June 15, 1990, carnegie newsletter

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I ' m w r i t i n g t o t h a n k y o u v e r y much f o r g i v i n g me y o u r c i t i z e n of t h e y e a r award a t your a n n u a l g e n e r a l meeting.

And t h a n k y o u A 1 W i l s o n f o r t h e w o n d e r f u l c a r d t h a t you y a d e .

P e o p l e a t C a r n e g i e a n d i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e h a v e a l w a y s I appreciate. this a lot. been v e r y s u p p o r t i v e t o m e .

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SGEE g o o d Laities t o g e t h e r - - s t o p p i n g t h e $ 5 0 c u t b a c k t o p e o p l e on w e l f a r e and f i g h t i i n g b a c k , w h e n t h e s o c r e d s ' s e n t t h e l e t t e r t o 49,000 p e o p l e t h r e a t e n i n g t o c u t them o f f welfare.

C a r n e g i e p e o p l e have a l s o h e l p e d g e t t h e food program i n Vancouver s c h o o l s .

And C a r n e g i e p e o p l e l e d t h e f i g h t t o s t o p the resource recovery plant.

T h e s e v i c t o r i e s show t h a t when p o o r p e o p l e w o r k t o g e t h e r , we c a n win!

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ne nape f c x g l i t

I ' m h o p i n g t h a t we c a n b e s t r o n g a n d u n i t e d f o r f u t u r e struggles: s t o p p i n g t h e GST a n d U I c u t s ; g e t t i n g w e l f a r e r a t e s a n d minimum w a g e s i n c r e a s e d ; a n d g e t t i n g d e c e n t h o u s i n g w e c a n afford.

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T h a n k s v e r y much f o r y o u r s u p p o r t .

Sincerely, J e a n Swanson

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Marathon days provide:mom $50 a month

early in the morning, takea them 6 'day c a y plcb up at least one c u d 1 fi-@@ff ,* i ' , > :from day care and is the emergency Kathy Edwatds' workday s t a k :at lcontrct for six families. If a child is ! 4 a m am! &â‚Ź&rt&Y&r tn 12 !hm: ' ;I;* w;;;pivf;& ear&his;a p r e " i -'lii k e ena oi the month she yill returns home. be allowed to keep $50 of tbe mon y Edwards sald she Is willing to work she has earned. provided it does not cost her more than she is getting on welfare to put Tbe Haywafil' Helghb mother her children In day care. tour chlkhen, ranging in age i Taking in chlldren seemed to be one four to 12 yean, ls a welfare recipient of the only solutions, she said. who often takea In day-care chWen "1 feel I have been coerced in@It." aeven days a week to supplement her Edwards now hopes to buUd up the monthly Income and to satlsfy Social day-care business and bupplement U Services and Housing tbat she la will. with house-cleanlngor palntlng to the lng to work.

I point that she can get off welfare a d Welfare motbers are allowed to keep whatever she earns. keep $1W plua 25 per cent of what they But the low-payingjobs will tend to earn but If tbey also receive maink perpetuate her poverty, she admits. nance, they can keep $100 of the "They say you have choices but I maintenance money and then onlyt% don't know what sort of choice thls per cent of their eanrings.

Is," she said. ' Edwards, wbo recelves $700 monthThere is evidence that women on ly from welfare and $400 in malntewelfare are being coerced Into babynance payments, laughed and sald: sitting because they are worded they "Someope at Wial Services sald 'but don't you feel better for eamlng your . will be cut off Uthey refuse to provide day care, says Jean Swanaon of the money.' I'm w@ng my buns off for Vancouver group End Legislated ' supposed to feel nothing and ;m Poverty. better?"

'TUIc&p program L Y I ~ ~ I One prqblem ir the extra $50 barely covren snacb for the day-cire cbll, ble and conveaient' for the current d m , she saM. B.C. @WIment. It provides a cheap "It's my boua and my food and powerless labor force, and discrlmlthen you bave 8 Uttle bit more laundry nates W a h t poor women and chll'and d i s h and Band-Alda It starts dren," she sald. adding up," she sald. "But It does ! h m o n wants women who volunallow a few extras for school pictures t a d l ~decide to do day care to be able and school supplies." to keep all the money they earn.

However, the "enhanced eam!ngsW Darlene Manad (NDP Vancouverue allowed only 12months out of 36.

Point Grey) sald the women are being '*- "So next year If1kept on doing this I wed as slave labor. would be working for nothing," she "It's w a g slavery and these aren't yid. even wages and tbere's no bridging to ' Edwa after three children

By Judith kvolv r

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decent jobs," she. sald in an interview. ' The women are afraid to appear &iw-h&= ,,&& -*& &&mD

tralnlng program offered by Ola prw'Ince "because the system aaya 'you whrt YOU are getting,' " don't she sald.

Durlng questlon period In the legb kUvclast week, Manarl uked Norm Jacobsen, socid r e d m and bowing mlnlster, to "state in publlc tbat no welfare mother Is oing to be forced off welfare If s e does not accept this slave labor and this socalled training."

Manad also asked for a change in the remrlations to allow women to keep the money and for a program to develop more licensed child*care,

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Jacobsen sald he does m t belleve the sltuatlon exlsb.

"As a matter of fact.the Informatlon I ave is that when these Iales rho $3 receiving welfare assistance go into providing thls day-care aervice, they are not pushed into It, they choose to do it," herald.

Dean Gronsdahl, soclal services and housing Information offlcer, sald women are not being p m u r e d to take the chlld-care training.

"All referrals are based on a person's vocational aptitude and Interest," he sald.

"But there Is always the expectation that people on temporary asslstance will actively seek work It's a safety net to help people untll they find work," he sald.

The unlicensed day-care setting with a famlly Is frequently the choice of parents receiving a day-care s u b sidy, Gronsdahl said. ,

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Childcare or Workfare?

Jean Swanson wrote a letter for ELP to Dueck asking him to "write us a letter stating that no woman will be cut off welfare if she refuses to take this (caregiver training) course or to provide the childcare; that all women, including women on GAIN, have a right to be satisfied with their childcare arrangements and won't be forced by the Ministry to accept arrangements they are not comfortable with."

"In addition we urge that you change GAIN Regulations so that women who do decide voluntarily to do this work get to keep all the money they make, just as foster parents do."

"Finally the government should develop the needed amount of licensed childcare spaces with trained workers who get decent wages."

PETER DUECK resigned as Minister when the facts of his travel expenses in Europe were made public.

The Acting Minister, Norman Jacobsen, signed his name to this note: "With respect to your concerns D--+-."--tL-t LIICZL I L",=,La".U

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in order that income earned from providing day care services be totally exempt. Currently, after three months all employable recipient- receive an exemption of 25% of earnings above the basic $50 a month exemption for single persons and $100 a month for families. Furthermore, consideration may be given for costs such as food, toys, equipment and utilities when calculating the recipient's actual net income."

CAP is the aggreement between Federal & Provincial governments, with Canada paying 50% of the provinces social program costs. In this agreement is the following: "Work activity program" means a program the purpose of which is to provide for entry or return to employment a person in need or likely to be a person in need. l' IN THE SAME AGREEMENT: "Provide that no person shall be denied assistance because he refuses or has refused to take part in a ''work activity program". "

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cipients will be required to participate in the Day Care Support Program, I wish to clarify that referrals to employment and training opportunities are based on a person's vocational aptitude and interests.

Furthermore, in keeping with the Ministry's positions that parents have the right and responsibility to choose their own day care arrangements, recipients will not be required to use day care arrangements that do not meet their families' needs.

The Ministry has no intention of changing the G.A.I.N. Regulations

No one can be cut off for refusing to take part in MSSH sponsored program. JOB TRAC, Richmond's pet, is $26 million in the hole. He said "over 500 people were placed in job through this program" but it cost taxpayers $80 million to set up and administer the government's end.

If you or anyone you know is being threatened with being cut off if you don't become a full-time babysitter, call ELP at 321-1202. Call Rita Chudnovsky, ~ancouver's child advocate, at City Hall and send letters to ELP at f"104-2005E.43rd, Van. or to Rita at 453 W.12th Ave., Van.

