741 10 13267 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2823/1991_Vol_13_No_3.pdf 2dc72c3bef16c69591f9c95c2163fdde PDF Text Text PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �n RONNIES' BED & BREAKFAST ("EDITORIAL deli` al 0 Iff /r Located in downtown Montreal in a quiet luxurious setting, offering first-class accommodation for women traveling on business or pleasure. Includes European Continental Breakfast. 783 rue Guy, Montreal, Quebec 1-131 1T6 Tel./Fax (514) 939-144 Rhona Luber Cantor, Proprietor same the speaks Homophobia language as racism, sexism and The language of classism. Fear which feeds on fear. myths, ignorance and blatant As women try to educate lies. Dear Northern Woman Journal, "the world" about feminism we often skim over or try to hide the contributions and concerns When we do that of lesbians. Congratulations on your 17th anniversary. A friend from the me sent Bay Thunder was I copy. anniversary surprised as I thought that you we are allowing the world in general and women in particular to ignore the driving forces of had disappeared. I've really enjoyed every issue that I've read as the articles and poems are all by women speaking from the heart. I just wish that I still lived in Thunder Bay to be a part of the collective. I moved to Southern Ontario after finishing high school. Please find enclosed a lesbian and gay energy behind so many of our social movements AIDS activism, feminist - activism and peace activism. NORTHERN WOMAN may bring some light to We this issue of homophobia. safe and are starting small readers. feminist with our Please carry it on. This issue of the cheque for $50.00. a This is for 2 year subscription as well as a donation. Keep up the good work. You are important to women such as myself who live in large cities but feel isolated from other feminists. Stephanie Holbik rise each morning like a warrior rubbing and soaking and pounding this dead body into life I brush my dentures and assault box in my living room thusly All right you bastards what have you done with my world while I was asleep invariably it has an answer there is no end to mans ability to defecate on the air that he allows a sister to report his nonsense we may call progess but we know whose crap it really is. This morning the subject is morality good fellows all killing in his name eternally let the congregation rise for george or bear the sting of the wimping unbeliever They who know what is best for the slow of wit, the uninformed and mentally lazy will soon close the bag on all dissent We are now under surveilance by a fatuous ferret of conception politics an egg sucking weasel with a loaded brownie invading the hen house of pro-choice making off with our idea of human rights These little voices from the father connection is at the root of his presumed divinity in his infinitesimal contribution of sperm to world affairs and moral superiority That some of our more regressive hens support this silly illusion is a sure sign that the days of kissing the old rod lingers still in our consciousness but this too shall pass. I Gert Beadle March 8, 1991 Northern Woman Page 2 Understudy Mom teaches us to iron shirts well. This is how she prepares us for the future And to fold towels, that's important too. Love, careers, travel, they're lost discussions, a way to waste time while she teaches us to bake bread. Rodene Zimmer Construction Site Enter at your own risk. Watch for lewd men tossing loud, indecent offers. If one lands your way, do not smile but keep walking like you heard nothing but hammers blows. Rodene Zimmer PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �ONE IN FOUR by Nancy Lyons situation, I'm "one in four', or is it really one in three or one in two ... do we really know? When I finally acknowledged that I am a survivor of child sexual abuse I began the process of understanding the after effects of the abuse. Until recently I convinced myself that the abuse did not have any affect on my life. I did not want to acknowledge we spent a good part of our what happened to me as a child, nor did I want to believe there were any repercussions. For me to accept that it had affected my life I would first have to acknowledge that had it happened. This fact tormented me, haunted me and confused me all my memorable life. The denial and shame kept me quiet, until the abuse after effects influenced my life to the extent that the old survival techniques stopped working. It was then that I sought counselling, and with the support, knowledge and understanding of my therapist, coupled with the support of my partner, the healing process began. With this, I found the strength to begin to understand the after effects of the abuse. My personal story is not very different from many, many other survivors' stories. The abuser's name changes, so does the age when it began, location of__ abuse, degree of a What remains constant is that as survivors etc. lives simply surviving, not only the abuse, but the horrific after effects. I was born the youngest of five children and raised in a middle upper class family on the East Coast. Though I do have many fond memories of my childhood and young adult life, I remained very frightened deep inside. So frightened that I could not show my fear to anyone. From as far back as I can remember I have had a difficult time trusting people. I always wanted just one friend who would devote her time, and commit herself to the friendship. However I was never able to trust anyone enough to tell them of this shameful secret until I was 25 years old. The silence was finally broken. And gradually I have continued to echo my story beyond all shameful boundaries. For all those wasted years I was shamed silent by my brother, 9 years my senior. His perversion began when I was 4 years old. It progressed like wild weeds in a garden robbing are all working for fundamental goals - to make women conscious of their own role in society as a human being, a social being. We see the women's movement not as an isolated struggle, but as a struggle that comes together I am very happy to know that We have five different areas of work: training; research; communication; projects; and the legal area. In training we organize workshops, seminars, educational events, and to Training and Development, and I am in charge of projects. The Women's Institute is a nongovernmental organization... myself, just enough to get it stopped. I was 13 years old. In recent years I have put most of the pieces of my life back together, which now just requires a little fine tuning. I have laid down my weapons. The war for me is over. In my life I now strive for peace with my self, knowing I'm trying to be the best that I can be. My thoughts remain with so many women, the women who, at no fault of their own, remain silent. We need to join hands and stand together, for together we can pull each other up to our feet and use support as our backbone. I feel like I will always need some support, but as the healing process progresses I find new strength and I'm able to stand a little longer on my own. I was 12 years old, though I wanted desperately to be 20 years old. I thought that if I We are thirteen women and we Women's Institute for Research, body and mind. With this ammunition I found the strength and courage to stand up for way to break free. By this time Recently the Global Awareness Project sponsored the visit to Thunder Bay of Blanca Coto of Instituto de Investigacion, Capacitacion y Desarrollo de la Mujer of El Salvador and Miriam Avalos of the Centre for Cooperation with El Salvador (Ottawa) The following remarks were made by Blanca Coto at a public meeting. means to Latin America, to El Salvador. I work for the the war of abuse against my my rich innocence on its way. Then in a dream I discovered a WOMEN -I- SOLIDARITY are there people here organizing events that will clarify what real independence began acting older. I started smoking, drinking and pretended I had a steady boyfriend. These soon became my weapons to fight with men for changes of the whole society. munn POWER people who went out of El Salvador as refugees, who left the country because of the war, and who now are coming back. This is a heavily populated area and a conflicted area. The two children's centres that we have don't just provide child care, they also provide other assistance such as psychological and medical use the method of popular education. In communication we publish documents, pamphlets, assistance, as well as retraining for school. But the main objective of the centre in the urban area is to provide a service to those women who are already involved in the women's organizations so that this will allow them to be participants. There are families that are in so that this area becomes organize all these events we a great need of these services when I say non-governmental I want to make it clear that we supportive area for training. In the area of research we are not having any funding from the government of El Salvador. organize the analysis of social conditions. We have two projects that benefit children. One Children's Development Centre in San Salvador and one in the rural area of because they already are participating in the popular organizations. We are a women's organization, a women's institute, we are not a mass organization. We are an institute that supports women's mass organizations. Chantanago. This rural centre is in a re-populated area.. Another project is Women's Place... a house where women can meet. We are very proud that the celebration of International Women's Day happened in this house this Northern Woman Page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �We are very satisfied that that happened because it means we really are accomplishing our objectives for the opening of this house. year. that the present ruling party is one of the extreme right. On March 6, a woman who is one of the members of the opposition parties, was shot twice in the face. As a result Another project that we started is the Centre for Assistance to she lost her left eye and her face was disfigured. At the Salvadorean women. We have three different types of assistance: legal assistance; psychological; and emergency aid for women who are victims of violence. This is an integrated approach because in time this was happening she was making her political campaign, 'and those responsible were activists of the ruling party. This happened even while we had international observers from Salvador, El Central in America, we cannot talk about the Organizationn of American States. After the activist from the ruling party did this just providing legal assistance to women. Our approach is an approach that considers the reality of El Salvador. When to the woman the vehicle of the armed forces came to the place a woman is captured, just for When observers form O.A.S. came participating, for standing for her rights, they don't just need the legal assistance, they may also need psychological treatment. When a woman is captured they go through rape, torture, and a lot of human rights abuses. So we have to the site of these events taken approach this consciously.. these three same woman. providing services to the As well, in cases of of domestic violence we take the same approach. When a woman comes to our centre because of domestic violence she may be coming to get a but we know that before we start talking to the divorce, lawyer, we have to make sure that she knows what she wants for herself. So this is basically- what our institute is involved in, but to understand the context in which women's situation takes place we can look at violence to understand. where this happened and also dropped two tear gas bombs. that Canadian politicians have already recognized that these were not legitimate elections. It was a fraud. infantry brigade (a governmental army). The response of the government was that they were going to put a demand against_ the Catholic church for defammation.. for telling this. The n.g.o. human in El rights organization Salvador also took the same stand and accused the first this brigade with infantry 50 women between the ages of 18-28 as political prisoners, forms: violence; social violence and We see domestic violence. social violence as that which educational from comes patterns, from advertisements through televison that uses women as sexual objects, also within the curriculum of the from system... educational religion that promotes women's and 32 more women over 28 years of age. One specific case that like to denounce would I an example of publicly as last government violence.. March 10 we have elections for the legislative of members assembly and for the mayors of different cities. We have two subordination, violence which opposition comes from the law (for example article 182 of the civilian law to husband the authorizes prevent his wife from going to work if he provides the income The other for the family). participating violence that we find is the violence that happens within parties these in elections. I have to mention But this situation the case. to courage us the gives for struggle our continue I must point out democracy. that as a women's institute we already have two members of the institute that were either physical psychological violence violence. Government violence, institutional violence is that the government from coming The president and founder of our institute was captured and assassinated in 1989, the same time as the through the security forces, and that happens to both men and women, to those men and jesuit priests were killed. In the same year the woman in charge of communication was women who are struggling for a their for society, better captured, the home.. or rights. This violence happens because people are already organized. Just to give Northern Woman .1P4ge_A you some parties This happening on March 6 was not an isolated incident.. starting in January we've had 15 people.. 8 women and 7 men .. killed, and 25 children were left orphaned. Even the Catholic Church recognized that it was the responsibility of the first government/institutional different opposition) and the govern will continue to build tow peace in the country. Wi the legislative assembly we have representatives of opposition parties. Th another place where opposi ( thing) action with the peasants.. so they had to recognize that was statistics... in 1990 we have El We hope that the negoia process that is taking p between the FLMN (the a they witnessed the results of the bombs. Within this framework we cannot talk about democratic elections. We have to mention a very important Salvador we classify violence against women in three In GABRIELA assassinated. tortured and All of these assassinated. acts of violence against women have given us the to were all theycourage live, and popu organizations can pressure government and the FLMN to agreements towards pe Because we believe that wa not the way to reach peace But, unfortunately, war been necessary in order to these negotiations taking p Women are now. 51% of population. So we as women now the ones that have mos' the 1r esponsibilities in society since we have been alone.. when our husbands, partners, have gone away join the guerillas, they lost their jobs... they just gone far away from ] ] 1. have to solve problems of education, 1.j.' household... conditions, the things related to family we are the ones tal And bec care of that now. we are 51% of the poulatioi responsibility the have We have to participate. and responsibility the So we 1 conscious of the needs of country. We cannot separate women children. We : have opportunity to prove what are saying when we organ: the children's peace camp We have fifty chile from different sectors... communitj marginalized on live children that streets, children coming year. the repopulated areas, chile from the conflicted areas We have t] the country. themes.. your place and 1 whom you live (we can no lo: talk about family); childr( And ii rights; and peace. see to painful very children have al re When asked them to draw where internalized war. ma: continue and it serves as a motivation to us to continue continued pg 14 our work. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �PROCESS TO NOWHERE? I wrote it because I needed to for my sanity. I wrote it because I believe fear by Josie Wallenius The women's centre in Thunder Bay was the only place in town to place a continual anti-war statement on their premises, prior to, and after, the U.S. strike on Iraq. The 24 hours preceding the U.S. strike, groups of people protested outside the revenue buildings of Thunder Bay, calling attention to our complicity in the war machine by our payment of taxes towards the Canadian weapons manufacture of the high tech weaponry that was going to be tested. Going of "the irrational other" is deeper in our society than even white supremacy. I wrote it because Patriarchal capitalism keeps on going because they, the white Patriarchs, have socially conditioned the white Western population to not UNDERSTAND Imperialism, to not FEEL Imperialism, i.e. they have effectively cut off the head of the West from the bodies of the South and East, so while the wars in our name are being waged to genocidal proportions against the Third World, we "still carry on as usual." to be tested on Third World people once again. The day before the strike we had a lot of positive honks on horns, a lot of smiling faces from car windows. The day after the strike, the day when Pres. Bush's policy of "supporting the troops to suppress domestic opposition" had begun, the mood swung. Another woman and myself, alone with the banners outside the tax buildings, had one particular insult flung at us from a passing car with a couple of youths in it. "SLUTS", they shouted. We, as white women, had been identified doubly as "the other". It is because of this that. I find this story strangely and disturbingly appropriate for Northern Woman Journal the Issue about homophobia. Remember the "Handmaid's Tale." Remember how Atwood describes our roles as breeders, which is the focus of her book, i.e. white women. Do you remember how she briefly describes the "other places" (Third World) as almost dead places. If we are going to stop this process already in motion, one has I would think, to understand the process. From my research, Iraq was set up as long ago as two years for this Western Imperial strike. The domestic control and command is at present of course the pacification of the west with propaganda. After I wrote this story I "just happened" onto a book abcut-magic_ a_t__ said_ that the pineal gland, known as the third eye, still functions in lizards. It is the seat of knowledge. So maybe its not so much our bodies are severed from our heads, but we need to get our third eye open. I dunno. But I FEEL its time to throw some spanners in the works, and not hide behind rocks, pretending what is going on is not going on. James Petras is coming to our town to explain the NEW WORLD ORDER and Linda was doing the poster. Today I went round to her house to collect it. Linda has pneumonia, but she certainly looks better than she did yesterday when I had taken the graphics of Brian and George around. Probably using scissors round their faces had made her feel better. They do say the body is connected to the head, don't they?... I had a good laugh when I saw how Linda had set up the faces around the NWO then sat down to read a potign I had written on the way driving to town. I usually have a pad and pencil around for when things get too much. "I am walking around dead people with their bodies severed from their laughing heads. They wear T-shirts saying they won't join in unless They can dance, While I'm wondering whether you fox-trot or tango, When you blow up a bridge." I hear a silence. I hear Linda not being impressed at all, and wait. "What are you on about. You love dancing, I love dancing, what do you MEAN?" "Well, I've had some funny things happen this last 24 like feel I and hours, spitting." "So spit, but explain the process." Casting my mind back 24 I Now when Gillian said this had a terrible desire to giggle. I know Gillian meant it head, in fact I was sorry for us all, as I knew her myself and had thought her body was sincerely, but then Gillian's body is attached to her head. For the rest, I could just see all the laughing heads breathe attached. Then I went to see another was I thought woman who attached up. She said they were great sigh of relief that moving from the apartment to a small house with a garden, so I said, "I have just heard they women deathsquadding are herbalists in the Philippines." a they wouldn't have to cross the road any more when they saw me coming. Then I left Gillian to see another woman to tell her about This women said, "Why?" and I nearly fell over as I was sure she had understood. I'd been explaining for the last 3 years to this woman and it had made not one wit. 'Still a laughing head. So I was pretty depressed hours, I began. "I was talking to Gillian yesterday, and I told her that I thought I was going to go mad because everything was carrying keep People usual. as on shuddering, but they just won't James Petras, and this woman told me that her close friend had been upset about that bomb going off in London, England. I asked this woman if her friend's upsetness has been I think we have to blow because the bomb had not got bridge or two to make John Major, and she got annoyed and I drove home, stopping on people stop." Gillian put her hand over mine. "Josie, you know we have to wait. We have to wait until people are ready. If you try by blow might you yourself and what good yourself up, would that do anybody. We'd miss you." with me. She told me that any the way back at the Thunder Bay Memorial Society to pick up the forms to ensure that if my old man and I kicked the bucket, no home was corporate funeral going to have a rip-off at our dead expense. stop. up a fool could see why SHE was because her was It upset. friend was upset about it going off in London, England. So I told her I was really sorry for her sake that her friend was still a laughing PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �After we had dinner my old and I sat down at the words on the first page. The women in the village had been "Because it will be ju more business as usual. Ju kitchen table to fill in the forms. If you want some down news with the terrified coverage of the bombing of Iraq. In this village they have flying helicopters military overhead as a matter of course, just like at OKA, but the women another meeting to organise. see can just it. Peop staggering in carrying the I.V. poles, when they should wanted to know if they were going to be the next to be home watching birds..." Linda began to laugh. "O.K. What do you want we stand on the bridge a back to OKA. remember remember if it hadn't been f AIM we would never had held t bridge up. I would like you chuck my ashes over the brid man time with your companion, fill in your memorial forms. I wrote in my name and address and so forth, ticked off the box marked cremation, then came to the memorial bit. I pondered awhile. I decided to put my friend Allen's name down as someone to say a few words about me. Allen has his body so much attached to his head he can't get a letter to ed. in the paper any more. bombed. So my friend got out a map of the world and showed them Arabia and Saudi Iraq and Kuwait. Then she showed them the U.K. and North America and South America. Then they could were the bombs where see Also he can sing a good dropping and where they were Then came the bit about not dropping. Then my friend wrote that ashes the women have to line up for scattered, and I did not have to think too hard about that. I wrote, "Pigeon River Bridge, Pigeon River, Lake Superior." It was like writing somebody's cooking oil since the Gulf War, song. where you want your address. Then I looked at my old man's form and I noticed he wanted his ashes scattered at the same address, so I smiled. I knew why he had written the same address. Not for more down time together, but because we good something had done together at that bridge. We had been with an AIM (American Indian Movement) action that had closed the bridge for 3 hours at the OKA time. We had stopped the "business as usual" till the fire hoses came. Then I'looked at his form again, and saw he had left the memorial part blank, and the form looked kind of clean in its blankness. I always know what my old man means by his silences, so I wasn't about to comment on this one. We went to bed. The next day, and that is today as I tell this, I got up and had coffee then went to get the mail. After skimming over the crap, I sat down with a pearl. A letter from a friend. She works in Peru. I saw the Northern Woman Page 6 and that sometimes they can't get it at all. She said one of the women had said there is no difference in dying from hunger than bombs, and what by the way does GULF mean? added my friend Then something of her own. She said that I had been right a few years ago when I had said that the head of the first world had been severed from the body of the third. It's on the map. So it was this letter that got me trying to write the poem, but I guess I'm going to have to work at it if I really want the laughing heads to understand. I paused, and walked to the window to watch the birds. I felt glad upon gladness that I had friends like Linda and Gillian and Allen, or mad I would certainly be. Another thought struck me, and I turned again to Linda. "I've decided to have a blank space on my memorial form." "Why?" having down time with the companions, or be staying onto the ice, and I hope it not too windy as they wi probably fly back in your fac and I want you to say as y throw them over, "Revolution death, and here goes the ash of a woman who was too fucki frightened to blow up bridge." I paused and reflecte conditioning sti the o like a worn working computer disc in my brain. "N don't add the last bit. all might guilt people out to something they are not ready do, and we must not do tha must we?" So then Linda, with h body attached to her head ever, really laughed. "Josi you're really mad. When scatter your ashes over t bridge it will be while t bridge is being blown up." As Linda said this I fe something happening to me. J was rising up through the flo and through my body. It w really surging thidugh. I myself suspended in air ov the Pigeon River border bridg looking at all the steel a concrete flying out over t: ice, and watching this group women, not even bothering run. They were lying in t snow and they were laughir and they all had their bodi attached to their heads. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �NATIONAL CAMPAIGN HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS Dear Friends, We seeking are writing to you your support on an issue of profound importance and urgency. thousands of Hundreds Canadians of who happen to be lesbians or gay men are too often victims of discrimination, harassment and violence. We are asking for your support in seeking equality, not special rights but equal rights, by writing to Justice Minister Kim Campbell, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and your own Member of Parliament, urging them to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in Canada are not seeking special rights - only the right to be treated with the same equality, dignity and respect as all other Canadians. Five years ago a special all party Parliamentary committee urged the federal government to take this action. Until the federal law is changed it remains legal to fire a person from his or her job, deny them housing or access to services, solely because of the fact that they happen to be a lesbian or a gay man. Over four years later we are still waiting for our government to keep their promise; ven if you have already written to any of us or to the government in the past, please do so again now. This is an issue of fundamental justice that is of concern not just to the community of lesbians and gay men, but to all Canadians. Please speak out. Your voice, our voices raised together for equality and justice, will make a difference. Sincerely yours, Q: Why should gays and lesbians be given special legal protection? AND ANSWERS A: They shouldn't. Inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canada Human Rights Act would change it? Most experts agree by that the role played in sexual personal choice not provide special protection for gay men, lesbians or bisexuals. Such an amendment orientation is marginal. In any also is event, religion protected in the Canadian Hum-n Rights Act and in large measure a product of choice, so the would simply discrimination prohibit against homosexuals so that they will enjoy the same civil rights as argument is worthy of little weight. other Canadians. Q: But don't lesbians and gay men already have the same civil rights as other persons? DISCRIMINATION EXAMPLES OF BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION No. There is significant evidence of discrimination A in a lesbian supervisory position was told by her boss A: against lesbians, bisexuals and gay men in such areas as services, employment and that her lesbianism be kept should hidden so that it could not be used against her. housing. The law does not now provide any remedy to persons who are, for example, fired or denied services because of their sexual orientation. A woman who Wouldn't the amendment lead the recruitment of young people by gays and lesbians? Q: to There is no evidence that A: ran a convenience store in a small Canadian town, and who had several received awards of merit from had her employer, contract h e r gay men, bisexuals or lesbians "recruit" young people. Sexual orientation is generally believed to be established at infancy._Theeffortsof_thegay. and lesbian community have been terminated when her learned employer that she lesbian. was a lesbian directed to meeting the need Many for social and emotional support of persons who are lesbian or gay and who therefore face widespread within and develop activists many skills during volunteer activities for the community are they unable to state on discrimination in Canada. lesbian which But immoral? resumes for fear of Q: isn't homosexuality being denied employment. In a pluralistic society such as ours, it is inappropriate to allow the specific claims of any A: particular religious text to Dawn Black, MP New Westminster-Burnaby dictate the moral standards of the community. Svend J Robinson, MP Burnaby-Kinsway Q: But people who choose to be lesbian or gay shouldn't get legal protection. Dear Friends, I am writing to ask you to take the time to add your voice to mine and that of Svend and all of my fellow New Democrat A: If you are heterosexual, when did you "choose" that orientation and how easy would it be for you to "choose" to caucus colleagues in urging the government to keep its March promise to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientations. As federal leader of the New Democratic Party I am proud of our record of support for full equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in Canada. And as the Member of Parliament for the Yukon Territory I'm also particularly pleased that the New Democratic government has amended our human rights legislation to prohibit such discrimination 1986 and recently became the first government in Canada to extend benefits in the public sector to same sex partners. Justice Minister Kim Campbell will soon introduce a package of amendments to the Canadian Human Rights. It is gay men but to all Canadians. It is time that the federal government made this promise a reality for those who happen to be lesbians, gay men or bisexuals. Thank you for your support. essential that you send in letters. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms promises equality Sincerely yours, to all Canadians. This is an Audrey McLaughlin, MP issue Leader of the New Democratic fundamental justice that is of concern not just to of Party the community of lesbians and Northern Wothan Page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �IT'S SIMPLY LOVE The following is excerpted from an address on lesbian and gay awareness presented by Nancy Gildner and Lynn Beak at a March 1991 service of the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship, Thunder Bay. "We affirm the dignity and worth of every human being." "I sin if I submit to the indignities that are hurled at me. I am a guardian of the divine dignity and it is my duty to defend it." - Zulu Chief Albert Luthuli Nobel Peace Prize Winner (1960) flourishing study group which is working through started: We are all sexuallyThose who oriented beings. opportunities also have think back on our own expert ces, to become aware of dee: embedded organizing princip in our lives, and to exam the Unitarian Universalist (UU) "Welcoming Congregation" program. ... Today we'd like to cast some light on this program and What is the Welcoming ask ... Congregation Program? Why did it come into being? And why is it important to us here at LUF? locate themselves in the heter- ideas which never seemed osexual majority often do not allow us to be as open, lov and well-integrated as we wa ed to be. For instance, we mil NG: One of the newest elements on the landscape here at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship (LUF) is a I think most of us here are fondly familiar with the beautiful set of affirmations which currently serve to convey the essence of our shared and ever-evolving faith. We affirm without hesitation "the inhere- nt worth and dignity of every person." From this, affirming "justice, equity'and compassion in human.,-relationships" seems to follow effortlessly. It may come as a surprise, then, to learn that within this lovingly and laudably constructed atmo- sphere there is a significant group of Unitarians, continentwide, who have expressed the pain of feeling unaffirmed, unwelcomed and unsupported by their Unitarian communities. I am referring to lesbians, gay and their families and friends who have begun to point between inconsistencies out (UU) Universalist Unitarian principles and the facts of their own lived experience. They are asking the entire fellowship of UU adherents to exmen, amine their roles, whether through acts of commission or omission, in creating an environment where gays and lesbians still do not feel safe enough to live openly and wholly. The Welcoming Congregation program was developed to respond to the deeply-felt need for congregations to become genuininknowledgeably and ely clusive. The aim of this volu- ntary program is to provide a forum wherein congregations can begin to explore issues such as the inclusivity, homophobia, nature of sexual orientations, and the anatomy of oppression, replacing myths with facts, stereotypes with human profile- obliviousness with awareness, and inertia with resolve s, and action.... Since the Welcoming Congregation program's aim is to generate solutions, perhaps we Northern Woman Page 8 should spend a little time examining the problem.... Here's an objective fact to get us recognize that they are "orien- ted" at all, or that there is any other way to be than heterosexual. In fact, though, studies conducted since the middle of this century have shown that human sexuality is arranged along a fluid continuum so that individuals may identify themselves as exclusively heterose- reconsider the sacred cow Should we acci "normalcy". that "the majority" defi: what is "normal".If we do, t] clearly homosexuality is abnl mal and all manner of homophi is oppression enters the re, xual; to varying degrees able to be attracted to people of either gender (bisexual); or, of the rational and the apwith proximately 10% of the population, exclusively homosexual. seems flawed, will we work as is the case Most gay people report their sense that they have always been same-sex oriented, that they no more chose this orientation than a heterosexual person chooses to be straight. Psychology researchers confirm this testimony, pointing out that sexual orientation, while perhaps not recognized or acknowledged by any individual for several years, is probably set in the pre-school years, by the age of three or four.... Sexual orientation is analogous to eye colour, or right or left handedness, in that it is a and constitutive natural, value-neutral fact of a person's life. Extrapolating from our statistic that one person in ten is same-sex oriented, it is clear that in North America today, there are about 25 million gay or lesbian people, or approximately one gay or lesbian child in every five familSame sex orientation ies. knows no boundaries, so that ethnic, geographic, every socio-economic, religious, age and labour/professional group has its vital component of gay The chances are that people. every one of us knows, or loves, or works with a lesbian or gay person, whether or not we Lesbians and realize it.... gays are in fact thoroughly woven into every square centimetre of our society.... Though the Welcoming Congregation workshops will offer sociological, psychological, historical and anecdotal infor- mation in abundance, we will tifiable.... However, if this ji mo( be a genuinely pluralistic SI iety, where many norms ex: depending on different but qually valid contexts?... How prepared are we to don 1 mantle of the other and wa: however briefly, inside the skin, inside their soul, ins c very particular their cumstances? How shall we answer t] question about what is "norm, regarding sexual orientatil We could go the objective roi e, and listen to the researc] views of numerous internatio: medical organizations, such the American Psychiatric , 1, which have sociation, homosextlhl removed since from their official listings mental illnesses. (They po out, however, that treatment indicated for those suffer from homophobia, which Au Lorde defines as "the fear feelings of love for members one's own sex and therefore hatred of those feelings others.") That's where the prof But it is sionals stand. important that we listen to voices of gay and lesbian pe le on this issue of "normalc let's imagine for Better, moment that we are gay or 1 bian. From this vantage poi it is clear that the ultim abnormality is to try to fo oneself to live a lie, to bu one's relationships and cond oneself in the world as if were heterosexual. If we lesbian or gay, "normalcy" being affectionally orien towards people of our own ge er --- it is here that we f the truth that makes us who PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �But to have found this precious truth and yet to live in a society which demeans and negates, in every conceivable way, all their perversion. We can participate in a good laugh at their expense, though sometimes we, as members of this society, we feel a little guilty about formation. There's informatior that's absolutely incorrect, that is normal and balanced for it. one; which requires that one become complicit in one's own silencing in order to remain acceptable; which through in- When we arrive at acceptance, we have decided to live stitutional law, from the playground to Parliament, reinforces and validates only heterosexual couplings and family groupings; ... this, in the words of feminist philosopher Marilyn Frye, is "crazy-making". Is it any wonder, in light of this, that gay teenagers are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight classmates? The true wonder is that the vast majority of gay people, in spite of spending their lives battling insidious and overt discrimination, manage to be so well-adjusted. have been given since birth. There are two kinds of misin- and that speaks from a clear of their lifestyles, and certainly would not be happy if prejudice. There's also information that is exaggerated and is out of context and that allows prejudice to grow. one of our own children were to come out as lesbian or gay, but An example of the second kind will help. If an alien and let live. We don't approve we're willing to welcome gay and lesbian people to our church, provided not too many show up. After all, we don't want to be seen as "the gay church". It's OK by us if gays and lesbians hold positions of respon- sibility such as ministers or teachers, but they should not ask for "special privileges" such as civil rights or open acknowledgement. At the supportive stage, we may still have some internal came to this world, particular- ly in November (which is Ontario's wife assault prevention month), and looked at heterosexual relationships, it would say, "My god, all they do is commit wife assault!" because that is what the media reports. That's all you hear about. Now, because we live in a heterosexual community, we all have personal experience that allows us to mitigate that information and say "well, yes, it's true, in some relationships there is family violence, but Imagine a world in which your life appears only as a negaImagine that whenever you hear your life mentioned it is with a laugh or a sneer, in a whisper or an apologetic tone of voice. Imagine that you have lived with the person you love for years and have never heard - in school, on television, in popular films, in your family, in your religious community - your life and circumstances addressed, affirmed, or positively reflected back to tive. you. Imagine having to become bilingual in the language of families, because loving whom you love is seen as not legitimate love or life, like everyone else's. Imagine having to scour the language of your birth to create a language you can use with self- respect, because most of your culture denies -- and you are not certain, either -- that you have a right to the language. The language ascribes all the values, living skills, terms of affection, and descriptions of intimacy as belonging to someone else. Imagine having to call your life partner, your lover and husband, your helpmeet and mate, the passionate companion of your days with whom you fight and negotiate and make plans and create a life -imagine having to introduce this person as "my friend ". -excerpted from the article "Names" by Rev. Barbara Pescan which appears in "The Welcoming Congregation" that's not the whole picture." But when we don't have that personal experience of what the lives of gay and lesbian people are like, we do not know how to mitigate misinformation, that piece of information that is out of context in the media. One of the things that has concerned me for a long time is about how we as a society gain information. We have become very dependant on external sources of information. We don't trust our personal experiences. If we meet somebody from a group about whom we have a prejudiced view, and the person does not match our expectations, we can respond in one of two ways. "This person is an exception and all that I have heard is true", or "This person is the reality and I have tc The Welcoming Congregation resource book identifies stages by which we will be able to track our progress as we come to understand the nature of sexual and affectional orientations. Not everyone goes through all the stages, or spends the same amount of time at any stage, but generally speaking, the flow is from repugnancy and pity, through tolerance, acceptance and support, with the final arrival at affirmation. Which of these stages qualms left over from earlier stages, but we know that gays and lesbians deserve the same rights, dignity and respect as everyone else, and we're prepared to put our money where our mouth is, using inclusive language, refusing to participate in anti-gay jokes, and lending our support to measures to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, wherever it oc- We are taking steps to work through whatever blind spots still cause us difficulcurs. ty. rings personal bells for us? When we reach affirmation, Are we at the repugnancy stage? If so, we are intensely uncom- we embrace and rejoice in the unique gifts that lesbian and gay people bring to our community. We celebrate the relationships and families of our lesbian and gay friends, support and are supported by fortable with the notion of homosexuality. We see gays and lesbians as sick, perverted and immoral, people who are out to molest our children, people who attract our hostility and anti- gay slurs and who bring gaybashing on themselves. Perhaps we feel pity. As abnormal, maladjusted people, them, respect and are respected by them, love and are loved by them. ... gays and lesbians are assured of sad, difficult, debased livThey need our help. If we are tolerant, we admit that, whether we like it or not, lesbians and gays exist and always have. We know a few of "them" and put up with them es. as long as they do not flaunt I want to talk about the work of the Welcoming Congregation Committee since our start in October, 1990. We have been educating ourselves, trying to correct the misinformation that LB: base my beliefs on my personal experiences and not on what I'm hearing outside." We are trained in our schools and by the media not to trust our personal experiences, not to think from the inside out, not to say: "This is my experience, therefore this is true." We think: "Well, this is what's happened to me, it must be an exception, because it's not what everyone else is saying, it's not what everyone else is doing." That is something that we have lost, and have to regain: looking at prejudice is one area in whict I think we can start to regain the ability to validate our own personal experiences, to dray our conclusions and build our truths from our own personal knowledge and experiences. The Committee members have been looking at the information that we get. Generally, there is not much information about lesbian women in the media and therefore in some ways there is less stereotyping and more openness. For gay men, there has been much more information in the media, much more stereotyping, and therefore less room for openness. continued on next page.. Northern Woman Page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �As the Committee proceeds, we are looking at the information that we have received. We are trying to develop from that base, and go from knowledge to awareness. At that stage we go from a cerebral understanding to a spiritual one, and that is when affirmation occurs. And affirmation and empathy are integral to each other. Confidentiality has been a critical issue for the Committee since the beginning. We need to provide safety within our Committee for those individuals who share information with us about their sexual orientation. There is jeopardy! Men and women still lose jobs, lose friends and lose tional method of behaviour control. I'm sure we've all ex- perienced it, often during the vulnerable teen-aged years. "Don't do that. Someone will think you're a ....". I will acting in roles that are considered appropriate for women. protection much too inadequate, and support from us, still developing, for us to be in a pos- ition to do more than support people where they are, anywhere on the continuum from complete secrecy to complete openness. We are learning not to It's derstand their situation better than we do. We must allow them to let us know where they are in their striving for openness and affirmation. We believe that,,-it is very important to expand this principle to the a way of keeping women one. In conclusion, I would like to thank the members of the Welcoming Congregation Committee for the growth that they are going through and continue to go through, and to celebrate the work that they are doing. Where do we in the LUF Because we have an open building, there will never be complete secrecy here. Anyone can walk in from the street. However, within this community, whom this whole subject is so it's very important to recog- deeply disturbing as to stir up feelings of revulsion, through people who feel reasonably neu- tral and just wish the whole issue would go away, to people that they are doing so within a religious community of which they are a member and from which they are hoping for un- who want to actively grow in their understanding and have not known how to embark on a project of awareness-raising. derstanding and affirmation. We must not gossip! People are much more willing to have their religious community know things about them than, for example, people at work. After all, this is Many of us know that our upbringing saddled us with a lot of homophobic baggage, and we want about them? That is one of the really critical issues for gay and lesbian people in a religious community is to be able to share the sense of community that everyone else here can share. One other lesson that the Committee has learned is that homophobia is an "invisible" You source of discrimination. can march in a civil rights to be rid of it. Or we know that our children are being fed a steady diet of homophobia in the schoolyard, and we want to learn tools to deal with it. I suspect that the Welcom- ing Congregation program has something to offer all of us, no matter where we locate ourselves. People who are plagued by fear and anger can look for those burdensome emotions to dissipate in the face of solid new information on sexual orientations, the roots of homophobia, and lots of other why's and wherefore's. Those who wonder why this should be an issue for us at LUF may be intrigued and appalled to learn that oppression impacts on the lives of people in all our cir- cles in the most fundamental parade and never worry about anyone thinking that you are ways. Recognizing how brutally gays and lesbians have been Similarly, men can talk excluded from other religious black. Northern Woman Page 10 pathize together, we will re gnize fellow travellers have been this way before who, finding themselves on h her ground, report that view is great. What might the fut hold?...We would hope that the level of awareness in t: Fellowship grows, we will demonstrate a commitment to use of inclusive language, sensitivity to lesbian and issues, to a refusal to p. gay or lesbian people, to rel gnize the committed relatil ships of lesbian and gay peo] . find them, regardless of sex' orientation. Perhaps this F( lowship will decide to dialo( with members of the gay lesbian community, both witl our Fellowship and beyond, learn what needs are most gent and how we might help fill them. We might sugg( forming a support group such 1 Parents and Friends of Lesbiz stand on the scale of welcoming and inclusivity? I would imagine that we have in this Fellowship a full spectrum of people, all the way from those for great pain, and if we can not talk about them here, why are we here and where can we talk Congregation program offer nurturing environment where can take risks safely. As read and discuss together, and to affirm displays of fection and caring wherever NG: passages, this is where we come to talk about those things which are giving us great joy and or company on an otherwise v solitary journey, the Welcom and lesbian rights, in and of itself, but also because in liberating them, we liberate ourselves, we liberate every- community at large within the where we come to share life's h ticipate in conversations so-called humour which demo Unitarian Fellowship. nize that when people share information with us about their sexual orientation, or about other issues that are personal, for those who It's a way of lessening each of our options, this fear of being seen as a homosexual. So not only is there an incredibly important reason to support gay challenge people to say more about themselves than they wish, to respect that they un- Finally, desired help, or affirmati tification has been a tradi- cannot require anyone to say anything more about their own sexual orientation than they Life is still too risky, ciples into tangible welcc sexual orientation is an in- their sexual orientation, so we choose. can take to translate our pr visible quality, people can be taken for homosexuals if they speak out. Fear of homosexual iden- let you fill in your own expression, but we've all heard it. It's a way of keeping men acting in roles that are considered appropriate for men. family members by disclosing communities, we may see t there are pro-active steps about women's rights and they don't change their sex. You do not have to take on the mantle of the oppressed person. However, because homophobia is so prevalent, and because your and Gays (P-FLAG) or a yoi group for young gays and 1( bians self-respect in their terri] ingly one-sided, heterosex: high school environments. There are so many benef: to be reaped in the process becoming a Welcoming Congrec tion. Beyond all the altru: tic considerations, we will able to revel in our own ev( increasing self-knowledge, in the sense that we have ta< led what has historically b( one of the most difficult fr< tiers in order to breathe 1: and spirit into our Unitar: Universalist Affirmations. will know that we have tal significant steps towards be: healing agents rather th through our silence, and insistence on silence, o/ cc pounding the problems fac b lesbians and gay men. _11 be enriched when the and lesbian people amongst feel the way cleared for t] to make their own special cl tributions as whole, un-se censoring people, to br their partners and families, < T 1 celebrate their unions, grieve the loss of their lo' ones. We will continue to vitalize and nurture this s] ritual home of ours when "celebrate the lives of people and their ways of pressing their love for 1 e. other."1 1. From the "Welcoming CI gregation" section of the CI mon Vision Planning Commit' Report, 1989. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Ontario Women's Directorate Direction generale de la condition feminine de ('Ontario GRANTS The following northern organizations have received community grants funding. Northwestern Ontario Women's Health Information Network $4,990.00 - to hold a workshop and develop a resource package to accompany a theatrical presentation for teachers and students focusing on sex-role stereotyping, positive body image and eating disorders. Equay-Wuk (Sioux Lookout) $24,000.00 - to conduct five regional workshops regarding the issue of Family Violence. Wequedong Lodge of Thunder Bay $7,905.00 - to translate and distribute the family violence video "New Beginnings". RESOURCE CENTRE Exciting things are happening in OWD's Northern Office We are in Resource Centre. the process of re-cataloguing all materials using ON-LINE CATALOGUE, a user friendly computer program. When the cataloguing is completed, you will be able to search by title, author or In time (and all subject. this will take time) we hope to have bibliographies available in print form. New acquired materials are: With the Power of Each Breath A disabled women's Anthology Susan E. Browne, Debsa Connors, Nanci Stern community conference to increase awareness of the violence issue. Little Red Reading Society $5,000.00 - to hold a lecture series by native women to encourage participants to acquire a post secondary education. Dryden Native Women's Resource Centre SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION MONTH is JUNE and WIFE ASSAU PREVENTION MONTH is NOVEMBER Information packages will be sent in the near future to community groups working wit and offering services to wom who have experienced male violence. When Battered Women Kill Reports on Wife Assault Ontario Medical Association Committee on Wife Assault Reclaiming Our Lives Hope for Adult Survivor of Incest Carol Postan and Karen Lison When You're Ready A women's healing from childhood physical and sexual abuse by her mother Kathy Evert VIDEOS Theatre's community outreach to high school students in Thunder Bay and several communities in the north with MIRROR GAME a play addressing violence in relationships. Talking Sense on receiving funding to build a new, larger and much needed shelter for women who experience male violence in their relationships. Ontario Women's Directorate will again offer grants for public education projects or the issues of wife assault and sexual assault. The Politics and Practice of Organizing Family Services Thiumikr. Bay $10.000.00 - to sponsor Magnus FAYE PETERSON TRANSITION HOUSE Issues. Social Movements/Social Change - to conduct a needs assessment of native women. to May 8, 1991 - New funding of $20.3 million to fight violence against women and t support women who have been assaulted was announced by Anne Swarbrick, Minister Responsible for Women's Northern Saskatchewan Metis Women speak out $8,000.00 CONGRATULATIONS 1991 In Our Own Words Angela Brown Begetikong Anishinabe-Queck (Heron Bay) $6,000.00 - to hold a two day WIFE ASSAULT/SEXUAL ASSAULT INITIATIVES - Video aimed at parents, teachers and other adults working with teens. Talking Sex COMING EVENTS A series of workshops of interest to women will highlight a conference presented by the Steering Committee for Women with Disabilities. The workshop: are: Health Management Options, Violence Against Women with Disabilities, Self Image and Self Esteem Sexuality, Parenting with a Disability and Health, My Care and the Medical Profession. Conference begins with registration Friday evening May 24, workshops on Saturd May 25 and the plenary on Sunday May 26. Call Susan Ward, co-ordinat at 345-6157 for more information. - Video aimed at teens (13-14) (14-15) and (16 and older). These videos are available in French and English; produced by Ontario Women's Directorate. This page is sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorate. The material contained on it may be photocopied and distributed without permission, but with credit t the original source or the Ontario Women's Directorate. Northern Woman Page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �The following are excerpts from a brief to the Select Committee on Ontario in Confederation, presented by Leni Untinen, on behalf of the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council. The tragedy of this situation is that we will have lost by default. that Not as we, a society tried and could not, but because we have forfeited our chance. We too often have allowed elected our resentatives all authority and all responsibility. And those to whom we have given power have tried to "protect" us from dealing with decisions by Canada enters the 1990's at the crossroads of Confederation and Provincial Sovereignty. To the citizens of Ontario these are and confusing threatening, Q.motional times. It is interesting to imagine that 50 years from now, circumstances, information and decisions which seem so complicated today, may be captured on a page or two in history. A frightening prospect is how the perception of this decades history will be recorded. Will the chapter read, "in the eleventh hour 'the dice were rolled', behind closed doors? After 124 years of Confederation, leaders of the country and provinces were unable to negotiate outstanding Constitutional accord issues, before a 'deadline' agreed upon late one night in the kitchen of the government centre at Meech Lake. And so the nation of Canada began a process to dismantle." Will historians write that Canadians were unable to respond to its Aboriginal peoples wants? or was it their needs? or was it their legal rights? Will it be recorded that Quebec made stringent demands because of their "unique qualities" or because of their arrogance or because of a fear of assimilation based on Canada's record of assimilating the Aboriginal seeking to impose solidarity not understanding. The ability to make appropriate decisions lies in an understanding of past history, the present and future An understanding Canadians don't Each of us has and emotional circumstance direction. that many possess. opinions sentiments. What many of us lack is the understanding that the actions of various sectors of Canadian and Ontarian society are rooted in history. We lack clairty of what are demands and what are the inherent rights of sectors of our society. We lack the concept that there could be nations within the nation just as there are families within a family. Ontario has the technology to inform and educate citizens on the diversity of our people, the legislation and treaties which influence our multi-cultural, bi-lingual programs. convey to practices and The province must the people the sentiment of the sacrifices those which one is disposed to make in the future. It presupposes a past; but it resumes itself in the present by a tangible fact: the consent, the clearly expressed desire to continue life in comfion." By this definition, Canada may have lost the opportunity to make the decision to continue as a nation. Many citizens have lost the desire to continue life in common. Northern Woman Page 12 THE MEECH LAKE LEGACY Canadian politics have been based on a traditionally patriarchal model with a rigid, lineal decision making process. This process focuses on "power over" rather than the "power to" and decision making from The Meech Lake the top down. Accord process followed this The process has been model. proven wrong and further, may prove to be devastating Canada as a nation. inclusion of Quebec in for The the Constitution did not have to rights in women's place Canada's ignore jeopardy; aboriginal peoples' concerns or relegate Canadians living in Territories to a second-class position. non-participatory Voices calling for amendments to protect the rights of all people were wrongly labeled to amounting "anti-Quebec", Public emotional blackmail. consultation and hearing could Ontario must have the will and determination to assist the people of the first Nations of achieving in province our satisfactory negotiations of selffor agenda their land claims and government, quality of life issues. have and should have been taken Native and Women's seriously. organizations have continued to silenced through cuts organizational their be vision of Via Rail on steel which have been made and of but welcomed and by each of us, our commonness, uniting celebrating our differences, blending through growth not revolution. protected the Yukon and the Northwest information on legislation, contracts and conventions that we, as decision makers, should In 1882 Ernest Renan wrote: "A nation is a soul, a spiritual principle... A nation is a great solidarity, created by other, the OUR IDENTITY unaware of? women working side by side, valued equally. Our symbols should not be imposed on each information required to make educated and just decisions. people? Will history refer to broken promises and treaties? Will historians have access to be considering today but are We need to embrace the concept of existing independently/ together; sharing our raw materials and technology; enjoying urban and rural lifestyles; respecting the colour and traditions of our multi-cultural backgrounds, the sounds of our bilingual languages, being proud of a profile of men and Symbols of our identity: the tracks, connecting people from Canadian the to sea; sea wheat prairie the beaver; the abundant timber fields; forests, and the monarchy, have either changed or diminished in of a face symbolizing the developing Canada. All people, individually or collectively require an identity, to know who we are and where we came from; to build on, to change reflecting changing traditions times; valued cherishing and creating old new The grief experienced with the fading of ones as we grow. to or broadcasting or publication The legacy of the budgets. Meech Lake Accord is enforced country a and silence, polarized by protectionism. demonstrate must Ontario leadership in utilizing the skills and expertise of the the province by people of developing a model of true issues on consultation The affecting their lives. province must convey to the information the people, required to make educated and Our province just decisions. social its exhibit must conscience as the basis of the framework of our development. some of Canada's symbols is not in the loss but in the void. As Canadians, as Ontarians, we need to establish positive new our Bridging symbols. diversity, from our country's east/west extremities, from our province's north/south borders. WAR This very moment, as we stand looking towards the future, a between war rages world and seeking countries retaliating to "power over". PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �This very moment war rages in homes across the province, one 8 women are physically in battered by their partners in This a domestic relationship. very moment war rages in our communities, one in 4 females and one in 8 males is sexually are before they assaulted eighteen. This very moment war rages on Ontario's children. Hundreds of thousands will be and emotionally physically abused and/or be forced to live This very moment in poverty. many Ontarians fear war with our Francophone and Aboriginal sisters and brothers. Ontario has tremendous natural We have and human resources. the capabilities to empower our We can share the people. "power to" rather than inflict There is no "power over". future in "power over". Bay alone, welfare payments are up 53%, the caseload up 47%. and Councils administrators search for ways to cut community based support programs to cover mandatory Outshopping income benefits. has become a new Canadian word. and retailers Manufacturers Municipal press for Ontario's economic goals mus base include a broader economi of definition development and m u s incorporate long-range plannin jo into industrial growth, creation and quality of lif considerations. additional concessions, in their attempts and Canadian to compete. WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY Ontario companies attempt to negotiate salary and benefit Looking at the economy fro everyone's perspective to essential develop th potential of Ontario. Economi Health freezes or reductions. and safety standards may be in the name of threatened Ontario companies production. or branch plants have closed or moved to southern locations resulting in job losses and Canadians now pay a Goods and Services Tax not imposed on In answer to exported goods. the about our questions possible plus side of the free development must be looked a in a total sense: "This includes reasonable industrial expansion, job creation, and economic growth along with quality o life considerations; adequate and affordable housing, recreation and cultural facilities, traditional as well as alternative educational systems, health care facilities and a full range of support services. Other necessary considerations include accessible 24-hour child care and convenient public (Women transportation." in Decision Making 1982) Economic development ha: traditionally been regarded a: an issue concerning the business and political sectors Women and their concerns have generally been excluded fro the planning and implementatio Development scheme process. perpetuate th not must assumption that women exis only as dependents of men. (... Various reports) project that while the labour force is growing at only half the rat 1970's during the was it wil: participation women's increase and account for hal: of the workforce within 11 years. While we could interpret this to mean good news for women, wi must look at further relate FREE TRADE from concerns Despite many across the country, the Federal Government entered into the Trade Free Canada/U.S. agreement. "Its intent was to improve the economics of both countries, to strive for full employment and improved living standards, and to strengthen both countries in the international market-place; with both countries' ability to take measures to safeguard public welfare fully preserved." The agreement appears to be falling short of its goals. Ontario unemployment statistics continue to creep higher. Canadians have seen major changes to its unemployment insurance programs. In Thunder trade agreement we are encouraged to see all recent concessions and financial crises as unrelated. In the meantime without a verdict on the the original agreement Canadian government approaches agreement with a Canada/U.S. and Mexico. Uninformed Ontario citizens concerned, fear these further negotiations. Ontario owes its citizens a honest score card on negative the positive and results of free trade and its relationship to other financial Ontario The situations. government must not support further free trade agreements without an adequate sharing of and facts information, opinions, through a consultation process and with educated an from direction society. From the Ontari, statistics. Women's Directorate Databas, 1990 we know that women earn a mal of 64.8% of average The 1988 Statistic earnings. fo earnings female Canada full-time, full-year employmen Of women with a was $23,260. least one child under age 6 60.6% participate in the labou force and face costs of up t $6000. per year, per child fo licensed child care. Further we know that the average famil paren single for income employed female headed familie The face of th was $19,740. labour force and the economic of Ontario is changing. In addition to paid employmen (a recent study demonstrated that 69% of respondents sper, more than 20 hours per week c Add to this household tasks. volunteE of hours the activities that wome North4nViddiihr Page. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �contribute to their community and we have a true picture of the double work load women continue to carry. The shift in male and female work force participation rates, the disparity in earnings and subsequent disparity in taxable incomes and the fact that more women will become primary income earners, has serious financial and systemic implications for women themselves; for both traditional and non-traditional families; for the community and for the Province of Ontario. What is needed before future decisions are made is a more of perspective realistic women's role in today's society Women must be an integral part of planning the future. advance the to have we women, share knowledge, working of status learned to In expertise skills, and is Progress resources. achieved through empowerment and the collective "power to". Feminist the embracing By could Ontario perspective, model a process that will serve the future of the province, the country and the people well. The spirit of Northwestern captured in the women Ontario the of is following lines. continued from pg 14 drawings of houses with airplanes flying on top of the house, and with white flags on top of the roof. Those children coming from the streets don't even have drawings of parking lots or parks or things like that.. they just draw streets and streets. And when we asked them to draw what they had as a concept of peace, children coming from the repopulated areas and the conflictive areas were drawing trees, corn fields, green stuff, and the children from the marginalized areas were drawing soccer fields. We can see that they see peace as the minimum of living conditions, of So they subsistence level. gave us the elements to design our strategies to work with children. all hatred internalized in They are these children. having to face the consequences their social of war in conception. We see the work that the five women's major national organizations doing are together is very important. Especially because all these are women's organizations taking into account of an what's going to happen after We are already the war ends. invisible chain. Never still, the live movements stir the of northern women linkage. The echo of the chain vibrates establishment of a new economic We cannot say that we system. "Across -,- the vastness Northwestern Ontario lies through its length and rings out across the country. Threats cause the chain to pull taut and call on its collective strength. Hurt moves the chain to circle and protect. Energy flows along the chain to the weariest link. With achievement and celebration the chain shines. Should the chain knot, caring hands work tirelessly to insure the chain is restored. The links of the chain are woven through the patchwork of women's lives. Representing their work; their history; their vision. Each of us holds tight, drawing on, strengthening, giving the chain life." Together with other women's organizations, our institute is part of the national effort toward through peace, the permanent committe on national debate. We are thinking about what to do after the war, but We were so worried about the already Guaternal a-NACLA thinking about the are going to start to think about this when the war ends. We have to coordinate all the toward work efforts and building a social basis for this new economic model that we the in are going to have And this implies that future. the of 51% are if women population they have a very important role to play in these That is why it is changes. about think to necessary projects that will increase the and of women, development will benefit that projects very it's and children, important that together with all the popular movements we put all our efforts together. at the same time thinking .about how we can end this war. As women we have this challenge. And women who live in Cananda, as a developed country... women who are here tonight but also women of all the developed countries...have a historical role to play. But not in terms of charity or paternalism, but framework of better in the relations between north and south in the aim of world Because we have development. to think about what kind of new world order is coming so how are the third world countries going to be left? I want to thank the solidarity solidarity the women, from between women.. regardless of where they are coming from, or countries developed underdeveloped countries. really believe we can establish a relationship of self-respect and mutual cooperation. I have one special petition to all of you and this is to be alert to are that events the all happening in El Salvador and all Central American countries. Usually you get information about what is happening on the national scene but not what is I think happening with women. we are important also and we want the right to have that space. It is our wish to extend this spirit to the people of Ontario and Canada. Northern Woman Page 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �READING Keep on top of A PLACE TO START your reading There are many "good" books and about periodicals few a lesbianism and homophobia, some The recent and some classics. \itz .1% following is a list of books available or "orderable" at the Northern Woman's Bookstore. PERIODICALS BOOKS Rites Different Daughters, edited by Louise Rafkin Finding the Lesbians, edited by Julia Penelope and S. Valentine Lesbian Loulan Sinster Wisdom (quarterly) Common Lives/Lesbian Lives (quarterly) Joann by Passion, (monthly) If you know other books that A Restricted Country, by Joan Nestle ??????????? NORTHERN VOMAN JOURNAL Called My Back, edited by Gloria Andulzua and This Bridge this to added be should recommended reading list please let us know and we will print them next issue, along with a list of great lesbian fiction. Cherie Moraga Woman Plus Woman, by Delores Klaich Another Mother Tongue, by Judy Grahn Persifion by Sane, Still Blackridge and Sheila Gilhooly Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism, by Suzanne Pharr Lesbian Baetz Crossroads, by Ruth Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde Coming Out The Original Julia Stories, edited by Penelope and Susan Wolfe Lesbian/Woman, by and Phyllis Lyons V V V V V V Canadian Women and AIDS: Beyond the Statistics V V Canadian Women and AIDS is one of the very few anthologies about women and AIDS. It contains over 40 articles, 11 by women with HIV/AIDS, and is organized in five thematic sections: V Del Martin The Lesbian Path, by Margaret Cruikshank An Introduction to the Issues of HIV/AIDS; Women with HIV/AIDS Share their Stories; V Women and AIDS: Who's Vulnerable (young women and adolescents, Haitian & other Black al women, lesbians, women using IV-drugs, prostitutes & women in prison); Educating Ourselves, Educating Each Other; and Memory Board, by Jane Rule Organizing our Communities: Women Helping Stepping Out of Line, Hughes et ?2,???????!L? < < < < <<< < <<<< Women. Read an overview of women and AIDS in Canada and another artick placing women and AIDS in a worldwide context. See through the eyes of an epidemiologist studying the evolution of AIDS, then through the eyes of an ordinary' woman suddenly diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, then through the eyes of a nurse in an AIDS clinic or a volunteer in a community organization or a social worker in a hospital as she attempts to support, to explain, to educate and to destigmatize the illness. 325 pages, ISBN 0- 9691410 -8-4 $15.95 + $1postage&handling + 7% GST Les Editions Communiqu'Elles 3585 St-Urbain, Montr6al, Qu6bec, Canada H2X 2N6 Tel: (514) 844-1761; fare (514) 842-1067 Northern Woman Page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �UPDATE ABORTION IS LEGAL IN CANADA' have the right to access to LEARN MASSAGE BY VIDEO safe abortions. Who would have believed Senate the Maybe irrelevant after all. With it? Following the Senate decision "this stated Swarbrick represents a major victory for isn't women ", Because it was the Senate that - by a vote of 43-43 - defeated (Senate rules demand Bill C43. that a tie vote be declared Bill C43, which would recriminalized abortion was vigorously opposed by the The Bill pro-choice movement. was also strongly criticized by the medical profession - many doctors declared they would abortion perform to refuse procedures if the Bill became lost.) have law. In fact, a northern the women seeking abortions in southern Ontario; and consulting with women's groups, providers and community groups to find new ways of improving access. number of doing stopped had doctors abortions in anticipation that the law would be enacted. Some anti-choice activists had also It is this question of access continued requires that the pro-choice advocacy by movement, as access is very uneven with some provinces and providing areas most rural Pressure little or no access. must be exerted on the federal government to use the Canada every Act ensure Health province provides access. opposed the Bill as being too So not all the 43 moderate. Senators who voted against the Bill are pro-choice. But make no mistake about this - it was pro-choice advocates who celebrated that night. quickly was Bay, Thunder taking advantage of the visit to our community of Ontario's for Responsible Minister Women's Issues, AnneSwarbrick. Swarbridk and her colleague made had Gigantes Evelyn representation to the Senate celebration A in organized Committee studying the and stated that government will work to ensure improved access to abortion for The Ontario Ontario women. a made has government commitment to speeding up the freestanding of licensing clinics; extending the Northern Health Travel Grants to cover president of "the fight for CARAL states been always has access and regional in provincial Kit Holmwood, nature and it will continue in As long as a that manner. region or province single refuses to provide access to safe, legal abortion we will be unable to rest." W.I.T.T. NETWORK PROJECT Bill, strong the forward putting Ontario position that abortion a not issue a health is criminal matter, and that women Trades and in Women Technology Network Project is pleased that to announce funding has been received to The undertake community development work leading up to the creation of a network of women working PART OF in trades and technology in our INA 4=116 area. The objectives of the project DON T YOU UNDERSTAND are: 1) to identify women who are committed individuals to join our dynamic working Board of nonthese in working traditional occupations; 2) to conduct a survey of these women and identify their needs and concerns related to their occupations; 3) to lay the foundation for a formal network of women in technological and trades occupations by bringing women together to meet, discuss and Do you have an Directors. interest in women's health? If you are concerned about the issues relating to our upcoming projects on Women and Body The project will culminate in a forum, planned for September 1991 and address issues that are identified by the women in W.H.I.N. Ontario Northwestern The Information Women's Health for looking is Network Image and Eating Disorders (a play to tour the high schools or Pre and Post of N.W.O.) Natal Services for pregnant we would value your women, Be in the forefront of input. action on women's health issues in N.W.O. ... call Jane at 345 1410; or in Kenora area call 468-6357. learn. the survey. i Women who presently work in trades or technology, those who have left the field for various reasons or any woman studying or preparing for a job in are technology or trades invited to become a part of this project. Call Martha Gingerich at 345-0233 or 767- instructional the all videos coming available from larger it centres, is not surprising that a remarkable one arises from Thunder Bay by a woman. minutes in length, this 72 video combines a deep and real human caring with a wealth of professional expertise to take you step-by-step through the proper delivery massage. of a body This is no amateur item but a professionally top-quality, filmed and personated product. The practitioner/instructor in the video, Sita Holland, is a committed feminist as well as a Registered Massage Therapist trained at the Sutherland-Chan school of Massage - one of five Massotheraphy accredited schools in Canada. At one time an Ontario school teacher, Sita left the school system in search of a more positive way to promote human She caring and whole health. found it in massage but claims "the best part is spreading it - especially among my sisters who know that we must nurture One of Sita's one another". was school at specialities infant massage and that "will be the subject of another video in the future." The director/producer with a wealth of multi-media training and experience is Jim Farrell who designed the camera work for close-up clarity and keen definition. Printed titles and skilled narration make this a valuable learning tool. The woman recipient in the video is Skeets, a survivor of who challenges, life many attests to the deep relaxation produced by massage by falling You can hear her asleep. snoring through some stages of the treatment! Pick up your copy of plus Learn the Massage accompanying "Guide" notes at ($39.95) the Northern Woman's Bookstore. FEMINIST FILMS have arrived in Since January, Thunder Bay! the National Film Board and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery have excellent these presented Canadian films by women and for the Perhaps everyone. beer. has far highlight so Sandra's Garden, a film about incest survival. This Canadiar premiere was largely attended and featured discussion witl- and Dickey Bonnie director Sandra after the film. Thunder beer have audiences Bay ThE educated and entertained. series continues through JunE and will hopefully continuE next film season. 5286. Northern Woman Page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Second Class Mall eglstratlea Na. 5U7 MAIL TO: Fort RN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL P.O. BOX 144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 ances, Ont. P9 3M3 3 2 Return Postage Guaranteed 11 VI 1V' ASTERISK ON S THE R rm.RENEW. YOUR SUBSCR NAME p - tt tom Mime IHUNDER 6AY,, ON P7C 1111;4741:q., *ago netrW.-- [IMAM ION ADDRESS POST AL CODE $ 6.00 Individual 1 nstitutional $12.00 NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario P7C 4Y5 Collectively produced DEBBIE BENNIE, ME ANNE HONEY, MARGARET JOHNSTON, NANCY LYONS, MARGARET PHILLIPS, JANE SAUNDERS, JOSIE WALLENIUS. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 13 No 3 Description An account of the resource Vol. 13, No. 3 (May 1991) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Poetry Child sexual abuse Women & solidarity Women & power Global Awareness Project Transnational solidarity Anti-war Discrimination based on sexuality Homophobia Human rights for gays and lesbians Lesbian & gay awareness Resources for northern women Wife assault/sexual assault initiatives Faye Peterson Transition House funding Meech Lake Accord Women & the economy Free trade Feminist book list Canadian women & AIDS Abortion made legal in Canada Northwestern Ontario Women’s Health Information Network Authors/Contributors: Gert Beadle Rodene Zimmer Nancy Lyons Josie Wallenius Svend J. Robinson Audrey McLaughlin Lynn Beak Nancy Gildner Ontario Women’s Directorate Leni Untinen Debbie Bennie Rae Anne Honey Margaret Johnston Margaret Phillips Jane Saunders Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1991-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2824/1991_Vol_13_No_4.pdf a3211cd2e0376f6a0cfd46f3fd091719 PDF Text Text PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITORIAL They were supposed to fade in hours . quickly abandon their picket lines and like docile 'servants' return to their desks. They were supposed to be grateful for their jobs . jobs that keep many women living below . . . . the poverty line on wages. . . . and not protest a freeze But they did not fade. Rather, with determination and dignity and a new awareness, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) maintained a strong, solid and very necessary strike until they were legislated back to work. This was a strike about fairness. About a government (after raising their own already hefty salaries) freezing the wages of their unionized employees. About a government that refuses to fulfil its commitment to pay equity, that is trying to block a human rights tribunal's investigation of a pay equity complaint. About a government that is offering its lowest paid employees a 'signing much as $60,000 a year. Yes, this was a strike about fairness. Whil the government used its power to legislal PSAC back to work, the arrogance and th unfairness of the government's dealings wit its employees will be long remembered ric only by union members but also by th larg bonus' of $500, when annual pay equity segment of the Canadian public that full adjustments should average $3,800. About a government that offers a $500.00 bonus to an employee (read female employee) earning $16,000 and nothing to union employees in the $30,000 to $60,000 range, while giving managers and commissioners supports PSAC. whose annual salary exceeds $200,000 (read treatment and change for the better in ot. male employee) bonuses that could be as lives. As feminists we should be supportive of ot sisters working in the public service -not jui supporting their demands but supportive i our solidarity as women working for fa $$$$$$$$NEEDED$M$ As a group we are a delight. But our Northern Woman Journal Collective has slowly dwindled to four active members. (UPDATE!! We are now five. Welcome Chris!) We meet somewhere on Bay Street, and sometimes forage, sometimes struggle and sometimes succeed in our collective efforts to design and produce the Northern Woman Journal. There is always so much material to sift through, so many important conferences, information bulletins and government reports to decipher and we do it with such enjoyment and purpose. The . . . purpose of this Journal is to give this vital information, thought-provoking stories and this feminist knowledge a place. has no other place. And for the moment, we find It ourselves with no money. We do not purchase lavish furnishings for the Journal In fact we only pay the rent. And this month we can't even do that. I guess what we are saying is if it is time to renew your subscription, now would be the best time to do it. (You'll save $$ by doing it now. Starting next issue subscription rates Office. increase.) Also, why not encourage a neighbour, friend or co-worker to subscribe? If you could, ANY sum of money as a donation would be appreciated. This time we really need it. And we are here to ask again, SEVENTEEN years later. THANK YOU $$$$$$$$$ 52% OF THE VOTING POPULATION ARE WOMEN Northern women milst make their sr.als.lahle experience in the home, the workplace and the Novembe the community count in municipal elections. Northern women have concerns about the economy, the environment, quality of life issues and the education of our children. Northern women have the right and the responsibility to make our voices heard. Northern women must play-an important role In the future of our northern communities- When your candidate calls, share your concerns and ask for their position on violence issues such as: child care; against women and children in the home and to women's access the community; employment; housing; support services for single parent families and older women and the economic future of the community. OUR VOTE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON NOVEMBER 12, 1991 Cover design: Courtesy of UBINIG: Policy Research for Development Alternatives, Dhaka, Bangladesh. