gem summer edition 2015

gggggloballoballoballoballobal eeeeeyyyyyesesesesesManitoba African and Caribbean Quarterly Magazine

2ndQUARTERSummer 2015

SHARING CULTUREAND FRIENDSHIPS

Honoring Mothers

Global Eyes Magazine Summer 2015 2

Reflection

Congratulations Maggie and Sam Yeboah for 25 Years Together

Maggie & Sam Yeboah were joined by friends and family as they celebrated their 25 years of marriage with a renewal of their vows at theCrestview Park Free Methodist Church, 928 Cavalier Drive, Winnipeg. The celebration of love, friendship and family was followed by areception at the Radisson Hotel, 288 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.

You cannot put a price on Friendship.This group of former associates of theImmigrant women’s Association ofManitoba named “IWAM old-timers” gottogether at a restaurant recently toconnect, refresh and reignite oldfriendships. The spirit of camaraderie washigh. Lots of hugs, laughter andreminiscences took place. It wasconfirmed that that everyone looked wayyounger than they looked years ago whichgoes to show work ages people. TheIWAM old-timers plan on keeping thisconnection going for as long as they can.Members shared significant events thatoccurred including life threateningillnesses that they have overcome andmoving on while others sharedexperiences of being grandparents.

Beatrice Watson, Clara Orallo, Francesca Cotroneo, Barbara Guia, Dung Le, MaureenKalloo, Lucia Vivanco, Uma Parameswaran, Urfa Alkana, Sue Oberoi, Polly Pachu

Global Eyes Magazine Summer 2015 3 3

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Support Global Eyes Magazine if you think we’re doinga good job.Subscription: $15.00 per year for 4 issues.I Would like to receive upcoming event notices from theCaribbean/Black/larger community - by email or byphone (YES/NO)

IN THIS ISSUE Did you know p4 Briefs - Hindu Seniors p5Dr. Cornel West; Benedicte Brou p7Creative Expressions p9We are Treaty People; Holocaust p10Leg Up Yoruba Fest - p13 & p16Healthwise 14More

Global Eyes is an independent quarterly publicationdevoted to promoting cultural awareness of the African andCaribbean communities of Manitoba and highlighting theissues and concerns of these communities. It also aimsat promoting cultural diversity and appreciation.It features articles ranging from the achievements of local, national and international personalities and general informationthat are of interest to the African/CaribbeanDiaspora. It offers editorials with African/Caribbean sensibilities and letters to the editor. TheMagazine is produced under a volunteer editorialcommittee that assists with proof-reading, publicity anddistribution.

Mail cheque/Money Order to: Global Eyes Magazine (GEM)671 Rathgar Avenue,Winnipeg, ManitobaR3L 1G6

LEAF MANITOBACELEBRATES EQUALITY

DAYLeaf supporters and volunteers were honoured at

thecelebrationof 30 yearsof Section 15of theCharterguaranteeingwomen’sequality.

Even thoughmuch hasbeenaccomplished,BettyHopkins saidthe strugglecontinues.Val Thompson, chair ofManitobans for HumanRights urged theaudience to supportLEAF financially.Elizabeth Eli brought

members up to date withLEAF Programs e.g. Nomeans No, andTransforming our Future..

BettyHopkins

Val Thompson

ValThompson,

Elizabeth Eli


GLOBAL EYES

MAGAZINE

Neil Pitamber,

Lara Badmus, LLB

A Canadian-Guyanese writer,poet

GEM’s RegularContributors

Distributed to local businesses, and inWinnipeg and via email to individualsin Manitoba and former Manitobans invarious parts of the world.

To receive Global Eyes by mail pleasesend a cheque for $15.00 to:Global Eyes Magazine671 Rathgar AvenueWinnipeg, Manitoba R3L 1G6Phone: [email protected]

All contents are (c) 2014 and may notbe reprinted without the express orwritten consent of the author or Editor.

Editor: Beatrice Watson DIDDIDDIDDIDDID YYYYYOUOUOUOUOU KNOKNOKNOKNOKNOWWWWW?????

Winnipeg LawyerTIMES ARE A CHANGING

When you shop at ForestPeople Crafts you arehelping forest people supportthe crafters’families. We’reon the 2nd Floor #226 of TheFork’s Market, One Forks

THANK YOUWINNIPEG FOR 25GREAT YEARS ANDMORE TO COME

The word barbecue and the open-firecooking technique came from theCaribbean amongst the Taino peoplearound the late 17th century. The wordbarbecue itself means “sacred fire pit.” Theunique way to cook meat spread intoSpanish, French and American cultureswhen slaves were brought from theCaribbean. In the southern United States, barbecueinitially revolved around the cooking ofpork. Prior to the American Civil War,Southerners consumed five pounds of porkfor every one pound of beef they consumed.Plantation owners regularly held large andfestive barbecues, including “pig pickins”for slaves. Because of the poverty level inthe South during that time, every part of thepig was eaten immediately or saved forlater. During the Great Migration, many ofthe southern slaves moved to northerncities, taking their cooking techniques likebarbecue along, which quickly spreadacross the country.The true origin ofbarbecue has been debated in severalcultures. Some believe it was born througha tribe in Guyana, while others believe itwas a Haitian practice.