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Picking- Off S t r a g g l e r s

you on t h e s t r e e t . That such a They came f o r a p w r , d i r t y d e r e l i c t s a i n t would venture o u t of h i s her~ u It d i d n ' t o b j e c t m e t i c a l l y s e a l e d cave i n t o t h e c i t y Because he was d i s g u s t i n g . a i r - s o f u l l of poisons o r put They came f o r an Armenian - the h i s hands on any door handle But X d i d n ' t o b j e c t gerins o r d r i n k t h e water the Because 1 ' m white. p o s s i b i l i t y of t o x i c wastes - o r They came f o r a suckling mother ever, ever buy anything a t Carnegie baring h e r b r e a s t t h a t someone prepared without surBut I d i d n ' t o b j e c t g i c a l l y c l e a n hands o r even d r i n k Because she was inappropriate. t h e pure water here i n a g l a s s t h a t They came f o r an improperly-dressed person wasn't s t e r i l i z e d moments befar-e-use But I d i d n ' t o b j e c t Anyway, u n t i l someone follows you Because , t h a t ' s not my t r i p . keep those c a r d s & l e t t e r s going!

Then t h e b i g o t s came f o r me n ra _ u l Tiiyinr But the& was' no one l e f t t o defend m e

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Korky Day Dear E d i t o r , I f you h&il $40,000, would you spend i t t o t r y t o vent tobacco smoke from a p u b l i c building? O r would you be s e n s i b l e and use t h e funds f o r much-needed improvements while banning smoking? Carnegie Cent r e has a h i s t o r y of encouraging tobacco s u i c i d e more than any p u b l i c i n s t i t u t i o n i n Vancouver. (Staff

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want us & our c h i l d r e n t o d i e ? Expensive v e n t i l a t i o n i s a cowardly, cruel half-effort.

So f a r , a s f a r a s I can t e l l , none of our e l e c t e d o r appointed repres e n t a t i v e s i s brave enough t o d i s t u r b t h i s h o r n e t ' s n e s t of a d d i c t s .

They would r a t h e r buy them o f f with our money. Maybe $40,000 i s n ' t much t o you, but i t takes me a long time . t o earn t h a t much!

And what o t h e r conrmunity c e n t r e would g e t such shabby treatment by t h e a u t h o r i t i e s and do-gooders?

It must be d i f f i c u l t having t o d e a l w i t h t h e awe and reverence you must experience from people passing

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Mayor & Council: City of Vancouver During a recent walk in my neighbourhood I noticed a sign on the (apparently) unused building at ' Princess and Hastings (SW corner).

This very small sign indicated that the building was being used for the storage of PCB's, that there was a potential hazard, and who to phone in case of an emergency.

Since my home is two blocks away and Strathcona School and Community Centre one-half block away from the L I storage site, I have some questions: 1. How long have PCB's been stored in this location?

2. How much, and in what containers are the PCB's stored?

3. Who is the owner of these materials, and the building in which they are stored?

4 . Is this a permanent or temporary storage site? Is this material obsolete and awaiting permanent disf posal?

5, Are PCB's stored at other sites in the East End of Vancouver?

6 , How is the community notified (or is it?) of the presence of PCB' s?

7 - Does the iocal firehall have a list of sites of PCB" in its catchment area?

8. Do firemen have special training in case of fire at a site?

9, Are the school and community centre notified of the presence sf BcB's in such close proximity?

10. What are the dangers from PCB' s if they escape: 1 A. Into the ground?

B. Into the air?

11. Are evacuation plans ready in case of a large spill? (Many of .the elderly Chinese in the area ,speakno English.)

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12. What are the roles of Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments in relation to PCB's?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Ron Hansen

That's two streets over We don't launder the aoney We sell the drugs.

We demolish 1 And we'll sell OWyour as, It don't sound too good, but We do it for Cash.

Well Ma'am That is a problem To be sure, and I am glad that I'm The one to tell you That you've come to the right place.

Because with all that free time You can grow some nice pot.

Well Dear Let -I t me put it t ; r i g -----Y ' -- ienainly is a nice day and That is a physical awareness That You ' re sharing with me So cerebrally speaking it'll continue to be so long as we don't vote.

Well officer I really can't Tell you 1'm standing here telling everyone Where to go but MY sense of direction is unerring I can always tell a person that There is only up and dam.

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PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT 1989 - 1990 A lot of things can happen in a rear, and a year in the life of the zarnegie Community Centre Association is no exception. When I sat down to mite my annual report to the member;hip, I was amazed to recall how much .Jas accomplished during 1989-90. The issociation made a strong contribution to the life of Carnegie and to the life of the community too. SomeLimes we may take the Association a lit for granted, so the annual report is a good time to review our role, .md our many actlvltles. * The Association is a major fundraiser for Carnegie. In 1989-90, qe raised more than $140,000, mostly shrough bingo and grants from govern-nents and foundations. * The Association is a voice for Carnegie people. We sponsor the zarnegie Newsletter, the best-read mblication in the Downtown Eastside. .Is well, we hold regular "town hall neetings" so Carnegie people can make "emselves heard on all sorts of issues. * The Association provides money for equipment and programs. In 1989-90, for instance, a partial list includes porcelain cups for the Kitchen, hides for the cultural sharing Sroup, toys for moms and tots, a drum ;cityping pong equipment, punching >ag, and books for both the library m d the Learning Centre. We also '~elpedpay for events like Christmas m d Canada Day. The Association is a major supporter of the Carnegie Volunteer :)rogram. In 1989590, we started funding a big chunk of the various out-trips, picnics and camping trips -:hat volunteers love.

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The Association sponsors various programs, through grants. These include the Learning Centre, Oppenheimer Park and the Downtown Eastside Poets.

The Association is the democratic organisation of Carnegie people.

In 1989-90 we established three more committees for specific issues: Volunteers, Oppenheimer Park and Education (Learning Centre). Any Carnegie member can take part in these. * The Association advises the director and staff on running Carnee gie. In 1989-90 we fought successfully Iciger hcsrs 2 ~ 2 job s,=e~j-fcy for staff. We take part in hiring panels for staff, and 2 board members Paul Taylor and myself - have been on the committee planning the renovations. ' 1 with staff and City Hall personnel.

The Association speaks up for Carnegie on public issues. In 1989-90 Lj we fought City Hall over the garbage plant - and won1 The Association contributes on be- I I half od the membership to other community needs, including Crabtree Corner Day-care, Downtown Eastside Youth Project and the Downtown Eastside women's Centre. Looking ahead to the next year, our biggest challenge w a l undoubtedly be the renovations. Expansion of our Centre is something we have worked for and dreamed about for more than four years. It is absolutely necessary if we are to accomodate the growing numbers of people who flock through our doors every day. The expansion will soon be a reality. But the period when the renovations are actua1,ly taking place will have some difficulties. That will start this summer. Some parts of the buildings will be closed for short periods for construction, so that will require

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flexibility and cooperation on the part of all.

I'm confident that we'll get through this period and come out with a better Carnegie. We had a lot of accomplishments last year. Thanks to all the people who make Carnegie go - th'e patrons, the staff, the Association and of course the Volunteers. Without all of them, there would be no Carnegie. With them, we enjoy the most unique community centre in Canada.

By MLIGGS SIGURGEIRSON

"The Shirt Off Your Back" Mulroney has taken Canada to the greatest low it's ever experienced. ltss no longer possible to buy things made in Canada and spend less than 20% more than you'd spend in the States for the same thing.

To hear people talk you'd think everyone was retired an- reminiscing about "the old days". .saying ''used to be that it'd cost too much to drive to the states and buy stuff... you'd buy it here and call it a fair deal. Now this 'free' trade crap is costing us our jobs, our independence and even our self-respect.

W..lv-...--s h ~ i i l dbe shot & pissed on.".

Mulroney's the mouthpiece. In a poll a little while ago, most of us were told what 55% of all Canadians knew in 1988 - that the Tories and Mulroney were lying through their teeth about most everything they promised. What's really sad is that the science of electioneering is just that - a Science. You can feed enough people so much crap that they feel better just getting rid of some of it and end up thinking that what's left in their mouth isn't near as bad as the whole shitload they had in there before they got to spit.

