tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31004730068873689902024-02-07T17:43:36.126-05:00Angels of the RoadAngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-52813543136817514012016-11-27T14:13:00.001-05:002016-11-27T14:13:46.442-05:00STOP JUDGING start doing.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A few days ago I posted a film clip on Facebook about deplorable
housing conditions on one of the Ontario NDN (Indian) Reservations. This was
posted f.y.i. and was not intended to evoke guilt or blame for anyone. I see
reports of bad housing and bad water on APTN news almost daily. The comments
that were made saddened me; I wonder if people make the same kind of judgements
when they see ads about children living in squalor in Africa, India or Central
America? Please stop judging Natives (and the poor) by what you “think” you
know. NDNs are not supported by your tax dollar. Free university is an empty
promise, the band pays if there is enough money and with education on reserves receiving
50% of the funding public schools get; those who go are ill prepared to
succeed. Tax exemptions are only for status Natives and less than half of
Canadian Natives have a registered status. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I will address each
comment in bullet form here but I urge you to read my full article on the
subject below; sorry it runs a little longer then usual.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1/ Justin Trudeau is
making change as fast as he can. Our political system was born with the Magna
Carta and carries a power=entitlement paradigm predating the Roman Empire.
Basically he is trying to move forward knee deep in mud.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2/ No-one is killing the
fossil fuel industry it is becoming obsolete due to technological advances in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>alternative energy sources.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3/ Homes on the reserves
are owned by the band not the occupants; repairs are made at the discretion of
chief and counsel. Some bands are well managed, some are corrupt and some are
just flat out poor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4/ Let’s not pretend it
is an equal playing field. If housing condition are deplorable for a city
renter we have a Landlord/Tenant board to complain to; and if a sewage line breaks
or overflow contaminates our water the situation lasts days not years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5/ All the scrubbing in
the world is not going eradicate mold when your neighbourhood has become a
flood plain or the band counsel has chosen not to repair your leaky plumbing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6/ As for the white
elephant… you try living in a house with kids and not have a tv or internet….my
husband and I were gifted a tv when our elderly friend passed away. You have NO
IDEA how that tv came to that family. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is sad to know that we have a 3<sup>rd</sup> world
country hidden within Canada’s borders; our very own dirty little secret. It is
human nature to feel guilt when we do something wrong and to conceal the source
of our shame. I am here to say out loud that I do not feel guilty about the
plight of our Native brothers and sisters; nor should any other Canadian. No
one alive today is responsible for creating this abhorrent situation so open
your eyes and open your heart and stop being in denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This problem has its roots in colonization
and the only way to fix it is by being proactive…reading this article is a
start. I encourage you to find blogs by a woman named Chelsea Vowel an
articulate young activist for Native rights and advancement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Colonization in the U.S. involved white people going to war
with Natives and due to superior fire power kicking their little red butts.
Treaties there were terms of surrender and any concession by the winners were just
a panacea and ultimately ignored. What Canada did was to enter into treaties
with Natives allowing them to believe it was a partnership (they were never truly regarded as equals). Then in 1876 we
created the Indian Act which gave the federal government conservatorship over
these uneducated heathens; for their own good, of course. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this the American Natives have always
been more militant about pushing toward equality; while Canadian Natives have
for the most part been compliant victims of a bureaucracy which had them (until
recently) acquiescing to all levels of authority. I am thrilled by the
increasing levels of civil demonstrations (and personal appeals for justice)
around human rights issues. It is the first steps to breaking free of many
decades of learned helplessness. I would personally like to burn the Indian Act
but since that seems to be scary to the powers that be, let’s just remove any
clause which contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Back to the housing / water crisis on Canadian reservations.
Government should do something it is their responsibility to take care of the
NDNs (Indians)… but until recently Natives did not participate in the political
system (having only had the right to vote since 1960) and therefore had no independent
voice. Out of sight out of mind. Letters and appeals to cabinet ministers for assistance
around housing, health and welfare (clean water) were largely ignored in favour
of voting constituencies. The town-site locations which were optimal 100 years
ago, in many case have been negatively impacted by climate change or resource
development. Because of the learned helplessness I spoke of in the last
paragraph, the necessary changes have not made by the bands themselves.
Everyone has been and in large part still is waiting for government to take
action. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s everybody stop pretending anything is going to get
done by any government anytime soon. I would challenge the residents of these
communities with flood issues to pick-up and move your community to higher
ground. The government is unlikely to notice but if they do object tell them to
fuck themselves; they had their chance to fix the situation and did not take it.
Blockades, marches and posters are just another way of asking the government for permission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">While civil disobedience is a catalyst to systemic change we also need direct action to remedy the exist issues of inadequate housing and clean water.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> BE PROACTIVE. </span>Don’t be afraid to get
creative, if the military can set up bases and housing in under a week why not
find out how they are doing it. What kind of housing option are being used to
rebuild after natural disasters? Just like an earthquake in Haiti; these people are NOT
responsible for the situation they find themselves in. And I ask my Native brothers
and sisters, "can we set aside the distrust"? We did not cause the earthquake, we
can only assist with the recovery efforts if you will allow us to do so. Most
white people are (like me) good hearted and eager to do what we can to make
this world a better place for all of our children and their children’s children.
If your community/reservation has these problem contact Habitat and Kiwanis and
Knights of Columbus (the irony is not lost on me LOL) or one of the hundreds of
organization committed to serve our global community of humankind. When you
have arranged a date and supplies then put out a public appeal for both skilled
trades and unskilled labour on local tv and radio for any additional manpower
you might need. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I challenge everyone who
can take the time and wield a hammer to join in building new homes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you belong to an aide agency and you
spend your winters bringing clean water to villages in Africa or Central
America, maybe you could look at doing the same for our Native communities in
the summer. Most of these communities don’t have the equipment, expertise or
money to take the needed steps to clean up their local water supply. It is time for
all Canadians of every colour, creed and class make quality of life a priority.
Decent housing, clean water and affordable food is a human right. We should all
come together with the singular purpose of giving this to every Canadian (red,
yellow black or white). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Meegwetch (Thank you)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Bonny (Cameron) Morningstar </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-76741054697577993592016-08-03T12:03:00.001-04:002016-08-03T12:03:58.681-04:00G.I.A. an idea whose time has come.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The “Angels of
the Road” website has been getting a lot of attention this week, I have no idea
why but I am hoping it is coming from the shelter industry and human services
workers. It would be nice think that what we do has an impact on the ways
housing and shelter programs are being planned. The fact is we have been
clinging to the delusion that the affluent 1950 will live again…. Times have
changed and as a society we need to change also. In the 1950 there were more
jobs then workers to fill them; now every job posting has from 50 to 300 applicants.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes you will occasionally read a
headline; northern Alberta or Saskatchewan begging for workers. They are
begging for skilled labour and professionals. Industries rarely train workers
any more (they did in the 50s). To get a job requires one get an education… in
Canada colleges can cost $5000 per year, universities more than that per
semester. With 60% of Canadian families living paycheck to paycheck… who has
money to put their kids through school? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So 60% of our work force is unskilled labour
and we love and need our unskilled workers. They serve our coffee at Timmy’s; they
show us where to find the coffee at our supermarket and they clean the coffee
stains out of our silk blouses. God bless the service industry and all the
beautiful people who stay on their feet 6 hrs at a time for minimum wage…we
need them and love them. What would life be without drive-thru coffee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when the other 49 to 299 applicants remain
unemployed can we please stop drowned them in shame and guilt. We need to
rethink social supports. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> When I mention <b>Guaranteed Annual Income</b> (GAI is a
program to give every Canadian a modest income which was first introduced in
the 1970s) I am confronted with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“how are
we going to pay for that?”</b> We will pay for it with the money currently being
spent to administer social support systems EI, CPP, WCB, GIS, OAS, OW, ODSP (all
other provincial counterparts) the list goes on and on. The government also
pays for advocates to help you navigate a complex system of check balance
ultimate design to judge who is and is not deserving of assistance. Those whom
we determine unworthy of assistance then become clients of the shelter system
and now starts costing the taxpayer (who pays for all the above as well) $100
per day per person. AWK we are spending BILLIONS to support a system set up in
1950s which is no long valid or workable in today’s economy.</span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-28479391043492431762015-08-19T13:24:00.002-04:002015-08-20T13:27:51.233-04:00we don't deserve to live in a MERITOCRACY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> It has been a very long time since I have blogged on this
site. I confess to getting caught up in my own life. I guess it is simply
easier to work within my personal sphere of influence and trust the universe to
ripple (as it is inclined to do) that small good into the world. So never lose
sight of the incredible impact you have as you go about putting your time
energy and love into your communities. Thank you …on behalf of a grateful and
changing world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> So what brings me back to this forum? I have been giving much thought to the
affordable housing models which are being used today. Bearing in mind that we
were many decades without any affordable housing initiatives, since the failed
city housing ghettos of the 60s and 70s. Hooray for social consciousness and
what we do have…. but as with all things it is growing and hopefully evolving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The problem most cities have with ending homelessness is
that access to housing (as with most of our culture for thousands of years) is