Blacks history


BriefsCongratulations to the New

Board Members of the Congressof Black Women of Manitoba

President, Dr. Lois Stewart-archer, Vice-President, Ms Tatenda Bwawa, Secretary,Ms Nadia Thompson, Treasurer, MrsRhonda Thompson-Wilson, Fundraising,Ms Rose Kimani, Publicity, Ms RebeccaLilako, Membership, Dr. Pumulo Roddy,Programme, Ms Kurne Williams andSocial, Ms Helena Jones.

MANITOBA GOVERNMENTANNOUNCES NEW

APPOINTMENTS TOWOMEN’S ADVISORY

COUNCIL“We are proud to announce the appointment ofcouncil chair, Nadia Kidwai. She alsoserves as program co-ordinator for NextUp Winnipeg, a youth leadership programand is a co-chair for the Institute forInternational Women’s Rights -Manitoba,” Minister Irvin-Ross said. In addition, the Council welcomedDr. Romona Goomansingh,Jamie Skinner,Susan Hayward, Susie Marie Secord,Barb Desjardins, Jenna Wirch andBrielle Beardy. Minister Irvin-Ross noted the councilhas been involved in a number ofinitiatives that promote positivereinforcement and encouragement for girlsand women of all ages. Most recently thecouncil published a gender-based analysisdocument titled Promote Positive Imagesof Women:ResponsibleMarketing andMedia, as a callto action forindividuals andgroups to ensuremedia images ofwomen arepositive andempowering.

Congratulations to the Manitoba Hindu Seniors Arya Samaj Mandirand Guyanese Association of Manitoba’s on their 5th Anniversarywhich was celebrated with a dinner, cultural entertainment, tasty foodsfrom the East and West and silent auction. The evening was fun and entertaining, the people were friendly andgracious in welcoming everyone.

The Organization’s Working Bee

Hindu Seniors Celebrate 10th Anniversary

Congratulations to SharmelaSukdeo who was awarded aspecial service award for all thevolunteer work she does with theSeniors. Ms Sukdeo is passionateabout her seniors and not afraidof hard work. The Committeepraised her dedication andcommitment. Jagat James,

Calypso

Britanny Young Tenn

Senior member

Smooth Sexy Singer


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Editorial - Take One

CondolencesOur condolences go out to all those whohave lost love ones, friends, familymembes. May you find the strength youneee to carry onThose who are sick and in the hospital,we want you to know that our thoughtsand prayers are with you. May you havea speedy recovery.Special condolences go out to thefamily of Dr. Donald K. Gordon,(1935-2015) retired professor Universityof Manitoba and beloved husband ofLucinda Gordon founding member ofAfrican Caribbean Association ofManitoba (ACAM) and a well knownfixture in the community. Dr. Gordon was a special man inmany ways andaccording toLucinda he wrotehis own obituarysince 2009. Thisspeaks volumes ofthe courage of theman. May his soulrest in eternalpeace.

Culture gives roots and wingsWithout

memory, there is noculture. Withoutmemory, there

would be no civilization, no society, nofuture noted Elie Wiesel, Jewish writerand political activist. And that is why itis important to keep the memories wehave alive through the succeedinggeneration. Our culture gives usroots to keep us grounded and wings tofly confidently. If you do not know whoyou are, or where you are from then itbecomes easy for you to fall for anyculture or to be led astray. You arerootless and wingless. Our culturedefines us and we develop our firstworld view through our cultural lens.The foods we eat, the clothes we wear,the way we relate to our siblings andour parents and other communitypeoples and the world in general are all

part of our cultural identity. Languagehowever is one of the most importantapects of our culture. If you do notknow the language, you will not beable to participate in the culture in anymeaningful way. Language createsthat bond amongst which glues peopletogether. And when we are away fromour homeland the more we want tomaintain that link so that when wereturn there is mutual understanding.

Recently the Yoruba people inWinnipeg and North America had atwo-day event “Yorubafest” tocelebrate the culture and to bring ithome to the generation that were bornin North American. There were sonsand daughters of Chiefs and Kingsamongst the audience. There was acelebration of food, dance, art andstorytelling. It was beautiful. The

history of the Yoruba people was taughtthrough storytelling and it remains apowerful tool to transmit information fromone generation to the next.In the social jungle of human existence,there is no feeling of being alive without asense of identity Erik Erickson, wrote andthe great Marcus Garvey wrote that apeople without the knowledge of their pasthistory, origin and culture is like a treewithout roots. Culture is critical to oursuccess in integrating in a new society.Once we are rooted in our culture we canembrace others with confidence.

A Yoruba Princess urged theaudience made up mostly of Yorubas, toteach their children the culture andlanguage because 100 years from now itwill be lost if they failed to do so. She saidshe hears the cry of the American peoplewho have lost their culture and historyshould not repeat itself.