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Jean Swanson, of End Legislated Poverty, helped organize a benefit dance held at the Commodore on Granville on June 7th. It was called, straightforwardly enough, "The Shirt Off Your Back" and peoplc! were asked to bring an old shirt, put it in a big envelope along with a form letter (signed & dated) and m i l it to Mulroney. Over 300 such shirts were packaged and taken to the Post Office on Friday. Just the smallest bit of thinking about consequences shows what's going on: Corporations and the rich are dump. ing more of the financial burden caused by their greed on the working, people and low-income people. In the last issue of the Newsletter was a multiple-chofce.questionaire that had facts about what's really resulted in terms of the fairness of our economy and who is having to bear more and more of the price for a handful of wealthy and influential people.

What's also sickening is taxpayer's money being used to lie and cheat the people who pay tax in the first place. If you listen to a lot of radio stations, there's ads every hour to call a number and listen to someone public relations con you with h z ~ f - t , ~ . ; t , h~~6 ~ Gutxigilt lies about how great the Goods & Services Tax is and how wonderful "Free" trace is and how patriotic you are to pay the same amount of tax on what you buy as the richest people in the country,..even though you also pay fncamecjtax and these bastards don't pay a dime on 3 or 4 hundred millioc dollars every year. This, according to them anyway, is as fine as paint/ right as rain/llokayby ME/ (choose your cliche').

One man spoke at the brnefit who had been a writer for the Financial Post or the Financial Times or some such paper..anyway he was fired when

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he began to write about what would happen to the econor~ywith the GSt in place. He referred to the poll mentioned above: 15% of Canadians surveyed think Mulroney is doing OK ias prime minister; 16% thought the Tories were an OK government; 17% of Canadians think Elvis is still alive!

Politicians count on words to convince the majority of voters that what they say will count, that their opinions are valuable, and that these hucksters will actually try and get what you want. They also count on words and proven techniques to scare off people who see whatss really "go= . <-,.

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TOP AWARD GOES TO FOUR SISTERS The Four Sisters Housing Co-op has won top honours from the Urban Development Institute Pacific Region.

This award is usually given to members of this Institute, whose annual fee for being a member is $1000.

A change in this order was made for the 1990 award because DERA, concerned with the development of nonprofit housing, doesn't have $1000 to pay for membership. The Urban Development Institute made the presentation regardless.

The plaque reads:

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Award for Excellence presented to DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE RESIDENTS' ASSOC. for FOUR SISTERS HOUSING CO-OP In recognition of its contribution to excellence in the development of the 1 Urban Environment.

What's weird is that most of Canada is owned by about 40 families who, with their supporters/parasites make up almost the whole of this 15%. i Exhorting people to register and to !vote in elections is one way tp get a lot of cynical answers. People are convinced that nothing much helps and we're doomed to go through cycle after cycle of getting pounded down and ripped off by the corporate agenda.

Our children won't have a hope in hell of ever changing anything if we, 'as teachers & people, don't fight now instead of leaving triple the fight and 114 of the ammo to our kids.

U owe it to them to make this fight a winning proposition. f

By PAULR TAYLOR

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Volunteer Survival Guide Five years ago Carnegie volunteers and staff produced a Volunteer Survival Guide. It's purpose was to provide a word of welcome and information to new volunteers.

Over this time Carnegie has changed and it's time to update and revise thid Guide.

If you have an interest in layout, graphics or production your assistance is needed. There will be a meeting on Thursday, June 21 at 2:OO pm. Contact Atiba or Peter for details,

GENERAL

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ADM'SS1oN

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PRESENTS

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM SONG! We are Canadians And we are the best team We do the Watoosee we're seven feet tall.

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ADMISSION I S SUBJECT TO CObPL(ANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWA 6 BYLAWS, REGULATIONS AND TOWN PUFP RULES.

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The world (or team we're playing) $ may beat us Il ADMISSION is free with a ticket you But they can't defeat us t can get at ~arnegie' s Info Desk or 'Cuz we are Canadians from Steve Rose.Itla $3.00 at the door.

And we're on the ball. ; -"L along, sing along, s i u g along, IT'S A TWO-WAY STREET Om Ga Wa, Om Ga Wa, Tutoring for me isn't just staying Om Ga Wa, Om Ga Wa, at a desk in the Learning Centre.

Om Ga Wa, Om Ga Wa, Om Ca Wa Wa. Sometimes I go shopping with my stuOm Ga Wa, Om Ga Wa, Om Cia Wa, Om Ga \la dents..we meet for coffee..talk on Om Ga Wa, Om Ga IJa, Om (;a IJa IJa. the phone.

Last week I took Helen, my Chinese (to the tune of John Brown's body) student, to North Van by Seabus then We are all Canadians

by Skytrain to New West and back. We And proud of it we are stopped at the New West Quay for We're going to win the Pan Am Games coffee. Helen has lived many years For we have come this far. in Vancouver but had never taken the Seabus. we're going to take Being a tutor doesn't mean you The medals home need a degree. What you need is patAnd make us all a star ience ncd 3 $:zilifigncss =- find ant AS we go rolling on. what your student wants to do - then Glory Glory what a hell of a team we got if you can do it, you make an agreeGlory glory what a hell of a team we got ment with each other.

Glory glory what a hell of a team we got I have learned much about the ChiAs we go rolling on. nese and Vietnamese cultures.

From two students I learned a lot We've got the men's and women's teams about street life in Vancouver.

The finest in the land Two of my students died, one NatWe'll take you on in basketball ive and one Asian, but I was glad to And fight you hand to hand have helped them when they were alive We'll take you on in all the sports It's really importgn,t to be gentle Not only on the courts when teaching becauseJso many of us As we go rolling on. have been damaged by the school syst Chorus - Glory glory, etc. tems that never took time to listen or understand our needs.

Written on a hot day M c b u i c o games 1975 by If. J. E, 1ki:inc. I ' i t l c : l , i l ~ l \ l .

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ARIES

PROJECT NATIVE PROGRAMMING FOR TODAY'S YOUTH THE PROJECT Aries is a-day/evening program for "street involved" Native youths aged 14 to 19 years whose basic economic and social needs are being met on the streets, rather than through family support systems, employment, or academic endeavors.

THE PHILOSOPHY Youth have a right to a safe, nonthreatening environment in which to learn, grow and enjoy life regardless of behavioural problems, legal situations, family or personal backgrounds.

THE PROGRAM In-school nutritious lunch & dinner ;\ Recreational / social programs * Arts and crafts ;\ Native cultural enrichment $;Basic life skills & health information 9; Individual counselling Academic upgrading I'HE GOAJiS The goal is to draw Native youth from the streets into the larger community.

Through a multi-faceted approach, field trips and in-class experiences, students will learn to deal with anger, loneliness, rejection, boredom and peer pressure. Each student is treat3d individually.

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#1 - 1607 East Hastings

Vancouver, B.C. V5L IS7

Telephone (604) 2 5 5 -1326

Fax (604) 874-8142 THE SPONSORSHIP The Urban Native Youth Association (URNYA) is incorporated as a nonprofit Society under registration of the Province of British Columbia. uRNYA's mandate is to help Native youth make a successful transition to the urban setting. URNYA currently sponsors two projects. Native Youth Job Corps (founded in 1985 and funded by Canada Employment and Immigration) addresses employment needs of young Native adults. Aries Native Youth Project, founded in 1989 and funded jointly by the Ministry of Social Services and Housing and the Vancouver School Board, will assist young Natives to establish a life away from the streets.

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I2 K O a n a p p r o p r i a t e agency o r lawyer.

Support f o r l e g a l a i d : A 1987 p o l l conducted by Goldfarb r:onsultants f o r t h e Law S o c i e t y of 3.C. r e v e a l e d overwhelming s u p p o r t <Tor l e g a l a i d : 87 p e r c e n t s a i d i t i s government's r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o p r o v i d e a lawyer t o t h o s e who c a n ' t a f f o r d one; * 90 p e r c e n t of people supported o r moderately s u p p o r t t h e p r i n c i p l e of l e g a l a i d on f i r s t exposure.

A f t e r a b r i e f d e s c r i p t i o n of l e g a l a i d , who g e t s i t , and how i t i s funded, s u p p o r t r o s e t o 95 p e r c e n t ammg t h e s2:::ne grcup. x 98 p e r c e n t s a i d i t was e s s e n t i a l t h a t a l l people who cannot a f f o r d a lawyer be provided w i t h one t o ensure equal treatment before t h e law. :: 98 p e r c e n t s a i d funding l e g a l a i d i s n e c e s s a r y i n any s o c i e t y t h a t believes i n justice f o r all.