based on a meritocracy. The idea that one is more worthy then another….that
each must earn the right to x y or z. I
am not here to argue against or for the validity of meritocracy….there are
examples in human and animal kingdoms which support both positions. I am simply
saying that in ending homelessness, meritocracy does not work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> A person is not an addict because they love the taste of a
smooth malt on the back on their throat, or the sensation of needle piercing their
skin. They like being some place besides awake
in their reality. As harshly as society may judge, we all judge ourselves more
harshly. Now imagine having NOTHING; being NOTHING in a meritocracy where worth
is rewarded. You have no value…. Why would you deserve a better life…a home… a
job, the love and support of a family and/or a community? When someone has
reached that point they cannot be motivated by rewards because they do not
believe they merit a reward.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">When we start valuing people just because they ARE PEOPLE
we will see a little less self-loathing and more aspiring from them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> Everyone
deserves a place to call home. It can be done …Utah was the first to eliminate
homelessness and one major Alberta city has followed their example. It does not
matter why we give housing to anyone/everyone; maybe we are motivated by compassion or by the cost effectiveness
of affordable housing ($20,000 per year against the cost of providing support
services to the homeless ($100,000 per year) the result is the same. Better
quality of life for every member of our community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-14751141063035084072014-02-12T13:31:00.001-05:002014-02-13T01:50:25.417-05:00Sure but what have you done for us lately?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As most of you know for various reasons I have not
returned to my work in the shelter industry. I do still very much care about
the issues around poverty and homelessness, so I continue to serve by
volunteering. For several months I have been working at the <a href="http://themenscentre.ca/" target="_blank">Men’s Centre in Nanaimo BC</a>… which provides counseling, referrals, and
programs for men with various issues from family to self-awareness. Sometimes
men are forced from their homes because of economic crisis, marriage breakdown
or being the victims of domestic violence. When I was on the road I learned
that there are many psycho-social issues involved in becoming homeless and also
recovering from homelessness. Often men still cling to outdated images of machismo…
and refuse to acknowledge the need for help. The multifaceted approach of the
Men’s Centre allows a person to find the right fit for their needs (whether
practical, psychological, emotional or peer support). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As an aside to the practical supports the Men’s
Centre (Nanaimo) has a free clothing room and accepts donations of clean
clothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you wish to donate clothing
to us (or any other agency) please note these guys need <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">casual clothing</i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jeans / Khakis</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">T-Shirts / Sweatshirts / Hoodies</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sport Sock</b>s and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Runners</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New Underwear</b>. That is my wish list, Thank you so much for all that
you do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Most recently I have begun volunteering with the
<a href="http://humanx.org/" target="_blank">Victoria Human Exchange Society</a> (Nanaimo branch). This is the most proactive community minded housing program I have come
across; it is entirely volunteer run. Meaning that every dime which is donated
goes to helping these men move forward with their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Human Exchange is providing refuge / transitional
housing and supports across Vancouver Island to recovering addicts re-entering society.
The people coming to us are 90 days clean (and hoping to stay that way);
usually they are just getting out of corrections or hospitals or treatment
programs. If you read the <a href="http://www.angels-of-the-road.com/report-of-findings.html" target="_blank">Report of Findings</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from my research you will remember I
discussed Refuge Shelters. These are highly controlled environments with zero tolerance
for substance use on or off premises. Our guys are coming from places where almost
every move is controlled into an environment where 50% of their movements are
controlled. This is a step-up program leading away from an often lifelong cycle
of recidivism. It is a chance to develop social skills, self awareness and life
skills in a safe nonjudgmental space. I am very excited to start my service to
these men and to VHES. So that is what I am doing these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a joyous month… winter will be over soon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-66339801287958704102013-12-20T18:55:00.001-05:002013-12-20T19:34:16.944-05:00Merry Whatever..."Joy to the World" <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday I saw a Facebook post that said, “Mery
CHRISTmas”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young, man whose writings
I often find quiet insightful posted a blog titled. “Who needs Santa when you
have Jesus?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If these people and millions
like them knew anything of history and the evolution of Christianity they would
not be claiming exclusivity over the Holiday Season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But it does remind me that I should say something
about this time of year. I am not going to tell anyone what to believe or how
to celebrate. My pagan friend is having Christmas dinner with her Mormon family;
my Wiccan friend will have ceremony on the solstice and attend chapel on
Christmas day. My reformist /protestant Christian friends will celebrate with
family and not see a church. More orthodox friends will be at mass and my Asatru
(ancient religion of northern Europe) friend will have 12 days of
celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even diehard atheists will
have a celebratory dinner and gift exchange. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Whether a person chooses to celebrate Jesus or Santa
or the flying spaghetti monster really isn’t the important thing from the
standpoint of spiritualism/ energetics. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
this time of year the vast majority of the world’s population finds some reason
to come together in love and gratitude. There is more kindness pouring into our
communities then at any other time. My friend Brenda volunteers as a driver for
food distribution and she has been run ragged for the past month. That
increased vibration (good vibes) makes the whole planet better then it was. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This morning someone pointed out that not everyone
is happy; that holiday season has a very high suicide rate. If a person chooses
not be grateful for the gifts of this life, of this world; that is not
something we can fix for someone else. There are so many reasons to be grateful
for this Holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful to have
people who love me and know that I love them, without the need for “proof”’ (i.e.
gifts). I woke up to snow today, wet but still fun to see. And today I discovered
that the 7-10 (soup kitchen) will be having a Holiday breakfast on the 25<sup>th</sup>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids won’t be here for Christmas but
I will spend a beautiful day listening to music, maybe writing and relaxing
between phone calls from family and friends. My big Holiday plans are fasting
and meditation over the solstice this weekend.<strong> I am saying choose to be happy!</strong> This
may not be the best Christmas/ Holiday you have ever had or ever will have; but
it is the only 2013 Christmas you will ever have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to not be happy when you are feeling
grateful.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now about the Santa (lie) thingy. If your kid is old
enough to ask, <em>“Is Santa real?”</em> then he/she is old enough to handle the truth. Until
then let the kid enjoy the fantasy or folktale, either way the old guy is a
vibrant part of cultural (albeit recent) tradition. When I was 5 my Grandmother
told me that, <strong><em>Santa is the spirit of giving that we all feel at Christmas time.
So in reality we all get to be Santa.</em></strong> That spirit of generosity is shared across
the board this time of year; from atheists to the most devoutly religious… we
have <strong>a shared sense of gratitude</strong> and that is what I am celebrating this and
every Christmas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a joyous holiday season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-40956848554262997762013-12-07T14:35:00.000-05:002013-12-07T15:15:22.920-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Again heads up on the new web address being <a href="http://www.angels-of-the-road.com/">www.angels-of-the-road.com</a> <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These days I'm volunteering at the <a href="http://www.themenscentre.ca/" target="_blank">Nanaimo Men's Resource Center</a> and a few weeks ago I was able to attend my first annual general
meeting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the business portion of
the meeting was finished each person was asked to introduce themselves and
share how they became involved with the centre. My final thought and bottom
line was<strong> men need to catch up</strong>… the feminism bus pulled out of the driveway and
men were left standing there looking like Macaulay Calkin in the “Home Alone”
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And like Macaulay they stood
their ground assuming the family would return. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Feminism spent the past 50 years evolving women into
whole beings… we left behind oppressive stereotypes and kept the things that
were working for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were mistakes made?
<strong><em>Hellz ya!</em></strong> First we wasted way too much time in a gender war, before recognizing
that patriarchy was the enemy. The women who came into political power in the
early days focused on insignificant crap like semantics instead of important
issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting women into good jobs like the post office
is far more important then whether you were called a mailman or mail-woman. After women
started taking those job the titles change to gender neutral words like letter
carriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>One of our biggest mistakes was not
bringing men along for the ride. </strong>We could have found the best from their world
and shown them the best from ours as we all moved forward into breaking free
from the shackles of patriarchal social convention and into living as whole beings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now guys… you can’t entirely blame feminism for not letting
you on the bus, some (enlightened) guys drove themselves to the party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even without the feminist movement gender roles
were changing as we moved from an industrial society into a technological
society; the employment landscape was leveling. So let us not waste anymore time in
a new gender war as we address the need for a Masculinity Movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who want to say the whole
world has always been about men, <strong>it is NOT about today’s men</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The patriarchal privilege we fought against
in NO way serves or represents the 21<sup>st</sup> century male. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is for us who have fought this battle
before (and did well) to share what we have learned and help men to vanquish
the patriarchal dragon once and for all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before patriarchy and the self-serving empire
building models grew; humankind lived as tribes with all its members (male and
female) living in service to the community. Women never really lost that; even
as we moved into the breadwinner / powerbroker roles, we remain skilled at
connecting with each other and building support networks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men need to re-establish that skill.