MIGRATE TO WINNIPEG…SUCH A GREAT ADVENTURE!!

I have lived in Winnipeg for morethan 3 years. Winnipeg was my firstcontact with the Canadian soil. I amFrench with an Ivoirian (Ivory Coast-West Africa) background. I grew up inFrance where I had some good times.Meanwhile I have been proud of mydouble culture. I tried to find aposition related to my studies inHuman Resources and Research inLabour Sociology for years in France,however I was confronted with theharsh reality of racial discrimination.After many years of working as aHuman Resources/Administrative

Assistant, I decided to improve myEnglish skills. Then, in 2009, I wentto Australia. I discovered kangaroos,Koalas, the warm weather and Iworked very hard during intensiveEnglish classes. Back to France, I gotsome bilingual positions but it wasway below my academic level. so Ifled to Canada, the promised land. Ihave also been disappointed inWinnipeg because my credentialsare not recognized and I have tostart all over. I spent a lot of moneyfor my two Work Visas and myPermanent Residency status.Anyway, the bad days are over, Iknow that with a lot of faith andpatience, my future will be brighter.Contrary to France, I know thatsuccess is possible for visibleminorities in Canada. Greetings!

IMMIGRER AU CANADA …QUELLE GRANDE AVENTURE!!Je vis au Canada depuis plus de 3 ans.Winnipeg est mon premier contact avec lesol canadien. Je suis française d’origineivoirienne (Côte d’Ivoire-Afrique del’ouest) par mes parents. J’ai grandi enFrance où j’ai eu des bons moments. Alorsque j’étais fière de ma double culture, jeluttais pendant plusieurs années pouroccuper un poste relatif à mes études enressources humaines et recherche ensciences du travail. J’étais confrontée à ladure réalité de la discrimination raciale autravail. Après plusieurs annéesd’expérience en tant qu’assistanteressources humaine/administrative, j’aidécidé d’améliorer mon niveau d’anglais.Je suis partie explorer l’Australie, leskangourous, les koalas et bien sûr des coursd’anglais intensifs. De retour en France,j’ai obtenu des emplois bilingues mais endessous de mes qualificationsacadémiques. Alors je me suis envolée auCanada, «la terre promise». Après monarrivée à Winnipeg, j’ai complétementdéchantée. Mes diplômes n’étaient pasreconnus…donc retour à la case départ. Àceci s’ajoute la fortune que j’ai dépenséepour mes deux permis de travail et pourma résidence permanente. Bref, lesmauvais jours sont derrière moi, je saisqu’avec beaucoup de foi et de patience,l’avenir sera brillant. La différence avec laFrance est que la réussite est possible auCanada pour les minorités visibles.Salutations!

The University of Winnipeg hosted theAxworthy Distinguished Lecture Series onSocial Justice and the Public Good at aspecial public event with Dr. Cornel West asthe speaker. And he was quite a remarkablespeaker, indeed charismatic! It was a terrificopportunity to hear one of the leadingintellectuals of our time. Dr. West is aProfessor of Philosophy and ChristianPractice at Union Theological Seminary andProfessor Emeritus at Princeton University,and has written many books and articles,appeared on TV, and commented on thechallenging issues of our time, particularly onthe role of education. Here are some of the points about his talkthat I found interesting. Dr. West spoke about the importance ofeducation, starting very young. The up-bringing he had for example as a Baptist,upholding justice, continues to this day. Insome ways, the early exposure to values canmake a difference in your views later in life.He spoke about the relationship between townand gown, and how important this is – ie theacademic world, to the real issues in thecommunity. One of the challenging parts of his talk dealtwas how to deal with challenges. How shallintegrity face oppression, he asks – Virtueface brute force. He referenced this in thecontext of market forces, and the effects of thefree market, where the rich are getting richer,and there are many more in poverty. 40% ofchildren in the US are living in poverty, he

quoted, 25% living in poverty in Canada.53% of the people in jails are therebecause of non violent crime. “Rich kidsget educated, poor kids get tested”. Thereis no art for them. They go to militaryschools. Not one white police man in theUS has gone to jail because of the killinga black youth, in spite of the fact the UShas a black president. We are at the moment of a break, Dr.West said. There is a catastrophe ahead,ecological, nuclear, and moral, but wemust keep love in the center of what wedo. A subversive sweetness, andtenderness to move from the personal tothe political, to work for a world for all.Thanks to the University of Winnipeg forgiving Winnipeggers an opportunity tohear Dr. West. He is a showman in hispresentation style, but his words willlinger on, because they spoke the truth.