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MSSH pays f e e s f o r l a n d l o r d d i s p u t e s Fees f o r ALL t e n a n t l a n d l o r d d i s p u t e s , n o n - f i n a n c i a l and f i n a n c i a l , a r e now p a i d f o r by MSSH c r i s i s g r a n t s .

Before t h e end of January, MSSH p o l i c y around l a n d l o r d t e n a n t d i s p u t e s w a s confusing. Freda MacLellan, advoc a t e w i t h DERA, helped spearhead a l e t t e r w r i t i n g campaign t h a t g o t t h e p o l i c y c l a r i f i e d . They t a r g e t e d t h e Attorney G e n e r a l ' s o f f i c e , P e t e r Due c k s s o f f i c e and t h e Canadian Bar Association.

Now, t h e $30 u s e r f e e f o r a r b i t r a t i o n i s p a i d f o r by a c r i s i s g r a n t . The f e e f o r t h e "land t i t l e search" which i s done t o see who owns t h e b u i l d i n g ( i e f o r h o t e l s ) i s a l s o p a i d by crisis g r a n t . Crisis g r a n t s a r e NOT deducted from monthly cheques.

For i n f o , c a l l Garry Dundas: 387-1486

I asked a f r i e n d where you've been l a t e l y . "Gone f o r t h e summer," came t h e answer l i k e a water f i l l e d b a l l oon f a l l i n g from a h i g h p l a c e o n t o my head.

!

"So, s h e ' s gone. Good ," I t h o u g h t ; sour-grapely, "now I can g e t h e r o u t of my system."

Days l a t e r : i t ' s t r u e ; t h e system d o e s n ' t work.

I m i s s your i d e a l s . I m i s s how you t r i e d t o spread your t i m e e v e n l y w i t h u s . I m i s s how you t r e a t e d d i f f e r e n t p e e r groups w i t h l i t t l e fluctuating equality. >

--.

Youl,ve earned your freedom over' and above your u n a p p r e c i a t e d d u t y , and now t h e r e ' s n o t h f n g t o do b u t w a i t f o r t h e day when y o u ' r e j u s t suddenl y "theresv again.

Gamy Gust b

CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION The Annual General Meeting saw the election of 15 people, out a field of 20 nominees, to the Board of Directors. The Board is the deciding body for our Association, but most of the interesting work is done in committees. Following is an overview of the standing committees and a few points on their work. Every standing committee is open to members of the Association and, after attending 3 consecutive meetings, a member may become a voting member of that committee.

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reviews programs & activities in Carnegie listens to proposqls for new things (programs, activities, equipment, etc.) recommends Association sponsorship and/or funding for eyents

FINANCE COMMITTEE ----------------

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sets yearly budget; determines monthly amounts available. reviews requests from other committees for funds recommends special event expen-

Gi'iuies - recommendations regarding bank accounts, systems, procedures - works with account & auditor COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

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reviews all community issues (welfare, housing, environment, safety, racial concerns forum for input from agencies & groups outside Carnegie responsible for TOWN HALL FORUM monthly meetings re: issue, info arranging for speakers, etc.

...)

reviews activities, suggestions for improvements, staffing responsible for liaison with Parks Board and fundinglprogramming requests

EDUCATION COMMITTEE -------------------

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reviews ideas & proposals for literacy work, education work and relationship with School Bd.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE -----------------

- works with Library staff -

PROGRAM COMMITTEE ---------------

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OPPENHEIMER PARK COMMITTEE ..........................

to review suggestions of users liaison with Learning Centre and literacy/E.S.~. materials

VOLUNTEERS COMMITTEE ....................

- plans tripsloutings with staff - helps promote volunteering - works to improve volunteer recognition and appreciation

, The Board meets on the 1st Thursday of every month.

Community Relations meets on the last Thursday of the month at 4:15.

Program Committee meets on the Tuesday before the Board meeting at 4 : O O .

Finance meets nn the !~!n2zzs&y be fore the Board meeting.

All meetings & times will be posted on the red ASSOCIATION NEWS bulletin boards and all meetings of standing committees are open.

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By PAULR TAYLOR

CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION President: MUGGS SIGURGEIRSON BOARD

&

Vice-Prenident: PAUL TAYLOR

0f DIRECTORS

Treasurer: JEFF SOMMERS Secretary: BARB MORRISON Member-at-Large:

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DANNY KORICA

SHEILA BAXTER

BRIAN HETHERINGTON

GEORGE BERRIOS

JULIEN LEVESQUE

STEVE BLACK EAGLE

NORM MARK

BILL DEACON

MARGARET PREVOST

GARRY GUST

BILL QUINN

BOARD -

Garry Gust Julien Levesque Muggs Sigurgeirson Bill Quinn Sonya Enockson' Wayne Kelland

OPPENHEIMER PARK

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I COMMUNITY RELATIONS I Brian Hetherington Danny Korica Julien Levesque Muggs Sigurgeirson Jeff Sommers Wayne Kelland

REPRESENTATIVES TO COMMUNITY GROUPS

George Berrids Steve Black Eagle Norm Mark Elliot George 8

End Legislated Poverty SHEILA BAXTER

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Steve Black Eagle Garry Gust - Margaret Prevost - Bill Quinn - Muggs Sigurgeirson - Jeff Sommers - Paul Taylor - B+b Gudmundson

1 VOLUNTEERS COMMITTEE I

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- Bill Deacon - Barb Morrison - Paul Taylor

Danny Korica Margaret Prevost - Wayne Kelland - Bob Sarti

I I I

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EDUCATION COMMITTEE

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

SENIORS SUPPORT GROUP

- Sheila Baxter - Bill Deacon

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Norm Mark (President) Sheila Bell (Vice-Pres) George Nicholas (Sec.)

Steve Black Eagle Julien Levesque - Barb Morrison -.

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I POOL ROOM SUPPORT GROUP

Urban Core

Downtown Eastside Youth Activities Society - -- - ..

BARB MORRISON -

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I NEWSLETTER

The Board meets on the 1st Thursday of the month in the Theatre at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting times for the committees are posted on the red ASSOCIATION NEWS bulletin boards.

Board members have a vote on committees. Association members may become voting committee members after attending three consecutive meetings.

Paul Taylor (President) Roy Moen (Vice-president) Wayne Kelland (Executive)

1'0 The Carnegie A s s o c i a t i o n Some people may say t o me, "You :.ost.. . I 1 , i n r e f e r e n c e t o t h e e l e c !:ion h e l d June 3rd f o r t h e Carnegie i i s s o c i a t i o n Board of D i r e c t o r s a t }:he annual g e n e r a l meeting. S i x t y (GO) l ~ a l l o t e dtwenty nominees f o r f i f t e e n ~ o s i t i o n s . Not one of those b a l l o t s was r e f u s e d due t o i m p r o p r i e t i e s i n :he mechanism. The g e n e r a l o r d e r of che meeting, a l t h o u g h It d i d n o t pro:eed completely a s p e r adopted agenda, gas upheld reasonably w e l l .

Most of t h e newly e l e c t e d board nembers have had previous e x p e r i e n c e 8:s

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s c i a t i o n , which worked towards t h e i r s f f e c t i v e n e s s a s t h e b a l l o t s were 2ounted. T h e i r s u c c e s s e s i n t h i s community over p a s t a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s l e a d s me t o t h e b e l i e f t h a t I d i d n o t l o s e a s a member of t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n .

I f e e l t h e community w i l l n o t l o s e either.

The meeting, f o r me, was a l e s s o n i n democracy. I f e l t proud t o t a k e p a r t as a nominee and am proud t o be a member of t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I f e e l no door has been slammed i n my f a c e b u t r a t h e r openings a r e appearing f o r me i f I choose t o i n d u l g e myself f u r t h e r a s an a c t i v e participant i n t h i s community.

I would l i k e t o thank t h o s e of you ( i f any) who chose t o v o t e f o r my (board) membership. I would a l s o l i k e t o urge you t o f e e l t h a t your v o t e w a s n o t ' l o s t ' , even though my e l e c t i v e representation was. I s h a l l not d i s a p p e a r . I p l a n t o c o n t i n u e volun-

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a s an a c t i v e member of t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I n t h i s d e e p e s t r e s p e c t democ r a c y , as w e l l a s t h e newly e l e c t e d won f o r t h i s board of d i r e c t o r s , h a s community.

Grow w e l l and prosper.

