It i s p u t tog e t h e r w i t h s o many i d e a s , which r e q u i r e a l o t of thought and work. I n my opinion, I would s a y t h a t you a r e one of t h e b e s t e d i t o r s I have met, whose p a t i e n c e and temper a r e Top Gun. i.e. you're v e r y 'r1urnti11ad irrsplacea5h. Although I a m a f a i r l y new volunt e e r t u t o r , t h e r e is always somet h i n g new t o l e a r n day by day. Whet h e r one l e a r n s something minute o r g i g a n t i c , one does f e e l i t s impact, soaking i n t o t h e i r mind f i l l e d w i t h mind p a r a s i t e s . (Mind p a r a s i t e s are what people have t o e a t up new i d e a s and s t r a n g e thoughts.) 1t's good t o On open-mindedness: have an open mind, s o l o n g a s i t ' s n o t open a t b o t h ends. To make t h e s t o r y s h o r t e r , I wish you l u c k w i t h your f u t u r e endeavors. With g r a t i t u d e , Miki

By HENRY HEBERT A f t e r buying a cup of c o f f e e a t t h e canteen near t h e entrance a t S t a n l e y Park. I placed my p l a s t i c bag f i l l e d w i t h my notebook, a couple s l i c e s of bread and f o u r peanut b u t t e r sandwiches b e s i d e me on t h e park bench a s I s a t down. T had b a r e l y begun t o enjoy my coff e e when f o u r geese walked w i t h i n r e a c h and waited t o l e a r n whether. or nnr L +rri~ld qhpyn my f c n ~:;ith them. Among t h e s e b e a u t i f u l b i r d s was one who wasn't o n l y i n a r u s h t o be f e d b u t he a l s o showed h i s c u r i o s i t y by p u t t i n g h i s head i n t o my bag. 11Hey!" I s a i d t o t h i s goose.

1

"You'll be f e d too! ~ o n ' tbe i n such a rush." While enjoying my c o f f e e and sandwiches and s h a r i n g my food w i t h ' ~ u r r y ' and h i s f e a t h e r e d f r i e n d s , a man w i t h camera i n hand took a p i c t u r e of t h e s e b i r d s and my a c t i o n s . They resembled e a c h o t h e r w i t h t h e i r grey bodies, t h e i r long b l a c k necks, b l a c k beaks, b l a c k web f e e t and a w h i t e s p o t on each s i d e . Appreciating t h e f r e s h a i r , smelli n g t h e green g r a s s and h e a r i n g t h e d i f f e r e n t sounds of t h e w i l d l i f e weren't t h e only t h i n g s I enjoyed w h i l e f e e d i n g t h e geese. An addit i o n a l t h r i l l was watching t h e waves on Lost Lagoon which were caused by t h e l i t t l e wind. I' a l s o n o t i c e d a swimming p l a t f o r m i n t h e middle of Lost Lagoon. It was an i d e a l p l a c e t o t a k e n o t e s . It wasn't w i t h i n walking d i s t a n c e , j u s t swimming d i s t a n c e , s o I moved t o a d i f f e r e n t area.


I had only walked a short distance when I saw a big tree stump. While I was sitting on this stump with my notebook between my legs, I heard one of two men who were observing the ducks flying in and out of ,the pond describe the style of these ducks' actions. "Their take-offs and landings are just like a 714." After hearing this description, T was asked by an older woman, "Would you mind taking a picture of me feeding the white swan?" "With pleasure," 3: said. Even though I was prepared to make this lady's wishes come true the swan wasn't so cooperative as he decided to swim away. IIHe's not too cooperative," she said in a depressing voice. "I guess he must have eaten too much today," I replied. Just then, the swan returned and made this person's wish come true. Before leaving, the woman gave me the rest of the corn. She thanked me and said good-bye. I happened to look towards the pond and saw water coming out of the thing on which I had wished to sit to write my notes. "Well," I said to myself, as I dis~ n v p r p 4rher rhe ideal place r s :axe my notes was a water fountain. "I sure as hell would have had a good surprise if I had sat on that thing, not to mention how wet my shoes would have been !'I This discovery caused a good laugh and I decided to call it a day and returned home with a happy smile on my face.

CRAB PARK PROGRAM INFORMATION The Crab (portside) Park will be transformed into a fun and enjoyable playground for Downtown Eastside children and youths. The park, located at the foot df Main Street near the overpass, will be supervised daily from 12 noon to 8 p.m. NOTE: The park is closed on Tuesday with no staff. The park program will start July 1, and end on August 22, 1988. Moms will find the park playground program very attentive to their needs. Young children can play in the park while mom does her daily chores, or takes a break in the shade. Ray-Cam Centre has hired qualified and enthusiastic staff that will lead exciting daily activities water activities, games, sports, arts and crafts, drama, out-trips, barbeques, movies, rollerskating, treasure hunts & special events. The park will host a number of mobile caravans. Each caravan will present useful information, or entertainment that will enlighten youths of all ages. Look -forward to dog shows, puppets, kite making and local talent that will appeal

..-

LU

-----&l

YUULII.

All activities on the park are free, including a daily nutritious snack for children. HOW CAN YOUTHS JOIN THE CRAB P m PLAYGROUND! Cecille Henry, the Playground Leader, will be visiting families in the Downtown Eastside. Registration forms are also available at the park, Downtown Eastside Youth Activities Society, and Carnegie for more information, Ray-Cam '251-2141

.


To c l a r i f y B.C. C o a l i t i o n of t h e D i s a b l e d ' s p o s i t i o n w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e prpposed t a x i s e r v i c e t o Crab Park, ( s e e Crab Park S e r v i c e t o t h e Disabled Carnegie Newsletter, June 15) p l e a s e r e f e r t o t h e c o a l i t i o n ' s b r i e f t o c i t y c o u n c i l of May 31. We do n o t s a y t h a t t h e t a x i s e r v i c e i s "NOT t h e permanent s o l u t i o n " a s suggested i n your a r t i c l e . What we d i d s a y i s t h a t " a f t e r c o n s i d e r i n g t h e i m p l i c a t i o n s of t h e proposed t a x i s o l u t i o n we cannot support i t and a l s o defend t h e p r i n c i p l e of For u s e q u a l i t y of a c c e s s and t h e d i g n i t y of people w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . " t h e t a x i p r o p o s a l i s no l o n g e r an a c c e p t a b l e s o l u t i o n , permanent o r o t h e r wise. Why should people have t o go t o a pick-up p o i n t and be screened by just t o get into a s t a f f t o determine whether they a r e d i s a b l e d enough p u b l i c park? And why should anyone t h i n k t h a t d i s a b l e d people o n l y want t o u s e parks i n t h e summer between 12:OO noon and 8:00 p.m.? p l e a s e a l l o w me t o add t h a t while t h i s i s s u e and o t h e k s f a r more c r u c i a l

-

-

f,c cur tczzxicity

-

Pz2.s:

Crz&

zn:!