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Noreomftmari :Page ;2= �CHEERS AND HUGS FOR DECADE COUNCIL FIFTEEN YEARS OF FEMINIST EXCELLENCE by Margaret Phillips 1975 was (some of you may recall) International Women's Year. The year to honour women, focus on women's issues, resolve the problems facing women. With much rhetoric, considerable platitudity, and some glitzy (and occasionally offensive) promo, the government declared its support for women, and provided some token $ to promote (one-time) events, tours, activities during 1975. While the government assumed their obligation to women had been neatly dealt with by underestimated the IWY initiatives, they the yearning and the commitment of Canadian women for radical social, economic and political change. Rather than politely saying thank you for the package and fading back into the kitchen, women took the IWY initiatives as a starting point for the on-going process of political action to address the inequities and injustices women experience. The Canadian response was consistent with women's reaction Newcomers to Thunder Bay often ask me about the women's movement in the north. start with Decade. Decade is: an activist, a catalyst, a network, a solid researcher, an advocate, an information resource. But Decade also is a lifeline, a source of inspiration, a safe home, a supportive sister. The political activist role that Decade plays is easiest to explain. Through a variety of mechanisms - research, reports, briefs, workshops, conferences, etc., Decade has initiatied and supported action on issues including: pension reform, equal pay, women and addictions, family property law, sexual harassment, social assistance, women and work, feminist counselling, women in trades and technology, sex-role stereotyping, women and mental health, women and decision making, cutbacks to social programs, cutbacks to women's programs, the Canadian internationally, and the demand was made for a Decade for Women. constitution, Meech Lake, free trade and privatization. If you are interested in an issue... join with Decade Council to take The action. Northwestern Ontario International Women's Year Council had formed in late 1974 to encourage some cohesion and purpose to this spurt of government IWY activity, and successfully coordinated the Northwestern Ontario events. programs carried out by the International Year N.W.O. Council. As each activity or event was evaluated the overriding response was "this is only a beginning... there is much more to do.." formed. Major studies of women and work in Northwestern Ontario were undertaken in 1978 and in 1989. Workshops have been facilitated across the region, and the Committee has produced RUN TO WIN, a handbook for women seeking public office. Decade takes every opportunity to remind politicians and political candidates that "52% Violence against women is frequently the first issue that women in the small communities of our region organize around. Decade's involvement and expertise in the movement to end violence against women is recognized came together in early- 1976...some-80 women from across the breadth and depth of Northwestern Ontario to 'evaluate' the I But how to define it? regionellyi-provincially and -Decade's leadership re violence issues includes organizational and development support and training to evolving and established Transition Houses, as well as providing a strong analysis of the issue, and mobilizing collective efforts to ensure political action. But who to do it? Women and economic development has also been a major focus for Decade. Spurred by The IWY Council, understandably exhausted from a hectic year, gave notice that they had run out of energy... that someone else must 'do it' and threw the question of who to do it back to the assembled group. With great exuberance woman after woman (dozens of us) stood up and said "I'll do it". And thus, the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council was born. the exclusion of women's experience and perspective in the hearing and deliberations of the Royal Commission on the Northern Environment in 1977, a Women and Economic Development Committee was of the voting population are women". Through a variety of strategies - all-candidates meetings, surveys, "ask your candidate brochures", Decade has engaged in non- partisan election strategies. bringing women's perspective t9 the political_ agenclawm. The networking function of Decade is exemplary....and one to be reckoned with. A simple telephone call to the "network" can produce dozens of telegrams on a Cabinet minister's desk in a matter of hours, and has resulted in positive action. Decade's public profile and accomplishments applauded. But it is the intangible qualities of the organization that are most meaningful as Janet and Charlotte describe in their articles. It is the sustenance, can be truly the nurturing, the caring, the safety, the friendships that remains with us, revitalizes us for our individual work. and ????????? ???????????????? In the intervening years Decade Council has - unique in Ontario, if not Canada. Rooted in women's experience, Decade Council gives VOICE to evolved as an organization ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION Northwestern Ontario women (women of small towns and rural areas, as well as urban women). Through Decade, our voice, with strong analysis and clear vision, breaks the silence and eases the isolation. by Charlotte Holm I As an associate of Decade over these fifteen years, but only occasionally an active Decade worker, I believe I can objectively portray the place Decade has in the feminist movement in Northwestern Ontario. But, as I write this, it increasingly feels like a love letter to Leni and so many Decade women. And that's o.k., because many of us feel strongly emotional about what Decade means - to our region, to our organizations, to us individually. have very vivid memories of Decade Council meetings, particularly during the long and difficult (but ultimately successful) struggle to establish services in Kenora for abused women; about taking the midnight train to Thunder Bay and arriving at Decade Council meetings discouraged, frustrated and exhausted. recall the warmth and safety of being in a room full of women whose strength, dedication and persistence lent the encouragement and inspiration to continue the struggle. I To me, the most graphic demonstration of Decade Council's influence and support happened around the Ministry of Northern Development's "Family Violence" funding in 1987. Women's Place was the only "questionable" applicant, and Decade Council members astounded the Ministry by collectively offering to give up their allocations in order that we be funded. Thankfully, this sacrifice was not necessary, but the offer inspired the Ministry to search out a source of funding that allowed us to purchase our building and to achieve, for the first time, a degree of stability. And what a party we had when Decade Council met in Kenora that year! 11111. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Notthern INOingn ,',Page 3 �A SPIRIT OF LOVE AND RESPECT to me that all energies there were goin by Janet Seekins Decade maintains an office in Thunder Bay. The Decade executive meets monthly and Council as a whole meets bi-monthly. Northwestern Ontario women's groups and individual women who subscribe to Decade's goal "to improve the status of women in Northwestern Ontario through the elimination of barriers to the full participation of women in all spheres - economic, social and political" and to Decade's Statement of Unity (see sidebar), may become members of Decade Council. toward sustaining the status quo. This wa the time of my involvement as a "region; rep."; and it was during this period dre, heavily upon the "Council" for person; The Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council has held a meaningful place in my life for all of its 15 years. Our relationship has comprised of four distinctly separate periods of involvement... each bringing its own satisfaction and opportunity for personal commitment and growth. I sustenance and support. I played the part ( a pipeline of information to my hom community as I carried back news about th latest issues on the feminist roster an suggested ways that local groups could joi the battle. This was done with less tha satisfactory results because, with only a fe \ exceptions, it seemed like my reports fell o deaf ears. Maintaining my enthusiasm wa As one of the group of women who initially was stimulated by the came together, prospect of finally being able to take some I action that would not only recognize the difficult, and couldn't have been accomplishe accomplishments of Northwestern Ontario women; but would also give us a chance to identify and, hopefully, fill some specific needs. The thrill of our inaugural meeting is without the regular input and support th "Decade" meetings provided for me. console myself now, in the knowledge the information-sharing is never wasted; and the more may have been listening than I realize, at the time. still fresh in my mind as I recall the excitement of planning an International Women's Year celebration. In retrospect have to smile at I In order to take a more holistic approach Decade Council changed its internal structure in 1990 and developed working groups to replace their previous sub-committee structure. Readers interested in obtaining more information about the working groups or Council's overall activities should phone the Decade office at 683-5662. In their operation Decade Council follows these groundrules: our enthusisam at thhe prospect of spreading After returning to Thunder Bay to a mere $15,000 over a plethora of projects spanning a full 12 month period. How little we knew then; and how terrified we would have been if we could have glimpsed the workload and time commitment that lay ahead. the dynamically adept functioning of the organizing body; but could recognize an( These first few years, as we gained knowledge of the important issues concerning women and the bureaucratic framework within which we had to operate to achieve our goals, were like an indoctrination for me. learned that it wasn't enough to be shocked and I honour the truly remarkable women who ha( contributed so much to its development. li addition to being in awe of the proficiency c our organization, I was thrilled to observe hov the main philosophy and general principles c the original group were still incorporated into each decision. It was exhilarating to see hov we had grown from our fledgling beginnings Etie'rgies were flowing in all directions and I " *Northern women are experts on their own lives. *The stating place for De'cade Council is women's experience. *The direction of the group is determined by women wanting to carry out work on their issues (define their own work); planning for us; not plans for someone else to carry out. *Activities should develop a skilled, active constituency. *Activities should de-mystify power structures for women. *Leadership -issues and organizational- is a shared responsibility. From these groundrules we have formed a team whose experience cannot be negated, because each of us owns our experience. horrified by the systemic barriers that kept women from gaining equal and rights My opportunity in every role of eyes- were ,opened _to the real issues. of "power" and "control" ... words that then I thought only related to personal relationships. I learned about government systems and what strategies had to be followed to even get the felt truly privileged to be a part of both givinc to and receiving from the source. ear of those who could affect change. Now things have once more changed. The time to step aside has come. There was discovered, too, how women with very little period when I could not have imagined lif( experience in speaking out publicly could with DecadE quickly draw upon their outrage to confront without direct involvement anyone who stood in the way of our goals. Council but I have moved over into a placE It never occurred to me, then, that things of contentment to "bask in the afterglow" wouldn't change; or that it would take some Now I can enjoy a wonderful knowing tha th( years to bring about even slight movement women are carrying on the fight; and that on some issues. It was a time of great hope spirit of love and respect still, mysteriously I flows among all those that are doing the work and commitment. By defining our participation and direction, we have insured commitment." (History of NWO Decade Council) continued ... live, decided to dedicate my energies tl supporting the "base of operation" for a whit and took up responsibilities on the executive This experience afforded me a totally differer perspective of the "Council". I was now in position to not only observe and appreciate draw from regularly. I remember the issues, the work I When I left Thunder Bay for the Rainy River District I felt like I was severing my lifeline and going into a political wasteland. It appeared know its there because i I remembe unconditional love and acceptance an understand why "Decade" has played such big part in my life. I also know that we can b( the laughter and the tears. page 5. I apart and still support each other. 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S DECADE COUNCIL WI "Decade" women have shared an experience that has touched us all in a very special way and the bonds between us will last forever. a STATEMENT OF UNITY a As a feminist organization we believe in the dignity of womanhood, the value of women's work, the voice of a women as experts on our own lives and equality through freedom of choices. As feminists we recognize and cherish our herstory, the individuals' experience and we also affirm the female associated values of caring, nurturing, respect, sharing and we respectfully challenge and confront ourselves and each other in our diverse learning processes. As feminists we are committed to the equality of all people. aa As feminists we believe that all people must be free to develop to their full potential and we support the a efforts for self-determination of people from all countries. a Our strength is in our commitment to collectivity in decision making, lobbying and support. a Our vision challenges the very essence of a male defined political, economic and social system which we struggle to redesign not simply to find a place in. We start with ourselves - living it. a aa PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �BREAD AND ROSES Those of us long associated with Decade know, of course, that the heart and spirit of Decade Council rests with Leni Untinen, Decade's long-term staff person. As a community activist, when need help or Decade puts into practice the woman's ageold rallying theme "give us bread, but give us roses". Many Northwestern Ontario women have been filled with joy on receiving a rose and thank you from Decade for tasks accomplished or risks And taken for the benefit of women. I encouragement it is to Leni I turn. Whether I need resource assistance, clarity of analysis, facilitation expertise, mobilization help, or just Decade's celebrations are marvellous fun,the early International Women's Day gatherings, the 50 and 60 Years a Person celebrations bring fond memories. a shoulder to cry on the first person I, and scores of other NWO activists call is Leni. The support and friendship that Leni gives to our organizations collectively, and to us individually, is something I treasure deeply. Throughout the years Decade Council has been blessed with the commitment, energy The and expertise of many women. We give resounding cheers as Decade celebrates its 15th birthday. But Decade is not resting on its laurels. Right now Decade is busy finalizing its plans for an exciting numerous volunteer members of the Decade executive, Council and working groups who have devoted countless hours to improve the status of Northwestern Ontario women. The staff members - past and present - whose skill and commitment are such a wonderful resource. And I would particularly recognize Dawn St. Amand, whose down-to-earth wisdom and perseptiveness made Decade a welcome home for many new women. conference WOMEN UNITING FOR CHANGE: Listening, Learning, Speaking Out, to be held November 1 - 3, 1991. Thank you Decade Council for fifteen years of feminist excellence. Good luck with all your future endeavours. What to do in a Sexual Harassment Emergency 1. KNOW: If something that is said or done to you makes you feel uncomfortable, know that respectful flirtation and compliments don't make you feel uncomfortable, but sexual harassment does. 2. SAY: Simply tell the person, "What you are doing makes me uncomfortable." Perhaps describe in words what is happening while it is happening - for example, "You have your hands on my shoulders" or "This is the third time today that you have brushed against my body when you walked by." 3. FIND: Obtain a definition of sexual harassment, circle the part that describes what the harasser is doing to you, and leave it in the harasser's mailbox; or, write a description of what the harasser is doing and deliver it to the harasser's office. 4. TELL Your co-workers should be told what is happening to you, because most harassers have more than one victim. 5. REPORT: Find out if your workplace, institution, or employee association has a sexual harassment officer, and report the incident to them. For copies of this poster: Women Students' Sexual Harassment Caucus Department of Applied Psychology Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 252 Elinor Street West Toronto. Ontario M5S 1V6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Nort ,P4,90.0 �RAPE SHIELD LAW STRUCK DOWN by Doreen Boucher the Supreme Court judged that a law that In August of 1991, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down Section 276 of the Criminal Code. This section, referred to as truth by excluding relevant evidence "runs prevents a judge and jury from getting to the the "Rape Shield", prevented the introduction of evidence regarding a victim's past sexual history. afoul of our fundamental conceptions of infer consent on her part to the assau issue at hand, nor is she to be considere less truthful in regards to her accusatic that a sexual assault took place. In pla justice and what constitutes a fair trial". language, they aren't to hold it against he The court said that the 1983 law infringed on an accused man's constitutional right to life, Right! That ought to do it. liberty and security of the person and to a When you take issue number one ar combine it with issue number two, yc At the same time it upheld Section 277, fair trial. (emphasis mine) which disallows introducing such evidence of sexual reputation "for the purpose of To modify or mollify, perhaps, the impact of cannot help thinking that the Supreme Cm has an unrealistic impression of our societ removing Section 276, Section 277 was upheld. In addition, the Supreme Court introduction of the rape shield in 1983, to tt challenging or supporting the credibility of the complainant". Confused? Sound somewhat contradictory? Let's start from the beginning. provided guidelines for allowing sexual history evidence. They are: 1) evidence of sexual conduct cannot be used to make the complainant (victim) seem In 1983, parliament amended the Criminal Code to restrict questioning by defense lawyers regarding an alleged victim's sexual history. Prior to this legislation rape victims could be "interrogated" as to their past sexual experience(s) not because it was relevant to the case, but rather, because it created prejudice toward the victim and her credibility in the minds of the judge and jury. more likely to consent or less worthy to be believed. 2) the evidence can be admitted only on the discretion of the trial judge, who must decide it is so crucial to showing the defendant's guilt or innocence that it outweighs any prejudice toward the complainant. 3) the arguments for and against using the evidence must be conducted in a voir dire (trial within a trial) which excludes the jury. 4) if the evidence is allowed, the judge must The underlying belief system in the old warn the jury it must not be taken to common law rules inferred that women of indicate consent by the complainant or an "unchaste" character most likely consented to the alleged assault. Bluntly speaking, if she didn't say no before, why would she say no this time? Historically, the laws were clearly intended to protect women of "pure and virtuoua" character, not those of "easy" character. In medieval times, women who indication her testimony is less reliable. were "untouched" fetched a higher price. They were worth more, they were more believable. (emphasis mine) Two Supreme Court judges, Madame Justice Claire L'Heureaux Dube and Justice Charles Gonthier opposed the majority decision. Madame L'Heureaux Dube wrote the minority decision, which has been described as a "stinging dissent". Her opposing arguments will be referred to later in this article. Section 276 prevented introduction of such evidence, but did not entirely exclude I have been involved in the issue of violence evidence of a woman's sexual history. For example, if she had slept with the accused for 15 years. As a counsellor and court advocate of sexual assault victims, the Supreme Court decision created a strong My initial response of reaction in me. on previous occasions this evidence was admissable. If she had slept with someone prior to the assualt, for forensic evidence clarification, this could be included in court testimony, i.e. her consensual partner's outrage turned to incredulity as I read more on the decision. sperm was present as well as the assailant's sperm. Three major problems stemming from this decision were immediately apparent: 1) the discretion of judges: Trial judges have been known to hold the common beliefs and distrust of women's To behaviours, motives and sexuality. The recent overturn of Section 276 came about when two men, charged with sexual assault, challenged the section, claiming they would not receive a fair trial unless their lawyers could question fully the two women who had accused them. They contended that Section 276 prevented introduction of the women's past sexual history, which violated their rights under the Constitution. Supporting them in this challenge was the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. This group added their voice that the rape shield law prevented some people accused of sexual assault from mounting a full defense and getting a fair trial. It was, in their opinion, a violation of the defendant's constitutional rights. The majority decision (7-2), written by Madame Justice Beverly McLachlin, in essence agreed with this argument. The Supreme Court struck down Section 276. While praising the objectives of the old law, McLachlin stated that it went too far "In seeking to abolish the outmoded sexistbiased use of sexual conduct evidence the law overshoots the mark and renders inadmissable evidence which may be essential to the presentation of legitimate defenses and hence to a fair trial". Further, that a judge importance of past assume can weigh the sexual history unemcumbered by sexist beliefs is incredibly naive. Madame Justice Claire L'Heureaux Dube wrote, in her minority decision, that Parliament enacted Section 276 because it did not trust judges to make the correct decisions. She went on to state that sexism exhibited by some trial judges was the reason the rape shield provision was adopted. "Parliament was faced with a historical record which demonstrated that this discretion was abused and exercised in a discriminatory fashion by trial judges and with overwhelming social science research that say things have not changed." (emphasis mine) Anyone can sit through a sexual assault trial or indeed, read the newspaper to find examples of this. It seems that in the interim, between tt overturning of the law in 1991, we all di( and woke up in equality heaven. These esteemed judges frankly don't see to have a grip on reality. Their decisior suggest that we live in a society whe women are treated equal to men. It als. suggests that judges, defense lawyers, ju members, even crown attornies rema untouched by sexist biases. There is r recognition of any power imbalance in o society. The directive from the judge to the jury supposed to wipe from the minds of k people centuries of socialization, ideas ar beliefs that women ask to be raped becaul of their actions and demeanor; enjoy beir abused; or are vindictive people and not be trusted because of their nature. I have witnessed, in court, defense iawye playing up these negative attitudes abo women which would prejudice the judge ar jury agatrist the ViCial. Thiz does ricel riar to be done in high drama as depicted television or movies, nor does it necessar have to concentrate on her sexu behaviour. It is often done, very subtl through inference or innuendo. "How do you behave when you have had few drinks?" "You went out drinking with a girl friend ar left your kids with a sitter? Do you do ttoften?" This tactic is comparable to sublimir advertising. Similarly, defense lawyers plant negati' messages about the victim, particularly those things that we are taught to ha about women. They wish to instill doubt to credibilty based on the prejudices Iowa her sex. And they often succeed. Inferences, subtle or otherwise, will history is hopelessly naive ignorant of human behaviour. sexual ar Madame McLachlin, however, disagree "The ideas that a complainant's credibil might be affected by whether she has other sexual experiences is to6 universally discredited. There is no logic or practical link between a woman's semy reputation and whether she is a truth, Evidence of sexual conduct ar reputation in itself cannot be regarded logically probative of either th complainant's credibility or consent. Ti twin myths which Section 276 sought eradicate have no place in a rational ar just system of law" (emphasis mine) witness. If the judge decides to admit sexual history evidence, he/she is instructed to warn the jury that this evidence does not 2) PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 6 1 retained by judge and jury. It will not 1 forgotten, especially when it plays into tl belief systems commonly held. To expe that we would refrain from judging them �Madame Justice McLachlin has a lot of trust in the system, in the idea that sexist beliefs do not penetrate the hallowed halls of justice. Sexism and racism, as we know, are not rational, logical or just. It makes me wonder what life in a bubble feels like. 3) for sexual assault to see that the system is working, for the accused, that is. Opening the doors to admit sexual history provides rapists and defense lawyers with more ammunition against the victims. Yet, we are told that the system will be fairer to HAT PART OF ("NA 4C2110 DON T YOU UNDERSTAND both sides. Criminal Defense/Lawyers There has been a lot of reaction to the Supreme Court decision. Many women's groups have blasted the decision. However, Alan Borovoy, head of the Canadian Civil there are some, including sexual offenders (I believe, when he stated "It strikes a better balance between the rights of the accused and the rights of victims." My contention is there was never a balance in the first place, the rights of the accused far outweighed the rights of the victim. surmise) and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association who applaud this decision. Take, for example, the comments of the president of Criminal Lawyers Association of Liberties Association would like us to _4 0I Ontario, Brian Greenspan. He was quoted as saying that women should not be concerned about defense lawyers raising their sexual history in court. After all, he says "Society no longer tolerates rude cross examination of rape victims about their sexual lives or reputation." He contends that "cross-examining a woman on unchasteness or reputation is an unsuccessful technique. Lawyers don't do it anymore". (emphasis mine) In the words of Madam L'Heureaux Dube "Rape myths still present formidable obstacles for complainants in their dealings with the very system charged with discovering the truth. From the making of the initial complaint down to the determination of the issue at trial, stereotype and mythology are at work, lowering the number of reported cases, influencing police decisions to pursue the case, thereby decreasing the rates of arrest, and finally distorting the issues at trial and, necessarily, Well, he should be informed that from 19831991 they did not have the authority to do it, but it wasn't for the lack of trying. So why is it that don't feel reassured by Greenspan's words? Moreover why do sense that women have been patted on the head, warned not to over-react (so typical, I I right?) and worry not, the boys will take care of it. Greenspan continues "it was counter productive for women's groups to cry havoc because the ruling allows ample protection from abusive sexual questioning". And "If you take a practical look at how this changes things, it changes things very little". Uhh, Huh. That is precisely what we should be concerned about. the results. It is clear that most sexual history of a rape victim is irrelevant once the mythical basis of relevancy determinations in the law is revealed." The impact on sexual assault victims is numerous. One thing is abundantly clear, this decision will silence rape victims. Every sexual assault victim have worked with feared the court system as much as the rapist. Victims will not be willing to put their life up to public scrutiny. Having been raped was injurious enough without adding insult I provided by the court process. One victim was quoted and she said it so succinctly "Looks like the boys have won again". If you wish to voice your opinion: 1) write to Justice Minister Kim Campbell 2) write local MPs and MPPs 3) let the Supreme Court judges know how you view their decision. On a final note, I would find it very interesting if, after a few cases have been In Summary I have come across as distrustful of the intentions of judges or defense lawyers and I do not apologize for this. There are some excellent judges who have insight and empathy toward victims of crime. Likewise there are lawyers who would not stoop to demeaning the victim. Unfortunately, in my experience, they are a minority. Prior to the abolishment of Section 276, the tried without the rape shield, a group of victims were to approach the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to take on their case. That being that the Constitution has violated their rights to life, liberty, security of their person and to a fair trial. Doreen Boucher is the Executive Director of Assault Crisis Centre rather than convict one innocent man" victim did or did not agree to the sexual contact. Additionally there is the issue of the defense of "honest but mistaken belief", in which the accused can argue that he "really" believed she was consenting. You treat my rape like scraped knee; if I'm not so careless and watch where I'm going it won't happen. there was yes, yes in her eyes. Protection for the accused, and especially sexual offenders was more than adequate prior to the overturn of Section 276. One has only to look at the low conviction rate "I am concerned that sexist beliefs and stereotypes continue to exist in the justice system," said Mr. Hampton. "We must ensure that women who are victims of sexual assault are treated fairly on the witness stand and in the justice system in general." The Ministers will detail their concerns in a letter to the federal Justice Minister. The Minister of the Attorney General will consult with groups such as the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, the Ontario Native Women's Association, the Congress of Black Women and Metro Action Committee on Public Violence Against Women and Children on possible new federal legislation as well as measures which can be put in place at the provincial level. a I'm dirty and ashamed and so scared inside but you see no cuts and don't even offer a bandaid. You know the concept. She said no, but We have to reverse this setback", said Ms. Swarbrick. Women have worked long and hard to demonstrate that a victim's past sexual history simply isn't relevant in a sexual assault case. Too often society blames women for the violence that is perpetrated against us - there are real risks in leaving this open to the discretion of individual judges." "We already know that only a small percentage of assaulted women report these crimes," said Ms. Swarbrick. "The Supreme Court of Canada decision has been a further blow to our confidence that it's safe to come forward." protected the accused rights: "Innocent until proven guilty" "Let nine guilty people go free In sexual assault cases, the issue at hand is almost always one of consent, whether the In a press release of August 27, 1991, Attorney General Howard Hampton and Anne Swarbrick, Minister Responsible for Women's Issues called on Federal Justice Minister Kim Campbell to swiftly explore legislative safeguards to protect women in the wake of last week's Supreme Court decision to strike down "Rape Shield" provisions in the Criminal Code. the Thunder Bay Physical and Sexual foundation of the law and its immediate safeguards have more than adequately "Beyond a reasonable doubt." UPDATE He raped my body you rape my mind. "Within the justice system we will do everything to counter this situation. We will be examining policies and procedures such as specialized training and education, ways to protect the privacy of victims, and ways to keep past sexual history out of the courts," said Hampton. "It is up to everyone at all levels to ensure that women are equally protected by the justice system which is meant to serve them." ************************************ Rodene Zimmer PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 1 �IN SEARCH OF BALANCED PERSPECTIVES AND GLOBAL SOLIDARITY FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS by Sylvia Estrada-Claudio We have thought up this theme because of a shared conviction that there is a need to promote the discord of third world women in the international women's health movement. international feminist movement, including its health component, has not happened in a vacuum. It has happened in a world where there are dominant countries The and cultures, a world where there are dominant traditions of scholarship and But there are historical differences in the In Russia and Eastern Europe before the health care systems that have been established in the advanced capitalist states and those in the third world. In its home great changes of the late 1980's, inadequacies in the health care system reflected the obstacles met by the people in states capitalism has been forced to provide achieving the socialist goal of instituting health care services to appease workers demands; to prolong the productivity of skilled workers; to find the correct balance between preventative and curative medicine that would not unduly burden its welfare system. This is not an easy task. There is a wide diversity of experiences and realities even among the women of the third world. Those of us who stiffer from colonialization know Our struggles for better health therefore, it has been the life conditions of women in the first world, their struggles and their interpretations of reality that have dominated early efforts. But we must not replicate among us the prevailing world order of subservient and oppressive relations among cultures and nations. To avoid this, we must give affirmation to the voices of women, who because of structural inequalities that are at play within our ranks, are unlikely to be heard. very well that lo univertalizts-adr-ownexperiences as those of a mythical singularity call the "Third World" fall into the same trap of dominating others. And yet, if we are to arrive at genuine solidarity of women's voices in resistance that would topple the world patriarchal order, then we must give full play to this diversity. DIFFERENCES SYSTEMS IN HEALTH CARE the situations of women worldwide. When we speak of the third world, we do not speak of geographical boundaries. The majority of women in the neo-colonies and play in these societies and therefore, in the health care system. Regardless of the wide differences in the health care systems of the socialist countries, however, what is obvious is that whatever liberation results from the effort at disassociating a society and its health care system from the world capitalist system does not translate automatically into the liberation of women from sexism in health care. experiences of women worldwide remind third world women that our struggle for health care must be comprehensive. Our call for increased health care coverage must The simultaneously be a call for a health care system that is non-sexist, non-racist, noncolonial and genuinely caring. THE EXPLOITATION PRODUCTIVE AND OF WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE Because even as we consider issues of quality and control over health care, we are faced with the more fundamental task of providing services where there are none. This leads to very real dilemmas such as whether it is in the interest of women to seek the expansion of westernized and patriarchal government services to the rural areas or to have nothing at all The experiences of women in the socialist There are indeed fundamental differences in of race, class and nationality were still at In the neo-colonies, however, the demands of the populace for adequate health care and other basic services have been met not with appeasement, but with repression. Because the neo-colonies are a source of cheap and unskilled labour, there is no need to prolong life nor increase the productivity of individual workers. In the third world, health care is only available to a small elite who must serve as the overseers of imperialist hegemony. For the large number of the third world population, there has been an absolute lack of health care throughout modern history. For even as colonialism has murdered indigenous, oftentimes female traditions and skills in health care, it has not replaced this with anything but those elements of westernized health care that are disempowering, profitmaking, or both. theory. Unintentionally, perhaps inevitably, genuine economic and political democracy. As people in these countries have gained their voices because of the increased democratic space, we have seen how issues countries are particularly intrusive with regards to alternative visions for those of us working in the neo-colonial states. We know The lack of state-provided health care in the third world is premised on the exploitation of women, the task of providing care for their families becomes the privatized nightmare of poor women. It is these women who must expend so much effort and endure so much pain to provide even the most basic of It is women who must work long hours to get water, food and cooking fuel. needs. It is women who must face the humiliation of begging for medical service for themselves and their families from the token health institutions that are available. that the ascendancy of an avowedly noncapitalist state does not necessarily translate Furthermore, high birth rates are a testimony large numbers of those in the industrialized nations suffer in conditions that result from the interwoven effects of nations, race, class and gender oppression.. into better health care for the population. to the fact that women of the third world must reproduce more so that there will be For the majority of women the quest for We have seen how in Nicaragua, the health is intimately tied up with the struggle to end overwhelming poverty brought about by the unjust international economic order. There are wide differences in the expenditures of these women as compared commendable gains in health care carried who survive, especially the women, are taken into m_ ultinational ventures such as out by the Sandinista government were eroded by the total was unleashed on the country by US imperialism. We know that plantations, garments and electronics industries. There, the lack of occupational health and safety infrastructure, job security, the health care system in Nicaragua was a particular target of this war. adequate pay and other forms of worker to their more fortunate sisters in terms of access to the most basic of services - education, basic sanitation, adequate water supply, decent housing, adequate maternal care, child support systems. We have noted with enthusiasm the struggle of our sisters in the so-called developed countries for a redefinition of the health care system that would end medical control over women's bodies. We can appreciate their efforts at curtailing the profiteering that is passed off by the health care establishment as medical expertise and technology. We are aware of the fact that state financial support of the patriarchal state has imposed its technologies on women's bodies even as it ignores their well-being. The quality and coverage of the health care system have varied even in socialist countries for a number of reasons. enough who will survive the negligence and inhumanity that has led to high infant mortality rates. And those of our children protection lead to their severe exploitation. It is not unusual to hear stories of women workers who have spent their teenage and early adulthood in these industries and who in their late twenties are discharged after having developed serious work-related disabilities. At this young age, they are unemployed and because they have become otherly-abled, will unlikely find future employment. Yet if the conditions of third world women in the factories of transnational corporations is appalling, it is worse for domestic outworkers who do piecemeal, subcontractual work in garments and other cottage industries. Because the work is done in the home, the protection that could PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 8 �be afforded by labour unions seeking the enforcement of whatever minimum wage, occupational health and safety and other protective laws is lost. In these situations, the extreme undervaluation of their labour forces women and even their children to work dangerously long hours for a pittance. Whether we speak in the context of the struggles within the nations or on an international scale, the liberation of one woman must continue to be premised on including feminist groups to provide these services, the net result has been disastrous for large numbers of women and their families. the liberation of all. POPULATION PROGRAMS AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS The implications of an unwanted pregnancy for the majority of Philippine women are affected by their poverty and powerlessness. The lack of contraceptive services, the It is in a literal sense therefore that we say that women are sacrificed to profit in the third world. The local ruling elite in client states following IMF-WB dictates seeks to Population programs are another major form of control over women's bodies and reproductive capacities worldwide. But influence of a culture that places the entire burden of fertility control on women, and the absence of knowledge about sexuality, have attract foreign investments by offering cheap and docile labour. Transnational racist considerations are at the core of this patriarchal power exercise. It is the poor of corporations and the state assume that women workers are particularly suited to the third world that are the most likely to suffer from the most abusive and coercive aspects of these programs. It is the poor contributed to a large number of women being trapped in a never-ending cycle of pregnancy and childbirth that has had work in dull and labour intensive areas such as garments and electronics because of women's superior manual dexterity, docility and willingness to accept less pay. This imposed docility of women workers is in truth instituted and maintained by a repressive state machinery. In export processing zones in the Philippines and other countries like Pakistan, Malaysia and however, women have shown strength and courage in various forms of resistance. The continuing struggles of Mexico these women workers, and women workers everywhere, are pushing the lie to patriarchal propaganda about women's passivity. More importantly, their efforts are a vital component of the worldwide struggle against capitalist patriarchy. But the super-exploitation of third world women has not just taken place within our national boundaries. In the Philippine experience for example, we are seeing the increasing feminization of migrant labour along with the increasing exploitation which includes various forms of sexual violence. Whether they are women whose marriages Crave been arranged through agencies, women who have been forced into prostitution, domestic workers, or nurses, overseas work has taken on the character of reproductive work for third world migrant women. Whether and the colored who are extremely likely to be the subject of forced sterilizations, unethical biomedical testing and the marketing of unsafe contraceptive technologies. It is in fact, poor women who must bear the burden of having their fertility faulted for the poverty that is brought about by social injustice and imperialist exploitation. The hypocrisy of patriarchal concern for women's health that is now being used as a rationale for population control discernible. is easily Because even as women are exhorted to use contraceptives for their health, the ready access to safe and effective contraception guided by informed choice does not exist for poor women. Furthermore, we are stigmatized and punished for demanding our rights to safe and legal abortions as a means of exersizing ultimate control over our reproductive functions. Fertility management services are fundamental to ensuring the health and reproductive rights of women. The provision of these services, including access to safe abortions carried out in an atmosphere of respect for women's dignity and moral agency, are necessary to the exercise of women's reproductive rights. the form taken is that labour power or that of the more sinister workings of international white slavery syndicates, the international economic order through banks, airlines, communication enterprises and travel agencies profit from the sale of women's bodies. Through enforced double taxation of migrant workers, third world governments have realized tremendous profits from women who must Freedom of Choice Liberte de choix It is on the issue of contraception and Capitalism in the industrialized world has In the Philippines, pro-natalist groups have one group, sector, class, of women. even as they claim to be nationalist in opposing imperialist control and hypocrisy over population programs, they nonetheless fail to see the connection between patriarchal control over women's bodies and imperialist hegemony. The struggle to uphold the reproductive rights of women in socialist states on the other hand, is also extremely difficult. This shows us that it is the framework in which the contraceptive technology is used and not just its availability, which determines its impact on women. Male controlled states withdraw or provide contraceptive technology depending on their particular political ends to the detriment of women's bodies. In the interests of the "one-child-policy" of the People's Republic of China, contraceptive technology, including abortion, is indeed accessible. This accessibility has On the other extreme, we have noted with abortion rights that women most clearly see the intricate and intimate relations between patriarchal state and patriarchal religion. Third world women struggling for the right to autonomy over their bodies, inevitably realize the power that fundamentalist religious hierarchies exercise over a compliant state. that we cannot achieve liberation for only Some of these pro-natalist groups claim to be pro-women, even feminist, yet they are guilty of insensitivity to the heartbreaking stories of thousands of women about the effects of unwanted pregnancies. Similarly, fetuses. governments to drastically cut expenditures while preserving the profits of the drug and medical technology industries that comes from state supported health care and preventing the overly rapid decline of health service coverage. women's productive and reproductive labour. But the never ceasing crisis brought about by the capitalist development is leading to the increasing use of third world migrant women to bolster the economy of the imperialist nations within their national boundaries. This situation reminds us again line. number of abortions especially of female families in foreign countries. been built on the arrogation by men of new child reduces the resources for survival of families already living below the poverty of severe restriction of their fertility. Coupled with the use of technology for pre-natal sex determination, there have been a high seek the means to the survival of their world women that is allowing first world Large numbers of these women die because of unsafe abortions. Additionally, the birth of each been coupled with the most coercive laws and measures that ensure that couples will have only one child. The result has been to place women's bodies on the line because of government-sponsored export of women's An analysis of the international circulation of women's bodies and their labour highlights the interrelations of patriarchy and capitalism. In the health care system for example, it is the undervalued labour of third disastrous consequences. consistently opposed contraceptive technologies especially abortion. These groups have reinforced the opposition of the Roman Catholic hierarchy to the government's meagre efforts at providing contraceptive services for women. The influence of the Roman Catholic Church and these groups have effectively nullified whatever aid government could have offered to women. In the light of the still limited capacities of the non-governmental sector, horror, the excesses of the Ceaucescu regime in Roumania where women were reduced to mere baby producers. The Ceaucescu government not only denied contraception and especially, abortion, it also used the powers of the police state to impose and monitor pregnancies on women. While they continue to blame poverty and environmental degradation on women's fertility, population dictators nevertheless see the need to encourage, and in some cases force, those they consider "superior" women to give birth. Oftentimes, superiority is determined by the whiteness of one's skin, although the experience of Japanese women should alert us to the fact that there is more to racism than the arbitrary valuation of genetically determined differences. THE ENVIRONMENT, ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND GENETIC REPORDUCTIVE Equally hypocritical is the concern of the population program mainstream over the issue of environmental degradation and increased population. Funded by the World Bank and the USAID, the population control PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 9 �quo is unable to admit that multinational corporations using the technology spawned by patriarchal science, are still the major cause of environmental degradation. Various industries including mining and logging continue to exploit and pollute the increasingly scarce resources of the third world. In the struggle for land, status multinational corporations have disenfranchised indigenous communities from ecosystems that they have developed over several generations. This has resulted in the emigration of these indigenous communities to other areas with resultant pressures on the overall ecological balance. its advocacy of economic policies that promote imperialism, capitalist agencies In such as the IMF and World Bank have promoted a model of development that has resulted in large discrepancies in the economic development between urban and rural areas in many third world countries. Laying the blame for the sad state of the world's environment on the fertility of women, is an ideological distortion that denies the fact that it is women, concerned as they are with the nurturing of life in its variety and interconnection, that are the most potent threat to the economic order their lesbianism as a political option and that self-identification in this sense is essential to political action. But we suggest that prevailing cultural against colored women; how women of tt definitions are one starting point from which we construct our political options. If this is so, then efforts at international cooperation among lesbians must take into consideration the differing cultural and material conditions that lead to gendered constructions of human types. As a more immediate step, we encourage deeper sharing and understanding between lesbians and third world women coming from various cultural backgrounds and who, for whatever reasons, do not identify themselves as lesbians. farms offer the bodies of poor third world realize he first world and members of ruling elites haN participated in the economic exploitation third world women; how women fro dominant cultures tend to universalize the experiences and thereby deny the reality others; how the intellectuals among us CE fall into the trap of allowing decontextualizE discourse to divide us over interpretations a reality that cannot be decontextualized; ho the non-academics among us stand in ttway of necessary theorizing by insistir always on the primacy of praxis. There is a single continuum that spans the differing perspectives and standpoint Genuine global solidarity can be gained frog know only too well that we do come frog control of and sexuality as institutionalized in modern day families, is the bedrock upon which stands a dominant male political culture that legitimizes militarism and fascism worldwide. a dynamic interaction between first and thir world persepctives on the issues of women health and reproductive rights. In order to d this we must struggle to develop a third worl persepective and framework, that would stan as counterpoint to the fast-developing and fin world tradition. We need to emphasize that third world perspective and framework mu: come from third-world women themselves The male political ideology provides the rationalization for the militarism and fascism and the creation of global war machineries. knowledge, from their own interpretations their present realities and their aspirations fc the future. violence that men do to the environment, the individual The already..brisk trade of babies from the third world to the first world is acquiring a more horrendous character with reports of the establishment of "baby farms". These a need for us to heterosexual women have participated in tf prejudice against lesbian women; how whi women have participated in the prejudic We seek balanced perspectives because \A. women's oppression, it can bring untold misery to the women of the third world. There is AGAINST WOMEN AND VIOLENCE MILITARISM Indeed in its most advance form, patriarchal within the context of racist and national in circumstances that permit us to bene from other forms of oppression again women. violence of militarism, the hidden violence committed against individual women by engineering is already threatening the health and integrity of women in all nations. Taken is a reality that while all of us share o But we must seek a political construction of lesbianism that can be validated across all societies. We know that gender categories can vary markedly across cultures. We do not deny the role that patriarchy plays in the construction of gender in almost all cultures. that iis violating nature and life. science has threatened the very nature of reproduction and the integrity of all life. The technology of reproductive and genetic It gender oppression, many of us find ourselvr men. Patriarchal bodies In our country, US military bases serve as the staging point for war within the region and are a source of nuclear threat to our own people. These bases have also brought with them untold suffering to the women in the base communities. women as surrogate mothers who will surely agree to these arrangements as a result of economic need rather than genuine choice. Because of their economic despair, we can also see that third world women are every conceivable form of sexual violence and increasingly the source of ovaries, wombs and other body parts that are necessary to the continuation of research and medical sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, which came to the base through US servicemen. from their own traditions of struggle an Sylvia Estrada-Claudio is a medical doctor active in women's health issues in the Philippines, and member of the GABRIELA commission on Women's Health. Prostituted women and children suffer from oppression at the hands of US servicemen. There has been no adequate protection from activities that have resulted from genetic and reproductive engineering. The While violence from the state is a reality for dismemberment and alienation of women's bodies in this way add yet another dimension to the violence committed against women. women everywhere, it must be noted that the level of repression is much higher in the neocolonies where severe economic exploitation evokes resistance which in turn requires military repression. SEXUALITY AND LESBIANISM In its most intimate form the male ideology of power and violence seeks to dictate on women's sexuality by trapping it into the narrow confines of a heterosexism that must be sanctioned by state and religion. Heterosexism has denied women so much happiness and pleasure and has brought upon us instead untold mental, emotional and physical suffering. We recognize the distinctiveness of the struggle of lesbians against discrimination and the right to the choice of sexual orientation. But we affirm that all women have a stake in putting an end to the patriarchial construction of normaltive Rape, arbitrary arrest and detention, summary execution, and torture are but a few of the human rights violations suffered by countless women who have dared to merge their struggle for women's emancipation with the struggle for national sovereignty. It must be pointed out that although each woman deals with the minute details of a reality determined by multiple oppressions, that all these injustices are summed up in the preservation of a global economic order that breeds violence against women in all areas of life. sexuality. IN SEARCH OF BALANCED PERSPECTIVES: THE CHALLENGE OF It is our belief that up to this point there is a WOMEN dominant western perspective in theorizing on lesbianism. We know only too well that gender/sexual categories are socially constructed. In our own work we have wondered why it has been more difficult for women in our culture to self-identify as lesbians. We perceive that feminist lesbian WOMEN'S ARCHIVES The Canadian Women's Movement canadiennes du Archives/Archives movement des femmes is compiling a guide to the records of the contemporary Canadian women's movement. This bilingual guide, to be published in 1992, will help scholars and activists locate records (i.e. minutes, reports, correspondence, photographs, posters, etc.) of the many women's groups which have existed in Canada since 1960. Questionnaires are being sent to about 2500 organizations whose records will hopefully be listed in the guide. Included are women's organizations, groups which focus on women's issues, and feminist committees within larger organizations such as unions and ethnocultural organizations. The Archives would be glad to hear from any organization that may have been missed, If there is a message that comes from our own struggle in the Philippines, it is that our struggle to end patriarchy cannot be taken apart from other struggles to end national oppression, feudal exploitation and racism. and from any individual who has the records of a woman's group. (Often when a group disbands, a member will preserve its records.) For further information contact Susan Shea, Box 128, Station P, Toronto, M5S 2S7, phone 416-597-8865. women in the west have correctly constructed PDFNorthern compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Woman Page 10 �WOMEN CREATING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM Excerpted from an article prepared by Women's Health Interaction During the past several years the international women's movement has made reproductive health a focus for education, organizing, networking and advocacy. Increasingly, issues of fertility control, new reproductive technologies (NRTs) and access to safe and effective birth control have topped the agenda of women in both the First and Third worlds. A Women and Health conference in Costa Rica in 1987 called on women worldwide to document their experiences with population control programs as a way of collecting evidence that many of these programs abuse women. In Bangladesh in 1989, a conference organized by FINRRAGE on the topic of Women Uniting Against Cases of abuse have been documented in many countries - women were sterilized without their knowledge or approval (sometimes literally tied down to the operating table, without proper anesthetic); women were offered food or money during times of crisis to accept sterilization or contraception; drugs and devices which have been linked to cancer in research studies and other health problems in the West have been marketed aggressively in the Third World. from over 30 countries to look at reproductive and genetic engineering. The conference focussed on how these technologies impact on women and can intensify the existing differences among people in terms of race, class, caste, sex and religion. In November of 1990 women's groups in the Philippines hosted a major international conference entitled "In Search of Balanced Perspectives and Global Solidarity for Women's Health and Reproductive Rights" which was attended by several hundred women. .4410 In Canada, the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies recently wound up a series of public hearings across the country which gave women's groups, the health profession and others an opportunity to raise concerns about NRTs and the need for clearer ethical and legal guidelines for the use of these technologies. Three years ago, women's groups, NGOs, health workers and many others joined a national Coalition on Depo Provera to oppose approval of this drug for use as a contraceptive in Canada. Public (CACSVV) will give the keynote address at the (NRTs) to determine the sex of a child in-vitro, often leading to aborting the child if it is female. Women in the South and the North are recruited as surrogate mothers and paid for the use of their bodies. Aborted fetuses are FOR CHANGE: Listening, Learning, Speaking Out. sold for use in the cosmetic industry. Aboriginal peoples, and community issues, is a dynamic speaker and will provide a powerful Genetic and reproductive engineering, as well as population control programs, are promoted on the grounds that they solve problems such as hunger, disease and environmental degradation. In reality, however, they divert attention away from the real causes of these problems and are incapable of solving them. and thought-provoking introduction to what are being used extensively Nor do they respond to women's demands and needs, such as access to resources, income, employment, social security and a who has a long-standing involvement with women, racial minorities, promises to be an energizing and challenging weekend. Dr. Simms' address will focus on the feminization of poverty, violence against women, and the experiences of women who are doubly disadvantaged by race, ethnicity, language or disability. The conference, which is organized by the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Social and economic injustice will never be Thunder Bay, beginning Friday evening Nov. 1st and concluding at noon Sunday, Nov. 3rd. addressed by population dehumanizing technologies. control and Workshops covering a range of issues violence against women, health, aging, During the past several years, more and more international donor countries have emphasized population control as an economics, freedom from fear, Native culture, immigrant and visible minority women, important element of development; many Third World governments have adopted policies and programs which divert funding State - will be held on Saturday. away from basic health care for women to the purchase of contraceptives and the financing of massive campaigns designed to reduce women's fertility rates. At the same time, many countries in the North have offered incentives to couples to have more children. Non-Governmental needs. Development Again, these programs do not by the FDA, after years of (questionable) address women's real health needs and can even make women's position more marginal. testing in Third World countries such as Brazil and Bangladesh. The manufacturers of both Recently, many environmental groups have Norplant and Depo are expected to file for called for control of population growth in order approval with Health and Welfare Canada this year. Women's groups in the North and to curb the effects on environments in the Third World. Environmental degradation is South are concerned that these drugs have not been proven safe and do not see the blamed on overpopulation while issues related to resource distribution and economic value in introducing them. structures, are virtually ignored. All over the world, women are struggling for Increasingly, women around the world have come to view population control as an abuse of women's rights and basic human rights. Women are demanding that development be programs and health services which meet the real needs of women. Often, in the absence of these programs, and in the context of high maternal and infant mortality rates, malnutrition and lack of sanitary conditions, women are instead targetted by governments for population control programs. Incentives Simms, Council, will be held at the Red Oak Inn, Organizations (NGOs) have also supported population control programs, often described as family planning, and as meeting women's demanding more appropriate health care. There is a great need for family planning Dr. safe environment at work and at home. hearings followed this initiative, and many more control over their own bodies and Glenda Simms, President of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women forthcoming conference WOMEN UNITING groups made links between the use of drugs such as Depo Provera on women in the Third World and women in Canada. Recently, the implant Norplant was approved CONFERENCE In addition, New Reproductive Technologies Dehumanizing Technologies brought together 150 women GLENDA SIMMS TO KEYNOTE creating community, and struggles with the Guest speaker Saturday evening is Lorraine Sinclair, Executive Director of the Mother Earth Healing Society, Edmonton. Lorraine Sinclair has worked extensively on environmental issues and Native education from the local to the international level. A talented photo-journalist, speaker, educator, and program developer, Lorraine Sinclair continues to be involved in cross-cultural education as a means of raising public awareness to Native culture and history. She will speak on Healing Ourselves, Healing Mother Earth - how people issues tie in with environmental issues. Women and the Corporate Agenda is the subject of an address Sunday morning. Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, will speak to the issues women experience as Canada is undergoing profound economic, social and philosophical change. For more information concerning the WOMEN UNITING FOR CHANGE conference call Decade Council at 683-5662. seen as a human right, and that family planning programs be placed in a context of social, economic and political change which empowers women. and disincentives are introduced, which aim to encourage acceptance of sterilization or adoption of contraception methods. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �NWO WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY The following is a brief presented to the Federal Liberal Task Force on the Northern Ontario Economy by Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council. WHO WE ARE DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT In order to understand the present status of women living Northwestern Ontario resource based communities, we offer the following 1989 statistics, based on our research with 956 women from 16 communities. SOCIO-ECONOMIC As an organization, Decade Council defines socio-economic development in the total :90% of the employed women work in traditional female occupation sector of sales, service, health and education. :more than half were highschool graduates with 28% having earned a post secondary degree, certificate or diploma. :56% of the employed women earned less than $20,000. per year with only 17% earning more than $30,000. :80% of the women were married with 67% of their pirtners employed in the community's primary industry, :84% have children. Beyond their commitment to family, employment and community, 55% of the women had been involved in public boards or organizations in the past five years. It is clear that women are experienced decision as 69% makers, executive positions in their community work. Area women are central to Northwestern Ontario's economy; though much of their work had have continues to be invisible. development of this country has been and continues to be an enormous contribution of time, self, energy and ability. They are able to maintain their capacity for personal fulfilment and the survival and well being of job creation and economic growth along with quality of life considerations; adequate and affordable housing, recreation and cultural facilities, traditional as well as alternate educational systems, health care facilities and a full range of support services. Other necessary considerations include accessible 24 hour child care and convenient public transportation." We agree with the United Church of Canada's description of the economy. "The economy is something we share in common. It is the way we put together human and natural resources for the good of the common life. It is a vast collective enterprise and is the domain of no particular sub-group in society. It must be marked by justice, participation and sustainability. Economic development has traditionally been regarded as an arena for only the business and political sectors. Women and their perspectives have generally been excluded. Women must be included in all stages of planning, implementation and evaluation. Development schemes must not perpetuate the assumption that women exist only as dependents of men. husband working account for only 27% of domestic relationships :the husband-wife family with both spouses working now makes up 50% of all families :the single parent family, 82% which are female headed, make up 13% of Canadian families :in the 1990s, one marriage in two will likely end in divorce :4/10 of families headed by women are poor compared to 1/10 of the families headed by men and 72% of elderly poor are women :well over a million of Canada's children live below the poverty line **as the above statistics indicate many women already live in poverty and many others are only a circumstance away from poverty** Socio economic planning must take into account the changing reality of families in the 90s and not be based on an assumption of the traditional family of past generations. Special Offer With This Ad economic development. CWS/cf is dedicating two subsequent issues to the topic of Violence Against Women. The Summer 1991 issue is an overview - looking at the problem in all its manifestations. The Fall 1991 issue considers the strategies being adopted to address that violence. extraction sector is unlikely, economic development will continue at the local level. Socio-economic development resource in areas such You can get both these issues for the low price of $15.00 as CWS/cf will cover postage, GST and even take $1.00 off the cover price! entrepreneurship, information technology, human services and tourism. Canadian Woman Studies Strategies I) Ca"nada <> < ><>< ><>< <><> <><> < ><> < ><> < ><>< ><>< ><>< ><>< > <>< > <> While, here in Northwestern Ontario, we recognize that growth in the traditional place is in :the husband-wife family with only the their families and communities." Women and their work must be integral to sound take in "However, the contribution of women to the economic will The traditional picture of the "family" Northwestern Ontario as changing: sense including: "Reasonable industrial expansion, :61% of women are in the labour force full and part time. FAMILY RONNIES' BED & BREAKFAST ife". 0101t /f Located in downtown Montreal in a quiet luxurious setting, offering first class accommodation for women traveling On business or pleasure. Includes European Continental Breakfast. 783 rue Guy, Montreal, Quebec ll3J ITh ru- Canadian Woman Studies 0 Send me both Issues for the special price of $15.00 O Send me one copy of Violence Against Women 0 Send me one copy of Strategies for Change Single Issue price per copy: $9.56 Name Address City Violence Against Women Prov Postal Code Country All orders must be prepaid. Please enclose cheque or money order made out to CWS/cf. Send to: Canadian Woman Studies 212 Founders College York University, 4700 Keele Street Downsview, ON M3J 1P3 (416) 736-5356 Tc.s1./Fax (5l4) 939-144 Rhona Luber Cantor, Proprietor PDFNorthern compression, OCR, Woman Page 12 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Employment and Immigration Canada's communities. Outshopping has become a new Canadian word. The Pigeon River border crossing, which serves the relatively Market, small portion of Ontario residents in the November 17, 1990 states that "Ontario's Northwestern Ontario area, reports that $19 million in declared goods were brought across the border in a one year study period report The Ontario Labour seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 2.1 per cent higher than in November 1989". "Since November 1989, nine out of every ten jobs lost were accounted for by men, reflecting the severe downturn in the male dominated manufacturing and construction industries." These figures may be viewed as a trend, This is substantiated by Employment and Immigration Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Skills Development both of which project that while the labour force is growing at only half the rate it was during the 1970s, women's participation will increase and account for workforce within 10 years. half of the While we could interpret this to mean good news for women, we must look at further related statistics: :women earn an average of 65% of male earnings :1988 average female earnings for fulltime, full-year employment were $23,260 :the average family income for single parent employed female headed families was $19,740 ending July 1989 and the Thunder Bay Venture's Report on Outshopping notes that the 37 border points studied report similar increases across the country. Manufacturers and retailers press for additional concession, in their attempts to compete. Canadian and Ontario companies attempt to negotiate salary and benefit freezes or reductions. While we have not yet seen the final results of the original agreement, the Canadian government approaches a Canada/U.S. agreement with Mexico which may have broader ramifications for women. Women from Canada and Mexico alike will experience the effects of this agreement including the possible further exploitation of women workers in Mexico and loss of jobs for Canadian women. year per child fol* licensed child care. economy of Ontario is changing. UNPAID LABOUR In addition to paid employment, the recent Socio Economic Study on Women's Work by the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council highlighted 69% of the respondents estimated they spend more than 20 hours per week on household tasks. Add to this, the hours of volunteer activities that women contribute to their community and we have a true picture of the double work load women continue to carry. The shift in male and female work force women is one which says first of all that the sexual division of labour is integral and not marginal. THe result of the sexual division paper markets and subsequent downsizing of the male labour force through layoffs resulting in a loss of primary income, (often on under $20,000 per year). An economic framework that includes women would understand what this division of labour means and would do the following: -social ramifications of the stress of economic crisis in terms of violence, work; employment and their subsequent transition to the role of the primary bread winners alcoholism and barriers to participation in community activities due to cost, -the shift in the tax burden from the Federal level to Provincial level and further to the Municipal level, coming at a time when the commercial and industrial tax base is declining, is resulting in cutbacks community based support services. Despite many concerns from across the country, the Federal Government entered into the Canada/U.S. Free Trade Agreement. "Its intent was to improve the of economic and social development of the programs in the world which to date have been undelivered. Ontario's unemployment The continues to creep higher. Unemployment Insurance legislation Bill C21 resulted in replacing insurance has protection with the welfare system. In Thunder Bay alone, welfare payments are up This is 53%, the caseload up 46%. consistent with increases in district :pay women a decent living wage for their :take into account the extra work of raising a child and offer paid maternity and paternity leave for a child's younger years. as in Sweden; :provide good universal childcare. to "WOMEN have not only the right but the obligation to be represented in all aspects its goals. Canadians were promised "jobs, jobs, jobs" and the best adjustment are often left economically dependent on men. Given that in our society money equals power and control, this means that many women have no power and no control over their lives." women FREE TRADE both market-place; with International countries' ability to take measures to public welfare fully preserved." safeguard The agreement appears to be falling short of of labour around the bearing and rearing of children means -decreased disposable incomes, CONCLUSIONS and to strengthen both countries in the economic development mean? An economic framework that includes meantime, participation rates, the disparity in earnings and subsequent disparity in taxable and disposable incomes and the fact that more women will become primary income earners, systemic serious financial and has implications for women: for both traditional for the and non-traditional families; community and for the North. economies of both countries, to strive for full employment and improved living standards, "What does the inclusion of women in Northwestern Ontario the -the necessity for more women to seek The face of the labour force and the The groundwork for the inclusion of women in Economic Development has been developed by women across Canada and applies equally to the women of Northwestern Ontario. These words from a text presented to a conference of North Shore Women, in Terrace Bay in Ontario, October 1985 by Diana Ellis of the Women's Research Centre, Vancouver, B.C., capture our vision for women: women and their families are forced to live with the impact of Ottawa's present economic policies, such as: In -decline in the soft wood and pulp and :61% of women with at least one child under age 6, participate in the labour force and face costs up to $6,000 per Unfortunately barriers continue to prohibit many women's participation. Time, travel and transportation in and from our vast region, the lack of financial resources, the lack of child care and fear make it difficult for women to actively participate. Gender equity on decision making bodies can be achieved through a better understanding of the reality of women's lives. New processes must be designed to ensure their input. "WOMEN have traditionally been excluded The inclusion of women must begin at the beginning and not just because we're partners, by and large, of the men, but because we are people in our own right with contributions to make and needs to be considered. by a failure to raise any questions that specifically concern women in the process of economic development, based on a lack of recognition that these issues are of crucial concern to women." Looking at development from a north. woman's perspective is essential, for it is the women who live in the communities who are most affected by the development decisions which are made by men." If one believes the inclusion of women is important, then it becomes a priority. Yes, it will cost money and yes, the money is there. In fact, we can't afford not to do this. There is a great human and economic cost presently being paid by women who are not afforded the opportunity to reach their potential as Canadian women. "WOMEN must be an integral part of future northern economic decision making and However we will not accept strategies. token representation. We would caution that appointment of individuals cannot reflect the variety of skills and experiences that women bring to the decision making process. The women serving on commissions and committees must reflect the diversity of Representation must womens' lives. include: Aboriginal Women, Francophone Women, Immigrant and Visible Minority Women, Women with Disabilities, Single Parent Female Headed Families and Female Headed Families on Social Assistance. "W.I.M...