Benedicte Brou

Dr. Cornel West WoWs Winnipeggers

Mary Scott, Co Chair Institute forInternational Women’s Rights - Manitoba


Regulars

Global Counsellor

Letter to my children My dear children:Birthdays are wonderful and time tocelebrate life and good health and toreflect on the road travelled and tolook forward with anticipation of whatlies ahead while savouring the presentmoment, now. Some of us accumulate nuggets ofwisdom, insights and revelations thattake us a notch higher on the personalor self development scale. My friendIntegra is one of those people. When asked how old she was, shesaid birthdays are not for people to askyou such questions. It is rude andintrusive. They’d never ask you what isyour gender, are you gay or straight,are you pregnant, what is yourethnicity but would not bat an eyelid toask you your. age She said peopleshould be transparent and asked whatinformation they are trying to get at by

asking a person their age. Is thequestion asked to judge you, tomeasure your accomplishmentsagainst your age, to see how youcompare to them? Why do theywant to know? She asked. Integrasaid there is so much more to aperson than age, so much moreimportant questions one can ask aperson at that time e.g. what aresome of the most important thingsyou’ve learned this year, what aresome of the things on your bucketlist, what makes you tick etc. Thesequestions open dialogue. Throughdialogue you learn more about aperson. Some folks love to talkabout their birthday number andthat’s fine, she said. It is theirinformation to share - if they offerthat information but she feels it is

shallow and crude, she said. Age ispersonal private information thatpeople use to put you in a box andwrap you up. Integra says shecounters such questions by askingpeople “what is it you really want toknow about me, what information areyou trying to get at?” and they neverhave an answer and when corneredthey get mad. She said we have tolearn to think outside the stereotypebox. So before you ask a person theirage, have a reason, know whatinformation you are trying to uncoverbecause it just does not make sense.Thanks Integra, you’re a ton ofwisdom walking on two feet. Now Ineed to know your age... this is toomuch wisdom for a girl who looks soyoung.Love mom

I am a 30 year old Latin-Americanman and a father of a three year oldson. I love my son very much andwant to give him the kind of life that Idid not have. I do not know my father.I know how hard it is to grow upwithout a dad. It is so painful. Myproblem is that I no longer love mycommon law wife; she does nothingfor me and it is not her fault. This wasnot a planned pregnancy but Iaccepted responsibility. I never knew Icould love anyone so much as I lovemy kid. Many days I cry thinking ofwhat I have to do if I am to be honestbut I am afraid my common-law wifemight try to keep me away from myson. What should I do? I do not wantto hurt my son. I want to be there forhim. I can’t stop crying in my heart.Heart cries

Dear Heart cries,Sounds like you know what to do.You have to get out of therelationship if it is not working foryou and you no longer have anyfeelings for the woman who boreyour son. There are laws in thiscountry that guarantee a parent theright to see their child. You candiscuss this calmly and rationallywith the woman whom I am sureknows by now that you are notinto her. Offer her a good package– joint custody, committed childsupport payments and being therefor your child. If the woman lovesher child she will want him to behappy and that is having access tohis father. Break the news asgently as possible. Even thoughyou cannot be her lover anymoreyou can be a friend. Sometimes afriend is worth more than a lover.Also consult a family lawyer.

Dear global counselorCongratulations to Anita Balakumarof Pushpanjali Centre for IndianClassical Dance & Music, BurnabyBC who presented Bharata NatyaArangetram at the Pantages PlayHouse . Anita graced the stage withprofessional confidence and inspiredthe audience with her creativeexpressions that warmed the heart.The evening was crowned with pompand ceremony of the likes of a

weddingordebutantball. Andtherewere lotsand lotsofdeliciousfoods. Atreat toeverysense.

A Dancer is Born


CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS

Well al yu know thatwe celebrating blackhistory month inFebruary. I was veryfartunate to attendone a de secssions,whey dem young put

on a debate bout Martin Lurther andMalcom X bout who was a betterleader. Well boi buddy de place was ina uproar when dem young people fulla education mek dem points boi. I

WAS SOOOOO please to see deelders there supporting de youngfolks. When I went back home Ifeel good that we futha is in goodhands because of all de negativitywe hear bout de youths of today andde mouthing these ones surely havesome POSITIVE VIBRATIONS andI dam well proud of them and deresults of de secsssion was propa. Sherrod Chester

GAFFIN WID BUDDY

Ruth Mesgna is a philanthropist,humanitarian and an active volunteerprimarily involved with gender equality,community development and indigenous andnon-indigenous understanding and dialoguepromoting between peoples of Canada. Shehas a passion for education namely science,literacy, and theater.

It was boisterous. There were dressesof every colour, of every fabricshimmering in the light of the kitchenfestival. A slow thunderous base camethrough, reverberating as the dancerswere presented with their colorfulregalia. It took no more than a pico forthe audience to be entranced with thetwisting, turning and knotting of thehuman body in all its beautifulsplendour. They watched, their eyescaptivated by the beauty of cultures andalthough they did not understand thefervour associated with the performancethey could not help but find an inklingwithin themselves that called to theirinner artist. The performance came to agradual halt as the beautiful dancersbowed their heads in acknowledgmentwhilst they suppressed the joy atreceiving such lavish attention for theirglorious ritual. As the spell of thedance wore on, the audience slowlytook note of the wafting spices in theair enticing that perhaps made themsalivate in anticipation of tasting foodswith such searing scents. The food wasas bright as their regalia and tasted ashot and seductive asit looked. Hoursafter the platterswere cleared offspeeches andfanciful gamesfollowedencouraging laughterand happinessbetween the people.It could not bementioned the wonderful feeling oftogetherness such an event created;except if one were to experience itthemselves.