Ccz?. Ysrbcur,

t:: 3::ze j u ~ ft , : ~

-

L!xm

e v e r l a r g e r on t h e horizon, I f i n d i t p e r s o n a l l y d i s t r e s s i n g t h a t s e l f s e r v i n g o p p o r t u n i s t s a t t e m p t t o d i s t r a c t u s from o u r g o a l s w i t h p e r s o n a l i t y cultism. Our v i c t o r i e s , whether housing, Crab Park o r t h e Carnegie Centre i t s e l f , have a l l been won through our c o l l e c t i v e e f f o r t s and a s t r o n g , u n i t e d v o i c e o r r e s i d e n t s and workers. We cannot a f f o r d t h e l u x u r y of i n d i v.i d u- a l o r s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t group h e r o i c s . While chicken l i t t l e and henny penny t r y t o impress u s w i t h t h e i r own importance t h e f o x has h i s way. A l i t t l e l e s s worry about who t a k e s c r e d i t and a l i t t l e more p o s i t i v e hard work, p l e a s e ! Ken L y o t i e r


FROM THE BC COALITION OF THE DISABLED TO VANCOUVER CITY COUNCIL RE:: ACCESS TO CRAB PARK BRIEF PRESENTED 31, MAY, 1988. I

It h a s now been o v e r a y e a r s i n c e we f i r s t r a i s e d o u r c o n c e r n s p u b l i c l y about t h e Lack o f a c c e s s t o CRAB Park. S i n c e t h a t time we have worked w i t h community g r o u p s , c i t y s t a f f and y o u r s e l v e s t o recommend and review p o s s i b l e s o l u t i o n s . We have made r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s t o t h e P o r t , t h e Canadian Human R i g h t s Commission, o u r MP's, t h e M i n i s t e r o f T r a n s p o r t and t h e Prime M i n i s t e r . L a s t f a l l we supp o r t e d t h e c i t y ' s a p p l i c a t i o n t o t h e Canadian T r a n s p o r t Commission t o re-open t h e l e v e l c r o s s i n g a t Columbia S t r e e t . We took t h e s e a c t i o n s f o r two b a s i c r e a s o n s : - i n t h e hope t h a t p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s could g a i n a s much independent a c c e s s t o t h e new p a r k a s p o s s i b l e ; and - t o r a i s e awareness of t h e p u b l i c and decision-makers of what we b e l i e v e t o be a fundamental p r i n c i p l e of e q u a l i t y . During N a t i o n a l Access ~ w a r e n e s sWeek, i t i s o u r hope t h a t n o t o n l y w i l l rccogn i t i o n be g i v e n t o t h e advances made t o improve t h e e q u a l i t y and independence of a c c e s s f o r p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s , b u t t h a t r e a l a c t i o n be t a k e n t o f u r t h e r t h i s p r i n c i p l e . We a p p r e c i a t e t h e s u p p o r t g i v e n by you, Mayor Campbell and memb e r s of t h i s Council, and t h a t r e c e i v e d from o t h e r groups and p r i v a t e c i t i z e n s . i n furthering our goal i n t h i s . T h i s s i t u a t i o n i s a s a d commentary on t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e f e d e r a l commitment t o t h e p r i n c i p l e s of a c c e s s i b i l i t y a s o u t l i n e d i n Human R i g h t s L e g i s l a t i o n , t h e C h a r t e r of R i g h t s and t h e s p i r i t of N a t i o n a l Access Awareness Week. b g e n c i e s and c o r p o r a t i o n s c o n t r o l l e d and r e g u l a t e d by t h e f e d e r a l government s h o u l d a d h e r e t o these principles. E a r l y l a s t summer we thought t h a t a c c e s s i b l e t a x i s e r v i c e would be provided as a temporary measure by Vancouver Taxi. Faced w i t h t h e immediacy of t h e problem we a g r e e d t h a t t h e o f f e r should be a c c e p t e d even though we had s t r o n g r e s e r v a t i o n s . We s t a t e d t h a t t h i s s h o u l d n o t be c o n s i d e r e d a s a n y t h i n g b u t a temporary s o l u t i o n . I n f a c t , t h e s e r v i c e was n e v e r implemented. c:-a

---. u v w

--

~f ~ - E I Z S " L I L L LL ~~~d e ~ e ~ d ecll-~ebb. ui r x c r p i I'UL solnc minor m o d i f i c a t i o n s w e ' r e no f u r t h e r ahead t h a n we were l a s t summer. A f t e r cons i d e r i n g t h e i m p l i c a t i o n s of t h e proposed t a x i s o l u t i o n we cannot s u p p o r t i t and a l s o defend t h e p r i n c i p l e of e q u a l i t y of a c c e s s and t h e d i g n i t y of p e o p l e w i t h disabilities. Iic c a l l on Council t o h e l p u s f i n d a more s a t i s f a c t o r y s o l u t i o n . We u n d e r s t a n d from your e n g i n e e r i n g department t h a t a s a f e , l e v e l c r o s s i n g could be i n s t a l l e d a t t h e f o o t of Columbia i n s h o r t o r d e r i f permission were g r a n t e d now. e a s k t h a t t h e Mayor r e q u e s t t o meet w i t h t h e P o r t C o r p o r a t i o n and Canadian P a c i f i c t o s e e k t h e i r c o o p e r a t i o n i n removing t h e b a r r i e r b e f o r e a n o t h e r summer goes by. The llayor h a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t he w i l l c o n s i d e r meeting soon w i t h r e s p o n s i b l e o f f i c i a l s i n Ottawa t o t r y t o convince them t o a c t s w i f t l y . lie encourage him t o do t h a t . We a r e p r e p a r e d t o work w i t h t h e C i t y , t h e community, t h e P o r t and t h e Canadian P a c i f i c t o s e c u r e a permanent s o l u t i o n t o t h i s s i t u a t i o n . r7-

t q l r

LAa'u

-I---

2-

~ ' ~ a t L I. I

-*-LELLUJ


The SHAMAN i followed and he led me through ceremony and ritual a spiritual cleansing of/at Crab beach 9 (a beach with a name that is different than the name that the official white officials have given to it) the shaman and his brother saw me, at the beach where crabs splash and play. he blessed birds with an offering of bread he talked with father who radiated like a sun beyond the horizon, he pulled things out of the water, the living salt ocean deep sea water harbour water. and he threw something back when he saw its pointed nature was too much like hate. ~ativdIndian shaman blessed the sacred beach His brother ever watching, sitting in silence, his spiritual helper. i sprinkled bread for birds and we entered into cold mystic waters and dried our diamond bodies on jeweled-crust of rock a day of peace, a lapping ofrgentle water spirits on to an ancient shore. we parted, friends 2 cultures but one mind. The Shaman his brother and me. p. imm

.

I like my title I'm not a professional, But I enjoy - an amateur. - - being This title suits

like a

I can make a few mistakes which lessens the high criticism. Just a beginner,

\\I

hat's me!"

I'm not a professional, But never the less, "I like my title." The amateur-at-heart.

hat's me!

h


YOU HAVE YOUR SAY ON RENOVATIONS

By Muggs S i g u r g e i r s o n I t was t h e most a m b i t i o u s s u r v e y e v e r u n d e r t a k e n i n C a r n e g i e . And now you w i l l g e t a f i r s t - h a n d peek a t * the results. A t o t a l of 155 C a r n e g i e p a t r o n s , 13 C a r n e g i e committees and 18 Downtown E a s t s i d e community groups took p a r t i n a s u r v e y t o h e l p d e c i d e how Carnegie s h o u l d b e r e n o v a t e d . Some of t h e i r answers a r e r e a l eye-gpeners. The r e s u l t s of t h e s u r v e y w i l l be on d i s p l a y i n t h e t h i r d f l o o r a r t g a l l e r y from Monday, J u l y 4 t o Sunday J u l y 17. Everyone i s welcome t o browse t h r o u g h , and t o add t h e i r comments and i d e a s . L a t e r t h i s y e a r , Carnegie w i l l be making some i m p o r t a n t d e c i s i o n s on how t o spend $650,000 a l l o c a t e d by Vancouver v o t e r s t o modernize t h e C e n t r e and t o e a s e t h e over-crowding. These d e c i s i o n s must b e made by everyone i n v o l v e d , n o t j u s t l e f t t o a few. T h a t ' s why t h e s u r v e y was conducted -