=1,2A11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page: �REHABILITATION PROGRAM ACTION (R.A.P.) is a support program for Thunder Bay residents who live daily with the effects of their mental health problems/illness. There are times when they need support. WEAVING MATtER(s) Our program matches individuals and volunteers, one-to-one. Within the match the Congratulations to Sasha McInnes whose individual identifies and works on personal goals. The volunteer provides support and encouragement. exhibition WEAVING MATtER(s) opened September 21 at the London Regional Art and Historical Museums (London, Ontario). Sasha McInnes, a Thunder Bay feminist activist and artist has been spinning, dyeing and weaving this exhibition of thirteen tapestries since 1986. Carole Farber, curator of the exhibition states The tapestries in the exhibition form and will continue to form many narratives, many storylines. They are multivocal, a cacophony of potentiality. Yet, the connecting thread running through all of them is that "weaving matters" (doing it makes a difference), that "weaving matters" are those intimately bound with creating and recreating, resisting and asserting, and that "weaving matters is weaving mater(s)", the attachment of women, mothers and the Goddess Creating is a political act, a statement. Through the complex symbology presented in these tapestries, the viewer will be challenged to engage a patriarchal language." feminist critique of existing institutions, concepts and We eagerly await the opportunity to view this exhibition which will come to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in February 1992. We are currently seeking volunteers to become part of R.A.P. Orientation and training are provided by program staff. Our goal is for both the individual and the volunteer to experience a sense of personal growth while in the match. It is for this reason that we ask for a time commitment of 2-4 hours per week for six (6) months. We will be pleased to discuss the volunteer opportunities within R.A.P. Please call us. Rosanne Perron Darlene Squissato 345-5564 NORTHERN ONTARIO WOMEN IN TRADES HIGHLIGHTED IN PHOTOJOURNAL BREAKING BARRIERS, a photojournal for and about Northern Ontario women in skilled occupations, has been launched. It highlights 12 women working in occupations ranging from carpenter to autobody repairer. Some are recent high school graduates, others are starting a second career and one is a grandmother, who broke barriers in the 1930's. Six Women's Access to Apprenticeship Projects in Kenora, Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay cooperated in preparing the photojournal. The project was sponsored by the Kenora Area Committee for Skill Development, and was coordinated by the Kenora Women's Access to Apprenticeship Steering Committee. BREAKING BARRIERS includes information on training programs and resources available to women in the North. The text is English and French, with sub-titles in Ojibway. An accompanying English/French brochure on how to use the journal as an educational tool for teachers, career counsellors and women has also been developed. .010.1. NWO BREAST SCREENING PROJECT Copies of the brochure and photojournal are available from all Northern Ontario Women's Access The Northwestern Ontario Breast Screening Project, an initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Health is anticipated to start in late fall 1991. The objective of the program is to reduce the mortality from breast cancer by at least 40% in women over the age of 50 years. The program is aimed at women aged 5069 years, but other women will be able to to Apprenticeship offices, Committees for Skill Development and Ministry of Skills Development offices. For more information, contact Marion MacAdam at 468-3698. participate in it. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in Ontario. The Screening Program will be a testing service for well Cease Fire 1991 One of our sister publications, Pandora, from Halifax is being challenged by a man who claimed he was a victim of sexdiscrimination when Pandora would not print a letter he had written. His complaint has been taken up by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. 99999 women. A clinical breast exam by a trained nurse examiner and a mammogram will be included in the screening. Early detection of lumps offers the best chance of improving survival rates and reducing the amount of surgery that is necessary. It is envisioned that the Northwestern Ontario Program will have both a screening site in Thunder Bay and a mobile van operating in the region. Dr. Joan Kyle has been appointed as the part time Medical Director. Heather Woodbeck, the Administrative Coordinator, has been involved in women's health issues in Northwestern Ontario for the past ten years. The program is administered through the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre. For further information about the breast screening program, please call 343-1690. Winnipeg's HERizons magazine has decided to "GO FOR IT" AGAIN, this time as a subscriber driven and funded magazine, not reliant on government funding. HERizons features news, book and film reviews, and Heavy backlash to the preliminary report of the Task Force on Sexual Abuse of Patients feminist ideas, in a form that's dynamic, has caused a delay in issuing the final them for info - HERizons, P.O. Box 128, report. The main criticisms are that the Task Force has been too "pro-patient", and about the "feminist bias" of the Task Force. Critics indicate that the "existing system does not need to be changed" diverse and infinitely readable. Please write A new support and self-help group for Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2G1 survivors of childhood sexual abuse is being formed for women who have gone through individual and group therapy. For more information call Judy at 345-7802. 79999 BLOODLINES: Writings by Lesbian Sisters, is now accepting submissions for this "She is well educated, literate, operates adult literacy and children's programs, oversees public relations, trains and manages staff, and is chief purchaser. She is paid less than the man who cleans the ice between hockey periods. She is a librarian in small town Ontario." upcoming anthology to be published by gynergy books, a lesbian owned feminist press in P.E.I. For queries, submissions and questionnaire please write to Jan and Lynn Andrews, Editors, P.O. Box 4273, Station E, Ottawa, Ontario KiS 5B3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor liorthehl iNtimah :-Page 14 �WHAT'S NEW IN THE BOOKSTORE Northern As always September has seen a marvelous outpouring of new writing. Some 200 new Woman's titles have been acquired by the Northern Woman's Bookstore in the past few months and more arrive every day. The non-fiction books cover a wide spectrum - healing, Bookstore spirituality, lesbian, literary criticism, feminist theory, herstory - for example: SHAKTI WOMAN: Feeling Our Fire, Healing Our World by Vicki Noble, author of Motherpeace is "... a passionate call for women to reconnect with our goddess heritage and reclaim our ancient powers of healing..." OTHER COUNCIL FIRES WERE HERE BEFORE OURS, by Jamie Sams and Tuylah Nitsch. "A classic Native American creation story as retold by a Seneca elder and her granddaughter. Northern Woman's Bookstore 184 Camelot St. Thunder Bay, Ontario (807) 344-7979 THE AGE OF LIGHT, SOAP AND WATER: Moral Reform in English Canada, 1885-1925, by Mariana Valverde. Laura Davis, author of the Courage to Heal Workbook has published a support book for partners. ALLIES IN HEALING: When the Person You Love Was Sexually gives partners a clear Abused as a Child path for dealing with the survivor's pain, as Calendars FOR PETTICOATS AND PREJUDICE: Women and Law in Nineteenth Century Canada, by Constance Backhouse. 1992 well as their own". DATING VIOLENCE: Young Women Danger, edited by Barrie Levy. NEW THIS YEAR! in DECEPTIVE DISTINCTIONS: Sex, Gender and the Social Order, by Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. EVERYWOMAN'S CALENDAR 1992 BEYOND ACCEPTANCE: Parents of Lesbians and Gays Talk About Their Experiences, edited by Carolyn Welck Griffin, Marian J. 1,1 4,110A a.] -a Cony Wirth and Arthur G. Wirth. 1992 Peace Calendar 11.nnorinklel,mn Ana calendm CONSIDERING PARENTHOOD, by Cheri Pies is a book for lesbians thinking about becoming parents. IL,M1,11 whose rn nnd knenttnemn frona.km,1, IV lir MIN 1.,511.11. 1,1 THE DEMON LOVER: On the Sexuality of Terrorism, by Robin Morgan "... brings a startling perspective to terrorism, which (Morgan) sees as arising out of patriarchial societies' emphasis on domination and violence. power, control, 59.95 TM dansinnt crew. In A ...on* VIRGINIA WOOLF: The Impact of Childhood atnn angh ennienn,nr, mope, miltOnalque+ Sexual Abuse on Her Life and Work, by Louise DeSalvo. and much more !! WHO CARES: The Crisis in Canadian Nursing, by Sarah Jane Growe. Topping the list in the Fiction category is We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Anne Cameron's latest book KICK THE CAN, and WILDERNESS TIPS, new stories by Margaret Atwood. readers will be pleased to know we have Cameron's ESCAPE TO BEULAH back in stock. Over the past months the best selling fiction titles have been Bronwen Wallace's PEOPLE YOU'D TRUST YOUR LIFE TO, and SOJOURNER'S TRUTH by Lee Maracle. you haven't read these, do! If Other new fiction: THE WILD BLUE YONDER, by Audrey Thomas THE EDUCATION OF HARRIET HATFIELD, by May Sarton FOX, by Margaret Sweatman THE HUSBAND, by Dorothy Livesay GUYANA BETRAYAL, by Norma DeHaarte Keep on top of your reading IN AND OUT OF TIME: Lesbian Feminist Fiction, edited by Patricia Duncker. The Bookstore also has in stock over 40 calendars and date books, ranging from Remarkable Women to the Lunar Calendar, from the Well-Bred Cat to Quilts, as well as the always popular Everywoman's Almanac and Herstory. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Pagejt �COMING Ontario Ontario Women's Directorate BALANCING PAID WORK AND FAMILY Direction generate de la condition feminine de ('Ontario This innovative one-day workshop is designed as a training tool to assist you in developing "family-friendly" policies and programs in your workplace. A wide and innovative array of familyresponsive policies will be reviewed. RESOURCE CENTRE EVENTS L'EQUITE D EMPLOI, C'EST QUO!? Date: les 30, 31 octobre et le ler novembre 1991. 16H - 12H Endroit: Hotel Holiday Inn, Sudbury, telephone: (705) 675-1123 Frais d inscription: 160.50 $ par personne (TPS incluse) WORKSHOP CONTENT The Resource Centre is still in the process of being catalogued and put on computer. This has not stopped women and students in their pursuit of knowledge. With the increase of students in Women's Studies at the university our doors will be swinging off their hooks. UNSETTLING RELATIONS: The University as a Site of Feminist Struggles. Essays of Himani Bannerji, Linda Carty, Kari Dehli, Kate McKenna and Northwestern Ontario's own Susan Heald. Module 1 Setting the Scene - You and the Issues Module 2 The Big Picture - Workforce Trends - Changing Families - New Partnerships Module 3 QUEST FOR RESPECT: A Healing Guide for Survivors of Rape. Linda Braswell. Planning for Change - Managers as Change Agents - Communications - Options for Balance BACK TO HOME AND DUTY: Women' Module 4 Between the Wars, 1918-1939. Deirdre Beddoe. OVER THE HILL: Reflections on Ageism Between Women. Baba Cooper. RECOVERING FROM INCEST: Imagination and the Healing Process. Evangeline Kane. FEMINIST FRAMEWORKS: Alternative Theoretical Accounts of the Relations between Women and Men; Second edition. Alison M. Jaggar and Paula S. Rothenberg. THE POLITICS OF RAPE: The Victim's Perspective. The victims of rape speak out! Diana E.H. Russell. Frais de voyage: Dans la mesure ou le budget nous le permettra, nous rembourserons jusqu'a la moitie des frais de voyage. Le budget etant limite, nous accorderRns une inderntiisation de voyage selon la reglede "premiere personne arrivee, premiere servie" en tIchant de favoriser les personnes des regions eloignees du Nord. Ateliers - Initiation a requite d'emploi - Precedes de recrutement et de selection - Les droits de la personne et requite d'emploi - Objectifs quantitatifs et plan de releve Table ronde Action Planning - Individual - Organizational "Comment amenager un milieu de travail diversifie et equitable" YOU WILL LEARN TO "Pleins feux sur les barrieres qui font obstacle a requite d emploi" identify work and family pressures affection employees in the workplace recognize the organizational benefits of accommodating work and family responsibilities understand the diversity in families outline what role managers, workers and organizations play in making work environments responsive to family obligations generate an action plan to implement change. WHO SHOULD ATTEND GOODBYES AND HELLOS We at Women's Directorate, and the women of Ontario, have experienced quite a few changes since published. AUDIO-VISUALS HIDDEN FEELINGS: Produced by child support workers of Central Alberta Women's Emergency Shelter for children who have witnessed violence. WOMEN IN THE 40s and 50s: a wonderful compilation of films about women during the 40s and 50s reflecting values and attitudes of that time. ALL IN A DAY'S WORK: Developed as a Change Agent project with Xerox Canada Inc. this video outlines business issues and benefits which are part of an emerging issue - work with family responsibilities. FEE was resigned her position as Minister "because of the necessity to focus on my own health The fatigue from ongoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments made it impossible to fulfill the demands of a cabinet minister. We wish her well and hope that she does take care of herself so that she may continue to work for the women of Ontario. Marion Boyd has been appointed TIME AND DATE Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. Ms. Boyd will take on this portfolio in addition to her role as Minister of Education. Tuesday, November 26, 1991 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for one day. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Subsidies are available. Call Joan Keehn at 475-6380, or Irene Mitchell at 475-6417 (collect) for further information. solutions dan les entreprises par la necessity croisante d'integrer le travail et les responsabilities familiales. Ce documentaire as We welcome Marion knowing her varied background and involvement in women's issues. Eleanor Meslin, Assistant Deputy Minister, has also left the Directorate recently for a position with Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. On October 21, 1991 we will welcome Shirley Hoy as our new ADM to the Directorate. Shirley has had an impressive a ete cree dans le cadre du programmes 1111.0r4,0. Journal $149.54 + $10.46 (GST) = $160.00 LE TRAVAIL AT LA FAMILLE: Documentaire qui presente les problemes et Agent de Changement avec la collaboration de Xerox Canada Inc. last On September 11, 1991, Anne Swarbrick, Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, needs". Human resource staff, line managers, and employment equity practitioners who want to learn more about developing policies and programs to accommodate paid work and family responsibilities. the This page is sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorate. The material contained on it may be photocopied and distributed without permission, but with credit to the original source or the Ontario Women's Directorate. career with the Municipality of Metro Toronto in several positions - Executive Director of Metro Chairman's Office; General Manager, Administration; Director of Community Services. She has also been involved in the community and sits as a member on several Boards of Directors. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 16 �Second Class Mall deg 'strolls. No. 5697 MAIL TO: RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL P.O. BOX 144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 ( Return Postage Guaranteed IS THERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR LABEL ?? PLEASE RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't forget to renew your SUBSCRIPTION NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE Individual $ 6.00 Institutional $12.00 NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario P7C 4V5 C011eatireiv Pir°dUCe4 IIIINEsdiuNDERs 000001 ts01/4°P°11j)l's COe JOHNSTON MARGARET ***************************************************************** Northern Woman 13-ourncti .11BOANI .01.b 11.411/ PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 13 No 4 Description An account of the resource Vol. 13, No. 4 (November 1991) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Women voting power 15 years of Women’s Decade Council Sexual harassment Rape shield law struck down Global solidarity for women’s health and reproductive rights Population programs and reproductive rights Exploitation of women’s productive and reproductive labour Genetic engineering and reproductive technology Sexuality & lesbianism Violence against women and militarism Canadian Women’s Movement Archives Women creating reproductive freedom Northern women and the economy Socioeconomic development Employment trends Free trade Rehabilitation Action Program Breast screening project Northern Woman’s Bookstore Authors/contributors: Margaret Phillips Charlotte Holm Janet Seekins Doreen Boucher Sylvia Estrada-Claudio Rosanne Perron Darlene Squissato Ontario Women’s Directorate Rae Ann Honey Jane Saunders Margaret Johnston Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1991-11 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2825/1992_Vol_14_No_1.pdf 16e8f2eb66da1dc98fb0eb2dfa6fd599 PDF Text Text CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 1992 °Hearts starve as well as bodies Give us bread, but give us roses, too. 01 MARCH 1992 c) $2.00 720 iii 1 VOLUME 14 No 1 3 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �TWO STEPS BACK Women are expendable. message of government. the federal This is the Conservative In the past weeks we have had a budget speech, and a series of announcements and proposals that will have a dramatic, negative impact on women. not requiring family allowance appear to operate on the assumption that family income is shared within marriage. They 20,000 nurses, clerks and secretaries are owed $1 billion. So much for the federal government's rhetoric about equality. must be reminded that no such law exists in Canada. Family law reform should precede any tampering with family allowance universality. Women and women's groups have suffered disproportionately from federal budget restraints since the Tories took office. But These measures will ensure a reversal of the minute progress that women have made in our quest for economic and social equality. Abandonment of universality has long been an (hidden) agenda of the Tories. Failure to protect the universality of family allowances will be a stepping stone to eliminating somehow, we must find the energy to mobilize against this latest outrage. ########################## universal medicare and universal old age The federal government: security. *plans to abolish the universal family allowance program *has scrapped the long-promised Following quickly on the heels of the budget national child care strategy *has cancelled the court challenges program *plans drastic cuts to the Canadian Job Strategy (training) program *has eliminated its cooperative housing program *will not obey Human Rights Commission orders for retroactive pay equity display of crassness, Health Minister Benoit Bouchard announced the day care plan was dead, and instead dollars would be spent on "a big advertising campaign" against child abuse - as well as the child poverty measures indicated in the budget. adjustments for its lowest paid female employees. The government has also made an ugly intrusion into Canadians' privacy by declaring the "common law" relationships will be treated as "married" for tax purposes (ie. a single parent mother will be financially penalized if she shares a roof with a man. It's only a few years since we succeeded in stopping the provincial and municipal governments snopping into FBA recipients bedrooms - now the fells will do it.) interconnectedness of all these measures must be viewed as a strategy to enforce women's dependence on men, and The to ensure an accelerated feminization of came the announcement that the federal government would not proceed with a national child care strategy. In an ultimate Does the Health Minister not realize that the child care movement, the anti-violence movement and anti-poverty advocates share the same goals? And that we will not be dissuaded from our advocacy by this attempt to pit us against one another? The scrapping of the national child care plan has much more to do with the current constitution debate than it does with federal funding plans, as development of national standards for programs (which would benefit all Canadians) does not mesh with the Tories desire for devolution of responsibility to the provinces. directed into a new child benefit package In contrast to the government's continued institutional woman-battering, the Supreme Court has again provided a ray of hope for women with its February 27, 1992 ruling on pornography (see p. 15) ). However, this is a classic case of one step forward....two "targeted" for disadvantaged families. While reform of the family benefits system is long and Action Fund (LEAF) - an intervenor in the case - is one of the groups affected by poverty. A rationale provided for eliminating universal family allowances is that the dollars thus saved, along with the child tax credit, will be overdue, the heralding of this announced reform as a move to eliminate child poverty, and a fairer system is seriously deceptive. While some low-income families will receive increased benefits, anti-poverty advocates make it clear that the program will do little to address child poverty. The program is also discriminatory - it gives the additional benefits to working families - thus further ghettoizing women and children on family benefits who will receive no more than at present. At the same time as the government penalizes single mothers who are not in the paid labour force, it further restricts these women's ability to seek employment by refusing to address the day care crisis. But it is the issue of universality that's the most troubling and has the most wideranging consequences. Scrapping universal family allowances sets us back almost fifty years. When the program was introduced in 1945, it gave recognition of a societal responsibility to Canadian families. By directing the family allowances to mothers, it also redognized (however modestly) the importande of a woman's mothering role. It must also be remembered that for thousands of women the family allowance is the only disposable income they will ever see until they turn 65 and receive old age security. (Government and malestream media palaver about high income families steps back, as the women's Legal Education the elimination of the Court Challenges Program funding. The Court Challenges Program, which was initiated several years ago to help disadvantaged groups...women, minorities, disabled, etc..has financed groups in test cases and legal challenges. Cancelling this innovative and important program will silence the voices of poor people. Critics of the cuts believe that the program "offended the powerful", thus the cuts should be seen for their political implications, as the financial savings realized are minimal. In addition to the day care dilemma, women's entry into me paid work force is further restricted by funding cuts to the Canadian Job Strategy program. This program, which provides training for unemployed workers not on UIC has been of particular help to women, immigrants and young people. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people could be affected. Low-paid women in the federal public service have been waiting for pay equity adjustments since 1984. The Tories have decided that they will make no further payments owing for the period before November 1990. Further, they will take MORE CHEERS FOR DECADE Since the last Northern Woman Journal issue when we featured Decade's herstory, has organized two Decade Council significant - amazing - events. The Women Uniting for Change Conference held in November was an exciting energizing consciousness raising weekend for the 300 plus women who participated. Inspiring speeches, informative and healing workshops, and an action-packed resolutions session empowered women to renew our efforts for economic, social and political change. This Journal issue features excerpts from keynote addresses given by Glenda Simms and Lorraine Sinclair, as well as Teresa Trainer's study that was reported at the Immigrant and Visible Minority Women's Workshop. The final conference session provided over 40 action resolutions covering economic and political concerns including health, education, housing, transportation, violence issues, child care, safety, Native issues, concerns of women with disabilities, sexism, racism, homophobia, gender equality, the justice system, taxation, and UIC. The most significant recommendation has already been achieved with the holding of the Ontario Cabinet Forum on February 24 which provided the opportunity for Northwestern Ontario women to directly discuss our issues with Cabinet Ministers and their senior political and bureaucratic (The next NWJ issued will provide staff. greater detail on this Forum.) "legislative action" to overrule any decision of the Canadian Human Rights Commission tribunal dealing with this issue. The Public Service Alliance of Canada estimates that Congratulations to Decade Council for their splendid work in organizing these important events. PDF Northern compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Woman Page 2 �WOMEN UNITING Excerpts from an address to the Women Uniting for Change Conference of the the coming Lorraine Sinclair is the Coordinator of Mother Earth Healing Society. European to the Yet Canadians expect Aboriginal people to speak with one voice. Why is that? We have left wingers, we have right wingers, we Americas, it's no wonder there was great conflict between such different cultures. There was no respect given to Native people This has been a really good conference - it feels good. If I'm walking around and feeling a good energy from people then that's good and that's all I've been feeling in the last few days. It gives me a lot of hope that we can unite, we can listen to one another and we can walk the good road together because that's what's needed across this country. And it is the women who are going to do that. This is what all of our prophesies say. When the women pick up their medicine and begin to move forward with that the healing process begins. I'm encouraged to listen to what the Decade Council is about and the great work that you're doing. Get the political voice of the women heard. We need to also be involved politically, because the personal is political. You understand the social issues that we're faced with today, you understand the violence, you understand the pain that the children have gone through and are going through, and that our sisters are going who were able to survive the harshness of the seasons as well as live together in close quarters and still respect one another. It is said by our elders that Turtle Island, North America, will be a great gathering place of all tribes and something very special will take place here. It is also said that one day the white people will turn back to the red people so that they can understand." We are in these times. We must also understand that each race with their gifts of vision, communication, reasoning and movement need to listen, learn and share with one another so that we can move within the sacred wheel of life to gain strength and wisdom. Perhaps as white people learn how to slow down and listen, Native people can then communicate that gift of vision. This is what found in the last few days here, ... when we share, that people are learning how to listen. They're learning that I we are given two eyes to look twice as hard, two ears to listen twice as much and one mouth to speak only once. balance, which can lead to selfishness, racism and a lack of respect for the world in which we live. We need only to look at the state of our environment to know that the unrestrained raping of Mother Earth for resources has caused more harm than good. Among Native people, there have not been great strides made in science and technology from the western perspective. In the traditional ways, our areas of growth have been more in the area of interpersonal relationship with one another and all life. The characteristics most valued within the traditional Native community are cooperation, sensitivity to one's feelings and those of others, and sharing of material wealth. It is within this holistic view and understanding of our interconnectedness with Mother Earth and one another that has enabled the red race to live in harmony with our environment for thousands of years prior to the European coming to the shores. With you will see the results of that empowerment. They will go back to their traditional ways . You hear about the Lubicon people, you hear about the TemeAugama Anishnabai protecting the forests. You hear about the James Bay people, you've heard about the Haida people protecting Mile Island. All of those places more are Aboriginal people standing up and saying no, that's enough, you cannot come in anymore and destroy our Mother Earth. Those are the indications to you that our people are going back to the "traditional ways, to our responsibility as Aboriginal don't care how long the English and French fight amongst themeselves as to who are the founding nations. They are fighting on top of the heads of many Aborgional nations who are the first people. Many of you have been here for several generations, your ancestors came to these shores, and maybe they worked the land and maybe they suffered too as my ancestors did and this has become your homeland, then you should understand how " In looking at different cultures around the world it's helpful to see the pattern of human behaviour as a whole. Each individual culture has a place in the pattern, and each Such personality traits can create an attitude toward life that is very one sided and out of away my right as a woman, nobody has ever taken away my power. I recognize it within myself. The more that Native people can empower themselves at the local level and work through that healing process, the I There's a little thing I wrote about culture. positive qualities for a person to acquire. I will never, ever, go to this government and say, please give me self government, never. Because me, as an individual, as a woman, as a Native person, nobody has ever taken Mother Earth. This is our homeland. without keeping in mind the men - that it's them who need to learn to get to that place of healing. It's through women that they will understand, by watching us and seeing us and feeling that energy force - that beautiful energy that comes with healing and how it does indeed extend itself from me to family to community to nation to Mother Earth. of material wealth have been seen as voice. the responsibility of being caretakers of and the men that don't understand healing yet. We can't just go forward jail cultures, great strides have been made in Generally to science and technology. individualism, goals, these achieve competition and conspicious consumption have middle of the road too, just like you do. Don't expect us all to speak with one people placed here upon Turtle Island with through, and yes, even our men that are in has some gift to contribute towards the betterment of human kind. In European . . . it feels for us. Because our ancesstors, we believe, never leave. They are still here in spirit. They're here in this room with us right now. When I went to New Zealand in 1990, I went There's a lot of issues in Canada today that we can't ignore. Of course, foremost in a lot of people's minds is the constitution, and what we can do as women, as humankind, to nucleur free and independent Pacific peoples conference and there was only three of us in Canada from the Aboriginal people who were chosen to go and because I'd worked on environmental issues for more than 10 years I was asked to attend. And it as Canadians to make this a good effort. have a little bit of cynicism in me. I grew up understand in a very political family. politics, and the negativity that comes with politics. It never fails, every political meeting that I have gone to, there's just a different kind of energy in the air. It's a crackling and can be a very negative energy. To me the most important and the best moving energy have ever felt is healing, healing that energy. When we sit together and we listen to one another and we allow our hearts to process. So we have those kinds of things in our communities as well. We have chiefs who look good in public, but they go home and they beat their wives or they go home and they drink or they go home and they abuse their kids. So we have a lot of speak, that's when you feel the power. cleaning up to do in our communities as With this constitution, where they're giving us six months to put together what we as Canadians think. It's impossible. It's just like what they did with Meech Lake. They come up with an artificial deadline and expect us to meet that deadline. Well let's well, as do you. And this is something that I I I look at the realities in the Native community. We have across this country with the Native people, a split, just like white people. You have P.C.'s, you have N.D.P.'s, you have liberals and a couple other little stranger parties. You have a lot of different parties was very difficult for me, because again saw, it didn't matter that these men were I indigenous men, they had adopted western ways and they were still controling the you can learn from it's healing. us, Because this society is an addicted society. You look at Native people and you say, look at all those statistics, they've got the highest suicide rate, they've got the most people that are in prison, they've got the worst health statistics in Native communities, the violence that occurs. All of those things, that's what separates us from the rest of Canada, those appalling statistics that tell us, something has gone wrong here. out there to speak your political feelings and your political issues and bring them forward. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page-3 �room and went and put my cigarette out. But you are no different. Your society is Then I went back into the room where I was addicted as well. It's addicted to resources, it's addicted to material wealth. When you look at addictions and how they move in a cycle. It's like violence. There comes a point when you have to say that's enough. This is what we have to say collectively, as human beings with this society who is addicted to material wealth, addicted to looking at all of Mother Earth's gifts as resources. We have to say, that's enough. We as women, who are the bringers of life to life, the ones who are the continuity Be like my between the generations. ancestors. When they made a decision they said, how is this decision going to affect the Now if this next seven generations. constitutional dog and pony show would ask that one question, just answer that one question to every article and everything that they look at, we would have a very different constitution. We have nothing in there, of any substance, that talks about Mother Earth, that talks about our right as human beings to clean air, clean water, clean land and good health as people. Why can't we put that in the constitution? Don't we have that right as human beings. And shouldn't that be entrenched in the constitution above all else? began in the environmental When movement I felt very, very insecure. It's very difficult for Native people, even to come into I places like this and sit with our white sisters when we are just venturing out and trying to empower ourselves, it's very hard. So you need to understand that. Because a lot of us aren't at your meetings, it doesn't mean that we don't care. It may mean that we're just afraid or very shy. I know what that's assigned with these four women and became like the little shy Indian I can I become sometimes. I went back into myself just watched these women. These women, as soon as they would come into the room, they would take all their clothes off, they just liked being naked, guess. and I I Even flashing it around to everybody. didn't say though that insulted me, anything. I thought, they're white and they must be right. So I just sort of left it at that. I The conference went on and every day would sit in this room with many people, mostly men, from across Canada and they I would talk in this very high technical language that I couldn't understand. They would talk about acid rain, and uranium mining and all of these issues and I just felt like the whole world was on my shoulders. So I began to go outside every day and I began to sit by a tree because to us the trees are the grandmothers, the teachers and we can receive energy from a tree. So I would sit by this tree and I would bury And that's very important, for all of us. This is what have been experiencing while have been here, as I spoke and shared with you the teachings of the sweetgrass, minc being who we think we are, body being whc tobacco and I would say a prayer, like, why am I here? I knew I needed to be there. everybody else thinks we are, and spirit being who we actually are. Those are just didn't know why. So this went on for about three days. Everyday about 4 or 5 times a day I would go outside and sit by we go through this tree and finally on about the third day I had the courage to speak because it was we carry of ourselves, those are just more walls for people to break through to who we really are. And it's not so hard, Our people, I sitting around waiting for this wisdom to come from me. smoking, you're Native, you wear makeup. Chief Small Boy in 1981, he was the one that began me on my journey of speaking out for Mother Earth. I went to him to get some nice elder comments so I could say it on his behalf at the Energy Resources Conservation Board where we were trying to stop seven coal mines in Hinton. presented him with some tobacco and said I'd like some words of wisdom. I was very I green then and had just begun to learn about my culture. He said you must go and tell these people that they are tearing out the guts of Mother Earth. That everything that's in the earth is there for a reason, the oil, the gas, the uranium. All of those things, she needs for life. And I got really embarrassed. I thought I can't go in front of all these white people and tell them that - they are going to think I'm nuts. But I did it anyway because in my heart, I knew he was right. That's where I began my journey of speaking out for Mother Earth. So I go to this conference. We were staying at the YWCA and were assigned to rooms. I was the only Native person there and I was so shy and so scared and nervous and was smoking. And this one woman came up to me and said, get out of here, go put that cigarette out somewhere. So I kind of folded into myself and backed out of the I important things to remember, because as life with our images of professor, of doctor, of all these images that community, you see that we still have the ability to trust, we still have the ability to share, we still have the ability to be honest and we still have the ability to laugh at ourselves. That is what has gotten a lot of us through, it's the ability to look at ourselves and laugh. Not to humiliate ourselves so much as just laugh and be thought, god, you're overweight, you're them except my heart knew that when I saw I Native people, when you go into our places, when you go into our homes, come into our to my room and they were all sort of Everything seemed to separate me from heart. Native people are. Your body is a gift from culture shock for me. I looked at myself and I the time to see my spirit and to see my The creator but you don't have to go So this little group traveled back with me skinny and kind of hippies, and I thought, what am I doing here. That was a major I'm still Metis and all of the rest of it. But all they saw was the surface. They didn't take brought up to be very modest as many what I said. I I Now I had difficulty with that because I was just too much. And I think that's basically like. I went to my first national conference in Ottawa in 1982. And I walked into the room and I kept looking at myself through other saw all these peoples eyes. environmentalists with no make up and very up my cigarette and I said does anybody mind if I smoke? And all of them came running over with a match, oh no, go right ahead. To me that said everything. arr still the same person. I'm still overweight, I said I think we need to also look at our spiritual selves - you talk from the head all the time, but what about the. heart, which is really what brings us together as people that are speaking out for Mother Earth, it's our hearts that are telling us that this is what is right. I don't remember all what I said but all of a sudden there was a little crowd of people gathered around me when I finished speaking, and quite a few of them were men, and they wanted more words of wisdom. So this little group traveled back with me to my room and they were all sort of sitting around waiting for this wisdom to come from me. And the women too, that I was rooming with, were sitting there gazing up at me for all of a sudden, I was an Indian, I was traditional, I was spiritual and I wasn't anymore this knew something. overweight, halfbreed woman who smoked. I humble. Know that we are here for a reason. That you are no better than me, and I'm no better than you. That each of us has a gift. I call this the journey of the heart and living and walking this way. Many of our people call it the sweetgrass path, or the good red road when you make that commitment to honesty and kindness and you walk with faith and you live with sharing. When you demonstrate those qualities you are on that good red road. I have made that commitment a long time ago and I'll continue with that. When I was in New Zealand, I had to get up and make a presentation on behalf of our delegation and I was so scared and my voice was shaking so bad and I was almost in tears and when I finished this Maori woman came up to me and she said, that was really beautiful and I started apologizing, I said well I'm really sorry but, don't know my tears just started and what's wrong with me, I'm a big crybaby. I So at one point, I thought, I'm going to test them out here. I was going to pull out my speech about tobacco is sacred to our people, but that wouldn't have been altogether true. So in the middle of one of the teachings had been given,... very And she said, no, because the Maori people look for that in people when they speak. Because we know that that's the heart speaking. And we know that your spirit is there, that your spirit is speaking. I genuinely, I was sharing it, all of a sudden looked at these women and I automatically picked up a cigarette then I remembered how they had jumped all over me. So I held I continued pg 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Noirthern Woman Page 4 �BANFF . . . A YEAR LATER WOMEN AND MENTAL HEALTH/WOMEN IN A VIOLENT SOCIETY by GLORIA HARRIS Friday, May 10...9am Sandra Butler takes the podium, another exciting and extremely warm reception. Sandra said it was not necessary to educate the women present. Let me begin by telling you that the experience of this conference was a turning point in my life. It moved me from one stage to another. will highlight the She reminded us of our work and the isolation and tiring effects, she spoke of I strongest memories... healings, Thursday, May 9/91.... Anyone who sees the Rockies for the first time knows the awestruck wonder! 5pm While dining alone at a table window with a magnificent view, I journeys and memories and feminist therapy and get the focus on what we set out to do, ending the violence. Again there were too many inspiring thoughts to percolate, such as what does empowering mean in a world where women still have no power. spotted a deer walking through a residential backyard, nibbling along the way, on any foliage it could find. I seemed to be the only one aware of its presence. As I followed it with my eyes, I imagined that this was how my grandfather must have felt while hunting or guiding, and suddenly spots his game. was totally captivated and speechless at how bold this deer was, seemingly unaware of his vulnerable location. I waited for the waitress to meet my eyes, so I could share with her my great discovery. When she approached my table I was about to burst, I pointing towards the deer, in a manner much like a 3 year old at the zoo for the first time, when she quietly stated, "It's very common for them to wander into town and sometimes they get their antlers tangled in the fences and trees". I continued to marvel at this 4 legged creature, who for my own private dinner show, ended his performance and found his way down the lane and disappeared. Healing and Empowerment. This was a wealth of information on groups. mulled over the topics of screening, resource I building, goal setting, safe places, containers, inner child. After I picked up the handouts left the room, unknowingly I without my purse. When I discovered this realized my purse contained everything needed sustain me. I began to retrace my steps in a silent panic, till I was directed to where announcements are made. As started toward the podium, felt a gentle I I I I tap, turned to face this petite, beautiful Native woman. She quietly asked if I had any sweetgrass. She wanted to cleanse the room where her workshop would be held after lunch. She went on to explain there had been crying and strong emotions there. She introduced herself as Maggie Hodgson and I gasped, unable to contain myself and reached for her hand and blubbered my excitement at this meeting. I reassured her I Andrea Dworkin's keynote brought me back to reality. What a welcome she 7pm got. After she began to talk, I knew why she was so wildly applauded. Her volume and passion spoke for everyone as she reminded us of the situation of emergency we are in and no further ahead that when we first started. I cried when she relived the New Bedford rape on the pool table and how Hustler magazine had run a spread three months before of a woman on a pool table, and how Hustler ran another spread after the rape, of a greeting card, of a woman on a pool table with the caption "Welcome to New Bedford". I hung my head further when Andrea wailed of the police report of her "suicide" death a year after the trial. She told us we survive by amnesia. Her statement of porn being the Pentagon, the War Room, the training grounds for men, telling them to go out get them, do it to them! She said the serial killers will tell you they get their ideas from porn. She asked us to address pornography! To organize political support for women who kill men who hurt them. returned to my room, exhausted but once again reminded of why I am involved in the I Movement. Workshop on Journalling for 10:30am would find someone who had some sweetgrass and bring it to the room as I was in her workshop. Before I left the room, a jolt ran through me...what about your purse...As I was about to ask noticed it was sitting on the stage. Deep, deep relief I and I thanked the woman. Now Maggie needed sweetgrass. I met a lady from NWT and she gave me a piece. I headed to Maggie's workshop on "Native Community Response to Sexual Abuse". Maggie told us one woman's journey as chief of her reserve, Alkai Lake and of the struggles and victories in healing her community with help of workshops, healing through traditional means, sweat lodges and pipe ceremonies for example. She told us of the incredible courage it took to charge the perpetrators and support them through community support and recovery, including the elders. Maggie told a wonderful story of the wolf who lost his eyes and the experience of being lent the eye of a mouse, which enabled to see only one to one and later a buffalo gave him an eye which helped him see the world. She said we must use our buffalo eye. Her talk ended with the prophesy of the "eagle landing on the moon." In the 1850s a Hopi Indian said that "our Native people are in midnight and we will come out of our midnight and into our day to be world leaders. This change will happen when the eagle lands on the moon". The meaning is, the midnight is the destruction that has happened to Native people such as alcoholism, residential schools, treaties, etc. Into our day is the process and recovery. Eagle landing is the year 1969, when the first space ship landed and its first message sent back to earth, the eagle has landed. That same week was the opening of the first alcohol treatment centre for Natives and since then it has been the catalyst for recovery for the Native nation. Maggie then closed with her healing song and sang Hai, Hai, while she shook her rattle. I hugged her and she thanked me for my support and said she felt my spirit...Wow! What more could I ask for. I moved on to the next session on "Empowerment for Change". Three women shared their experiences of North End Womens Centre in Winnipeg. It was obvious the dedication and innovative approaches helped them create a centre which truly met the needs of the women accessing them. What was their secret? They asked the women! Saturday, May 11... Women's Healing Circle...Lorraine Sinclair and Andrinne Leduc shared the teachings of the Native ways. Her words and teachings enveloped me and swirled till a spirit inside was awakened from a long slumber. A lifetime of teachings flooded my mind as she spoke of my Mother-the Earth, my Grandmother - the Moon, Father Sun, Grandfather Rock. Her explanations of sweetgrass and the strength of grass...one strand alone can easily break, but braid it and it is unbreakable...much like Native people...the grass can be cut, pulled up and stamped on but it still survives and it is like the lives of Native women. She told us of the mind, body and spirit...The mind is who you think you are. The body is what people think you are and the spirit is who you are. will never forget the soothing voice of Lorraine and the Native spirit of I Andrinne, very sure of her chosen sweetgrass path. I left this workshop in a fashion much like a butterfly leaving her cocoon, fluttering and free. continued pg 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 5 �CONFLICTING VALUES OF by Maria Teresa Trainer It is a well known fact that most women from the Third World suffer from a greater degree of subjugation than women from the Developed World. When some of these women immigrate to Canada and face the growing tendency towards gender equality, great conflicts arise within their family. The majority of immigrant women are surprised by the amount of freedom that Canadian women enjoy; they welcome the opportunity to develop as an individual and become an important member of society. On the other hand, immigrant men feel threatened by the VIEW ABOUT EACH OTHER Question to Central Americans: RESPONDENTS A questionnaire was given to twenty many Canadians (ten men and ten women) and twenty Central Americans (ten men and ten women). The questions were directed to outline the differences in family values between Canadians and Central Americans. All the Central American respondents were between the ages of twenty and fifty years old. They had different levels of education Canadian women. They refuse to give up their control and domination, cling to their from different socio-economic backgrounds perceived "power" enjoyed by patriarchal values and penalize their women for their struggle to reach equality. According to most researchers, one out of ten Canadian women is battered by the man she loves. This figure is much greater among immigrant families. (from illiterate to B. A. equivalent), came What do think about Canadian men anc women? The Central American women said the following: Canadian women are liberal careless in their appearance, independen and fun loving. They smoke in public, arc integrated in the economic development can get ahead and the laws protect them Canadian men are good, well educated responsible, independent and liberal. They like having fun and they know how to do and have been in Canada between four housework. months and two years. The Canadians were between the ages of twenty and fifty-five and The have been living in Canada most of their lives, had various levels of education and also came from various socio-economic Central American men said the following: Canadian women are liberal, oper minded, they do not like to stay home, anc are Protestant. Canadian men are ice cold In the past ten years there has been a great rude, hard working, like to stay home anc allow their women to be independent. influx of Latin American immigrants and refugees into Canada because of political Question to Canadians: backgrounds. problems, poverty, war and persecution in Central and South American countries. Following are excerpts of a study conducted in Thunder Bay, dealing with the conflicting values of Canadians and Central American immigrants. What do you think of Central Americans': Participant observations and ethnographic their family, care about clothing anc children, are vivacious and industrious anc are victims by choice. Central American mer several Fifty percent of the respondents had never met a Central American and had no opinion The Canadian women who answered said: Central American women are devoted tc interviews were conducted to examine cultural views of traditional Central American are the head of the family. They are sexy. good dancers, have dark complexions anc have an inferiority complex. families immigrating to Thunder Bay, and how these views conflict with those of mainstream Canadian society. The study showed marked differences in views and familial values which function as The Canadian men who answered said: Central American women are beautiful, barriers to adaption of both immigrants and the receiving society. friendly but not sexy, take a lot of abuse and are more forward than the men. Central American men are wife stealers, condescending, sexy, quiet, paranoiac and think they are superior. continued pg 7 WHAT'S NEW AT THE BOOKSTORE NO BURDERN TO CARRY: Narratives of Black Working Women in Ontario 1920s to 1950s, by Dionne Brand, Women's Press. "NO BURDEN TO CARRY exquisitely weaves the threads of autobiography and history into a flexible and meaningful relationship. Never again will I be lost for names of Black women who have stood at the junctions of Canadian history." (Angela Davis) PIECE OF MY HEART: A Lesbian of Colour anthology, by Makeda Silvera, Sister Vision Press. "PIECE OF MY HEART stands as a testimony to the ongoing process of breaking our silences, being mute no longer. The voices are loud, honest, angry, passionate and full of love Throughout the anthology, a thread of humour is ever present, even in the stories, journals, essays that are painful. This book is about us. These are our stories. Coming full circle we acknowledge and celebrate our differences, and there is power in our similarities." (from the introduction). DESPITE THE ODDS: Essays on Canadian Maude Barlow, chair of the Council Women and Science, edited by Marianne Gosztonyl Ainley, Vehicule Press. "The Canadians, has just published, with Bri_. Campbell TAKE BACK THE NATION, k Porter Books. "TAKE BACK THE NATION a citizen's call to political action, an eloqui plea for the continuing existence of Canad Barlow's earlier book A PARCEL ROGUES is now available in paperback. essays in DESPITE THE ODDS illustrate the wide range of activities engaged in by Canadian women scientists and underline the difficulties encountered science graduates.... by female THE UNFINISHED REVOLUTION: The Status ( MORE THAN A ROSE: Prime Ministe of Women in Twelve Countries, by Doris Anderson, Doubleday. Anderson, past Wives and Other Women, by Heatt president of NAC and CACSW, documents the situation of women in Canada, the U.S., Britain, and nine European countries "(providing) a sweeping look at social conditions over the last 25 years. THAN A ROSE offers an exciting a Robertson, McClelland and Stewart. "M01 provocative portrait of the trappings - a the trap - that political power and positi present - a fast paced, behindthe-scenes glimpse into Canada's history INVERSIONS: Writing by Dykes, Queers and Lesbians, edited by Betsy Warland, Press Gang Publishers "is a bold and diverse collection by twenty-four contemporary North American women writers exploring questions of sexual identity and politics, creativity, cultural community and literary theory. ... INVERSIONS is a remarkably honest, complex and impassioned gathering of voices that acknowledges the vital importance of difference". The NFB's film The Company of Strange has enchanted all who have seen it. So v the book IN THE COMPANY C STRANGERS, by Mary Meigs, one of tt eight women who portray themselves in tt (The book) "begins as her story being in the film and unfolds into a gentl intricate meditation on the experience time, old age, magic and building". film. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor RVINI.na3. �CANADIAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS RESULTS OF THE SURVEY: continued from pg 6 THE NOTION OF MALE SUPERIORITY AND THE HIERARCHY IN MARRIAGE consistent with the popular notion of The survey showed that forty-five percent of the Central machismo in Latin America. American respondents feel that men are superior to women and eighty percent declared that men are not supposed to cry. In contrast, 100% of the Canadians felt that being the head of the household should be a shared responsibility between husband American The Central and wife. respondents who came from rural areas were particularly reluctant to allow their wives to work outside the home, an unrealistic expectation considering the present ecomonic situation-in Canada. In addition, some even prevent their wives from going to school and learning English, thus forcing dependent. them to be completely Regardless of whether the husband works or collects welfare the Central American male controls every facet of the family life. Most Canadians feel the opposite and encourage their wives to work outside the home. Statistics show that most Canadian women are employed. Latin American women, as well as other immigrant women, lack social support, feel isolated and are usually controlled by their male companions or fathers. These factors instill low self esteem and confusion about the available options and social services. As the years go by, they are expected to serve and nurture others. They sacrifice their wishes in order for others to have theirs. They never learn to fend for themselves; the only skills they learn are homemaking skills. The only place where they feel happy and is inside the home. Being a dependent shut-in contributes to stress, emotional problems and physical illness. SEXUAL FIDELITY Canadians turned out to be more trusting than Central Americans; 85% of CHILDREN in which this subject is discussed has shocked some of the Central majority of Central American and Canadian women agree that the ideal family should have two children. Canadian men think that they should have three, and Latin The openness The results of the comparison between Central American and Canadian values are secure ABORTION the Canadians believe that women are faithful to their husbands versus 55% of the Central Americans. Fifty percent of the Canadians believe that men are faithful to their wives American people and has triggered wife battering and abuse in cases where women have wanted to take advantage of the freedom of choice offered in this country. Ninety-five per cent of the Central Americans feel that abortion should be incorporated into the criminal code and 70% of the Canadians feel that it shouldn't. These results go in accord with the degree of religiosity and superstition of both cultures. Only 5% of the Canadians feel that they will go to hell if they do not follow the teachings of the church versus 45% of the Latin Americans. PREMARITAL COHABITATION SEXUAL FREEDOM AND double standard between Central American men and women and the growing The tendency towards gender equality which faces Canadian couples today is very obvious by the answers on this subject. Fifty percent of the Central American men said that it would be a good idea to live with a woman before marriage but that they would not marry her and would not condone such behaviour from their daughters. Ninety percent of these men said that women should not have the same sexual freedom as men because "they would taint and cheapen themselves". Eighty percent of the Central American women went along with this opinion, "because no one will ever marry her", "because she would lose respect", "because we were not brought up that way", and 70% of the women said that they would not live in common-law relationships for the same reasons. It is curious to notice that some of the people answering in this manner were living in common-law relationships, but obviously were not happy with this arrangement. The overwhelming majority of Canadians believe in sexual equality and common-law marriage, This corresponds with other findings that state unmarried cohabitation has increased dramatically among Canadian couples and it is an accepted modus vivendi. The men think four is the ideal number. The custom of having family control over the children, no matter what age they are, is obvious by the Central American responses; the overwhelming majority said that it was a good idea for young men and women to live at home with their parents until they got married. Some of the reasons given were: "My son needs his mother to take care of him until he can find a wife who can do the same", "Young people need advice and guidance", "Single women put themselves in danger when they live alone". The great majority of the Canadians thought the opposite; most of them answered, "Single people should live away from their families to gain experience and independence". It is hard to socialize Latin children in an Anglo society. Children are taught individualism in school and the curriculum usually does not promote respect for tradition. The values learned from their peers and the values that are learned at home often cause a great deal of conflict within the family. This conflict affects their mental health and this is an important issue to consider when developing programs to assist immigrants. EDUCATION One hundred percent of both Central Americans and Canadians agree that a higher education should be offered equally to both boys and girls. This is a sign that Central Americans are asking for a change in their way of life. If they encourage a higher education for women, they must be prepared to accept the consequences. Educated women compete in the work force, demand equal opportunities, freedom of choice, a fair division of labour at home, an active participation in making family decisions and become active participants in the mainstream society. Unless Latin men change their attitude, higher education for Central American women will create further family tensions as a consequence of the demanded decline of the patriarchal domination that rules the lives of Latin Americans. versus 25 per cent of the Central Americans. The Central American results seem low, considering the high expectations of control and obedience of the macho head of the household. Maria Teresa Trainer is a member of the ttO tio 'o,'WOtko 'At4 Thunder Bay Immigrant and Visible Minority Women's Organization and a cultural interpreter and translator for the Thunder Bay Multi-Cultural Association. Pk° WOW Ct4 tv0 he) trO PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 7 �Excerpts from an address to the Women . . . Uniting for Change Conference, Thunder Bay, November 1991 FOR CHANGE Glenda Simms is Chairperson of Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. I wish to concentrate on that which we share as women of Canada and at the same time I wish to acknowledge our differences and stress that significant numbers of Canadian women are doubly and triply oppressed and within these multi levels of oppression we can come to an understanding of effects that such devastating barriers, such as violence Sometimes when I travel across the country and I hear panels discussing these issues and I do not see visible minority women and aboriginal women at the discussion I know that something is missing. Because we must never forget that surrogate motherhood has great implications for the most disadvantaged women in our society. The ideological question is "whose wombs will be rented to produce the children for those and poverty have on the lives of women especially women from aboriginal communities, refuge women, immigrant women, racial minority women, disabled women who chose not to have children women and poor women of all colours and all castes. All of us, no matter how we aboriginal women and visible minority define ourselves within the Canadian society, have the responsibility to get involved in the forces that influence our lives. We must take the necessary steps to make our voices heard, in our families, in our communities, and by our political leaders. At the federal level a number of initiatives are urge all of you to get underway, and involved. For instance, the constitution of this country is being reformulated. Women I and other marginalized groups must get involved in the process. this document which has been produced will become the blueprint that determines our place in Canada in the future. We must educate ourselves and our daughters to look at the present proposals with a critical eye and under the implications that the proposals have for all women of Canada. We must recognize that at the time of Confederation women were not even when they were young"? I am saying that if we are not careful, it will be poor women, women whose wombs again will become the Violence and poverty are further exacerbated ancestors were used to produce the breeding stocks for the slave plantation. We must be vigilant.We must make sure that we society. In our initiatives to combat physical and economic violence against women we do not take these things lightly. They have grave implications, especially for those of us who are poor. Another initiative that we must really get involved in is the Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women. Much is known about the level of violence in our society. We know that one in ten women is beaten in the privacy of their homes. We know that one in four girls are sexually assaulted in this We know that violence is at country. epidemic proportions. We know that we are afraid to walk the streets of our cities. But we still do not have a clear cut idea of how violence impinges on aboriginal women, on racial minorities and above all on disabled The second federal initiative is the Royal Commission on New Reproductive opportunity to inform the panel of the remarkable work that is being done by women in their communities. We need to Reproduction is an issue that aspect of our lives that has for too long been under the control of men and the medical profession. The implications of the new reproductive technologies are very complex. But they have great bearing on how our sisters, our daughters, and those of us who are still at the child-rearing stage are going to confront these issues in the future. We must make our positions clear on issues such as surrogate motherhood, sperm banks and other issues surrounding these technologies. poverty until we solve the poverty of women. Poverty exacerbates the danger of physical attack. country, just as the wombs of my slave considered persons. This therefore, is the first time in our history that Canadian women will have the chance to influence the making of a constitution and we must not allow this opportunity to pass us by. supremely affects all women and it is an And most disturbing of all is the fact that there are over one million children living in poverty in Canada. This is a country that The poverty of says it loves children. children is directly linked to the poverty of their mothers. We will never solve child breeding stocks for the labour force in this We do not know the unique women. perspective from the voices of these women. Technology. self development. Unemployment rates are traditionally higher for women than for men. But they are still higher for aboriginal women, for minority women and for disabled women. So there is still a lot yet to learn about violence and its impact on women's lives. The government has promised a zero by the issue of racism within Canadian must not deny the unique situations of visible minorities and aboriginal women. Some women chose to endure the violence because they know that the justice system does not offer rehabilitation for the men who abuse them. They know their menfolk face horrific levels of violence in the very system that was designed to protect all persons in this society. And herein lies their dilemma. Black women and other racial minorities have long perceived elements in the police force and other social service agencies as dangerous to their communities. They know that by calling these agencies that are set up to protect all Canadians, they risk getting their men maimed, psychologically humiliated, and often times, killed. And so, these women have to chose between saving their sons and their lovers from death and saving themselves from violence. tolerance position on violence. This is our tell them about the unpaid labour that we are putting out in communities and in safe houses and in transition houses. We need to articulate our needs. We need to point out that we will no longer tolerate violence in Canadian society. The dilemma that we face today lies in the complex interrelationship between violence and myriad other social conditions. For instance, violence and poverty continue to be interwoven as two of the most devastating influences on women's lives and together in insidious ways, poverty and violence block our true participation in the Canadian society. In an affluent society such as Canada is, we can clearly state that poverty is a form of economic violence. Women are poor because they are denied economic power. The reality of women's poverty in Canada is that in 1987 there were over 1.5 million women living in poverty. Between 1971 and 1986, the number of women living in poverty increased by 110%, Today, the average woman in the work force still earns 65.9 cents for every dollar that a man earns. The average minority woman makes 10% less than that. And the majority of aboriginal women have never even been offered the compared to 24% for men. job! 70% of women are segregated in low paying jobs with little or no opportunity for Can you understand the crucial dilemma of a woman who cannot turn in her batterer because she does not know if he will be killed by the police to whom he is turned over? That, my sisters, is perhaps one of the most harrowing aspects of violence in our society. We as women must endure the violence of men in our community because we know the society is so very violent toward our sons, our husbands, and our lovers. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 8 �I urge you to see the recent N.F.B. film, I believe that this feminism of which I speak called "Sisters in Struggle". This issue has and this women's movement of which been raised very vividly in that film. dream, has been distorted. I have travelled across this country and I have heard young Canada, the systemic racism in In all I aboriginal women joining hands with white women and black women. They missed the healing circle that was formed. They missed it - or refused to report it because that would have been much too powerful and positive a message. institutions place these women between a rock and a hard place. We have forced these women to chose between their loyalty to community and their loyalty to personal safety. They will continue to chose silence as long as our social and justice institutions do not deal with anti-aboriginality, racism women say that they do not want to be feminists. I've heard aboriginal women and sexism. marginalized. that opportunity to recognize that in their culture and in their worldview there still If we do not fight racism, we cannot fight And so I am saying to you, my sisters, that we must reclaim that which our foremothers gave to us. They gave to us a legacy of survival, a legacy of struggle. We must never forget that it was the women's movement that facilitated whatever change we have made in this country. Let us not kid ourselves. Do you think that men sat around and decided that they were going to exists the possibility for healing and maybe sexism. Racism and sexism are the flip side of the same coin. As women we must unite We have been around these issues. socialized to assume dependent roles and these dependent roles limit our capacities to make it in this society. As women we have to take responsibility for the lives of all our sisters and as feminists we must acknowledge that we too, are part of the oppression of some other women. Mainstream feminists have knowingly and unknowingly spouted rhetoric that continues from the heart of a Eurocentric perspective. As women in the struggle we must rid the psyches of the historic stereotypes and the precepts on which we have build this movement which we call the women's We need a truly inclusive movement. saying that they do not want to be feminists, black women who do not want to be feminists, older women who do not want to be feminists. This is because, believe, I these women have for so long, been open up the law schools, the medical women, will never aspire to the kind of change it for the better. Fear, for example, is an emotion to which all of us can relate. It doesn't matter what our race, our class, our linguistic background is. We know what fear is. A recent gallup poll showed that 56% of Canadian women are afraid to go out at night. Therefore, we limit our activities. We are not able to go out at then we as women must create a new climate in this country. We must make sure that the oppressive forces are identified and that we fight against these oppressive forces. We cannot have a truly united women's movement until we recognize that all women have a perspective on different issues. We must pursue the kind of dialogue that will help us discuss what the development is going to be in the next century. We must identify the appropriate ideological tools that will move us forward. And if you believe that feminism is the ideology that will lead us to justice, to equity, and to humanity as it truly should be, then we have no choice, as women of Canada, but to join hands and say we will develop a feminism that is anti-sexist, anti-racist, antihomophobic, anti-classist in its approach. We will reject hierarchial rating of women's issues and we will move towards developing a strategy that will enhance all our lives in a social, economic, cultural and political context at the state and the community level. Others who have gone before us have left us some very important words that we must never forget. West Indian pianist, Hazel If feminism is going to make a difference, if revitalized, all of us must go hand in hand. I think we must continue to struggle so that young women will see that they are valuable. There are too many forces telling them that they are not. We must continue to struggle so that older women can learn to gicow old with dignity. Older women should never be made to feel incapable and unwanted and useless. We live in a culture that does not value anyone who grows old. In fact the only cultures in Canada that value the old are the aboriginal people and cultures like the Chinese. These people value and We do not and perhaps that is why we are losing out. We have to work for a time when immigrant women do not have to apologize for being This country was built on immigrants. successive waves of immigrant people. In fact the only people who were not immigrants were the aboriginal people. We city in this country because we pay taxes. That's our right. And that is what we must say. But that right has been taken away from us and we now live in fear. So our lives, as women, are limited. Some of us fear the streets. Some of us fear the courts. And some of us fear the men who share our begin to build sturdy bridges across all the barriers of all groups of women in Canada. If we are to overcome patriarchal values, to encourage each other along the path. respect their elders and the extended family. night to enjoy the parks and the streets, and to stare at the stars and the galaxies above. Why shouldn't we have the right to do that? We have the right to walk the streets in any conferences such as this one, we must strategies that will enrich our lives. We want the women's movement is going to be We will change this country and we will know that our strength lies in our solidarity, a solidarity which you have displayed here When we come together at tonight. common and that we need to develop you that they will not move another inch until you fight to push them over. They will never give up, because that is the nature of power. Power feeds on itself. But we, as Canadian power that has reduced us to where we are. And yet, as we continue to struggle against that's what we as Canadian women must consider as we move into the next century. We need to consider that we have a lot in Scott asks, "Whoever walked behind anyone to freedom"? address all the issues that affect us. this fear, we can take hope because we think we can take a lesson from that, because in the final analysis as we struggle to redefine feminism we must look towards our aboriginal sisters for perhaps we missed schools, the engineering schools and that they were going to allow us to get jobs. Did they decide that? NO! We fought for that! They did not give it to us. And I can assure women's movement so that we can better homes. I must realize that the immigrants are not We know that for 400 years, patriarchy has distorted human development on this continent. Next year will be 500 years since Christopher Columbus landed on that shore and that began the distortion of human development. What are we going to say to our aboriginal sisters next year? Are we going to celebrate the 500 years of oppression of aboriginal people? Are we going to canonize Columbus and say that he was a hero? Or are we going to mourn with our aboriginal sisters and say the oppression was not just about them. It was about all of us as women - because we all have been oppressed over these 500 years. That is the level of understanding that we must develop. We must come to a redefinition of what feminism is. Feminism is a positive force in our life. Rebecca West in 1913 said, "I myself have never been able to define precisely what feminism is. I only know that people call me a feminist when I express sentiment that differentiates me from a doormat"! We all must recognize that feminism has had a bad name because there has been a backlash against the development and the gains that we have made. The media has been very responsible for distorting what we have done. The media often highlights our conflicts and they minimize our trials. For instance the Banff Conference in June/91. The media focused on the conflict. But what they missed was the circle formed by the taking away our jobs - it was the immigrants over time, who gave us the prosperity that we have. And they continue to give us prosperity. We must make sure that we recognize that there are refuge women amongst us and that they are running away from oppression just as our ancestor ran from the oppression in Europe. So why is it that we cannot understand them, when we all have the same history. We must look forward to a time when women with disabilities in this country will be given dignity. When they will have access to all facilities and they will be given jobs according to their levels of capability. We must come to a point where we recognize that we are largely a homophobic society and that our lesbian sisters are living in real solitude. I went recently to see the movie, Sisters in Struggle. After the movie a young black woman stood up and said "I do not know where I belong - I am a black woman who is a lesbian, I cannot belong to the group of white lesbians because they are too racist, and I cannot belong to the group of black women because they are too belong"? So where do homophobic. I These are fundamental questions that all groups of women must ask, including must widen the circle and we must be compassionate and all inclusive and make sure that we reach out across our barriers to all our sisters, and aboriginal women. We daughters. There must be no one left behind. That is our major challenge. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 9 �continued from pg 5 1:30pm.... Shirley Turcotte... Begins her presentation and recognizes and hbnours women she works with. She said their four Around us were feelings of anxiety and fear of what was erupting. felt a tap on my shoulder and was asked to follow her. Tina names and stories in a very painful and emotional talk. Shirley's message was and Maggie were signalling as well. We had strong and will never leave me as I hear her words of "when you can't hear the unbearable or the unspeakable, when you can't believe what seems unbelievable, I'm once again alone". I don't believe for a moment that anyone would forget her words of "The hardest part is to think of all the other children. know I survived, it is unbearable to know that others didn't." I will never forget her! I I not a clue till we reached the front and it was explained that Lorraine Sinclair was asked to speak and she wanted all the Native women there with her for unity and strength. We joined hands and formed a circle as Lorraine began her message. She started by saying " when Native people pray they pray for all races, red, yellow, black and white. She said that the red race understands discrimination and pain. We Sunday, May 12...as planned, some Nativ women from the previous evening starter gathering and we found a place under thi tree and began our circle. We sharec prayed, thanked and cried some more Andrinne shared a poem she had writter about the supper hour on Saturday. WE closed with the hugging circle and header over to the centre for the closing keynote. Rosemary Brown...was truly 9:00am wonderful closing to a most powerful emotional and impacting conference. He address of attacking violence at its roots are gathered here to talk about violence beginning with a clear analysis and the conference being a good place to start. As I write this I can relive the intensity at the point of the conference. I opted out of the against women and violence in our society. We are the indigenous delegates here and she invited any more Native women in the study group and explored the hot springs with two beautiful new friends, Allysn and crowd to join and added even if you are white and have a Indian heart, you are Tina. welcome to join us up here. She stated that her comparison of othe with all women countries and violence are all the same. Ir recognition of the events of the supper hou previous evening she said there can be nc feminism where there is racism. Her worth 6:00pm supper in ballroom...Sat with Maggie, Allysn and Tina. We were high on Banff and the people of the conference. Dinner was served by trails of men-servants balancing humongous trays. I shared with my dinner friends my images of this being in days of old and in a castle for a feast and the food being brought out in hoards and we would throw the bones over our shoulders. While we ate they announced a poetry reading. It was next to impossible to hear the poet as there was so much clatter and chatter. It was only a matter of time before individuals began expressing strong feelings and reactions to the lack of respect and attention the reader had. The opinions changed ,from mildly upset to rage and remarks were flying all over. One woman at our table loudly spoke to anyone who would Women then began to try and analyze and feel comfortable where they were at. Next to us in another group, listen. remarks like "It's a matter of economics that there isn't a big representation of minority women here". This triggered an angry response from another women, "who paid for you to come, yourself or your workplace?" As women of colour took the podium to try to state their point, one was told to "forget" it and get on with the party. is not the colour of your skin, it's your heart that matters. She then offered a healing song. Maggie had joined her then as Lorraine offered the hope that the song would touch hearts. She ended by saying it that we needed each others hearts in order to continue. Maggie once again shook her rattle and offered Hai, Hai. For me, she made the global connectior to continue to look deeper and include everything when addressing violenth sounded like a large order, but never the less it was an important closing to ask us tc address the harms done. I could not sit through the plenary as I fel The strength and healing powers could be felt within and some cried, some trembled some of the lingering rage from some of the women and made my way back to the hotel and others stood tall and straight as the trees that represent honesty. The room had all joined hands and for a few moments Monday experienced the unity that Lorraine spoke of. overwhelming joy of discovering my nevi We then left together and held a healing journey beginning the sweetgrass path, wa: unbearable. As ,I reflected back on the conference while in flight to Winnipeg, I shec circle. Some of stayed on and we talked for hours in one of the rooms, as we familiarized each other with our stories. could not believe the Native women connected with from B.C. to the Maritimes. Before the morning keynote we agreed to meet for a morning circle. What more can I say about Saturday! As I boarded the plane the reviewed all my tears the entire trip. encounters and information gained anc I I I shared. I thank my family for the guilt free time away, I thank my co-workers for their thank my continued frontline work, I employers for granting me the time anc Gloria Harris is the Coordinator of the Northshore Family Resource Centre soon to be renamed Marjorie House. resources to attend. In all my journeys, I wil share and give away what was given to ME at Banff. X(r) V!f)(9)))(Ke)-/ It is very fitting that we, the indigenous women stood up, as scared and insecure as all of us were. We found the strength within us to walk forward with our hearts, extremely vulnerable. I can't explain how scared we were, but we were scared. To find the strength within us to go forward in front of all these white women, and the anger in the room, to go forward and to give. When you can do that, you've done something good. I don't say this to brag about it, because I still feel the fear of that day. All I know is, was given the name Mountain Woman for a I reason, I guess, and it's supposed to be about strength bebause that's what the rock teaches us, it's faith, to have faith in yourself, your own heart, and to walk forward with it. Lorraine Sinclair PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 10 �WEAVING MATtER(s) "Each weaving speaks such unique and important words" "What a wonderful journey.. very different at times but such beautiful results" "Heartbreaking, potent, intensely sensual, dramatic, wise and demanding" "What stayed with me was the life and the forcefulness of the colours that turned serious messages into celebrations" "A beautiful blending of art and politics" These are just of the heartfelt in the guestbook some Sister/s 1991 comments recorded accompanying WEAVING MATtER(s) - an exhibit of thirteen tapestries by Thunder Bay's Sasha McInnes (exhibiting now at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery). Many who view WEAVING MATtER(s) will first be overwhelmed.. the scope, the size, the colours, the magnitude of the work. Just to think of the amount of time spent weaving is amazing, then to realize that the artist "creates the canvas as well as the images", spinning raw wool into yarn, then, thoughtfully, magically, creating the strong, vivid colours in the dye pot. The tapestries are very large. The colours rich and vibrant.. predominantly purples, reds, pinks. The energy emanates. The power overwhelms. It takes time to absorb this work. contemplate the images. emotions it evokes. To To analyze the For these tapestries are very political work. McInnes' weaving transforms silence into It is vital that we hear this language. language, that we break our silence, that we speak our truths. We are reminded of the words of Audre Lorde "My silence had not protected me"... analysis of the Valerie Oosterveld, in an tapestry "NO", says "McInnes uses weaving as Lorde uses poetry, to communicate in a feminist language the changes that must be made in our world in order to save it. The expression of the spider language through a medium such as weaving is important, for it allows the weavers and the audience (the woven) to identify their connections within It is one step towards the tapestry. "Weaving matters" are also the experiences of vulnerability, victimization, and violence eliminating the subject/object duality that has plagued those cast as Others for so long. If the makings of a new mythology and pornography, the gratifications and redemptions of erotica, the comforts and betrayals of women's friendships, and the can be identified in this McInnes weaving by the people who view the tapestry, that is another step towards connectivity.... McInnes' tapestry gives us courage to take the paths that lead away from a dead planet, and to help others do the same." Each viewer will have a unique experience. Each viewing will be a new experience. It is important to absorb this work many times. Weaving matters. Carole Farber, curator of the exhibit when it showed at the London Regional and Art Historical Museum (September 1991) says ".. the connecting that women live with every day. Each of these tapestries means on many levels synchronously. They have been informed by such seemingly different circumstances in the artist's past and present as the wanton murder of fourteen women in Montreal and the painful backlash against feminists that followed it, the horrors of sexual abuse, rape healing of women's conferences and workshops - there are both hard realities and luscious allure in these works of art. As a viewer, you are challenged to find the affinities and meanings that matter for you, to find in the space between your eyes and the tapestries a meaning that makes sense(ual) of the messages." WEAVING MATtER(s) exhibits at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery until March 22nd. Don't miss it. In an earlier NWJ interview (Nov. 1986) McInnes said "I resonate deeply with the thread running through all (the tapestries) is that "weaving matters" (doing it makes a Glancing again at the guest book we find Jason's entry (in handwriting that suggests Jason is a very young person). He says: fundamental belief in the power of symbols to enhance and transform reality which is difference), that "weaving matters' are those intimately bound with creating and recreating, resisting and asserting, and that this exhibit, it might help everyone to realize what real power is all about, and, as a feminist, I believe that our movement must integrate the cultural work of our sisters into feminist analysis and practice. Images tell us who we most profoundly are and can be and it is folly to ignore or diminish their "weaving matters is weaving mater(s)"the attachment of women, mothers and the "If more people were to come and look at that their bodies are sacred and deserve respect." Goddess. Sasha McInnes says that "weaving is a birth - as a woman does in the womb". importance to our work." 11500000500505,5550100 O O O In the company of many others, I turned out on the evening of February 14 to view the work of Sasha McInnes. Naive, I had no sense of what I was about to experience. Mention weaving to me and all I could think of was Jan Korteweg placemats. Green ones at that. I was in awe as I entered the room where Sasha's pieces were hung. Every wall was cloaked in these magnificent creations - powerful visions - brilliant in colour and design. The room pulsated with energy and emotion. Enthralled, it was a struggle moving from one piece to the next, each like a magnet, drawing one back. Something very special happened to me that night. My spirit was lifted. O Touched to the core, I left feeling I could get on with life again. I'm still shaking my head thinking about it . . . 