Men’s Centres (there aren’t nearly enough of them) provide a safe place for men
to get together in supportive groups. Usually there is a purpose in the agenda
(anger management or parenting etc) but the most important thing being learned
is (I hope) how to get support and be supportive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The biggest hurdle for men is redefining their
roles. “Man-Up”… WTF does that even mean any more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just another example of patriarchal
oppression squeezing the human-ness out of men. The true purpose of a place
like <a href="http://www.themenscentre.ca/" target="_blank">The Men’s Centre</a> is to help men become happier healthier people; who will
then be better husbands, fathers and members of our community (tribe). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ll probably talk about this and related issues
again but for now have a joyous day my friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-33218820127577586072013-11-10T18:42:00.003-05:002013-11-10T18:42:49.028-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Friends<br />
<br />
I just wanted you all to know that the website which supports this blog has re-opened <br />
as <a href="http://www.angels-of-the-road.com/">www.angels-of-the-road.com</a> The banner is the Vancouver skyline which I thought was fitting since the DTES (Down Town East Side) provided some of the most indepth and enlightening experiences during my journey. <br />
<br />
Thank you all so much for your support over the years and for doing your part in the fight for equality and social justice. <br />
<br />
Have a joyous day.<br />
Bonny</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-39848860659016450672013-09-10T13:21:00.002-04:002013-09-10T20:49:02.644-04:00In a Just Society<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As you know this (Angels of the Road) blog site has
shifted focus to anti-poverty and social justice issues. Nowhere in Canadian
society is social injustice more prevalent then when it involves our Native
citizens. Last night one of my Tweeties (Twitter People) posted the link to a
very articulate article titled, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/chelsea-vowel/canada-first-nations_b_3795611.html?utm_hp_ref=tw" target="_blank">First Nations won’t “get over” your ignorance by Chelsea Vowel</a> a Métis woman
from Alberta. The salient points for our discussion are held in the following
excerpt. You can link to the full article through the title.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Canadians who
do recognize <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">historical</span>
injustice seem to understand it in this way:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bad things happened.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bad things stopped happening and equality was achieved.
(Though I've yet to see someone identify exactly when this happened.)</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The low social and political status held by indigenous
peoples is now wholly based on the choice to be corrupt, lazy, inefficient, and
unsuited to the modern world.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this view,
there is no history of colonialism and systemic racism that informs the modern
view of indigenous peoples, because that problem was solved at some point in
the past. The real racism is in conflating legitimate dislike for indigenous
peoples (based not on race or ethnicity but rather on the bad choices we make)
with historic colonialism/racism which is over. In continuing to discuss
colonialism and racism as a present-day concern, we are engaging in
reverse-racism and oppressing blameless settlers. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let me begin by
saying racism is alive and flourishing in Canada. I visited my home town last
year… and the racism was palpable. The Whites believing all Natives are lazy
drunks and the Natives believing all Whites are arrogant bullies. I have
encountered similar beliefs everywhere I have travelled but more so on an
individual basis. In my experience racism (or any other ism for that matter) is
far more likely to come from a place of ignorance than from a place of hate. Ignorance
can only be eradicated with information / education. When someone makes a statement
in front of me that is wrongheaded, I take the time to provide them with the truth
related to that misperception. The usual response is, “I didn’t know that”, or “I
never thought of it that way”. Maybe I have only influenced that one belief but
it is possible that their mind is now a little more open to examining their other
beliefs.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The best way to
change this is by dialoguing, informally and formally with each other. When my
nephew was in grade 4 or 5 his school partnered with the local band to have a Native
Awareness program offered after school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
biggest problem was the program was open only to First Nations students. We can’t
legitimately blame people for being ignorant if we refuse to educate them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The general
public thinks equality has been achieved because Apples (fully assimilated
Natives) do have equality. I mean no disrespect by that term. An Apple can play
golf at any country club in the nation; skin colour is not an issue. If he
parks his Lexus in front of the cop-shop to report his 15 year old daughter missing
from private school, I am pretty sure the police will be all over that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prejudice has less to do with skin and
more to do with ignorance about Native culture and the effect the Indian Act
has on development for indigenous nations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ms Vowel is
correct that media carries a large responsibility for the problem. I would
suggest that they could be a large part of the solution. When I had television I watched 2 news
broadcasts CTV and APTN seldom did significant stories running on APTN get so
much as a mention on mainstream media. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Feminism did
not make any real strides until we made patriarchy the enemy not men. And in
the past 40 years (I know firsthand) much has changed for women. To make those
kinds of strides for Native rights we need to stop making the rhetoric <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Us Against Them</b>. We need to discuss how
the Canadian establishments (courts, social agencies, business models etc) were
designed from a European perspective and do not fit with Native cultural norms.
Many successful, sustainable, environmentally sensitive businesses are built
around Native cultural models. And we will be seeing more and more integration of
that business model into the Canadian economy over the next generation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This blog has
gone a little long and the discussion is far from over; so one last thought. Colonialism
was bad (not just here, everywhere), we cannot waste our time feeling guilty or
angry about a past over which we have no control… we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">must</b> take <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">responsibility and
action</b> to change the future. Learning from and respecting each other, is
where we start.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have a joyous
day.</span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-34249051105961217372013-08-24T14:29:00.000-04:002013-08-24T14:33:22.415-04:00Just a short break. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Just a quick update to let everyone know that the
Angels of the Road . com website will be going offline as of the end of this
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be down for about 3
months (or permanently) depending on the status of the domain name 3 months
from now. It is the only way for me to sever ties with my old domain provider
and that is what I wish to do. Around December 2013 we will have a newly formatted
(possibly renamed) Angels of the Road website to support this blog.</strong> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The blog will still be here with all the old journey
stories and even new ones appearing from time to time. I would not wish to
disappoint any of the wonderfully caring / curious people from all over the
world who visit the Angels of the Road blog. Russia visits a couple of times
each month with double digit hits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><strong>To summarize website will be gone blog will remain.
Anyone wishing a copy of the research report can email me through my other
website </strong></em><a href="mailto:bonny@spiritofthe8thfire.com"><span style="color: blue;"><em><strong>bonny@spiritofthe8thfire.com</strong></em></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Have a joyous day everyone.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-68450258202869757622013-07-07T17:08:00.002-04:002013-07-07T17:29:33.995-04:00Partnerships for Prosperity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks to my lovely friend, Brenda, I am able to
watch video on my computer again</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> . So I watched
installment 3 of the<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/tv-series-8th-fire.html" target="_blank"> 8<sup>th</sup> FIRE</a> series by CBC, not as uplifting as the
previous episode but it was still very informative and positive about the
future of Canada. It is titled, <strong><em><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/whose-land-is-it-anyway.html" target="_blank">“Whose Land is It Anyway”.</a></em></strong> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows us models of good and bad faith
economic development as it impacts our Native Brothers and Sisters. I used to
be smug about Canada’s diamond industry (no blood diamonds here) but DeBeers is
an example of old school bottom-line business practices which no longer fit contemporary
models of corporate citizenship. These kinds of businesses will evolve
eventually or die out… just as the auto industry is changing and pulp &
papermakers moved into recycled products; so too other industries will need to become
civically responsible members of the global /local community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Native model of custodial responsibility fits
very nicely with the emerging corporate consciousness. The documentary shows us
very clear examples of how incredibly successful collaborations between established
industries and Native bands have actually been. NO GOVERNMENT INTEREFERENCE
REQUIRED. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Natives are taken into
the process as a fully participating partner amazing things can happen. The old
model of worry only about this quarter’s stock report (or this 4 year term in political
office) is being rejected by the current and coming generations. We want to
know, <strong><u>“What is your legacy?”</u></strong> By focusing our business activities (as Natives do)
on the next 7 generations we can create long-term sustainable prosperity for
all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This is one of those times when spiritualism meets
advocacy, so this post will appear on both of my blog sites today. If you haven’t
done so I urge you to watch the whole <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/tv-series-8th-fire.html" target="_blank">8<sup>th</sup> FIRE</a> series (don’t let the
1<sup>st</sup> one put you off) they are well worth the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a joyous day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-956097003083655892013-06-26T21:41:00.001-04:002013-06-26T21:53:32.521-04:00The Flow of Abundance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> This short note is simply an apology to all my
Brothers and Sisters for being away from my blog site for so long; and I hope
you will be patient a little longer. My world has been opening up so rapidly over
the past few weeks I am having trouble keeping up LOL. Just sorting through
this explosion of opportunity with so many options has been a fulltime job. The
more we open to the energetic flow the more abundance comes to us. God/ Universe/
Source/ Quantum can be very generous when we are willing to receive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Two weeks ago I release the Report of Finding from
Angels of the Road and last week it was a feature in the CanadianSocialResearch.net
weekly newsletter thank you Gilles Sequin ;-). The paper has been well received
with about 30% response (most academic papers get 3% response. This opens me up
to write two books; a human services industry handbook, <strong><em>“OUT<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>REACHING: A Streetwise Guide to Social Work”.</em></strong>
All the things I learned on the street that never made it into the textbooks.
Then of course there is the autobiographical account of my experiences during
the Angels of the Road journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> I decided to moved to a smaller town; found a
perfect little apartment and made an appointment to go up island to view it.