t o make s u r e t h e o p i n i o n s of t h e " q u i e t people", a s w e l l a s t h o s e who know how t o e x p r e s s t h e m s e l v e s , g e t recorded. On Sunday, J u l y 1 7 , a t 7 p.m., a p u b l i c meeting w i l l be h e l d i n t h e t h e a t r e t o go o v e r t h e r e s u l t s , t o answer q u e s t i o n s and t o g e t more comments. Everyone i s encouraged t o a t t e n d t h e m e e t i n g and t o have t h e i r s a y . But t h a t ' s n o t a l l . The c i t y h a s h i r e d a " f u n c t i o n a l programmer", a man named G e r r y R o l f s e n , whose j o b i t i s t o go around t h e C e n t r e and meet w i t h i n d i v i d u a l s and groups t o f i n d o u t what t h e y t h i n k a b o u t C a r n e g i e and where i t s h o u l d b e h e a d i n g . He w i l l b e a t t h e J u l y 17 m e e t i n g and w i l l b e working i n Carnegie d u r i n g t h e summer and f a l l . It's a long, complicated process, b u t i t ' s n e c e s s a r y ; w e ' r e a l l going t o have l i v e w i t h t h e r e s u l t s a f t e r wards. T h a t ' s why we want t o make s u r e everyone h a s a chance t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h i s important s t a g e i n t h e development of C a r n e g i e C e n t r e .

NEED HELP ? D E R A c a n h e l p y o u with:

* * * * * *

any w e l f a r e , p r o b l e m s \ UIC problems getting legal assistance unsafe living conditions i n h o t e l s or a p a r t m e n t s disputes with landlords i n c o m e tax

D E R A is l o c a t e d at 9 East H a s t i n g s o r p h o n e 682-0931. D E R A H A S BEEN S E R V I N G T H E D O W N T O W N E A S T S I D E F O R 15 Y E A R S


Abandoned Old man Alone In a basement room. you've outlived your time, you say. You hoped that maybe Something might have happened ... That you would not have been so left Alone. It wasn't always so. You've travelled in our country coast to coast, You've built large houses in a new Vancouver, You've logged in Kamloops and the wild west coas You've sweated as a miner Yes, and like a meteor you've come to town Shaken by the bleakness Of t h e fiurihern -..y You created this country! Now you have nothing. plmnU

.

You found an old time boarding house And lived with friends, Until that cunning pack of money makers With teeth and regulations sharp as razors Destroyed your home, Not caring where you went. A few just died And solved the housing problem in that way. Some left town. You wandered to a basement room Alone.

I greet you, friend, And wait to hear the stories you have lived. Tell me our heritage That is not found in school books. Tell me of those who really built this nation. Sandy Cameron

1


DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE WOMEN'S HOUSING To Gail, who's there.

,

Can you help me I'm pregnant I keep on moving I want a place that I can call all my own. No sharing washrooms, I've got to stand up Sharing kitchens, For my sisters Ignoring knocks on my door For my brothers For attention, my food or a loan. For the children in our place: We are poor There's a meeting Yet no restriction, About some housing Subordination. Only women We are free What a drag if my kid is a male. We have no fear They promise safety We are grateful And protection But please close the door. And a hand in getting grants I am guided as I was back in jail. Willemien Coordination Facilitation Alienation When we enter the stainless steel gate I find my number Hear the echoes And I freeze, this can't be me -

.

Benefaction Contribution What a warehouse Find my shelter in the room next to Infused with pittance Humbled trusting Create a home with the alms Now you ladies, be sure not to fail.

(Can be sung to the tune of "oh, help me, please doctor, I'm damaged", by the Stones)


self-armouring

(mental, emotional

& p h y s i c a l t i g h t e n i n g ) i s always

our f i r s t defensive r e a c t i o n a g a i n s t emotional p a i n dumped on US by o t h e r s , b u t i t only g i v e s a temporary i l l u s i o n of s a f e t y , & soon becomes much worse t h a n t h e p a i n t h a t caused i t i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e . Psychic armouring t h a t accumulates i n t h e body & s o u l t r a p s u s , l i m i t s our energy, & d u l l s o u r thinkingf e e l i n g process. An example of t o t a l psychic a r m o u r i n g i s a c a t a t o n i c mental p a t i e n t who s i t s i n a r i g i d p o s t u r e a l l day long, s t a r e s s t r a i g h t ahead, s a y s nothing, & r e a c t s t o nothing - i n extreme c a s e s , t h e person w i l l n o t e a t o r even move t o go t o t h e bathroom. Such people are o f t e n forcef e d i n t r a v e n o u s l y j u s t t o keep them alive. A s long as we a l i v e , every one of u s w i l l encounter some emot i o n a l p a i n each day of our l i v e s . There i s no escape from t h i s - i t i s t h e p r i c e we pay f o r being involved i n t h i s s t r a n g e adventure c a l l e d "being human." So, d e a l i n g w i t h emotional p a i n i s an ongoing d a i l y n e c e s s i t y l i k e e v e r y t h i n g e l s e . Some a r e b e t t e r a t i t than o t h e r s . Those who p r a c t i c e "dealing with" ( g e t t i n g r i d o f ) emotional p a i n r e t a i n a y o u t h f u l , a c t i v e & compassionate a t t i t u d e even i n t o o l d age. I f we become successf u l a t t h i s , i t ' s even p o s s i b l e t o f a c e & Pass i n t o d e a t h w i t h o u t f e a r Or agony* The l a s t days a r e o f t e n the best.

-

are

There a r e some p r a c t i c a l ways t o g e t r i d of armoured body-mind s t a t e s t h a t accumulate every day i n s i d e us. One way i s t o t a k e o f f a l l your c l o t h e s and l i e down on t h e bed a s soon as you g e t home ( e s p e c i a l l y imp o r t a n t when you've had a bad day); c o n c e n t r a t e on r e l a x i n g a l l your muscles, tendons, l i g a m e n t s , i n t e r n a l organs, e t c . Slow down & deepen your b r e a t h i n g by c o n c e n t r a t i n g on t h e out-breath. ..slowly b r e a t h i n g o u t a l l t h e way down t o t h e bottom of your l u n g s t h i s i s t h e one t h a t g e t s r i d of t o x i n s (poisons) & gradz e l l g d i s p e l l s ezcticzal paiz by g e t t i n g r i d of t h e i m p r i n t i t l e a v e s on your body. ~ o n ' tworry about spontaneous , coughing t h a t may e r u p t d u r i n g t h i s practice get right into it it's p a r t of t h e process. I f you f a l l a s l e e p , t r y t o remember t o begin deep r e l a x a t i o n & out-breathing a g a i n when you wake up - t h i s can be v e r y e f f e c t i v e . Deep o u t - b r e a t h i n g i s n o t a techn i q u e t h a t can be mastered o v e r n i g h t i t needs t o become p a r t of your d a i l y r o u t i n e , b e f o r e t h e longterm b e n e f i t s of i t can be f e l t . D e l i b e r a t e l y r e l a x i n g t h e body i s a l s o n o t a s easy as i t sounds. A s you go more deeply i n t o i t , you w i l l encounter t h e p h y s i c a l p a i n s , t i g h t n e s s & l a c k of f e e l i n g i n vour bodv t h a t r e s u l t e d from your emotional p a i n r e a c t i o n s d u r i n g t h e day - i t h o l d s on a t a l e v e l deeper t h a n t h e muscles - i n t h e i n t e r n a l organs, l i g a m e n t s & bone marrow. P a i n , t i g h F n e s s & l o s s of f e e l i n g i n t h e body i s s u b t l e , & t h e deeper you go t h e more you d i s c o v e r . G e t t i n g r i d of r e c e n t l y accumul a t e d emotional p a i n i s r e l a t i v e l y e a s y compared t o g e t t i n g r i d of deep, t r a u m a t i c , e a r l y childhood p a i n ,

...