11DAtt. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISIONNorthern PDFCompressor Woman Page 1- �REPORT ON THE NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO SURVEY OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF GIRLS In Virtually every behaviour and attitude associated with health and well-being attitudes and behaviours. declined as the grade increased. The girls in high school exercised less and ate fewer meals than younger girls, and compared to the winter of 1990, 1416 girls in Northwestern Ontario participated in a survey to identify their health-related Liz Diem and Linda McKay, nurse researchers, conducted the survey on girls in grades seven to ten in the City of Thunder Bay and the Districts of Kenora and Rainy River. The nonrandom sample was 25% of the number of girls attending the specified grades in the city and districts at that time. The survey was initiated because an earlier study on infant death rates in the northwest revealed a poorer health status and higher pregnancy rates for adolescent females than those in the remainder of the province. As expected, risk behaviours such as smoking and drinking were consistently reported by a much higher proportion of girls in the higher grades. Concern arises, however, from the extent and degree of the Alcohol consumption risk behaviour. emerged as the behaviour showing the greatest risk: 35% of the 12 to 16 year old girls in this study reported drinking at least monthly compared to 14% of 11 to 17 year old males and females nationally; 37% of the girls in grade ten in this survey reported having five or more drinks at one sitting six times or more compared to 21% of girls in grade eleven nationally reporting regularly having five or more drinks at one time. Alcohol is an even greater problem because very few of the girls who drank felt that their drinking would cause them-health problems. #A####### On the positive side, the study obtained information that could improve the timing, content and delivery methods of specific health progammes such as drug awareness, sexuality and physical activity. The findings girls tha same age nationally, had lower self- also indicate that a community approach esteem, poorer mental health and more would likely be the most effective in reducing the risk behaviour of these girls. Hopefully this study will provide direction and incentive for the institutions and residents of problems with parents. Some of these behaviours apply to a greater extent to the girls living in the Districts of Kenora and Rainy River and the rural areas around the City of Thunder Bay. For example, there was a higher consumption of alcohol and marijuana, less compliance with vehicle safety practices, and more problems with parents reported by the girls in the district group. Northwestern Ontario to work together to improve the health-related behaviour and attitude of some of our most vulnerable residents, adolescent girls. A number of questions were asked to determine the health-related concerns of the girls. Level of concern indicates the amount of interest in an area, and thereby might provide some clues to levers for initiating change. The 'future' ranked as the overall number one concern, with aspects of appearance (skin, weight, figure, teeth, hair) accounting for five of the top ten concerns. Relationships with family and friends accounted for two of the top ten concerns. The sexuality-related issues of AIDS and STDs rounded out the top concerns. Interestingly, concern about alcohol and drugs were not priorities, despite the high level of alcohol use which emerged in the study. Further investigation to determine the particular aspects of the future which are concerning the girls is warranted. The report is available from the Centre for Northern Studies, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1 for $10.00 Liz Diem Linda McKay School of Nursing Lakehead University - RONNIES' BED & BREAKFAST dot. ea 0 /ft e/f Located in downtown Montreal in a quiet luxurious setting, offering first class accommodation for women traveling on business or pleasure. Includes European Continental Breakfast. 783 rue Guy, Montreal, Quebec 113J 1T6 Tel./Fax (514) 939-1443 Rhona Luber Cantor, Proprietor 4. ii Update on the Women's Studies Program at Lakehead University been an interesting and challenging year for Women's Studies at LU. 1991-92 has While the program is only in its second year of operation, interest in Women's Studies has grown tremendously among students and faculty. Enrolllment in the first year course, "Introduction to Women's Studies" rose from 20 to 110, and high increases were noted in several of the cross-listed courses as well. The broad cross section of students in the courses bring a wide range of life experiences to the classroom making for some sessions! stimulating and challenging ######################### With program budgeting very tight, most of our energies this year have been devoted to We have "creative" program planning. worked with a variety of other departments to expand the number of cross-listed course offerings. Three additional courses will be cross-listed for 1992-93 - "Canadian Women "Sociology of Women", and "Women and Sociological Theory". In addition, two new courses are in Historical Perspective", being developed for the spring and summer session this year. Dr. Margaret Johnston from Geography and Northern Studies will teach "Exploring Feminist Geography" during evenings in the spring session and Lisa Richardson from Classics will offer "Women in Classical Antiquity" in the summer session. Recent events associated with Women's Studies were: performance of "The Body Image Project" on March 3rd a and a public lecture by Dr. Lois Wilson, Chancellor, LU - Thursday, March 5 For further information on the Women's Studies program or upcoming events please call Pam Wakewich at 343-8937. ######################### PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 12 �by Josie Wallenius I met Lilian and Ofelia at the International Women's Conference on Women and the Environment, held in Miami, November 1991. My going to the conference was something had of an act of willfulness because LILIAN, I decided that I wouldn't go to conferences couldn't see the point. Any any more. international conference I had been to in the past had named world capitalism and imperialism as the enemy of the planet, and despite our knowing this fact our impotence I OFELIA, to confront it in the West had become a harrowing grief to me and many other women I know. I finally decided to go because I heard that respected were going, and women because it is warm in Miami in November. AND I There were at this conference about 1500 women from all over the world, and some really good speakers. Marilyn Waring told us about how the boys didn't think it was very cost effective to have so many people on the planet. Vandana Shiva said capital was going where it had never been before - ie control of human reproduction and seed re-generation. Rosalie Bertell said the military was the wolf The next day at 2 p.m. we met at the end of a corridor which was the only space we could get, and sat the chairs in a circle. There were only about eight of us, including two of my radical friends. I had persuaded these two friends to come because they HOPE were angry at some of the liberal junk flying around and I had promised them that this workshop would be different. in sheeps clothing and we shouldn't be Ofelia started off in halting English to explain surprised that all the chemicals were killing everything and beginning to kill everybody because chemicals are all spin-offs from the military and made to kill anyhow. something about circles and webs. One of my friends, a native woman, said "Look, I'm sorry, but I'm feeling very angry and I know I won't be able to stand this, really can't stand any more, so I'm leaving." So of course, most of the women were very angry and fed-up women, with some of them more frightened than others, a phenomenom that has always interested me. The ones who seem to be most frightened are the women who don't seem to want to explore everything down to its root, as though they are frightened of where the root lead them. The ones who are not will frightened seem to be the women from other countries who are at the bottom of the heap, and also the women from the West who know exactly why some women are further down the heap than others and that indeed, the imbalance of the heap is going to be the death of us all, and are therefore trying to do something about it. On the second day of the conference I got up early and walked out of the posh hotel where we were staying. I passed by some black men sleeping by the side of the road, curled around their shopping carts full of old coke cans that they sold for a living. entered a small diner a few blocks away. I There was a woman sitting by herself, and I sat down and ordered coffee and we began to talk. This woman's name was Ofelia, and she was from Venezuela. Ofelia was very angry. She had come to this conference to tell the women there about her visions of "what had to be done" and she didn't see any outlets appearing for her to speak. She seemed to me to have some interesting especially about racism and capitalism, so I said I would help her to get a workshop organized and advertised. ideas, I Ofelia called after her to no avail. The angry woman, who knew much about circles but was more worried about land and indigenous genocide walked away. ()fella, looking very sad, continued. She asked if we would pick a partner and talk to this partner for 5 minutes so we could get to know each other. My other radical friend who was sitting by my side gave me a around at the organisers' desk, getting flyers made up, going around the hotel looking for a suitable space for a workshop, and generally talking up her workshop as much as I could that we had scheduled for the next day. spoke to my friends. "Look, you must come to this workshop. This Venezuelan I woman has something important to say, do come." I though I was sitting in a kitchen with the smell of bread baking, and that everything was alright in the world, and stuttered, "Well, I'm a sort of, well, a sort of Peace I nudge in the ribs that nearly knocked me off my chair. activist I guess." "I'm exiting via the bathroom" she said, process, introducing our partners to the Lilian smiled, and we went through the due which she then did, casting a baleful look other women, and I began to get fidgety. back towards me as she went. I spoke up. "Ofelia, what are we here for?" As my friend walked away she passed another woman who was walking towards us. I had not seen this woman before and she did not look like a 'conference woman.' Ofelia looked harassed, she looked at her watch, then began talking quickly, showing She was dressed in brown corduroy trousers and a plain yellow jumper and she carried a sensible jacket. She had short straight silver supposed to describe some kind of process. She was obviously leading up to something. hair and wore no jewelry or makeup. I would say she was about 50 years old and she had bright friendly eyes. Because there were spaces now on both sides of me she sat down by my side and became this partner was supposed to talk to for 5 I minutes. I thought "In for a penny, in for a pound," and gave myself up to a process have become sickened with because it usually I evades any consequence. communication of real "Hello," said this woman, "My name is Lilian." I spent all of that day with Ofelia, pushing will never forget Lilian's face as she asked me this question. Her face made me feel as Lilian told me that she lived in Miami, and worked as a school secretary. Although she was active in her union she had never been to a big conference before. She had read about this International Women's Conference in the Miami newspapers, and had thought it might be 'interesting' so she just took an afternoon off work. She said she just walked in the door of the hotel and walked up the stairs, saw us sitting on the floor and decided to join us. She then asked me with great friendliness who I was. us charts of circles and words that was She then suddenly flung the charts to the floor and looked at us beseechingly. "I haven't got time. I am trying to explain what happened to us in Venezuela, but they haven't given me any overhead projections or a slide projector, and I can't show you what I want to show you. Its the slides that would really explain it. I have been working for seven years with the poor street women of Venezuela, and what we did was collect the empty coke cans from the streets and sell them to the Mafia, and we bought seeds, and we took over some of the waste land they couldn't use any more because it was so filthy, and we cleaned it all up and we planted vegetables and flowers to sell in the markets, and if you could have seen the pictures of the vegetables and flowers, they are so beautiful, you would see why we are so proud of what we have done." Ofelia sat on the ground and she was gazing into space, looking at her memories, and the transformed wasteland of Venezuela that the women had created. As looked at her transformed could see it too, and I realised what the other women had missed. seeing I I PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Noithein WA ma i .06641: �They had missed a glimpse into our own Us big conference women were sitting in the future. They had thought that Ofelia was not radical enough for them, and I realised I had thought that as well and would have missed it like them if I hadn't bumped into Ofelia for coffee, or had Lilian walk out of nowhere to sit in the space by my side. back of Lilian's car talking about the big conference coming up in Brazil in 1992, Lilian was busy taking notes. She asked me and time, and which was being organised by the real people who knew only justice could save the planet. I guess I was feeling sad when we admitted to this dreadful tiredness. who had been the best speakers because she wanted to get tapes of their speeches. I walked around the conference halls with her while she collected the tapes of Waring, where the people who were killing the world were going to pretend they were saving it. Us big conference women said we were simply too worn out to go to the counterconference being held at the same place CHILD CARE REFORM Child care workers, parents and community activists are encouraged to participate in the Ontario government's consultations on child care reform. The government's consultation paper "Setting the Stage: Child Care Reform in Ontario is a comprehensive document that clearly portrays the issues that have led to the present day care crisis; outlines the principles upon which the NDP government will base reform; and seaks public input on questions regarding quality, affordability, Shiva, Bertell and others. There were a few moments of silence. I said from the back of the car, "What do you think We went from table to table where she unerringly picked up the most riveting, Lilian." accessibility and management of a reformed child care system. dangerous and powerful information from each table. Her bag was stuffed full to overflowing, and she carried this bag as though she was carrying precious stones. "Oh" said Lilian, "I have already decided to Public meetings to discuss child care reform go." will be held in Kenora, May 12 and in I bet Lilian will bump into Ofelia in Brazil. day She listened to conversations of the women who had been to many conferences. noticed extremely, "quick". Lilian, I in fascination, was We got into a conversation with a big conference woman who thought Jimmy Carter was a good man. I said that Jimmy Carter worked for the National Endowment Thunder Bay, May 13. Contact your local care centre or the Ministry of Community and Social Services office in your area to obtain consultation paper. a copy of the If you would like more information about Northwestern Ontario day care concerns, contact the Northwestern Ontario Regional Day Care Committee, PO Box 144, Thunder Bay, Ontario or phone 807 -3458803. of Democracy and that anybody who worked for that organisation had to stink. The big conference woman seemed to doubt what was saying, and that really I depressed me. As Gillian Hunt has written, ... "those that understandeth not Ned understand nowt" but Lilian's eyes lit up. Lilian wanted to know all about the National Endowment of Democracy and she asked me to send her all the information I had on N.E.D. to her when I got home. Lilian took us Th her car for a tour around the Miami that we were not supposed to know about, like the places where the homeless live in shacks under the bridges. Welcome back, HERIZONSM!!!!!!!!!!! The Northern Woman Journal and thousands of Canadian women are delighted to know that Herizons has reached their 3,000 subscribers pre-publication target and On Leaving Well I said happily to the mistress of the house as she lightly gathered her skirt about her knobbly knees, well I mean how does one cope in these changing times? Her face turned ashen and she spoke of broken hearts, broken families, the harsh competitive nature of survival, feeling only quicksand when left completely adrift like that. The she collected all of her finest china, the stuff she never let loose from its round glassed-in cabinet, and she showered it against the nearest wall. Being composed of plaster the wall began to dent, over and over again, until the quiet ivory reflections became marred and chipped. But the wall remained. Taking a coffee spoon she proceeded to dig, slowly at first, into the plaster, going round and round, her tongue tracing out the hole she had gouged. She remained in her fear, frantically labouring on the small, miniscule hole. No one told her the door had always been open. that the first new issue of this revitalized national feminist magazine will be published by the end of March. The new Herizons will pick up where the old left off, offering national news and features on women's issues from a feminist As a subscriber-driven perspective. publication, over 90% of Herizons' revenue will come from subscriptions. No more long-term reliance on short-lived government grants! keeping with Herizons' tradition, the magazine will reflect a style that's dynamic, challenging and creative. Each issue will deliver in-depth features, interviews, news, film and book reviews, regular columns and great illustrations! In Financial co-ordinator Patricia Rawson is convinced that a financially independent Herizons will mean the magazine will be stronger than ever. And then she slumped sweating onto the divan. Her skirts covered in plaster dust settled about her once more. "Herizons will be accountable only to its readers and that's an important feminist think feminists are ready to statement. make a commitment to support a national Grimacing politely she referred to others as if they were dead, and continued to sip, sip her tea. magazine like Herizons that's easy to read and relevant to their lives." Barbara Lysnes July 1983 You can send your subscription cheque for $21.40 ($20 plus GST) to: Herizons, PO Box 128, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2G1. For more information call (204) 774-6225. I ********************************** PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 14. �continued from pg 4 When we learn history, the true history from our perspective, because the crap that they I was speaking at a conference and I started feeling very insecure again, and I thought, I can't talk, so I just let my heart speak and I started crying almost immediately, but it was ok, because I told them about Mother Earth. I told them about our people getting sick and dying. That's a reality. David Suzuki speaks about when they used to send the canaries into the coal mines to see if there was gas escaping, and if the canaries died then they got their asses out of there. Well, our people, the aboriginal people are the canaries and yes, we are dying. Our people are dying. And you can't afford to lose us. You can't afford to lose us because we hold the key as caretakers of this land. People always want to know, what can I do? How do I learn? How many of you have ever been to a Native community? Go and get to know Native people, go into the communities, go to our meetings. Sign us with our national papers and learn what our Go and sit in the audience and see what it feels like to be a minority, to be the only non-Native person in the room. Sit there and learn humility, because I've had to learn that. For years and years and years, issues are. being the only Native person in the room. And it's not a good feeling and many times I've been the only woman. Some of you have probably experienced that as well. Native people are really good at spotting a true person, we can spot the fakes, I think, faster and easier than most. If you have a good heart and you come in and you want to really genuinely want to help or do something or even learn, we'll spot that and you'll be welcomed. But those of you who aren't, those of you who our people don't trust, you also need to understand that a lot of our people still are feeling the anger. teach in school is not the history from our perspective. There are two books that would recommend for people to read and I both of them are by Jeffery York, Dispossessed and People of the Pines. And you'll find out about what's happened, especially down east with the Mohawk or black, if you don't get angry at the injustice, then I don't know what hope there is. But understand that our people have to her and we begin to get in touch with our go through that period of anger when we first learn the terrible injustices that have been committed in this country. The only way that I'm going to feel better about it is when we all start changing our behavior. That we all start looking at one another as We all look at and human beings. understand that you have a spirit just as I do, you have a mind, you have a body, you're no different than I. Les Les ateliers informatifs interessants. comprenaient une variete de sujets qui nous touche tous, et la participation a permi de stimuler nos reflexions et d'echanger nos vecu en tant que femmes francophones vivant en milieu minoritaire. autre objectif de ce colloque sur l'intervention feministe etait de produire un outil de travail sur l'intervention ferniniste Un par les femmes du nord-est ontarien comme par celles de l'exterieur. C'etait une occasion unique d'echanges pour les francophones qui font l'intervention aupres des femmes. Female, Mother Earth. When we learn from own womanhood and we understand nurturing and healing, this is when we will see this world around us changing. We call her Mother Earth, even in your mind if your embarrassed to say it anywhere else. And remember now, you have the environmentalists that use the words reduce, reuse and recycle. Well add two words from us as aboriginal people, and that is respect and responsibility. Because those are the two most important words that go with But my race has another gift - the gift of vision. And the prophesies have told us of caring for our Mother Earth, it's respect and All of you that have responsibility. these times that are coming, and we're children, or hope to have children, or you are even a child of somebody, we owe it to hanging in there, by a tiny thread. And the people like myself right now who are on that good red road and have gone back to the traditional way, we're growing every day. Encourage them, cause this, to me, is where I found my strength, my self-empowerment as a woman, as a Native person, was going the ones that aren't here yet to stand up and walk with our hearts out front. To make the change that is needed, to begin the healing with me, to go to family, to community, to nation, to Mother Earth. back to the traditional ways. That's where our power is as Native people. When we go back to our ways, believe me, it ain't easy being Indian. All the people that come to our circle and sit with us and want to learn Native spirituality. It's not some little new age" thing that you just read about and you feel the energy and you go on and carry %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%°/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 % 0/0 °/0 0/0 0/0 °A 0/0 % %%%% defir a ete frequents par formidables presentations du panel on fait surgir des discussions et commentaires pratiquee environment, that's just a big word that really doesn't say a hell of a lot. Think about it as PORNOGRAPHY RULING II y a eu une colloque a Subdury le 6, 7, et 8 fevrier 1992, donner par Le collectif des femmes francophones du nord-est Le nom de cette colloque ontarien. environ 300 femmes de la region. at yourself with total honesty and live your life with that honesty. There is one thing I want to finish with, I hope all of you, in some way will, when you think about the environment, don't think about it as the Mother Earth who gives us the gift of life, who gives us the plants, the animals, who keeps sharing with us. She's the ultimate people and if you don't get angry, just as a human being, never mind red, white, yellow "RELEVONS LE DEFI" " A SUDBURY "Relevons le a crystal or whatever. It is hard work being a spiritual person because you need to look de The ANNUAL NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO REGIONAL DAY CARE FORUM will be held in Thunder Bay,at the Prince Arthur Hotel, Friday evening, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 1992. The keynote speaker is the Honourable Howard Hampton, Attorney General of Ontario and MPP Rainy River who will introduce the government's consultation paper Child Care Reform in Ontario: Setting the Stage highlighting the principles on which reform will be based. Forum delegates will have the opportunity to discuss the child care reform paper in workshops on Saturday. Panel presentations on Northwestern Ontario Regional Day Care issues and on New "This is a stunning legal victory for This is a world historic women. importance," stated law Professor Catharine McKinnon, who along with Andrea Dworkin had led the anti-pornography movement in North America. McKinnon was referring to the February 27, 1991 Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of the federal obscenity law. According to McKinnon, Canada is the first country in the world to recognize in law the link between hard-core pornography and violence against women. In the unanimous decision, the Supreme Court considered the obscenity provisions of the Criminal Act "are the kind of reasonable limit the Constitution recognizes as justifiable in a free and democratic society"; and said that Parliament was acting within its power in "outlawing sexually explicit material that society considers will contribute to the serious social problem of violence against women". The ruling clears the way for the reintroduction of child-pornography which Developments in Child Care. legislation Parents, child care workers and community activists are encouraged to participate in the Forum. Child care will be provided. Travel and accomodation subsidies may be applied for by regional delegates. For mere (Globe & Mail) Justice Minister Kim Campbell hopes to reintroduce next fall. information call NWO Regional Day Care Committee (807) 345-8803. 888888888888888888888888888888888888 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woliran 2ege 15 �Direction generale de Ia condition feminine de l'Ontario Ontario Women's Directorate GRANTS INFORMATION RESOURCE SEXUAL ASSAULT PUBLIC EDUCATION GRANTS - MAY COMMUNITY GRANTS 1992 At the January Community Grants Review women's groups were approved: of a five year mandate. This year, in consultation with a community advisory Dating Violence, Young women in danger, Kapuskasing Area Council and edited by Barrie Levy. This book focuses on the plight of teenage women who are Action Centre relationship to to begin coordination in the particularly vulnerable violence. Dating Violence brings together community as a follow-up to the researchers and activists, professionals, Northern Voices Conference young people to provide a comprehensive, Northwestern Ontario Women's cross-cultural view of the problem. Decade Council to coordinate and facilitate a Cabinet Forum for regional women to present Allies In Healing, by Laura Davis. Author of "The Courage to Heal Workbook" and their concerns to government. coauthor of "The Courage to Heal". Based o committee, May has been designated as Sexual Assault Month. $210,000 will be awarded to groups to assist them in promoting increased awareness and to emphasize prevention in their communities. o OWD's Public Education Campaign will consist of television advertising aimed at adults 18-49 and will be supplemented by public service announcements. The PSAs will be available to groups to air at their local stations. Radio ads will be aimed at teens and will be aired on stations that reach the largest numbers of teens. Trades and Technology offers practical advise and to create a newsletter and hold a Davis encouragement to al partners -- girlfriends, workshop for networking of women boyfriends, spouses, and lovers--trying to in trades & technology. support the survivors in their lives while tending to their own needs along the way. Submission deadline for community grants is against the law newspaper ads will be run again this year and the Directorate will mail information judges, Ontario Northwestern Ontario Women in on in-depth interviews and workshops, Laura o Against our will to CENTRE Committee meeting the following grant Some of the recent additions to the applications received from Northern Northern Office Resource Centre include: The Sexual Assault Initiative is in Year Three packages Bureau du nord 107C, avenue Johnson Thunder Bay (Ontario) P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 Northern Office 107C Johnson Ave. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 is April 1, 1992. Sexual Harassment of Working Women, by Catharine A. MacKinnon. A study of crown attorneys, district and public health units, VON branch 'offices, gynecologists and sexual harassment in the workplace makes unique contribution at several a levels...Mackinnon moves into the economic, social, and political considerations that underlie the legal problem. [She] offers us important information about a dark side of our society, a sensitive insight into the plight psychiatrists offices, etc. of those on the receiving end of sexual harassment, and an eloquent statement of her vision of equality between the sexes. It quickly becomes therefore, a book for everyone. La reconaissance des acquis, Marthe Sansregret, PH.D.. Son ouvrage sera utile a plusieurs administrateurs, conseillers et evaluateurs pour implanter de nouveaux programmes et ameliorer ceux deja offerts. La feminisation des titres et du discours au gouvernement de l'Ontario. Publication de la direction de Ia condition feminine en Ontario. e4 I 05 es, 2 00 WI loses\ tl° viese,,,ost so:levr:oe,:rott;es:_s Oq' 4e ictoT 142 co° ss v(.13ototIlsi ook Oel Fot Nles stele Ovt Nescs rie txs 04,00. ;eg 1.,se Ve. as 314 colot:0301,40xx°:1013 Vave ,se 00, sett les,vs'osea t`oe etetA, ot 4Ie TfcatIt`oe IN° 2, stNatOts too\ 62Ss e 0 #1 c§o,c\es., 31.4 au gouvernement de economique sur Ia situation des ontaroises chefs de famille monoparentale. Publication de Ia federation des femmes canadiennes frangaises. Ce dossier socio-economique represente un outil pour sensibiliser le milieu et informer les femmes chefs de famille monoparentale. oses\ 0e2N 0 otNecItepNo6sels, keoce. 'ate, ,oiogItsoll vete Ita o loses\ Ps ItN3IG°"ist.,vse, liottNeo 6169e tot ttNe Vbessi tot s °6 ilsk°90:151:62:62::6, 00000ele IsoolCoe6::::. toses communications l'Ontario. Seules en grand nombre, dossier socio- Vra sleasited voexas, Ce document propose une orientation qui, refletant les plus recentes tendances observees au Canada, s'inscrit dans Ia foulee des initiatives federales et quebecoises. Ainsi on vise a rendre les femmes plus visibles dans les This page is sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorate. The material contained on it may be photocopied and distributed without permission, but with credit to the original source or the Ontario Women's Directorate. Cette page est marrainee par Ia direction de la conditon feminine en Ontario. Les materiaux gi-inclu peuvent-etre copier et distribuer sans permission, mais avec accreditation envers la source original, la direction de Ia condition feminine de l'Ontario. Sv't PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Sacaufil Class Mali Iles 'strati** Na. 51117 MAIL TO:. RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL P.O. BOX 144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 Return Postage Guaranteed IS THERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR LABEL?? PLEASE RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't forget to renew your SUBSCRIPTION NAME ADDRESS POST AL CODE $8.00 Individual Institutional $16.00 NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario P7C 4Y5 coneetwelY PN opepow iikpke producsd JANE sA,. "NDERs x4eIck0Ao tANIAGpixr 0049-04 s stv°5' CHRIS ***************************************************************** PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 14 No 1 Description An account of the resource Vol. 14, No. 1 (March 1992) Title: Northern Woman Journal Languages: English, French Topics include: Government funding cuts Women Uniting for Change Conference Women and mental health Women in a violent society Central American immigrant values & Canadian values Indigenous women Weaving at Thunder Bay Art Gallery Northwestern Ontario survey of the health and social behaviour of girls Women’s studies program Lakehead University International Women’s Conference - Women and the environment, Miami Childcare reform Herizons Pornography legislation French women’s collective, Sudbury Sexual assault public education Authors/contributors: Gloria Harris Maria Teresa Trainer Lorraine Sinclair Josie Wallenius Ontario Women’s Directorate Margaret Phillips Rae Ann Honey Margaret Johnston Jane Saunders Chris Snyder Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English French https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2826/1992_Vol_14_No_2.pdf 8e213ea57f71ba03f9260031383c9247 PDF Text Text 0 VOLUME 14, NUMBER 2, JUNE 1992 Thunder Bay, Ontario I I 2006 ii 03 I 1 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITORIAL The Canadian women's movement, and in particular feminist publishing, owes a huge debt of gratitude to PANDORA, the Halifaxbased feminist newspaper, for their fortitude in defending their right to their women-only policy. After two years of travail, PANDORA has defeated the challenge to their editorial policy. PANDORA's action exemplifies the determination women must have to pursue our goals. Their courage strengthens us all. The challenge to their policy began in 1990 when PANDORA refused to print a letter a man intended to write reaction to a in PANDORA article on child custody. The man, a 'father's rights' proponent, filed a complaint with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. It is not surprising that the man filed a complaint. What is surprising that the Human Rights Commission is and after complaint, the accepted unsuccessful conciliation meetings, sent the complaint to a full Board of Inquiry. In March 1992, the Board of Inquiry dismissed charges of sex discrimination by PANDORA. against PANDORA, accepting PANDORA's right restrict access pages to the women While wetobreathe a sigh to ofits relief that women "remain materially because inquiry went in PANDORA's favour, WE disadvantaged to men wonder what (whereand andunequal when) the nextas a group by reason of sex, in fact if not in law" assault on women will be. (In fact, it came because "men have ofadequate bombing the with the quiteandquickly opportunity viewsisand Morgentaler Clinictoinexpress Toronto.)their Misogyny opinions in the mainstream media without rampant in our society, the efforts to silence entry into this women's place." In his and control women ever increasing. decision, the Inquiry adjudicator wrote that "the denial access by PANDORA to men the of enormous strain that Despite does not cause material or substantial PANDORA's volunteer collective membersharm men, despite particularly in comparison to the weretounder, the threats of violence to women of having a women's theybenefit received, and despite having to direct only publication." their energy into fund-raising to cover legal costs, PANDORA continued to publish So PANDORA joins WENDO in Ontario We admire 'theii and throughout this ordeal. the Girl Guides in BC in defending the strength. women-only policy that is vital for women's tocosts give voice and space women. Thegroups financial to PANDORA aretoheavy (expected to exceed $25,000), and it is But the remains: why would the reported thatquestion the Human Rights Commission Commission even accept this has Human refusedRights financial compensation. vexatious complaint? A further issue was the demeaning language used Please by the PANDORA deserves our support. Commission's counsel in reference send donations to: PANDORA, P.O. BON to PANDORA and its witnesses (e.g. hysterical 8418, Station A, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K and crazy). While the Commission issued a 5M1. release stating its "regrets that remarks in the written submission have been construed as stereotyping women," the Commission has refusedNV to make a public apology called for ,9L? On May 18, at 3:23 am, a gasoline bomb placed by anti-choice terrorists destroyed the Morgentaler Clinic in Toronto. Police miracle someone wasn't killed." For the first time, anti-choice extremists brought U.S. style violence into Canada. Molly's Clothworks and to Fabulous Finery women of They want deprive Canadian 3 r. Dear Women, (807) 626-9280 the FAX: right to choose and they don't care 1217 RIDGEWAY STREET, THUNDER BAY ONTARIO, P7E 5.12 at this time is crucial who gets hurt. ItCANADA that we speak in support of CARAL and things that you can do: As some of you may know, since moving to Thunder Bay.., against this violence. There are two have wanted to become involved in an activity which would have some personal meaning, would subsidize my art and that would not be an conflict I think that given my relationship. nd it but to be sure I'd Like to consult I I ng through Southeast Asia and India recently, umber of women's cottage industries and ich are producing wonderful women's clothing, Many of these are made from hand-woven es. silk and are hand-painted/printed/dyed and lished with embroidery and mirror work. They from 8 to 18 and are roomy, colourful, very d beautifully made. would explore the potential met asked if g these garments for the women of Canada. the purpose of the collectives is to create excited about the for possibility e and empowerment the womenofofworking the have ordered a number of items which will I me in August. am trying to establish a mailing List orthwestern Ontario who may want to be anticipate that n the garments arrive. hibition/sale will occur in Late summer. ery excited to have you come and see the But, e women and to buy if you wish. want your feedback on the ntly, . I I I nt to be informed about the date of the n/sale, please send me your name and address advise you once the date has been set. much. Write to Ontario Attorney-General Howard Hampton and Ontario Premier Bob Rae. Demand that they put an end to the harassment of women and doctors which led to the Morgantaler Clinic bombing. Ask the government to take out a public injunction against the harassers. The Hon. Howard Hampton Attorney-General of Ontario 720 Bay Street, 11th floor TORONTO, Ontario M5G 2K1 The Hon. Bob Rae Premier of Ontario Main Building, Legislative Assembly Queen's Park TORONTO, Ontario M7A 1A1 nnes OLLY" was my maternal grandmother who would n a professional artist had she not been sewing and embroidering for her L3 children: Please consider making an emergency donation to CARAL The Canadian Abortion Rights Action League 344 Bloor St. W. Ste. 306 Toronto, Ontario M5S 3A7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS WOMEN AS PEOPLE - INTRODUCTION TO 001000101040104/10400400044.10:04votwee04.0,4) The fall and winter sessions have drawn to a close at Lakehead University; this marks WOMEN'S STUDIES endCanadian of a course that has greatly Advisory Council on Status of the When registered in "Introduction to Women's Studies", I speculated as to what the course content would be. I was told that Women's Studies is a fairly new discipline and I I was interested to find out what a course specifically related to women would involve. I presumed that current women's issues would be discussed. Over the past school year I have become more aware of contemporary issues, however, this course encompasses much more. I produced a new1100 fact sheet on impacted Women upon me.has Women's Studies andofPoverty. Some and facts: has been Women the vehicle an unexpected precious gift - pride to be a woman. The 1989, went 51% far of single-parent women with knowledge*In I gained beyond the facts children under age 18 were poor. The presented in the course, rather, an thoroughly enjoyed "Introduction Women's Studies" and feel that I to have learned a great deal. This course has been demanding, and a substantial amount of material has been covered. For me, the most interesting aspect involved the historical analysis of past events from a feminine perspective. It seems incredible to me that so much of history has been recorded and taught from a male point of view with a male average of these families was understanding of income what it means to be a $22,609, compared to $55,705 for twowomen was accomplished. parent families with children under age 18. The poverty line for a family of four in a large Women's Canadian Studies iscity not was a "male bashing" $24,700. Too many course, nor is it the arena for feminist women are poor. recruitment. It is the study of women as people. *Because A combination of not history andsubsidized there are enough sociology child gave a spaces, complete care somepicture women of cannot look or accept employment. women's for evolution. 1989, more Furthermore, Inthe than two million childrencreated neededasome kind contemporary issues introduced of child care because their parents were personal atmosphere, thus, a genuine employed or studying full-time outside the interest in women's struggles and victories home. However, less than 300,000 was maintained. Some of the topics relating spaces were available fill this need. Without to the female reality were: to anorexia nervosa, child care, some women cannot look for bulimia, media advertising, violence against jobs. women, low employment status and poverty. *Most women have to deal with workplace At times the information presented wasexperience discrimination, regardless of their overwhelming. However, I realizedfull time in or education. Women employed throughout1989 history women earned onlyhave 60% challenged to 70% of the amount the patriarchal earned system by men andwith as athe result, same small education. A changes woman is doubly disadvantaged to society's dictation andif she has a disability, is Aboriginal, or is a member of expectations of women have occurred. a racial or ethnic minority group. have gained a respect for women that was Members fascinating, and was intrigued to examine of these groups are often passed not present in September. Intimate over for hiring or promotion. contemporary female issues as a Women relationships with other women began, some face real discrimination continuation of women's struggles in a male of which will last a lifetime.in the labour force. dominated culture. -441101Milllow Furthermore, I am now able to see !Delon the "sugar coating" presented in our society The concept that gender is a social construct to fully understand women's in order was stressed throughout the course. haveThe discovered Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre disadvantaged status. impact ofavenues socialization andimplement the ways in which and am has developed three new information to help change cultural and havea influenced booklets on the subject of childhood sexual now media able toimages call myself feminist. women was analyzed and discussed. Again, abuse. This series includes "A Booklet for First Nations Adult Survivors", "A Booklet for I found this provided an insight into pervasive I am unable to fully express all that was Partners and Friends" and "A Booklet for influences on female lives. gained from this course. Suffice to say, Adult Survivors". would not have missed it for the world and As a result of having taken this course, I feel I strongly recommend it to both sexes. If you are interested in all or any of these that I have a much greater appreciation of booklets, please contact Sylvia Kenny, issues that concern contemporary women, Charlene Burford Publications Coordinator at 306-602 View bias,and that for the most part this has been accepted practice. never questioned or thought that female experiences were unique or that they have been overlooked and not considered important. I found the material I I I I and of the effect that socialization has in would determining male/female roles. be offered 1100in will Women's women's encourage thoseStudies interested Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1J6. I at Lakehead in the coming academic year. Two issues tosections take thisare course, eitherone for personal anticipated, during the day and degree or other to obtain interest the in the evening. credits in Personally, this has Women's Issues. stimulated an interest and an incentive for me to pursue additional courses in this discipline. expression, age, ethnic/cultural background and physical ability. Joanne Cotten HERN VAL on MBER ded by rthern FAMILY PORTRAIT I A Family Portrait, Gay and Lesbian Canada '92 is a project of an inspired group of lesbians and gay men. Their goal is to unite their Canadian community by compiling a Crafters and womyn-centred organizations wishing to reserve booth space should also call or write for specific information. collection of letters, drawings, and poems by Gay and Lesbian people from across Canada. If you are interested in learning through a Their idea is to produce a written "snapshot" showing what it means to be Gay/Lesbian in Canada in 1992. Does AIDS figure prominently in the national community? Is hands on experience, or if you already have experience, we need your help as a festival Your assistance would be volunteer! appreciated in production, publicity, staging, land preparation, etc. coming out of the closet easier today than it has been? What does "Dyke" really mean? music For information or submissions contact: These are some of the questions this project NORTHERN LIGHTS WOMYN'S MUSIC significant, permanent, historical reference document, giving face to the Gay/Lesbian Canadian character. hopes to answer; the end result will be a ienne, d in act is rming, c/o AURORA; A NORTHLAND LESBIAN a short s. We nge of 8 North 2nd Ave. East Suite 210 DULUTH, Minnesota 55802 For more information about "A Family Portrait" please contact David Roman at: musical (218) 722-4903 4X8 or phone/fax (416) 778-8811 FESTIVAL CENTER P.O. Box 41, Station J, Toronto, Ontario M4J PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 3 �CABINET FORUM on NWO WOMEN'S ISSUES It was a really remarkable day. Northern women in dialogue with senior provincial decision-makers. The Provincial Government Cabinet Forum on Northwestern Ontario Women's Issues was unique. It was a new means of communication between government and the grassroots women's community. It was dynamic process in a comfortable environment - a very positive experience. At the end of the day Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, Marion Boyd said, "I think a we have shown that there is a new way to do business in government here today. And think we'll go back and see if we can't replicate this in many other communities." I The forum, organized by Decade Council and supported by the Ontario Women's Directorate brought twenty-five Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, MPPs, political staff and senior bureaucrats to Thunder Bay to hear presentations by Northwestern Ontario women's groups. The northern women told our reality, articulated our concerns and put forward proposals to address justice and equity issues. The presentations were impressive, the response of politicians and staff respectful, and the dialogue exchanged constructive. For the most part, women felt they were being heard, that our issues were understood, our perspective credible, and our concerns serious. Thus, women felt encouraged. Not that political promises were made to meet all requests - they weren't. For example, in response to Women's Health Information Network's splendid presentation on the problems experienced by lack of core \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ funding, Marion Boyd stated "...the whole issue of core funding is a really serious issue for most small community groups [the need to] shop around to the different ministries and see where you can get a dollar here and a dollar there. We're all concerned about that...what we are hoping to do is streamline the process...[but] we would be less than realistic with you in your communities if we weren't also clear that it's extremely unlikely given our current fiscal situation that we're "I'd like to make one commitment and it is a commitment that I as a woman, and as an MPP, and a mother, and as a wife make to my little girl and that is, one day she will have bread and roses." going to be able to do core funding for a whole raft of new circumstances. I hate to not hold out the hope that you won't. have to keep gathering those dollars in for a little while, but I suspect that will be true until we can get through this current crisis and find other ways to direct the dollars." At the same time, however, new solution's put forward, such as the Women's Economic Status Branch, sparked keen interest and a willingness to explore new Shelley Wark-Martyn A word of commendation must go to Decade Council, for their vision in promoting this important Forum, as well as for their possibilities. superb organizing skills. Appreciation must also be expressed to Marion Boyd, Ministe; The intensity of the presentations were a reminder to politicians of the continuing Responsible for Women's Issues for her enthusiam, and to NWO MPPs Attorney need to articulate women's perspective. "It's very important and it's very healthy that we as elected members keep in touch with what I feel are my grass roots. I have been involved in my community with women and women who are disenfranchised and that's what I consider my reason for being here. So that I have to, I feel for my own credibility, my own personal integrity to carry that forward in the legislature and to actually speak out for women. We have to, as women, not be co-opted into just being male in drag. What we have to cherish and keep and value is our own life experience and I believe we need you to keep helping us try to do that." Margaret Harrington, M.P.P. Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Housing. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ General Howard Hamnpton and Minister of Revenue Shelley Wark-Martin for their support. We know that the Cabinet Forum of NWO Women's Issues was just a beginning. We know that the opposition to women's equality is well-resourced and increasingly vocal. We know that each modest step the government takes with policies of social and economic justice is met with sustained opposition by the right wing. Thus we know, we must increasingly articulate our vision and renew our energy and analysis. The following are excerpts from some of the responses. Forum presentations and Readers interested in studying the briefs in their entirety should contact the individual group or the Ontario Women's Directorate. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ WOMEN'S VOTES 1992 marks the 75th anniversary of women's right to vote in Ontario. In 1917 women who crusaded for women's franchise believed that the vote would make women true and equal partners in decision making. They believed that with the vote they could impact the policies, programs, structures and institutions that controlled the quality of their lives. do with this" basis. Initiatives are announced with a very short time for the development process. Legislation, policy and programs are drafted in isolation. The parameters are set. Government releases the proposal or discussion paper and seeks feedback in one of two ways - through public outcry or through consultation. in this province we have a government who want to hear women's concerns and issues. Today is an example of that commitment. We have a government In Government continues to practise consultation on a "Let's see what you can 1992, with 11 women cabinet ministers and a Directorate devoted to Women's Issues. We have area women who have demonstrated tremendous volunteer energy, expertise and commitment in working towards women's equality. Women represent 52% of the voting population. It does not seem possible then in 1992, we would be hearing the injustices and inequality of women we have heard today. What magic will it take to translate intention into action? What is wrong when the expertise and experience of grass roots women is not honoured and respected at the level of decision making? The Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council believes that it is the process of consultation that disconnects the dream from the reality. Women's groups that have worked so hard to be consulted; give; and that is the end of the process for women. We have no mechanism to hold government accountable, at least not until election time. our responsibility to the women of Northwestern Ontario very seriously. The major inequality that we see in this process is that we have all the responsibility and you have all the [Decade Council] takes We thank you for today's resources. experiment of a new design in consultation. We ask that you measure the value of information that you received, against the Decade Council calls resources provided on you to share the financial resources. Not to find new money, but to find a way to put resources where they can do the most to eliminate barriers to women's full participation in all spheres - economic, social and political. HEALTH We are concerned that the voice of women will not be heard when we look for new solutions to cut the costs in the health system. We are concerned that the value of women's work will once again be overlooked. The shift in male and female work force participation rates, the disparity in earnings; the subsequent disparity in taxable and disposable incomes and the fact that women will become primary income earners, has serious financial and systemic implications for women; for both traditional and non- PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor - On IVO IL �Marion Boyd response You get to the point as we do with all of traditional families; for the community and for the North. Privatization, de-institutionalization these issues when we're under attack from very strong opponents who don't necessarily share our vision of simply having to be as and volunteer work will put many women out of paid work in the health care field. We are concerned about user fees - we have grave repetitive as we can and to count on concerns when this subject of user fees were raised at a recent First Ministers patients and their families, that the intention is certainly not to deprive people of care, but to improve the level of care and the type of communities to get the information through to those who are most concerned, the Conference, three New Democratic Premiers said nothing. If user fees are implemented, women will be hardest hit. Single parent care. mothers would be in the worst situation if user fees were implemented. The federal government has cut back on funding for health, education and social services. We understand that along with this, a recession and impact of free trade has led to a drop in Ontario government revenues. We understand about less money to run a program; we manage our homes in this fashion. We understand you have to cut back. We just want to participate in deciding where. We don't believe medicare should necessarily be driven into making desperate decisions because of hard economic times. We know your government is embarking on a massive restructuring of the health care system. You want to shift from illness to a preventative community based approach. In principal, we agree! We fear that the reality looks more like you are closing down hospitals and other institutions and giving the responsibility for the provision of service to individuals, families; community agencies and for- profit companies. Women will once again be given lithe voice, but majority of responsibility. Privatization is the end result of this plan. This is not what you were elected to do. We know that the vast majority of good jobs lost will be women's jobs. We also know that the not so good jobs created by privatization - less pay and less benefits - will be women's jobs. Privatization will result in the decline in the provided to our more vulnerable citizens. Access to care will quality of care become more confusing as more services will be delivered through community and/or commercial agencies. Women will be expected to take on a larger responsibility by being the primary caregivers. The present system is far from perfect. We see an enormous amount of waste and mismanagement. We want some say in the new recipe. We don't have the answers to all the questions but we know what some of the questions should be. LONG TERM CARE With the proposed Long Term Care Redirection almost a reality, it is urgent that women's voices be heard. Who in the community will be impacted most directly by these proposed redirections? The women - the traditional care-givers will assume this added task; one that our mothers' generation filled, not always easily. Their role as homemaker most often didn't include a job in the workplace and the intent here is most certainly not to minimize their role or its importance. In a 1989 study of women in Northwestern Ontario it was noted that 61% of the women surveyed were in the workforce either full time or part time, 80% were married and 84% had children. Despite these statistics and the growing concern for the woman of the "sandwich generation" we are adding one further expectation. More of us will have to assume the primary role of care-giver. The paper on the re-direction of Long Term Care assures us that we will do this task with more ease TRAINING because of the added community support services. Where are they? What are they? Recommendations: My friends in community health see no signs of funding for these new programs. It is imperative that these programs be in place and functioning before institutional care as an available option is reduced. With the growing numbers of people living well into their 90s and beyond, institutional care will Training nursing homes being owned and run by the private sector) the development of care These a OBS, student loans and income support from specific agencies are very important to these women, There have to be training programs available in the north for women to access. There is no use talking about an equitable number of women in programs if programs do not - With the possibility of more and more be out. necessary in these difficult times. Nowhere have we seen statistics or proof that these community options will be cheaper, especially in a rural setting. We have some quality. not unable to finish high school and we know low income people are more likely to drop Most reasons for the re-direction in Long reservations that community care will be cheaper and if so will it be at the cost of should people. In northern towns many women are have a vital role to play and it should not be minimized. Please don't make the same mistakes that were made in mental health!! Our elderly citizens deserve better!! Term Care have been financial ones programs replacement for education for low income exist. and educational programs should have an equity component as an All training integral part of their operations. Any casual look at training will see that women are not involved. For example, at present Confederation College has 1271 trainees in Thunder Bay and region. Sadly, it is not knovvrt-what- pcsion-ntagd-t5f-tri-t standards needs to be addressed. institutions need to be made accountable to ensure that quality care is not at risk. trainees are women, Natives or persons with disabilities. I was given a "guess" of less only being natural that care numbers which have barely changed since We see it than 10% women. No plan with goals or timetables is in place to improve these I was teaching in trades and technology providers be recognized as essential members of the Committees of Management fifteen years ago. suggested by the Community Health and Support Services. We also urge you to recognize the importance of relevant and The same situation exists in education where macly technical programs such as accountable women and seniors of the community having a seat on these Boards. The elderly of the community do want to remain in their own homes as long as it is possible and practical. They want to have some choice, some control over their future. Marion Boyd response I think a lot of the issues that you've raised have been raised around the province in other venues, and they are certainly issues that we need to take into account.... We are very well aware that there is a cost factor involved in moving to community-based care. But, the very reasons that you suggest we need to do that in terms of the empowerment of choice for individuals, we would agree with, and in no way would we dispute the need to involve those providing care as stakeholders in the consultations. We think that's extraordinarily important in all the fields so I just would hope that you are reassured on that, that indeed we do see care providers as a very important part of the decision making process. What I will tell you is very much lacking, is information going back to the institutions that are involved. These people know nothing. They have no idea and there's a lot of hysteria out there. A lot of people are really terrified that they're going to lose all their funding. We are going to become a thing of the past. - engineering and technology are filled with mainly white male students. Some individual programs have drawn up plans to attract more women entrants. However, coordinated equity planning with goals and timetables as well as identification of barriers plus workshops for faculty would be a more efficient way to handle the problem. In order to ensure the success of an equity plan attention should be paid to "training the trainers". I recommend that workshops be given to all training personnel on educational equity as well as problems that women and other equity groups encounter in training, and the workforce. This would include information of assault, prejudice, systemic discrimination and racism. training programs should contain a strategy to deal with sexual harassment including the education of both personnel All and trainees on the problem and an effective policy to deal with complaints. The definition of job safety be expanded to include the concept of safe premises for women and that the women trainees and personnel assess the premises using a standardized measure of safety such as that put out by METRAC, Toronto. Empowerment. Agencies that deal in training of women with disabilities and women on social assistance should have as a goal the empowerment of the client. 6 continued PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �O.N.W.A. ABORIGINAL WOMEN Most Aboriginal women at some point in their lives, face the fact that the current The Ontario Native Women's Association range of programs and services do not meet inherent right to self government in the Constitution Act 1867 - 1982, recognizing that as the First Nation's Citizens we were their needs: There are gaps in programs; services are inappropriate or inflexible, are insufficient, or inadequate in terms of the supports the full entrenchment of the benefits provided. historically self-governing and that our rights are recognized in Canada. In addition to the availability gap, there is also a problem related to the linguistic and The Ontario Native Women's Association cultural appropriateness of existing services. We recommend that the Ontario Cabinet agrees that the rights would be enforceable by an Abbriginal justice system, which would clearly outline jurisdiction responsibilities of all governments. support the establishment of a Native Family Resource Centre and Native Day Care as proposed by Mahmowenchike Board of The Native Family Resource Directors. Centre will develop and deliver preventative, supportive, and remedial family oriented services that are culturally relevant to the Native community. Secondly, Mahmowenchike has completed a needs assessment which documents the need for culturally appropriate child care. encouraged by the Ontario government's announcement to create over We are 400 new licensed subsidized child care spaces, and to spend monies for new that We anticipate construction. Mahmowenchike, which is a Native urban based organization, would be able to access these monies and that they are not solely directed to reserve communities. The Canadian system of justice is largely out of touch with Native concerns and is generally hostile to the needs of Native people. We would like to focus on the injustices experienced by Aboriginal women. We recommend to the Ontario Cabinet to undertake a review of the Family Law Act and to do this, in conjunction with Aboriginal women in order to effectively address the specific concerns of Aboriginal women. Aboriginal women are experiencing serious difficulties in regards to custody issues, property rights, enforcing support orders, access to services, and other family law issues. The major difficulty is the jurisdiction of the provincial family law act versus Band Council or tribal laws. The issue of individual versus The Ontario Native Women's Association wants definite, concrete action to begin immediately to end discrimination among Howard Hampton response our own people, as a demonstration of good is the conflict over the Charter with th faith in the self-governing process that we are presently involved in. The Ontario Native Women's Association believes that the components of legislation must ultimately reflect and be subject to the principal of equality, and must be applied as such, within the framework of Aboriginal Self Government. has always believed that any new or existing legislation under the Indian Act must continue to conform to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982. The Ontario Native Women's Association requires that any newly created legislation to implement Aboriginal Self Government must conform to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms under the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982, except; for those citizens who are a. members of the Longhouse who desire a shield for their traditions. Such shield shall not abrogate or de-abrogate from the basic principle of equality b no reasonable limits c. no opting out. The Ontario Native Women's Association supports the right of First Nations to determine their own membership through The Ontario Native Women's Association insists violence in the Native community has been increasingly recognized as a significant problem over the past twenty years. Families are in great distress, and trying to cope with unbearable The loss social and economic conditions of the family structure, and traditional family living, tears up the very roots of the cultural foundations of Native communities. Toleration of violence is socially, and spiritually destructive to the Native family and community. We urge leaders at all levels to make violence a priority issue. We believe that Native communities in this region are in desperate need of comprehensive community strategies to adequately address all aspects of violence such as: prevention that focuses on the emotional and spiritual well-being of the individual and the family unit; intervention that facilitates effective and responsive crisis services; education on communication, parenting, and abuse issues; treatment for all members of the training to be family; professional accessible at the community level; and expanded services for community outreach and follow-up services. position that it must apply until First Nation are able to work out their own Charter. Wiw I'm asking is, for a government that has t deal with some of these very difficult issue; can you help us out? How do we get fro' here to there? that all Aboriginal That is a difficulty for all of us and we hav no answers specifically. We hope the through legal counsel that we could, mayb there could be a moratorium on the ChartE discussion. We know that there's too muc fear at the community level with the wome that they're going to continue to bi discriminated against if the male dominate( leadership is allowed to maintain the kind c control that they've had. believe that further dialogue just on th Charter itself has to take place at this tim I because right now dialogues that have take place include other matters that supersed think there needs to t the real issues. dialogue amongst the Chiefs on the, I guez About what th the reality of the issues. manner by which the interests of everyone is protected and justice is served. of strong position that they do not want th Charter to apply, and your equally strop I collective rights must be reconciled in a extent Chiefs of Ontario leadership and their vet The Ontario Native Women's Association Aboriginal Self Government, BUT, we must insist that the right to determine membership must be subject to the Principle of Equality. The One of the issues I find particularly troublin Citizens be guaranteed economic and social rights which are those basic necessities of life guaranteed to every other Canadian; including employment, housing, social assistance, health care, education, culture, language, literacy, and the right of individual self determination. The Ontario Native Women's Association insists that prosperity must be in accord with Aboriginal Traditional Values, including respect for the preservation, protection and the replenishment of Mother Earth. women have to face in the past, th explanation of the fears that they do have there's no Charter in place and there's n definite drafts of what the aboriginal Chart( would look like. I think that's what needs i take place is that further dialogue. Marion Boyd response Your clarity and strength of your position an the discussion that you have had thi weekend is very helpful to me. I want to b very frank with you that it has been vet difficult for us to know to what extent it appropriate for us to speak on your beha and now that we have this strong positior for me as Women's Issues Minister, I fe( empowered to take a much stronger stanc on your behalf in the discussions that w have. The Ontario Native Women's Association is firm in its position that Aboriginal leadership must demonstrate its respect for Aboriginal women by ensuring that all are directly involved in self government negotiations, at all levels, so that the First Nations Circle will be complete. The Ontario Native Women's Association supports individual and collective rights, both being of equal importance to Aboriginal people, within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. continued 131 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Direction generale de la condition feminine de ('Ontario Ontario Women's Directorate Northern Office 107C Johnson Ave. Thunder Bay, Ontario Bureau du nord 107C, avenue Johnson Thunder Bay (Ontario) P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 P7B 2W (807) 345-6084 COMMUNITY GRANTS COMING EVENTS Marion Boyd, the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, recently approved the following community grants: WOMEN IN TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY Regional women will be gathering at a conference September 25 through 27 at Eagle Lake near Dryden to talk about trades Sudbury Women's Centre to hold a twoday workshop and public information session to formulate an action plan to combat violence against women in the community. Equay-wuk Native Women's Group to hold a three day conference to link local women's groups with chiefs and councils to increase awareness among political leaders about family violence issues crucial to women. New Liskeard Student Career Awareness Committee to hold a career awareness day for male and female Grades 7 and 8 students to increase acceptance of women in non traditional roles. CABINET FORUM Northern women met with Cabinet Ministers and representatives of fourteen ministries to discuss issues including child care, economic development, violence against women, health, long term care reform, training and employment. The forum, organized by NWO 'Women's Decade Council with OWD support, was a follow up to the Women Uniting for Change Conference. Presentations were made by francophone, aboriginal and racial minority women and women with disabilities and Decade Council's subcommittees. and technologies including employment RESOURCE CENTRE equity, workplace harassment and work and family responsibilities. For further information call Marion Mac Adam, Kenora (807) 468-3698. Beyond Reasonable Doubt: The Influence of Victim Stereotypes and Social Biases on Police Response to Women's Complaints of Sexual Assault, by Martha Muzychka. Report on public awareness and sensitivity to issues of sexual assault and child sexual increase abuse in Newfoundland and Labrador. English in the Workplace by Barbara Elwert. The development, organization, and implementation of the E.W.P. Pilot Project in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Canadian Family in Crisis by John F. Conway. This Canadian book examines the drastic changes in family life. The roles of family members are all affected. SEXUAL ASSAULT The Faye Peterson Transition House will sponsor a "framework for healing" conference on the issue of sexual assault. Clarissa Chandler will facilitate the two day session October 8 and 9, 1992; 9am to 5pm both days. A coffee house will be held on October 8th. A large mailout is planned for service providers and women in the community. For further information call (807) 345-0450. NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S DECADE COUNCIL The Annual General Meeting of Decade will be held October 24 in Thunder Bay. For more information call (807) 683-5662. Disabled Women's Network Canada by Research in 1988 By Dawn Canada: Survey of women in violent and abusive situations. The researc1 glows wornen with disabilities are at greater risk. There's Always Been A Women's Movement This Century by Dale Spender This lively book recovers the story of the Feminism that persisted in the years after the battle for the vote. A CAREER IN POLICING Thunder Bay Police are currently recruitment for a Hiring Seminar to be held on October 3, 1992. If you are interested, or would like to arrange an individual or group session for more information on the recruitment process, please contact: Human Resources, Thunder Bay Police, 425 Donald Street East, Thunder Bay P7E 5V1 or call 625-1288 or 625-1296. ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WOMEN'S ISSUES Discovering Women's History by Deirdre Beddoe. Handbook for people in pursuit of the history of British women. Last fall, the Ontario Advisory Council on Women's Issues (OACWI) held provincewide consultations to determine ways of Sexual Harrassment Women Speak Out by Amber Coverdale Sumrall and Dena Taylor. improving communications between women and the Ontario government. In response to recommendations made by participants, the government of Ontario has approved a new mandate for OACWI. women's The Council will advise the government of Ontario, through the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, on matters pertaining to the achievement of economic, social and legal equality for women. Council members will undertake community outreach and consultations to gather views of women on issues of concern in each region. Exchange of information about government policies and programs affecting women will also occur at the consultations. Nominations are invited and encouraged from women who wish to become members of OACWI; women who have knowledge of regional concerns and who have experience in advocating for women's equality. Three positions are available in each of northwestern and northeastern Ontario's regions. Nominations are encouraged from aboriginal, francophone and racial minority women and women with disabilities. Nomination forms must be postmarked by June 30. Nomination forms are available by calling (807) 345-6084 (collect). Dedicated to Anita Hill, this book tells of experiences and how INFORMATION UPDATE they responded to them. A resource section is The Northern Office is in the process of included. Coming Into Our Fullness: On Women Turning Forty by Cathleen Rountree. Learning the stories of strong women. Focuses on turning 40 as a rite of passage. Violence en heritage? Reflexion pastorale sur la violence conjugale. Dissertation sur l'eglise d'aujourd'hui qui devient consciente du probleme de la violence conjugale, dont la gravite et l'ampleur ont longtemps echappe aux regards de l'opinion publique. Femmes D'action, est une revue public par la federation nationale des femmes canadiennes-frangaises (FNFCF) et est un updating our information of women's organizations including shelters, sexual assault crisis centres and care centres, coordinating committees on wife assault and sexual assault, women's access to apprenticeship programs, unions and women's committees of unions. We have hired Chantal Trudeau through the Summer Experience Program to update our files. When Chantal calls, please provide her with the time she needs to gather information that will help us continue to support women in the north. outil d'information et de reflexion sur la condition feminine. les garderies en milieu de travail au Canada par Margie I. Mayfield pour le Bureau de la main d'oeuvre feminine, Travail Canada. Etude sur les garderies en milieu de travail. This page is sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorate. The material contained on it may be photocopied and distributed without permission, but with credit to the original source of the Ontario Women's Directorate. Cette page est marrainee par la direction de la condition feminine en Ontario. Les materiaux gi-inclu peuvent-titre copier et distribuer sans permission, mais avec accreditation envers la source original, la direction de la condition feminine de ('Ontario. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman- Page_ �*TMOHERPAC WOMAN HEALING 1992 IMAGES OF THE CONFERENCE - skipping Thursdays workshop to cre our own version of a 'listening to the melt' ceremony. - snake dance at the closing circle, passing faces of every woman, my own hair flying wild with joy. - it's funny how I've blocked out all memories of the airboat coming in to to away the island dwellers....or driving flashlight when my alternator died half back to Thunder Bay... - women relaxed and laughing on the beach, playing with stones, the natural version of marbles. - sitting on a warm rock in the si watching the ice melt . - an argument between Vera and a white woman with a drum - saying very clearly "go and find your own grandmothers - I'm sure they were also wise..." Just don't pretend to be me. - being close to people you love . - divisions of opinion - all playing a role the politics of oppression a empowerment . - small workshop - placing my pen on the alter as a symbol of my resistance - women who touched my life in that o week - picking up another ring passed down by five grandmothers and wearing it - knowing instinctively I must pass it on to the next woman. - seeing the smoke over on our point and knowing that the cabin will be warm that night. - being on the rag and feeling very powerful. - the sound of women's voices carried through the night across the ice. TAROT - going to a conference where I can share a bed with my lover and no-one suspects us of arson. - quiet moments with friends, recovering from our insights and confusion. - a willingness to continue to struggle w ourselves as we are . - Meeting old friends that you have] seen for years and making new ones f the years ahead. - It was scary - but good . - a journal dialogue with a starving piece of my spirit, and a vision of myself sitting on the point where a blue heron lands and teaches me to fish . WRITING AS AN ACT OF HEALING - It was nice waking up in the mornir surrounded by good friends and headir for that first coffee together. ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE BODY MAPPIIN ****************** *************************************************************************************************************** NORTHERN WOMEN'S BOOKSTORE Childhood Sexual Abuse A Booklet for First Nation! Adult Survivors NEW LOCATION 65 South Court Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2X2 NEW HOURS Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. phone: 807 344 7979 New from the Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre Other new titles include: Childhood Sexual Abuse -A Booklet for Adult Survivors -A Booklet for Partners and Friends For information contact 306 - 620 View Street Victoria BC V8W 1JI Tel: (604)383-5370 Fax: (604)383-6112 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 8 �* M - Watching the ice crack and flow on the waking waters of spring was like feeling - going to "Woman Healing" - a little scary, not sure what to expect. The drive there was wonderful, although the weather did a little bit of everything - it snowed, rained, cleared, clouded over again and even hailed a bit! But it was great. We were heading into an unknown - leaving kids, work, phones, and a familiar reality, behind. the walls of glass that I had entombed myself in begin to crack and fall away. - The pace and the precision of the spiral/snake dance was to me a message that no matter where our lives may take us, achieve our goals within the safety of the womb of our Sisterhood . - there were 250 women in a circle, most of us strangers to each other. I felt excited-anxious-shy-out of place. As the opening circle began and we claimed that place with our voices and our unity, I felt the power and the force of our combined strength to an awe inspiring magnitude. By the end of the greeting I was giddy and - The knowledge that for the first time in my life I was being accepted by perfect strangers just for being me with no expectations on their part . - I watched a very dear friend laugh and giggle with a seemingly uncontrollable light-headed. Never before have I felt that kind of energy. - I have never felt so safe or had such a sense of belonging and I don't think anything will have such a profound effect on my life again. - We formed a circle and greeted each other - we were strangers at that point - gaiety. I have never seen her look so relaxed and happy. It was hard sitting in a workshop listening to those around you, watching their pain and trying to contain your own until it was your turn to take the eagle feather. - - The intrusion of the "real world" was not a welcome or pleasant experience. Someone had spoken of it as "re-entry" into life. - Since coming back from the "week of but never after. - Strangers and sisters all the while. - Meeting women and sharing with them, - I learned that I was ok. In fact I was pretty special. No one had ever told me when up to that point I had only read if we hold onto our beliefs and maintain our power in unity, we can their printed word. that before . - Looking across the point and seeing - night time, after some really intense days. friendly, familiar faces huddled around the campfire - hearing their voices in a woman-song of the night. - sitting around the fire and putting back together the pieces of our souls . - moving into what we can become . - Even the wildlife seemed to sense that we would cause them no harm. healing", I have met women who recognize the T-shirt, and although we may not have personally met during the conference, there is a bond between us. - Some of the workshops were very cramped - I wish they had provided more space. - It was with great sadness that we learned that our cabin was soon to be turned over to a group of bear hunters when we left. ************************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** HEALING THROUGH LAUGHTER SURVIVORS TALE GOING CRAZY? WHO SAYS SO? EDIAWATCH CONGRATULATIONS, KIT The 1992 MediaWatch survey of Canadian Sexist language and sexist attitudes continue newspapers finds that Canadian women continue to be under-represented in our to prevail in Canadian newspapers. False generics such as `chairman,' spokesman,' newspapers, newsmakers. ME AND MY SHADOM both as reporters and etc., used to refer to women, were seen over and over again in the survey. Also, when women are discussed, reporters focus on The third annual survey of 15 newspapers by MediaWatch, a national feminist organization details such as their physical appearance and advantages (or, more insultingly, their which monitors sexism in mass media, disadvantages) examines the number of female versus male accomplishments or achievements. bylines, the number of individual women referred to as compared to men in articles, and sexist language and attitudes in the Copies of the report, titled A Good Day to be Female? A Three Year Overview of Sexism papers. in Canadian Newspapers, is available for rather than their $5.00 from the national office of MediaWatch. Male bylines outnumber female bylines by almost three to one. The average percentage of female bylines in the group was 28%. While this year's survey saw a 12% increase in the average number of references to women over the last two years, the percentage of references to women has consistently remained close to or under 20% for the past three years. Overall, MediaWatch does not see any positive trend toward recognizing women's contributions to the news. For more information, please contact: Linda Hawke Outreach Co-ordinator MediaWatch National Office 517 Wellington St. W. Suite 204 Toronto, Ont. M5V 1G1 - from MediaWatch release Dr. Kit Minor of the Department of Social Work at Lakehead University has had a book published by Fernwood Press. It is titled Issumatuq: Learning from the Traditional Healing Wisdom of the Canadian Inuit. The publisher's catalogue states: "The term lssumataq refers to a gaining of wisdom over time and experience. The gaining of Issuma brings with it respect, and the noted ability to provide advice and insight." "Drawing on her ten years experience in the Arctic, Kit Minor helps us to understand `what' we can learn from the traditional helping wisdom of the Canadian Inuit. And this text also helps us to understand 'how' we can learn, because it argues, 'what' we can learn is directly related to 'how' we learn." "Through the development of a culturespecific design the author shows us how Inuit people and Inuit culture, when in a working relationship with members of the dominant culture, can continue to define and decide on the appropriate helping skills." PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page �at their own culture. But don't be angry at us for being angry. ft's terribly frustrating. INTERVIEW I think that people can relate, in a heartfelt way, to sexual abuse. We now know, it's Pimaatisiwin: Quilts by Alice Olsen Williams is at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery until July 5th. been allowed, that sexual abuse can be In late May, I had the pleasure of talked about. We know how crippling that is, viewing these wonderful quilts and listening to and that person who has been sexually Alice speak about her art and her abused never again has the freedom to be free, When a person who has been sexually abused starts talking about their abuse, and starts facing it, they are very, very angry. It is not that anger that is crippling, although if you read the accounts it sounds like it. It's what started that anger that is crippling, that sexual abuse, which transgresses any decency in a human being. That is why that person is angry. So if we are taught to philosophy. When Alice talked about her quilts, she did not dwell upon the technical aspects of quilting, but rather she spoke to us about the symbolism of her quilts, the evolution of her artistic expression and the integration of white women's traditional quilting blocks with the images and messages her Anishinaabe heritage. In Alice's earlier quilting years, she framed woodland style loons and geese provided by Anishinaabe believe that that anger gets in the way of communications, it's wrong. ft's a tool of the ruling class because it turns people off. artist Norman Knott, with traditional quilting block patterns. More recently, Alice has based her quilts' centerpiece designs Anishinaabe women's traditional artwork of floral and geometric patterns. Alice spoke of her quilts' central image Pimaatisiwin, which means "living a good life on this Earth". Alice's message is both very powerful and very empowering. Her beautiful quilts are a testament to Alice's philosophy of living one's life in a good way, on one's own cultural terms. have lost that, and they have that aggression that they mask by the word "assertive", but it's aggression and we feel that aggression and we are very afraid of it, because it's like being a man... MP - The whole issue of anger, there are women who are angry about various issues: poverty, violence against women and children, contraception and the freedom to choose when to have children. Some women seem to carry their anger very much in front of them, it comes before anything that they do and it can interfere sometimes with their ability to communicate. When I Michele Prodlx interviewed Alice Olsen Williams look, from very much on the outside, at MP - The fiqt thing I wanted to ask you about is your perspective as a woman. don't know if I I should use the word "feminist", if you use that word for yourself, there are different terms: woman-centered, woman-positive, woman-identified, feminist - I got the impression listening to you the other night that that is all part of your framework for quilting. AOW - First and foremost, my focus is Anishinaabe people and if it's Anishinaabe women, that's what it is. I realize that I don't like to use the word 'feminist", because, to me, if I'm a feminist, I see it as doing stuff for women, being an advocate, women things. Now the word "feminist" bothers me, because a person like Kim Campbell is a feminist, and I see her as doing noth ing for women, nothing for Anishinaabe. So if Kim Campbell and Mac leans Magazine can call her a feminist, then I have nothing to do with feminism. MP - There are a lot of faces it seems... AOW - No, she believes in it, she believes she's feminist doing these things. So what is it about our society?, its confusions?, its I believe in working for women's things but in relation to being contradictions?. Anishinaabe. I believe that we Anishinaabe people came from a society that was egalitarian, which is very different from your society which is patriarchial and on top of that, capitalist. So you have two enemies right there. As women, as decent human beings, you have two enemies. Men have an enemy also - that patriarchial structure. Men aren't free, there is no way I would want to be a man in a patriarchial structure because it doesn't appeal to that humaness, to a sensibility, to a sensitivity, to what a human being is. Sometimes I think that many people who call themselves feminists issues such as land claims and native self government, I feel that there is also anger there, justified anger, but once again, some people may be using that rightful anger as an aggressive thing that gets in the way of communication... AOW - You are talking about anger that gets in the way. While I see that as white people who have more power than any Anishinaabe, I see them being turned off because ft's something in them, because maybe it's a part of an ideology. I'll give you an example. When the Oka crisis was on, there were lots of white people of the dominant culture, who were "for" Anishinaabe. They said, 'yes, it is wrong, all these things are wrong. Their land was taken away from them, that land belongs to them. Why are these golf courses taking over, why is that allowed?" Of course, we Anishinaabe know why, but nice white people don't know why, they don't understand because, they live a more comfortable life than most Anishinaabe people do, or most poor white people do. If anybody sticks up for us, it is poor white people - never the university professors, never the doctors, never the lawyers. They are the ones who look down on us and oppress us. At Oka, non-native people said, " Yes, that land belongs to the Oka people", but you know when they started to get upset? When that Mohawk warrior faced that young white soldier. White people saw that and they were angered. So whose anger gets in the way? White people forgot what the issue was, but because they have the power, they can say "Oh, that Mohawk should not have done that to that poor young innocent soldier". We now know that soldier was not innocent. That's part of the game media plays and that's also how people are influenced. So when white people say that our anger gets in the way, it's only because they somehow are angry themselves about things, and justifyably so, when they're angry So we always have to examine these things. As soon as we isolate people who are oppressed, and say "oh, they're too dirty, they're too angry, oh they don't know how to speak English". You have to look and see, that it is for a reason, and that it is justified, because a terrible, terrible wrong has been done to them. For Anishinaabe people, the terrible, terrible wrong, when you talk about poverty, about choice, about selfgovernment, none of these things are to me the problem. ft's like trying to peel off all these wrongs, and what is the basis of these wrongs? Like the root of an onion has several little roots coming out from the main root; they are all quite main roots. So there is the taking away of the land, not just the taking away of the land, bit our connection to the land, our spiritual reason for living was taken away when they took away the land, and when they took away our language. Every Canadian here can keep their language. Look at how they hate to learn to speak French, and how the French hate to learn to speak English. We didn't even have that choice, we were taken away from our parents, from our grandparents, from our human guides in life and we were made to speak English. Our ,children don't know how to speak our language anymore, and that's another one of those 'roots'... MP When you have privilege, sometimes you don't even realize it you take it for granted, your position in society... AOW No you don't, it's white skinned priviledge and people have no idea what that means. It means, for example, something as simple as, if you are at a meeting and everybody else is white and you are a different colour. And you say something, and it's not a popular thing. I am always in that situation because I get asked to be on these committees, and here I am Anishinaabe, and they say they want to hear a different point of view. When I give a different point of view they're very upset and they start to get defensive and they think I'm radical. I am not radical, I want to go back to the basics. I end up feeling "well would they have treated me like that if I was white?" Probably if I was white I would not think like that. So I think they treat me like that because I am Anishinaabe. I am different.. I see things differently. I kind of lost the 'root' of this. Let me go back to the land; our language; our spirituality were assaulted, our population was assaulted, you know by disease and not only that but something quite as innocent as PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 10 �1 W o m e n "intermarriage". AOW Why should our anger for what has happened to us because of superior mechanisms of control such as the army, society" . . and 1 say What are you talking about?" This society is turning very right-wing - what are you talking about that Indians are having it better and better? This thing about Ovide Mercredi, this conference, thats a the police, the mass media. Why should that anger get in the way? What truly has gotten bunch of bull-shit. in the way? Let's take off the onion peel, peel these layers and find out who is the MP A big smokescreen. enemy here. Who is the one we can't work with? And how come we can't work? How come our very justifiable anger gets, as you say "in the way"? Many people believe that. I was going to finish telling you about this Oka thing. White people were really angry at that. No longer could they understand what thought she was a friend -- but I am so angry AOW It's a big smokescreen, that's a good word because if 1 say "bullshit" it turns nice white people off. Isn't that crazy? That such a little thing like that turns people off? But smokescreen - thank you - its a smokescreen of who really has the power. To people who read the newspaper, who watch the news on 71,/, it looks like Anishinaabe are really being recognized, but She wrote me a letter.. and she thats not whats happening. Whats really called us "Our Indians" this and "Our Indians" happening is very horrible - I think the noose is getting tighter and tighter. In the way that we see power and we see money . . Have you ever known anybody to willingly give up power? I think women still have a connection to the true human-being, spirituality. I don't think men do, and the Indians were fighting. at her, I have a-- I Well that is really racist. Sometimes I want to do things that white people do, to show that discrimination, that racism. Do you know I can't bring myself to do it, to say "Our white people are this, our white people are than That is really outside my realm of how to think, or how to perceive. that. White people talk about us as if they had the right to say "Our Indians are like this.." just like dogs or cats or cattle. That's the lntality and they don't even know it. This fri, d.. she said'We white people are behind yo4 but be careful, if there's any more Mint; like that Mohawk warrior facing our Cana Ilan men you're going to turn a lot of us off. The gap is just so great for white people to understand. If they are at all threatened, if their anger is touched - watch out - and they are the ones with the power. What can I do to straighten out that woman's thinking? There is nothing I can do, because she's not going to listen to me. She is not going to listen to me tell her that it is hgr anger that is getting in the way. ft is because she is white and has privilege- she is not going to listen to me because everything is on her side. Who am 1? I am Anishinaabe woman who has - quote- "made if', but I still haven't made it enough for her to respect me and listen to me. MP ft's also a question, I suppose, of the powers in control wanting to hold on to their control, to hold on to their power. AOW Another thing that people say to me is "Oh, you Indians have sure made it far in this We Honour Action ComMittee has completed their research project. Woman Killing: Intimate Femicide 19741990 can be ordered ($19.95) from the committee, 22 Parfield Drive, Toronto M2J 1B9 or (416) 491-3827. Some key findings in the report include: : between 32 and 41 women were victims of intimate femicide each year in Ontario between 1974-1990. of the developed countries, only the : United States has a higher rate of woman killing than Canada. : Women who are separated from their partners are five times more likely to be killed than other women. The predominate motive for intimate femicide appears to be offenders' rage over estrangement from their partners. Aboriginal women are at least six times more likely to be victims of intimate femicide than are non-Aboriginal women. : . certainly not the men in control. Like the proof of how wonderful we are is that we lived on this sacred land that was given to us by the creator, for thousands and thousands of years, and we never wrecked it. We always had that respect for it. Sure there's dreamy - I've never read Rousseau, what he said about the 'noble savage' - our connection to nature is much deeper than that. it:s not a dreamy notion; it made us live for thousands and thousands of years. Another thing about the difference in culture is when we leave this earth, it is intimately connected with our respect for life, we leave this earth in the way that we came in. We didn't build great big monumental buildings because that's not the way life is. When we start doing that the obvious result is death, not just the death of a couple of hundred people. ft's death of life in this whole world. When I think about the goodness of Anishinaabe, I think about how life lived for thousands and thousands of years. I think about the evil of white society, how in less than five hundred years they've wrecked this earth and the threat of all life being annihilated is very possible and has been for a long time. president of Exxon . . . They're the ones who rule the world, like the Pope . . . When white people say that Indians are doing really well, I say to them When did you ever hear about anybody willingly giving up power?" Do you think that Mulroney and all that he represents - he doesn't just represent Mr. Mulroney, he is representative of a whole ideology, a whole power structure, male oriented MP C o r p o r a t i o n based . . . AOW Yes, I say "Do you think those guys are going to give up their power? For Anishinaabe? for children? especially working class children? or poor white children? or black children? or immigrant children? ft's a smokescreen and I say to myself Why are these nice white people saying these things about Anishnaabe, thinking Anishnaabe are really doing good?" When we are not, we are still dying, we still don't have our language, our land base, our economic base which is intimately MP But still you make your quilts and they are beautiful and they give a good message to people . . . when you spoke about them you spoke about "Pimaatisiwin" . . your message of "living a good life". AOW "Living life in a good way". connected with the land. Our whole life is MP It is a good message. intimately connected with the land because ft is creation, land is creation, we are part of AOW Yes it is, and everybody should know creation and we believe that My biggest that. Dear Women, I was overwhelmed by your response to my recent exhibition, WEAVING MATtER(S) at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Your incredible embrace of my work was very moving and I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments to me and for the a-mazing words you wrote in the guest book. Recently, I was given a commission to weave a tapestry for the new provincial government building in Port Arthur. I feel sure that this work would not have come my way had you not attended the exhibition in such great numbers and shared your feelings about the tapestries with such emotion, energy and eloquence. Thank you! The piece that I will weave for this space will be dedicated to all of you and will include all of you. I hope that you will like it. Sasha and Susie Q Sasha McInnes Love, PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor w1 ....al."... %itio. An ri Dann i �PRESENTATION-PAR LE GROUPE FEMININ PLURI-ELLES A L'OCCASION DU 75e ANNIVERSAIRE DE DROIT DE VOTE DES FEMMES DE L'ONTARIO La sante et les services sociaux sont des domaines tres connus des francophones, ou elles s'y retrouvent d'une part comme sujets d'intervention dans les roles de patiente, de cliente, de beneficiaire et de consommatrice et d'une autre part, comme principales dispensatrices de soins a titre d'infirmiere, travailleuse sociale, gardienne et d'educatrice. de de mere, de Tout comme les anglophones et les autochtones, les francophones revendiquent des services dand leur langue et leur culture programmes Des 3. professionnelle pour de formation les femmes francophones qui desirent mettre a jour leurs aptitudes afin de reintegre le marche du travail. Un centre de sante communautaire 4. deux volets- sante et services sociaux pourvu d'un personnel complet, comprenant des professionnels de toutes disciplines touchant Ia sante physique, emotionnelle et mentale ainsi que les services a Ia personne. Dans un tel centre, les citoyennes et les citoyens de toutes les regions designees du nord-ouest de l'Ontario pourront y recevoir des traitements et s'epanouir, afin de preserver leur sante sur tous les plans. dans une perspective de justice et de droit historique dans le contexte des canadiennes WOMEN'S ECONOMIC STATUS BRANCH demandent des services au nom de la justice sociale et le raisons differentes, la planification dolt etre sensible aux questions de langue et de culture. considerations culturelles s'appliquent non seulement a la francophonie d'origine ontarienne et canadienne mais aussi aux communautes multiculturelles francophones de la region. Toutes ces economic development of our communities and our region affects the live The fit our decisions about our present and future depends on the economy of the area in which we live. For most of us the notion some control over the way our region develops. outside the development process. d'être sensible et de respecter la culture deviennent des symboles We believe in the right of women to economic development participate in policy, decision-making and evaluation in all this province. d'appartenance et de rassemblement et d'être sensible aux differences pour que chacun pui.5se y retrouver l'identite qui lui est propre. Dans certains cas, les services sont offerts directement par le Ministere, alors que dans la plupart des cas, les services sont offerts organisme come les via un autre municipalites les organismes a but non lucratifs (protection de l'enfance) ou conjointement avec un autre ministere tel le ministere de la sante (les soins de longue duree). Les femmes francophones de cette region sont agressees, battues et assassinees et sur le plan de la prevention et des services, elle sont encore plus defavorisees parcequ'il n'y a pas de centre d'hebergement qui offre des services en franca's; or elles ne peuvent etre protegees, aidees ou guidees comme leurs consoeurs autochtones ou de langue anglaise. devenue evident aux femmes francophones de cette region sur les II est services de sante en francais c'est rove et non la reale. L'argument classique est, comme de raison, que les femmes francophones vont chercher des notions d'anglais par necessite et comprennent generalement cette langue suffisament pour « s'en tirer » . Nous tentons de modifier certaines attitudes. Nous ne desirons pas etre percues comme Nous voulons etre des victimes. participantes apart entiere dans notre province. II y a des solutions et nous tenons a les exposer a cette table rondo. Une garderies francophone pour nos petits enfants. 1. Des institutions post-secondaires de langue francaise pour nos jeunes gens. 2. through the system by ar affirmative action process to give us balanced gender mix at all levels. Until we have attained this balanced gender mix however, we need to place small group: of concerned, aware, well-trained anc technically expert women withir institutions concerned with economic development to raise issues and asll questions within the institution itself. For those of us living in the north, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Yet most women still remain qu'ils advanced has the major responsibility for economic development policy. We are proposing a model which will change the structure and culture of Northern Development in order to ensure that women's needs are anglophones de comprendre, d'être sensible et de respecter la culture francophone mais aussi pour les francophones de comprendre, pour that we have enough women trained anc living, the framework into which we have to of us all. of democracy presupposes that we have d'identifier les elements de ressemblance WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? Clearly, to sec The quality of our day to day II ne s'agit donc pas uniquement pour les francophone libanaise, juive, haffienne, portugaise, iranienne, etc. Le defi sera donc Women and their concerns still remait marginal to the economic developmen process. Structural change is needed. Who within government is asking? * does the economic development program or project offer equivalent benefits to women and men? * will the impact of the program on the women in the development area be considered at the design, implementation and evaluation stages? * are the women involved in the decision- making, evaluation and program delivery process of the proposed economic development? * have the terms of reference of socioeconomic studies been evaluated to discover whether they were relevant to women in the communities? * should women in this particular area be considered as a target group for special programs? * what employment opportunities will be created for women in the construction, startup and operating phases? * is any action planned to enable women to enter the stream of economic life in the communities? * are job training opportunities for women being considered? * what action is to be taken to ensure that community development plans result in the integration of women into the economic and social power structures of the community? * what criteria is being used to evaluate the impact of development initiatives on the community (eg impact on women and children, safety, etc)? met. We propose a Women's Economic Status Branch. This structure would be based on other successful models, that is time limited and cost effective. we are not requesting additional resources of the Branch but rather a redeployment of existing person years and operational resources. The proposed mandate of a Women's Economic Status Branch would be: to examine, plan and recommend on all issues affecting the economic rights, economic development and socio-economic status of women in Northern Ontario. .... We feel that Northern Development and Mines has the mandate and the obligation to serve its entire northern constituency. We feel that the Ministry has an opportunity to eliminate the structural and systemic barriers to women's participation in economic development in the north and to promote the full inclusion of women in all aspects of economic development. WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES Women with Disabilities are the underclass, that is, people who are generally not involved in the wage earning market economy and they are being kept there by economic theories and practice. The disabled community experiences a class system of its own within which women with disabilities are at the bottom. Statistics show that unemployment is a fact of life for 62 percent of women with disabilities (Morrisette D. 1988). Of those working in regulated industries 66.1 percent earned less than $20,000 a year compared to 14.6 percent of men with disabilities. In these same industries at the top end of the scale 20.6 percent of the males earned over $40,000, compared to 2.7 percent of women (DAWN Canada 1989). Persons with disabilities are generally disenchanted with current employment equity initiatives. Outside certain major institutions, new employment opportunities have generally not been forthcoming. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor 4 ei �In 1986, 11.1% of the total provincial population between the working ages of 15 to 64 reported some form of disability (about 691,590 people). Persons with disabilities are out of work twice as often, are concentrated in low-paying, part-time jobs, and have long periods of unemployment, compared with the rest of the population in Ontario. Many have the skills to find successful employment if given the opportunities. Despite this, they are often excluded from the labour force. There are also those who are discouraged from seeking employment. Barriers to employment include: - stereotypes and misunderstanding about different types of disabilities and capabilities of persons with disabilities; - staffing policies which do not accurately measure the potential to satisfy requirements of a given iob; - excessive delays in delivering essential job accommodation; - inaccessibility of the work site, including inadequate systems of transit for those who need it; - the lack of access to adequate training. The existence of many of these barriers has been a result of, and has contributed to the historical social isolation faced by persons with disabilities. Employability has historically been linked with types and degrees of disabilities, and individual personal characteristics. A person who has a double impairment or who is both disabled and female, Aboriginal or a member of a racial minority group, is even less likely to be employed, and is more likely to earn a lower income. Marion Boyd response think our determination to make employment equity mandatory has given rise I We agree with the government assessment that a significant factor preventing unionization in the service sector is the failure of the Labour Relations to respond to the very real impediment to organizing faced by workers. We agree that the right to organize must be equally accessible to all workers, and in particular, women, minorities and other lower-paid workers in vulnerable sectors of the economy. We believe the reform of the Labour Relations Act will be a measure of the government's commitment to a social equity agenda for the people of Ontario. We also believe that a cheap labour strategy is not an effective strategy for ensuring economic prosperity for the province. The onus should be placed upon the business community to justify why it cannot compete, if more women workers are unionized, since the weight of existing literature suggests that unionization results in greater productivity (Freeman and Meclaff). The government should stand firm on it's position that it is not acceptable for employers in Ontario to compete on the basis of cheap labour. Global competition and continental free trade will undermine existing labour standards unless the government takes immediate steps to enable the most vulnerable workers to organize, in order to protect and improve their working conditions. Unless these basic rights are effectively protected by law, it will be impossible to develop the co-operative employment relations necessary for a productive labour force and a strong economy. training in cultural and racial sensitivity. Designated courses and a culturally sensitive instructor is the only way in which programs for immigrants and refugees are going to succeed. We know what our problems are, and we must take an active part in the solution. It is a well-known fact that a person living in marginal state rather than being a fully participating individual, directly contributes to a series of health and social problems. In order to prevent these problems, we request that Ontario government look carefully at the organizations receiving additional funding for settlement services and training programs. The ministries granting the money must set guidelines and objectives for the delivery of efficient and competent services. Competence and efficiency in serving immigrants means having cross cultural and cultural specific training, language knowledge and sensitivity for cultural and racial differences. The agencies receiving money must be willing to enter into contracts with the funding ministries which will include appropriate accountability, measures to the founder. Accountability must include feedback from the people receiving the services. VIOLENCE It's been a long and painful road. Turns in the road have brought some success, such as the establishment of ten shelters in the region, and the increase in funding for Marion Boyd response I effective and competent service and their must say it's really pleasurable for us to hear your strong defence of our human relations when we're hammered from the other side and it is very fine for all of us to remember that this side of the workers is supported by the people of Ontario and it is Sexual Assault Centre services. However, true success can only be measured by the experience of women and children who are the victims and the survivors. While the stories of women and children who have managed to realize a future free from fear have provided advocates with the strength to important particularly to women to have the changes that have been proposed. The continue, we realize that we are nowhere near the end of the road we must travel. be available to go into the labour market central bargaining could accomplish, a real Women and over the next 25 years are going to be those in designated groups. At least half of those particularly as it affects workers like home to a great deal of public awareness as well as public consensus building around the issue. We know that 85% of those who will will be women and probably a good deal more. So, what we are looking at in terms of our economic renewal goals is finding a way to ensure that employment equity is a reality and that the planning process and the legislative process give rise to a plan that is going to see results and is going to be move toward a real examination of what look at the Employment Standards Act We know that they are an workers. important first step toward better equity. We know that unless those kinds of protections are there for workers some of the other social and economic changes that we want to make are going to be that much harder to achieve. monitorable as we go along so that we don't fall back over time. I would like to assure you that we all agree that this is a major priority for us, not only from the social justice IMMIGRANT AND VISIBLE MINORITY WOMEN continue to be brutalized. Our newspapers and television children continue to sensationalize stories of rape, sexual harassment, and murder of women. The pain pervades Northwestern Ontario. Locally, we are concerned over the ever rising numbers of adolescent sexual abuse survivors who have turned to the streets for safety; only to be revictimized as prostitutes, escorts, and exotic dancers. The traditional means of service has not met the needs of these young women. The one support system that did meet the needs of these individuals was "axed" in the cutbacks. point of view, but also from the economic point of view. It just makes good economic sense and we need to keep repeating that The Thunder Bay Immigrant and Visible again and again to the community when they start saying recession is not the time to put mandatory social justice programs into Women's Organization is an organization of women that come from 20 different countries. We belong to .different cultures place. and we are of different colours. We have two things in common: we are immigrants and we are women. Canada is our home 1) That the special issues of violence faced by women 16-18 years of age, the group of now and we are concerned about the services, be addressed. That an integral part of school 2) curriculum; Grades JK through Senior level high school include: gender equality, alternatives to the misuse of violence as a control tool, and non-violence dispute resolution. LABOUR Collective bargaining legislation is crucial for improving the economic situations and working conditions of women workers. Unions generally improve wages and at least improve working conditions of women workers. Unions tend to compress wage structure making it more equal. Unions provide a degree of due process in the work place that helps workers with very little personal power. Trade unions help enforce human rights, employment standards, pay and employment equity, and occupational health and safety legislation. Presently men benefit more from unions than women as they are more likely to be unionized. services being offered for immigrant women and their families. The Ontario Government has been very generous in providing money to agencies that specialize in giving services to immigrants and refugees, but has failed to follow up and verify the effectiveness and quality of the services being delivered. We urge you to investigate how this money is being spent and how much of it really newly arrived enhances the lives of Please look immigrants and refugees. closely at the qualifications of the service providers and their languages that are proficiency in the needed to deliver We challenge you to respond to the recommendations from the 300 participants of the Women Uniting for Change conference. women who fall through the cracks of That teachers make regular use of community resource groups to deal with 3) specialized issues of conflict resolution. 4) That literature in schools be monitored to ensure that ethnic women, minority groups, aboriginal people and women with disabilities are not presented in a negative light. continued pg 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISIONNorthern PDFCompressor Woman Pagel �SOJOURNER'S TRUTH & other stories by Lee Maracle Press Gang Publishers, 1990. BOOK REVIEW Lee Maracle brings humour to the truth and Two weeks later... eviewed by Alice Sabourin reinforces the strength of women to go Too tired to write, too tense to sleep and a beyond the disappointment and recognize When one is exposed to rugged truth there thousand trains of things to accomplish or so the beauty and comfort of what is truly can be an instant need to run from any it seems. My daughter cried today as her teeth itch and her tummy gets empty, her important. In this case, she clearly makes choices that reflect human nature: dad couldn't be there so she endured a meeting that had little to offer her. felt motherhood first, everything else comes somewhere after that. And then there is the part of the "other woman". Do I turn on him or her or am I past that as well? Once you begin a change you can go back but the awareness is so loud that it screams out at you reminding you of the price of violence and the warning of something that can't be stopped. "Whose political here anyways?" commonality and intellectually excusing the anger as being a sense of exploitation of facts all being thrown together creating some distortion that is larger than life. It wasn't by I numb, and too tired to get really mad at the mistake that I read "Dear Daddy" first. The thoughts and reflections of a daughter to her estranged father, struggling through the mystery of his absence and her mother's pain. How could I deny this truth when my own child hadn't met her father until months of her life had past? To embrace the sense of outrage would allow humanness room to door being left open and someone else's dishes left for me to do. I wanted to numb it all out until read "Whose political here feel the words spoken, to be open and propositioned by men in malls and of all degrading things to try to do to a young recognize the characters for who they are. Thus, with that in mind, I went on to read "Bertha". I have met Bertha before in another place and time and given the understanding Lee Maracle has as she tells the story about this woman's life, I have a even deeper sense of love and acceptance for my aunties, I anyways?" This is part of my story. Except that my boyfriend isn't in jail...yet. His friends don't grab at my breasts but I am continually being mother with a child. Is it my large breasts or are these men blinded by their male genitalia enough not to see my eyes? I have lived. have survived. I am past needing the "generosity" of a man only to be left wanting to wash one's souls to escape the shame of the exchange. I goes beyond light humourous puns on human relationships or it can be just that. But when a grandmother visits her at days end, tears came into my eyes. My grandmother visits me in my dreams, she too laughs, smiles, just to acknowledge me, the struggle and to bring strength to my bones. That is the politics of it, nobody else will see it or recognize it but grandmother knows, she sees and listens and will always be there. grandmothers and elders. Grateful to know that many of these women have risen up In closing, the remaining "stories" go on to tell the truth. I took my time to read each one, to contemplate the meaning and to hear the wisdom. This was an affirming experience and has been important to me because when one tells the truth , another is taught to do the same. from the ground to reach the sun and reclaim their roles as teachers and leaders. Bertha is real. Her story is real. ;Kith that in mina, and my five month old daughter sleeping contentedly beside me, I am left quiet with respect for the gift of sobriety she will see in my eyes and for the :eremonies she will be part of. Meegwetch. as a child, I watched my mother cry silent tears for Bertha as she lay in the street, as a young woman I turned my head to hide and today, as life has taught me to stand tall and greet the world without fear, I look beyond Alice Riives-Sabourin is a traditional-contemporary Ojibway woman who enjoys people, music and writing. the loss and see the hope for all of my sisters who are breathing life back from the past into the future, for me, for my daughter, for all of us. CABINET FORUM continued 5) That police be educated in the issue of the "abuse of power" within their own system and society. 6) That you support advocacy strategies aimed at the Federal government to remove Section 43 of the Criminal Code. That an aggressive charging policy for woman assault be applied consistently and without prejudice. 7) That the judicial system be more accessible to victims of abuse regarding 8) restraining orders and peace bonds. CHILD CARE The most significant child care issue in The province must directly fund the cost of child care programs, and develop a fairer system of determining parent contributions. Deterioration of accessibility is also evident. Despite new centres being opened, expansion has not kept pace with the increased needs of families for child care. The development of a stable system of child As natural resources are depleted, the Municipalities would react negatively to being mandated to increase services. Across Northwestern Ontario municipal support for economy of Northwestern Ontario is radically changing. It is becoming the norm that both parents must work. We know that even more women will join the paid labour force as the economy shifts from resource industries to alternative work (such as the service subsidized parents and the few higher- Those of us who live and work in Northwestern Ontario have long recognized segment of the population is denied high quality child care services because of cost. We call on the government to totally review child care funding, and within a new funding system that accepts child care as a public right, ensure that funding mechanisms are provided to recognize northern realities. The province must mandate equitable levels of child care service across the province. Northwestern Ontario is affordability. Many families cannot afford the present cost of child care. Each fee increase results in families withdrawing from regulated, licenced programs. Child care centres in small communities cannot survive with only income families that can afford high fees. We find it unacceptable that a significant r) industry).Child care services are an important investment in the revitalization of the economy in Northwestern Ontario. that the costs of providing services in the north are greater than in the more populated care will never be achieved if child care remains a discretionary service. child care is inconsistent and uncertain. Consumers of child care are seldom found in decision-making positions within municipal government. The present Northwestern Ontario reality is that few municipalities are planning expansion of service in 1992, and some are considering a decrease. Equity can best be achieved by the provincial government assuming the responsibility fir the financial administration for child care services across Ontario. areas of southern Ontario. PDFNorthern compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Woman Page 14 �she has a room she can't stand for long too little of her life fits in there... so she's out and about early in the morning walking with her coffee she likes to have her morning coffee in the morning sun if she can and the sun doesn't shine into her grey little basement room her image hurts your imagination she's trying to stay sane in ways that you've never had to in an insane world that looks at her as a dirty derelict even though she's contributed something to someone all her life disturbing the way things happen to sway the balance of justice unfair how money changes everything uncomfortable how we play a part in the scheme of things she has a room but she lives her life out on the street when the rest of humanity allows her unforgivable when we rebel and are condemned to hell on earth just because we such space THE GRASS lovette Marchessault that to be free means more than not making decisions... revisions reveal an effort to rearrange the meaning of being and that always looks good but then, what have looks got to do with anything? yes, it looks like another storm this talk of reform unending the way in which we will resist forever the pressures to conform Arja Lane 1992 Arja Lane 1992 norm MOTHER OF yes, I agree who to please, who to squeeze into conformity without making it look like a deformity? while making it look like something to do with democracy making it fit into molds made by conformists don't fit the Arja Lane April 1992 yes its true I have the blues the sun got stuck behind the clouds and the rest is what the fuck as the air turns sour with grey rays and electronic garbage toxic emissions with no permissions to be out and about destroying every kind of life OLE* lone fur r-N VaiDN IA.r4 \ -VID Wo i ISH471Ep5 I 4ruments Tr3rsited IVOJV M. Klein BOOKS for summer reading L By Margaret Phillips readers say is the best book since the MISTS OF AVALON (Marion Zimmer Bradley). "Ever wonder how our world With warm, lazy summer days (hopefully) fast approaching many readers will look would look to a woman warrior time-traveller forward to from the prehistoric, prepatriarchal past?" leisurely enjoying the latest books. Summer is FICTION time, so I've concentrated on novels, short stories and READ AMAZON. to provide titles they'd recommend to other readers and these recommendations are included; then you'll hear about old Cameron, mysteries, but also have added a few biographies. I've asked a number of women favourites as well as new books *NOVELS* I'm also looking forward to reading Jamaica Kincaid's newest book LUCY. Antigua- born, Kincaid is author of the stunning A SMALL PLACE as well as two previous novels ANNIE JOHN and AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER and many short stories. Readers need no introduction to Anne want to tell you that but Cameron's latest novel KICK THE CAN is I rivalling THE JOURNEY as my favourite of her many wonderful books. TALES OF THE CAIRDS AND ESCAPE FROM BEULAH are also recent publications, along with several new children's books. We hear that Anne has no less than three new books in the Highlighting the season there is: redefined." Happy to find a new book by Dorothy Bryant, author of the amazing KIN OF ATA, ELLA PRICE'S JOURNAL and others. This new novel THE TEST is described as "comic and sad, agonizing and illuminating, infuriating and hilarious, this ordinary day in the lives of ordinary people becomes a test of endurance, of reality, of love". works, and eagerly await their publication. ITSUKA by Joy Kogawa: Naomi Nakane, who we first met in OBASAN, is now an adult and becomes involved in the Japanese-Canadian fight for redress. "Profoundly political, exquisitely intimate, ITSUKA reverberates with longing, with appalling betrayals, and finally with tremendous hope." Tucked aside for summer reading is JAZZ by Toni Morrison. Reviewer Marilyn Powell AMAZON by Barbara G. Walker. Walker, who is famous for her writing on women's spirituality (Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, Women's Rituals. etc.) now has this exciting novel, which some in the closet of a house. The struggle for says of JAZZ, "nothing and no one is ordinary, and perceptions shift as she reinvents the world. Her message is carried on the wind, pushes up from the ground, is located in a tree, hidden in a cave, or even freedom is on the frontier of the word, where it can be made to express radical combinations, where what it means to be human and black can be recreated and PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Wonian Page 'if �PROGRESS OF LOVE by Alice Munro THEME FOR DIVERSE INSTRUMENTS by Jane Rule WHEN I'M AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE ed. by Sandra Mane WOMEN, KIDS AND HUCKLEBERRY WINE by Anne Cameron READERS' RECOMMENDATIONS ABRA by Joan Barfoot. THE BOOK OF EVE by Constance Beresford-Howe BORDERLINE by Janette Turner Hospital BURGER'S DAUGHTER by Nadine Gordimer THE GOLDEN NOTEBOOK by Doris Lessing IN SEARCH OF APRIL RAINTREE by Beatrice Culleton MEMORY BOARD by Jane Rule PATIENCE AND SARAH by Isabel Miller THE RADIANT WAY *RECENT CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS* by Margaret Drabble SWANN: A MYSTERY by Carol Shields TAXI by Helen Potrebenko WOMAN AT POINT ZERO by Newel el Saadawi *RECENT CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS* THE MISSING CHILD by Sandra Birdsell UPSTREAM by Sharon Butala ZERO AVENUE by Leona Gom HEARTS OF FLAME by Katherine Govier DISAPPEARING MOON CAFE by Sky Lee THE ILLUMINATION OF ALICE MALLORY by Maureen Moore LOOKING FOR LIVINGSTONE: An Odessey of Silence by Marlene -Nourbese Philip HANNAH B. by Veronica Ross THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE by Carol Shields FOX by Margaret Sweatman CHANGING HEAVEN by Jane Urquhart provide a similar impact, FEVER may rival DANCE OF THE HAPPY SHADES (Alice I my favourite short story haven't yet read ISOBARS by Janette Turner Hospital, but my friend Donna (who is an avid reader) raves about it. The promo states "weaving the stories together, amid darkness and light, are themes of memory, the persistent nature of time, and the various guises of damage. In ISOBARS, Hospital dissolves the fixed distinction between past and present, time and place and confirms herself as one of the foremost stylists in contemporary fiction." The paperback edition of Margaret Atwood's WILDERNESS TIPS won't be out until fall, so you may want to indulge yourself with the hardcover copy of Atwood's most recently published spectacular stories. READERS' RECOMMENDATIONS THE BAR STORIES by Nisa Donnelly LESBIAN LOVE STORIES by Irene Zahava PEOPLE YOU'D TRUST YOUR LIFE TO by Bronwen Wallace pictures alone are worth the cost. Souhami describes her book as the story of the relationship between Gertrude and Alice - a devoted marriage, funny, gentle, eventful, orderly, domestic, intimate and happy. I was beguiled by the wry fact that this marriage, of the sort that eludes so many Sue Grafton has worked her way up the alphabet to I IS FOR INNOCENT (still in If you were fortunate enough to view the NFB's magnificent Company of Strangers hardcover). H IS FOR HOMICIDE is now in paperback. If you haven't yet become acquainted with Kinsey Millhone - you may want to start back at A IS FOR ALIBI, B IS FOR My favourite mystery writers are L.R. Wright and Sara Paretsky. Wright who lives in BC set her mysteries in the Sunshine Coast. The most recent paperback publication A CHILL RAIN IN JANUARY is a stunning reading. I Heading the list in this category is GERTRUDE AND ALICE by Diana Souhami. Although a pricey hardcover ($35), the *MYSTERIES* Flotow) and THE SUSPECT are also well worth I've just begun Sharon Butala's FEVER. After am reading the first three stories, speechless. If the remaining thirteen stories *BIOGRAPHIES/MEMOIRS* heroes and heroines, should be achieved by two odd-looking, strong-minded women who learned the wisdom of being true to themselves". novel; and her earlier SLEEP WHILE I SING *SHORT STORIES* Munro) as collection. FOOD AND SPIRITS by Beth Brant BRIGHT'S CROSSING by Anne Cameron TIDE LINES ed. by Lee Fleming OTHER AND DRYLAND TOURIST STORIES by Dianne Maguire SOJOURNER'S TRUTH by Lee Maracle CATHERINE, CATHERINE by Ingrid MacDonald FASCINATION AND OTHER BAR STORIES by Jackie Manthorne REMEMBERING G AND OTHER STORIES by Makeda Silvera THE WILD BLUE YONDER by Audrey Thomas THE MAN WHO PAINTED STALIN by France Theoret (translated by Luise von You'll love Sara Paretsky's feisty V.I. WARSHAWSKI the best of the new breed of V.I. Warshawski female detectives." mysteries include BLOOD SHOT, BURN MARKS, DEADLOCK, INDEMNITY ONLY amongst others. Caitlin Reece, Kate Delafield, Carol Ashton are just a few among the growing number of lesbian crime solvers. Lauren Wright Douglas (the Caitlin Reece ALWAYS ANONYMOUS BEAST, THE DAUGHTERS OF ARTEMIS and NINTH LIFE. mysteries) gives us THE Katherine Forrest is the most widely read contemporary lesbian novelist". Her Kate you will want to read Mary Meigs' memoir IN THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS. "Interwoven with Meigs' reflections on time, aging, and the phenomenon of film, are her portraits of each cast member on and off camera. The eight women are strangers who first become company, then friends." Lawrencia (Laurie) Bembenek tells her own story in WOMAN ON TRIAL. It will make you weep. As I read Bembenek's story my admiration for this young woman's courage grows, as does my outrage for the injustice she has endured for the past ten years. This is an important story to hear. READER'S RECOMMENDATIONS BY HEART: ELIZABETH SMART - A LIFE by Rosemary Sullivan TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN by Lois Wilson MY PLACE: THE AUSTRALIAN ROOTS by Sally Morgan ELSA: I COME WITH MY SONGS The Autobiography of Elsa Gidlow A HUMMING UNDER MY FEET A Book of Travail by Barbara Deming IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE: A DAUGHTER'S STORY by Kim Chernin. *RECENT CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS* Delafield mysteries include AMATEUR CITY, THE BEVERLY MALIBU, MURDER AT NIGHTWOOD BAR, and MURDER BY NO BURDEN TO CARRY: Narrative of Black Working Women in Ontario 1920- TRADITION. 1950. Dionne Brand Australian writer Claire McNab authors the Detective Inspector Carol Ashton mysteries, which include COP OUT, DEATH DOWN UNDER, FATAL REUNION, LESSONS IN NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Diaries and Letters of Nova Scotia Women 1771- MURDER. Margaret Conrad, Toni Laidlaw and Donna Smythe BOBBI LEE: INDIAN REBEL by Lee Maracle Rita Mae Brown (and Sneaky Pie Brown) enters the mystery field with WISH YOU WERE HERE. This is a book for mystery STONEY CREEK WOMAN: The Story of Mary John as told to Bridget Moran LIKE A CHILD OF THE EARTH, MOTHER OF THE GRASS and WHITE PEBBLES IN fans and cat lovers. We understand Sneaky Pie has another book coming soon. THE DARK FORMS Jovette Marchessault ??????????? NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL 1938. HAPPY READING EVERYONE PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Paae 16 �Semi Class MN limp latrines ft. 507 AIL TO: RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL P.O. B00/144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 Return Postage Guaranteed IS THERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR. ABEL?? PLEASE maw YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't broK to wow pur SUBSCRIPTION NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE Individual $8.00 proclw:"1 institutional $16.00 JANE. NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario P7C 4Y5 SA oPRtel'sAsle4.\.0 svs NAc40 oisk"'"Qcr LIP%"- uN - 304"slot, stricv c"cle ***************************************************************** 1\19RTHERW 9MAN 17URAML. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 14 No 2 Description An account of the resource Vol. 14, No. 2 (June 1992) Title: Northern Woman Journal Languages: English, French Topics include: Anti-choice terrorism Pandora, Halifax Women’s studies Women & poverty Northern Lights Womyn’s Music Festival Gay & lesbian families Provincial cabinet forum on NWO women’s issues Women’s votes Women’s health Northwestern Ontario Women’s Decade Council Long term care Ontario Native Women’s Association Gaps in programs & services for Native women Aboriginal women leadership Women in trades & technology Ontario Advisory Council on Women’s Issues Economic, social, and legal equality for women Women’s healing MediaWatch Women reporters underrepresented Book published by Dr. Kit Minor Indigenous art Indigenous weaving Indigenous women identities Women’s economic status branch Women & economic development Violence against women Thunder Bay Immigrant and Visible Minority Women group Feminist book review of Sojourner’s Truth & Other Stories by Lee Maracle Poetry Feminist book list Authors/contributors: Shelley Wark-Martyn Ontario Women’s Directorate Michele Proulx Alice Olsen Williams Alice Sabourin Arja Lane Margaret Phillips Rae Ann Honey Margaret Johnston Jane Saunders Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992-06 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English French https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2827/1992_Vol_14_No_3.pdf b1fde2a22413afb309492af2cfb7463e PDF Text Text Northern Woman Journal COMPLIMENT All 1 PLEASE SUBSCRIBE Volume 14, Number 3, October 1992 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO $2.00 03 O O 110 7 72006 14003 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WENDO EDITORIAL History Women's is October being are we and month the celebrate encouraged to rich history of Canadian women. It is valuable to recognize the struggles and achievements of Canadian women pioneers, and to make visible the reality of women's contributions to the fabric of Canadian society. (The referendum. 26th another Charlottetown accord is danger signal to Canadian women pgs. 3 and 4) - see articles Analysis of the impact of the new "child benefit" legislation Political has been meagre. muted. been has opposition (Perhaps because legislation However, it is more than ironic that at the same time that the federal government purports to honour and acknowledge Canadian women's history, it is also enacting legislation that will deprive some half a million Canadian mothers of their only Legislation source of income. that passed been just has abolishes the family allowance program. Modest though it was, the family allowance program did give recognition to the important role of mothering, and was the corner-stone of humane Canadian social policy for the past half-century. For many Canadian women the family allowance means the difference between dignity and despair. In issue"?) of lack this The death the "women's the longer run, public protest will encourage the Conservative government to charge ahead with its assault on family allowance program has largely been obscured as the media's the with is preoccupation accord/discord and the October all universal programs. assaulted at some time in her life. EN/0 woman is vulnerable regardless of a Men attack women to dominate and hi them, not for sexual gratification. M who rape seek a victim to yield to th desire to control; a refusal to submit c deter an attacker. A powerful respor can prevent an assault. Through Wendo women have be discovering their power. Wendo is a foi of self defense designed especially I women. Derived from the Japanese, "W( refers to women and "Do" refers to t way or the path. Wendo is taut exclusively by women for women. women's celebrating learn must we history month and be from our foremothers, our strengthened to continue So in feminist work in a climate of repressiveness increasing We must also towards women. insist that Women's History the only not honour month exceptional the achievers, women, the leaders (important as their contributions are) but must celebrations our also validate all women' s the honour and invisible work of mothers and experience, of a is this One in four women will be sexua caregivers. Wendo was developed from a variety martial arts and street fighting techniqu by the Paige family of Toronto during t early 1970's. It is being revised a updated continuously and it includes be pyschological' and physical exercises well as special breathing. Wendo has be taught to women of all ages and abilities both in Canada and abroad. Wendo combines the politics of s, defence with the skills necessary to fe off a determined attacker. Wen emphasizes the constraints of the soc conditioning of women to be passive; recognizes that most women have to lea to be assertive. Wendo teaches Awareness Avoidance a. afiTiFOTE'y omen COVER: comprised of four basic elemen Surprise, Smoothness, Circularity and Se by Donna Phoenix Trust. Surprise refers to speaking loudly, and attracting attention to harasser/ attacker. Smoothness refers SEE WOMEN'S HISTORY QUIZ, page 16 ANSWERS 1. d - Charlotte Whitton. She became Canada's first woman mayor when she was elected mayor of Ottawa in 1951. 2. a - Jeanne Sauve became Canada's first woman Governor General May 14, 1984. 3. a - In more sexist times, Saskatoon Lily or Ethel Catherwood, "the world's champion girl high-jumper", was rated the most beautiful athlete at the 1928 Olympics. 12. c - Elsie Gregory MacGill was the first woman to graduate from aeronautical engineering in the world and the first woman member elected to the Engineering Institute of Canada. As an engineer for Fairchild Aircraft Limited, she and her staff of 4500 designed and produced more than 100 HURRICANE aircraft per month in 1940. 13. b - Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a journalist and human rights advocate. At the age of 60, she was the first female law student to attend Howard University in Alabama. 14. b - Nellie McClung was a novelist, journalist, suffrage and temperance worker, who fought tirelessly for women's rights in Canada. vote. 15. c - Bertha Wilson's appointment in 1982 ended 107 years of all-male membership on the Supreme Court of Canada. 5. d - In 1928, Anna Dexter became Canada's first woman radio broadcaster. 16. c - Pauline McGibbon was Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario from 1974-1980. 6. a - After a lengthy legal and political battle, the British Privy Council declared women to be considered "persons" under the law, thus enabling them to be considered for appointment to the Senate. 17. b - It wasn't until 1952 in the province of Ontario, that a law finally recognized women's right to be paid the same wage as men for the same work. 7. b - Dr. Emily Howard Stowe was finally registered as a member of the Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario on July 16, 1880. She had originally set up practice in 1867 after graduating from medical school in New York, but was denied a licence in Canada until 1880. 18. b - Mary Two-Axe Early, a full-blooded Mohawk, was almost single-handedly responsible for the restoration of native rights to Indian women in Canada who had been disenfranchised through marriage to non-natives. In 1985, her years of work paid off - Bill C-31 amended the Indian Act, and Mary Two-Axe Early was the first native woman to be re-enfranchised. 4. b - On January 29, 1916, Manitoba women won the 8. c - The Edmonton Grads, an amateur women's basketball team, was formed in 1915 and disbanded in 1940. Canadian, American, and World champions, their records are unrivalled by any team in any other sport. 9. d - Emily Johnson was a world renowned poet. Two of her better known works were "The Song My Paddle Sings" and ''Ojistoh". 10. c - Cairine MacKay Wilson was appointed to the Senate on February 15, 1930. 11. c - Molly Brant was a diplomat, negotiator, cultivator of crops and an expert in the medicinal qualities of herbs. 19. c - Agnes Campbell Macphail was elected to the House of Commons from Grey County, Ontario in 1921. She went to Ottawa as Canada's first woman member of Parliament. 20. c - Therese Casgrain led the struggle for women's suffrage in Quebec (obtained in 1940) as president of La Ligue des droits de la femme. Active in politics, she was also a dedicated pacificist, as exhibited by her 1961 founding of the Montreal branch of the Voice of Women, an international peace movement. She fought for the rights of married women, and in 1965 was elected honorary president of La Federation des femmes du Quebec, devoted to the promotion of women's rights. doing one thing after another, or followi through a course of action, for example; getting out of a hold, 2. hitting and running. Circularity refers to the use ones's strength in a circle to g: momentum. Self-Trust refers to believi in what you feel and putting 100% each thing you do. Wendo recognizes that there are no h; and fast rules. It teaches women to what works in a given situation, to t; action to allow escape. Wendo empow women, it nurtures their self confide] and helps them to take control situations in which they might others come to harm. Unlike traditional martial arts, Wend not expensive and it takes relatively li time to learn. The basic course is fift, hours in length; the lower age limi usually twelve years, there is no upper limit. Physically challenged women encouraged to take Wendo. The Parks and Recreation Departu will be sponsoring a Wendo course in near future. If you are interested finding out more about taking a We course call Sheila Lehmberg at 625-2, PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 2 ii �N.A.C. SAYS NO! by JOCELYN J. PAQUE 1 1E of gender equality for aboriginal women in the text and NWAC and the National Metis Women of Canada believe that ITS A BAD DEAL! IS IT MEECH LAKE OR MEMOREX? No, it's the Charlottetown Accord. The Prime Minister and the First Ministers once again excluded 52% of the population from the process. In the early stages women were consulted with, however when it came time to sit down and hammer out a deal we were nowhere in sight. In December 1991 the National Action Committee on the Status of Women met in consultation with the First Ministers. In good faith we shared the views and concerns of women's groups across the country. Now we ask, once again, how can a process that excluded 52% of the population representing a diverse range of beliefs, experiences, ... produce a constitutional deal that embodies this diversity. In other words if the process is flawed the end result is flawed. self-government agreement. NAC SAYS YES TO: B) MARGINALIZATION OF DISABLED, LESBIANS & GAYS. * A Canada in which the rights of women and minorities are promoted and in which social programs can promote economic and social equality. The Canada Clause, one of the most significant elements of the new agreement, has received little public debate. It is NAC's view that the Canada Clause establishes a hierarchy of rights that will undermine Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While the Supremacy of Parliament and the equality of the provinces are enshrined as fundamental characteristics of Canada, the Charter is not. The Canada Clause will be used to interpret the Constitution including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This interpretive function means that its wording is crucial. We believe the absence of people with disabilities, and lesbians and gays within marginalizes these groups. Canadians are being asked to vote on a CONSTITUTIONAL DEAL their rights will be threatened under this the identified groups in the test further THE SITUATION NAC SAYS NO TO THIS C) DEVOLUTION OF POWERS AND THE THREAT TO SOCIAL * A Canada in which Aboriginal women, the women of Quebec -- all women -participate equally in democratic political institutions. * A Canada in which there is recognition of the inherent right of self-government for aboriginal people, including protection of the rights of Aboriginal women. * A Canada in which the right of selfdetermination for Quebec is guaranteed. This means the right of the people of Quebec to choose freely their path of political and economic development, without threat of coercion or force. A Canada in which the federal government has the constitutional authority to initiate national published in the newspaper the weekend of September 20, 1992. It is important to Like the Meech Lake Agreement, this note that this document identified as deal makes future shared-cost programs, FINAL TEXT is far from being finalized. like a national system of child care, a Jocelyn Paquette is the Northern Ontario will be virtualrepresentative impossibility. toProvinces thhe National Action In fact the legal wording may not be inequality. the text they could not fully realize the Status of Women. shared-cost able Committee to opt outonofthenew programs with compensation, resulting in a patchwork of programs across the country. consequences it may have Country's and their future. D) GENDER EQUALITY available until after October 26th referendum. So even if people bought the paper, read the document, and understood for the The Native Women's Association of Canada states that Canadians "are being asked to judge a national unity deal that is still being changed..." also shocking that Canadians are going to be asked to vote on whether to accept this or not before they have seen "It's the (final) text and while that text is still being substantially changed."(G&M Sept. 19, 92) Anne Bayefsky, lawyer for NWAC said. THE ISSUES A) ABORIGINAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS Judy aRebick system of NAC has argued for President proportional representation to National Actiondesigned Committee guaranteee gender equality and minority on the Status of Women This position was representation. on constitutional endorsed by the Speaking conferences, the Beaudoin-Dobbie Report, -The Accord the and was onCharlottetown the table throughout (Constitution) meetings of ministers multi-lateral -The Future of Child Care responsible for the constitution. When the First Ministers got into October the act in23, August, Friday, 1992 with proportional representation 7:30 p.m. Lakehead guarantees for women andUniversity minorities Nursing Building-SN1015 vanished from the constitutional table. The First Ministers felt no obligation to Co-Sponsored by: the consensus thatUniversity has emerged from the Lakehead constitutional conferences. -Gender Issues Centre -Student Union Aboriginal women, with the exception of the Inuit, have been excluded from these negotiations from the outset. Despite a Supreme Court decision stating that the exclusion of the Native Women's Association of Canada from the constitutional negotiations was discriminatory, the Prime Minister refused Fair representation -Political Studiesfor women and Northwestern Women'sof minorities is now up Ontario to the discretion Decade Council While some provincial governments. provinces have promised gender equity, each government can decide how its senators can be elected or chosen. There are no guarantees of representation for women and minorities. to invite them to the last meeting or to future meetings. There is not guarantee PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman - Page 3 �ABORIGINAL WOMEN AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES ASSOCIATION OF CANADA insensitive federal government, it is also against the Aboriginal male establishment created under the Indian Act. Some legal Reprinted with permission from CANADIAN WOMAN STUDIES Volume 12, Number 3 writers argue that it was the federal government alone, and not Aboriginal by THE NATIVE WOMEN'S Aboriginal women have been discriminated against on the basis of sex by governments of Canada for over 100 years. Aboriginal women's struggle to end the sexual discrimination began after the enactment of the Canadian Bill of Rights, governments, which discriminated against women. In fact, the Aboriginal male governments and organizations were part of the wall of resistance encountered by Aboriginal women in their struggle to end discrimination and they continue to ignore women's concerns and their rights. and continues despite, the advent of section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Sexual discrimination against Aboriginal women did not end in 1985 with the Rights and Freedoms. With amendments to the Indian Act, Aboriginal women were among the first women to benefit legislatively from the Charter. Despite passage of Bill C-31. While this Bill repealed the discriminatory 'marry-out' provision in the Indian Act, residual this, Aboriginal women still have not achieved sexual equality. The struggle continues, and has expanded today to grandmothers and great-grandmothers lost their status by marrying non-Indians. Since Bill C-31, more than 70,000 women, discrimination remains for those whose When of women are relegated to living in citie continuing discrimination. instead of among their own people, that It is a denial discrimination. fundamental rights guaranteed to us i international Canada. instruments signed lt It is our right as women to have a voice i deciding upon the definition of Aborigin; government powers. Governments cann( simply choose to recognize the patriarch; forms of government which now exist i our communities. The band councils an the Chiefs who reside over our lives ar not our traditional forms of governmen National, regional and band groups ar not nations; and do not reflect nationhood perspective. The Chiefs have taken it upon themselve to decide that they will be the fin; a recognition of Aboriginal women's rights to represent ourselves in the ongoing constitutional discussions. men, girls and boys have been added to the federal Indian registry and band lists. rectifiers of the Aboriginal package But of these, only a few have been government does not mean recognizin welcomed back into their communities. History of Sexual Discrimination Aboriginal women want to live within their communities, but the women are and blessing the patriarchy created in ou communities by a foreign government. T Aboriginal women, this would mean chat in our communities. We do not want thi; From the,introduction of the Indian Act excluded because there is no land, and no we want the equality to which we ar in,-.15-deral law in housing. Abori inal women have been shut out ftbm the band governments do not wish to bear entitled as women. involve 1869, Aboriginal women who married non-Indians were stripped of their legal rights, and their Indian status, banished from their communities, and barred from their families. While the Indian Act intruded on all aspects of Aboriginal life in Canada, Aboriginal women were most harshly restricted by the law. Not only did the Indian Act concern itself with whom an Indian woman married, it also allowed other Aboriginal community members to protest the paternity of any Aboriginal child suspected of having a white, or other This is still non-Aboriginal father. practised today in our communities. Such a child could be removed from the Indian registry and would not be allowed to be an Indian. This was in contrast to the treatment of men, as all offspring of Aboriginal men - legitimate or illegitimate - gained Indian status and a right to band membership. The Indian Act also imposed a patriarchal system and patriarchal laws which favoured men, giving them the right to confer status and band membership, and at one time allowed only men the right to vote in band elections. By 1971, this patriarchal system was so ingrained within our communities, that "patriarchy" was seen as a "traditional trait." Even the memory of our matriarchal forms of government, and our matrilineal forms of descent were forgotten or Negotiating a right to sel .Arsimikossom Aboriginal women live in the slums. Some Aboriginal women have said no t self-government. Some of our women d not want more power, money and contr.( in the hands of men in our communities It is asking a great deal to expect us, a; women, to have confidence in the men in Aboriginal children prostitute themselves Our Aboriginal in Canadian cities. power in our communities. We do not want the creation of Aboriginal the costs of programs and services to which the women Aboriginals. are entitled as women, young people and children are killing themselves with drug and alcohol abuse on Indian lands and in Canadian cities. governments with white powers and white philosophies in our communities. We dc not want the western hierarchal power structure which has been forced upon us. We do not want the Chieftain overlord which have been created by the Indiar The Constitutional Debates Act. Aboriginal women must be part and defining self-government and without our participation in the Constitutional discrimination. without our involvement in negotiating discussions. So far, Aboriginal men and male organizations have not represented our interest, and they are not taking the initiative to ensure that we are given a place at the table to do what they cannot. Aboriginal women want to take their rightful place at the constitutional table. We are a "distinct and insular" minority belonging to another culture from which we have been separated. Our case is no different from that of Sandra Lovelace who successfully argued that she had suffered discrimination because she was separated from her Maliseet culture, The ongoing legal and political struggle by Maliseet language, and from her people. We want to reiterate that the majority of women we represent also suffer under this PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 4 01 the constitutional negotiation process at all stages so that we can participate in the definition of the structures and powers of our government, and end the This tragic situation will not change unacknowledged. Aboriginal women is not only against an rights. �One of the major problems that currently exists is that the majority of First Nations As elsewhere in Canada, the law of citizens living off reserve are woman. Many of these women have been reinstated under changes to the Indian Act, but have not been welcomed back privacy generally protects homelife from close scrutiny by the State. Often that means women and children are subject to physical, psychological and sexual abuse within the home, including wife battering, incest and other crimes which usually go undetected and unpunished by the State. By their nature, these crimes are violations of a victim's section 7 rights to life, liberty and security of the person. into their communities. It is these women who are particulary excluded from the process as it currently exists. Indeed, it is often the Chiefs and councillors who supposedly represent them within the national Aboriginal organizations who are refusing to allow these women to return to their communities. This means that these women cannot get directly involved in any discussions on the reserves and do not even have a right to vote in elections on the reserves. They therefore have no direct or even indirect input in discussions whether on a national or local basis. Often, their only chance to be heard is through their provincial or national Aboriginal women's associations. But, the federal government has not funded or considered the women's associations as being at the same level as other Aboriginal (male) associations. As a result, the women's associations are being kept at the fringes of the process. This could lead to a situation in which reinstated women and others living off reserve are almost completely excluded from the process which will have a profound impact On their lives and their rights. There are also many important issues -affecting Native wometriMnrot. We are living in chaos in our We have a communities. disproportionately high rate of child sexual abuse and incest. We have wife battering, gang rapes, suicides, and substance abuse as elements of our daily lives. The development of programs, services, and policies for handling domestic violence has been placed in the hands of men, and this has not resulted in a reduction in this kind of violence. Another issue specific to women on reserves is the need for family law and matrimonial property laws to be strengthened to provide substantive equality rights reserves. to women living on Our Aboriginal leadership does not favour the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to self-government. That position has not changed since 1982, when the Assembly of First nations stated the following to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs: As Indian people we cannot afford to have individual rights override collective rights...The Canadian Charter is in conflict with our philosophy and culture. is pas laws which do not respect these rights. The Charter is an individual rights based document recognizing and guaranteeing fundamental human rights to Canadians. Fundamental rights and freedoms are also outlined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. These international instruments of law celebrate the individual "nature of fundamental rights and freedoms. These are the legal, political and constitutional rights which attach to widely held that the Charter is in conflict with our Aboriginal notions of sovereignty, and further that the rights of Aboriginal citizens within their communities must be determined at the community level. While there are many groups who would like to see their Charter rights strengthened in this current round of Constitutional debates, as Aboriginal women, we are the only ones who actually risk the total loss of our Charter rights. This is not acceptable. Conclusion human beings because they are human beings. The Native Women's Association of Canada supports individual rights. Aboriginal women are human beings whose rights cannot be denied or removed at the whim of any government. These views are in conflict with many Aboriginal leaders and legal theoreticians who advocate Canada's recognition of sovereignty, self-government and collective ts. It ma e origina ea ers ip t at t e 'collective' comes first, and that it will decide the rights of individuals. As Aboriginal women, we can look at nations around the world which have placed collective and cultural rights ahead of women's sexual equality rights. Some nations have found sexual equality interferes with tradition, custom and history. Sexual equality rights have been guaranteed to women around the world. But, like Canada's Charter, the United Nations has allowed nations to "opt out" of these international instruments. This is why the application of the Charter Aboriginal Women and the Charter The opinion We do not want to sanction the loss of these rights by allowing governments to should not be left to Governments. The federal government has mistreated us as women for over 100 years. If there is a legacy we will leave for women in the future, it is to ensure women's enjoyment of all the rights granted to us by the United Nations. We want our First Nations to act within the spirit and intent of the United Nations, and not do as so many nations have done before them...opt out of sexual equality rights. If the Charter does apply to Aboriginal governments, there is great concern that they will be given section 33 rights which grant a government the power to intentionally violate the rights protected by sections 2,7 and 15 of the Charter. The override powers in section 33 should not After 400 years of colonization, Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal families, and Aboriginal structures are devastated, and change of the systems must occur. But, there will not be self-government in our communities without the support of Aboriginal women. Our male Aboriginal leaders must realize that they cannot negotiate self-government without us, any the young people and the people living in urban centres. As women, we are the keepers of the culture. We want to raise healthy children. We want community decision making. We want consent powers. We want all people in the communities to decide upon their form of governments. We want those Aboriginal women who are still banished from their communities to have a vote, some land, and a house in their homeland, in the community in which they were born. There are those among the Chiefs who would deny us a voice, who would deny us a place and those who wish we would simply go away until they have settled this political business. We are not going to go away. Our male leaders must make a place for us at the bargaining table. The fact that the existing power structure and process does not seem concerned with ensuring our full and constant participation leads many of us, living both on and off reserve, to believe that we will not be heard and our rights will not be protected in the negotiations for selfgovernment. As Native women, we must be fully involved in negotiations on selfgovernment. Our voices must be heard. 