WAYNE KELLAND Pool Room Executive, Carnegie Centre.

Mondays wpm.

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Wed. e v e n i n g : 5 t o 8 : 3 0 Dr. AI, VENNEMA ~ l ~ u r . G & i n ~5: t C 8 : 3 0 I& COIJN t1ORRICKS S'I'D n u r s e s a r e o n s i t e

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N e i l M.-$2 B. & B. -$8 C i t y l u f u e t e f f c a n ' t accept I a n -$5 P e t e r E.-$4.57 J w e t l u u r r f u r t h l ~N e w l e t t e r , ao CEEUS - $ l o K e i t h C.-$20 If you cau hip, f t n d I'actl 'Itrylur L i n d a F.-$50 E t l e n n e S .-$20 UIIJl t c ' l l g l u e you a t e c e l p t Mendel R.-$15 Wilfrid B.-$7 K'lem G.-$5 Anonymous -$48.73 I h s , ~ l i soval y h o t l v Terry t h e T e r r i b l e -$I00 A r c h i e M.-$100 L i n d a K.-$100 Maureen R.-$5 Sandy C.-$40

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NEED HELP?

DERA c a n h e l p y o u w i t h :

* * * * * *

a n y w ~ l f n r ep r c 3 1 e ~ s UIC p r o b l e m s getting legal assistance unsafe living conditions i n h o t e l s o r apartments disputes with landlords income t a x

DERA i s l o c a t e d a t 9 E a s t H a s t i n g s o r phone 682-0931.

I ,

D E R A HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE F O R 1 6 YEARS

ALIENA'L'ION UNDER ATTACK: When I wrote about t h e v a l u e of a l i e n a t i o n i n t h e May 1 5 t h i s s u e (The Great Divi d e ) , I c e r t a i n l y never expected t o be s e v e r e l y c r i t i c i z e d by two Learning Cent r e t u t o r s . A f t e r some c o n s i d e r a t i o n howe v e r , i t seems q u i t e n a t u r a l t h a t they should d e s p i s e i d e a s t h a t s t a n d a p a r t from t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l underpinnings of system v e r i f i c a t i o n they s u p p o r t . They s a y , " I t ' s t h e a c t i v e involvement i n everyday a f f a i r s which e n a b l e s any i n d i v i d u a l t o c r i t i c a l l y examine t h e processes & dynamics of contemporary s o c i e t y

."

1 d o n ' t t h i n k s o . "Active involvement i n : ! ~ e r y d l2~f f 2 i r s 1 ' z ~ q i i 2 1 a. ~ n ~Z t ~ c r p i d n r e

of t h e pre-conceived r u l e s of t h e game whether t h a t game i s being played o u t i n t.he Learning Centre, t h e P o l i c e Department o r t h e supgrmarket, i t ' s a n o b s e r v a b l e '-act t h a t t h o s e most a c t i v e l y involved a r e those most a c t i v e l y opposed t o any c r i t i cism of t h e p r o c e s s they a r e s o a c t i v e l y nvolved i n . I t ' s a l s o t r u e t h a t t h o s e op11osed t o change a r e t h e f i r s t t o emphasize t h e i r openness t o c o n s t r u c t i v e c r i t i c i s m , :Iet when such c r i t i c i s m i s i n t r o d u c e d , i t rs a u t o m a t i c a l l y i s o l a t e d & n e u t r a l i z e d by t hem a s " j u s t your opinion" & then i s f u r t h e r reduced t o only one d e b a t i n g p o i n t cmong many - i n t h i s way c r i t i c i s m can be s w i f t l y & d e m o c r a t i c a l l y done away w i t h .

I n t e l l e c t u a l s o f t e n u s e such t a c t i c s t o : ; i l e n c e c r i t i c i s m of t h e system t h a t suppo r t s t h e i r l i f e s t y l e . " I n t e l l e c t u a l super: o r i t y " i s a s t r a n g e and somewhat f a s c i n a t i n g b i r d - but when you l o o k c l o s e l y , i t tecomes a p p a r e n t t h a t i t s wings a r e c l i p p t d , o r , a s a f r i e n d of mine s a y s , "You c a n ' t t e a c h a caged b i r d t o f l y . I t A l i e n a t i o n i s t h e only way t o f l y h i g h cbove t h e mind-set n e c e s s a r y f o r a c t i v e :nvolvement i n everyday a f f a i r s . The overl i e provided ~ by a p o s i t i o n o u t s i d e & be~ o n dt h e common s p l a c e can change o u r i d e a s about t h e v a l u e of everyday a c t i o n s . l'or example, technology, i n s p i t e of t h e ; b u s e s of i t , b r i n g s u s t h e a l i e n a t i o n of c u t e r space. F l o a t i n g above t h e atmosphere,

s a t e l l i t e cameras r e c o r d i n d e t a i l t h e e f f e c t s sf i n d u s t r i a l " p r o g r e s s qt ~h e a c t Lve involvement i n everyday a f f a i r s of t h e m a j o r i t y ) & r e v e a l from t h e i r a l i e n a t e d p o s i t i o n t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s "progress" i s n o t h i n g but t h e p r o g r e s s of a d i s e a s e t h a t i s e a t i n g up t h e n a t u r a l world.

In order t o s e e t h i s - t o see t h e r e s u l t of t h e way we do t h i n g s down h e r e , i t i s necessary t o s t e p o u t s i d e t h i s world...our eyes must " a l i e n a t e " themselves & s e e t h r u t h e e y e s of a machine s h o t i n t o o r b i t above & beyond o u r a c t i v e involvement i n everyday a f f a i r s . Today t h i s g i a n t s t e p outside is necessary i n order t o r e a l i z e t h a t t h e r e s u l t s of most of o u r everyday a c t i v i t i e s a r e malignant. . B e f o r e i t was p o s s i b l e t o transcend t h e human p e r s p e c t i v e through technology, a n a l t e r n a t i v e o r a l i e n a t e d p o s i t i o n on every day a c t i v i t i e s could b e achieved inwardly by minimalizing a l l e g i a n c e t o c o l l e c t i v e v a l u e s . . . t h i s produces a "Great Divide", a p a r t i n g o f t h e ways. I n a s e n s e , t h e ext r a t e r r e s t r i a l assessment of o u r s i t u a t i o n can be achieved i n a t r a n c e s t a t e - an a l t e r e d s t a t e of consciousness, where an obj e c t i v e s p i r i t u a l overview of human h i s tory is still available.

The overview o f a l i e n a t i o n can be experienced a t t h e top of t h e s a c r e d mountain ' l o c a t e d i n s i d e t h e h e a r t of any s p i r i t ;who c a r e s enough t o make t h a t journey.

P e r s o n a l a l i e n a t i o n is no doubt a dangerous p a t h t o t r a v e l , b u t shamanic t r a d i t i o n s i n t h e h i s t o r y of e v e r y c u l t u r e a g r e e - t h e most powerful gods ( t h e great e s t thoughts) l i v e v e r y f a r away, & i t i s understood i n every a n c e s t r a l c u l t u r e t h a t t h e f u r t h e r you go, t h e s t r o n g e r your magic w i l l be when you r e t u r n .

A r e t u r n from a l i e n a t i o n i s , of c o u r s e , necessary, i n o r d e r t o b r i n g g i f t s from unknown a r e a s of t h e h e a r t & mind i n t o t h e p a t t e r n of s o c i a l e x i s t e n c e . . . b u t today, very few w i l l even t a k e t h e s e voyages t o begin w i t h . Because of t h i s , emp h a s i s must be placed on d e p a r t u r e - givi n g up t h e s e c u r i t y of a s a f e harbour s e t t i n g o u t i n t o uncharted a r e a s . . . t h i s

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is what t h e 1. Ching a t t e m p t s t o convey by s o o f t e n r e p e a t i n g t h e p h r a s e , "It f u r t l i e f s one t o c r o s s t h e gr'eat water.''

Moving beyond t h e horizon of t h e known world, one must d i e t o a 20th c e n t u r y way of doing t h i n g s - even d i e t o o n e ' s s e l f i n a f a m i l i a r contemporary image. Discard i n g l e a r n e d & a u t o m a t i c p a t t e r n s of thought, shedding t h e comfortable but c o r r u p t s k i n of c i v i l i z a t i o n , we may d i s cover t h a t t h e kind of p r o g r e s s we worshipped is now a d i s e a s e a f f l i c t i n g t h e p l a n e t & t h i s d i s e a s e is repre'sented pers o n a l l y i n t h e mind of each i n d i v i d u a l by a n a l y t i c a l t h i n k i n g , t a c t i c a l manipulat i o n , & a c o l l e c t i v e l y c r e a t e d dogma t h a t makes u s b e l i e v e we a r e doing t h e r i g h t thing.