Then out of the blue (I had applied but thought I had been passed over again) I
get a phone call from <a href="http://ourplacesociety.com/" target="_blank">Our Place</a> to interview for a residential support worker.
These people do amazing work and I would be so fortunate to be a part of such a
caring team of professionals. This position is so perfect for me because, it
would leave time for other pursuits (writing, building my consulting practice
and establishing the <a href="http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/" target="_blank">Spirit of the 8<sup>th</sup> Fire Centre</a>) everybody send
energy for me on this one. As if that isn’t enough don’t I find just the most
darling little bachelor apartment 3 blocks from Our Place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How great is that… I love this life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /> So my friends please indulge me for just a couple of
more weeks… I’m sure things will get back to normal by then. Migwetch<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a joyous day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-27773309385953702432013-06-23T20:31:00.002-04:002013-06-23T20:37:57.684-04:00After the Apocalypse <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Our hearts and prayers
go out to everyone whose property and lives have been impacted by the Alberta
flooding this week… especially those who lost loved ones in the High River
flood. A man was on Facebook yesterday seeking word on his father an elderly man
in a wheelchair who had refuse to evacuate his home. This presents me with
something of a quandary; I support the individual’s right of self
determinations up to and including the right to assisted suicide. I suppose
that reasonably would include making stupid decisions which put your life at
risk (all plummeting sports come to mind). Here comes the, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">but”</b> an evacuation is much easier to do
then a rescue operation which could actually jeopardize the lives of rescue
workers and would unnecessarily divert resources. Also the person refusing
evacuation is not acting from a full understanding of the risks, in as much as
the Flood of the Century could only be experienced twice by someone well over
100. Guess I’m just saying at times like this it should be illegal to refuse
evacuation and anyone who won’t go willingly should be charged with
interference and removed by force. Sorry ACLU but they can come home and die on
their own time.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The devastation in
Calgary effected the city’s richest and the city’s poorest without
prejudice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With everything in downtown
Calgary hit by the flood 3000 or more homeless people have been displaced from
shelters. Calgary had a unique situation which evolve from the rapid boom and
bust economic cycles. The shelter providers operate independently and in
competition with each other; a friend from the CHF (Calgary Homeless Foundation)
referred to them as empire builders. Perhaps with all the rebuilding which
needs to be done we will also see some rethinking on the part of the 3 major
providers of shelter services. Perhaps it is time for a merging of the
kingdoms. Working in collaboration could provide a much better and more
productive system for all the stakeholders in Calgary’s shelter industry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Working with the
downtown homeless for so many years leaves one the impression that Calgarians
hated the homeless. This is clearly a misperception as witnessed by my friends
who were moved to the DI’s as yet unfinished location on motel row. It seemed
like everyone one with means to travel, rushed over to aid our homeless friends;
bring food, water, blankets, clothes and man power. Hundreds maybe even
thousands of people caring and sharing in this time of crisis. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Bless you all and thank
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-72701823859718313522013-06-12T00:03:00.002-04:002013-06-14T14:55:04.050-04:00Get your very own copy of the report of findings for Angels of the Road.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good morning, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Special thx to Gilles Sequin, you can link onto the summary of my report through here <a href="http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/summary.pdf"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/summary.pdf</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you all know, few years ago I set out to observe the Canadian
shelter system from the perspective of our clients. I am not going to say the
system was failing, but there was missing information. Information that may make
our job easier…as I see it our job is to help people move forward with their
lives and get out of the shelters. The project was 16 months long, covered all
regions of Canada except the far north and Quebec. I lived every minute of
every day as a homeless person; ate what they ate, slept where they slept,
spent my days with them hanging out and being a part of their world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I share what I have learned with you. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are two PDF documents which I will be happy to email to you. Just send your request to </span><a href="mailto:blcameron51@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: large;">blcameron51@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.
One is a 28 page report of my findings, a quasi academic style paper with
observations, conclusions and recommendations for 8 different parameters of the
shelter experience. The other is a 3 page summary of those findings. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please feel free to forward this information when you get it to
anyone in the human services field who has an interest in homelessness or
contact with marginalized populations; or anyone studying or teaching in human
services. Perhaps one day I will write about the actual experience of being “out
there” but, this report is more important to the industry and my client friends;
then is regaling the world with personal anecdotes. Thank you for your interest
and your help in sharing this knowledge with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a joyous day</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bonny </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-21780135328862486312013-05-15T16:06:00.002-04:002013-05-15T16:22:37.157-04:00Statistics; Truth and Dare.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently I have noticed people misusing and
misrepresenting statistical information. This is nothing new and I guess my
current awareness is just god’s way of telling me it is time to offer a brief course
in statistics for the everyman (or woman). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The numbers in and of themselves have very little
meaning…it is like a quote taken out of context. So what do you as a reader,
need to consider before making an assessment of a given situation from
statistics? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">a. <strong>Who’s interests are being served.</strong> The people
paying for the study (data collection) have an agenda try to figure out what
that is and look at the results with consideration to that. This does not affect
the numbers themselves it affects the way the numbers are presented. <em>ex: Agency
X offers and addiction recovery program. If the actual numbers are for every
100 people who enter the program… 50 complete the program… 40 stay clean for 1
year, eventually 20 of those relapse. What is their success rate? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will tell you they have an 80% success
rate. How can that be, they started with 100 and only 20 stayed clean isn’t
that an 80% failure rate? First they don’t count anyone who doesn’t complete
(graduate) the full program. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they
include anyone who lasts a specified follow-up period, 3 months, 6 months or 1
year. Actually from these numbers our Agency X is having a good deal of success
with their recovery program. The dropout rate is lower than average and they
are using a longer recovery baseline then most.</em> I would support this program.
Unless you are informed about industry standards it is hard to judge what these
numbers mean. This is true of any study you are reading for any industry or
project. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If a study produces results that cannot be spun to
favour the desired outcome for the funding parties then it would simply be
scrapped and you would never see it. <em>An example of spin is… Labrador’s
seal hunt culls 20% of seal population, or Labrador sanctions the slaughter of
1000 baby seals.</em> The statistic may have been provided by an impartial 3<sup>rd</sup>
party (like the department of fisheries) but the report you are reading carries an agenda. The
truth usually falls somewhere in the middle, if you care about the issue, get
informed before blindly repeating a statistic like it is written in stone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">b. <strong>The illusory correlation</strong> is one of my favourite
analytical problems. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The example my
professor used was. Babies have no teeth, and babies cannot talk, this is true
100% of the time; therefore we can conclude that without teeth one cannot talk.
This is an obvious and easily refuted example but let’s look at a real world
statistic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my work it shows up as
things like, <em>80% of homeless suffer from mental health disorders.</em> The statistic
is not a lie but it is misleading. The illusion is that MH issues cause
homelessness. The true statistic is that homelessness will almost certainly
cause (situational) depression; a mental health issue.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another good example of the illusory correlation,
long ago dispelled by science and statisticians was; <em>Black Americans
consistently scored more than 10% below Whites on standardized IQ tests… this
statistic was held for a long time as proof that, Blacks were genetically inferior
to Whites. But one day someone looked at the actually test questions; a test
written by white people for white cultural norms. The test was rewritten from
Black cultural references and white people failed miserably.</em> This crosses into
the next problem with statistical information.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">c. <strong>The size and nature of the sample</strong> being used for
the study. Whether it is people or micro-organisms, a small or narrow sample
leads to less reliable results. For <em>example a survey on the desirability of a
particular city funded project should reflect the ethnic diversity of that city’s
population. A broad sample of 10,000 white people in Thunder Bay is not going
to lead to an accurate result of public opinion when 30% of that city’s
population is Native. And a small sample of 7 White people and 3 Natives will not
truly reflect the community’s position.</em> The larger the sample and the more closely
it reflects the population demographic the more accurate the result.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">d. Once you have examined the above three factors
then, you may still have to <strong>question why you want this to be true/false.</strong> Using
the 80% of homeless are mentally ill stat as an example… it is comforting it
makes us feel like homelessness can never happen to us. Statistics can give us
scapegoats and absolve us of responsibility…often for our own lives and our own
happiness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">e. Lastly we need to consider <strong>the issue of falling
data</strong> or the inability to follow-up with subjects leading to misperceptions. You will find <em>sources
that say the vast majority of child abusers were abused themselves as children.
This is <strong>not saying</strong> that the majority of abused children grow-up to be abusers</em>. Just
as most Muslims are not terrorists, most middle-aged white males are not
pedophiles, most young people are not gang bangers, nor are most abuse
survivors, abusers. We as a culture do not collect statistics on what is right, good and working well. So maybe we have to in our own minds ask,“What about the rest?” What went right (but that is another blog)?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The only thing I can do is to urge you to be
cautious when reading (or embracing) a statistical fact… and if the issue really
matters to you learn more. Find different sources on both sides of the argument.