11."411111,. be allowed to federal and provincial governments, let alone to Aboriginal governments. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northerri'Wornan Page: �GLOBAL ENEMY - DIVIDED FEMINISTS - RACISM IN THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT by Nayyar Javed NAC Regional Representative Reprinted with permission of NAC from Feminist Action, June 1992 of women's In her analysis all across oppression the world, Nawal el-Sadawi, an Egyptian feminist comments, is global, "The enemy our struggle has to be global." Recognizing the commonalities of their own life experiences societies, in male-dominated women have to build alliances another at an with one international level. It is urgent that feminists unite globally to counteract the "new conservative agenda". the neoLeft undetered, lead us conservatives will into further destruction of exploitation of our planet, the underclass and oppression of women. adjustment Structural and already globalization have taken a huge toll. Backlash against progressive movements including women's resistance movements,.is a setback which no longer humankind can The survival of the afford. planet is threatened. recent years, women from all across the world have made building in gains some solidarity with each other. Feminists of the North have ability and improved their willingness to give space to from the South, their sisters their own reality to define and to construct feminism in context of their lived the experiences. In colour of Similarly, women Northern the in living hemisphere are now able to create a space for themselves to in the women's movement, put an end to the invisibility issues and their their of stengthen to struggle These feminism. the within transformations feminist movement are far from needed to develop a is what strategy that will be global fighting "the effective in enemy" that Dr. Nawal global The identified. has Eurocentric world view that our feminist sisters in the North have assimilated from in, the societies they live impedes our struggle to win feminists of the trust of the the Third World. The Eurocentric world view is premised on racist assumptions ensuing their and the Third constructions of assumed The World. "white of the superiority ingrained in is deeply race" of white the conciousness to In relating feminists. their sisters from the Third World, white feminists tend to dominate them and therefore definition of impose their oppression and women's feminism on them. In the decades, has scholarship past two feminist provided a rude awakening for its many many of us with "white the of critiques feminists of feminists" by We have learned to colour. listen to our visible minority reacting without sisters We are showing negatively. the signs of understanding women's of multiplicity contrast The oppression. international the between women's forums in 1975 and the in 1985 Nairobi in one change. this illustrates However, the many instances of by behaviour disrespectful white feminists continue to support feminists-of-colour's mistrust. their bodies are as insidious and mutilating as the veil in or countries Muslim some some circusmcision in female African societies. These women of colour can not North in comprehend why we as treat them America do not aware are very They equals. of the fact that in order to achieve equality we must not all are we that ignore our that and oppressed, culturaltakes oppression We must forms. specific thread common the recognize racist and that runs through and assumptions sexist must unite And we actions. globally to fight racism and sexism wherver we find these ideologies destructive other, in within ourselves, in the oppressive social and structures. Commonwealth a recent At Women's Conference in Toronto, our Canadian sisters of one was quite eager to show a in bride burning video on if she her I asked India. also intended to show one on She was in Canada. incest by my bewildered quite is reaction Her question. anexample of how women fail to commonality of the the see cruelty that we, as women, are any malein subjected to dominated society. Women of colour resent us for and defining their reality then imposing our views of feminism on them in the same to way patriarchy attempts define our reality. construction of Eurocentric the man of colour portrays him and sexist violent, as This assumed dangerous. dangerous nature of the man of intended to provide colour is a contrast with the gentleness of the "civilized white male". This assumption obscures the universality of sexism in all male-dominated societies. Western media dominant role have played a in portraying this image of the man of colour as barbaric and dangerous. An acclaimed movie "Not Without My Daughter" stands out as a classic illustration of how "man of colour" is constructed and presented in the Eurocentric world view. UPDATE The Supreme Court of Canada ha recently granted gays and lesbians the right to file complaints with the Canadiai Human Rights Commission. This decisioi will have significant effects in the areas o employment, benefits, services and ii particular, the Canadian Armed Forces The Ontario Human Rights Code ha included protection on the basis of sexua orientation since 1986. Last year, a Supreme Court judge hay given the Federal government six month to amend the existing law, which had bees declared unconstitutional. However, till government did not meet this deadline The Supreme Court then decided include sexual orientation in the Canadiai Human Rights Code, effectively by-passin, the government's indecision. We put down other cultures and exaggerate women's oppression in "non-white" societies without making the connections with out own oppression. "Non-white" women, on the other hand, see that anorexia and women's anxieties around PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 6 ti �DISCOVER - UPS COLUMBUS by Lorilee Wright Every society has its creation Garden of Eden is Each myth is a reflection of the society from Each myth which it grew. Modern exacts its penalty. North America, decaying in a myth. The but one. of cesspool venerates its own waste, Christopher Columbus, a known slave trader and profiteer (to name but a few of his abuses), as the Creator in its Creation Myth. there To believe Creation, must be Nothingness before it. of Columbus' priests The teachers, (the Creation historians, newspeople, public people, relations have taught us stockholders) that Columbus came to an empty without form and void, land, and with his Creation began of everything All dominion. our Created for was our and "discovery" The myth of "exploration". Christopher ColUmbus turned the ,jpeoples of' North, all Central and South America into and the people, a subject whole territory into a subject hemisphere. - This Creator is the man who inaugurated the slave trade in He introduced North America. the double scourges of disease would that religion and decimate huge populations and repress millions more to pave the way for the missionaries greater and greed He brought the exploitation. of blood" "purity idea of (limpieza de sangre) from the In Inquisition. Spanish later was this America transformed from a religious principle to a racial one to institutionalized establish This Creator launched racism. saw that strategy the technologies indigenous replaced by ones dependant on a in resources European "New the to make attempt Old, the like World" societies condemning the new He to poverty and dependency. codified the guiding principle of that the "New (under- is meant to Old the lusts of feed the and the World, (developed) the for pay to poor rich. extravagances of the This conceit can be named as the source for many of the problems faced by developing nations around the world as forced into their they are assigned role as reservoirs for the resource needs of the over-developed world. - A CREATION MYTH Christopher Columbus is a myth built on the twin deceits of a n d "exploration". His is a myth that reduces historical truth and ancestral to folk tale It's a knowledge to fable. myth that was invented to meet the needs of an over-populated and resource-depleted Europe, celebrated as and is still It's a myth that not gospel. only legitimized the plunder, but made it righteous. "discovery" the For five hundred years, have conquerors would-be worked to destroy the peoples and the cultures they have the Today, when met. Guatemalan army passes through a Mayan village, it continues systematic slaughter. the elders are and Children them ga and with killed, dreams for the future and the The teachings of the past. army boasts that they will They "leave them no seed". Create devastation on behalf of Texacrr- and Hispanorr&--- Getty Oil, who want to exploit oilfields on which these the people live oilfields in largest the Central America. The most profane of actions by consecrated been have Columbus, our Creator, in the commandments to name of dual So explore and to discover. of sake the for murder "discovery" is not sacrilege, but sacrament, and devastation the wake of "exploration" in of the status reached has suicide Planetary orthodoxy. and religious Rapture become Christopher Columbus is the Creation Myth of western society, and it reflects, as all Creation myths do, the values and principles, the ethics and morality of our society. Columbus was a man of greed who coveted wealth above all. He learned his seaman's trade as a slaver on the African coast and secured the money for his fateful trip as toady to a Queen. The reflection we see of ourselves in the Mirror of our Creator is not a flattering one. It shows the greed, the complacency, the ignorance and the arrogance of our culture. Many us see through the We are now beginning to comprehend the penalties we must pay and have been paying for our idolatry. We can see the arrogance of this Creation. The landing of Christopher Columbus is the basis for the myth - for the of cracks. decolat against all peoples for the benefit of those who invented it. Christopher Columbus was at best a false prophet for a cult of greed. We celebrate him at our peril. This article first appeared in Remote Control in Spring 1992 flifeZNINNZIVIPINNICPYIAZN NORTHERN WOMEN'S BOOKSTORE I one. came this "Conquest" With disrupted alien systems that social and economic life on Traditional levels. all foods, traditional systems of traditional cultivation, traditional ways of beliefs, life; all were consumed in the And with fires of "progress". natural the went them supported it environment that We'CIVON '93 Shared ViSiOn s all. developed) World" Christopher highly revered. the to cling Millions with Columbus mythologized zeal, fanatical almost honouring this visionary who "superior" European brought Our culture to the "Indians". and physical complicity in is too, too cultural genocide shockingly brutal to confess. myth The Columbus is of Rt/F-crxT)s cog. NN,OCT/E-1. 9 3 11E1:281011Y 1 9 9 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor m^HuitcrimIlMeiim*a4M162,..7.1 �SUCCESSFUL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE ON TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT Eagle Lake Lodge was the place to be on September 25th, 26th, 1992, for the STRIVING & THRIVING Conference, sponsored by the Northwestern Ontario Women's TTO Network, in partnership with Equay Wuk Women's Group, Sioux Lookout. Eight-nine women attended the conference from places such as Toronto, Winnipeg, all Northwestern Ontario communities, including isolated communities such as Cat Lake. All women were either employed in or interested in trades, technology or non-designated trades work (TTO). The conference was designed to bring women together to discuss training and employment opportunities in TTO work. We wanted to: link Northwestern Ontario aboriginal and non-aboriginal women, working or interested in working in trades, technology, operations and blue-collar work; * * put current economics of the region into perspective and future explore employment opportunities; * explore appropriate training models and support services for Northwestern Ontario trades, technology, operations and blue-collar workers; * establish amechanism for on-going development and follow-up for Northwestern Trades, technology, operations and blue-collar women. Opening ceremonies were carried out by Josephine King, followed by Key-note speaker, Marilyn Kenny, Western Vice President of Maritrain Ltd. Marilyn spoke on the "Women's Agenda on Training. Workshops on increasing selfesteem, Assertiveness training and The Aboriginal woman's TTO work were the most popular of the ten workshops. Other topics included Skills Training, Access to Training Dollars, Employment Equality, Health and Safety, Sexual Harassment, and Be Your Own Boss. The workshop on "Aboriginal Women", facilitated by Daisy Hoppe from Sioux Lookout was very well received. The main point in this particular workshop addressed the notion of women being a key to breaking the barriers to communications between the two cultures. As one participant stated, "It was good to see all the women, native and nonnative, integrate all together". The response was overwhelming when asked if women wanted another conference in it was Northwestern Ontario, strongly recommended that more time be spent on Assertiveness Self-Esteem Training, Search Job Training, Aboriginal Skills/Training, Women On and Off the Reserves, Access to and Opportunities in and Technology Trade Occupations. the the conclusion of conference a Northwest Women In and Technology Trades Network of women for (NWITT) with women was established the from representatives majority of communities around Northwest Ontario such as Atikokan, Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Ignace, Red Lake/'Ear Thunder Falls, Sioux Lookout, Bay and Winnipeg. At Below are the contacts of the NWITT Network. Please contact the women in your area for more information on trade related work opportunities: ATIKOKAN Theresa Gouliquer Box 1358 Atikokan, Ont. POT 1C0 (807) 597-6355 (H) DRYDEN Katie Bissig Grp 32, Box 5, RR # 2 Dryden, Ont. P8N 2Y5 (807) 937-6531 (H) Linda Paquin RR # 3, Site 40, Box 21 Dryden, Ont. P8N 3G2 (807) 937-6085 (H) (807) 937-6612 (Mom) FORT FRANCES Anita Copenace Box 297 Fort Frances, Ont. P9A 3M6 1-800-668-6279 (W) (807) 484-2254 (H) IGNACE Christiane Leroux 317 Garden P.O. Box 644 Ignace, Ont. POT 1TO (807)934-6426 (W) (807) 934-6282 (Fax) (807) 934-6509 (H) KENORA Val Metail 334 Second Street S. Kenora, Ont. P9N 1G5 (807) 468-6555 (W) (807) 543-3197 (H) NORTHERN COMMUNITIES yet to be determined RED LAKE/EAR FALLS Bonnie Satten Box 194 Cochenour, Ont. POV 1L0 (807) 662-2069 SIOUX LOOKOUT Lorraine Vella Box 43 Hudson, Ont. POV 1X0 (807) 582-3576 (H) THUNDER BAY Juliet Woronkewych 372 Dawson Street Thunder Bay, Ont. P7A 3V2 (807) 345-5582 (W) (807) 345-4093 (Fax) (807) 344-9928 (H) Mary Zoccole 240 W. Brock St. Thunder Bay, Ont. P7E 4S3 (807) 475-2683 (B) (807) 475-4598 (H) PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Paae 8 �WE OLD ONES HAVE OUR OWN SMELL IT IS AN AURA OF A THOUSAND DISAPOINTMENTS OUR PERSPIRATION REEKS OF FAIIURE HEARTS AND NON FUNCTIONING KIDNEYS NO QUESTION OF'COMING ANYMORE GOING EVERY DAY MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAPPINESS AND ANXIETY THE RELATIVES BRING US LAVISH SUPPLIES OF PERFUMED SOAP AND TOILET WATER AND PRETEND THEY DONT NOTICE THAT SWEET SMELL OF CREEPING DECAY UNLESS WE HAVE STORED WISDOM ABOVE THE NECK AND INTUITION IN THE GUT TO KEEP THE SPIRITUAL CENTRE AWAKE AND CAPABLE OF SEEING THE BEAUTY AROUND US WHILE WE MUMBLE, GRUMBLE AND DESPAIR OF THE WORST OF MAN'S FOOLISHNESS WE SHALL LOSE THE GIFT OF PERSPECTIVE. WE HAVE ESCAPED FROM CHAOS, WE SIT OR LAY OR STROLL THE STREET OR MALL WITH A HOUSE KEEPERS EYE, WE SMILE AND THE SMILE IS RETURNED, IT'S ENOUGH WE TALK TO OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THEN MARVEL AT OUR ABILITY TO STOP ALL PROGRESS FOR OUR PLEASURE WE NOTE THE PUBLIC IS KIND, WE HAVE EARNED A PATIENCE BEYOND EVEN MANNERS THE RESPECT THAT SOME OF US MISSED ALONG THAT ROAD OF STRUGGLE ALL IN ALL IT'S A SWEET TIME OF LIFE IF YOU HAVE THE IMAGINATION TO WRITE ABOUT IT. Gert Beadle REFLECTIONS Following your path stepping diligently into each footprint To My Grandmother Reflections I remember as a child how you wanted me for your own but you had only one son I like being your dressup doll it made me feel special The stories you told sometimes haunted me I dreamt of ghosts harboring at my bedside of the unspoken times when I trailed behind you merely a toddler trusting and carefree framing your walls with my innocence As a young woman I confided in you We would sit down for tea then you'd tell my future Did you ever see yourself in me? Your mysticism intrigued me the aura of spiritual wisdom you so greatly adorned Your musical teapot and red ruby ring The deepest pain I ever felt was the day I held you helpless to your fate I tried desperatly to contain you but with every breath you drifted further away from me and your heart ceased and your soul with silver tipped wings escaped gleefully Now the epitaph on your shrine is all the world can see and I am left with an aching emptiness as I live with your memory Pictures I treasure your red ruby ring and musical teapot your tea leaf notes symbolized in the palm of my hand Everytime my light flickers or my chimes sing I feel comforted once again by the special bond we shared Now branded and fertile my footprints encompass yours with a gentle unspoken gratitude Linda Ewashina Linda Ewashina PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 9 �LABOUR LAW AND by Sara Williamson In August, the Ontario NDP government WOMEN women's and immigrant women's organizations last winter pointed out that the amendments do not include any held their final round of hearings on organizing protection for the live-in house amendments to the Ontario Labour Relations Act. This is the legislation which governs the relationship between employee. keeper or baby-sitter who is the sole In Ontario, in order to unionize, there must be at least two employers and ,unions. In the previous hearings, labour and business reiterated employees on the employer's payroll. their needs and the direction they wanted amendments to go. For this set of hearings, the Ontario Federation of When women and their co-workers do Labour through the Thunder Bay & District Labour Council, and Port Arthur choose to join a union, the employer will not be able to stall for as long a time in negotiating the first contract. The amendment doesn't exactly light a fire job. If it is to be a fair playing field, t employer should lose income al Revenue from sales of products a services should cease. When someo else takes over a worker's job during t strike, expect the strike to drag out, a become bitter and violent. To create balanced negotiating climate there shot be a law against the use of any stri breakers. The business lobby and t legislation refer to strike-breakers "replacement workers". Union people c, them scabs! make a presentation. No women's groups agreement for a union there has extra Unionized workers under fedel jurisdiction will not be protected by h when a business is sold or transferred provincial jurisdiction. That proposal w quietly dropped. This confirms t. suspicions of federal public servi workers that they will be left out in t] cold when the federal governme were scheduled for the Thunder Bay obstacles. This is because the worksite is buried inside a complex that is privately responsibilities over to the province. Member of Parliament, Shelley WarkMartyn encouraged other community interest groups, especially women, to tell their stories of the effect of labour law change. Decade Council, the Women's Center, Faye Peterson House and other women's representatives did apply to hearings. The impression for the public was that the discussion around the amendments was strictly a fight between corporate interests and labour interests. Why would the hearings committee under the boss's feet but it does set shorter time limits before a settlement must be reached (with the use of a private arbitrator if necessary). Many women work in stores in shopping malls. Organizing and getting a collective owned. Standing at the store entrances and exits to give union organizing information to the workers was often forbidden by the mall owner. If the deliberately mislead people into believing that this was a polarized issue where both workers did join as union and negotiations "sides" would need to compromise? In fact, this legislation affects the living standards of all of us. In Thunder Bay, women's voices did get a bit of coverage workers' only recourse was to walk off the thanks to the initiative of Cindy Edmonds broke down to the point where the job, the mall owner would forbid the workers to picket in front of the store. Bad employers were taking advantage of this loop hole and would not try to work several hours before the hearings. out a fair contract_with,khe workers. If there was no picket line, the employer could easily bring in scabs to take the workers' jobs and unsuspecting What difference will these amendments make for women? customers would make purchases with no idea that a strike was going on. Under the amendment, organizing and picketing will the Pi*esident of the Port Arthur NDP Riding Association and the Women's Centre, who . held a media conference be allowed at entrances and exits of the In some cases, it will give women a chance to have an organized voice about their working conditions. It does offer the potential for a bit more security for parttime workers, mall retail workers, workers worksite in the mall. Women working for a cleaning contractor, food services contractor or contractor of other services for a particular building for cleaning services, for some food service workers, and for workers of nanny or homemaker agencies. will, under the changes to the Act, be able to keep their jobs and working conditions if the building owner changes contractors. If you are a part-time worker, you and your part-time co-workers can have the same contract as the full-time workers. the building. Until this amendment comes in, part-time workers in Ontario have had to organize separately and negotiate separately. It is harder to get together with co-workers who are only at the worksite part-time. It is also harder to negotiate for fairer working conditions when the employer considers you as merely supplementary to In other words, the new contractor must hire the workers who have been servicing Until now, employers could get police escorts to bring in strike breakers. Under the proposed amendment, when at least 60% of those voting in a woman's Unions asked for the legal right to bri] union information to the lunch rooms worksites. When else will working worn( have a moment to meet? Labour's nee, were ignored in order to further appea the business lobby whom the Liber leader, Lyn McLeod echoes. So what do you think? I bet you ar wondering what all the fuss and boc the business lobb: They appear to have successfully badgere Bob Rae into producing the sort milquetoast set of labour law amendment booing is about that a Liberal government might hav produced. So they got more than the share of the cake and they are trying t see if they can get some more. The amendments will speed several more groups of workers will gai the same organizing rights as mo workers. Useful reforms, but far too mil to deal effectively with the vicious profi before-people mentality being promote globally by big business. Sara Williamson is active in the labor movement and the women's community Thunder Bay. one from that bargaining unit can legally cross the picket line and no additional staff can be brought in to do the work. BUT... anyone not in the bargaining unit conditions and benefits would offer great peace of mind. the blessing of the law enforcers! This is grossly unfair. Going on strike is a last resort for unionized workers. It is used Domestic workers can now technically join when all efforts to negotiate a fair collective agreement fail. Workers want can do the work and the employer can move the work to another location with to keep working. Women do not readily give up their little earnings so stretched to care for themselves and their families. A strike costs the workers lost earnings and at least temporarily, the loss of a steady PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page la u judgements on complaints about unfa labour practices. This is very importan Also, as I mentioned at the beginnin; bargaining unit voted to strike, then no the core full- time staff. Since so many women can only work part-time, the possibility of gaining better working a union. BUT... only where the employer has two or more employees. It will be a help for women working for , house cleaning services, home care agencies and nanny agencies. Presentations from dissolves more departments and tur �LABOUR LAW: ONE WOMAN'S VIEW The following is a submission to the Labour Reform Committee written by Luisa Alfonso of Thunder Bay. My name is Luisa Alfonso. My husband and I came to Canada in 1982 from Chile, as political refugees. Our only son was born in this country in September 1985. My first working experience, like many other immigrant's, was really shocking. Working as a dishwasher, language barrier, no benefits, and no possibilities of getting any improvement were only a few of them. After our son was born our financial situation got even worse. My husband was unemployed, i was really sick (I had three operations in two years, one of them during my pregnancy), our son was chronically asthmatic, we were spending up to $200 a month for medication, I was working, not as a dishwasher any more, but as a secretary. Working for $6.00/hr., no benefits. Also at the same time I was supplying at night school almost every night from six to 11:00 for the same amount of money. Working up to 11 hoUrs a day with a sick baby and an unemployed husband that I didn't even have the time to see during the day. I survived but I still am 'paying for that physically and economically. My only hope was to find a decent job. A unionized job. In 1987, I got a job as a secretary for the Lakehead Board of Education and I became a member of the OPEIU. Soon after that my husband found a job and eventually he also started to work for the Lakehead Board in less than a year he organized his coworkers into a union, the OSSTF. Since then our situation improved 100% and our family quality life is also very good. We don't work any harder than we used to work, that is impossible, but we enjoy a better life only because we have the opportunity of being part of a union. Unfortunately, not every immigrant has this opportunity and when they try to improve by getting organized, they face firings and intimidation by employers. It is very easy to get discouraged when one has a couple of children waiting for your pay cheque at home. As an immigrant woman, I would like to thank the government of Ontario for the opportunity to speak up on such an important matter for working people as the reform of the Act that regulates our very ability to make a living. Workers in Ontario like everywhere else in the world only have their labour to sell in order to survive. I truly believe that the The NDP government in this province has been under attack by the powerful OLRA, for pin money, but because they could not find full time jobs. In Ontario only 15% of part time workers are unionized therefore they receive lower wages, no benefits, less job security and almost no career opportunities. The reform to the Mail (Nov. 11, 1991) recognized that the OLRA will do justice to thousands of employer's organizations and their media because of the initiative to reform the but they have always been opposed to changes in favour of the people, haven't they? What is almost surrealistic is that even the Globe and reforms are very modest and far from revolutionary like big capital in this province has suggested in the psychological terror campaign against the OLRA's reform. I want to strongly necessary if we are committed to offer decent conditions of living to the people of Ontario. women like me in Ontario, it will give us the opportunity to really become part of the economic, political and social web of this province. support the government on this initiative, they must know they have the backing of the people of this province, the people to whom they are ultimately accountable. Immigrants and in particular, immigrant women, are at the very bottom of the cheap labour pool and a high percentage of the new immigrants are coming from the so-called 'non-traditional areas.' Many of them are war refugees, people with very little command of the English language and no knowledge of the laws of the land, therefore an easy prey for unscrupulous employers that, taking advantage of the big holes in the existing labour laws, are having a ball abusing the rights of workers to organize. They very well know that if they fire the 'trouble maker' that wants union on the shop it will take at least six months before an illegally discharged worker is reinstated by the Labour Board. In that period of time the rest of the workers will have become intimidated and the organization No wonder the drive defeated. manufacturers' association is opposed to the reform when one of the proposals is to ensure that workers illegally fired during an organizing drive will have a quick hearing with strict time limits, and for heaven's sake we need it. As an immigrant woman I applaud the proposed expansion of the Women of Invention: Individuals who changed our Lives - an extension exhibit from the National Museum of Science and Technology, Ottawa Co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Communications and Soroptimist International of Thunder Bay, the exhibit examines women's inventions from three points of view: Women as Agents of Change, By Women and for Women, and Inventions for Everyone. public education service to make sure that everyone knows his or her rights. I hope Featured are the inventions of 37 women and a short biographical sketch of each that some of the most vital information will be available in the most languages from the point of view of the immigrant composition of labour in Ontario. inventor, as well as information on the process of inventing, and the marketing As an organized worker, I am more than practical inventors in solving problems that directly affect them. It displays and illustrates a wide variety of inventions for babies, the home, the office, for life saving and ecology. pleased to know that the changes will include anti-scab legislation that will prevent capital from annulling the effectiveness of a strike. Anti-scab legislation has been in place in Quebec since 1978 and has not caused a mass exodus of industries in that province. Industrialist paranoia in Ontario has no foundation whatsoever and this province will not lose a single plant because of anti-scab legislation: the Free Trade Agreement is doing that work very well indeed. Act's overhaul has been overdue for a long time and the changes are absolutely of them are working less than 40 hours a week, not because they are just working Part time workers compose over 15% of labour in Ontario. Women make up 75% and protection of inventions. The exhibit shows that women are There are items such as Liquid Paper, the Jolly Jumper, coffee filters, Scotchguard, Kevlar, and fuel substitutes. Northwestern Ontario is represented by an inventor from Dryden, Ontario. The exhibit opened September 29th and continues till November 23rd at the Thunder Bay Museum, 219 May Street S. For more information call 622 - 0801. of the part time labour force; recent surveys indicated that the huge majority PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page-11 �CHRISTMAS IN THE WEST, CHRISTMAS IN THE EAST by Josie Wallenius Esmerelda came through the door and went into her kitchen. She reached into a she loved like anything, and she pondered if they would understand. cupboard for the gin, found the bottle empty, and dropped it into her recycling box marked 'glass.' She began to imagine. Suppose she got a card of herself made out of a photo she She slumped into her rocking chair, and mused, "What is to be done?" had of herself at the medical clinic in Bethlehem, where she had gone in the summer with the Grandmothers For Peace. She wasn't musing about her gin, she was musing about Christmas, and it was only September. "When you know something you can't not know it" muttered Esmerelda, and again she mused aloud, "What is to be done' as Suppose, Esmerelda pondered, she bougi the grandchildren just one small toy to E along with the card. Would that make it alright? No, it wouldn't. It would mean Esmerelc was afraid, and fear was not love, ar Christmas was about love, love for a children, not fear. Suppose she wrote in this card a message to her grandchildren that they did not But she had seen these neat little jacke need any more toys, that the children in with a picture of a moose on them Bethlehem needed medicine, and that she Ryden's store, and she had planned to gl those, and clothes were not toys. was sure they would be happy that they it was always and for ever, such a neat would have one less toy so that the children in Bethlehem would be a bit question and, she liked neat things. happier that day. Perhaps. But her grandchildren had enough clothe and the children of Bethlehem did not. The problem was, in a nutshell, that Esmerelda laughed to herself as she Esmerelda knew the economy she lived in Suddenly Esmerelda was struck with imagined her grandchildren's eyes lighting up with joy at the thought of it all. thought. made weapons, and thus wars, and she could not for the life of her imagine herself this Christmas trying to pretend she did not know this. Then Esmerelda though of her son, and she thought of her daughter-in-law, and she pondered. As she had done 'the year before and Suppose she went without gin froi September to the beginning of Decembe saved the money, bought the jackets, sei the jackets and the card about Bethlehei to her daughter-in-law and passed th before that. She wasn't too sure of their joy. Everything was not right, not neat at all, and something had to be done. And she knew why. Her daughter-in-law was neat. She grew glum. Her Esmerelda pondered. She had a neat thought. At least, she thought it was neat problem on to her. She knew some would understand, be them for Christmas Day to go with th card. Mother's know best, and he daughter-in-law was Esmerelda' even glad, because they were a bit sick too the women at work, she used to get seemed to experiments. of not knowing what to do for children grandchildren's mother, Esmerelda wasn' who had too much. But there were others who never seemed to be impressed with Esmerelda rocked in her chair. She wa Esmerelda's bright ideas at all, and just be afraid of unusual her loved ones got kind of upset, but Esmerelda liked being loved by everybody else and she never went too far, because she was afraid. But this was Christmas coming up, and it was coming up everywhere, including Bethlehem, and Esmerelda knew it was time to take greater risks than ever. "I'll send a card to all my family, and the women at work, and tell them I am going to send the money I would have spent on them to the children suffering from our bombs in Bethlehem and that will make everybody happy." Esmerelda pondered. She wasn't so sure. Christmas was Christmas, and as life would have it, nobody believed you loved them anymore if you didn't give them a present. And Esmerelda had grandchildren who choos4 children the jackets any old time, or kee Esmerelda thought she was very good at preaching to others. At least everybody got fed up with her, so she presumed it was so. But when it came to the people she loved the most, like her family, and She used to take chances, and could She thought of the women at work. at first. chicken. daughter-in-law Whether, or whether not to, give th Esmerelda thought of the bombs, shook her head in a start, and realised that was their bad luck, but her son and daughterin-law were different. She loved them so much that sometimes she just couldn't bear it. Not with all her other worries. going to make a lovely card. It was goin to be a collage of children's faces. He own grandchildren and the children frog Bethlehem. And she would mention Jesus, and wh Jesus was, and what he meant. And i her imagination she saw he grandchildren's eyes light up. Maybe the would take the card to school and show off. `Dear Brett and Simon. This is a preser from Nan in Canada, and it is a card ti show you I am sending a Christma present to the children living in the plac near where Jesus was born and th children in Bethlehem will know it i coming from you, and they will be ver happy today because you are thinking them.' Esmerelda wondered what her daughter She rememberei in-law would do. Christmas from days gone by when he children had been young, and she tried t, work out what she would have thought 1 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �her mother-in-law had pulled a fast one WOMEN TEACHERS like that. And she could not imagine. Because it was days gone by, and times were changing, changing so fast that Esmerelda realized that her little letter had been so FIGHT FAMILY VIOLENCE driven with her own fear it made her puke. Children in Bethlehem hopping about on one leg because of our economy, children going to bed on Christmas Eve in terror because they were afraid the soldiers would come for their mother or father again, because our weapons need their oil, and she imagined herself getting the children to sit on her knee and saying, `Look kids. This is Christmas. It's supposed to be about this man called Jesus being born, and he was called "The Prince of Peace" and he was supposed to be the Son of God who said "Suffer all the little children to come unto me" so it's not RIGHT to have guns for Christmas, it's not RIGHT that you have all these toys when other children have nothing, so I'm going to send my Christmas money to other children, because there's a big shakedown coming and I love you, do you understand?' Because Esmerelda realized she was going to have to jump one generation. The middle one was already lost to the Big Eye, and when you kitow something, you just can't not know it. Family violence affects everyone. An estimated 150,000 to 250,000 school aged children in Ontario are exposed to family violence. How do these children from violent homes cope at school? The Federation of Women Teachers' Associations of Ontario (FWTAO) has become more vocal in their fight against family violence in recent years. In 1990, to commemorate the Montreal Massacre, the FWTAO published an award winning newsletter which is now one of the many resources available to their membership. By making such materials available to classroom teachers, the school system may be learning, at the ground level, how to understand and help children from violent homes. manommasommemannemywomenralmmemmumona SUGGESTED READING: WOMEN'S HISTORY IN CANADA A CANADIAN WOMEN IN HISTORY: Chronology, edited by Moira Armour and Pat Staton Essays on DESPITE THE ODDS: Canadian Women and Science, edited by Marianne G. Ainley strategies to educate children and teachers on family violence. The feature article Violence Against Women - An Epidemic and a National Disgrace examines the resolution for children, and curriculum development materials for units on conflict resolution. A selected resource list containing videos, fiction, educational kits and resource books on the topic of children and violence, child abuse, and family violence is included. The Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic in Toronto is profiled. This clinic provides free legal counselling to female victims of wife assault, sexual assault and survivors of childhood sexual abuse and incest. This article would be an introduction to those not familiar with the issues of violence. women who are victims of There are several articles directed specifically at teachers, which deal with teacher awareness, sexual abuse and sex role stereotypes As well, a model violence awareness week program which took place in London Ontario is detailed. Parents, teachers and students were actively involved in planning this special school week. As well as classroom activities on awareness, advocacy and alternatives, students and teachers received education QUEBEC WOMEN: A History edited by Micheline Dumont et from the staff of a women's shelter. al curriculum was developed for use in New Essays GENDER CONFLICTS: in Women's History, edited by Franca Lacovetta and Mariana Valverde 1990. This was a pilot project centring on student education and is now being reproduced in many locales. In the project, each division is targeted with a specific theme on violence education; primary (kindergarten - grade 3) People are Not for Hitting, junior (grades 4-6) We are Responsible for Our Own Actions, intermediate (grades 7 & 8) Gender Stereotyping and it's Effect on Behaviour. These themes were explored through a variety of activities, role playing exercises and classroom discussions. A teaching package was developed and is available to all schools. Ask your child's teacher or principal about family violence education in your school. School Teachers' Federation (OPSTF), creating a healing circle for children in the Middle East Children's Alliance 2140 Shattuck Ave., Suite 207 Berkeley, CA 94704 USA Teachers' Women and Children contains articles pertaining to Board and school level classroom to build self-esteem, conflict Photos and cards of children in Palestine available from: Women Similar projects are underway in many Other articles discuss Greek Catholic Convent Clinic Beit Sahour P.O. Box 44 Via Israel Canadian Federation embarked on the project in of the FWTAO Violence Against This special issue newsletter entitled facts about violence and shows how sexism please send donations to The Resource materials were collected and subsequent years. large Canadian cities. The Ontario Public representing male public school teachers, reports that an interdisciplinary approach was taken in the development of a family violence unit in a Hamilton Ontario school. A curriculum was written for grades Junior Kindergarten - OAC (grade was given to 13) and in-service the school staff before the project began. The program was written by the Hamilton Board of Education and family violence professionals. Strategies were developed for classroom use and a procedure was put in place for those student who chose to disclose information about their own Crisis workers and family situation. counsellors were used as well as the staff from the local women's shelter. Students learned about the factors which contribute to violence - stereotyping, power and control - through activities appropriate to their grade level. Knowledge of the issue of violence is necessary for students to help them develop an understanding of positive relationships. Information about community resources and counselling is also available. Ask your child's teacher or principal about family violence education in your school. The FWTAO issue on Violence Against Women and Children is available to the public and is an excellent resource for all teachers, parents, social service and child care workers. You may obtain this issue by sending $4.00 to: Federation of Women Teachers' Association of Ontario 1260 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 2B8 *******************************###****************************************** continued pg 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 43 �Ontario Women's Directorate Direction generale de Ia condition feminine de ('Ontario Northern Office 107C Johnson Ave. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 MOMENTS IN HISTORY Bureau du nord 107C, avenue Johnson Thunder Bay (Ontario) P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 GRANTS October is Women's History Month It would be absurd to ask a woman today if she thought of herself as a person. But only RESOURCE CENTRE WIFE ASSAULT PUBLIC EDUCATI( New resources available to the public in the Northern Office Resource Centre are: received funding from Ontario Womei 63 years ago women weren't considered persons - at least not in the eyes of the law. What most history books don't mention is that October 18 1929 marks a landmark legal decision for Canadian women. On that day a judgement was delivered on behalf of the Privy Council in London, England stating, The exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours". Since then other women have won individual cases for all women. BATTERED WOMEN AS SURVIVORS by Lee Ann Hoff. It analyses and reveals the relationship between personal crisis and traditional attitudes toward women, marriage, the family, and violence. HELPING YOUR CHILD RECOVER FROM SEXUAL ABUSE by Caren Adams and Jennifer Fay. This book offers guidance for parents who courageously face the days and months after a child's abuse. 1937 Dorothea Palmer, an employee of the Parents' Information Bureau, who works in a poor Ottawa suburb, is acquitted of distributing birth-control information. SEXUAL HARASSEMENT ON THE JOB by William Petrocelli and Barbara Kate Repa. 1967 Jeanette Lavell and Yvonne Bedard, two native women take their case before the Supreme Court of Canada. They allege that the Indian Act discriminates against them since, unlike native men, native women lose their Indian status, With all its rights and privileges,,,when they marry non-natives. Although the court rules against them, largely because of their efforts, the Indian Act is amended. THE CANADIAN FAMILY IN CRISIS by John F. Conway. This book examines the drastic changes which have occurred in It covers all aspects of the problem--from annoying behavior to physical abuse. November is Wife Assault Preventi Month. The following northern groups he Directorate to support community activit that promote the prevention of wife assai Public education materials such information sheets, brochures, buttons a posters are also available from OWD. > Canadian Mental Health Associate Family Resource Centre, Matheson > Omushkegiskwew House - Mooson Family Resource Centre > Sudbury Coordinating Committee Agaii Wife Assault >Chadwic Home, Wawa > Pavilion Family Resource Centre > Hoshizaki House, Dryden > Manitoulin Haven House > New Starts for Women, Red Lake > Faye Peterson Transition House, Thunc Bay Rights 1980 The Federal Human million awards a $2.3 Commission settlement to women librarians in what is the first major case to establish the principle that Canada in the past 20 years in family life. Franoaises Section Resurrection, Sturge >Wabigoon Native Women's Group >Centre for International Cooperati (DOORS), Thunder Bay THE COMING OUT STORIES by Julia Abuse > Parry Sound Indian Friendship Centre > Lakehead Women Teachers' Associati Anti-Violence Committee > Tikinagan Child and Family Servic Family Counselling Unit, Sandy Lake > Marjorie House, Marathon > Ojibways of Sucker Creek >Native and Northern Awarene Committee, North Bay > Centre de Counselling Familial de Timmi lesbians, - that coming out remains an intensely emotional and often painful experience, even in the 1980's. when Ontario Human Rights Commission rules that: "Discrimination on New videos are: the basis of sex in athletic events is unlawful in Ontario." FOUR STORIES produced by IBM and team EMPLOYMENT EQUITY FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY produced by Independent Living Centre, Thunder Bay. the <><><><><><><><><><><> Applications for Sexual Assault Pub Education Grants funding will be mailed community groups next month. providing public community. awareness in in harassment-free workplace. covering her during a 17 week period around the birth of her baby. The Supreme Court of Canada rules that discrimination on the basis of pregnancy is sex discrimination. >Kenora Coalition Against Violence a SEXUAL ASSAULT PUBLIC EDUCATIO Two new educational tools for use employer is responsible for providing a 1989 Susan Brooks, a cashier at Safeway, complains to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission that her employee benefits package discriminates against her by not des Femmes Canadienn Falls Justine Blainey, a 12 year old girl, wins the right to play on a boys' hockey is a form of discrimination and that the > Federation SEXUAL POLITICS by Kate Millet. A classic analysis of the interplay between men, women, and culture. edition shows the processes for many Supreme Court rules that sexual harassment Coordinatil exemption laws and an invaluable bibliography on wife rape. '-fl,r-:=M7:77,7777 Penelope and Susan J. Wolfe. This second Two Winnipeg waitresses, Diana Janzen and Tracy Govereau, are fired after being sexually harassed by the cook. The Temiskaming Committee value. 1989 >South RAPE IN MARRIAGE by Diana E. H. Updated listing of marital rape Russell. different work can still be work of equal 1987 >Geraldton Family Resource Centre Friendship Cent > Nishnawbe-Gamik Sioux Lookout > Les elles du Nord, Longlac >Sturgeon Falls Family Resource Centre UPCOMING EVENTS COMMUNITY GRANTS Workshop: Sexual Violence Against Women and Children October 29 and 30, 1992 and December 3 The deadline for the next OWD Commun Grants is December 1, 1992. For information about grants criteria, cont either Thunder Bay or Toronto offices collE before the due date. and 4, 1992 Centre de Kapuskasing Loisirs,Room Belanger, Register by: October 23, 1992 FREE Telephone: (705)335-8538 Fax: (705)3354217 04,sessts0 <><><><><><><><><><> This page is sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directoi Workshop: Mother & Daughter Relationships November 6 and 7, 1992 Unitarian House, Thunder Bay Register by: October 23, 1992 $25.00 Telephone: 344-5980 The material contained on it may be photocopied distributed without permission, but with credit to the oric source of the Ontario Women's Directorate. Cette page est marrainee par la direction de la cond feminine en Ontario. Les materiaux ci-inclu peuvent copier et distribuer sans permission, mais avec accredita envers Ia source original, la direction de la cond feminine de ('Ontario. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 14 �BOOK REVIEWS examines the institution formal education and provides concrete examples of school programs that address the need to provide boys and girls with conflict resolution programs, parenting classes and social studies programs that demystify the "glories" of war. She of Reviewed by Michele Proulx Boys Will Be Boys: breaking the link between masculinity and violence Myriam Miedzian, Doubleday, 1991 Myriam Miedzian holds a PhD in Philosophy as well as a Masters in Clinical Social Work. In this book, she addresses the issue of solving the problem of endemic male violence in (North) American society. Her research is voice thorough, her articulate. Her results are to say the least - provoking. Miedzian states her thesis: ... many of the values of the masculine mystique, such as toughness, dominance, repression of empathy, extreme competitiveness, play a role in criminal and domestic violence and underlie the thinking and policy decisions of our political leaders." A Woman's Odyssey in Africa: tracks She begins by describing the status quo; the acceptance of violence as a way of life when male behaviour is the norm - and proceeds to examine systematically both what it is that reinforces violent behaviour in boys and what can be done to change the socialization of boys in order to decrease violence. ' Miedzian draws upon myriad interviews with people from many fields and integrates both academic and popular literature to examine the institutions that function, in concert, to socialize boys individually and collectively. She explores the institution of the family and identifies the glaring lack of involved, nurturant male role models for boys. And for this reader, she quite offensively lays some of the blame at the feet of families headed by women. Klein recounts her estrangment from her mother: "The closest she came to touching me may be seen in a family portrait taken across a life Hanny Lightfoot-Klein Harrington Park Press, 1992 just before we left Germany." And she Hanny Lightfoot-Klein tells us a story that describes her emotional enslavement and near incestual relationship with her father. is two stories, well enough woven to be compelling to the reader's curiosity until the last page is finished. In one she chronicles her solo backpacking travels in sub-Saharan Africa taken over four years; where among other adventures, she gathered material for her recently published work on female genital mutilation, Prisoners of Ritual. In the other story she recounts tales of her own origins. And the reader finds herself compelled by the weave of both stories. The writer-traveller explores the Sudan on her own terms, searching for understanding of a rigidly enforced cultural practice that claims the external genitalia of all "respectable" women when they are little girls five to nine years old. And in sharing these travels, the author recounts stories of her own upbringing in a household that offers a strange reflection of the torment suffered by the African victims of overt physical mutilation. Kleins parents were refugees from Nazi Germany and in her own words: "...hopelessly ill-matched...she [her mother] and Natan/Satan hated one another with a passion that bordered on dementia." It is the reflection-refraction between these two stories that compells the reader. As one learns more about this brave and articulate former highschool teacher, and mother, one is struck by her drive to come to terms with her own story as she explores the practice of female genital mutilation and ties to avoid western condescension: "Before we pass judgement on those who inflict the tortures of The Barbaric Practice in Africa, or on those who simply submit to them without Miedzian takes on mainstream, popular culture: television, film video, and music. She addresses the influence of professional sports on boys as spectators and amateur sport as participants. She proposes regulation to structure sports teach to really programs n o n values. violent/cooperative) And finally she examines the boys "violence toy" market: to parallel "The proper prudery with Victorian sexual is not respect to violence banning war toys and war play. is forbidding children to It express any feelings of anger at all, and making or rage very guilty about them feel aggressive play. any kind, of Buying boys Transformers, GI and Nintendo games is Joes, not akin to buying them Judy Blume books, which deal in a healthy realistic sensitive way with the sexual and other It is concerns of children. them to buying akin magazines pornographic During designed for children. era, the Victorian young children who masturbated were often told this could lead to insanity. Today's enlightened parents would not dream of saying such a thing to their But on the other children. hand they don't go out and buy them toy dildos and sex magazines either... " prosocial ( This book stands as a valuable to the studied addition examination of accepted Not violence in our society. only does the author explore offers the she issues, practical examples of solutions; not only for the socializing institutions, but also for concerned parents and individual educators who for endeavour to make "progress in the control of the disease of violence." social rebellion, we might do well to first examine our own cultural practices and our own barbarities." Lightfoot-Klein is a woman who, in process, leaves her old life and old roles behind at fifty-one years of age to pursue long held dreams of adventure and exploration. Her stories are empowering; writes of overcoming physical, economic and social barriers in fulfillment she of her own path. Her style of writing is humourous and pleasant to read. Her stories challenge the reader to reflect upon her own path and where it may lead if the imagination and the courage can be sufficiently tapped. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 15 �QUIZ ON WOMB IN CANADIAN HISTORY 1. Who said, "Whitever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult." ? (a) Sheila Copps (c) Margaret Laurence (b) Margaret Atwood (d) Charlotte Whitton 2. Who was Canada's first woman Governor General? (a) Jeanne Sauve (c) Gabrielle Leger (b) Pauline Vanier (d) Norah Mitchener 3. Saskatoon Lily was... (a) A Canadian Olympic high jump champion (b) A prairie wildflower (c) The first woman on the Canadian Wheat Board 12. Who was Elsie Gregory MacGill? (a) Canada's first woman judge (b) Canada's first woman journalist (c) Canada's first woman aeronautical engineer (d) Canada's first woman Dean 13. This woman founded the Anti-Slavery Society in Toronto in 1851, and is widely credited as North America's first black newspaperwoman. (a) Susanna Moodie (c) Rose Fortune (b) Mary Ann Shadd Cary (d) Mattie Hayes 14. Who said, "Never retract, never explain, never apologize - get the thing done and let them howl" ? (a) Laura Sabia (b) Nellie McClung (c) Emily Murphy (d) Gloria Steinem 4. In which Canadian province did women first win the right to vote in 1916 ? (a) Saskatchewan (c) Ontario (b) Manitoba (d) Alberta 15. In 1982, who was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada? 5. Who was Canada's first woman radio broadcaster? (a) Sandra Day O'Connor (b) Rosalie Abella (a) Ethel Cruise (b) Therese Casgrain (c) ldola Saint-Jean (d) Anna Dexter 16. Pauline McGibbon was... (a) Canada's first woman Senator (b) The coach of the Canadian women's Olympic field hockey team (c) The first woman lieutenant-governor in, the British Commonwealth 6. As of which date were women recognized as "persons" under Canada's Constitution? (a) October 18, 1929 (c) July 1, 1867 (b) April 17, 1982 (d) December 11, 1931 7. Who was the first woman physician to practice medicine in Canada? (a) Clara Brett Martin (b) Emily Howard Stowe (c) Bertha Wilson (d) Rose Lee (c) Catherine Parr Trail! (d) Martha Hamm Lewis 8. Who were the Edmonton Grads? _(a) the first all-women class to graduate from university (b) a national champion women's ringette team (c) an amateur women's basketball team (d) a group of Alberta women scholars 9. Who was Emily Pauline Johnson? She was... (a) Canada's first woman lawyer 17. In what year did the first equal pay for equal work legislation come into effect in Canada? (a) 1899 (c) 1935 (b) 1952 (d) 1967 18. This woman was largely responsible for the restoration of native rights to native women who had married non-natives. (a) Nellie Mildred-Carlson (b) Mary Two-Axe Early (c) Jane Manuel (d) Nellie Cournoyea 19. Agnes Macphail was... (a) The first woman to head a Royal Commission in Canada (b) One time head of the Canadian Teachers Federation (c) The first woman member of Canada's Parliament (b) Canada's first woman M.P. from British Columbia (c) an early leader in the struggle for native women's rights (d) a native poet and eniertainer 20. This woman was one of the leading 20th-century reformers in this country. She led the struggle for women's suffrage in Quebec before World War II. (a) Marie Gerin-Lajoie (c) Therese Casgrain (d) Annie Buller (b) Laure Gaudreault 10. Who was Canada's first woman Senator? (a) Solange Chaput-Rolland (b) Margaret Carson (c) Cairine Wilson (d) Huguette Plamondon 11. This woman, a Mohawk, was born in 1736. She was the wife of Loyalist Sir William Johnson, and acted as a liaison between her tribe and the English settlers. (a) Madelaine De Vercheres (b) Elizabeth Couc (c) Molly Brant (d) Mary Fubbester (For answers please see page 2 ************************************ **************** SUGGESTED READING: WOMEN'S HISTORY IN CANADA CLAIM: NOT UNREASONABLE Canada, Reform in and Women edited by Linda 1880-1920's, Kealey A Canadian BEYOND THE VOTE: Women and Politics, eds. Linda Kealey and Joan Sangster CHANGING WOMEN, CHANGING of A Bibliography HISTORY: in Women of History the Canada, ed. Diana Pedersen MAJORITY; NEGLECTED THE Women's in Canadian Essays I & Vol. II, by Vol. History, Alison Prentice and Susan Mann Trofimenkoff The CANADA: RETHINKING Promise of Women's History, by Veronica Strong-Boag and Clair Fellman BRITISH COLUMBIA REVISITED: Essays on Women edited by Gillian Cresse and Veronica Strong-Hoag THE NATURE OF THEIR BODIES: Women and Their Doctors in Victorian Canada, by Wendy Mitchinson WOMEN WHO TAUGHT: edited by Alison Prentice and Marjorie R. Theobald LIFE LIVED LIKE A STORY: Julie Crunkshank et al OUR GRANDMOTHERS LIVES as to in their own words edited and translated by Fre4 Ahenakew and H. C. Wolfort THE NEW DAY RECALLED: Livo of Girls and Women in Englig Canada, 1919-1939, by Veronic Strong-Hoag NO BURDEN Narratives of THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT CANADA, by Catherine Cleverdon SILENCED, THE UNFINISHED REVOLUTIOI The Status of Women in Countries, by Doris Anderson TO CARRY: Black Working Women in Ontario 1920's to 1950's, by Dionne Brand by Makeda Silvera 1 MORE THAN A LABOUR OF LOVE, by Meg Luxton NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Diaries and Letters of Nova Scotia Women 1771-1938 The above available noted at the Woman's Bookstore books di Northel PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 16 �Small Class 14111 Ng kerne= Ns. 507 AIL TO: RETURN TO:. TUE NORTHERN IMMAN JOURNAL. P.O. DOR 144 MOM BAT, -ONTARIO P7C 495 Laturn Postage Ouessateod IS MERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR LABEL?? PLEASE 1.11NEV YOUR smarms Don't forgot to wow your SUBSCRIPTION NAME ADDRESS. POST AL CODE $8.00 Institutional $16.00 Individual NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder day Ontario CHRIS SNYDER MARGARET PHILLIPS MARGARET J OHNSTON 001 P7C 4V5 l*N1 ??..° JANE SAUNDERS 'tikt"" NAI-C1.1) ********************************* 44%**************************YV4 9RTHERAI 9NAW .17UR1VAL PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 14 No 3 Description An account of the resource Vol. 14, No. 3 (Oct. 1992) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Women’s history month Wendo Charlottetown Accord National Action Committee on the Status of Women Marginalization of people with disabilities, lesbians, and gays Aboriginal women and the constitution Sexual discrimination against aboriginal women Indian Act Aboriginal reserves Aboriginal women in the Charter Racism in the women’s movement Christopher Columbus - a creation myth Women’s conference on training and employment Poetry Labour law and women Short stories Women teachers fighting family violence Feminist reading list Resources for northern women Wife assault public education Feminist book review of Boys will be Boys: Breaking the link between masculinity and violence by Myriam Miedzan Authors/contributors: Donna Phoenix Jocelyn J. Paquette Native Women’s Association of Canada Nayyar Javed Lorilee Wright Gert Beadle Linda Ewashina Sara Williamson Josie Wallenius Ontario Women’s Directorate Michele Proulx Jane Saunders Rae Ann Honey Margaret Johnston Chris Snyder Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2828/1993_Vol_14_No_4.pdf 2843571ed8cc284740afa2419c8295e5 PDF Text Text 04 $2.00 0 0 2006 111 1 4003 4 Nor-i-hern Woman 37ournat MARCH 1993 VOLUME 14 NO 4 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITORIAL The only positive thing we can say about the federal Conservatives is that they do continually give us fodder for our editorials. Again, we must decry the latest attack on women, as evidenced by Finance Minister Mazenkowski's recent economic statement. Who are most hurt by the changes to UIC? WOMEN. Who are most hurt by the freeze on civil service wages? WOMEN. Who are most hurt by the cuts to community groups? WOMEN. This is not coincidental. It is simply the federal government's latest move to ensure the continued economic inequality of women. ********* ********** It is interesting to note the attention given by It the media and opposition politicians to the issue of sexual harassment in the context of the UIC cuts. Thank you, Anita Hill. Five NAC's credibility is solidly estab Thanks, Judy Rebick. is also interesting to note the att given to NAC by media and polit years ago this issue would not just have been dismissed, it would have been ignored. The assertion by the Conservatives and malestream newspaper editorials that sexual harassment is "just cause" for leaving a job is sicken ing. It demonstrates either a total lack of understanding, or, more likely, a We know, of course, that the cuts in announced in the "economic stateme targeted against NAC (and Decadc NWORDCC, and aboriginal we organizations, etc.). But we also knc in spite of the Conservatives best WOMEN WILL NOT BE SILENCED. calculated disregard for the insidiousness of sexual harassment in the workplace. But the issue is on the table, and women will make even greater efforts to ensure sexual harassment is dealt with seriously. Dear NWJ: The office of the Status of Women at Concordia University would like to introduce you to a unique educational tool aimed at sensitizing and enhancing the knowledge of professors and adult educators to the subtler forms of differential treatment that women students face in the university classroom "INEQUITY IN THE setting. CLASSROOM/EN TOUTE EGALITE" is a video and training manual that explores issues such as sexual racial and discrimination from the perspective of both This the student and the professor. educational tool has been developed primarily for professors at the university level and in adult education, and offers some practical steps to creating an equitable Hell-o dear women, learning environment for all students. It's me, your long-lost northern sister, writing to you from the midst of big-city life in sou (r)thern ontario... I am wondering if you folks know that DepProvera, the very controversial (to put it politely) drug used in the 70's as a countries contraceptive in third-world (because it was banned for use in the US and canada...) is being considered for legal use in Canada again? piece for NORTHERN WOMAN, when I lived in thunder bay, early 80's, which was published by the NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL. I researched and wrote a Anyway, since then, the drug has been found in use in Canada on developmentally delayed women in various institutions (according to newspaper clippings I noticed sometime in the late 80's). It was a brief public controversy, and then the subject disappeared again, until, I saw a clipping in the TORONTO STAR (December 1992) about hearings that would justify its use again here, in canada, as some sort of cancer treatment drug. INEQUITY IN THE CLASSROOM is a multimedia package containing a 28-minute video and manual, which provides answers to questions such as: What is inequity in the classroom? How does it manifest itself? What effect does it have on students? How can an inclusive learning environment be created in the classroom? In the video student testimonials and dramatized learning situations are put into perspective, analyzed and commented upon by experts. The manual provides: a training guide for a one-day workshop; fact sheets on different aspects of inequality in the classroom; an annotated bibliography. For further information contact Michelle Seguin, Assistant to the Advisor on the Status of Women, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, H3G 1M8, telephone 514-848-4841. And I wonder if this is something that would concern NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL enough to publish something about, again. And, are there women there who would want to research the subject, and write it out...? In the meantime, lots of hugs to you... Arja Lane PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WOMEN'S SAFETY SAFETY AUDIT The Metro (Toronto) Action Committee on The threat of sexual assault underlies all of women's concerns about their public safety. At some time during her life, one in four women will be the victim of a sexual assault. Thirty to fifty percent of sexual assaults occur in public or semi-public spaces, that is, anywhere outside of a woman's actual place of residence. Public violence against women is not limited to sexual assault, it also refers to behaviours which negatively affect women's perceived sense of safety or comfort in a given situation; these acts include sexual and racial harassment. This continuum of violence and threatening behaviour are to a great extent supported by the physical structure of public spaces. There is a significant relationship between both built and open space design and the tacit support given to those male individuals seeking a victim to harass, to assault or to Public Violence Against Women and Children, known as METRAC, has, since its inception in 1984, worked with governments, N'T? r with the opportunity to hone their skills of -4-- observing and evaluating their surroundings. Safety audits are intended to improve the safety of the physical environment by THE SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST reducing PARKS FOR WOMEN the authors present this situation most eloquently: "Women's experience with sexual violence or living under the threat of it means they can make an important contribution to the debate on what makes public spaces feel unsafe and what can be done to improve them... We move closer to the goal of creating a city which is safe for all residents when women's concerns about public spaces are addressed." opportunities for sexual By accomplishing this, safety audits result in the creation of settings that are more comfortable and hence more accessible to Discouraging sexual assault through 1. General Impressions: all. 2. Lighting: maintenance and design also minimizes opportunities for other public violence and for property crimes. The safety audit process is a practical exercise that requires participants to answer these questions: 5. Isolation -- Eye Distance: 6. Isolation -- Ear Distance (including alarms, voice intercoms, telephones): "Why don't I like this place?" 7. Escape Routes: "When and why do 8. Nearby Land Uses: I feel uncomfortable here?" 9. Movement Predictors: "What changes would make me feel safer?" 10. Signs: management of public and semi--11015W4611111"1"111111611. Overall Design: spaces. In GREEN SPACES / SAFER PLACES: A FORUM FOR PLANNING SAFER the harassment and for sexual assault. Precise Location, Date and Time, Who Participated, Why Audit This Place: 4. Possible Assault Sites: they are first, acknowledged and second, factored in to the planning and design as well as the ongoing maintenance and action and a tool for education that incorporates the participants' subjective and objective observations about the safety of a given setting while it provides the participant = The continual, underlying threat to personal comfort and safety has assumed the These concerns for sa;ety, however, can be used both proactively and remedially when The safety audit is both a framework for - 3. Sightlines: concerns for personal security felt especially by women, but also by children, older adults and some men, are for the most part met by increased policing, security patrols and other reactive responses. assess the physical environment for safety. nature of violence and our responses to the survivors of violence. kill. position of status quo in our society. The METRAC has developed a Safety Audit Kit which can be used in any public or semipublic space, both built or open, to closely planners, educators, police, the legal and medical professions, survivors of violence and a variety of community groups. Its goals include the reduction of violence by improving both our understanding of the 11...110111111111M11.11ft. 12. Factors Affecting the Humanness of the Place: In the words of the authors of the METRAC WOMEN'S CAMPUS SAFETY AUDIT GUIDE "Living as a woman... has given each of us : a lifetime of experience and knowledge about what works and doesn't work - about where we feel comfortable and where we 13. Problems With Maintenance: 14. Employee Policies and Practices: don't." 15. Improvements You'd Like to For a complete Safety Audit Kit contact METRAC at 158 Spadina Rd. Toronto, See: AND Any stories or memories about the place: Ontario, M5R 2T8 416-392-3135. Kits cost $5.00 each or pay what you can. METRAC May 1989 ete If we don't talk about the problem well never start to solve r& PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Wornan Page.3 �CANADA'S FIRST WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH - OCTOBER 1992 "People must know the past to understand the future." These words were spoken in 1935 by Nellie McClung, a Canadian journalist and strong advocate of women's rights. Today, they effectively capture the concept of Women's History Month. October was selected as Women's History Month to coincide with the annual commemoration of the "Person's Case. This lengthy political and legal battle resulted in the extension of the status of "persons" to women in October 1929, which enabled them to be considered for appointment to the Senate. November 17, 1916 An article appearing in the Nutcracker, an Alberta paper, reads: The past is the story of where we have been. But until recently, that story, when told, has often been incomplete. While few individuals The Housekeepers' Union is the first sign in Canada of a or families ignore women when they think revolt of domestic workers. It is a revolt against unspeakable indignities imposed upon maids by unthinking matrons who about their own history, much "official" history, whether written by professional historians or journalists, has left out one half Traditional history of the population. regard their servants as chattels. From Herstory, A Canadian Women's Calendar focused on political, military and economic leaders and events, passing over the lives and the accomplishments of women. A key issue in Quebec was the lack of leg All too often, history has been presented as the story of privileged people and distant events. But women's history tells the story of both the famous and the not so famous, of the ordinary women of all origins who made this country what it is today. It tells the story of everyday life, as well as of heroic acts. And in so doing, it empowers all of us. Whether young or old, the knowledge we gain of the strong and purposeful women in our lives, and of the richness and diversity of their experiences, expands our horizons and enriches our vision of life's possibilities. An awareness of the obstacles that women have overcome in the past inspires us to future action. Most women's lives were physically very demanding in the second half of the last century. Women worked in the house, in the garden and in the field. They cared for children, the sick and the elderly. Women often worked long hours for small wages as domestic servants, seamstresses, or as factory workers. Others joined religious orders, or found paid employment as teachers. There was the constant threat of of accident, of agonizing and sometimes dangerous childbirth, and of the heartbreak of infant mortality. Life itself was precarious. Women were deprived of many fundamental political rights, such as being able to vote in provincial and federal elections. Access to higher education was disease, still to be won. And married women were not considered full entities in the eyes of the law. But things began to change. For example, the gradual introduction of universal free education in some places of Canada made basic education possible for girls. Women began to break down the barriers to postsecondary education and the professions. trained in the United States. In 1867 she returned to Toronto to become Canada's first practising female medical doctor although she was not officially recognized as a member of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons for another 13 An early suffragist, Emily Stowe years! founded the Toronto Women's Literary Club, known after 1889 as the Dominion Women's Enfranchisement Association. Grace Anne Lockhart was the first woman to earn a university degree in the British Empire. She graduated from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick in 1875. By 1892, Canadian women were permitted to study law, and five years later, Clara Brett Martin, after intense opposition, became the first woman barrister in the Commonwealth. It took until 1904 for the first Chinese Canadian woman, Ah Mei Wong, born in 1868, to be admitted to university, in rights for married women. One of tl women who worked for many years change the situation was legal expert Mar Lacoste-Gerin-Lajoie. The author of series of articles and a book on the rights married women under the Quebec Ci. Code, in 1907 she co-founded if Federation nationale Saint-Jean Baptiste, tf first French Catholic feminist organization Quebec. She was also among a group prominent French Canadian women Quebec responsible for the establishment I'Hopital Sainte-Justine de Montreal f This effort m children in 1907. spearheaded byJustine Lacoste-Beaubie who was concerned about the high infa mortality rate and the lack of bed space f children under five in Montreal's hospital Even after the hospital opened its doo however, the organizers continued to hampered by their status - as women, the could not legally be responsible for the da After operations of the hospital! Toronto. important and well-publicized legal battl these women finally won the legal right Another woman who faced opposition in her desire to pursue non-traditional roles was a run their charity themselves. native woman, Charlotte Flett King, born around 1860. Interested in zoology, she sent collections of animal skins to American naturalists and museums, including the Smithsonian. The wife of a Hudson's Bay The issue of women's suffrage - the right vote - was also a focus of attention women. Among the most active suffragi; were Emily Murphy in Alberta, and Nel Company trader, her interests apparently did not endear her to the Company. According to one account, Mr. King's "usefulness to the Company" was "hindered by being married to a Native of interfering manners". McClung in Manitoba. Faced with this type of reaction to their the first woman magistrate in the Briti efforts to participate more fully in society, women formed a number of organizations in the latter part of the century to fight for improvements to women's rights. 1 Born in 1868, Emily Murphy was accomplished author, writing under t name of "Janey Canuck". In 1916, she w appointed police magistrate for Edmonto Empire. Her friend, Nellie McClung, a wri and journalist, was instrumental in obtaini Canada's first provincial vote for women Manitoba in 1916. Nellie McClung later ; as a member of the Alberta Legislat Assembly, and then, in collaboration w Emily Murphy and a group of Alberta worn One of the first to do so was a Quaker women, Dr. Emily Howard Stowe. Denied known as the "Famous Five", advanc women's rights through the Persons Ca admission to medical school in Canada, she PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 4 �Even though women did not have the vote at the time of Confederation, they were politically active in other ways. Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a free black woman who came to Canada from the United States in 1850. She was prominent in several antislavery societies, and was the founder and co-publisher of the Provincial Freeman, a weekly anti-slavery newspaper. She is Rose Fortune, Pauline Johnson, Francis Hopkins these are just some of the fascinating stories of women who lived during the Confederation period -women whose stories have survived to be retold today. These are tales of "firsts" and "breakthroughs". But the stories of the lives of countless other women - our foremothers - remain to be told. Stories of immigrant considered to have been the first black women and homesteaders who built new female journalist in North America. lives Another important women's organization prospectors and nurses, nuns and labour organizers - all tales of courage, faith and established during this period was the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1875 by Letitia Creighton Youmanns to campaign for the prohibition of alcoholic beverages. She was concerned about the plight of women and children in abusive households. By 1886, the WCTU had branches across the country. erfr Childhood Sexual Abuse for First Nations New fr xdr47A;\A Booklet Adult Survivors Women's Se in a strange land. Stories Other n Childh - A Bookl - A Booklet of For information contact: 306 - 620 View Stre Tel: (604)383-5370 Fax: (604) determination. stories do not have to remain anonymous. The faces and voices of these women can emerge from the shadows of the past. Their stories can be traced in family These papers and photographs held in libraries, museums, archives and private homes of our communities. The rhythms of their lives Adelaide Hood less, founder of the Women's Institutes in Canada in 1887, also figures importantly in Canadian women's After her infant son died from history. drinking impure milk, Adelaide Hood less dedicated herself to the domestic science movement to prepare women for motherhood and household management. The Women's Institutes quickly spread across the country and around the world. Working with another leading women's organization, Lady Aberdeen, who was the wife of Lord Aberdeen, Canada's Governor General from 1893 to 1898, Adelaide Hood less helped to found the Victorian Order of Nurses and the national YWCA. Another spirited woman was Rose Fortune, a black woman who lived in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Dressed in a white cap, a man's coat, and boots, she worked as a - baggage - handler on the wharves of Annapolis Royal in the middle of the last One of Canada's first female century. entrepreneurs, she is also said to have been North America's first policewoman. Even in the arts, women had obstacles to Although "ladies" of the time were expected to be accomplished in the "homely arts". the public sphere was overcome. considered closed to them, and many women authors continued to write under pseudonyms. One who revelled in her true identity was Emily Pauline Johnson. The daughter of a Mohawk Chief and an Englishwoman, she was born in 1891 on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario. Best known for her poetry celebrating her native heritage, in particular for "The Song My Paddle Sings"' Johnson crisscrossed Canada during the 1890s, giving poetry readings in remote communities, as well as in the United States and England. Writer Kit Coleman travelled even farther afield, as the first accredited female war correspondent in North America. A popular journalist with the Toronto Mail, she covered the Spanish-American war in 1898. One of the first female painters to gain can be found in old family diaries, bibles, J. song and recipe books that have been handed down from woman to woman and are tucked away in dresser drawers and kitchen cupboards across the country. And their voices can still be heard in the recollections of many of the women alive and active today. We can reach back to the past and celebrate our history. Talk to your mother, to your aunt or your grandmother about their lives and memories. Ask them for recollections about lives of their mothers and of their grandmothers. Their stories form a part of Canadian history that for the most part has never been told. Write their experiences down, tape them or make a CONCERT REVIEW video - before they are lost forever. In doing so, you will be helping to construct women's history, which continues_ to be made every day in the lives of women across Canada. Every day, women are September 24, 1992 saw --- expanding their horizons, entering new fields of endeavour, claiming their right to full and equal participation in all aspects of Canadian society. Its an opportunity to make the story of Canada balanced and complete. As Nellie McClung said, we can look to the past to understand the present and build a brighter future. A PART OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S HERSTORY Thunder Bay, Ontario, 1972-73. Local women band together to establish their first women's centre, a sexual assault centre, and a feminist journal. ################################ ################################ ######## Thunder Bay's already scene. MELISSA ETHERI audience at the Communit solid 2 1/2 hours followin set by the rising new talen Where to begin, one may p one little article scribbler adrenaline-rushed experie bounds of such a short blu Melissa was welcomed by Canadian spirit, to which sh a very playful and highly e audience was wrapped up as Ms. Etheridge stood i centre of the stage and "Occasionaly" on her guita are too numerous to out certain group percussion/ kept spirits high, as well jam session which Meliss spontaneously rolled into on the front of the stage. T on their feet as a collect "Bring Me Some Water" s and didn't sit back dow encore was begun. Pic disappears, a baby gran stage with a rustic-lookin above to act as a spot-lig Melissa Etheridge to wrap time Incredible! last in her rasp husband and the Governor of the Hudson's Thanks Melissa, and goo We anxiously await your n summer of 1993. Bay Company during the 1860s and 70s, making innumerable sketches of Canadian Jen Metcalfe recognition in Canada was Francis Hopkins. An Englishwoman, she travelled with her scenery, capturing the last days of the great fur trading era. P Poi Northern PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �International Women's Day On August 26, 1910 at the Second International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen, Denmark, Clara Zetkin, the German socialist champion of the rights of women, On investigating the fire, authorities claimed that this building was no worse than most others, indeed, far superior to some of the 1,463 such sweatshops in existence in the city. proposed that a day be set aside each year as International Women's Day. One hundred women from 17 countries voted to support her resolution. But New York's Fire Commissioner, who testified The women said that having an International Women's Day drew attention to the social, economic, and political injustices to which they were subjected and that it was just the most recent step in their fight against the double exploitation they suffered as women and factory workers. fire escapes in buildings today are The Beginning of the Struggle Women's efforts to draw attention to workplace issues date back to the 1800s. In 1857, women working irithe New York garment industry staged a massive demonstration against 12-hour working days, lack of benefits, sexual harassment, sexual assault on the job, and unfair wages. The women walked off their jobs again in 1908 repeating their demands. This time, they also called for laws against child labour and they wanted the vote. Their demands went largely ignored. Then on March 25, 1911, the Asch Building, which housed the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, on the corner of Washington Place and Greene Street in New York City, burst into flames killing 145 women. The mostly immigrant women who died in the fire worked in abominable conditions. The floors were littered with flammable materials. There were no sprinkler systems. The few fire escapes that existed were unsafe. The doors opened the wrong way and led to narrow dark stairwells. Many were locked to ensure that none of the women would be able to slip out, even for a moment's break, without their employer knowing. before the State Factory Investigating Commission said: "I think that a great many of the only put up to be called 'a fire escape.' They are absolutely inadequate and absolutely useless." Eighty thousand workers marched through a drenching rain to attend the mass funeral for the women who perished in the fire, while an estimated quarter of a million people watched silently. And still nothing changed. Again, on January 11, 1912, textile workers numbering 14,000 went out on strike for better wages and working conditions. With the cry of, "Better to starve fighting than starve working," the women stayed out fOrneartirthree months. Their courage inspired the song that has since become the anthem of the women's movement "Bread and Roses." "Bread" symbolizes economic security; "roses" stand for a better life. The Canadian Experience Similar issues existed in Canada. Speaking about wages and women's suffrage in 1893, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture at the time, John Dryden, expressed the prevailing sentiments of the day when he said, "...this same lady tells us that women do not receive equal pay with men for equally good work. How can the ballot correct this? Can you compel by law the payment of a higher scale of wages? So long as women are willing and anxious to work for a lesser wage than men, so long will they be paid less." There were 1,078 unions in Canada as early as 1902. However, women remained, for the most part, unorganized and March 8th unprotected. The fact that women had to work was considered a "social crisis." People felt a woman belonged in the home and that a man should provide for her. Women's work was largely unskilled and so, entirely dispensable. Unskilled women workers had little leverage or protection against employers. They could be, and were, replaced by other unskilled labour at the whim of their employers at very little cost. Between 1901 and 1921 there were 287 strikes for better working conditions and a living wage in Montreal alone. In 115 of these strikes, the workers' demands were entirely rejected and often, the strikers were fired and scab labour hired to replace them. Employers were particularly hostile to women trying to organize. They saw a unionized workforce of women as an end to a ready supply of cheap labour. Established unions offered little mippon-to_women. Despite worker solidarity and policies supporting equal pay, unions often bargained lower increases for poorly paid women workers. And yet today, women still have a long way to go before they achieve equality in the workplace: In 1990, 60% of all (both fulltime and part-time) working women in Ontario earned less than $20,000. Average 1991 earnings of women working full-time, fullyear, amounted to 70% of men's earnings. Women remain clustered in low-paying jobs, often offering little, or no, opportunity for advancement. One out of every five women working in Ontario in 1986 worked in a clerical, sales, or service job. Women in Ontario made up only 18% of upper-level management in 1986. Although union membership can help women secure higher wages, more benefits and increased job protection, only 22% of the female labour force was unionized in 1987. Progress Was Slow It would take many more years for North American women to achieve some of their demands. Here are some significant landmarks in their struggle for workplace equity: Between 1913 and 1929 Canada enacted various pieces of legislation prohibiting child labour. Canadian women were given the suffrage to vote in national elections in 1918. By the mid-1940s, the average working day had dropped to eight hours. Women in Ontario were given equal pay for equal work in 1951. Maternity leave was legislated in Canada in 1970. The Ontario Human Rights Code was amended to prohibit sexual harassment in 1982. Equal pay for work of equal value was legislated in Ontario in 1988. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 6 �WHERE ARE THE WOMEN IN HISTORY? Jocelyn Paquette On March 9, 1992, Mary Collins, the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, declared October to be Women's History Month in Canada. This date was selected to coincide with the annual commemoration of the "Persons Case" of 1929, a lengthy legal and political battle waged by five Canadian women who insisted that women be considered as persons under the British North America Act and therefore eligible for a Senate JP NM seat. Now it is mid-November and I have a question: "Did you see any programming, special events or even talking heads dealing with women's history? " It seems that the method that was chosen to counteract the exclusion of women from history was one that excluded women from history. It is time to develop a retelling of past events that is inclusive; one that is based on contributions and accomplishments and not on gender. In a personal effort to address the questions raised by two events; the constitutional referendum and the need for a womens' history month, I developed a storytelling session where I asked Nellie McClung what she thought about the situation. History was originally the telling of stories; the sharing of experiences, impressions and ideas. The professionalization of this process led to the masculinization of the process and the exclusion of women was institutionalized further. One of the ways we can develop an inclusive account of socio-political events is to return to the oral tradition and to tell our stories and listen to other women tell their own. Women's history encompasses the stories of all women through all time. One month is not enough time to tell the stories or to write the texts. We need to talk together; to share together daily. Storytelling is much more than an entertainment- it is a primal force that can inform our behaviour. Now I will tell you a story. NELLIE, WHERE ARE YOU? JP Nellie, I looked you up in the 1988 Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, Canadian Edition and you weren't there. Nellie McClung, where are you? NM The sharing of history is the sharing of authority, the sharing of power. Women in the post christian period have not been present, have not been consulted, did not participate in the decision making process due to pressures by the male dominated patriarchal approach to society. But Nellie where are the women? childbirth and stillborn are told and retold in a way that defies reason and challenges the paradigm. So close to the process and yet women's history is difficult to identify in the mainstream written sources. The oral tradition has remained the domain of women. Our foremothers reached deep into their past to retain the essence of self. The being, our being and how we fit into the scheme of things were but some of the questions women talked about between themselves, their daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts and grandmothers and crones. Women's history includes the famous, the infamous, the courageous, the eccentric, the vamp, the mysterious, the brave but it also reflects the women who live, die, love and hate. Women who continue to make sense of that which is not sensible. When we hear a woman's story we feel a part of ourselves identifying with her, with her plight, with her success. As women we should celebrate our very natures. Since the post-christian period women have occupied a space that is not only negligent but malicious towards them. But still we tell our stories. This is an exchange between myself and who and what a grandmother is. Having never met my grandmothers I was propelled to study the grandmothers of others at Memorial University of Newfoundland. My courses in Folklore detailed at great length the importance of the oral tradition and how it never belonged to men. How do women communicate their presence to each Through these stories that tie us to each other, women have built an invisible rail that jumps over valleys, moves on over mountains and joins in the end to us, all of us. Sharing ones experience is the power that has been denied us. The telling of the stories is the source of strength that has been hidden from us. Ours is a history that tells of the being, the humanness of other? Stories women tell explain the situation, the setting, even, at times the purpose of holding onto tradition. Stories told by women will vary in context, intent and content. But these stories share one truth, the perspective that makes it their own. A story told can take on many shapes and contours but when told by women they relate to a particular experience, that of a woman's. This slant on the theme emulates the myriad of experience. A notion of privacy is felt when heard but when shared the feeling of joy, sorrow, tragedy and drama takes on special meaning. self. Ours is a history that jomotes conflict resolution and the recognition that we are of a whole. together strong. separate weakened. Tell your stories, ask to hear the stories. Record these and fill the gap that exists between our history and the history that fills the textbooks that we are asked to learn from. Teach the children the truth. It is this special meaning that I wish to discuss. The telling of our stories has been one constant in women's history. Even the name history appears to imply men's stories and looks exclusive. This appearance is important and now may be the time to change the term or perhaps revert back to its original meaning. This non/recording of the direct impact women have had on events and the way in which they unfolded has left women feeling invisible. Stories contain both memory and identity. Ask a friend to describe her family. The past and present meld and join in a way that stretches and reshapes the bonds of time and space. Women define their vision of family in a way that connects the spirit. Struggle plays a role. Women's lives have been linked with birth and death. The two could happen at the same time and often did. Stories of FREEDOM TO READ FREED( ),\\ TH READ WEEK MARCH 1-8,199Rol. Pco,,d1( 3? and Si,adma Roadal Count d roloolo /Matto NISR 2Y) 111., I PO O7-Oloo I.\ X ( I I()1 q7c IS39 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor NorthernVoman Page :7 �NEW GOVERNMENT TRAINING BOARDS: NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN? Valerie Lellava government has been working on a major overhaul of its training system for Canadian Marcy Cohen, a Vancouver feminist and activist with two decades of experience in women's employment and training issues, workers. Sweeping economic changes have was selected as the women's representative necessitated an active focus on improved labour force development for the benefit of both Canada's economy and its competitiveness in a global market, and on the CLFDB by 22 national women's organizations during consultations workers who need to develop the skills in January of 1991. Lilly Stonehouse was The chosen as Cohen's alternate. significance of the new training board is, in Cohen's words, that.. .."government won't be For the last few years, the Canadian required by a rapidly changing job market. To guide the growth of a skilled workforce which will be able to meet these challenges, (" formally recognized in a variety of worl settings or jurisdictions"). The board wi also encourage a cooperative approacl between management and employees ii determining training needs. conducted by the Canadian Congress for OTAB will be responsible for provincia Learning Opportunities for Women ( CCLOW) programs which "support that apprenticeshir system". OTAB will concentrate or changing the apprenticeship system in the the government has adopted a vision of Four major labour "shared leadership". able to make policy behind closed doors following ways: "Increase the number o apprentices and expand apprenticeshir programs into new workplaces anc without hearing about the reality of women's occupations; dramatically improve availabilit! market "partners" namely, business, labour, educators/trainers and "social action" lives." Also evolving out of the CCLOW of apprenticeships for women and othe under-represented groups, includinc consultations was Cohen's support group- the "reference group", a collective of women groups (women, immigrants and visible from across the country who represent minorities, aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities) at the national, provincial and local levels have been invited to work with various cultural and work orientations. aboriginal peoples and people witt disabilities; expand apprenticeships into the school-to-work transition programs fo youth". the government in achieving its mission. What this means for women, as members of social action and other groups at each level At the provincial level, the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board (OTAB) has been developed to address Ontario's specific labour force development needs. Ontario's of the new training boards, is that they will have formally recognized input into the development of labour market and job training policy. Although this presents an training and adjustment and access programs run by 10 different ministries. The unprecedented opportunity for women to shape their worklives in a manner which deliverers of these programs vary as well, and might better serve their needs and desires, they do have specific questions and concerns regarding the developing training boards. A description of the workings of the boards at all three levels of government is include public servants, colleges, community agencies, municipalities and The confusing state of this uncoordinated attempt at training has been summarized as follows: "Trying to get at government training programs is sometimes like trying to shop at a supermarket whose unions. essential before a women's "agenda for training" may be understood in context. location is undisclosed and whose prices are kept secret" (People and Skills in The In January of 1991, a new national training board--the Canadian Labour Force Development Board (CLFDB) was created. considered an "arms-length", independent organization. The board has 22 members: 8 representing business, 8 CLFDB is representing 2 labour, representing trainers/educators and 4 representing social action groups. The CLFDB's mandate is "to identify labour market needs and design programs to train to fit those needs". Implementing Phase One Task Report Canadians mandate. (NOTE: Before the CLFDB was formed, consultations in two phases were conducted by the Canadian Labour Market Productivity Centre, and independent organization run by both business and labour, as part of Employment and Immigration's Labour Force Development Strategy. In Phase One, seven task forces, comprised of representatives from business, labour and community groups - only 9 out of - studied programs related to various groups, including social assistance recipients and apprenticeship trainees. The recommendations made concerning these groups are of special concern to women.) The CLFDB's rationale is "to ensure that the private sector plays and active role decisions about skills training" in Canada. Global Economy, The Premier's Council on Technology, 1990). Ontario's training system has demonstrated the need for a more effective approach to labour force development. OTAB's mandate will be to..."provide leadership and direction to achieve a coordinated, responsive and effective labour force development system, manage Ontario's publicly funded training and labour force development programs, ensure that training programs meet the needs of employers, and current and potential recommendations is also part of the board's 64 task force members were women New in workers, achieve increased private sector investment in training and improve access In the area of labour force adjustment, the training board will encourage the development of a "skills-based" adjustmen policy with an active, predictive approach retraining and "redeployment" strategies wil be used. OTAB's initiatives in labour forc( adjustment acknowledge the reality o turbulent times, ..."people must be prepare( to change jobs, if not employers, man\ times in their working career's, and therefor( will need continuous skills upgrading". Finally, OTAB's program responsibilities it the area of labour force entry and re -entry will focus on "pre-employment training" fo the following groups: youths, people wits disabilities, immigrants, social assistancr recipients and women re-entering the Iabou force. Programs which provide basic skill! upgrading for adults (e.g. literacy anc numeracy skills) are characteristic of pre employment training. OTAB's priorities wi be: "ensuring that entry/re-entry program! provide sound foundation skills which ari attractive to employers and, for the individual, lead towards further acquisition c skills; improving links between training adjustment, education and social service [so that "complete packages of services" ar accessible to individuals], [and] creative! exploring boundaries between "educatior and "training", leading to a less rigil approach to learning and life-long skill attainment". and equity in training". OTAB's programs fall into four critical areas of labour force development: workplace and sectoral training, apprenticeship programs, labour force adjustment ("programs and services for workers displaced through employer's reduced level of operations, voluntary/involuntary closure, or affected by significant change in the workplace" (e.g. locational or technological)), and labour force entry/re-entry programs. In workplace and sectoral training, OTAB will emphasize the development of skills that are portable (applicable to different yet related work environments), generic (basic skills essential to all workers), and certifiable PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 8 �OTAB's major challenge in entry/re-entry development of local labour market information systems and databases to ensure that there is appropriate information to facilitate local strategic planning; programming will be to deal with this area's history of marginalization: discrimination based on age, income, race, social status, and gender has hindered the full participation of individuals in the workforce and in training programs. It is crucial that labour and business work cooperatively with educators/trainers and social action groups on the board to provide "equitable employment opportunities". identification of the needs of employers, workers, and those seeking to enter the workforce; strategic planning for labour force development programs at the local level to meet identified needs; monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of local training and adjustment programs; coordination and harmonization of federal and provincial labour force development programs; advocacy of human resource development and promotion of a training culture consistent with local economic development; increased access to training for equity OTAB will "develop a base of provincial and local labour market information; provide policy advice on labour force development issues; develop and promote new labour force development issues; develop and promote new labour force development practices through a "Learning Network"; Representation [and] provide guidance, technical expertise will..."bring together highly skilled and creative individuals to be constructive agitators for inventiveness on training design and delivery". This Learning Network would governing body, although the Entry/Re-entry and Labour Adjustment Councils have increased social and education/trainer representation, due to these councils' priorities. The government will appoint members nominated from four labour market groups to sit on the governing board and its councils. Again, these nominated. individuals should reflect government requirements for social action group participation. work to create "strategic partnerships with labour, industry, communities, academics, training experts, governments, CLFDB and other organizations lo develop and initiate projects or ventures in these and other The creation of local training boards may be seen as a response to the need for a more coordinated approach to meeting local labour market needs. Improvements at the areas". local level are required in the following The new board will consist of a governing body and four permanent councils. The governing body will consist of areas: "effective mechanisms for local level participation in provincial and national labour market policy development; comprehensive labour market information and assessment of skills training and community adjustment needs; access to information on and referral and resources to support local boards". OTAB's goal is to improve the process which determines high priority skills and In order to offer more learning jobs. opportunities to Ontario workers, OTAB is developing a "Learning Network", which representatives from each of the four labour on each council is comparable to the composition of the market groups: 8 each from business and labour, 1 from each of the four social action groups, and 2 from education/training. One to services for individuals and firms; and strategic planning and the coordination of ex-officio programs and services to meet community provincial and one federal government representative will also sit on the board. It is important to note that the Ontario government expects that "fully half of the respective nominees of labour and business be women, and that both partners' respective nominees suitably reflect Ontario's racial diversity, and effective representation of francophones". OTAB'S four councils will deal with the particular training and adjustment needs of individuals and employers within the four major program areas. Although each of the four interactive councils has a different focus, the common goals of the councils are to : "Recommend program design developed by OTAB's staff, for approval of the governing body; develop guidelines and criteria for funding decisions to be made by the agency's management under the direction of the governing body; ensure that the agency's programs and services are responsive to the needs of different localities, communities, sectors and clients across the province; provide expertise and priorities". Local boards will be set up by local market partners in conjunction with municipal In consultation with the governments. federal and provincial governments, the boards will be "jointly designated" through OTAB and the CLFDB. All four areas of labour force development (workplace, apprenticeship, adjustment, entry/re-entry) will be the focus of local The broad mandate of these boards. boards will be: "identifying local needs and priorities; developing strategic and operational plans based on labour market information, economic activities, needs assessments, priorities, and existing resources; determining the "mix" of funding, programs and delivery mechanisms required to address local needs and priorities; promoting a life-long learning and training culture that includes employers, current The workers, and potential workers". consultation of the CLFDB and OTAB with recommendations to the governing body during the development and negotiation of governments and local labour market partners will be required regarding the the agency's multi-year corporate plans; fulfil management and partnership responsibilities development of planning, operational and accountability frameworks for local training boards. unique to their particular functional areas, such as reviewing apprenticeship regulations or development of sectoral or inter-employer training agreements and consultations." groups.. and francophones; and improved access to training resources for individuals, firms and other employers through the coordination of information, counselling, referral and programs". Local labour force development plans, which will guide local boards' training activities, will deal with the following issues: "local labour market needs, projections, services, priorities; decisions on program/service activities; program reform, design and evaluation; program access strategies ("Local boards will need to pay particular attention to access barriers facing equity groups"); [and] coordination and rationalization of services". The composition of local boards will be similar to that of OTAB and the CLFDB: labour, business, social action groups and educators/trainers will work together as labour market partners. There will also be ex-officio representation of federal, provincial and municipal governments. Although geographic, economic and social factors will determine exact numbers of board representatives, given the locale, one thing certain: is business and labour representatives (the "key" players) will..."cochair local boards, be equal in numbers, and together comprise more that half of each board". It is the responsibility of labour market partners to nominate individuals to local boards. Partners must, however, be requirement that..."a mindful of the substantial number of the representatives of business and labour should be women, and the representatives of all groups should reflect each local area's cultural and racial diversity, including the francophone community". Twenty-two local boards will be formed in Ontario; Thunder Bay is part the North Superior development board. of labour force With the formation of these new training boards, women will now have the opportunity to shape their worklives. But along with this opportunity come questions, concerns, ideas and priorities concerning the boards and the training programs they will offer. The bottom line, according to Marcy Cohen and her reference group, is that the reality of women's lives be understood and taken into account as training policy is formed. In Marcy's words,..."work and learning do not happen Local boards will guide the operation of isolation from the rest of our lives". Family relationships, access to affordable labour force development programs at the local level. The general responsibilities of local boards will be as follows: "steering the have a profound impact on the ability of in housing, child care, financial support, literacy, employment equity and violence all PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISIONNorthern PDFCompressor Woman Page 9 �development of local labour market information systems and databases to ensure that there is appropriate information to facilitate local strategic planning; OTAB's major challenge in entry/re-entry programming will be to deal with this area's history of marginalization: discrimination based on age, income, race, social status, and gender has hindered the full participation of individuals in the workforce and in training programs. It is crucial that labour and business work cooperatively with educators/trainers and social action groups on the board to provide "equitable employment opportunities". identification of the needs of employers, workers, and those seeking to enter the workforce; strategic planning for labour force development programs at the local level to meet identified needs; monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of local training and adjustment programs; coordination and harmonization of federal and provincial labour force development programs; advocacy of human resource development and promotion of a training culture OTAB will "develop a base of provincial and local labour market information; provide policy advice on labour force development issues; develop and promote new labour force development issues; develop and promote new labour force development practices through a "Learning Network"; [and] provide guidance, technical expertise and resources to support local boards". OTAB's goal is to improve the process which determines high priority skills and In order to offer more learning jobs. opportunities to Ontario workers, OTAB is developing a "Learning Network", which consistent with local economic development; increased access to training for equity groups.. and francophones; and improved access to training Representation on each council is resources for individuals, firms and other comparable to the composition of the employers through the coordination of information, counselling, governing body, although the Entry/Re-entry referral and programs". and Labour Adjustment Councils have increased social and education/trainer force development plans, which representation, due to Local these labour councils' will guide local boards' training activities, will priorities. The government will appoint deal four with the following issues: "local labour members nominated from labour market needs, market groups to sit on the governing board projections, services, priorities; decisions on program/service and its councils. Again, these nominated will..."bring together highly skilled and should reflect government be constructive creative individuals to individuals requirements for social action group agitators for inventiveness on training design participation. and delivery". This Learning Network would work to create "strategic partnerships with The creation of local training boards may be labour, industry, communities, academics, seen as a response to the need for a more training experts, governments, CLFDB and coordinated approach to meeting local other organizations to develop and initiate labour and market needs. Improvements at the other projects or ventures in these local level are required in the following areas". areas: "effective mechanisms for local level participation in provincial and national labour consist of a governing The new board policy The development; comprehensive body and four permanentmarket councils. labour market information and assessment of consist will body governing training and community adjustment representatives from each of of skills the four labour needs; accessand to information on and referral market groups: 8 each from business to services for individuals and firms; and labour, 1 from each of the four social action strategic planning groups, and 2 from education/training. One and the coordination of programs and services to meet community ex-officio provincial and one federal priorities". government representative will also sit on the board. It is important to note that the Ontario government expects that "fully half Local will be set up by local market of the respective nominees of boards labour and conjunction with municipal in partners business be women, and that both partners' suitably reflectIn consultation with the respective nominees governments. federal provincial governments, the and and effective Ontario's racial diversity, boards will be "jointly designated" through representation of francophones". OTAB and the CLFDB. OTAB'S four councils will deal with the All four areas particular training and adjustment needsofoflabour force development apprenticeship, adjustment, (workplace, individuals and employers within the four will be the focus of local entry/re-entry) major program areas. Although each of the The broad mandate of these boards. four interactive councils has a different "identifying local needs and boards will be:are focus, the common goals of the councils priorities; developing strategic and to : operational plans "Recommend program design developed by based on labour market activities, needs economic information, OTAB's staff, for approval of the governing and existing priorities, body; develop guidelinesassessments, and criteria for resources; determining the "mix" of funding, made by the funding decisions to be programs and delivery mechanisms required agency's management under the direction of needs and priorities; local address to the governing body; ensure that the promoting a life-long learning and training agency's programs and services are includes employers, current culture of that different responsive to the needs The workers, localities, communities, sectors and and clientspotential workers". consultation of the CLFDB and OTAB with across the province; provide expertise and and local labour market recommendations to the governments governing body will be partners during the development and negotiaticn of required regarding the development of planning, operational and the agency's multi-year corporate plans; fulfil accountability frameworks for local training management and partnership responsibilities boards. areas, unique to their particular functional such as reviewing apprenticeship regulations boards will guide the operation of or development of sectoral Local or inter-employer labour force development programs at the training agreements and consultations." local level. The general responsibilities of local boards will be as follows: "steering the activities; program reform, design and evaluation; program access strategies ("Local boards will need to pay particular attention to access barriers facing equity groups"); [and] coordination and rationalization of services". The composition of local boards will be similar to that of OTAB and the CLFDB: labour, business, social action groups and educators/trainers will work together as labour market partners. There will also be ex-officio representation of federal, provincial and municipal governments. Although geographic, economic and social factors will determine exact numbers of board representatives, given the locale, one thing is certain: business and labour representatives (the "key" players) will..."cochair local boards, be equal in numbers, and together comprise more that half of each board". It is the responsibility of labour market partners to nominate individuals to local boards. Partners must, however, be requirement that..."a mindful of the substantial number of the representatives of business and labour should be women, and the representatives of all groups should reflect each local area's cultural and racial including the francophone diversity, community". Twenty-two local boards will be formed in Ontario; Thunder Bay is part the North Superior development board. of labour force With the formation of these new training boards, women will now have the opportunity to shape their worklives. But along with this opportunity come questions, concerns, ideas and priorities concerning the boards and the training programs they will offer. The bottom line, according to Marcy Cohen and her reference group, is that the reality of women's lives be understood and taken into account as training policy is formed. In Marcy's words,..."work and learning do not happen in isolation from the rest of our lives". Family relationships, access to affordable housing, child care, financial support, literacy, employment equity and violence all have a profound impact on the ability of PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluationNorthern copy ofWoman CVISION Page 9PDFCompressor �women to function effectively in learning and work situations. It is fact in the lives of The principles which, according to the women that fewer and fewer of them are group, must guide the development and getting the training they need to obtain delivery of training for women, are as follows. Equitable access to training must decent jobs. Relatively recent figures have shown that women were underrepresented in 3 out of 4 Canadian Job Strategy programs (for example, in the Skills Shortages Program, training designed to Women's Representative and the reference exist for all groups, including those who are historically under-served (people with disabilities, immigrant and visible minority people, aboriginal people and women) and monitoring, and the examination of the connection between in evaluation and training and obtaining employment. Joan Baril outlined the recommendations of northern women in a brief presented to the consultation panel Locally, prepare individuals for jobs which are highly skilled and in demand, only 7.8% of participants were women). The numbers of women enroled in technical college programs is also diminishing. Recent those who are hindered by geographical which visited Thunder Bay on April 30, 1992. barriers. Resources must be applied to the training of the unemployed, underemployed and social assistance recipients in addition Training Coalition (North Superior), an affiliate of the Northwestern Ontario statistics reveal that only 4% of Canadian apprentices are women; of the percentage, 65% are bakers or hairdressers. Barriers to women's participation in training boil down making with respect to training, equity must apply so that those who have been traditionally excluded from this process are fairly represented. Within the programs themselves,..."systemic barriers bust be removed, equity targets established, and a mechanism for monitoring" established. The to systemic discrimination, prejudicial attitudes and behaviour which are deeply embedded in policy and program structure. In consideration of the issues in women's lives, the development and delivery of women's training programs should, according to Marcy Cohen and the reference group, be based upon a number of principles. Before these are outlined, it is important to note that the reference group believes that the training boards and labour force development will be successful provided that an "enabling policy framework" and "supporting regulations" which uphold the following principles are established: representation at all levels, to the employed. In terms of decision- right to basic education must become a reality, with resources being applied to general education and skill training which trades and technologies must be priorities". The system must be such that skills which are developed and accreditation which is achieved are..."portable and transferrable one location to another". "client-centred" In terms of communication, [and] enabling structures must also reflect..."the varying needs and interests of allowing for systematic, frequentand efficient consultation" -between board levels. It is particularly important that guidelines which people who are at different stages in their lives". Evaluation is a critical principal in the development and delivery of women's govern local boards ensure accountability and the elimination of systemic training programs. Evaluation should involve the following: the accountability of boards regarding their activities, client involvement discrimination. weeks as we hear of federal women's and far between at the best of times. It was with dismay that we learned that the quality, programs must be "reality-based" effective federal Women's Reference Group). On an introductory note, Ms. Baril noted the discrepancy between the substance of panel discussions regarding training and the situation as it has been unfolding: "For us, these panel discussions have taken on an unreal and fantasy air during the past three academic upgrading for people with less than high school completion and bridging programs for women in all areas including allocated which are adequate to allow for and the Ontario Women's Action on Training Coalition (the provincial counterpart to the training programs across the province being accreditation possible. More specifically,..."literacy, language training for people -lacking facility in English or French, from one level and type of learning and from representation Women's Decade Council and a branch of make "equity in resources informed Baril spoke on behalf of the Women's and and either axed or gutted out. In the North, training programs to help women are few excellent program, Women in Trades and A Technology...has been cancelled". number of the provincial training programs which do exist have limited enrolment to those receiving unemployment insurance, thus slamming the door on immigrants, refugees, farm women, women at home raising children, disabled women, women receiving social assistance, etc. Rosecoloured governmental glasses must be removed if reality regarding programs is to be dealt with. Baril presented two training sets of recommendations: recommendations concerning the organization and mandate of local and provincial boards and The theme for the first International Women's Day in 1911 was "International Female Suffrage." Over the years, the themes have evolved to reflect the diversity of the women's community, women's changing roles and continuing struggle. This year, the theme is "No time to stop...Our struggle must continue." In 1975, the United Nations formally proclaimed March 8th International Women's Day PDF Northern compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Woman. Page- -I o - �recommendations regarding the northern situation and northern Baril comments that the evaluation of women. The recommendations specific to women in the north include the following. Training programs must be made available to northern women, so that they may have the training, particularly complicated eligibility opportunity to equitable access them. The the sparsely populated north where establishment of concrete goals and timetables concerning the equitable participation of the four equity groups, including women, in training programs is essential. Baril notes that, in the Spring of 1992, Confederation College had 1271 trainees in Thunder Bay and region: the percentage of which were women, aboriginal people or persons with disabilities was "guess"-timated to be less than 10%. Baril remarks that this figure has remained almost static for the past 15 years. The professional training of trainers should be incorporated into training plans; workshops on educational equity as well as on problems which all equity groups, including women, face in training and the workplace (e.g. prejudice, racism, systemic discrimination, assault) are critical. On a similar note, the North Superior Women's Training Coalition advocates a strategy to deal with sexual harassment in all training This would involve both the education of trainers and trainees and a programs. sexual harassment policy. Baril's remark regarding the need for this strategy rings true to experience: "Sexual harassment as a tactic to maintain male privilege is one of the major excluding factors that women face in training and the labour market". Safety for women on the job and in training should be evaluated by using a standardized measure of safety. According to the Coalition, there is a dire need for the proper evaluation and follow-up of training programs so that the effectiveness of training may be objectively Are trainees getting jobs determined. relevant to the skills they have acquires? programs..."is one way barriers to women's employment can be pinpointed". Barriers to qualifications, need to be identified and eliminated. This really matters to women in it is difficult enough, without having the additional eliminating factor of qualifications, to round up the numbers required for a program. Eligibility clauses also hinder the advertisement of training programs and, in prevent information about these programs from reaching those who need it. The Coalition thus recommends that money for marketing be an integral part of training programs to encourage equitable effect, participation for women and members of their equity groups. Empowering women with disabilities and those receiving social assistance should be an important goal of agencies involved in the training of these women. In stating the need for training programs that..."provide qualifications and certificates which are recognized and portable", Baril notes that this occurs in the majority of 'male' programs, which are trades-oriented, while..."'female' programs (for example, bank clerk) have no such portability or recognition". establishment of childcare Finally, the in all training programs so that women will be able to pursue training needs is recommended. In terms of the organization and mandate of local and provincial boards, the Coalition recommends the following:..."that all training come under the wing of the local boards" [This includes language training, which the government does not recognize as being directly related to 'employment:I; that..."representatives from social organizations...be chosen by a coalition of grass roots organizations and have a direct link to their sliMPr"'%Igiii"W*0-'141'4.47 constituency and be accountable -'AN.f.,0040400i.Wo'441tk,,.4"4414 BABIES: There are countless everyday situations in which a woman will be reminded of her gender: sexual harassment, walking down a dark street, "feminine hygiene" product advertising. But nothing can think of is more gender specific-izing than pregnancy and childbirth. INCLUSIVE LANGU I That language is power can hardly be denied. That so many people dismiss the I began reading about babies a year ago, when I first discovered I was pregnant. importance of inclusivity is bewildering. Alma Graham wrote in 1974; "If you have a was disheartened by book after book's group half of whose members are A's and half of whose members are B's and if you call the group C, then A's and B's may be group half of whose members are A's and half of whose members are B's and if you call the group C, then A's and B's may be equal members of group C. But if you call the group A, there is no way the B's can be equal to A's within it. The A's will always be I references to "your baby he", as in, "Don't start him on solid food until.." Many of these guides went so far as to call the baby's father "your partner", an apparent acknowledgement that not every pregnant woman is married. They also referred to the doctor as "he or she", perhaps because women doctors have objected to being excluded. the rule and the B's will always be the A few of the books contained disclaimers the outsiders." about "he" referring to both sexes, as if that would mitigate the archaic (and lazy) editing. One cannot make the work "he" mean "he or she" any more than one can arbitrarily call one thing something else and expect to be understood. realize that being inclusive is I more work--it takes more typing, for one thing--but having everyday language acknowledge us as clearly and directly as it does men is the very least all girls and women deserve. exception--the subgroup, the subspecies, Because I have been struggling with these issues for so long, I am easily discouraged. My sense that "progress" for women has been glacial is more daunting now that have a child. have heard many horror I I stories about children's perceptions of gender roles. My nephew once informed his mother that women can't be doctors. My sister pointed out that his own doctor is a woman. "She's not a real doctor," he said. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �e TRY there are better ways to live this life than the ways the systems say its right, and if you suggest change you're looked at as if you're strange and told to go away in some cruel way... I swear and in the end systems only look at profit or loss systems forget to let people say what's needed systems boss greedy ways into being until people are agreeing until people believe it's the only way and drugs and booze and medications whatever you choose relieve the stress and pain of a day done the system's way it's your loss as you continue to lose your mind or some other kind of health, as they send you away for 'treatment' by some other part of the system that tells you how to maintain your health in order to maintain their wealth I swear there are better ways... by Arja Lane HER HUGS her arms beckon me to a safe haven such as I have never experienced before. those heartwarming all encompassing hugs I share with her are such that few have the pleasure of ever attaining. solidly we stand on the same small piece of ground our hearts beating gently in tandem. sharing an emotion that knows its limits, it boundaries, yet has no conditions attached. taking in all fifes experiences no matter how sordid, or delightful they might be. the pleasure and the pain is shared equally and the things left unsaid are unconditionally accepted until they can be said those wondrous hugs build on a strength she saw in me long before I even understood I had that strength. Each time we hug her hug fills the hollow of my heart, and now I understand one day it will soon be filled Caroline McPhail THE CONVERSATION They sat together but apart. one in the rocker, and one on the couch. One needing to speak the other willing her to do so. The one needing to speak having difficulty finding the words she so desperately needed to share. The other searching for ways to aid her in her quest. The other offered unconditional support for she told the one "I will believe you, I will still care" (and probably more so because of this) "I will give you HOMETOWN Ghosts seen through apricot lace curtains Secrets encrusted on pink granite tombstones whispered romances illicit births do not malign the dead ancient errors projected on innocent screens by trapped women who schemed to conceal the truth to hide the shame Margo Button all you want and need, only if you will let me in." With great gulps and pauses to keep her feelings suppressed the one attempted to tell her story, and the other with her heart held open listened and accepted all that she heard. It was not easy for the one telling her tales, and it could not have been easy for the other trying to hear all the things that were left unsaid The other questioned and encouraged the one to tell all but when she got too close the one forced those feelings back with her iron fist for that is the way she knows best to deal with the things she still has problems understanding and accepting. The tales came forth as slowly and surely they must, but only the words for the feelings are still too much for her to imagine. The one felt safe and secure with the other. But is the other strong enough to withstand the avalanche of feelings that are nearly ready to come crashing down? Caroline McPhail PDF compression, OCR, Northern Woman Page 12 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �ON BEING ME the silence grew louder with each passing second and you let it be. I was so afraidyou wouldn't want to hear what I would have to say. I was so afraidyou wouldn't believe. I was so afraidyou would be disgusted I was so afraidyou would turn me out. I was so afraidyou would hurt me too. I was so afraidyou wouldn't like the "me" I was then, and the "me" I am today. I was so afraidto let you in. You coaxed me - with your silence your compassion your understanding your patience your touch and your loving gentle embraces. I had no need to fear for you did want to hear, and you listened with your heart held open. you did believe, and you didn't deny. You weren't disgusted with me, only with them that would do those horrendous things. You didn't turn me out. you kept me safe and secure. You didn't hurt me, you tried to keep me from continuing to hurt myself You did like "me", it isn't that i don't care... its more that i don't share the same outlook about what you think important the main way doesn't say much to me except don't dare to be different, never mind what you're aware of just do as your told; will this go on 'till I'm old? because if so, I'd rather not be part of something so heartless and cold; for i now know i'll be sold down someone else's river of gold, all the while being told to hold my tongue and mind in a polite kind of way as if to say its all okay when i know it isn't so Broken in an empty corridor where the resolution of life channels the sounds into an eternal by Arja Lane 1992 spiral of knowingness Mending the seams of desire with cloud like the "me" I was then, and the "me" I am now. I did let you in because you helped me find the way. satin Closing the rain soaked With these words, I hope You can begin to understand how much you did for me and how very much it meant to me Thank-you Vivian for being there. Cleansing petals to absorb cayenne in a moment of perfect Caroline McPhail creation. Linda Ewashina PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 13 �WHAT'S NEW BOOKSTORE IN sit women's bookstores sug THE 43°.... TtifitilK TOa for your continued support of C WOMEWS BOOKSTORES FACES OF FEMINISM The wonderful, wonderful collection of portraits of Canadian women. Photographs by Pamela Harris, with text by the women portrayed, adds new understanding to the herstory of feminism in is o excellent TAKING CARE: A O AE Women's Place, Calgary Old Wives' Tales, San Toronto Women's 051. 5°°(v.tifit.... Frmcisco Abaton, Colorado Springs Handbook about Women's Health: A Bookstore, ')OL)P-?V'\ 1 YJA1 Toronto Gkovi --- Book(Asti Garden, Denver Alaskarevised Bloodroot, Bridgeport Canadian Guide, has recently been SIOC1'. Lza ANA Women's Reader's Feast, Hartford tila Bookstore, Golden Thread, and updated. This comprehensive, large-Aradia, O Anchorage /Ai", New itl-laBvoconk: Flagstaff Lodestar, Birmingham Books, print, easy to understand, book an`Wild Iris, Antigone, is Tucson St. Ktersbu rg Claremont A Different Drummer, New Words, important resource for women's groups, Laguna Beach Pearls, Long 00 Cambridge Beach Sisterhood, Los Ange les Back Door, Two Sisters, Menlo Park West Palm libraries, and individualI women. by MARGARET PHILLIPS very i,...1...? a 1.4l.n..k .1., ...? Canada. This is a book to treasure. VI Mama Bear's, Oakland Page One, Pasadena Lioness Books, '6 t,._____,--- Sacramento Paradigm, San 411° Diego Charis, Atlanta Beach Book Woman, Austin Jane Addams, Champaign and Children First, Chi. o Dreams and Swords, Indianapolis O Women Everything you Baltimore ever wanted to know about 31st St. Bookstore, Lanunas, Washington, DC Rubyfruit, I Tallahassee Radzukina's, Haverhill, MA Crone's Harvest, Jamaica Plain, MA ...% Lun aria, Northampton Language,find Ann Arbor of Our menopause you Common can now inRoom one ofOwn, the Hasten. MI Pandora Books for Open Mind, Kalamazoo A Woman's O Prerogative, Ferndale, MIthis Amazon, Minneapolis Rising Moon, Charlotte many books on subject. The most Book Peddlers, Englewood, NJ Full Circle, Albuquerque Smedley s, O Pandora Judith's Room, New York City Womankind, Sta., hrf recent are THE CHANGE byHuntington Germaine Xi Ithaca Silkwood Books, Rochester Wild Seeds. Rochester My Sister's Words, Syracuse Crazy Ladies, Cincinnati Gifts of Athena, Cleveland Heights Fan Greer, PASSAGE Gail Sheehy, VI the SILENT Flames, Columbus Mother Kali's, Eugeneby Dwelling Place, Lewisburg, I've just finished reading A WOMAN'S PLACE by Audrey McLaughlin, which enjoyed very much. It is a fastpaced, easy-to-read account of McLaughlin's life and political career, and the influence of feminism on her leadership style as well as her aspirations for fundamental social change. A WOMAN'S PLACE is a good book. I PA Giovanni's Room, Philadelphia Bluestocking Books, Columbia, SC and WISE WOMAN: a natural Mer Memphis Ink ling.s. Houston Elhe's Crarden, Lubbock Imprints, C THE Tacoma Different World, Beloit, WI A Room of One's Own, Madison CO approach to The theFeminist menopause, by Judy Hall Bookstore Network with Dr. Robert Jacobs. MENOPAUSE: A Complete list 51, P.O. Box 882554, San Francisco 94188 Well Woman Book, by the Montreal Health ;Joddns uatnonn poddns Press is recommended by many readers. What was once known as The Feminist New NORTHERN violence WOMAN'S issue titles include: BOOKSTORE MOTHERS OF INCEST SURVIVORS; Another Side of the Story,1992 by Janis Tyler BEST SELLERS Johnson. CAN'T GET OVER IT: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors, by Non-Fiction Dictionary has been re-issued and re-named - AMAZONS, BLUESTOCKINGS & CRONES. Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler have done the feminist movement a tremendous service with this dictionary "of our own". I Aphrodite Matsakis (author of When the Mary Daly enthusiasts will devour her latest book OUTERCOURSE: The Be-dazzling Voyage: Containing Reflections from My Logbook of a Radical Feminist Philosopher (Being an Account of my Time/Space Travels and Ideas - Then, Again. Now and How) !! Several books that will be of interest to readers wishing to expand their awareness of the women's movement internationally: EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF WOMEN'S HISTORY: Essays on Women in the Third World, edited by Cheryl Johnson- Odim and Margaret Strobel, examines the situation of women in Africa, Asia. Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Bough Breaks). The Courage to Heal TRIUMPH: A Journey of Healing form Incest, The Courage to Heal Workbook by You TrishCanAshby-Rolls. ORDINARY Be Free WONDERS: Living Recovery from Sexual Allies in Healing Abuse, by Lilian Green. Changing Patterns: Women BEYOND SURVIVAL: A Writing Journey for Healing in Canada Childhood by Maureen WhenSexual I'm an Abuse, Old Woman I Shall Brady (authorWear of DAYBREAK). Purple Ending the Violence On toMeditations Fiction now.for Women Who Do Too Much local author RUBY to Without Congratulations Learning to Live SLIPPERJACK, Violence on the publication of her As SILENT WORDS. Life'snovel Companion second HONOUR GettingTHE FreeSUN (Slipperjack's first WORDS is set in SILENT & Self-Esteem novel)Women Ontario The Beauty Myth and captures the Northwestern Halfbreed flavour of northern Native life. SILENT ShaktiisWoman WORDS the story of Danny and his THIRD WORLD WOMEN AND THE POLITICS OF FEMINISM, edited by Chandra journey of self-discovery. This book will be of interest to young adults as well as older Talpade Mohanty, Ann Russo and Lourdes Fiction readers. Torres, presents "provocative analyses of the simultaneous oppressions of race, class, gender, and sexuality, as well as the role that imperialism plays in the productions of knowledge and of persons - a power collection" (Gloria Anzaldua). Diverse strategies used by women to change power relationships in their various societies are outlined in a collection of essays WOMEN TRANSFORMING POLITICS: Wide Strategies for edited by Jill M. World Empowerment Bystydzienski. GENDER AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS edited by Rebecca Grant and Kathleen Newland focuses on the gender issues in international relations theory and the gender dimensions of development, diplomacy and political change in Eastern Europe. AnneThe Cameron keeps getting better and Ediblejust Woman .. be sure to read her latest A WHOLE betterAmazon BRASS BAND. Cat's Eye Fried Green Tomatoes at Paule DAUGHTERS by Stop the Whistle Cafe Marshall is a stunning book. Marshall an extraordinarily People You'd Trust isYour DAUGHTERS made me talented writer. Life To want the book to laughAand Chillcry... Rain in didn't January end. A Whole Brass Band Women, Kids & Huckleberry wasWine also most impressed with Louise Erdrich andBones Michael Dorsey's THE CROWN Good OF COLUMBUS which is really a brilliant Jane Eyre book.Child of Her People I I Fever highly recommend SUNDOGS, Lee Obasan Maracle's first novel. Maracle's is a very Wilderness Tips voice and deserves a strong and important In Search of April wide readership. Her other publications includeRaintree BOBBI LEE: INDIAN REBEL, I AM I WOMAN, and SOJOURNER'S TRUTH. Before ending this piece I must say that, in my opinion, the most important book of the year is Marilyn French's THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN. While it hasn't got the malestream press that BACKLASH (Susan Faludi) and THE BEAUTY MYTH (Naomi Wolf).. both of which are important books and deserve attention, THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN provides the most concise and readable analysis, and does a good job of integrating violence in the analyses. If you only read one book this year it should be THE WAR Womansline Books AGAINST WOMEN. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �!BEAD AID ISOM Words: James Oppenheim Music: Caroline Kohsiat F Bb C7 F we come march-ing, march- ing in of the the beau-ty day, Bb C7 F Bb F 'AMMIIIMMIIIMIIMINIMICNIIIIII11111111111111=11111111111M1=11111111111.1111.M. I7.. mill- ion dar-kened A D7 touch 'd with all the Bb Gang Publishers is calling for unpublished writing and artwork for a Canadian/New Zealand anthology of postcolonial lesbian writing to be edited by Beth Brant and Cathie Dunsford. Short stories, biographical writing, B&W artwork and other are sought. particularly Send SASE with your submission to Press Gang Publishers, 603 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C., V&A 1H2. Deadline: March 31, 1993. Do not send original artwork. Call or write for more info: (604) 253-2537. + + + + + + + + +4.4 + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ Canadian Women's Movement Archives/Archives canadiennes du The mouvement des femmes (CWMA/ACMF) is pleased to announce the publications of The Canadian Women's Movement, 1960- 1990: A Guide to Archival Resources. This bilingual guide, made possible by a grant from the Canadian Studies Research Tools program of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, captures the range of documentation created in what historians refer to as the second wave of the women's movement, which emerged after 1960 in the context of widespread social and political change in Canada. The Guide documents a wealth of material and is an invaluable reference tool for researchers, archivists, librarians, journalists, and activists interested in the Canadian women's theoretical, political, movement as a and historical phenomenon. women's groups formed or functioning after 1960 that are held in a variety of Canadian archives or by the groups themselves. This guide challenges perceptions of what is by thous-and mill lofts gray, D7 Gm ra- diance that a sud-den sun dis- F ass, For the peo- pie hear us C7 sing-ing. 'Bread and ros- es, Bread and C es _rots + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ The West Coast Women and Words Society be holding its 9th annual summer school/writing retreat for women. WEST will WORD IX will be held August 8-22, 1993 at the Canadian International College, North Vancouver, British Columbia. The school is a two-week, live-in program that offers women from diverse backgrounds a safe, encouraging environment to develop their voices. Any woman interested in participating in this exciting and intensive group experience is welcome to apply. writing genres are offered, respected and gifted instructors: Creative Documentary - Susan Crean Fiction - Lee Maracle Poetry - Suniti Namjoshi Three with For a descriptive brochure/application, please write: WEST COAST WOMEN AND WORDS #210 - 640 W. BROADWAY VANCOUVER, B.C. V5Z 1G4 APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 10, 1993 "This is an important decis because it makes the law fri to survivors of childhood se making claims for damage Orton, Litigation Director o Legal Education and Action F The Court ruled in this ca abuse of a child by a paren assault but is a breach of the trust that a parent owes a c known in law. the parent's Ms. Orton said "This is development in law becaus the tremendous abuse of au in incest and offers the pote recognition of the harm caus LEAF intervened in the cas limitations law must res dynamics and complex inju childhood sexual assault w ability of survivors to brin against abusers. LEAF said need many years to recog been abused and emotionally and psychologic legal action. have The Supreme Court ruled tha Included in the Guide are the records of archival chens, a Gm As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days The rising of the women means the rising of the race. No more the drudge and idler - ten that toil where one repo But a sharing of life's glories; Bread and roses! Bread and lesbian experiences of colonialism -including colonization of indigenous cultures -- kit- As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dea Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread. Smart art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew, Yes, it is bread we fight for - but we fight for roses too! creative submissions depicting aspects of Women of colour are encouraged to submit work. 1611ML. MINIMIleB/~ .11111/1141111M111114111 P"IM ANINRINNT M1.4INE11111111111117Mr As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men, For they are women's children, and we mother them again. Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes; Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us Press and of women's bodies INIMI11111111110111111111 AMU" MIK focusing on contemporary + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ period should not begin to plaintiff has a substantial aw SUPREME COURT RULING In a very important decision the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that a woman has the right to sue her abuser in the case harm suffered and its con sexual abuse. The Court r critical to this awareness is that it is the perpetrato responsible for the abuse. T movement records, which may help to stimulate research on the contemporary of childhood sexual assault. Canadian women's movement and encourage more widespread collection of these records by archival repositories. that this will usually only ha survivor receives some type At issue in the case was the nature of the legal wrong in cases of childhood sexual assistance. It is also hoped that the Guide's user-friendly approach to archival description will reach audience unfamiliar with traditional archives and raise awareness among women's groups and activists of the archival value of their records. an The Guide, which is edited by Margaret Fulford, and published by ECW (Note: assault and what time limitations will apply to bar civil actions for damages. The Ontario Limitations Act requires that claims be filed within four years in the case of assault. If the plaintiff is a minor at the time, the time period begins to run when she reaches 18. "The Court's decision is a tre forward in recognizing th childhood sexual abuse and barriers to civil action," said "Availability of civil action for have value as a deterren sexual abuse" From LEAF news release. Press, may be ordered through the Northern Woman's Bookstore.) Northern PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Ontario Women's Directorate ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WOMEN'S ISSUES Direction generale de Ia condition feminine de l'Ontario Northern Office 107C Johnson Ave. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 Bureau du nord 107C, avenue Johnson Thunder Bay (Ontario) P7B 2V9 (807) 345-6084 ONGOING REPORTING AND TAX FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR ONTARIO NON- TAXATION PROFIT CORPORATIONS All women's groups that are non-p Boyd, Marion Minister Women's Issues, has announced the new appointments to the Ontario Advisory Council on Women's Issues. The new Council is the first to have been sought through nominations by the public. Fifteen women represent the interests of the diversity of women in this province. Jacqueline Pelletier, Ottawa, is President Anne Balding, Bancroft; Rosalind Caincross, Toronto; Kathryn Dominey, Kingston; Veronica Dryden, London; Jane Field, Toronto; Greta Hofman-Nemiroff, Ottawa; Pam Jackson, Grafton; and Jo-Anne Johnson, Windsor are appointed for terms of varying for a three year term. lengths. Six northern women appointed are Sarah Melvin, Sioux corporations must file an income tax re Responsible for Lookout; Lise No let, Kapuskasing; Rosanne Perron, Thunder Bay; Toulou Rouhani, North Bay; Eva Shields, Atikokan; and Pat Tobin, North Bay. The new Council members will be holding community-based meetings to gather the views of all women in their regions. *************************************** if they have more than $500 in inco CORPORATE FILINGS Most women's groups are non-profit organizations that are incorporated through the provincial rules, and must follow the filing rules that are discussed here. Women's groups spend a great deal of time and effort to incorporate their organizations. Yet after incorporation is completed, not all of them are as careful about keeping their corporate status as they were about getting it. This is a reminder of the annual filings that are required for non-profit and non-profitcharitable corporations that have been All non-profit incorporated in Ontario. corporations, whether or not they are also charitable, must report annually to the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations by filing a notice of change which sets out every change in the board of directors. Notice should also be filed when there is a change in the officers or in the corporation's mailing address. The forms are available from: Ministry Words That Count Women Out In A guide to eliminating gender bias in writing and speech. An excellent resource to help you incorporate inclusive language in your communications and open the doors to equality. Produced by Ontario Women's Directorate. Inequity In The Classroon by Deborah d'Entremont. This 26 minute video, with a manual, examines the often subtle and inadvertent sexual and racial biases that women students frequently encounter in colleges, universities and adult education settings. En toute egalite par Deborah d'Entremont. Ce video de 26 minutes et manuel se penche sur les prejuges sexistes et racistes qui sont generalement vehicules de fawn subtile et inconsciente et auxquels se confrontent les femmes etudiant dans les colleges, les universites et les divers lieux de reducation des adultes. Prevention de la violence faite aux femmes, repertoire des ressources par le Centre Ontarien d'information en prevention. Ce repertoire aidera les intervenantes et les organismes a se familiariser avec les ressources existantes, a identifier les lacunes pour combler les besoins de leur communaute, a sensibiliser celle-ci la problematique de la violence faite aux femmes, et en dernier lieu, a encourager l'echange de ressources entre intervenantes et organismes. available from the local Taxation CentrE May Street. Non-profit-charitable Corporations Non-profitable-charitable corporat registered under the Income Tax Act n file a RCFR (Form T3010) within six mor of their fiscal year end. Revenue Can does not send any notice of this! A us brochure is available entitled Guide Charitable Information Returns, availably any Taxation Office. If this return is not filed, Revenue Can will revoke the charity's registration. W this happens, the charity loses the righ issue official tax credit receipts to donor INCORPORATOR'S HANDBOOK of Consumer and Commercial Relations Companies Branch 393 University Avenue. 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2H6 1-416-596-3757 RESOURCE CENTRE They do not need to pay taxes if they non-profit, however the form must be with Revenue Canada. The T3 forms There is no fee for filing these notices, and blank notice forms can be obtained from the Companies Branch. handbook for those wishing incorporate, wanting to know the rules ab A filings, changing the number of directc dissolving and reviving corporations, etc available from the Ontario Governor Bookstore in Toronto. To obtain a cop) the NOT-FOR-PROFIT INCORPORATO1 HANDBOOK, send a cheque for $5. made payable to the Treasurer of Ontario Publications Ontario 50 Grosvenor St. Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1N8 1-800-668-9938 If these forms are not filed, the Ministry can dissolve the corporation. They will normally send out a notice, however, if the address on file is not correct, the corporation may You may also order a copy by telepho with your credit card number. never receive the notice. Non-profit-charitable Corporations For non-profit corporations which are also charitable, there are additional annual filing requirements. Within three months after each financial year end, a financial statement must be sent to: Public Trustee Charities Division 145 Queen Street West Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N8 1-416-314-2792 If the financial statement is audited, only two Directors need to sign statement is it. If the financial not audited, then all the Directors must sign it and attach a letter explaining why the books were not audited. The corporation also needs to send an upto-date list of the full names and addresses Since it takes a lot of work to ob1 charitable registrations, women's grog should ensure that they are filing 11 returns regularly in order to maintain 11 status. So add another New YE resolution to your list and get caught up your filings! CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL of its Board of Directors and Officers with each financial statement. WOMEN'S DAY This page is sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorate. The material contained on it may be photocopied and distributed without permission, but with credit to the original source of the Ontario Women's Directorate. Cette page est marrainee par Ia direction de la condition feminine en Ontario. Les materiaux ci-inclu peuvent-etre MARCH 8, 1993 copier et distribuer sans permission, mais avec accreditation envers Ia source original, Ia direction de la condition feminine de l'Ontario. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Snead Class 14e1 Ilegistratisa He. Seri MAIL TO: RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WUHAN JOURNAL P.O. BOX 144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 Return Postage Guaranteed IS THERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR LABEL?? PLEASE RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't forget to renew your SUBSCRIPTION NAME. ADDRESS POST AL CODE Individual $8.00 procbm'ed institutional $16.00 JANz. NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder Be y Ontario P7C 4Y5 0, *0 14\-1-'. 144'ft cmo pOstk SAND `#ERS .100451014 strioes1 040S ***************************************************************** vt.l.cic\t)1' VigkGARST N9RTHERAI MAN 7-9URMAL PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 14 No 4 Description An account of the resource Vol. 14, No. 4 (March 1993) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Women and the economy Inequity in classrooms Women’s safety Sexual assault Women’s History Month Concert review International Women’s Day Women in history Government jobs for women Inclusive language Gender pronouns Poetry Northern Women’s Bookstore Candian Women’s Movement Archives Resources for northern women Authors/contributors: Jen Metcalfe Valerie Lellava Arja Lane Margo Button Caroline McPhail Margaret Phillips Ontario Women’s Directorate Rae Ann Honey Michele Proulx Margaret Johnston Jane Saunders Chris Snyder Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1993-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2830/1979_Vol_5_No_5_OCR.pdf d007bc1f902ac96db666e3eb174f27b6 PDF Text Text OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1979 VOL. 5., No. 5. 75t vm an ourna sfr.. • * «-V*, . v?"*: v- •* ... . IS THE JOURNAL DEAD ? ....or only sleeping ./ �WANTED* A FUTURE! To date there has been no response, other than the follow­ ing letter, to our empassioned plea for some suggestions or assistance in the continuing battle to continue publishing the NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL. In some ways, this is quite understandable. It is, afterall. DEAR EDITORS: Enclosed are my thoughts on the future of the Journal—I guess it's a letter to the editor. The basic idea that I put forward is that the Journal should be more rooted and consequently more responsive to small communities that make up N.W. Ontario. I suggest that a sys­ tem of community contact persons be set up to work for the Journal. August 25 I was fortunate to be involved with a meeting of women from several communities who were discussing the findings of the Dec­ ade Council sponsored "Women In North Western Ontario Communities" study done by the women of the com­ munity. I discussed with them my suggestion for the Journal, outlined here, and found their reaction to be favourable. Since only two communties were represented, Souix Lookout and Camp Robinson there is no wider response to the idea that I can give you. Nevertheless, I present it for your consideration: The August/September Journal has thrown a substantial challenge into the arms of its unsuspecting readers. Whether we catch or botch it dep­ ends, as Gert quite rightly pinpoints, on our imaginations. Readers have been invited to respond to the pos­ sible termination of the Journal— the following comments are directed to this issue. The first, most important point to note—the Northern Woman Journal must continue publication in order to provide women in Northwestern Ont­ ario with their own platform. The Journal has the potential of prov­ iding the communication network that women in small communities need. Therefoee the question is not should the Journal continue but will it continue? The leaning of the Journal is to hand over the responsibility of publication to any group or person committed to the feminist principles Indicated in the last issue. This will enable the women who have worked on it to date, to step aside, allow­ ing them to replenish their energies. It seems Gert’s leaning is to get women involved who are "perhaps plugged into to creativity rather than a heavy message," and in this way move from feminist theoretical thinking to more human issues and concerns. 1 whole heartedly agree that it's time to write about how feminist politics are filtering through to the day to day level. I also agree that the Journal should support women who express themselves in the wider range of the arts. However, I feel that the Journal must diversify as much as possible with respect to different women and their ideas that Northern Noman Journal, page 2 rather unorthodox to turn to paying subscribers to help produce the paper. That certainly wasn't in the fine print of the subscription order form. However, because we have rather few alternatives, we may be forced to negotiate a deal, i.e. that the NORTHERN WOMAN are encouraged to participate. I understand that this is not a new idea, i.e. the Journal has always welcomed contributions from women in the smaller communities. But, (and I hope this is not an unfair thing to say), the Journal has been relatively unsuccessful in this ob­ jective-through no fault of a small overworked staff. I feel that this time of transition could provide the op portunity to re-focus energy on making the Journal a truly regional publication. In order to accomplish the goal of decentralization, I would suggest that a co-ordinator or contast person in each community be established (possible women could be gleaned from the mailing list). It would be up to this woman to solicit contributions from her community on issues of local concern. Naturally the contact person would want/need the advice or instruct­ ion offered (as outlined in the new blood bill) to volunteers residing in Thunder Bay. The system of com­ munity contact person would require a co-ordinator in Thunder Bay att least till the time some groups feel they could or would like totake over the publication completely. MAKING A HERSTORY Dear Sisters: I am writing in hope that you'll be able to help a group of us who are working on a history of Ontario women 1880-1930. We want to do a photo/social history similar to A HARVEST YET TO REAP which was put out by Prairie women. We're looking for photos, especial­ ly private photos in personal albums, diaries, journals and information in local papers and church and school records of the period—in fact any source about women's life in Ontario at that time. We're interested in women as artists professionals, volunteers workers. We want information about immigrant women, working women, Franco-Ontarian women, anything that we can find that relates to 1880-1930. What we would like to get from you is some idea of sources in your .area including, (very important) women who lived at the time and would be willing to be interviewed. Could you put an notice to this effect in the Northern Woman Journal/ Best to all of you, ALMA NORMAN 3-309 Stweart, Ottawa, Ont. KIN 6K5 JOURNAL fold and that the subscribers whose subscriptions are still current, be sent a copy of another Canadian Feminist news newspaper via our office. In the meantime, we are still awaiting a possible resurrection, and offer the following suggestion, which we received in response to our plea. Continuing on the subject of con­ tent, I find nothing wrong in lift­ ing articles from other sources for the Journal. But I do think a greater effort should be made to find articles particularly relevant to northern women, for example, the effect of shift work on women (The Miner's Voice—August *79), or the involvement of women in strikes in local newspapers or the union's stand on discriminatory hiring prac­ tises in the mines. There is no lack of issues that is for sure. In order to reach many women brought up in a society which nutures a deep seated insecurity about themselves, there must be that personal contact before they will come forward. It's not enough to in­ vite women to write—we all must feel that we have a personal stake in the success or failure of the Journal. I feel that this opportunity is now being provided and hope that women in all the communcities of northwestern Ontario accept the challenge. Count me as one willing to work in the Red Lake district for the Northern Woman (Regional) Journal. AUDREY ANDERSON Red Lake, THUNDERCLAP To the five women of the 'Women Sharing' project — Elaine Lynch, Monica McNabb, Anne Donaldson, In­ grid Peterson and Chris Torrie — who have staffed the Women's Centre, the Journal, the Resource Library, the Northwestern Ontario Decade Council and the Women's Credit Un­ ion for the past year. Their time, energy, creativity and dedication on behalf of the women of North­ western Ontario has been invaluable. THUNDERBOLT To the Lakehead District Catholic School Board, whose Philosophy of Education denies the existence of its female students. Equal opportunity education? "The purpose of the Catholic School is to provide the Catholic student with the best educational program possible within a Christian atmos­ phere, that he might achieve a fuller life by learning the pur­ pose and the means of building a better world for his fellow man and himself here on this earth and thus pursue his ultimate end which is union with God, his fath-* er, in eternity." �The battle against sex-roles must continue DANCING FOR THE PUPPETMASTER Over-all then, the girls were more likely to show a decline in achievement, the boys an improvement. The majority of the students stud­ BECAUSE IT IS BACK TO SCHOOL TIME AGAIN, IT SEEMS TIMELY TO RUN THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, REPRINTED FROM THE JULY 1979 EDITION OF PERCEPTION MAGAZINE: ied were from the middle class. There was, however, a small proportion from working class backgrounds, and their experiences offered an important insight into the social meaning of achievement in school. There was an obvious similarity between the declining achievement of SCHOOL KIDS: DOES SEX DETERMINE 'THEIR FUTURE ROLE IN SOCIETY????? "When I was in Grade 9 and 10 I thought I had to get good marks. I guess I just don't value school as much as I used to." So spoke a 16 year old girl when asked why her grades had been declining. Another girls from both class backgrounds and explained that "as the school years boys of the working class. For example, go on you slow down. I'm tired of one working class boy when asked how school." his grades had been over the years, Rather sad news from intelligent, answered: "Actually, everything has been articulate teenagers. been good till this year. I've found About a third of the Grade 12 girls a great deal of difficulty motivating in an Ottawa High School studied in myself this year." His average had plum­ 1977 showed signs -of declining achieve­ meted to 65 from 80 percent. When ment over the years. A random sample of 25 girls were interviewed on this asked why he had difficulty "mot­ and other topics related to sex role ivating himself", he answered, "I don't socialization. know. I'm just tired of it." Losing interest was the reason When the occupational aspiration they most often gave for declining of girls are considered, it becomes achievement. Others said that there very clear why several of them was less pressure on them to do well than when they were younger. "I saw show patterns of declining achieve­ that I could get away with more things ment at school. and my grades slipped," said one student . All but five girls interviewed could be divided into two occupat­ Another clearly outlined the pattern ional groups. exhibited by all these girls whose One group had decided at the achievement declined: age of 12 or 13 (interestingly, the "In Grade 9 I had a pretty good av­ age of puberty) to enter the trad­ erage. It went down a little in grade itional "women's" occupations. 