The girl you are insulting, you areignoring and mistreating, is a person justlike you. She is a woman, she is a mother,and she is a daughter, a wife, and a sister.She is a woman, she is strong, smart, andcunning. She is passionate, courageous,respectful and generous. Cookingbarefoot is only one of her severalsuperpowers. She is action, emotion, anddevotion. She has hope, beauty andpower. She has a brain and she knowshow to use it. She gives life. She givesyou respect, love and gratitude. She

believes in you. She will nurture youand fight for you. She deservesnothing less from you. She definesyour life and your future.Women, mothers and sisters, don’tlet someone change who you are,to become what they want you to be.You are a woman, a strong womanwho has the right to be treatedequally, who has the right to be paidequally, who has the right to makerules, who has the same right aseverybody else. A woman with avoice is by definition a strongwoman. But the search to find thatvoice can be remarkably difficult.Hillary Clinton once said, “Women’rights are human rights, andhuman rights are women’s rights.”As a brother of a sister and a son ofa mother, I strongly believe thatwomen deserve everything that mendeserve, women’s rights aresupposed to be treated as humanrights, they deserve happiness, theydeserve to get paid equal wages asmen, and deserve to speak forthemselves. Women, why should you be silent?Why don’t you speak up for yourrights? Why don’t you tell the worldwhat’s happening? It is said that avoice alone can’t be heard in thewilderness, but a voice of millions,can be heard all over the nations,even to the darkest corners of theworld. As a son of a mother, pleasewomen, as women, you must standup for yourselves. You must standup for each other. You must standup for justice for all.

NOVACAIN - Neil PitamberI met you as a butterflyAnd blew upon your wingsMy lips the same designNot sure just who was yours(Quite sure you weren’t mine)I did everything to interest youImpress you even shaved my hairAnd watched as locks rolled offHaving been a solace of twenty years...You went away and lodged at schoolSending me dried flowers wrappedIn letters that were sentence long andCold at most(Pen hand must have been varicose)I made excuses for your vacant smilePretending nature had a plan for usBut somehow knew my role in itWas never cut to be a perfect fitI can only imagine what you becameBut equally find some pleasureIn my former painThat I can switch you offIf I feel like and you can’t do the same..

.GHIDORAH STIRS I haven’t been writing muchMaybe the habit is brokenAnd not thinking very muchAnother strategy disprovenAn ongoing calculationOf circumstances and copeAnd available lines inThe event of a mental noteTo extract and postponeLife causes me to choke...

Connie Budd, Norway House,Badriyya Yusuf MCIC,

MATCH International raises awareness of violence against women everywhere MATCH International is anorganization that focuses on violenceagainst women at home and abroad Recently, Helen Whettles, Chair ofMATCH local chapter and her team,sponsored an information evening toraise awareness of violence againstwomen. Five speakers share theirpersonal stories including Didier, ayoung boy from the DemocraticRepublic of Congo who spoke wordsthat pierced the heart. It is transcribedbelow. Connie Budd of Norway House, nowa resident of Winnipeg told her story ofviolence and violence against women inher community, including theresidential school system and BadryyaYusuf from Northern Nigeria spoke ofher unique good fortune of privilege ofa good education which many girls inher community did not enjoy. Quesney Ramazani and his childrenDidier and Lauraine spoke as well andtalked about the violence againstwomen in the Democratic Republic ofCongo.

This Prose by Didier summedup what the others said.

Quesney Ramazani and his children Didierand Lauraine

Gisele Roch, amember ofMATCH shareinformation aboutevents happeningin the Women’scommunity


The Treaty Relations Commissionrecently celebrated 10 years of successin bringing Manitobans together underthe common banner “We are all TreatyPeople” and at the same time breakingdown barriers, building bridges andcreating stronger more respectful andresilient relationships in Manitoba. The event was celebrated withpresentation of tobacco, speeches byprominent leaders in the First NationsCommunity such as Elder ElmerCourchene, Grand Chief Derek Nepinakfrom the Assembly of First Nations,

Kevin Chief, Minister of Jobs and theEconomy, City of Winnipeg Mayor BrianBowman, Chief Morris Shannacappo,Treaty Portfolio Chair, Assembly ofManitoba Chiefs, Elder Harry Bone andTreaty Commissioner Jamie Wilson. Held at the Fourth floor-175 HargraveStreet Treaty Commission Office therewas a significant number of people inattendance and there was palpable prideand a sense of accomplishment in theroom gleaned from the faces andpassionate and informative speeches.Commissioner Jamie Wilson said “we areespecially proud of the word students andteachers in Manitoba are doing throughthe treaty Education Initiative, in shiftingattitudes and changing lives. This bodesso well for our future as a more tolerate,respectful community.” Over the ten year period theCommission achievements surpassedexpectations in business developments,outreach/educational activities especiallyits multiyear, multi-media “we are allTreaty people campaign to create broadawareness and understanding of thefundamental role of treaties and thecontributions of first Nations people inthe development of Manitoba andCanada. Following the formal presentations inAboriginal traditions there was a healthy,delicious spread of foods including soupand bannock.