We c l i n g t o systems of thought t h a t a l low u s t o j u s t i f y & r a t i o n a l i z e s o c i e t y (economic convenience) even a s i t i s k i l l i n g the Earth & retarding out souls even a s i t t h r e a t e n s t o r e t a r d t h e s p i r i t s of o u r unborn c h i l d r e n , g a i n i n g t h i e r conf i d e n c e w i t h powerful imagery - l e a d i n g them h a p p i l y i n t o a world t h a t ends "not w i t h a bang, b u t a whimper."

Whether a l i e n a t i o n is achieved by s t e p ping o u t s i d e i t a l l , o r i n s i d e i t d l , t h e overview is t h e same. Our s o c i e t y , & t h e b a s i c i d e a s on which i t o p e r a t e s , i s i n v e r y deep t r o u b l e .

I f t h e purpose of human l i f e i s t o p e r p e t u a t e & improve i t sel:,

car ccncern mnst be f c r the fnrnye

e f f e c t s of o u r p r e s e n t a c t i v i t i e s .

As long a s s o c i e t y i s c o l l e c t i v e l y & b l i n d l y pursuing e x c e l l e n c e a s a means t o "power over", a k a r m i c a l l y c l e a n p o s i t i o n can only be maintained i n t h e p r e s e n t by t h o s e who a r e n o t a f t a i d t o a l i e n a t e themselves from t h i s c o l l e c t i v e "progress". This form o f "progress" i s t h e e x a c t o p p o s i t e of e v o l u t i o n . I f t h e s p i r i t e v o l v e s , e v e r y t h i n g e l s e comes a l o n g with i t . I f t h e i n t e l l e c t "progresses" on i t s own, t h i s p r o g r e s s can o n l y r e t a r d & d i s t o r t t h e s p i r i t . Without t h e evolved human s p i r i t & i t s a c c e s s t o t h e knowl e d g e of t h e h e a r t achieved through ego d e a t h & a l i e n a t i o n , o u r power-hungry in-

t e l l e c t w i l l reduce t h e f u t u r e t o t h e l e v e l of childhood nightmares. To s t a n d a p a r t from t h i s madness & a c h i e v e i n d i v i dual s a d i t y , i t is necessary t o accept & even encourage a l i e n a t i o n ,

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n o t ltdolm Alienation is not a l o s e r , & out". A l i e n a t e d i n d i v i d u a l s have ways of s e e i n g t h i n g s t h a t o f t e n make more s e n s e t h a n t h e s o p h i s t i c a t i o n of systems. Tilose who have completed some s m a l l walkabout i n t h e dangerous a r e a s of i n n e r s p a c e , have t h e knowledge n e c e s s a r y t o change s o c i e t y i n ways t h a t can promote a r a d i c a l r e b i r t h of t h e human s p i r i t - b u t t h e s e a r e n o t s c i e n t i f i c t e c h n o l o g i c a l i d e a s - no s c i e n t i s t can prove s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s i n a t e s t tube. Mathematics cannot measure love.

The i d e a s of a r t i s t s , p o e t s & madmen/women a r e f a r more f r i e n d l y t o o u r f u t u r e e x i s t e n c e than t h e s e c r e t s of t h e C I A , t h e agendas of board'rooms, o r proj e c t i o n s of t h e s t o c k market.

P e r s o n a l p s y c h o l o g i c a l a l i e n a t i o n is very dangerous. To c l e a r l y s e e t h e e v i l t h a t i s being done i n t h e name of good i s maddeningk t o s a y t h e l e a s t . But s u i c i d e i s no answer & a l i e n a t i o n should n o t have t o l a s t f o r e v e r . The o u t c a s t m e n t a l i t y , when i t s u r v i v e s , r e t u r n s t o c r e a t e s t r o n g ' spirited individuals.

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est i d e a l s would s a v e t h e p l a n e t

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IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY Once upon a time, there was a nonconforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter.

However, soon the we,qther turned so ocld that he . reluctantly started to fly south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings and he fell to earth in albarnyard,almost frozen. A cow passed by and crapped on the little sparrow. The sparrow thought it was the end. But, the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings. Warm and happy, able to breathe, he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by and, hearing the chirping, investigated the sounds.

The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird and promptly ate him.

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lilt:

xnorai of the story:

1. Everyone who shits on you is not necessarily your enemy.

2. Everyone who gets you out of shit

Chairman: The Honourable Sidney L. Buckwold Deputy Chairman: The HonouraMe Jean-Marie Poitras

Goods and Services Tax The Committee s e e k s t h e o p i n i o n s of Canadians on c ill C-62, t h e proposed Goods and S e r v i c e s Tax(GST).

P u b l i c h e a r i n g s are being planned f o r bttawa and r e p r e s e n t a t i v e c i t i e s a c r o s s Canada.

You a r e i n v i t e d t o make a c o n c i s e submission h i g h l i g h t i n g your views on t h e GST, and o f f e r i n g p r a c t i c a l s o l u t i o n s and a l t e r n a t i v e s .

The Committee w i l l c o n s i d e r a l l w r i t t e n submissions r e c e i v e d by June 29, 1990. Longer b r i e f s must be accompanied by a one-page summa r y of c o n t e n t s . Guidelines f o r . submissions a r e a v a i l a b l e .

Recorded message of c u r r e n t information relat i n g KO Committee a c t i v i t i e s : (613) 995-8558 A l l b r i e f s , correspondenc&'8hd i n q u i r i e s should b e addressed t o t 1 t ,

Standing Senate Committee on Banking Trade and Commerce Senate of Canada Room 603, 140 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0A4 Attention: Clerk of the Colmittee Telephone: (613) 995-0706 Facsimile: (613) 995-7359 (613) 995-0320 Toll-free: 1-800-267-7362 \

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H i , I ' m Floyd, a v o l u n t e e r who t u t o r s people i n t h e always crowded computer room on t h e top f l o o r of t h e Carnegie. The computer room i s l o c a t e d next t o Atiba's hidden o f f i c e . Please do n o t mistake me a s Atiba's s e c r e t a r y .

You good people ,must be wondering why YOU should continue reading t h i s . Well I want t o t e l l you how proud I am t o be a v o i u n t e e r i n t@eCarnegie Learning Centre and about t h e people t h a t I have befriended and worked with.

I have t o s t a r t with t h e most sweetest g i r l on t h e 3rd f l o o r o r maybe t h e whole building: Eleanor. Everytime I walk i n t o t h e Learning Centre I s e e h e r h a r d - a r work, doing h e r math o r s p e l l i n g o r something. Her s m i l e s and voice t u r n m e i n t o a marshmellow everytime I s e e her.

DeblJdebi (my personal g e i g e r c o u n t e r ) has been a f r i e n d of mine s i n c e Grade 2.

She is a wikard i n modifying vacuum c l e a n e r s t o do amazing f e a t s , Those t a l e s uf ller ellcoulliers w i t h the varlnlm r.leaiiSi% ~ Z V Biizde ii~ewake up in the mi&ile of t h e n i g h t with tons and tons of s w e a t k s ~ r o u t f n go u t from my body.

Claude (No, I a m n o t ~ l a u d es' b r o t h e r ) , t h e dude with those weird T-shirts, always welcomes' people with t h a t weird belly-dancing a c t of h i s , doing i t on t h a t broken-legged c h a i r i n t h e earning Centre. This guy wears nothing e l s e You can c a l l him t h e "hmelda Marcos" of T-shirts. but T-shirts. t h e human dynamo, has helped u s a l l e v i a t e t h e power s h o r t a g e we have Mike, been experiencing i n t h e computer room l a t e l y . So i f you see a guy t h a t looks , l i k e "Einstein" l o i t e r i n g around t h e 2nd o r 3rd f l o o r , a s k him t o recharge your b a t t e r i e s f o r you.