Try looking objectively from outside of the issue and be honest with yourself. Does
this feel right to you?…REALLY. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a joyous day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-61137555196420585872013-04-22T21:40:00.000-04:002013-04-22T21:40:23.127-04:00Report of Finding: Summary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Anyone who
tells you that they can eradicate homelessness is deluding themselves. There
will always be street people; those among us whose addictions outweigh any
other consideration in their lives; a perfect society will build communities
with room for everyone, even street people. It is however possible to reduce
homelessness by 70% through affordable home ownership initiatives and
supportive housing programs. Priority needs to be given to keeping medicals and working poor in the homes they have. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the shelter industry
…the single most important step is the diversification of shelters and
services. Within 24 hours of checking into a shelter the person should be
assessed as medical (needs) or poverty (financially unstable) or addict. Then
the subject should be immediately channeled into a separate facility with
protocols and staffing specific to their needs. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For large organization like the
Calgary Drop-In, or Shepherds of Good Hope, it would involve repurposing of the
facilities which are already owned by them, much like Victoria Cool Aid has done
with their housing model. Smaller organizations need a co-operative series of
programs with each agency providing service to different groups. To achieve
this kind of collaboration funding models would have to change to remove
competition between agencies. I recommend funding by the BED not by the head
which is our current practice. This new found financial stability would allow
agencies to focus on outcomes (appropriate to their mandate).<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diversification must exist in
all parts of the shelter’s mandate and staffing. A transitional shelter should
focus on skills training and reintegration services, psychological supports,
guidance and encouragement in a structured environment. Autonomy and self-care
(personal responsibility) must be re-enforced in all areas of the clients
functioning. Staffing these Transitional shelters with specialists during
daytime (program hours) would be optimal and night staff would be simply
custodial to deal with any situations which may arise. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facilities functioning as
Refuge Shelters would require a high level of vigilance and control over client
behaviours. All medications must be dispensed by staff… searches done entering
or leaving the building… zero tolerance for drugs & alcohol; anything
necessary to prevent harm coming to any client. These are people trying to take
a break from addiction or prostitution or just hiding from a threat real or
imagined. There should be no requirement that they intend to move forward from
this place. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Refuge Shelters
provide clients with a safe place to recoup and hopefully rethink. Staffing
here should be done by generalists… staff who can be teachers, counselors,
nurses, referees and bouncers, whatever the situation requires. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With recovering addicts in
either Refuge or Transitional shelters depending on their progress, Harm
Reduction shelters can be less structured. No alcohol/drugs on site is a necessary
only because clients will fight over such things when it is are there. It might
be a good policy (in winter at least) to bag and tag anything seized and
return to the client in the morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again
these facilities need to be staffed by generalists with priority given to skilled referees, nurses,
bouncers and counselors in that order. When a street person wants to share
or seek guidance they cannot wait to see the counselor (tomorrow or next week
when an appointment is available) they live in this moment. If in this moment
they want to make a connection; we have to provide staff that can make that
connection. Trust is hard won in this population and limiting the ability of
staff to build on trust relationships, means opportunity lost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True we will always have street people but it
doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition due to neglect. I know many recovered
addicts and most of them recovered because they connected with someone (usually
an adult care worker or volunteer) who could see past the addictions to the person. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diversified housing model
also would allow for better nutritional options specific to each groups needs.
Transitional clients should be taking responsibility for all functions;
shopping, preparing meals, building cleaning and maintenance in accordance with
their ability and under staff supervision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Refuge shelters would need to provide well balanced highly nutritious
meals and snacks. Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and meat protein are in limited
supply at soup kitchens. So for the short time we have someone in a refuge
shelter we need to do what we can to restore their health. The current soup
kitchen fare is actual nutritionally acceptable for street people. The high
carb diet provide the energy store necessary to go days without eating while binge
drinking or on a crack run.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say Drop-in
programs are not affected by the need for diversification. Job search, literacy
and life skills training are important but it won’t change anything until that
person believes they deserve a better life. It is important to provide esteem
building and self awareness programming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear what you are thinking…BUT HOW DO WE
FUND ALL THIS?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Short answer by making
better use of the money you have. Working backwards through this summery.
Drop-Ins<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>make better use of your
volunteers. Staff supervision is not required for volunteers beyond once to
train and one more time to view them in action. Allow volunteers to do more
then fold sheets and hand out shampoo. I can’t begin to list the number of
different programs I could provide. Allow a volunteer, who has raised her
children into happy healthy adulthood to teach parenting or infant care. <em><strong>Let
people who have lived come into your agencies to teach life skills.</strong></em> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the diversified model
transitional and refuge client would receive at least 2 meals in-house. Because
the need is finite it will be easier to solicit donations of food from local
grocers, farmers and businesses. Start a recognition campaign… issue bumper
sticker and window tags to the businesses that support you (the effect of this
is they will want to live up to their new reputation for generosity); ongoing
support gets you an annual certificate as a gold or platinum supporter. Brain
storm your own campaign. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the diversified model
staffing levels would be reduced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Transitional shelters would require less client supervision and
administration. Clients are responsible for cooking, cleaning and
maintenance. Staff only needs to supervise and handle minor emergencies. In
refuge shelters slightly higher staff client ratio is required because the
potential for medical emergency is slightly with this group and they are not
invested enough to participate in cooking, cleaning etc. The harm reduction
facilities need the highest level of staffing because of the unpredictable
nature of client reactions and behaviour. Optimum numbers would be 1/6 but no
less than 2 staff to any position (building location) at any time. I have found
most shelters juggling staff and unable to provide adequate coverage for the
areas with the greatest need. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reintegration from the current
shelter system is not easy. It took me 1 year of medical care and 2 1/2 years of reintegration before I recovered to
the point where I could write this report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The changes I have
proposed here would minimize physical and emotional damage for the 70% of non
addicted clients and free up resources to help our street people with their recovery and reintegration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-85666590615305872902013-04-18T16:49:00.004-04:002013-04-18T17:02:55.334-04:00Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I began to write the Summary for my Report
of Findings yesterday, I found myself reflecting on, why it took me so very
long to do this. The physical research was finished in October 2010, I haven’t
spent the night in a shelter since and any time I have spent at soup kitchens
and drop-in was about outreach, there was no information gathering. So why did
it take to 2½ years to report on 16 months of research? Each section probably
took a day to write and it will probably only take a week of rewrites to get to
the final draft. So why not do this 1½ years ago? In a nutshell, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I wasn’t ready.<br />
</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending so much time living an
impermanent life, I could not really settle into living normal routines. Even in
Hamilton from Dec 2010 – Aug 2012, when I was working as a childcare provider…
my hours fluctuated sometimes from day to day. Until recently I had no sense of
what was supposed to come next, so no particular need to close off the past.
There were of course times when I didn’t think anyone would care
about what I had learned… that the only value of this project was in what it has
taught me as a social worker and a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Angels of the Road study
into homelessness is unique in several ways, which is why I felt the need to do
it. The most significant difference is in the scope of the study, a broad
sampling of shelters and services from all across Canada were assessed by the
researcher (me). The few observer/participant studies into homelessness have
been limited to one city, sometimes one facility and usually lasted only for a
few weeks time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been
journalist reporting of staying several months within the homeless population;
these reports while truthful are skewed by the writers need to produce saleable
material. This makes the finished product a selection of dramatic high points
taken out of context to the whole shelter experience. Many other authors have
recorded the shelter experience through biographical accounts from the lives of
street people; one of the best of these being, “Radical Compassion” by Father
Gary Smith. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every city does reporting (many
have censes data) on homelessness and often share information to create a
national picture. This kind quantitative information is essential for projecting
costs, allocating funding and planning service needs. <br /> Surveys are taken of
homeless population with a myriad of focuses; but data from these can be
tainted by several factors. Clients will often try to give you the answers they
think you want; this kind of compliance is a survival instinct which is
prevalent in institutional environments. Assuring them they are free to speak
without consequence is of little use because this is an unconscious response.
Also client observations of services and shelters is coloured by their personal
drama and limited exposure (usually 1 or 2 facilities) objective assessment is
not really possible from client surveys without an extremely broad (100-1000s)
sampling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt there was a real need
for an objective assessment of programs and services by someone with both
knowledge and experience of the shelter system. Angels of the Road was a
qualitative analysis of the shelter system and services to the homeless in Canada. With no outside funding
I was free to be entirely truthful about my findings. Where we have succeeded,
where we have failed and how to create better outcomes for our clients in the future. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always the most important
thing we can do is to create affordable home ownership initiatives and develop
supportive housing systems to get the poor and the medicals out of the shelters
entirely. Regardless of the cost… <strong>housing is infinitely less expensive to
taxpayers then shelters, prisons and all their support systems.</strong> Until that
perfect future, I hope that my Report of Findings for Angels of the Road will
guide the shelter industry, policy makers, politician and social planners into
the most productive models for client care. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Back to me!</b> and why am I finally wrapping up Angels of the Road.</em> It is because
I am feeling settled again. A few months ago I moved permanently to the west
coast and a new chapter of my life is opening up. It is time to end Angels of
the Road as a project and a website (which expires in Aug 2013) ; the blog will
continue as an op/ed vehicle for me to address social justice and anti-poverty issues.