We are all Treaty People

There has been quite a bit ofactivity this year about the holocaust.There were get togethers, services andmemorials of every sort. Just today aninety three year old man was put ontrial for his part in the exterminationof some 300,000 Jews in the gaschambers at Auschwitz. Wikipediareported that of the some ten millionmen, women and children whoperished in the gas chambers, fivemillion were Jews. This begs the question. If only halfof the perished were Jews, who werethe others? Where did they come fromand, why has history forgotten them,or so it seems. Wikipedia alsoreported that the Jews have receivedand are still receiving reparationsfrom Germany, to the tune ofhundreds of millions of dollars. The holocaust was a terrible eventin history, no one can deny this.Reparations seem the logical thing todo but, why only to the Jews? Therehave been several massacres reportedin history. Interestingly enough, inevery other case it would seem thatblacks were the victims and whitesthe perpetrators. When Columbus gotlost and ended up in the Caribbean, hebecame governor of Hispaniola and intwo years is reported to be responsiblefor the killing 125,000 people, of thesix million killed over a seven yearperiod. Mussolini is reported to have beenresponsible for the deaths of somethree million Ethiopians in the AddisAbba massacre Of the hundreds of millions of freemen women and children capturedand forced to sail to the Americas,tens of millions were lost in themiddle passage alone. This does notinclude the merciless beatings,lynchings, sexual exploitation, andunmentionable horrors suffered bythose unlucky enough to make it tothe Caribbean and the Americas.

When the slaves were emancipated theywere promised forty acres and a mule.This was proclaimed by the federalgovernment, though many of the southernstates did not agree with it, and did notfollow the law. We had therefore, a groupof people who survived the horrors ofbeing plucked from their homeland,forcibly brought to a new land, were notallowed to follow their customs, notallowed to read or write (a practice whichcould have them badly maimed) and,when their labour was no longer needed,they were abandoned. To this day, to myknowledge, there was never a penny paidas reparation to those whose backbreakinglabour made America the economic giantit is today. Is this not “The RealHolocaust?” Can the period at Auschwitzcompare to the years of suffering enduredby the slaves who were brought fromAfrica as free men? Is this not deservingof reparations 100 times greater than thatpaid to the Jews? I certainly think so.History will show that ever since theEuropean man arrived in Africa that lifefor the African has been a living hell,even though, admittedly he (theEuropean) was well treated by theAfricans when he arrived there. Furtherexamination will show several otherinstances where entire nations were wipedout by wealth seeking Europeans, whoowe it to black nations to treat them asthey treat the white inhabitants ofPalestine. By Victor Vaughan, community activist

The Holocaust or A Holocaust?


- Congratulations to the SoroptimistInternational (SI)of Winnipeg’s winner ofthe Women helping Women Award which isgiven to a woman who a made asignificican contribution to improving thelives of women and children - ArleneDraffin-Jones. Ms Jones is well-knownfor her long standing voluntary and otherservices to Winnipeg and beyond. Theformer nurse has even taught nursing inGuyana, South America . She is pastPresident of the Council of Women ofWinnipeg and the Provincial Council ofWomen two of Manitoba’s oldestorganizations in service to women. Thismonetary award was donated to theCouncil of Women of Winnipeg. The Live your Dream Award whichhonors a Financial Head of Householdadvancing her education were given totwo African women: Bisala Idrissaoriginally from Congo and BeatriceKalonge originally from Zambia. The awards were presented at theorganization’s Annual Awards Luncheonheld on April 18 at the Balmoral HallSchool. The event was well attended and themeal was sumptuous.

The Congress of Black Women(CBW) celebrated Mother’s Day with aBreakfast at Canada Inn on PembinaHighway at which more than 15members including CBW internsshowed up for an informal programorganized by the Social/ProgramDirector which honored mothers. It wasa beautiful, creative and enjoyablegathering. Members shared experiencesof what it means to be a mother andwhat are some of the qualities theirmothers had. Each mother received ared rose of honour.

CBW Celebrates Mother’s Day

Soroptimist International: Women Helping Women

Bisala Idrissa (top L) and BeatriceKalonge (bottom L) received awardsfrom Heather Menzies. Top R is ArleneGraffin Jones, receiving her award fromSally Thomas. Below are Kay Stewart,SI President and Hon. James Allum,Min. of Justice who attended.