-

-

-


which i s encountered when you g e t r e a l l y good a t deep r e l a x a t i o n through c o n s t a n t p r a c t i c e . By t h i s method, p r a c t i c e d w i t h d e d i c a t i o n ( o u t o f d e s p e r a t i o n ) , anyone can l e a r n t o "deal with" th,e res u l t s of emotional pain. T h i s p r o c e s s can h e l p you t o begin each day i n a calm & c l e a r manner, e s p e c i a l l y when you do i t each morni n g b e f o r e you g e t up. I t ' s p o s s i b l e t o r e l a x , s t i l l your' t h o u g h t s , & simply f e e l t h e s t a t e of your body. T h i s d e l i b e r a t e l y p l a c e s t h e powers of awareness i n t o t h e c e n t r e of p a i n f u l , t i g h t s i t u a t i o n s i n s i d e you... p r a c t i c i n g t h i s , you w i l l g r a d u a l l y become b r a v e r a t a c c e p t i n g & f e e l i n g many of t h e negat i v e c o n d i t i o n s w i t h i n t h e body. T h i s i s t h e o n l y way t o g e t r i d of them. The f e a r of f e e l i n g t h i s p a i n i s t h e t h i n g t h a t caused us t o t i g h t e n up around i t i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e . The f i r s t s t e p i s t o admit t h e need t o f e e l p a i n i n o r d e r t o g e t r i d of it & the practice is t o relax d e e p l y & a l l o w t h e n a t u r a l flow o f l i f e w i t h i n you t o move t h i s p a i n a l o n g t h e way a r i v e r f l o a t s o u t t o o r t h e way t h e i c e on a t h e ocean r i v e r b r e a k s up i n t h e s p r i n g . ..- L..L ~. L Siippiir-erl i i y s i r n i ~ri Fillally, IL b u t sometimes d i f f i c u l t p r a c t i c e becomes a r e a l p a r t of your l i f e , you w i l l g r a d u a l l y d i s c o v e r how v e r y s u b t l e and miraculous t h e human system i s . There a r e f o r c e s working w i t h i n u s t h a t , i f given t h e chance, can r e s u l t i n a new s e n s e of i n n e r s t r e n g t h & confidence. When you know you can g e t r i d of "bad v i b e s " o t h e r s dump on you e v e r y day, i t makes a b i g d i f f e r e n c e i n your a t t i t u d e . When you a r e f i n a l l y doing something p r a c t i c a l against personal something t h a t a c t u a l l y .works pain

-

-

-

-

& a l l o w s you t o d e a l w i t h p a i n ( g e t r i d of i t ) e f f e c t i v e l y , i t ' s p o s s i b l e t o move i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of l i g h t & dispel1 the fearful, destructive & very r e a l shadows t h a t c l i n g t o u s a l l . Moving t o x i c p s y c h i c w a s t e s through & o u t of t h e body a s q u i c k l y a s possi b l e i s what i t ' s a l l about.

-

We a r e forming a woman a r t i s t s c e n t r e based i n New Westminster and want your p a r t i c i p a t i o n . Some of o u r o b j e c t i v e s a r e t o promote o r i g i n a l a r t w o r k , develop a s l i d e r e g i s t r y , a resource l i b r a r y , a n e w s l e t t e r , and prov i d e advocacy s e r v i c e s and s t u d i o space. For more i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l u s a t 520-3078.

0 The 1st Annual s e n i o r s Games were a b i g s u c c e s s , w i t h o v e r 200 f i n a l i s t s converging on Vernon, B.C. f o r 3 days t o v i e f o r v i c t o r y and pos'si b l y win a medal. Sponsored by t h e p r o v i n c i a l government, t h e r e was a f u l l agenda of ceremonies (opening & c l o s i n g ) : - Wine and Cheese S o c i a l s

-

-r n r ~ r r a i n m ~ -n r c

t h e Games themselves (and a g r e a t c l o s i n g Banquet!) We d i d n o t win a n y t h i n g and were a l l alone. My p a r t n e r , Mrs. Mary White, r e p r e s e n t e d F a l s e Creek Community C e n t r e , Vancouver, and myself p l a y i n g f o r Carnegie. W e d i d badly a t t h e Bridge t a b l e s ; 2 days and very l i t t l e s c o r e , though w e d i d not make a l o t of e r r o r s . A l l t o g e t h e r i t was a l o t of fun. I want t o thank Don Roberts, J e r r y S a n t i n o and a l l t h e s t a f f a t Carne g i e f o r t h e i r support i n providing an i n t e r e s t i n g h o l i d a y . Norman Wilton


Mustangs, m i s f i t s l i k e Marilyn and Montgomery C i t y f o l k s l o v e them, Want t o s a v e 'em. Ranchers h a t e them, Want t o k i l l ' e m . They are f r e e and w i l d , l i k e me.

Soon t h e weak would go t o I d a h o , A r e d X s p r a y e d on t h e i r f l a n k , They f a i l e d . laughter. T h e i r e d i b l e p a r t s would s e r v e humans. T h e i r t h i n k i n g p a r t s consigned t o o b l i v i o n . The v e t d e c l i n e d a d r i n k , d r o v e o f f Cowboys t o t h e r a n c h house, c o n t e n t To f i n i s h o f f t h e b e e r , t h e t a s k complete. I grabbed a f r e s h c a n and s l i p p e d w i t h two Young dogs t h r o u g h t h e wooden c o r r a l f e n c e . The p i c k u p rumbled s o u t h ; a g r a v e l r o a d Devoid of t r a f f i c ended a t t h e c a t t l e s p r e a d . A i a n c h c r e a t e d by t h r e e g e n e r a t i o n s , sweat And water, p r e c i o u s w a t e r , r u n n i n g Down from t h e n e a r b y Humboldt Mountains.

Climbing up t h r o u g h P a l e g r e e n , t u f t e d g r a s s , Two young bay hounds, r u n n i n g a h e a d , Coming back t o my b o o t s , e a g e r f o r a d v e n t u r e . F r e s h c r i s p a i r , t o l e r a b l b wind, c o n t e n t , I looked down p a s t t h e va$ley t o t h e canyons.

J

The r a n c h e r d r o u e and d r a n k h i s Bud, H i s work s t e t s o n , P e a r l , b u t s t a i n e d and T i l t e d back from a frowning w r i n k l e d f a c e . My arm hooked i n t o a n open window, r e l a x i n g , Drinking a c a n , a good day coming.

L a s t s p r i n g , e a r l y morning, r i d i n g , I spooked a h e r d of mustangs, d r i n k i n g At a s t r e a m , banks muddy from t h e i r hooves. They g a l l o p e d away w i t h t a i l s s t r a i g h t o u t , E a r s p r i c k e d , a l e r t , watching f o r h o l e s And s n a k e s . Angry w i t h me? You b e t .

Completing a h e c t i c g r a v e y a r d s h i f t , B a r t e n d i n g a t a rowdy c a s i n o , With I n d i a n s d r u n k , whooping, cowboys d r u n k , S h o u t i n g , f i g h t i n g , making up, d r i n k i n g Too much e v e r y n i g h t , n o t h i n g e v e r changes.