I will always be involved with serving street people in their journey to their
best life; I imagine from here forward that will come through volunteer work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new role is to serve all of humankind through
spiritual teaching and healing.<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/" target="_blank"><strong>The Spirit of the 8<sup>th</sup> Fire</strong></a><strong> </strong>website is
the beginning of that journey and I hope some of you will choose to join me there.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a joyous day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-22881531029330716842013-04-04T22:44:00.000-04:002013-04-04T22:53:02.209-04:00Two Posts in One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>From Russia, With Love</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That was Ian Fleming’s line this blog is to Russia
with love. Yesterday Angels of the Road had 70 hits from our friends in Russia;
that is 50% more than Canada had in the past month. Once in a while strange
things like that happen which remind me the issues around homelessness and
poverty are still relevant, not just in North America but globally. So thank
you, to everyone who has taken an interest in Angels of the Road for the past 4
years (June)… and for all your personal efforts to make our communities, our
countries and this world a better place. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>OMG that was amazing…</strong> <br />
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I laughed… I cried… <span style="font-size: small;">(this from me , who hates seeing reality coming out of my
television)</span> LOL.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today is an exception which may become a rule; or at
least happen more often as time goes on. Angels of the Road has evolved into
what is essentially a social justice site focusing on anti-poverty and housing
issues. Spirit of the 8th Fire is about our spiritual ascension into
abundance, brotherhood and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes, like right now, these two things intersect. So this blog will
post to both sites. I just had the most awesome (I don’t use that term loosely)
experience, I was awe-struck and joyous watching this episode of CBC’s 8TH
FIRE documentary, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/tv-series-8th-fire.html" target="_blank">“Its Time”.</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the first episode Indigenous in the
City: which carried a lot of bias, this was so full of promise I really...
REALLY believe every Canadian needs to watch this. Truth without guilt, real
people of both races pushing forward building a new Canadian reality. <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/tv-series-8th-fire.html" target="_blank">“It’s Time”,</a>
offers a view of the future created from our pastt…our future as one country with
respect, opportunity and hope for everyone. As I have said before we cannot and
should not take responsibility for the past,<strong><em> but every one of us is
responsible for what happens next</em></strong>. Whichever side of Native/Non-Native
divide you are on educate yourself, then educate others, lets close the gap.
There is value and beauty in each of us, open your eyes, see it, embrace it and
rejoice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a joyous day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/its-time.html<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-32877630506034689162013-03-06T17:12:00.003-05:002013-03-06T17:12:56.744-05:00Twists & Turns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi Everyone </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I guess I should start by apologizing to all my
online friends. Every time I edit so much as a comma on the Spirit of the 8<sup>th</sup>
Fire website, Weebly sends a notice to Facebook and Twitter. So often 4 or 5 of
those things will pop up in quick succession, I’m not nagging it is just an
auto feature LOL. For the past couple of weeks I have been suffering from what
I thought was writer’s block, no matter how many times I started the blog on
<strong><a href="http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/bonnys-blog.html" target="_blank">Bravery</a></strong> for Spirit of the 8<sup>th</sup> Fire I couldn’t seem to make any
progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning I finally
finished it and now I am sharing this blog with you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What was really happening was that I was distracted
(not in a good way) by my life circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As most of you know I have not had a job in the shelter industry since
leaving for Angels of the Road in 2009. Now that I am applying to return to work I have
discovered the industry is moving into specialization and even; very talented
generalists like myself are challenged to find a place to fit into this new
paradigm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I go back to school and
acquire a certification in one of the counseling streams? Or do I keep knocking
on doors hoping there is still one agency who still values loving service to
our clients. If I was 40 this would not be a question, definitely adapt to the
new model and get certified. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
also the option of taking my considerable gifts for communication, empathy and negotiation
into others fields… maybe get back into divorce counseling/mediation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty years ago when I started my practice no
one (too few people) saw the value of providing psychological counseling with
the settlement process for property &/or custody; but that seems to be
changing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that I am in my 60s there are other options.
Early retirement would not provide well, but it would be a consistent income
and keep a roof over my head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
then be free to write my books &/or build The Spirit of the 8<sup>th</sup>
Fire Healing Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can always serve
in the shelter industry through volunteering… for me that has never been about
the money. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is my time for <strong>bravery</strong><a href="http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/bonnys-blog.html" target="_blank"> (as discussed in the other blog)…</a> to trust that the universe is unfolding in a way which serves my
highest and best good. To keep faith and enjoy the lessons which come to me,
from each new experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have said it
before <strong>happiness is a choice</strong>. Was I disappointed by the news that I did not get
the job? Yes; but I was grateful that Kevin (HR guy) took the time to call and
explain, why. So after taking a little time to acknowledge my disappointment and
confusion (remember I felt “called” to move to Victoria) I have now opened my
heart and mind to possibility. I choose to be happy, and watch in awesome wonder
as my future unfolds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a joyous day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-70291828766859368932013-02-12T19:09:00.002-05:002013-02-19T13:14:00.533-05:00Good News Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
When I started travelling with Angels of the Road back in 2009… I would never have imagined I would be able to say what I am about to say, “we have come a long way baby.” For me as a worker in the shelter industry, all I ever wanted was to see progress in getting the homeless housed; so that industry resources and workers could be focused on helping the street people (drunks, druggies & drop-outs). We are unlikely to eradicate homelessness 100% unless we rethink what it means to be housed. But with affordable housing initiatives and supportive housing, we can reasonable expect a 70% reduction in homelessness. <br />
<br />
The good news out of <a href="http://bl161w.blu161.mail.live.com/default.aspx#n=79854813&fid=1&fav=1&mid=c8b43dcc-750b-11e2-9be8-002264c15ace&fv=1">Homeless Hub</a> this week is that Edmonton Alberta has reduced their homeless population by 30% and that Alberta’s 10 year plan to end homelessness is on track. Apparently 6,600 people have been re-housed, 1600 have been taken into a Housing First program for hard to house... and of those people a whopping 80% are able to maintain housing. For those of you who don’t know, the Housing First Model targets people with disabilities, mental health issue, addictions and concurrent disorders. Once this population has housing it is easier to provide consistent and ongoing supports for their health and well being. This Housing First model actually reduces costs of providing services by around 60%. Currently the cost for shelter services per homeless person is $100 a day or $3000 per month. The income support system allows $600 -$700 per month per person; which does not allow any “wiggle room” what people used to call rainy day (emergency) funds to hold people over in a minor crisis. In fact at the current rate of payout one cannot hope to meet day to day necessities. An income support system which offered a base of funds at $1200 per month would ultimately save taxpayers $1800 per month per person and give people enough income to live without additional services. <br />
<br />
Whatever myth you are labouring under; NO this will NOT make people lazy… it is our nature to want to be productive and to contribute to society. People you are seeing caught up in this system who appear to you as lazy, are beaten down by that system and have given up on ever being more or having more. We invented this system in the 1950s and whatever small modifications we have made over the decades it still remains judgmental and punitive. We need a new way of dealing with poverty one which reflects the realities of the 21st century and the global economy. Enough said, today is about celebrating our successes. When the journey is long, knowing how far you have come always makes the road ahead a little brighter and easier to walk. Never be afraid to look back, but never stop moving forward... it is the only direction we have ;-) Have a joyous day my friends. <u1:p></u1:p>
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AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-63474441665031127212013-02-03T18:48:00.000-05:002013-02-03T18:52:28.545-05:00Deaf No More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What is most important in this time of <strong>Idle No More</strong>
is dialogue. Much of what we think we know about each other was born out of a
culture of colonialism. Non-Natives and Natives alike, have deep rooted and for
the most part wrongheaded views about the current situation and each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must seek to learn more about each other; listen
and hear what the other party (group or individual) is telling us. It is
reasonable, even necessary in a dialogue to express your perspective, but be
prepared to be educated on points which may be wrong. Looking at a situation
from another’s point of view can open whole new worlds of possibility for you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year I spent a month in a town where racism is rampant
and self-imposed segregation is the norm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came back to Hamilton exhausted…I said I
could not live there because it was a constant struggle to enlighten people
about each other’s cultures. Someone suggested I should <em>“just ignore it”</em> …with
knowledge comes responsibility and it was my responsibility to speak up. I have
been blessed, to be close to both the Native and non-Native cultures, so I
found myself uniquely qualified to share in that situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is funny but (with the exception of government)
everybody with an opinion, seems to think it is time to get rid of the Indian
Act. Societies grew and evolved, slaves were freed, then woman were freed now
is the time for our Native brothers and sisters to be freed. The first step is
to abolish any legislation that prevents equal opportunity and access based on lineage.