So you are tired of fighting this losingbattle called weight-loss. You are anexpert on every diet and exerciseprogram that promises weight-loss-yet here you are reading this post andhoping you will hit the weight-lossjackpot. So here are the 6 ways to loseweight permanently:1. Lose wanting to lose weight. Thismind set is exactly what keeps you aslave to the scale and to all the fancydiets and gimmicks you have allowedinto your life. Your subconsciousmind will do exactly what you ask itto do. So think of all the years you’vebeen struggling with your weight.Why have you not achieved yourgoal? No, it’s not what or how muchyou eat. No it’s not how active orinactive you are. It’s simply becauseyou keep telling your subconsciousyou want to lose weight. Yoursubconscious mind has no agenda ofits own; it only wants to please you.So it does just that- keeps you in astate of wanting to lose weight.What?! You might be thinking outloud, did I read this right?! Yes, youdid. We simply don’t give ourselvescredit for how truly powerful we areas humans. For those who discoverthe power within they are afraid of itand hide away from it. MarianneWilliamson summarizes this in herbeautiful book: 21 Spiritual Laws forWeight-loss. She reminds us: “Ourdeepest fear is not that we areinadequate. Our deepest fear is thatwe are powerful beyond measure. It isour light, not our darkness that mostfrightens us…” So how do you change the mentalhabit of wanting to lose weight toactually getting that healthy bodyweight you so deeply desire?2. Did you know you can haveeverything you want? If you shyaway from your light and your poweryou likely reacted to this statement bythinking, not everything maybe somethings. What do you really, really

Feeling a little stressed at work, likeyou are running off your feet or doingtwo people’s work? It may not be yourimagination. It may be that yourworkload has increased since one ofyour colleagues resigned or retired. According to a Regis study of 22,000professionals in more than 100countries, 53% of workers globally feelmore burnt out today than five yearspreviously and 46% of Canadianworkers feel more stressed during thesame period. Wayne Berger, Vice President at Regissaid the stressful factors are technology-based. He said that we are connected allthe time ,24-7 which makes it difficultto disentangle from the office stressduring off hours. He noted thatemployees have more to do with less,when workers leave or retired they areoften not replaced. Added to this thereis more competition for jobs whichpressures employees to keep up the paceto keep their jobs. The report offered that employers canoffset their employees’ stress bycreating fun activities for their staff,give employees more flexibility in timeand how they do their work andmanagers need to be aware of the stresslevels of their subordinates and try toremove barriers.

Young workers are cautioned to bemore mindful on the job as statisticallythey are twice as likely as older workersto be injured on the job claimed TheInstitute for Workplace & Health andOntario Ministry of Labour. The reportclaims that most accidents happenwithin the first 30 days on the job. Young workers may be overly excitedto find a job and are less aware of therisks involved which can lead toaccidents. Be safer by:- asking about safety orientation andabout potential dangers, about worstcase scenarios and what precautions totake;

- asking about your rights andresponsibilities when it comes tosafety matters;- not always copying what olderworkers do as they have moreexperience and may know how tosafely cut corners to get the job donequicker;- finding out about RespectfulWorkplace Policies and Procedures. Astressed and bullied worker is alsomore apt to make mistakes and youngworkers are easier targets for bullying.- being brave and bold enough torefuse unsafe work because it is yourright to do so. The report recommended that“orientation should not be for a day. Itshould be everyday for 30 days. Ayoung worker needs mentoring and/orclose supervision.

Stressed and Burntout

Make Safety at Workyour Priority

Human Rights CommissionManagement staff attendYouth Conference

Isha Khan, Manitoba Human RightsCommission Legal Counsel and AzimJiwa, Executive Director, took timeout from their busy schedules to attendthe Commission’s youth conference atwhich more than 160 students fromWinnipeg and surrounding areasparticipated to learn about humanrights, inclusion and diversity.

cont’d on p15

7 Ways to lose weight:They’re all in your head


HEALTHWISE

Let your food bemedicine and yourmedicine be food.Hippocrates

TUNE IN TO RAS RICOI SELASSIE AT CKUW

95.9 FM - RADIO TOAWAKEN THE MIND

CAULIFLOWERDressed UpLow Carb Delight

Ingredients:1 large head of Cauliflower cutinto bite size pieces (approx 6cups)6-8 strips of bacon cooked andcrumbled (Cooked in oven at400° for 20 mins)6 Tbs chopped Chives

1/2 cup Mayonnaise1/2 cup Sour Cream2 cups Colby JackCheese ( may usecheddar)8 oz container slicedmushrooms

MethodPreheat oven to 425°In a large pot boil water and cookCauliflower for 8 - 10 minutes,drain and let cool.In a large bowl combine sourcream, mayo, 1/2 of crumbledbacon, 3 tbs chives, 1 cups ofcheese,mushrooms andcauliflower and mix well... placein baking dish and cover withremaining 1 cup of cheese andrest of bacon crumbles. Bake for15-20 minutes until cheese ismelted. top with remaining 3 T

Gem of Wisdom

Layered Salad Cake in aPan

1 head iceberg lettuce1/4 cup chopped purple onion1/2 cup chopped celery1/2 cup chopped green pepper1/2 cup chopped, fresh mushrooms12 oz. package frozen peas, thawed2 cups real mayonnaise2 Tablespoons sugar or honey1/4 lb. grated cheddar cheese (I likeextra sharp)1 lb. lower-sodium bacon, fried,cooled and crumbled

MethodRemove core fromhead of lettuce. Cuthead into quarters.Carefully seperate thelettuce layers. Put halfof them in the bottomof a 9 x 13, glass cakepan. Top with half of the onion,half of the celery, half of the greenpepper, half of the mushrooms, andhalf of the frozen (thawed) peas.Combine the mayo with the sugar.Spread half of the mayo mixtureover the salad. Top with half of thecheese and half of the bacon.Repeat with another salad layer,starting with lettuce and endingwith bacon. Cover cake pan tightlywith foil. Place in refrigerator andchill for at least 12 hours and up to24 hours. Cut into 8 to 12 squarepieces. Salt and pepper to taste.Serve.