Buckskins, b a y s , r o a n s , t h e b l a c k s loomed b i g g e s t . Dust everywhere, two c o l t s and a f i l l y , y e a r l i n g s T r y i n g t o keep up. Ribs showing, scrawny From w i n t e r , m a t t e d c o a t s b u t They would n e v e r f e e l t h e weight of man.

I w a s g r a t e f u l f o r a day working c a t t l e As w e sped t h r o u g h t h e Clover Valley. bottom l a n d smothered i n s a g e b r u s h glistening g r e e n , P u r p l e o r s i l v e r from t h e h o a r - f r o s t , Depending upon how t h e s u n smacked i t .

A j o v i a l mood, d r e s s e d i n b o o t s , j e a n s and Denim J a c k e t s , a n o t h e r c o l d b e e r , t h e cowboy Cursed t h e e t e r n a l wind of Northern Nevada. A blow ready t o b u f f e t t h e f a c e s of cowboys, Hereford b u l l s and t h e v e t w i t h g r i t , d u s t .

Another memory from j u s t rwo months a g o , Climbing t h e marble s t e p s of C a r n e g i e C e n t r e , Vancouver, B r i t i s h Columbia, Canada; Never m a s t e r i n g t h e new w h i t e t y p e w r i t e r d e s p i t e A h e l p f u l s t a f f . L o t s o f c o f f e e and b r o o d i n g p o e t s Complete w i t h a t h o u g h t f u l e d i t o r making i t a l l work. I a m a l o n g way from t h e S u n r i s e Pub, Where some mornings are l i k e New Year's Eve. Many t i m e s I s a t w i t h , f o u r N a t i v e s i s t e r s , J u s t f r i e n d s , drinking, laughing, l i s t e n i n g , L e a r n i n g a b o u t t h e i r homes on Vancouver I s l a n d . ,Happiness, tagedies, , marriages, divorces, Sons, d a u g h t e r s , l i f e and d e a t h , I hope, p r a y , t h e i r p r e t t y a n k l e s a r e no l o n g e r S t u c k i n t h e morass of H a s t i n g s S t r e e t , Booze and s p e e d , t o o many ups and downs. Looking a t t h e s q u a t r a n c h h o u s e , surrounded By b l e a c h e d , blanched cottonwoods, I saw Smoke w i s p i n g from t h e huge b a r b e c u e p i t and C a l l e d t h e dogs. W e headed back, c o n t e n t . A good day i n W e l l s , Nevada. S p r i n g 1988

A u t h o r ' s Note: L i n e 1, Verse 13 Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery C l i f t and C l a r k An Gable s t a r r e d i n t h e movie "The M i s f i t s " . e x c e l l e n t f i l m which d e p i c t e d t h e c a p t u r e of mustangs. T h i s cinema c l a s s i c w a s f i l m e d on l o c a t i o n n e a r Reno and Winnemucca, Nevada and was t h e l a s t movie o f e a c h of t h e above mentioned film greats, 'T*s.

'


Su,n-muh-t i.-irnc a n d he t i s h i n g i s e a s y . Well I c a r t a i n l y c a n ' t vouch f o r t l ~ a t . I w a s down aC l J r c c k U s a c h and :he o n l y t h i n g i g o t f o c itly t r o u b l e w a s a sunourn from going : ) a j l . ~ 3 3 .Uell now I ' m n , i c x at Z a r n e g i e t o L P ~ iV2 \ 1 t h e W h a p p e r s tila: h 3 v d b e e n n c t t a d fa: he J u l y m o v i e s . : i ~ ' v c jot f o u r r e c e n t , - . I ~ J ~ ~ Li L c-d i reieases lid o n e c o m e d y f r o i n a d e c a d e a g o , T h ' c s e f i l m s w i l l b e s h o w n a t 7:00 ;)::I, CVOC/Y F r i d a y i n t h e C a r n e q i e T,lc~::e a t 401 Nain S t r a e t . A s usual I h a v e u s e d t h e 4 - s t a r r a t i n j 3ys:am a s f o l l o w s :

einlnt d w e l l e r s keep t h e i r llainz o u t o f t h e c l u t c h e s of a deve l o p ~ ~T h. i s m o v i e i s good entcctainrnent f o r t h e whole family. J u l y 15th: CRY FREED0:I ( 1 9 8 7 **** D i r e c t t d by R i c h a r d At~enborough S t a r r i n g Kevin K l i n e r Danzel Washingcon and P2nelope Wilton T n e d i r e c t o r o f GANDHI returns with the true scory of cne friends h i p b e t w e e n ~ o u ' c hA f r i c a n r e p o r t e r D o n a l d Woods a n d m a r t y r S t e p h e n Biko and t h e i r f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e a p a r t h e i d p o l i c y of t h e i r c o u n t r y . Bc s u r e n o t t o m i s s t h i s one.

J u l y 22nd: MEiZOES ( 1 9 7 7 ) * * Good D i r e c t e d b y J e r e m y P a u l Kagan Fair S t a r r i n g Henry Winkler, S a l l y F i e l d and Harrison Ford * P03C Winklec t r a d e s h i s l e a t h e r j a c k e t J u l y 1st: for a straight jacket t o play a T11E SI<!I?E:JT A N D THE iiAINi3OW ( 1 9 8 8 c r a z y V i e t n a m v e t wh3 t r a v e l s c r a s s ~ i r e c t e db y Wes C r a v e n country i n search of wealth and S z a r r i n g B i l l Pullman, Cathy s u c c e s s . T h i s movie is good f o r a Tyson and Paul Winfield few l a u g h s . A drug researcher tr3vels t o Hait J u l y 29th: t o s t u d y t h a t c o u n t r y ' s voodooz s n b i e c u l t . T h i s f i l m i s b a s e d o BILOXI BLUES ( 1 9 3 8 ) * * * V a n c o u v e r a u t h o r Wade D a v i s ' s b o o D i r e c t e d b y > l i k e N i c h o l s S t a r r i n g klatthev Broderickr Chris3 f t h e same t i t l e . A s i h a v e n ' t t o p h e r L J a l k e n a n d P e n e l o p e Ann y a t szGn t h i s movie, I h a v e l e f t it unrated. Miller N e i l S i m o n ' s s e q u e l t o SRIGHTOM BEACH MENOIRS f o l l o w s o u r h e r o t o B A T T E R I E S NOT INCLUDED ( 1 9 3 7 ) * * * b o o t c a x p i n P l i s s i s s i p p i . AS w i t h ~ i r c c t e db y M a t t h e w R o b b i n s m o s t o f S i m o n ' s w o r k t h i s is h i g h S t a r r i n g Hume C r o n y n r J e s s i c a c l a s s QnCcrtainment. Tandy and E l i z a b e t h Pena Stcvsn S p i e l b e r g produczd t h i s U n t i l n z x t m o n t h t h i s is t h e film about extra-tcrres:rial m3ch Unknown C r i t i c s i g n i n g o f f a n d i n e s t h a t h e l p some M a n h a t t a n t e n h e a d i n g b a c k t o t h e b c a c h .