Both African-Americans and women will tell you, what follows will be decades of
growing pains. Struggles to invoke, enforce and enjoy, their new found
freedoms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Will the Natives spring full-blown into a perfect
system of self-government and self-reliance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most unlikely, since we’ve been working on our system for thousands of
years and still have not got a functioning model. But the greatest hope of all
is that we can learn from each other. We (individuals, agencies, businesses,
institutions and governments) need to share what we know with each other. On
many levels Native culture has much to teach us especially around spiritualism,
resilience and family. Dialogue is the way in which we share ideas; listening,
hearing, and speaking. Keeping our hearts and minds open to learning from each
other will make us better people and better neighbours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I cannot speak to the Black experience but as a
woman I can say we made more than a few mistakes when asserting our
independence… I guess the biggest, was thinking that to be equal we had to be
the same as men. Thankfully we now celebrate the differences. I bring this up
because releasing our Native brothers/sisters from the paternalistic
constraints of the Indian Act is not going to make them White. Hopefully what
will evolve is a strong, proud 21<sup>st</sup> century Native culture. </span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I look forward to participating in the Canada which
will emerge from the shake-up that <strong>Idle No More</strong> is bringing our way. I will
speak more on the individual issues again soon but for now, have a joyous day
my friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-15510566487531046122013-01-28T19:21:00.001-05:002013-02-18T16:49:31.394-05:00Silent no more...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When
I was staying in Edmonton (during my research) I was standing in a lunch line
one afternoon and the Native gentleman in front of me turned around, looked me
in the eye and said, “ I hate White
people… you diddle our children”. My response was, “Yeh, sorry ‘bout that, but nobody invited me in on that decision”. Like most people, I resent be held accountable
for things I had no control over… so we will not spend much (if any) time discussing,
residential schools, small-pox conspiracies and all the past atrocities, both
accidental and intentional to
colonization. I will affirm that all of these things need to be remembered
because they stand as monuments to the strength, beauty and power of the Native
people. Every Canadian regardless of race (or arrival date) is
responsible for what comes next. This is our country, my country, a country
that should stand proudly for social justice, environmental protection and equality for
everyone; in an all too often unjust world. That is the Canada I want to live in and that is the future I want to help create. We
can all create the Canada we want to be, by the actions we take now. As always ignorance
is the enemy… so we each have a responsibility to learn, educate and share. <br />
The Idle
No More movement has created a wonderful opportunity to
dialogue on “Native” issues, because the more we learn, the more we come to
realize these are HUMAN issues. We all need clean water, we all need a safe place to sleep, we all need food to eat, we all need peace, love and purpose (meaningful work). The Buddha said, "We are all alike in our desire to avoid suffering and embrace happiness," So let's stop making ill informed judgements and try to understand this situation... put ourselves in the other guys shoes/moccasins for a minute.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> When I was staying in Thunder Bay my friend and
I, were discussing the land claims issue (Caledonia in particular) and I
presented my argument as follows. If you left me to house-sit while you went
out of town for the winter (something I actually did for many winters) and I
sold the house. How would you feel about that? You come home and find strangers
living there and doing extensive (possibly expensive renovations). Do they get to stay… are you forced to move?
After all they bought it in good faith… It’s not like you were actually
using the house, you were in Florida. Ponder that for a moment.
Another issue is the validity
of the treaties themselves. These were “bad faith” contracts by most legal standards.
A contract is more than just a piece of paper signed by two parties. Contracts
require a meeting of the minds; both parties must have the same
understanding of what is being agreed to… the party initiating the contract has
a fiduciary duty to ensure that such is the case. At the time that Canada was
being settled there was no such a thing as land ownership in Native culture. Natives
believe(d) that we are merely custodians of the earth. I am not saying that
either party was deliberately deceitful, just that neither knew the other’s culture
well enough to create a meeting of the minds. <br />
For anyone whining about the “tax”
dollars being handed over to support the Natives, that may be entirely not true. I use tentative language
here because although this rings true to me I would require a forensic
accountant to verify exactly what is going on. Apparently the
monies being paid out to Native Bands is from interest earned on the agreed
sums from various treaty settlements. In
White-man’s terms, it would be something like this… Your grandma died and left
you $5 million dollars and your parents are in charge of your trust fund.
Grandma forgot to put an end date on that. So here you are 40 years old, every
time you want anything you have to ask mom, she can approve or withhold the
funds. It is your money, it is your life but someone else is dictating every
choice you make. You want to be a balloon
vendor, but mom doesn’t understand your priorities, so no… you must live in this
city and work at dad’s office or she will cut off your funds. I bet you would be fighting in court to break
the terms of the trust, but if the courts were biased in favour of your parents (friends of
the family and all that)… you would have to seek a change of venue. Think of Idle No More
as a change of venue, a petition to the court of public opinion. <br />
I guess this is going become a
series of discussions since I try to keep my blogs under a 600 words (I am well in excess
of 700 today) and this is a complex subject with many issues that need to be examined
so I will continue this again later. Have
a joyous day my friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-13164264165863987262012-12-31T14:30:00.000-05:002012-12-31T14:33:08.512-05:00Report of Findings:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Staff
/ Client Relations</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Observations:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The staff /<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b>client
relationship begins from a place of mistrust.
It does not matter how welcoming, friendly and pleasant you may be, your
motives are immediately assumed questionable because you are staff. To win the
clients’ trust we must present with integrity; you can be the meanest S.O.B. in
the building… and the clients will still respect you, if you always take a
hard-line. It is equally true, that you can be Mary Poppins and as long as they
can count on consistency from you… you will gain their respect and
co-operation. Ideally though most staff conduct will fall somewhere in between;
firm but fair, respectful and kind with all clients.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found staff often had
unrealistic expectations for client behaviour… beyond what they would expect
from anyone in a regular world environment. Don’t use curse words, don’t be
cranky when staff wakes you up, don’t bicker with other residents and don’t
intentionally or unintentionally break a rule. Reality check !! Clients are
just people and what is reasonable behaviour in any household is the kind of
behaviour you are going to see in a shelter.<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>The most striking observation was how the architecture of a building
impacts staff /client relations. The most significant interactions between
clients and staff come from casual encounters. Shelters with open common areas
(drop-in style environments) where staff could join the clients for cards,
crafts or just a cup of coffee; foster better interactions then the T.V.
sitting room environment. In many shelters the staff are relegated to bull-pen
style reception area buffering a small bank of offices. This style proved to be
quite workable, but required a few considerations be given to accessibility and
traffic flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The Lookout Shelter in
Vancouver B.C. had an L-shaped counter separating staff from clients but, the
isle in front of the counter was wide enough that people could easily pass by
when a client stopped at the desk to engage in a conversation with staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very effective system for a facility
with no common (conversational areas).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
similar bull-pen situation existed at Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa with the
addition of counter to ceiling Plexiglas … the barrier could have been made of
brick and been no more effective in alienating and dividing staff and
clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I never witnessed any
inappropriate interaction between staff and clients… but of course if it was
inappropriate, measures would be taken by those involved, to keep it secret. As a client I was
privy to confessions of undue attachment by clients toward individual staffers.
On these occasions I would caution the client that they were misreading the staff
person’s intention. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Conclusions</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">:
It would be my conclusion that not enough attention is paid to facilitating
meaningful counselor/client style relationships between frontline staff and clients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frontline staff has the most interaction with
clients and properly trained can be a great asset in monitoring changes in
client behaviour as well as encouraging forward action for individual clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recommendations:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First when purchasing, renting or renovating
a space… paramount consideration should be as to how it will facilitate or
block staff / client interaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
your staff feels the need to protect themselves behind Plexiglas … they need to
find a new line of work. The best protection you will ever have, is a good
relationship with the clients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
not to say that there should not be a safety zone of some sort where staff
could retreat too in the unlikely event of a riot… (Probably triggered by a
comet hitting the building). Truthfully a well trained staff will be able to
de-escalate and resolve any incident long before it reaches a crisis level. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proper training is a
difficult issue to address. Degrees (book learnin’ as my granny called it) are
very important, but street smarts (experiential learning) are also important, knowing
the culture you are working with and respecting those norms will gain you the respect
you need to encourage a client to move forward. The best staff you can hope for
are both street smart and book smart.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Requiring
a former “street-person” to acquire certification in counseling or social work before
taking a position in client care, provides the best staffing option; equally a book
smart kid needs the benefit of situational training by experienced staff. Who should
mentor is matter of their relationship with the clients, NOT YEARS of SERVICE; many
long time employees would be best suited to the role of security guards. I am not
sure that, “How to choose staff <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mentors”
falls under the scope of this paper … so until advised otherwise I will end here.