Seeing Yourself In A PositiveLight

Sit down in silence, relax, breathedeeply and create a space within you…Now feel yourself looking at your innerbeing, with your third eye, in a differentlight… Instead of focusing on yourweaknesses, failures, what you lackinside, what is lacking in your life, lookout for what beautiful treasures, yourqualities, specialties, talents, etc. youhave inside you, look at the positiveaspects of your life and bring them intoyour conscious awareness… Becomingself-aware in this way, realize, you haveso much to offer, so much to give toothers...

Now, create a beautiful image ofyourself where you see yourself asfree… free of negative feelings foryourself and others, with a pure heartand a peaceful mind… Feel and seeyour inner greatness, discover that youare special and unique… Come back tobeing your own friend… Love yourself,accept yourself and respect yourself…Appreciate and value the qualities ofothers…

Feel fine being yourself, in that space,in that room that there is within you,where you are secure and safe, whereyou can enjoy the marvelous thing thatis your own company, the company of apositive being…

Be awake and full of life… you arehappy… at peace… feeling peace…sharing peace… feeling free… Havingseen yourself in a positive light, prepareyourself to enter into action,maintaining your stage of self-esteem…(From Diamond Rosary)


Leg Upwant? Your ability to answer thisquestion helps you to continue yourjourney into experiencing thedesired results that come fromembracing your light and yourpower.3. Your visible results are signs ofthe health of your invisible pillars.What are you seeing in your life?What is the state of your closerelationships, including the one withyourself?4. There are no truths. What wehave to guide us are ourinterpretations of events andsituations. When you look atyourself in the mirror, what do yousee? What are your truths about youas a whole person?5. Growth and success lie outsideof the safe harbour of the known.How willing are you to sail into theunknown? What are the ‘comfortsand familiarities’ that are keepingyou in the safe harbour of theknown?6.You are bigger than anyproblems you face. What are youallowing to overpower you?7.Each of us was born to live ourbest life. Is your mind programedfor living your best life?Each of these 7- mind and bodychanges are designed to move youaway from being chained andshackled by your weight. Instead,they are designed to help you soarto be the brilliant, powerful and allover healthy person you havealways been created as- you justneed to remember this.“You are one decision away fromliving your best life… See how wecan help you achieve this, http://www.UltimatePotentials.com

Kurné Williams, Programme Director,CBW did a stellar job of planning andcoordinating this year’s Mothers’ Day event.Her first event with the Congress! She andher able assistants Ms Rebecca Lilako(Publicity Director) and Ms. Daniella Archer(member) made us proud and we were indeedhonoured. Thanks to you wiser members who leftspouses and slow “arisings” to attend as wellas the youth who got out of bed early. Weneed to support our members for their efforts.We missed those who had to work, who hadprior engagements, and on vacation etc.Hope you will be able to join us next year. Please see website soon for photos courtesyof Ms Beatrice Watson, our very ownpaparazzi!! Have a wonderful Mothers’ Day when itcomes to all Mothers, “Motherers”, FutureMothers (as we were reminded on Saturday),supporters, and encouragers. Be blessed.

Ms Kurne Williams and CBWPresident Dr. Lois Stewart Archerhaving fun.

It was a returning and remembering ofYorubaland and its rich cultural heritagethat theYoruba Descendants of Manitobawould not let this generation forget. The evening was organized to tantalizeall the senses that recalled a time whenlife was simpler and education waspassed down not through books butsitting under the Baobab tree perhaps andlistening to the elders stories of survival,faith and pride. It was a time whenindeed the village parented all thechildren and they were well fed and weretaught to take pride in their heritage. Itwas their culture that made them strong. Segun Olude and his group of actorsand singers retold the story throughpowerful and effective multimedia. One of the largest tribes in Nigeria it

boast a population of 22 millionwho live mostly in southwesternNigeria.The Yorubas have beenliving in advanced urban kingdomfor more than 1500 years. Formore info. check out their websitewww.egbeomoyorubainmanitoba.org

CBW Celebrating Moms

YORUBA FEST ADDS RICHNESS TO WINNIPEG’SCULTURAL lANDSCAPE

Hon Flor Marcelino and JulieJavier participants

cont’d from p13


History

Music

Dancing (above) & Art (below) byGibril Bangura

YorubafestStorytellerPrince Segun Olude

YORUBAFEST

gem summer edition 2015

Education

global eyes magazine

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caribbean quarterly

association of manitoba

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