"*** *** **

Excellent


sometimes I t h i n k t h a t Brian m l r o n e y and h i s merry band of men and women have q11 gone Crazy down t h e r e i n Ottawa. They want t o spend t w e l v e b i l l i o n d o l l a r s , which they do n o t have anyway, on submarines we have no need f o r . P e r r i n B e a t t y , who i s a lackey f o r Brian and h a s t h e t i t l e of M i n i s t e r of Defense, wouldn't know t h e d i f f e r e n c e between a T r i d e n t submarine and a Humpback whale i f they were b o t h running s i d e by s i d e . P e r r i n seems t o t h i n k t h a t we need t o p r o t e c t t h e A r c t i c i c e f i e l d s . Is Canada ready t o s i n k a n American s h i p , o r any s h i p f o r t h a t matter? The f i r s t two s h i p s t h a t steamed through t h e i c e e e r e Canadian. Capt i a n Larson brought t h e S a i n t Roch, an RCMP wooden v e s s e l , from H a l i f a x t o Vancouver a few y e a r s ago a g r e a t s k i p p e r and a g r e a t s h i p . The f o l l o w i n g two s h i p s t h a t went through were American: t h e f i r s t w a s a tanke r , t o see i f i t could b e done and t h e c o s t of b r i n g i n g o i l from t h e A t l a n t i c t o t h e P a c i f i c (which w a s millions scrap that idea); the zeccnc! T.TZC 2 r_negt U minrrl ship. The Americans r i s k t h e i r own l i v e s t o save people and pluck them from t h e ocean. Ottawa g e t s very u p s e t o v e r t h i s . I f o r one am g l a d t h e Americ a n s are t h e r e . The v e r y worst

-

-

t h i n g h t a t can happen i n t h a t f r o z e n h e l l i s t h a t cod f i s h o r a few s e a l s would be k i l l e d t o be e a t e n . I f Ottawa wants t o spend t h a t kind of money, why d o n ' t they b u i l d Cana d i a n merchant s h i p s i n o u r shipy a r d s , manned by Canadian men and women? P e a c e f u l s h i p s would f l y t h e maple l e a f proudly, s a i l i n g t h e seven s e a s c a r r y i n g g r a i n and helpi n g Russia f e e d h e r d e c e n t people. Japan needs o u r c o a l and lumber products.. Canada i s s t i l l a young n a t i o n and we, t h e Canadian people, a r e lucky t o have been born here. Every count r y needs o u r r e s o u r c e s . W e c a n ' t a f f o r d t o g i v e i t away; t h e y have t o pay cash, j u s t a s we do. There i s nb) such t h i n g a s f r e e t r a d e and I hope t o God t h e r e never w i l l be a n y t h i n g c a l l i n g i t s e l f t h a t . I have never seen anything t h a t was f r e e except f r i e n d s h i p . Canada i s a p e a c e f u l n a t i o n and I hope i t always w i l l be. Is i t n o t b e t t e r t o shake someone's hand and o f f e r a cup of tea o r c o f f e e and s i t down and t a l k about how we can g e t a l o n g b e t t e r and how we can h e l p one a n o t h e r ? Is i t n o t b e t t e r t o l e a r n somehow t o l o v e each o t h e r and live fii pease, s i d e by s i d e ? I s i t n o t b e t t e r t o s a y do you need h e l p today? Tomorrow might be t o o l a t e .

.

By JAMES ROADKNIGHT


r The I n t h e l a s t Newsletter, we d e a l t w i t h w i r e , and b e f o r e w e move o f f t h a t s u b j e c t I have one l a s t b i t . With a l l w i r e , two t h i n g s must be paid a t t e n t i o n t o . I ) The c o n n e c t o r s must n o t be p u l l e d on; e.g. b e f o r e you p u t t h e plug i n t h e g u i t a r , put i t through t h e s t r a p and t h e n i n t h e g u i t a r . This p r e v e n t s s t e p p i n g on t h e cord and p u l l i n g i t o u t , which i s v e r y hard on s o l d e r j o i n t s i n t h e plug. 2) S t o r a g e means doing i t t h e r i g h t way, a s I have seen c o r d s r o l l e d up many ways b u t t h e r e i s , t o t h e p r o , 01113 c m e w a y - -. lvlosrl sn~nri_ccmgnnles have s t r i n g a t t a c h e d t o t h e cord n e a r t h e plug. The cord i s h e l d by t h e p l u g and wrapped around t h e elbow and hand between t h e thumb and f o r e f i n g e r . Do t h i s u n t i l i t ' s a l l r o l l e d up and t h e n t i e d w i t h t h e s t r i n g , s o t h a t when t h e y a r e needed they can b e t a k e n o u t one a t a t i m e and used a g a i n q u i c k l y .

Fine; t h i s i s i t

NOW t h a t you know a l l t h e t y p e s of w i r e and how t o handle them, you are ready t o w i r e up a s m a l l P.A. I move a l l components t o where they a r e needed, keeping i n mind t h e l e n g t h of t h e cord. The components a r e microphones, s t a n d s , main s p e a k e r s , monitor s p e a k e r s , mixing board and power amps. Most s m a l l PA's have s m a l l power amps b u i l t i n . I f n o t , they must be connected. The board w e u s e i n Carnegie has power, s o w e w i l l u s e i t f o r an example. The f o l l o w i n g diagram is used f e z set-cp:

I t ' s important t o l a y w i r e where i t won't g e t stepped on bec a u s e t h e w i r e can g e t broken ins i d e . Next i s s u e w e w i l l d e a l w i t h Board c o n t r o l , l e v e l , z a t i o n and e f f e c t s .

- Cn-l-.

A) I w i l l make Vancouver a Free A Trade/Free Zone even i f F r e e Trade! does go through ( n o t h i n ' a i n ' t worth n o t h i n ' less i t ' s f r e e ) . B) I have gone i n t o most s e r i o u s a r c h e o l o g i c a l r e s e a r c h but - where's Sam S l a n d e r s ? where's Downtown E a s t s i d e duck? c) I, u n l i k e my opponents i n t h e r a c e f o r Mayor of Vancouver, have n o t demanded i n v i t a t i o n s t o t h e openings of s o c i a l housing p r o j e c t s i n t h e ( I d o n ' t need brownie p o i n t s ),), D) SAVE THE GARDENS from greedy developers! !!

-

-

% .

C r a s s l y yours, Captain Chaos

--

iI


HOPE FREE

F i g h t t o s u r v i v e , even though Your i n s t i n c t s may do b a t t l e With your common s e n s e . F i g h t t o s u r v i v e on t h e B a t t l e f i e l d o f Time t h a t d r i n k s The blood o f y o u r l o n e l y wounds. Fight t o survive i n the World t h a t embraces your body But s h u n s t h e s o u l o f your mind. F i g h t and you w i l l win t h e Quality of l i f e that is a S t e p h i g h e r t h a n mere hope.