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every staff person working with vulnerable clients
needs to ensure that they and the client are clear as to the nature and scope of
their relationship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the only <strong><em>boundary
issue</em></strong> any of us has as a worker… we do not need to worry about gossip or someone
else’s idea of boundaries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your client
is clear on were your professional interest begins and ends…he/she will only grow
from your support and commitment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Misunderstandings
will cause confusion, humiliation and setbacks for already vulnerable people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-87075878697942030152012-12-25T13:59:00.000-05:002012-12-26T12:50:31.339-05:00Joy to the World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying a Saturnalia filled with fun, friends and family. My son is making us a traditional turkey dinner (a more recent tradition given that the wild turkey is indigenous to North America), my daughter and my friend will be joining us., my youngest and her hubby and other special friends will be here in our hearts. The commercialism has fallen by the wayside with us this year…no gifts, no tree, just good people sharing time together. <br />
Whatever you choose as your greeting there is something about this time of year that has always made people want to celebrate. Winter solstice (December 21st) is the shortest day of the year and in farming cultures this marked the beginning of winter. I don’t know if they were celebrating 3 months off plowing and threshing or the days beginning to get longer leading into spring. Then there are all the ancient cultures who celebrate around the lunar calendar, and in the southern hemisphere they are probably celebrating a coming harvest LOL. <br />
Maybe at the core of it all we just like to collectively acknowledge the passing of one year into the next. 2012 is very special, not because the world didn’t implode, but because 2012 marks the beginning of a new time in human (cultural) evolution. The old paradigms do not work anymore and we are building a new world order founded on equality, freedom, love and brotherhood… things the old regime only gave lip service to. This new order is not a restructuring of political or economic power… although that will necessarily change over time because of the shift in our priorities (and our very nature as people). I have said before that we won’t have a better world until we become better people.<em> Once we become better people, we will necessarily have a better world</em>. As more and more of us are living this flesh RULED by spirit… the energy shifts are making it easier for more and more people to crossover; until there will one day be more compassion than greed and more love than fear. Then we will enter the time of the 8th fire… <br />
a time of<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> "Peace on earth & goodwill toward men".</strong></span> </div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-90637573586582605612012-12-17T16:23:00.006-05:002012-12-20T23:37:55.898-05:00Report of Finding:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Management
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">/<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Staff Relations:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Observations:
</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is a very important consideration because it directly impacts on client care. Under
paid, under-appreciated employees will put in the hours but will never put
their hearts into their work. Working for the Calgary Drop-In, I was exposed to
the best practices in management/staff -relations (not perfect, but what is?)
which provided the benchmark for my observations of other facilities. The
shelter industry suffers from a shortage of funds (there is always more need,
than dollars) and the people who go into human services truly want to “make a
difference”, unfortunately this leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
worst offenders when it comes to pay/benefits/hours are the religious based
shelters. Paying minimum wage, part-time hours (no benefits) and erratically
placed on-call, short shifts; leave staff frustrated and resentful. Clients
cannot build any kind of real trust relationship with the staff because in a
few short months each has moved on; not because they don’t love the work or
their clients… simply because they also need to eat and pay rent. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another issue is the use of too
many unenforceable rules. Perhaps it is fear of litigation or the need to exert
control over a generally chaotic environment (probably a combination of both).
A couple of places had a flat out “NO TOUCHING POLICY”. This policy meant that
a young woman passed out on the floor was dragged to the dorm by her equally
drunk cousin, who fell down twice in the attempt. It meant that staff could not
intercede in altercations, and police were being called in for minor
skirmishes; which created a lot of resentment between the Ottawa Police and the
Shepherds of Good Hope. The no touch policy left staff feeling vulnerable; when
a client became confrontational staff would all retreat to the front office and
someone would try to talk her down through the Plexiglas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Failing that, once again the police would be
called. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was by no means the only
shelter with a no touch policy but it is by far the worst case scenario because
we are talking about hundreds of clients. Even in less volatile situations a no
touch policy only prevents good touching (a pat on the back, a supportive hug,
a reassuring hand squeeze)… it does not stop clients from assaulting each other
or staff. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another widely used and
misguided rule is the, “NO fraternization” rule. Any contact between clients
and staff outside of the work environment is forbidden (not merely discouraged)
and can result in dismissal. I have known many good, compassionate people who
lost their jobs for acts of kindness and support given outside the parameters
of their job. A worker in Hamilton was fired for giving a client a ride, who
was walking to the shelter on a rainy night. The shelter management sites
liability issues… what if the staff was attacked by the client?…what if there
was an accident? …what if the client imagined (or was) sexually harassed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There is under the law a level of
culpability (personal responsibility for risk) assumed by both drive and
passenger. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These
kinds of imagined “what if ” scenarios are the excuse for much of the
wrong-headed un-enforceable rules which plague the system. Essentially the more
rules an organization has, the less your staff feels trusted and supported by
management. Agencies adopting the more flexible Policies & Procedures
approach had better relationships with their staff. The staff were then more
effective with clients because they could tailor their interactions to the
clients’ individual needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Conclusions:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Agencies that have Policies & Procedures instead of Rules & Regulations
have better management / staff relations and promote better client outcomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any money saved by underpaying your staff
must be offset against the ongoing cost of training their replacements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recommendations:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> First let me make
the following suggestions regarding compensation/hours/shifts. Pay your people
a decent starting wage for your region. If there are no other shelters (or
similar human service support agencies) then; what do bank tellers make to
start, or what do new hires with the construction industry make? Adjust
compensation for education and experience (which would include small annual
increases). </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If a staffer is not
productive get rid of them… quickly… you cannot train lazy, selfish or arrogant
out of a person, let them go before their seniority (for unionized shops)
saddles you with this dead wood forever. These types of people are a burden to
fellow workers and damage the moral of the whole team. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyone who is productive enough to keep on the
job, is productive enough to deserve an annual raise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For part-time staff give them stable hours on
a specific schedule… this will allow them to get a second part-time job so they
can continue to work for you until you have an opening for them full-time. Know
your employees, hire good people, then get out of the way and them to do their
job…if you are a large organization then know your management and trust them to
do their jobs. Happy staff, is productive staff and nothing makes a person
happier than a workplace where they are treated with respect. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now regarding the issue of
un-enforceable rules; you cannot hope to cover every possible contingency, so
stop trying. The best <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RULE</b> I was
ever given was, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“never do anything you are not prepared to justify”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>This was a great rule because I could
not act impulsively when following that rule. Another great <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RULE</b> is to always <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Always err on the side of
compassion.”</i></b> <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few suggestions around
fraternization; zero tolerance for counselor/ client romantic or sexual
interactions. Notice I said counselor not staff… the reason for this is that
some agencies are so large that many clients and staff have little or no
professional interaction. Those situations need to be addressed individually. Personally
my policy is to never get involved with anyone from my workplace (staff or client)
I find it just complicates things. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
RULE would be zero tolerance for racism, sexism, any of the isms, homophobia, and
bullying in any form. That applies to every dynamic… shelters (as the name implies)
need to be safe nurturing environments, where everyone is treated with kindness
and/or respect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100473006887368990.post-88170652907093903252012-12-12T16:49:00.001-05:002012-12-12T19:50:41.575-05:00Interesting times we live in<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After all these years working with the poor I am still surprised that there are so many people in our population who don't understand the concept of.... NO MONEY. I wrote to one of the Spiritualist churches in the town I am moving to, to ask if someone from their congregation might be willing to billot me (provide a temporary place to sleep) for a few weeks until I can get a job and find a place to live. While I have no problem with going to a shelter, I cannot this time because if you use a shelter's sevices you are barred from taking employment with them for an extended period of time (often years), and one of the main reasons for moving to this city is because I want to work for their shelter system. Back to my rant... without asking me for references from my former church or in anyway checking me out ...the secretary wrote back, <em><strong>"sorry we don't do that; but hotels are pretty reasonable this time of year. Hope to see you in church when you get here."</strong></em> Funny part is the church has Sanctuary in its name lol. I am currently (until the end of January) recieving the EI minimum, if I pay for a hotel room there would be no money left to pay for a rent when I find a place I can afford. As always I will put faith over fear and trust that the universe will handle everything. <br />
There is a kind of blindness among the general population about poverty in our own country. We can understand it as a tempory situational thing (like my current situation) or we assume some failing on the part of individual (or group) in question. We build water puification systems or donate tons of food to third world villages around the globe; while our Inuit can't afford groceries to feed their families (4 to 6X what we pay) and northern villages in Canada are without clean water. Rent for a two bedroom apartment in most cities, is so expensive a young family has to go to 3 different food banks (most only allow one visit per month) to get the family through a month. <br />
This blindness is perpetuated by agencies; Plan Canada has a program called "Because I'm a Girl." which provides funding to help girls with educational programs, esteem building, etc, etc. On their website I saw a tab marked <strong>"our own backyard"</strong> ... wow at last somebody recognizing the need right here in Canada. WRONG ... it contained articles about fundraising being done for Plan Canada by school children in Canada... nothing about programs for girls in poor neighbourhoods in Canada. <br />
Sorry about the A.D.D. my point is Stop making assumptions about other people, everyone does not think being down to $100 pocket money is broke. Not everyone has a savings account or stocks to cash in if things get tight for a couple of months.... there is such a thing as NO MONEY and don't suggest they get a hotel room. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>On an entirely different subject thanks for visiting </em></span><a href="http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Spirit of the 8th Fire</em></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><em> we have had wonderful (allbeit erratic) attendence for our first week. I hope you will find the blogs there, informative, helpful and supportive in your own journey to self-awareness and enlightnment. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Have a joyous day. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span><br />
</div>
AngelsOfTheRoadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306149389767475830noreply@blogger.com0