Kathie, my f a v o u r i t e teacher of a l l t i m e , i s a very p l e a s a n t person t o be with most of t h e time except when s h e has those p h y s i c a l problems. Stay away from her when you s e e h e r e y e b a l l s bouncing up and down.

I c a n ' t say anything n i c e about my meal t i c k e t s ; Lex though. I f I do he might give me t i c k e t s p l a s t e r e d with droppings from goats.

Oh, I must not f o r g e t my p a r t n e r i n t h e computer room - Steve, t h e f a s h i o n conscious genius. He i s t r y i n g t o develop a program t h a t can p i c k o u t t h e r i g h t p a i r of socks f o r him t o wear everyday. I hear rumours t h a t he i s a yuppy i n d i s g u i s e , searching f o r converts i n t h e Carnegie.

I t h i n k I b e t t e r not w r i t e a n m o r e o r You guys might throw t h i s i n t h e t r a s h can; but before I s t o p , I ' d l i k e t o s a y thanks t o my f r i e n d s f o r giving me t h e opportunity t o work with them i n making t h e Learning Centre a p l e a s a n t and unique place f o r people wanting t o l e a r n t o read and w r i t e .

FLOYD WONG P.s. : I n e a r l y f o r g o t t o t e l l you t h a t 1 won't be here i n July. I w i l l be back i n August when t h e h e a t wave s t a r t s t o wind down. I l i k e my p r e s e n t poundage and do not wish t o l o s e any of i t w d k i n g i n t h e computer room.

SEE YOU I N AUGUST! ( E d i t o r ' s Note: Floyd wrote t h i s , put i t on t h e computer, then a c t u a l l y did not hand i t i n , He took t h e day off t o g e t married o r something. Mike, t h e dynamo, and Floyd's b r i d e w i l l hope full^ help him g e t h i s p r i o r i t i e s s t r a i g h t ! )

A Woman Standing I n Pain A woman standing i n pain In a time s o f a r away She w a i t s f o r t h e dream t o end but s e c r e t l y knows i t ' s r e a l Lightning b o l t s f l a s h out a t h e r A s thunder rages i n f u r y Rain t h e colour of eyes torments her She s i n g s a song hounding pain To soothe h e r s o u l i n v a i n She s i n g s t o t h e s t a r s i n space asking them t o set h e r f r e e No measure of time t e l l s h e r how long she has been s i n g i n g No measure of time t e l l s h e r how long she has been a s l e e p But s t i l l a woman s t a n d s i n pain I n a time s o f a r away.

Alan King

F i r s t Love

Going through t h e pain of l o s i n g someone h u r t s , ~ s ~ e c i ai lf l i~t 7s someone you've loved.

But someday you' 11 f i n d someone new, Who w i l l make you f e e l b e t t e r about yourself and l i f e , You w i l l have fun with t h a t very s p e c i a l person.

And y o u ' l l f i n d t h a t i t ' s a s fun a s t h e f i r s t But y o u ' l l never f o r g e t t h a t f i r s t l o v e you l o s t Even i f it i s n ' t t h e same l a t e r on i n l i f e You'll f i n d t h a t f i r s t love taught you a l o t , It taught you t h a t having someone t h e r e t o t a l k t o i s very comforting and s p e c i a l .

So don't ever f o r g e t t h e s p e c i a l times you had with t h a t person, Submitted by Even i f i t sometimes h u r t s , Mike Potts Remembering i s p a r t of l i f e .

Editor, Recently, Ken Higgs of Island Sea Marine Ltd. appealed the decision of Environment Canada (regarding ocean tire-dumping). A costly review process will now have to be held. Mr. Higgs wants to dump (twice a month - every month) 5700 cubic metres of tires into our B.C. waters. That is roughly a football field of tires, piled 3 .feet high.

Mr. Higgs seems to deny that there are aromatic hydrocarbons that will leach from the tires. These and other chemicals are cancer-causing to marine life. What will the effect be on marine life in ten to fifty years, when the corrosive sea water begins leachating these toxic substances?

These tires will not be placed in warm water areas that get quickly covered in marine life, as perhaps they do in Florida waters. Nor will they likely be placed M l h g stretcheg of level, sandy sea-bottom. '

Western Rubber Ltd. in New we& minster can recycle these tires in asphalt road-building, and the roads would last four times longer.

It is noteworthy that states such as California have banned ocean tire dumping.

If the owner wants to be honest with the public, he will now come forward and say exactly where he intends to dump these so-called "reefs Don Larson

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OF T H I S P H Y S I C A L HOST WE DWELL I N .

I YOUR MENTAL I M A G E CAM WHAT'S OUT THERE. B E T T E R O F F G O I N G TO A SURGEON, AND B U Y I N G A P A I R

BECAUSE THE LOWER YOUR SELF-ESTEEM GOES, THE H I G H E R YOUR C R E A T I V E OUTPUT G E T S , WHICH, P A R A D O X I C A L L Y , L3RlKS TEM?!X?ADY SE?F-SAT:SFAC::GX,.r THAT Q U I C K L Y TURNS AND THEN G U I L T .

CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS FOR S E L F - E S T E E M ' S

THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE COMES ALIVE (From VOICE

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Smithers Secondary Schoolss Weekly ~ e w s p a p e r )

'IRISH ELKIN: A voice that shared another way of Life was heard at our school, Friday tsening, April 6th Pour poets, PJ., Cuba Dyer, Nud Osborn and Margaret, not only read poetry, hut vividly reincarnated their thoughts, feelings and past experiences.

The Downtawn Eastside is an area of Vancouver ~vhereFrustration, loneliness, hunger and poverty are often part of daily life. The people who live there have found a way to express their thoughts f*iicme6". ' T i - r -11 tka--Ln-R--.wuwutown Eastside Poets and they write directly from their own personal experiences.

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A u k

'rhrough assktance from the Canada Council Ikplorations Grant, the poets, who meet at the (:arnegie Community Center, are able to tour throughout B.C. Each of the four poets presented their poetry in their own unique ways PJ. was very vocal, 2 lmost dynamic and her poems were outspoken a d upfront. Cuba was soft spoken and her pieces were about her feelings, her views and her xnemories Bud's voice was 9 captivating monot m e as he read comfortably about attempted suicide and life on the streets. Margaret, a new ~nember of the group, spoke honestly and sincerely about her feelings, life, and friendships.

Sitting in the audience, one could easilj feel and rnake the transition from one poet to the next.

One student who attended said that the poets showed a whole different side of life in B.C.and that we should realize just haw lucky we really z re. Another student liked the fact that the actual z uthors read their own poema She said it had a great effect and that it was totally different from tae "classroom" experience of poetry. A "nonp e t type" as 'he described himself, felt that it opened doors to new ways of self expression.

It doesn't take five years of university to be able t s write a poem. All a person needs is feelings snd the desire to express them.

TRISH ELKIN: Bud Osborn l i v e s i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e of Vancouver.

Bud was one of t h e f o u r p o e t s who v i s i t e d o u r s c h o o l a few weeks ago.

A l o t of h i s i n s p i r a t i o n comes from c o n v e r s a t i o n s , a c t u a l happenings around him. One of t h e poems Bud read was ~ u l l i n ' sB r o t h e r . u ~ u i i i nwas a n o t h e r 50 year-old

loser l i v i n g i n a halfway house, b u t h e had something t h a t made him f e e l good anyway. h e wrote p e r f e c t l y methundreds of them r i c a l sonnets along t h e l i n e s of e l i z a b e t h b a r r e t browning, & considered himself a poet without p e e r . oneday m u l l i n was w i t h h i s b r o t h e r i n t h e angry-seai n n , t a l k i n g about h i s s o n n e t s , & h i s b r o t h e r s a i d , "what's s o h a r d about w r i t i n g poems nobody wants t o read?" "you c a n ' t do i t , m u l l i n s a i d . "oh yeah?" r e p l i e d h i s b r o t h e r .

IS never,'' s a i d m u l l i n . "I'll w r i t e a poem r i g h t now," h i s b r o t h e r s a i d , & peeled t h e l a b e l o f f h i s b e e r b o t t l e , borrowed a pen from m u l l i n , s c r i b b l e d something, passed it o v e r & s a i d , 11h e r e , a ~ o e m ! " m u l l i n looked a t i t ,

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read i t aloud, & s a i d , " t h a t ' s n o t a poem. nobodyqd buy t h a t . " "I w i l l , " s a i d a guy s i t t i n g a few s t o o l s away. " I ' l l buy t h a t poem," h e s a i d , & handed a d o l l a r b i l l t o m u l l i n s s broG) t h e r , who'd w r i t t e n

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bottlds f u l l b o t t l e s empty dr eams Have a g r e a t week!