Shout hosannas Thank you, God I n f i n i t e mercy Unburdened me t o d a y o f my l a s t dime Spent F i n a l U . I . cheque P a i d my d e b t Broke a t l a s t F r e e t o demand The r i g h t t o g i v e My l i f e Free A t long l a s t l i b e r t y To spend e a c h day Finally a l i v e S h a r i n g j o y , t e a r s and l o v e With f a m i l y a t C a r n e g i e B r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s Equal a l l My f i r s t r e a l home Help Offering without r e s e r v a t i o n Expiation of s i n s Real o r imagined

1 ' v e e a r n e d t h i s moment o f g l o r y Ready, my God a t l a s t , Ready t o e n t e r t h e M i n i s t r y Sanctum sanctorum, " c l y cf h n l i " ~ , MSSH W a i t i n g f o r a worker To p a s s t h e bloody Welfare wafer Ticket t o r i d e And baby d o e s c a r e God, how we c a r e ! My j o y i s unencumbered By g u i l t . A l l t h a t we have We o f f e r t o you C a r n e g i e d o o r s a r e open To s o c i a l w o r k e r s , p a i d e d u c a t o r s t o o Screwed by t h e s y s t e m ~ o n ' ts p r e a d t h e m i s e r y ~ o n ' tt e l l me y o u ' r e t r a p p e d


I'vP becsn t l ~ c r c l , s o l o n g King a n d I3n A l l t h o s e w a s t e d y e a r s , I p a i d my duc

C r a b L i n g f o r g r e e n and g o i n g g r a y Ijon ' t t e l l me you h a v ~no c h o i c e J u s t q u i t t h e bloody j o b L c t u s h e l p you Open your e y e s , mind, h e a r t \Je k now you' r e human somewhere You l o s t y o u r way, b u t we s t i l l c;s r e Your s y s t e m w o n ' t c r u s h C a r n e g i e We a r e C a r n e g i e Corri d o r s flow w i t h a o u r blood Mu 1t i t u d i n o u s s e a s o f c o f f e e c o u p (I n s For t h i s my f a m i l y home I ' l l d i e tomorrow We're b u i l d i n g t h e f u t u r e o f t h e w o r l k A t L ' L

L

I

L

l

hfi-in

...?A

U-."+;r,rr* L U Y

b

U

U

L

L

U

I I U A L . )

C a r n e g i e t h e p r e s e n t we o f f e r y o u . So when n e x t week I e n t e r your temple of worship MS SW Communion t o s e e k And you t r y t o c r o s s me My s o u l ' s a t p e a c e It's yours t h a t ' s imperilled I work w i t h l e a r n e r s t e n h o u r s a d a y I n s p i r i t u a l union My pay i s g e n e r o u s Though n o n - n e g o t i a b l e a t y o u r b a n k Do y o u r e a l l y e x p e c t me t o a p p l y a t 7 .- 11 ? Southlands poison h a l f t h e world w i t h Slurpees And s t a r v e t o d e a t h t h e o t h e r h a l f ? I want b e t t e r homes a n d g a r d e n s Not t h e waste o f n u c l e a r s u b s 1 know t h e v a l u e o f work But I d o work o f v a l u e I u s e a measuring s t i c k t h a t ' s not S t a n d a r d ~ o v e r n m e n ti s s u e . So 1'11 d e l i v e r you b u t t h i s n o t e o f c a u t i o n T r e a t my f a m i l y w i t h r e s p e c t W e ' l l trt.at you i n k i n d I Screw u s a r o u n d We'll b r i n g y o u down Your p r e c i o u s s y s t e m Crumbling t o a s h e s Our f a m i l y i n t a c t Carnegie w i l l s t a n d , beckoning, T i l l even you s e e t h e l i g h t .

Y o u ' l l climb from t h e r u i n s O f y o u r i l l u s i o n s o f power And humbly b e g membership I n t h e Carnegie family. We'll be t h e r e a s always Open-armed w i t h a s m i l e To g r e e t you a t l o n g l a s t Under t h e dome With a j o y f u l "Welcome Home!"


(1 OP~ P EN HE1 MER

ver police native liaison squad, who regularly patrols the Hastings and Main area. During the evenings, baseball games are available for residents and a Hard Times Festival takes place in the park. The old people like to just sit in the sun and the kids like to play. m e n you leave the park, you kick a. smooth, narrow bottle. ~ennon's skin bracer says its label. It lies on well-groomed green grass blades in Oppenheimer Park on a Sunday morning.

I

~t's a cool Sunday morning and many people have already congregated in C oppenheimer Park to find a cure for the summertime blues. Over by the swings, two teenage girls are riding high and chatterhg vivaciously, a young man practices mime, making opening and closing doors a silent art form. Two old men on a park bench by East cordova surreptitiously pass back and forth a bottle enclosed in a brown paper bag. A group of young people play an improvised game with a football. Seven or eight Oriental ladies swing their arms, breathe deeply and do 1 knee bends to make yin meet yang or I get the circulation moving. A Bible study group, seated at a table under the trees along Powell Street, testifies to chapter and verse in hushed voices. Across the street in front of the Marr Hotel, an old man in a red jacket, wearing a green and yellow cap slowly sweeps the sidewalk, getting ready for another day. Eighty years ago, Oppenheimer Park was a staging area for angry protest marches. More recently, it's been

1

&L,

LILG

, , , , , , , , ,

V L A V ~ L S -~LSOSLVG

,c

VL

,.,

PLVU-ya

,F VL

single men sharing a bottle. But now the park, a heavily used ktksquareblock of green amid the concrete and traffic of the downtown eastside is an oasis for locals. The land was acquired by the City in 1898 and was originally known as the Powell Street grounds. It was officially named Oppenheimer PArk July 26, 1911, after the city's second mayor David Oppenheimer. NOW, during the summer months, something is happening for kids all I the time. It keeps them off the street, and off the skids, says Constable Don Schmidt of the Vancou-

By JOANNE HAMEN

The Shard I found a piece of glass on the sidewalk, it glittered bright in the noonday sun; oh - sharply glowing, oh magic triangle, oh hopeless one. I squatted on the sidewalk and bore down upon the glass with a sturdy stare. In its mirrored side I saw the wrists of my many best friends marked with thin, unsuccessful white scars that spoke of despair, -

2

allu

L ,

L l l C

+

,

A I I I ~ W L G I I L

elrvrrv~rr,.l --nn LLIWOL L L U

L U b b

of young women; oh sharply glowing, oh magic triangle, oh hopeless one. Its brilliance leapt out from the sidewalk, surrounded by a dull, pedestrian grey; the piece of glass, the struggling fragment, the shard; oh sharply glowing, oh magic triangle, oh - hopeless one. Joanne Arnott


Sunrise/Sunset Standing on the Burrard Street Bridge, well after sunset. Looking at the boats moored under the starlight. Sun coming up, turn walk back to core of the city. Everything looks so peaceful and serene.

DAD I know life is not always easy for you. Although it's not easy being the daughter of a wonderful father. We've had some bad-good-and joyful times. But I'll always treasure the good times.

What pity as the sun comes up.

When I'm with you - you make me feel special. But when we're miles apart I feel the loss of your laughter and your wonderful stories.

Cars and Buses come out, Everyone start to rush about.

Dad I just want you to know you're always in my thoughts, mind and

Pushing, Shoving, to make work on time, they don't even see the sunrise.

IIIUSL

So caught up in their, middlelupper class dream machine.

u I

All

ill

iiiy XSZXC.