B

~EsSICA BARAK: The School Board h a s decided t o r e f u s e t h e s c h o o l condom machines. The s t u d e n t &sponse v a r i e d l i t t l e . But t h i s roaming r e p o r t e r searched u n t i l s h e could f i n d a t l e a s t ONE , p t e t h a t commended t h e Board. Now t h a t was a f e a t ! These q u o t e s a r e t a k e n d i r e c t l y from t h e s t u d e n t s o r t e a c h e r s . Only t h e i n t r o and t h e end of t h i s a r t i c l e have any b i a s from me, , Here a r e t h e few p o s i t i v e comments: Here's t h e q u e s t i o n : "How do you f e e l about t h e Board's d e c i s i o n ? "

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"I approve of what t h e y have decided, a l though it d o e s n ' t a f f e c t me e i t h e r way ," "If people want t o have s e x t h a t b a d l y , t h e y can go osmewhere e l s e . " "I a g r e e w i t h them. I t h i n k i t ' s going t o cause g r . 9 ' ~ t o f i l l them up w i t h w a t e r and throw them down t h e hallway."

"I d o n ' t know i f t h e s t u d e n t s need them (condom machines) t h a t b a d l y . They could g e t them somewhere e l s e . " *'I t h i n k t h a t ' s f i n e ( t h e d e c i s i o n ) . I t ' s a f o o l ' s p a r a d i s e anyway."

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T h a t ' s it f o r a g r e e i n g w i t h t h e Board. H e r e ' s a few t h a t d i d n ' t t h i n k a n y t h i n g about t h e machi n e s and c o u l d n ' t c a r e l e s s : "I "I "I "I

don't don't don't don't

c a r e because I won't be h e r e n e x t year" c a r e what t h e y (Board) do" care" c a r e . It d o e s n ' t matter"

Got t h e p o i n t . Now f o r t h e n e g a t i v e comments t o wards t h e School Board from t h e s t u d e n t s :

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"It's an i g n o r a n t , a r c h a i c , dangerous move on t h e i r p a r t . " "I t h i n k i t ' s r e g r e s s i v e . They're f o l l o w i n g t h e i r own moral b i a s e s . I d o n ' t t h i n k i t ' s a t r u e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of how t h e community f e e l s collectively "I t h i n k i t s h o u l d be up t o t h e s t u d e n t body whether t h e y p u t them i n . And t h e p a r e n t s . " * "1 t h i n k they're nc: :ak:iig i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n our o p i n i o n s . T h e y ' r e p u t t i n g s t u d e n t s a f e t y i n jeopardy.''

"I t h i n k t h e p o l l was done r e a l l y w e l l and t h e t r u s t e e s should have used t h e r e s u l t s and not t h e i r own o p i n i o n s t o decide.''

"I t h i n k i t ' s s t u p i d t h a t people t h i n k condom machines make u s want t o have sex."

"The School Board wasn't doing i t ' s job i n p r o t e c t i n g t h e youth of Smithers. They w i l l r e g r e t i t i f a s t u d e n t g e t s AIDS o r pregnant."

"I t h i n k they s h o u l d have them because people a r e going t o have s e x anyway." * "It's a c a s e of who can c r y o r scream t h e l o u d e s t . That h a s a f f e c t e d t h e i r decision.''

"People a r e going t o have s e x . They c a n ' t Stop t h a t s o t h e y might a s w e l l do something t o prevent pregnancy and disease.''

"I thought t h e y s h o u l d have p u t machines i n .

They d i d n ' t even l i s t e n t o o u r survey."

"It's s t u p i d . A f t e r t h e p o l l , I c o u l d n ' t b e l i e v e t h e y r e f u s e d them."

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"It's v e r y narrow-minded of t h e School Board " "They d o n ' t c a r e about us. They want us t o bt* misinformed. They're n o t b e t t e r i n g us."

"I t h i n k i t ' s dumb because t h e y a r e n ' t l i s t e l , i n g t o t h e s t u d e n t s . a n d t h e m a j o r i t y voted ' y e s . " "I t h i n k t h e y should l i s t e n t o t h e s t u d e n t s because t h e y ' r e t h e ones u s i n g them." * "They should put them i n . I t should b e what t h e s t u d e n t body wants."

"The b l a t a n t d i s r e g a r d by t h e School Board f o r human s a f e t y is t r u l y and o u t r a g e o u s l y d i s respectful." * " I t ' s i g n o r a n t . (on t h e Board's p a r t ) . "

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Now h e r e a r e t h e t e a c h e r s ' comments:

* "I t h i n k i t ' s t e r r i b l e ! I t ' s a l a c k of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y from t h e s c h o o l board. P d e p l o r e t h i s v e r y much." * "I cannot b e l i e v e t h a t t h e s c h o o l board would d i s r e g a r d t h e survey o f t h e s t u d e n t s . The1 were wrong and I hope t h a t no s t u d e n t ends up 'paying t h e u l t i m a t e price.'' * "I t h i n k i t ' s a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e s t u d e n t s have i t a v a i l a b l e t o them. We're l i v i n g i n t h e g o ' s , n o t t h e So's." " I ' m d i s a p p o i n t e d t h a t t h e Board of School T r u s t e e s voted.,to d i s r e g a r d such a n overwhelming response on t h e p a r t of t h e s t u d e n t s and I hope t h a t f u t u r e d e c i s i o n s a r e made w i t h a recognit i o n t h a t s o c i e t y ' s norms a r e changing."

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The one a g r e e a b l e comment:

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"It's t h e b e s t d e c i s i o n t h e Board's e v e r made.

S t u d e n t s should have t h e courage, l i k e t h e oldex g e n e r a t i o n , t o go t o t h e s t o r e t o g e t them.*'

Well t h a t ' s i t . V i r t u a l l y everyone I t a l k e d t o was shocked a t t h e t o t a l i t a r i a n d e c i s i o n and t h e Board's a p p a r e n t n a i v i t y towards tJis important issue.

The heart of a rose

The heart is a flutter like the wings of a dwe.

Scaring and falling with the greatest of ease its one contemplation is only to please.

But there is that day the rose $11 die the heart will hurt

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the hurt will cry.

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But soon the heart will once again sing for n m there is life for now it is spring.

SECONDARY SCHOOL

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We received your latest newsletter today, and I wanted to tell you and your staff how much we enjoy reading it. It gets a great deal of attention from the students and they have gained from it an altogether new and prettymuch unexpected perspective and insight. I believe that our getting your newsletter gives our kids a valuable opportunity to look out into someone else's world through their eyes.

Because I believe this to be a positive connection for us to continue and to cultivate, I have (just now) asked the principal for the money to get us a subscription for the next year. You'll know if I've been successful i f r_brp 2 r_henrrn t , . h , i ~ 1))2~.,!q-=.xiz vriting t h i s : e t t e r befozeliafid because I have the time to do it now and it is much overduel!!

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I also wanted to say that the April visit of the Downtown Eastside Poets has proven to be the starting point for which I had been searching. My kids shave been writing like mad and they have even agreed to doing a public reading at the Directed Studies Presentations next month1 Again, my thanks for their help and momentum

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Now I must go to another meeting

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Thanks for everything!

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Dear Downtown Eastside Poets,

Lome C. Thompson

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We greatly appreciate the Carnegie Newsletters you sent us. We apologize for not sending our stuff down soone;, but because we're late we have more to send you. We are enclosing three of our school newspapers. Hope you ffnd them interesting. llfter translating P .J's handwriting as best we could, the poems were copied and circulated throughout the school, with nothing but positive responses. Mr. Thompson presented some of your poetry to his English class and I think many of them were relieved to see that poetry isn't just memorized rhythyms, syllables and rules; it's a freedom.

On June 4, the directed studies students, under Mr. Thompson, are holding their presentations. Mixed with these presentations, he has bullied a few student writers into reading some work. One of the drama teachers will help us with speaking skills and we'll practice lots so hopefully the nerves won't show too bad. Should be a great experience over all, though.

We will, however, send more of our writing down whenever we get some together. Thank you again for Your packageSincerely, Andrea Paine

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