I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day

Love Always, Margaret

I left that work-a-day life behind. Now I have time to feel the sunrise. . C.L. Eckert

Virgin' s Lament Eating my own hunger, indifference swells. Why am I so feared? Who she will be has always been my only problem. The pain of reaching walls balances the dream. Nothing left to live with. Stuck at ground zero, an empty circle closing in, with an armless heart bloating from starvation... I can't hold onto myself any longer. Torture must have a stop. Hold me. Need me. Once before I die. And please, whoever you are, hurry! Or am I of Diana beloved? Stephen Belkin

They suffer the most She said, she loves me. I said the same. But these words vanished as the years went by. Because of this, There's sadness in my heart, and I sometimes wonder if she shares these feelings? The ones to suffer most, are the children. What happened to Mom and Dad? J'm certain this question, is always on their mind. Because they suffer the most. Henry Hebert


4

At the ~earners'Conference, 1 had the priviledge and honour to meet m. Emery Barnes, who is every inch a gentleman and concerned about the needs of the people everywhere. He came for a reason, as there was a workshop on English ahd creative writing that this writer 2 days a week. The most important fact: 250,000 can not read or write. I was as surprised as he was to learn that there was that many people in this day and age who will never get a decent wage, and who get very frustrated that they cannot supply their loved ones with proper food and a decent place to live. Poverty is to blame for this and the government red tape that a person has to go through in order to go to school is deplorable. A mother with two children doesn't have the chance of a snowball in hell - because a petty social worker in the welfare office tells her to stay home and look after "your babies" and "you are well looked after by this office." That little tin god is really saying, "We can not and will not pay for your books and pencils and fees for education because you w i 11- n e w e r amniint t n n a y t h i n e a n y -

way." I know one man who, because he was 52 years old, was refused the thirty dollars to take two courses. He really wanted to learn. In this case what the social worker was saying was, "You're too old and the government will not get the money back in the form of income taxes. " This same man wants to be a writer and has many stories to write about his life: as a cowboy, sheep herder, and about his comrades. I just love his tales and would buy his book, if it is ever published. The govern,merit would get their money back and

much, much more. This cowboy would be full of pride and say that Canada is a good country to make a living in. To get back to Mr. Barnes; he came down here to try and live on $375 a month and found that it can't be done unless you go without a few meals, nor could he afford to take a lady to a movie or anywhere else because of poverty. Yet the government keeps telling us that we, in downtown eastside, are well cared for. Nobody can live on $375 a month without standing in food lines and getting clothing from missions - all because of poverty. This writer never gets anything free except love. 1've worked since I was 12 years old, and proud of it. I like to work. But today, because of my health, nobody will hire me for wages so I do volunteer work in the community; not only for myself but for the betternent of the people who live down here - decent human citizens. We get along better with each other than people who live in fancy apartments uptown; we watch out for each other so there is very little trouble among ourselves. Give a smile and a "how are you?" and you will get the same in return. I see that I'm rattling on, so 1'11 close thi.5 by saying %+e f o r F?.E.P. .?!c will get a fair deal from Mr. Barnes, Mr. Harcourt and all the other NDPers running for office. We, the people, have nothing to lose by voting for a decent and honest government. By JAMES ROADKNIGHT


After the storm, the healers emerge. They see far, these peaceful ones, as they gather in all pain. To them, it's only memory, somehow. The earth waits ever, silent as time. Some venture too soon. Some live the storm like bridges and are swept away. Courage is a blinding'need,bound fast to other's pain, screaming for releas Courage is the flame death passes through, Like memories, once they've been shared. The storm lasts forever. The earth is in ceaseless labour. Let us emerge. The earth holds all victory. The earth gathers all loss. (The earth even suffers fatuous men). The circle of caring does not need to be large. Keep standing, and we will not fail. We all stand alone, in the unshareable heart of ourselves, naked as flames. We move together, like a circle, like a stone. Just like the earth. Into the storm. Stephen Belkin

A Sincere Presumption I don't know what I'm doing here, floating on the sea of women's pain & triuqph; I only know that I will not drown if I keep to the current, gentle or fierce, leading me back to the ground I left behind. It was the dead of winter then when T fell in... Stephen Belkin

n .


owns stairs in the Carnegie Theatre

C 1-

June 9, we were treated to the presence of two local heroes, combatants in the political/legislative arena - Emery Barnes, a very popular and well-liked MLA (NDP) and Michael Harcourt, his partner and former myor of Vancouver. During this meeting, billed as a "Get to know Your Candidates"' forum with an open mike so that questions from,the audience (largely made up of downtown eastside residents and Carnegie users) could be fielded. It was a positive evening with a full and open airing of residents' grievances , hopes and dreams. Appropriate responses were made by the politicians, who promised this; spoke about that; got angry when necessary and lambasted Socred policy (or lack of policy) regarding lack of affordable housing on the Expo site and blasted the stupidity of the cabinet in their non-sensical, scrooge-like attitude toward kids with no lunch. Fiue a d dandy. The iu'.ii. P. seems to stand solidly behind "We the people" and says that it (the party) pushes forward the concerns of those of us caught up in the crazyquilt tattered fabric of legislated poverty. But are the NIP, as represented by their leader speaking in Carnegie, all that keen on fully, openly and conscientiously representing our voice at Victoria in the legislative assembly? A legitimate Question - and one which we aught not be afraid to ask and discuss.

Case in point: During the meeting Sheila Baxter, well known and liked local author and activist, forceful poet and concerned parent, went up to the microphone and courageously assured Barnes that she was "a friend and not an enemy." She then presented to him (Harcourt was not present at this early stage of our meeting) with what is commonly called a "pacifier", used by babies to suck on. The pacifier had a note attached to be read by our illustrious and very popularly liked premier bill. The note said, "Suck on this." Emery was certainly startled and asked what he should do with it. Sheila said to present it to the premier. Emery, not quite sure what to say or do, asked us, the assembled audience/participantZf that was our wish. We wholeheartedly agreed with our whistles, clapping and cheers that "yes, it god-damned well wish!" Emery promised us that -hisour e'd present it to premier "baby" h i l l , _After Ezrcs:rt cszc f n t o meeting late, Emery explained the situation to him and he also agreed to present the pacifier. Fine, matter settled? Well, think again. I took it upon myself to double-check with the local N.D.P. office, operating out of a Broadway St. address. I called them a week after the meeting and asked if the pacifier had been presented to "baby" bill, The spokesperson did not know. O.K., fine, I let it go at that, but I phoned back first thing Monday morning , June 20.


I spoke with Rick Smith, Barne's & Harcourt's "liaison with the people". I asked again, point-blank, if the pacifier had been presented as we had asked. He said "no", and that Harcourt or Barnes would look silly presenting a pacifier to "baby" bill and that one or the other would get ejected from the legislative assembly and that it'd make the front page of the Sun or the Province. Far Out! What a swell idea Sheila came up with, but, for lack of will nf

OUT

r e p r e s e n t a t i v ~ n , t h e idea

jl .yintier.will be,+ytj

Make sure your youl' name, addrer where you can be wish, include a br characters. All en or panel size. Mail to: Comics Vancouver Sun, 2 ~nJohnston, creator of For B.C., V6113C2. Yorse, whichis carried in the YOU Deadline is Ma1 '

i s

trashed in an NDP trashbasket somewhere? I don't know but, the point is, what good is it to say, as the NDP probably do time and time again, that we as Canadians live under a system of representational democracy but those we support - not only financially but morally also - fail to (re)present our "voice" in the provincial parliament? In this case our voice, as residents of the D.E. and users of Carnegie, is deemed (I guess, for lack of better words) "too silly to mention to the political leader of the province." Well, just who is being silly, Baby bill or us? It says over the door of the Senior's Lounge that "To Have No Voice Is To Have No Power". By P. IMM (Editor's Note: Imm's point is a valid one. We, by dint of our economic status, are excluded from having any influence on Socred practices, except being the "bums, frauds, lazy, etc. Our response to such crud, especially to the perpetrator Vanderzalm. can only be one of scorn and derision.)

1 Shop for these



I am BLACK I was born BLACK When I go o u t i n t h e When I am s i c k , I am When I am dying, I ' m When they bury me, I

You a r e WHITE You were born PINK

sun I -BLACK s t i l l BLACK BLACK am s t i l l BLACK

When you go o u t i n t h e sun you t u r n RE_I Then you go BROWN When you g e t s i c k you t u r n WHITE When' you a r e dying, you go GREY When t h e y bury you, you a r e PURPLE AND YOU'VE GOT THE FUCKING NERVE TO CALL ME COLOURED! Author unknown.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.