10 and got worse in Grade 11. I was When questioned, several of those skipping seven or eight periods a day... who had chosen stereotyped There are no rules around here." "women's work" said that they had Why do such a high proportion considered other occupations when of girls lose interest in school pre­ they were young before becoming cisely when achievement and grades realistic become important for future education These earlier choices were dif­ and work? Why are some so dependent ferent in important ways from the on external pressure to do well at ones they ultimately made. Some school? And if they are right and if were in areas not traditionally there is less pressure on them to do "female" and all were, relative well as they get older, why? to their final choices, more demand­ ing in years of training or education required. Girls decline Although only a small percentage of girls exhibited a trend for im­ provement of grades, this pattern was much more conmon for boys. A third of the boys interviewed indicated that their grades had improved. The reason given was that they found the work more interesting and they were working harder. For example, two achieving young women, initially chose physician as a desired future occupation, but changed to hospital lab technician. They changed choices despite the fact that they wondered, even then, if the latter would be a demanding enough occupation. Another substit­ uted library assistant for teacher because despite good grades, she she was sure she would not be able to do university work. One student who had briefly flirted with Che idea of becoming an auto mechanic, turned to secretarial work; others, who had considered the careers of lawyer and parole officer, decided to go into health care occupations instead. This decline in occupational aspirations of girls parallels the decline in achievement. Girls in the other group we’re at the opposite pole to their "real­ istic" sisters. They were still fantasizing about their futures. Some presented totally unrel­ ated possibilities when asked about their occupational interests. These possibilties included occupations in philosophy, biology, sociology, fashion design, and brain surgery. The underlying motif was "some­ thing to do with my mind." One student noted three pos­ sibilities: agriculture, linguistics and hotel management. Although she preferred the first, she did not think she would do that because she would get too "muscley". Several girls were interested in art, and envisaged using their tal­ ents In personal, individual creat* ivity. This was very much a middleclass preference and suggests a part time interest easily compatible with the role of housewife. The choice ____________________________________ These two very different patterns of choice exhited by the girls have similar social results. As adults, these young women will either con­ sciously enter "women's" occupations and fit them around a family, or they will almost by default acquire no training and become housewives. If they need to work, they will naturally fall into the unskilled reserve labor force. Working-class boys fit into the "early choice" pattern, selecting low-skill, working-class occupations. They responded to a limited set of choices which are conspicuously open. In contrast, middle-class boys did not make choices at an age when it was too early to know what options are available. Nor did they down- continued <Sme rROFBSSOW. HAB GG9QN ALTHOUGH WE'RE \ NEW BUSINESS, SHERYL, AND MYSELF, MARLENE, HAVE DEVOTED 28 YEARS TO OUR PROFESSION IN THUNDER BAY. WE SPECIALIZE IN: • BODY WAVES * CURLY PERMS . WASH & WEAR PERMS •AND GOOD HAIRCUTS Northern Woman Journal, page 3 v �grade their earlier aspirations.. They chose an area of interest, had some notions about the future education they needed, and were waiting to see what occupational choices were open to them when they got into the field. These findings help explain the perpetuation of sex stereotyped roles and institutions within society. The above patterns are largely invis­ ible in the high school because they ,are so compatible with expectationsi for girls and boys. When a girl says that she has "lost interest" in school, or has decided to be come a lab technician' rather than a doctor because she couldn'i "stand the strain" these are taken to be completely acceptable explan­ ations, not to be questioned. The possibility that.they may be rational­ izations to avoid challenging stereo­ typed female roles is not considered. Far from questioning motivations, teachers encourage such adjustments to traditional roles. Through observation in the Grade 12 classroom, for example, it was learned that teachers single out boys more often than girls to par­ ticipate. Teachers prefer to encourage boys ________________________ Clearly, there is a definite andi in most cases probably unconscious teacher preference for encouraging boy students to contribute in the class room. Also, boys are more like­ ly than girls to volunteer answers and ask questions. One can only speculate why boys participate more on their own three to one. This is not surprising because English is considered a "female" field, while math is stereotypically male. This suggests that the teachers in part, teach stereotypes to their stud­ ents. In this case, girls are taught when it is and is not considered appropriate to participate. Without doubt, the girl’s loss of interest, their declining achieve­ ment and their "dead end" patterns of occupational choices are related to each other. These choices also relate to thier more peripheral in­ volvement in the classroom. Another way schools teach girls to adjust to sterotyped sex roles is through the guidance program. Four of the five guidance counsellors in the the school studied indicated that girls should only consider occupational initiative. It may well be that after years of special attention they are more choices which are compatible with being a wife and mother. at ease participating in the class­ According to one counsellor, a room. They feel assured that teachers "fairly intelligent" female student are interested in what they have to " ... might look for a career that she say, and that they expect and value can leave for a few years and go their contributions, It may also be back to...like working as a counsellor, that the girls have incorporated the as a social worker, as a teacher, as a stereotypes of the quiet, passive a saleswomen, possibly secretarial feminine personality; they are there­ work, office work..." All the stereo­ fore more shy and retiring in class. typed "women's" occupations. The passivity of girls in the Another counsellor said that "a classroom is more pronounced in woman who tries to have a family and' mathematics class, where the ratio of participation between boys and girls a career can do neither properly." Thus, girls are explicitly taught reaches an average of four to one, to think that their futures are limited than in English Literature classes, by their biological role of child where the ratio id between two and Women’s Brochures Place Booklets Printing Pamphlets Newsletters LETTERHEAD BULLETINS REASONABLE r No oAcfeA too 6ma.ll'. Phone 31*5-7802 Northern Woman Journal, page 4 V r For the most part, they assist students to adjust to the exisitng sex structure and class structure of society. By fulfilling their man­ date in this limited way, the schools serve as conservative institutions, ensuring the perpetuation of stereo­ typed roles. As a result, young women, narrow their horizons as they mature and aim for what is conspicuously open to them as women. In the short run they are rewarded-for doing this. They receive the satisfaction of knowing that they are fulfilling the societal stereo­ types of femininity. In the long run, they may come to regret this lack of preparation for roles other than the traditional ones. And no matter what they as individuals feel, a direct result; is the continuation of stereotyped sex roles and social patterns of male dominance. Dear Sisters, I am sure that you will be inter­ ested in learning this, if you don't already know about it. To catch up with the delightful Brutality Chic wave, LOIS JEANS AND JACKETS have put out a lovely poster where we can admire this True Male brutalizing a Fox-so-sexy-the-poor-guy-can'thelp-it! It has been out for a very long time now and I haven't seen or heard of any feamle protest!! Do I need to mention the word boycott. I am a woman I am made as Hell I am not going to take it anymore. RATES 316 BAY ST. bearer. Apparently, having children makes no such demands on fathers! The adjustment girls make during high school to traditional sex roles is antithetical to the prescribed and avowed goals of the educational system. Schools are ideally supposed to open new doors to students and make them more aware of their own interests, abilities and potentials. They do this successfully only for well-motivated middle class boys and a few particularly ambitious girls and working-class boys. �Speak-out On Child Abuse sense of discovery. And yet, for Louise, the bed room and told to lie down there is no real relief: on the floor. "That," says Sara, " It doesn’t go away. Jt recedes. You was my introduction to sex right KISS DADDY GOODNIGHT: A SPEAK-OUT ON there." don't have to like it. You just have INCEST by Louise Armstrong, Hawthorn to live with it. Like a small nasty In later years, the father wants Books Inc., New York, $9.95. pet you've had for years. the children to experience inter­ Part of Armstrong's motivation course. David is commanded to per­ KISS DADDY GOODNIGHT, as the subtitle in undertaking DADDY is an attempt to form with a foster sister close to promises, is a speak-out. Sixteen break through the tradition of silence his age; Sara is commanded to per­ women, a young man and the author which protects the repeated abuse of form with daddy. When Sara resists herself share their troubling childhood children and also perpetuates the David defends her and the father remembrances. Armstrong composes an shame in the objects of abuse. takes out his hostility in various ad: "Rape can allow for a straight for ways. I am a woman doing a first person * d reaction but the seduction of Sara and David survived with documentary book on incest. I am looking a child by a needed and trusted parent emotional scars and, in Sara's case for others who have had an actual or is far more complex." physical ones as well. Sara has * near-actual incest experience to par­ All the same, some straightforward self-inflicted cuts up and down her ticipate in my 'forum'. reactions are to be found: arms, and she has attempted suicide, The ads placed, Armstrong then feared If something like that happened to the only one in the book, I believe that she might be the only one in my children, I think I'd kill him... to have done so. Of Incest, David the world to whom this happened. your father's supposed to love and says: "this" refers to incest—broadly protect you, and if he does something Kids aren't ready. It pushes them., defined as the sexual abuse of a child like that, it's the biggest betrayal at that age you want to feel safe by a needed and trusted parent." there is. What you really need from and in control and intact. Her fear proved unfounded. Armstrong a father is just love. Sara says: received 183 repsponses and selected Jill fantasized about killing her Emotions are so hard, so funny to those that she felt had the "ring of » father with an ice pick. deal with. You can have one strong the common" and were within the scope KISS DADDY GOODNIGHT, without emotion one way and just keep it of this book. that way—like hate. And then sometbinpheing a cold statistical survey, In previous books, Louise Armstrong raises the issue that far more women stirs other memories. And he could be wrote stories for children. DADDY is were abused as children than legal so good. And then so awful. He was a book about the lives of children— just one mass of contradictions. files , Social Service Records or mostly girl children—one of whom Contradictions thread their way case histories reveal. remembers cunnilingus being performed through KISS DADDY GOODNIGHT. June As with wife-beating and rape, one on her in infancy and another who loc­ who experienced cunnilingus as an longs not to look. One wants the ated hospital records indicating that infant, sums it up best: issue to go away. But it will not. she had had gonorrhea at the age of ' "I just wish I'd been able to I feel that this man's actions three. contributed to me not having a mind cope with less human wreckage along This book's structure is sometimes of my own and not being able to say the way," says Maggie who was mol­ tricky to follow; imagined conversa­ no to men. I feel I owe him because ested by her father from age four to tions distract from the actual. he raised me like a daughter (he sixteen, "how can someone do that Yet it is Armstrong's choice of was her stepfather) but I hate him to another human being?" structure which allows the women to for subjecting me to his adult will For your information, Louise Arm­ speak and lends DADDY its gruelling at such an early age that I can't strong, you can count me in on tone of authenticity, weaving her own think for myself. I want to destroy your list of women who formally personal story in and out of the every female child's vagina so it admit to having had an incestuous painful intimacies confided to her can t be used in an adult way. father. Although he has been dead for by the 16 interviewees, Armstrong For the women in the book, pene­ ten years now, I still spend a dis­ melds narrative with theory. With tration occurred at different ages— proportionate time brooding over my both fine and broad strokes she some before menstruation, some past with him and like Maggie, "wish touches upon every aspect of incest. after. "Kiss your cherry goodbye." I had been able to cope with less By choice, the overriding perspective Wendy's dad warned her as she ap­ human wreckage along the way." is the first person and not that of proached mentruation. the detached clinician. By Mary Lous Shields, New Women's KISS DADDY GOODNIGHT is a hard book If DADDY is exhausting to read, it Times Feminist Review, March 15, 1979 to take—repulsive in places. Sandy. is because separate accounts blend trying to imagine what it is like into a collective litany of shocking hearing stories like this says: abuse. Sexual violation came to the KISS DADDY GOODNIGHT: A SPEAKI can get grossed out because it's "speakers" whin they were young, un­ OUT ON INCEST IS available in repulsive. Really sickening. Not just informed and had no resources other a grown man molesting a child, but his the Women' s Centre Resource Libthan mommy and daddy. In order to rary. daughter yet. empathize with the experience being Louise Armstrong asks, "Why is it recounted, a reader is requi red to necessary for men to eroticize all relive her own feeling of helplessness positive affectionate, even sensual and dependency. So reader beware— responses? And why are men such victims this book arouses strong emotion. of their own sexuality?" The skeptics among us who might doubt such testimonies should note As one listens to June, Sara and that one of the most unnerving stories Sandy, one gets the sense that they is also the only one substantiated by have spent hundreds of hours brood­ both a sister and brother, Sara and ing over each hour of abuse. It David. When their mother goes back to overshadows their lives. school and a nursing career, Sara Louise Armstrong's father made his and David are left alone a lot with first sexual advances toward her their father, "a pillar of the com­ when they were away on a trip. At munity ." the time, Louise was eleven. The In the mother's absence, the writing of DADDY feels very much like father begins "training" Sara and a part of her own therapy for the David and two foster children in trauma. As recently as when she got various sexual techniques. He the contract to do this book, she instructs them in "blow-jobs" for him had not told her mother about her and then puts them into position father's sexual abuse. When she finally with each other. Always, the father did, she learned more about her own does the orchestration. past and the reader shares in Louise's Four-year old Sara is called to Reprinted from KINESIS, July 1979 , MORE Northern Woman Journal, page 5 v �PUSHING INCEST OT 1 in 4 female children are victims. by Gay la Reid erosexual. Gere'8 some horrendous arithmetic The suspicion that the child for you: molester is homosexual is a sensation­ Take a grade 12 class of 16 women. al media myth—witness their avid One in four will have experienced attention to the unusual Toronto some type of sexual assault. Of murder of shoeshine boy Emmanual the four, one will have been involved, Jaques. or is involved, in an incestuous More than 50 percent of the time, relationship. Experts assert: sexual abuse takes place within the Ninety five percent of the victims regular family unit. Attacks by psychotic child abusers account for of incest are female. Ninety five percent of the offenders only five percent of sexual abuse. Typically, the' attacker is the liveare male. And we can't start dealing with in father figure. He could be the father, the step-father, mother's incest until it is defined as a prob­ live-in lover, or a brother or uncle. lem. Social taboos demand that sexual The abuse ranges rrom fondling of abuse be seen not to exist. Like breasts to touching genitals, masturwife battering, like rape, sexual hation and Intercourse. abuse of children is an issue that Physical violence is rarely invol­ the women's movement is fighting to. ved. Because the child does not have bring to public awareness. bruises visible on her body, the Sexual abuse is any physical con­ abuse can go undetected for years. tact from one person to another per­ Coercian is present, but subtle. Daddy'8 taking care of me, daddy's son who is not a willing partner. paying me special attention, daddy Diana Ladell, of Nanaimo Rape Rel­ loves me—these are the seductive ief has been researching the issue and images that can be presented to the studying the incidence of sexual abuse in the Nanaimo area over the past victim. Abuse typically starts when the nine months. child is between eight and ten or When Ladell learned of the statis­ tic on sexual abuse, her first reaction twelve or thirteen. In one study, the victim was twelve years of age was one of disbelief. They're way too or younger in 81 percent of the cases. high, she thought, they must'be ex­ aggerated. Nine months later she feels the figure of one in four is indeed accurate. What kind of man would sexually abuse children? What happens to the victims of abuse,? What kind of abuse situation does child abuse take place? When confronted,the response of the sexual abuser varies: She is just waking it up because I And it goes on and on—lasting wouldn't give her an allownace. anywhere from six months to fourteen years. In one case a 16 year old said She was wearing that flimsy little that her father had been playing with night gown so what do you expect2 her for a number of years. She was reluctant to leave home because her X got drunk and passed out. When I younger sister was 13 and "if I leave, came to, my daughter was sitting on she's next." top of me trying to get my penis What about the mother? " Jt is inside her. often the woman who gets blamed," says Ladell, "the wife, the man’s I wanted her first sexual experience own mother, the daughter...women to be a good one. and kids are in a really bad position in this society/ Economically and My God, I'm glad it's out in the to some extent emotionally, the mother open. is dependant on the husband. What The men who sexually abuse children is she to do? If she reports the case range from chronic offenders to those if the man ends up in jail, she ends UP who feel extremely guilty and ashamed. up on welfare. There goes her bread­ winner . The mother may deny that the sexual abuse has in fact taken place Or she may clue into other disturb­ The chronic offender is one who ing tensions that have been happening has consistently avoided adult rel­ within the family: the grim pieces ationships and is sexually attracted fall into place. to young girls. He tends to feel no remorse. "Whatever course is taken," says Then there's the sexual abuser Ladell, "sexual abuse puts the whole who has found adult relationships family into crisis." stressful and disappointing. He's Keeping the family together, which depressed, he feels as if his manhood is the resolute answer of many agencies has been threatened. It's a new act­ can In some cases be detrimental. ivity for him, begun when his selfimage is at its low point. More often VSometimes that policy can protect the child, but sometimes it is best to than not, this man is a married het- “IF I LEAVE, SHE'S NEXT” Nortjiern Woman Journal, page 6 V get the child out of the situation," says Ladell. What works? Ladell outlined for readers one approach that seems to be successful. That is a therapeutic family treat­ ment program in Santa Clara, Californ­ ia. All the family dynamics are treated: mother and father have mar­ ital counselling', mother and daughter have therapy, victims and offenders have special groups. People are still trying to cope frith the fact that sexual abuse happens, let alone get organized around it. I've just come back from a national conference of rape crisis centres and I can tell you that as yet we have no adequate treatment programs operating in the country. We're still at the stage of making the public acknowledge sexual abuse as a large problem. If we're going to make any positive steps towards confronting the reality of sexual abuse, Ladell stresses, "it's important that the people who work with children be approachable." ...The present move within the schools back-to-the three R's...is seen as not being helpful at all. It means students have less space to talk about their problems. Without that time, the problem doesn't surface until a point of crisis. The crisis could emerge when the girl runs away from home, becomes un­ controllable or pregnant at age 13. With cruel irony, the victim becomes the social problem. Removing her from the home can feel punitive: she's the one who must have done something wrong because she is the one who is taken away. Keeping her in the home and re­ moving the father can equally be a problem. She can feel responsible for the economic consequences..."They'll send your father to jail and we'll end up on welfare. Ia that what you want to do to us?" The trauma of being used and be­ trayed by her father can often mean that the vicitm loses- her sense of self worth. This in turn leads to fur­ ther abuse. Studies reveal a high co­ relation between delinquent acts in adolescence, pregnancy, venereal dis­ ease, psychiatric illness and sexuall abuse Many adult women report adult sexual problems as a result of early sex­ ual abuse. And 90 percent of the mothers seeking help in a California refuge for people who physically abuse their children said that they had been sexually assaulted as a child. "Talk with any group of adult womeu," says Ladell, "You'll find almost everyone has a story." In the course of her studies she talked with groups of Brownies, with junior high and senior high school students. She heard girls speak of sexual abuse making it public; for the first time. She was approached on her Own, after discussions, by students who wanted to tell someone privately �r OF THE CLOSET Sexual abuse, the most concealed form form of child abuse, 16 just now being brought out into the open. Learning about it feels a bit like seeing pictures of Dachau for the first time. The sooner we can generate a less defensive acceptance of sexual abuse as a common fact of family life, the better it will be for the women involved. cases of incest or sexual abuse of children over the past two years, One of the calls came from the Children’s Aid Society, which as far as outsiders can tell has developed no strategy to deal with the problem * of incest or sexual abuse of children. The cases that have been brought to to the attention of the Rape Crisis Centre here, have been treated like any rape case as far as the proceedure for dealing with them goes. Someone is sent out to talk to the family, tn all cases it has Thunder Bay's Rape and Sexual Assault Centre has had four reported been the family of the victim who have sought advice. Usually they want to know whether the case merits court proceeding and how they can approach the child about the matter without alarming the child unnecessarily. "The problem is the same every­ where," says Doreen Boucher of the Centre, "We don't have the inform­ ation because the problem is not yet out in the open." While the Rape Crisis Centre is open to the calls, they admit that most of their workers who answer calls play It by ear. Because we have all had mothers, the Institution affects all women, and— though differently—ail men. Patri­ archal violence and callousness are often visited through women upon.child­ taken from OF WOMAN BORN by Adrienne in links of love and guilt; the absence ren—not only the "battered1 child but Rich, Bantam Books, 1976. of social benefits for mothers; the the children desperately pushed, cajoled, inadequacy of child-care facilities in manipulated, the children dependent on The institution of motherhood cannot most parts of the world; the unequal be touched or seen:- in art perhaps one uncertain, weary woman for their pay women receive as wage-earners, for­ day-in, day-out care and emotional sus­ only Kathe Kollwitz has come close to evoking It. It must go on being evoked, cing them often into dependence on a tenance, the male children who grow up man; the solitary confinement of "full­ believing that a woman is nothing so so that women never again forget that time motherhood‘; the token nature of our many fragments of lived experience much as an emotional climate made to fatherhood, which gives a man rights belong to a whole which is not of our soothe and reassure, or an emotional creation. Rape and its aftermath; mar­ and privileges over children toward whirlwind bent on their destruction. whom he assumes minimal responsibility; riage as economic dependence, as the the psychoanalytic castigation of the guarantee to a man of "his" children; I come back, as we must, to Joanne mother; the pediatric assumption that the theft of childbirth from women; •Mlchulski. Desperation surely grew the mother is inadequate and ignorant; upon her, little by little. She loved, the concept of the ''illegitimacy" of a the burden of emotional work borne by child born out of wedlock; the laws she tried to love, she screamed and was women in the family—all these are con­ not heard, because there was nothing regulating contraception and abortion; necting fibers of this invisible insti­ and no one in her surroundings who saw the cavalier marketing of dangerous tution, and they determine our relation­ her plight as unnatural, as anything birth control devices; the denial that ship to our children whether we like work done by women at home is a part to think so or not. of "production!*1; the chaining of women motherhood confd next mse What do you mean LIBERATED? The 19th century term emancipation Implied freedom from legal constraints. The 20th centucy term liberation is subtler. It means freedom from psycholog­ ical as well as from legal or political constraints; freedom from the unspoken pressures that as insistently as the formal, verbal ones, force certain life patterns on us. At the day-to-day level, some of the concrete issues involved in achieving liberation deal with such commonplace issues as birth control, child care, and paid employment. But the specific bread and butter Issues are far from being the overridin-g ones. THE CRITICAL FORM OF LIBERATION IS ON A DIFFERENT PLANE . LIBERATION IS A WIDENING OF CHOICES. Liberation is facing the difficult and serious human Liberation Is a searching choice of establishing an for self-identity and selfidentity and a purpose in fulfilment to the utmost of life. To achieve liberation the person's ability. it each person must discover means release from the herself as an individual with restrictions Imposed by significance In her own right. stereotyped roles. IDENTITY COMES ONLY THROUGH LIBERATION MEANS AUTONOMY, MAKING CHOICES, AND LIBERATION BELIEF IN ONE'S SELF, SELF IS THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE OF EVER-WIDER CHOICES FOR PEOPLE. RATHER THAN SUBSERVIENCE TO STANDARDS DETERMINED BY OTHERS, LIBERATION FROM THE MYTHS THAT HAVE ENSLAVED AND CONFINED US IN OUR OWN MINDS AS WELL AS IN THE MINDS OF OTHERS. Liberation Is the fundamen­ tal reorientation of the relationship between the sexes. The experience of liberation, like that of religious conversion, is the - sometimes sudden - restructuring of wellknown facts. (Thoroughly adapted from Jessie Bernard, "The Future of Marriage") from A Woman 1s Place. January 79 GAY WOMEN'S EROTICA: I would like to assemble and publish a collection and/or women identi­ fied erotica. Both written and graphic material would be included. I encourage all women to consider those things which enhance their sexual feelings and express it as a contribution to this book. This book will provde an opportunity to espress themselves and will also be very interesting and great fun to read. Send your contributions to: PAMIR PRODUCTIONS PO BOX 40218 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94140 Anonymity is guarateed unless other­ wise stated. Northern Woman Journal, page 7 v �CHIMPANZEE LITERARY i like it when i slip into bed & you're asleep and you slip your arm around me in a primordial instinct I am reminded of a chimpanzee at the Woodland Park Zoo peeling a banana in his slender fingers or clinging with a graceful but hairy arm to the branch of a tree & I'm glad when you have your ancestral arm around me that my body is warm, that I am an animal WRITER'S CRAMP my poems are progeny: little bastards bom opt of imagination from times we have lain together on a bed of Thesaurus & Oxford. Each word's a ritual: comma period caress My poems are a long arduous word-play resulting in Fallopian disaster: seeds shot into brain cells, a dumb sperm hitting the lost egg somewhere in the Subconscious LORRAINE VERNON thene Is a woman who lives in my husband's house hen hobbles one collecting dust balls and taking baths 1 wish someone would take hen away she's dnlvlng me cnazy Uumled young you took my hand, put a /Ung on my iingen, nepeated the. vans and Struted. t took youn hand, gave my sting to you, neveA consciously lied, the "1 do’s" wene too easily ago.teable, the game too easily uion, not realizing the consequences, once the cenemony utas done. new yeans laten, you say I’ve changed, I'm not the glut you mannled, you neven neatly knew the soul Inside on the woman bunted beneath the shell, bunnlng In hell, finally escaping to the suniace. and new what do you do with hen, she's not neatly what you wanted, let It nlde ion awhile, see what (>ate has stunted. Viola Qsdenne ARTHRITIC PAIW SLUES I sometimes yeann to gathen up these bunnlng bones oi mine step neatly inom this lined ilesh to stand within a pant oi eveny day. silent with the cool netlei anyohene thene is to be beyond thewhys and whynots nemerbenlng with joy, that othen me. Violet Wineganden Mickey Pedensen LORRAINE VERNON Woman's Pole Poll oven go to sleep, I don't want to! Yes you will, yes you can, you know you will, I'm youn man. ho way!, I've no excuse to give you, expect I don't want to. You know my dean 1 tike being pant o i the iun, I don't want to, that's all thene Is to It. It doesn't mean you'ne not deslned, it's been hell, I'm just lined. You tell me when youn day has been nough, and youn answen dean, is Tm too lined, go to sleep. Then my dean man you can cook and you can clean, see how you like just being a housewife and baby machine, thene is no change oi dull old housewonk, It’s a boning noutlne. I must stay home, not go out atone, ion me thene's no such thing as a male intend . . . people would spnead the wond and doubt you as my man, my Hie, my loven and soul supponten. I musn't dness cool on supen shanp as It's been said, nape it does Invite. I must stay home and lock my doons, ion I am just a woman! Youn pnopenty and as ion nights, I haven't many. You'ne asking ion tnouble woman, when one knows youn scene, youn own noutlne as we all know thene's always a gossip to spoil youn dneam. So as a woman you don't i-ight back, why you'ne bonn with a mind, use it. You have the stnength, woman stand up let younseli be heand, woman it's tune you came out oi the closet. Northern Woman Journal, page 8 V upon coming back Dried horse turds In molded yellow straw Whop through the air From the toe of my bootBroken wine bottles Wink through matted grass. Shambled buildings, Half covered with nettles, Memories, dry as horse turds. Lay everywhere. ALEATA E. BLYTHE Linda Richand motherhood but the "homemaker's" usual service to the home. She became the scapegoat, the one around whom the darkness of maternity is allowed to swirl — the in­ visible violence of the institution of motherhood, the guilt, the powerless responsibility for human lives, the judgments and condemnations, the fear of her own power, the guilt, the guilt, the guilt. So much of this heart of darkness is an undramatic, undramatlzed suffering: the woman who serves her SPECIMEN we live together but not as a commune. I'm the mother: figure fixed on a pin All around me people use dishes, clothes squeeze oranges toothpaste tubes. Tell mewhat would happen if I wiggled off like a butterfly, that is already dead LORRANE VERNON family their food but cannot sit down with them, the woman who cannot get out of bed in the morning, the woman polish' ing the same place on the table over and over, reading labels in the super­ market as if they were in a foreign language, looking in a drawer where there is a butcher knife. The scape­ goat is also an escape-valve: through her the passions and the blind raging waters of a suppressed knowledge are permitted to churn their way so that they need not emerge in less extreme situations as lucid rebellion. Reading of the "bad1 mother's desperate response to an invisible assault on her being, "good1 mothers resolve to become better, more patient and long-suffering, to cling more tightly to what passes for sanity. The scapegoat is different from the martyr; she cannot teach res­ istance or revolt. She represents a terrible temptation: to suffer uni­ quely, to assume that I, the individual woman, am the "problenf. �MIGRATION By Elizabeth Robertson Borland THE WEB by Elizabeth Robertson Borland The sun is glinting Off the silver birches. Silver trees sheltering Secrets in their silent shade. The wind is frolicking. Chasing and teasing the clouds, As they draw themselves away, Struggling to retain dignity. The lake shimmers In the golden sunlight; A flutter of waves dancing Across the surface, laugh. Smiling at me. Out of the quietness A loon flaps across the lake. Calling, calling, calling. And my heart responds. I long to stay forever Caught up in the sunlight Like a bee encased in amber From eternity long ago. The Moon is caught in a web, A net of bare tree branches. Tossed by the Wind; The wild, wild wind. Who loves her pale beauty. Glowing coolly. Stay and be my love! He cries. But as the wild geese Must fly South before Winter, To warmer, softer climes. So must I fly South To the richer climates <, f Of the Mind. Did you hear the geese Also crying. As they went Southward? THE WOMAN IN ME by VIOLA GODERRE I am reaching slowly inward, touching softly heart and mind, realizing my own feelings, accepting now my place in time. I am reversing my self-image, revealing the original soul with no reflections in a mirror, no illusions, no sief-control. standing naked in the sunshine uncaring now whose eyes will see the being here, though very humble, embraces warmly, the woman in me. BRIEF POEM Why did Neruda write for the people? Not for the politicians? (although he was an ambassador) CATFIGHT We live in a land, social net from which we draw The cat that fights The cat that skulks And the cat removed of claw Joyce Michalchuk We could be equal. Sir if that were all. In purse and opportunity the fence could fall. We could be equal, but I want mush more than what I plainly see you settled for. And if by chance or some divine design our lots were equal and the choice was mine I wouldn't hold you to a role that broke your spirit and your soul, we could be equal, friend and still be lost, unless we meet on higher ground above the frost. GERT BEADLE The dark coild of the mesh Close tightly around her. Holding her fast. The clouds of her hair Blow in the wind. Drifting lossely. I must go, I cannot stay!. She cries. She does not fight the trap, Afraid of it rending her. Tearing delicate tissues. Anguished are her eyes. As the down curve of her cheek Drops a tear. I cannot give my love Captive. The Wind throws off the snare, Freeing his dream Of happiness in love. She looks upward towards the sky. Hearing the stars singing, Smiling sweetly. Go! Cries the Wind, Broken-hearted. The Wind moans through the forest. Tormented by his lost dream. Bewailing his lost love. Dawn, my sister beackons me With rosy fingers, says the Moon, Leaving slowly. I will love you in freedom. When I return. unfeelinq feelinqs by VIOLA GODERRE broken glass ground beneath a heartless heel, shattered to dust, caught by the wind to disappear. feelings unfeeling trying to reach the stars, a kite of emotion cut loose and abandoned to struggle in the clouds. theKe iin't much to iay theKe iin't much to do when alt that t& known ■it abiolutdy tnjue theKe iin't much to Living that dying can enaie iooneii ok lateh we atl come face to face He wrote for the peasants because he loved them & he dreamed that one day after they had eaten, they would learn to read. LORRAINE VERNON my fauthea wai a man ai wai my unde my b/iothehi and huiband ahe men now and my ion ii a boy yei i am a woman and i can enduhe no mohe pain fah i love my daughteK my motheh, my aunt and my iiitem too Mickey Pedemen Mickey Pedeuen Northern Woman Journal, page 9 v �Canada not without blemish MacDonald states at the UN UNITED NATIONS (CP) Canada is not without blemish when it comes to human rights problems. External Affairs Minister Flora Mac­ Donald said Tuesday. In fact, she said at a news con­ ference, if the UN heeds her call to appoint a deputy undersecretary for human rights, Canada might in­ deed be the subject of an investi­ gation. Miss MacDonald made the call for an undersecretary for rights in her first address to the General Assembly. In the past, similiar proposals for a high commissioner for human rights have gone un­ heeded at the UN because many coun­ tries might be embarrassed if hauled on the carpet for their treatment of their citizens. "I don't mean, in putting this forward, to preach at other coun­ tries in the world," Miss MacDonald told reporters. "If one were to look at Canada, and its record of human rights, we have some very real problems with regard to the problems of Indian women. "It may be that one of the first issues that an undersecretary for human rights might want to look in­ to is the situation with regard to Indian women in Canada." MIGHT BE EMBARRASSING She conceded that might be em­ barrassing to the government, un­ less legislation is changed, but said that should not hinder sup— port for the proposal. Under Canada's Indian Act, an Indian Act, an Indian woman who marries a non-Indian loses her status as an Indian. Miss MacDonald said the UN is already looking at the situation because a New Brunswick woman, Sandra Lovelace, complained about it to the world body's human rights commission. opportunity knocks WELLNESS fox WOMEN IN THE HOME RESOURCE LIBRARY by Monika McNabb Last year the Northern Woman'sCentre obtained a grant from a local foundation. This has enabled us to purchase a desk, room dividers, essential office materials, library shelves, and a filing cabinet to expand our vertical lending files. Also, a wide range of books were bought from the Co-op Bookshop: novels by Engel, Feminism : the essential historical writings, Guide for Working Mothers, Judy Chicago's struggles as a woman artist, a Lamaze book. Make it Happy : What Sex is all About (for teenagers), Woman and Labour, and others. The book collection now stands at 360 and there Is sure to be something here for you. Newspaper and magazine clippings are an essential part of a vertical file and since the library no longer has a paid staff, vo1unteers to help clip and paste to keep the files up-to-date would be appreciated. If you can spare a few hours a week, this is a good chance to become familiar with the vast amount of Information and resources available for women. Donald B. Ardell, author and lecturer wl 11 conduct a one-day workshop dealing with the five elements of wellness - fitness, nutritional awareness, self­ responsibility, stress manage­ ment and environmental concern. Saturday, October 20 9 a.m. - A p.m. Lakehead University Faculty Lounge $15 registration fee includes lunch and a 1 week pass to Vic Tanny's. To register, send your cheque, made payable to the Community Fitness Campaign, to: Nora Fulcher, 130 Pinegrove PI., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7B 5X7 "Dhat'i neatly fan i& to nun my wedding mouteA backoakdi and dee my&eJLh walking out 0(( the chuAch a face woman." From New Woman October 1979 Limited registration on a first come, first serve basis. SALT AND YEAST - available soon I want to go for broke I want to risk it all, feel the day I’m in, hear tomorrow call... Northern Woman Journal, page 10 v Salt and Yeast, a book of sel­ ected poems by Gert Beadle, with illustrations by Sirpa Bishop, is now in its second printing. Two hundred copies of the collection will be available at the end of October. To order call 345-7802 or write 316 Bay Street, Thunder Bay, P7B 1S1. Cost is $5.00 per copy. �TV ONTARIO 'Footsteps Northern Writers Conference October 12, 13, 1979 Confederation College ' TV Ontario has produced FOOTSTEPS, a television series for the parents of young children, as its contribution to the Year of the Child. Beginning Sep­ tember 19th, the 20 30 minute programs will be aired on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. Footsteps deals with the problems, challenges and opportunities of parent­ hood. It is of particular interest not only to parents, but to anyone who has a responsibility for young children or and interest in them. Each program is introduced by a wellThis series may be purchased on known television personality and spouse videotape by non-profit organiza­ chatting about their own children, and tions. For further information con­ describing the the theme for the program. tact: A dramatization follows that presents a realistic situation. Documentary Mary Fisher footage rounds off the program. Utilization Services The themes are as varied as the needs, The Ontario Educational interests, and problems of young child­ Communications Authority ren. Some examples are: children's fears • P.O. Box 200, Station Q nutrition, death, social relationships, Toronto, Ontario M4T 2T1 discipline, and creativity. Ph. (416) 484-2665 *************************** "The time will come, we hope, when women will be economically free and mentally and spiritual­ ly independent enough to refuse to have their food paid for by men, when women will receive equal pay for equal work and have all avenues of activity open to them and will be free to choose their own mates, without shame or indelicacy; when men will not be afraid of marriage because of the financial burden, but free men and women will marry for love and together work for the sustenance of their fami­ lies. It is coming and the new movement among women who are crying out for a larger humani­ ty, is going to bring it about." The Northern Writers Committee, the Ontario Arts Council and Con­ federation College are pleased to announce that a gathering of north­ ern writers and poets will take place at the college. The theme of the conference is "The Writer's Craft". Friday, October 12th, an evening of readings of prose and poetry will be open to the public, free of charge. Attending are Canadian authors and poets Gertrude Beadle, feminist author of 'Salt and Yeast', Patricia Barclay, Arthur Black, Fred Bodsworth, Sheila Burnford, Marjorie W. Campbell, Leon­ ard Dick, Joan Finnigan, George Kenny, Elizabeth Kouhi, Claude Liman, Doc Skinner, James Stevens, and Wilfred Pelletier. On Saturday, a registration fee of $25 will be charged for a series of workshops. Topics are 'Writing and the Ecology', 'Screenplay Writing', 'Historical Writing and Research', 'Poetry', and 'How to Prepare a Manu­ script'. Enrolment is limited. Con­ tact Carol Rusak of Continuing Edu­ cation at Con College for further information and registration. HALLOWEEN BOOGIE October 26, 1979 Moose Hall 434 Fort William Rd. NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE FUND RAISING’EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP! In Times lake These Nellie HcClung Nellie McClung was one of the women on the 'Persons Committee. Dress-up is optional Facilities Available CELEBRATIONS MEETINGS SELF-HELP GROUPS Evenings are available at "MeLL tt’6 about time, you ienved. that chicken." Women's Place, 316 Bay Street. Large, comfortable, atmosphere. living-room Reasonable Rates. Phone 345-7802 from the Houseworker's Handbook : — Northern Woman Journal, page 11 V �Join the persons case' CELEBRATION - October 18th! Believe it or not, only 50 years The celebration will wind tq? with ago wcmen had no legal status as a coffee and anniversary cake being "persons" in Canada. Today it is diij- served at which time those in attend­ ficult to recall that up to 1929, ance will be presented with scrolls five successive Canadian governments that copy the original declaration. and the Supreme Court of Canada had "The Persons Case" celebration insisted that Canadian women were is being sponsored by the Northwes­ not "persons" because of the way tern Ontario International Women's that word was defined in the context Decade Co-Ordinating Council. Also of the British North America Act. present will be a good representation On October 18th, beginning at of the Thunder Bay women's service 7 p.m., at Confederation College, and social clubs who have planned the public is invited to core out displays highlighting their various and celebrate the victory of five Alberta women in their battle with the Supreme Cdurt of Canada. It was October 18, 1929 that the Privy Council of Canada handed down a dec­ ision declaring that Canadian women were indeed persons under the law and therefore eligible for appoint­ ment to the Canadian Senate. The celebration will feature a media display which will colour fully outline the history of the Persons Case that will be set up in the College Concourse for public viewing. At 7 p.m. in the Staff Lounge there will be a wine and cheese party, followed by skits and plays related to the occasion to be per­ formed by Kam Theatre Lab & friends in the College Theatre auditorium objectives and functions. The Thun­ der Bay Sweet Adelaides will give a choral presentation as part of the evening's entertainment. The general prublic is encouraged to attend the cotmanarative evening and find out more about the history of Canadian people. For further information call Leona tang at 344-9373. Portuguese women show greatest need says Counselling agency Few native Canadians can imagine what it is like to come to Canada, unable to speak the language, and unfamiliar with the customs of the new country. For immigrant women, says Mary Kozyrs, a counsellor at Immigrant Women Couselling Services located in Cornwall School, the problem is compounded. Unlike their husbands the women do not always go out to •work. Isolated in their homes, often kept secluded by a jealous husband, many women live in Canada for years without learning to speak or under­ stand English. Established in May of this year by the Women's Bureau of the Ministry of Labour, Immigrant Women Counselling Service (IWCS) has had several tasks to carry out. By canvassing the .Bay-Secord area, which is densely inhabited by immigrant families, IWCS has prepared a profile of the area. Because the immigrant women are primarily Portuguese, they have been the IWCS’s main focus. But getting to talk to the women personally to establish what their needs are,is not always easy. Mary relates how the Portuguese men can V be most possessive of their wives. Because she was accompanied by a male translator on several occasions, she was refused entry into the homes. The husbands did not trust the translator's presence in the home while he was away at work. "It creates impossible hardship for the women. They can't go to the supermarket or get to know the area. Often they live in poverty—with none of the household conveniences to assist them in their work. They are usually quite young and have quite a few children, who are not much past the infant stage," says Mary. Of course, the women are aware by observing their new surroundings they have not got the same freedom or mobility. This usually results in overwhelming feelings of isolation. The Counselling service is designed to get immigrant women in touch with government services and agencies suited to their needs and problems. The service informs women of their employment rights, education available, pensions, etc. It also provides a translator when neccesaary. For immigrant women who have found employment there is always the danger of exploitation. There are several employers in Thunder Bay currently facing charges of violating the Em­ ployment Standards Act. Mostly the charges are related to failing to pay minimum wage, or being unfair with overtime pay and holidays. There are very few jobs that ac­ comodate a person who does not speak Enlgish fluently. If they find work, the women usually do menial things like work in factories, as kitche^i help or as chambermaids. The project is merely getting off the ground at this point, as it is a slow process working into an immigrant community. Barb Orzech, recent immigrant from Pol­ and is currently preparing to take Mary's position . The fall program will feature an evening women's craft group. Mary and Barb feel that this is a good basis for getting together a group of women who can practise conversational English and even­ tually come forward to establish the areas in which they need assistance. For further information on the Immigrant Women Couselling Service all 345-0551. �I+S..B J Buk Ennombr* 3Sm sst* f 220 \ INSIDE: Stereotyping in the Schools . . . pg 3 RETURN TO; THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed Speak-out on Child Abuse . . . . pg 5 Pushing Incest Out of the Closet On the Institution of Motherhood ...... pg 6 . . . . pg 7 YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE HAVE YOU MOVED??? PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CALLING (807) 345-5841. We must pay return postage to keep up our mailing list. Subscribe: � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 5 No 5 Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 5 No 5 October-November 1979 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1979-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2831/1993_Vol_15_No_1.pdf cf925bf1163012c1c27365d21386b4f5 PDF Text Text $2.00 N9RTHERa MAN June 1993 Volume 15, No. 1 01 co O O 7-9URIVAL 7120011113 4 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �by MARGARET PHILLIPS You know the trouble is we take you for granted" my friend Emily remarked, as I was musing about whether the Northern Woman So fund-raise we must. With her wo PLEASE READ energy Jane is leading the fund-raisinl SUPI by organizing the first WOMEN'S COFFEEHOUSE to Journal is important to anyone beyond the small group of us who plod along publishing the NWJ year after year. "We've just come to expect you'll always be there" Emily your subscriptions? After all we do continue continued. to send you the Journal for months and months after your subscription expires. One Perhaps, I thought. But still I pondered - is the NWJ relevant, or is it an exercise in selfindulgence? For despite the woes and irritations of writing copy; endless hours on the computer; finding graphics; pasting straight columns; writing labels - as they * beside your name means sub is due or was due last issue; ** means you are three or four issues behind; *** means you are up to two years out of date. At the two year point we probably will cut your subscription off... then invariably we're asked by the never come off the computer the way we want them; then the constant hassle with Canada Post - who keeps changing the affected person if the Journal has stopped rules but never letting us know .... despite all this .... we love the NWJ and treasure the friendship and nurturance the collective provides. Yes, the Journal is important to us... but does anyone else care? The Then a visitor, a woman from a small eastern Ontario town, came into the Bookstore and immediately picked up a Journal. She told me how much the Journal meant to her... how, as a young woman entering university a dozen years ago, the Journal was the first (of many) women's publications she avidly sought out from the University Women's Centre. The Journal, publishing! question of whether the NWJ's continuance is important, and whether we can increase our subscription revenue is, at this point in time, fundamental. The Journal faces its most serious financial crisis in years. To put this issue of the Journal in your hands, we have to borrow money to pay the publisher. The cost of producing the Journal has risen substantially... for example postage costs have quadrupled support the Coffee Houses, and hop regional women can occassionally vis enjoy them too. There are several ways to support the Journal. While v most reluctant to solicit donations. reality is they would be appreciated. V most grateful for the regular donatioi receive from Journal crones. (Get believe, is psychic... a cheque from seems to always arrive just when we need it.) For an extra return for your dollar wt' advertise - your organization, your bust your project, your conference, etc. Journal. Recognizing that our financial dilemma was serious and would be an on-going problem, financial stability of the Journal is to inc As well, financial restraint measures have caused us the loss of our major advertising the NWJ collective recently set aside an evening to discuss our future. I approached the meeting with a heavy heart, fully Thus I came back to Emily's conclusion. Is it because you take the NWJ "for granted" that so many of you are lax about paying our way. Still the most effective way to ensue our subscription base. Please cor giving NWJ subs as presents to your fr and relatives. Encourage your colleagt. subscribe. Most importantly, please r your subscription today, and help kee Northern Woman Journal a vit alternative voice as we enter our 21st y( continuous publishing. STRIVING 8t ThitiviNg '93 A CONFERENCE ON EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING By NORTIoJESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN IN TRAdES & TEchNology PRESENTEd ANd EQuAy-Wuk WOMEN'S GROUP, SIOUX LOOkOUT SEpTEMbER 10Th, 11 Ttir ANd 12Th, 1993 EAGLE LAKE LODGE, EAGLE LAKE, ONTARIO FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO piAcE TOUR NAME ON OUR MAIEINq LIST; pLEASE cALIW 468.3698 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 2 i We will be happy to neg revenue. since the Conservative government reduced postal subsidies to Canadian publications. expecting our decision would be to cease publication. Not for a moment was such a thought contemplated. We love the NWJ too much to let a little thing like debt get in I We hope our Thunder Bay reader special advertising rates for multiple ads, and for non-profit fern organizations. The Journal coil doesn't have the resources to pl comprehensive advertising and funds strategy, but we'd welcome volunteers would take on this task. she told me, related to her and to her budding feminism. I was reminded of how many times over the years, when the NWJ hit a low point, we've received a note from a regional woman thanking the NWJ for the hope-,- the sustenance it gave. So again, yes, believe the Journal is important. bE Saturday, July 24th at the Unitarian ( (see full ad in this Journal). This is ni a fundraiser; it hopes to be an imr addition to the Thunder Bay we community. �999 9 999*personal views from the hill 9999999 MAY 15TH - OTTAWA Jocelyn J. Paquette Northern Ontario Rep., N.A.C. Diane Mills Global Awareness Project oblivious to the physical state of the COALITION BUILDING WAS THE THEME. ORGANIZATIONS CAME FROM used to think that NAFTA was one of those things that had nothing to do with me. I have enough stuff to deal with just I ALL WALKS OF LIFE ORGANIZED BY ACTION who slept in beds and ate breakfast were CANADA NETWORK, trying to find NATIONAL ACTION COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, CANADIAN a job, generate local awareness about environmental issues and locate natural fibres with which to LABOUR CONGRESS. knit. participants. They reported that demonstrators were more interested in a picnic, than the pending protest. We were hungry and tired after 20 sleepless hours on the road. Some semblance of food and a brief rest before the uphill walk were foremost on our minds, believe you me it was no picnic. We came to have our voices heard, our objections read and our concerns adhered to. Government, absent from all the proceedings, showed their inability to face the issues and deal with people face to face. Instead we had six uniformed R.C.M.P. watching along the sidelines. As a person born and raised in Ottawa this was unusual, uniforms were seldom seen Well I was wrong, NAFTA will effect me: We were an eclectic crowd gathered in The job search situation will only look more grim, the environment will be left clusters around a variety of banners open to degradation and growing cotton in Canadian soil will be disallowed. To be honest, I didn't even know there was Canadian cotton. I knew that I should do something but I really wasn't sure what. Signing a petition seemed too little, 20 hours one way on a bus seemed a lot. opted for the 'lot' because I saw myself as part of a living, breathing, walking petition of faces that would surely have and impact and besides, I had the time. I " A PICNIC ATMOSPHERE." That was the depth of the reporting from the Canadian Press. Funny how this did not reflect any of what I saw. There was not one wicker basket, no red and white checkered table cloth to be seen. The R.C.V.P. stated where were 60.000 people on the hill. People had come to stand UP for their had never bee- involve,-4 involving so many people and so much organization. I was one of 33 people on I rights in what IS STILL A DEMOCRACY! a bus. Our bus was one of over 800 OR ? others. Upon arrival in the parking lot we were greeted, given instructions, a large card with our assigned bus number and Tony Clarke, of the Action Canada Network emphasized the need for coalition building between and amongst organizations in this country. Issues of social justice range from full employment to day care and everything in between. Our groups, beginning with ourselves, must make the effort to reach those who have traditionally been silenced because of the barriers: whether economic, racial, physical or cultural. Together we can create, define and orient a community towards whole and productive pursuits. Judy Rebick's talk remains for me N.A.C.'s president's final swan song. Forceful and clear, expressive and humorous Judy gave a warming and stirring speech engaging the audience and making the issues of equality and equity front and centre. Women's issues are justice issues. When women are hurt a sticker for each passenger with the corresponding number. There were buses packed into the parking lot like sardines and people everywhere. Our group agreed on the time to meet back at the bus and the last words before we departed where "Hey everybody, safety first" and I thought that was cool. stating our affiliations. We waited patiently in a winding line of tired faces, supported by our placards, for the signal to start walking. We were entertained by roving political impersonators. A pseudo Kim Campbell turned and smiled as she walked by. Seeing our NAC banner she emphatically declared "I'm a feminist too!" which caused a wave of laughter to echo through our group. The horn sounded and the march began. We marched in silence through the vehtle-'ess st-ects. Spectators stared in amazement at vi141111Mililballikibaliai and endless stream of people. concerned people. As we neared the hill I could see the gigantic Caravan- delivered banner containing the names and thoughts of everyone who had taken the time and interest to write on it. It's material was secured to the fence all around the saw the section parliament grounds. I marked Thunder Bay and the design and words I had written. Even if I hadn't been there, my words would have been, and it brought a speck of familiarity to an otherwise unfamiliar place. entertainment Upon arrival to the hill we sat and listened to the speakers as their words echoed off the stately, historic buildings. intermittently belting out renditions of "Solidarity Forever" among other tunes. Inspired yet tired our spirits were lifted by a few a cappella songs by the politically We all gathered in an open field for what seemed an eternity in the sun. There was garbled-sounding There were at least 8 Chip Wagons lined up along one side of the field and 15 to 20 people lined up at each in a steady stream. I was very glad to queue up and chatted with line mates over stomach grumblings. The media correspondents in-tune band, Moxy Fruvous. When all was said and sung we made our way back to our bus and headed home leaving only a slightly trampled hill. I was very thankful that the phenomenon of the ride home always seeming shorter held true. by U.I. cuts and low employment men and children suffer from the limited access to programs and services related to child care and training. 100,00 people came together to have their voices heard. The media minimized the impact and diminished the importance. Government ignored the event and provided no response and opened no new lines of communication. We must not allow ourselves to be silenced by apathy or government. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 3 �FREE TRADE By LENI UNTINEN Decade council research prior to the Free Trade Agreement introduced us to many words that were foreign at the time, but have become commonplace. We also discovered the following predictions about Free Trade: The Canadian Union of Public Employees pointed out that "If following Free Trade, taxes remained higher in Canada, business corporations would simply transfer production to the United States". But Mr. Mulroney stated "Free Trade would bring jobs, jobs, jobs". By 1991, 226,000 jobs had been lost to free trade by company transfers, concentration and consolidation in U.S. plants and closure of plants established to serve the Canadian Market. By 1992, we saw 627,000 full-time job losses along with the accompanying -91 TOLD YOU SO provided by for-profit operators whose primary clientele generally are people with the ability to pay. becoming more and more frequent. - Local and regional Via Rail service is noN, just a memory. At the time of the Free Trade Agreement, the The government said the agreement was boon to Canadian consumers. notion of non-profit services we took for granted becoming for-profit seemed hard to imagine. But a few years later, we see commercialized for-profit education and nursing services; commercial clinic referrals instead of in-clinic or in-hospital treatment and more and more user fees attached to medical and other services. At the time of the Free Trade Agreement we heard that Ontario child care services were under severe threat due to Free Trade. If for-profit centres were seen as being unfairly treated re government subsidies, such firms could place demands on government for But, Mr. Mulroney equal subsidization. promised a national daycare program. family break-downs; destroyed communities; Instead, piece meal attempts to placate broken dreams; poverty; loss of personal working families have been made. Tories and Liberals are pledging to support forprofit child care and now there are cuts to subsidized daycare spaces and child care programs attached to training programs. stress-related dignity; violence and death. disease; family JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN What about Mr. Mulroney's JOBS, JOBS, JOBS an& promises of more opportunities for women in the workforce - there is some truth to that statement. As traditional male occupations decline, more women enter the workforte and become the primary income earner. Unfortunately, in industry in 1988 stated that deregulation in the United following: States had resulted in the saving on your purchases, your groceries your hydro bill? Have you seen the lowe prices promised once the hidder manufacturers tax was replaced? The Canadian Government said "of cours( we could compete". They said that thos( who opposed Free Trade were fear monger: and wimps. What do they have to say now to the 1/2 million discouraged workers no millior counted in the U.I. statistics, the 1 children living in poverty and the socia assistance administrators who cannot fulfi their welfare commitments. They say therE was a recession, but it is now over. The include volunteers working in services, where once there was paid staff; food banks To the 11 0/c and soup kitchens. proud they can help pay off Canada's debi by taking lower U.I. benefits". risks In 1988, we thought we had the language in We learned and thought we hand. understood: - privatization - deregulation right of establishment/right of equal treatment - taxation and policy harmonization - level playing field Increased safety A loss of jobs TRUCKING Loss of services Loss of jobs RAILWAYS Loss of services Loss of jobs - Thunder Bay to Toronto full air fare has the material just reviewed, there was another word. A word that was neither The word is capitalized or explained. risen from $452.80 to $644.14. restructuring - the word that would prove the Since the 1989 Free Trade Agreement PRIVATIZATION across the country. - Massive layoffs at Air Canada, Canadian and smaller airlines continue. homes, home support services, day care centres and group homes for children are spending all you are socking away o that extra money you arc An increase in fares A loss of service to Northeastern Ontario and regional flights. more pronounced than in any other Hospitals, prisons, nursing jurisdiction. if unemployed, they say, "they should bE AIRLINES Four years later, we no longer have family allowances; our unemployment insurance coverage has been sharply reduced to 57% and Ottawa has stopped funding it. Old age security payments are being "clawed back". In the United States, commercialization is ask you promised the best adjustment programs it the world. Those programs have come tc pressure to undermine Canada's social said Mr. Mulroney "They're a sacred trust". I A paper put out by the transportation The Council of Canadians observed: The and U.S. multi- nationals in Canada who were leading advocates of bilateral Free Trade who would pressure the Federal government to reduce social spending". "Our social programs are not threatened" improve prices for consumers. DEREGULATION less than $20,000 a year. programs would not come from the U.S. It would be the same Canadian conglomerates GST to increase trade and it would also say it will take a little while for those affectec The Canadian Governmen . to recover. Northwestern Ontario, more than 56% of women are having to contribute to family support on The Free Trade Agreement necessitated the - There are steadily decreasing services - Close to home, we had the Dryden air crash and other crashes and near misses - Almost monthly, the trucking industry announces downsizing and layoffs; the latest, the closure of 3 regional terminals. Accidents involving large trucks are - In most to be the most devastating of all. What has restructuring come to mean to you? A job that isn't there for you and your children; bankruptcy; social assistance; a reduction in life styles? I ask you to listen carefully to the words of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Advocates of NAFTA speak the words that will continue to reshape our lives. Speak back. Speak out. Speak LOUDLY. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor klArtkehre'l. Warman Ran& 4 �WOMEN AND NAFTA as $1.00 per hour. Workers must three countries, a pact that rather than accelerate the deterioration of living conditions would promote continental development, including trade. The National Action Committee on the provide their own equipment, pay hydro and operating costs. Out of 36,000 workers in the garment industry in Quebec, 26,000 are estimated by the industry to be workers. In Toronto, "underground" Status of Women in its 21st year has grown estimates vary between 2,000 to 4,000 to represent over 550 women's groups homeworkers, only seventy-five of which are currently registered by employers. Jocelyn J. Paquette Northern Ontario Rep National Action Committee on the Status of Women advocating on behalf of women's equality. little Experiencing the deteriorating working conditions and wages NAC is aware of the increasing vulnerability of women. The discussion is not new. NAC first responded to the Macdonald Commission's report It's SOCIAL PROGRAMS have been called our Implication for Women in 1985. The predictions of opening job possibilities reflected a different reality. A reality that has been actualized. compounded the situation by increased In 1987, Marjorie Griffin Cohen, NAC's vicepresident at the time published Free Trade and the Future of Women's Work, Manufacturing and Service Industries. It predicted that free trade was more likely to increase unemployment among women. We have now experienced four years of the FTA. This impact has affected the lives of families, communities, and the work place of millions of Canadian women and men. What was detrimental to women in the FTA will be entrenched worsening the situation with NAFTA. when times are hard. Now is not the time to cut these programs short. Government has unemployment and declining working conditions. The threat to social programs like family allowance, unemployment insurance and medicare will only hurt those already at the edge. The move to privatization of social services and health is being accelerated. This move is well represented by BILL C-91. Extending patent protection from 4 years to 20 years on prescription drugs will mean an added 500 million dollars a year in prescription drug costs to Canadians who are already feeling high costs of medication. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives states that by 1998, several provinces will no longer be receiving federal funds for health care, depriving Ottawa of its only means of enforcing the Canada Health Act. THE ISSUES: UNEMPLOYMENT is currently the third highest among the 24 industrialized countries; Canada's recession is the worst. Aspects include: We have relied on these programs to assist in making ends meet "safety net". the loss of jobs With the erosion of Canada's health care tent comes povER-ry,.. on women who will take the brunt of care for sick family members and the care of children and seniors within the family. in manufacturing; the implications for data entry jobs, related to information processing. PART-TIME employment is growing. Women are increasingly being pushed out of sectors where we once held secure jobs and into more "precarious" employment. This is what the Economic Council refers to as "bad jobs" in the 90's. In November 1992, 26.9 % of all women employed in the formal work force held part-time jobs, as compared to 9.6 % of men. Women are currently more than 70 % of the part-time workforce, HOMEWORK continues to be of concern. No contracts, no benefits, no supervision of working conditions, no enforcement of Toronto, some In minimum wage. homeworkers were found to be earning as A trade and development agreement would assert a social agenda that is not included in the current agreement. This agenda would include measures to ensure employment and the increase of salaries to levels that guarantee a decent quality of life throughout Labour rights violations the continent. should be considered as unfair trade practices subject to trade sanctions. Workers and other affected citizens should have full access and satisfactory participation in trade conflict resolution mechanisms. A trade and development agreement must be passed on the principles of sustainable development, resource conservation, and the protection of the environment. people have a right to full The access, information and participation in all procedures related to the resolution of environmental problems. It is necessary to include mechanisms and sufficient financing environmental dense and the transference of environmental technology. to improve institutions, laws, A trade and development agreement should include compensatory funds to improve infrastructure, harmonize standards of living viate the to so designed to ensure community control over funds and to reenforce local efforts to improve environment and labour standards. Such funds could be financed in several WE BELIEVE THIS GOVERNMENT HAS NO MANDATE TO IMPLEMENT THE NAFTA. ways, including taxes on foreign investment and debt relief. As with the Referendum NAC has offered Working in conjunction A trade and development agreement should ALTERNATIVES. with women from the U.S., Mexico and Canada women are showing the way. In 1991 women met in Valle de Bravo, Mexico to discuss the impact. Shared results were job losses, decline in living and labour standards, cuts in social programs and increasing unemployment and poverty. The alternatives were derived from the work done in January of this year. NAC participated in a tri-national non-governmental meeting in Mexico to analyze the NAFTA and to develop alternatives. include a commitment to the principles of democracy and full respect for integral human rights. Violations of such rights must be prohibited and linked to market success. The future is our own. Only be demanding the abrogation of the Free Trade Agreement and standing united against the NAFTA can we begin to repair the damage done by the CORPORATE AGENDA. We have a voice. Let's hear it. The final declaration once again puts forward the need for a different kind of agreement between our PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page -5 �BEING FEMALE IS and bad feelings for women in health by Sandy Wilson care, gender bias is reflected in medical language and communication as well. Women often feel uncomfortable in their doctor's office. They may feel they won't be believed or heard. Perhaps they just plain can't understand medical jargon. In 1971, Ruth Cooperstock, a sociologist in Canada, interviewed doctors and had them explain the 'typical, complaining patient.' Of these physicians, 72% referred to the female patient. A more in depth analysis of this data revealed These feelings are not part of your imagination. Medical language, therapy and communication may be gender gender problems with communication. Men, it was found, tend to describe their symptoms, which women describe their symptoms, and "explain how they make her feel." This fact reflects subjective interpretation of the word 'complaining.' biased. This bias is covert and insidious. It may result in consequences not fully understood by the female patient. For example, a female patient may feel depressed after the birth of her child. It is condition but so does the fact that, perhaps, her husband is working longer hours at the office and she misses the companionship of her colleagues at her old job. She may be diagnosed with 'post partum depression.' Socioeconomic details in her life are not really a part of this diagnosis. Perhaps labelling her with more is 'husband goes vacant' descriptive as a label. regardless, she is labelled as pathological. This problem Perhaps she is now placed medication. Now that this 'problematic' and dismiss the complex problem of women's Medication is expressive. inequality. Dulling one's abilities to learn and to use coping strategies effectively keeps this woman from being assertive, angry and heard in a patriarchal world. Better that women complain of feeling drowsy, dopey or depressed as history has described us than to make demands for unconscious rocess fo h si i. Fo , pa rcu ar y w men in, amp e, wo or leaving, abusive relationships, will not the paternalism helpful developmental task these women are trying to achieve is a "reclaiming of find equal child rearing practices. It is not just suggest a cooperative relationship between physician and patient. Words like "it will be okay, dear", or "I'll make your decisions" do not satisfy the developmental needs of these women. diagnoses that contribute to poor help In fact the physician who is controlling Depo-Provera... legalized drug pushers unite in 1993, by Arja Lane Depo-provera is rearing its controversial head in Canada again, and you'd think that after twenty years of saying NO to its use here we would be taken seriously. But no... now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally approved the use of depo-provera as a contraceptive for domestic use in 1991, it is being promoted and distributed to Canadian women as a contraceptive, despite the fact that this drug has not received government approval here. This injectable contraceptive is attractive at first glance because it fits into the fast autonomy." Feminists It's easy, for everybody, except maybe the body that absorbs the shock of the process which the injection begins as it stops you from ovulating. Even though none of the side effects documented over the last twenty years have disappeared (headaches, nausea, weight gain, severe depression, and loss of sexual drive); and even though the drug's links to various sorts of cancers (mainly breast and cervical) is presently its major risk factor to women using it... the Upjohn Company of Canada has injection and you won't get pregnant for anywhere from three to six months. There is nothing to remember, there is nothing to fuss with during sex. women in Canada, alongside the 90 or so other countries whose women shoot depo - provera to prevent pregnancy. life. Women, themselves that "down there" is giving words to nam experience. A girl wi clitoris can only relat body through mystery she will disassociate at all. A young girl wh pharmacy company "cure" her of menstru feel badly about h advance of Aids, s than ever oun t I escribe accurately. They nee the imbalances betwe S when they negotiate important, like contra Words express, cre women. For exam believe the uterus is their psychological an feel less pai' at birth believe the uterus muscle. DEPO-PROVER You get one pace of today's The me father and female f medicine. phrase "on the menstruation. A mo gender bias infiltrations in medicine, I suggest that women may be subjected to "paternalism" in the office visit. Medical paternalism may be an #.** These examples ref concerns. The point is if doctors think men are 'describing' when they are in Besides on out there in the rest than promote a woma Perhaps a feminist conclude that men fact suicidal and that women are 'complaining' when they are just describing, incorrect treatment will follow. Gender bias is diagnoses, language and communication make being female hazardous to your health. now adds to her previous problems. fear and helplessness Physician victims. welfare", "sexually wearing no make-up" practices reflect sex They reinforce patriar guilty as the social co of using language tha health self-concept reading would withdraw while women open up when discussing health true that hormones play a part in this will signify the wome this is or is not realis Canada's Health Protection Branc depo-provera bein according to its Fe on the status of th basically that the benefits, so NO it or sold here by th notice of non-com Upjohn Compan December 1992, Upjohn can't sell it a contraceptive in found a way to distribute depo-provera to PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern-VVoman- Page 6 �DANGEROUS TO Alcoholics Anonymous has known the value of words. Alcoholic Anonymous clients begin their meetings stating "I am an alcoholic". The rhetoric transforms take up this say, "because them. ONE'S HEALTH I I present space with these words, I claim what I am, I end the denial of the past. I commit to something new." The implications of this article are too immense for this paper. Women must believe themselves. If words and labels do not match their experience, in a health care setting, they must be retracted, resisted and reformed by herself. Take back those things, words and labels that do belong. The best indication of your health is you, not the x-ray machine, the doctor or the lab test. A frustrated sixteen year old post-anorexic explains her past complains of male therapists. was, Relly, dying for existence ....every time I met a male therapist he began treatment by Pretend all your life you have had no voice...pretend that you realized long ago that if you were nice to people they would like you and they would need you and then, even though you don't have a usual voice, at least you exist...but then pretend how it feels to have no voice and to have all these people needing you to the point that you feel awful so you run, run, run into the arms of someone else who needs but you still don't have a voice...and then one day he hurts you...badly... so you run, run, run to your physician but your physician needs you too...he needs you to tell him you're okay and to ingratiate him and give approval and you still don't have a voice and he tells you to do something...but you know you don't want to or don't need to but you do it...to please him but it doesn't seem to help yet he wants you to pretend it does so you run, run, run... and you meet a feminist doctor and she says nothing...and you sit there, stunned at first, at all this waste of time, and vastness and space but you say...I've been hurt...and she still says nothing...but she smiles gently...so you say I've been hurt many times...and more words keep coming...but she still says nothing...and there is quiet and peace and she smiles and says "tell me how I can help". And you've never heard anyone ask you this before...and suddenly you have a story, and suddenly it's complete, and suddenly you sense what you need and you say it...and suddenly it's like you are in the driver's seat and in control but not alone...and suddenly you want to talk and talk and talk and write essays about the subject and show videos and suddenly you start to feel joy, and space, and happiness...and you know she's always there and she demands nothing from you...and suddenly you find yourself being completely honest with this woman...and you wonder why...and you realize that she gave you all this vastness, and space and respect ewe and she trusts you and this makes ou want to be ve ve honest and nev -6 raii y how you should always feel...and it gets easier and easier to get to this safe place...and she shows you tricks on how to get there when you need to...and you meet other women just like you and you start to help them speak and you realize that women seldom lie, they can be trusted and should be trusted...and now you speak to family members and laugh at their responses...and friends and men and doctors... and it gets easier and easier...and now you're working with some passion...speaking through art or writing or making love and then...imagine what it feels to ever be silenced again. saying.... "who is your boyfriend?" DEPO But, this doesn't mean that depo-provera cannot be distributed in Canada to women. For one thing, depo-provera has been available for use as a treatment for endometriosis, a type of cancerous growth that accumulates around the uterus, since the early 1960s. (Ironical, since it is also linked to causing other types of cancers.) And, apparently the Health Protection Branch's lack of approval for marketing depo-provera doesn't stop doctors from prescribing it to women because the Health Protection Branch's ruling don't rule how doctors execute the practice of medicine. For example, twenty years ago, some doctors prescribed women in Ontario depo-provera to facilities for the mentally retarded, and some doctors thought it was okay to use on teenage girls in group homes in Winnipeg. An inquiry into its use on the mentally retarded, in 1980, revealed higher than normal levels of breast tumours in the women taking depo-provera. Regardless, during the fall of 1985, the manufacturer, Upjohn Company of Canada lobbied the Canadian government officials to approve depoprovera for use here as a contraceptive. The NDP's Cyril Keeper asked the then Minister of Health and Welfare, Jake Epp, for public hearings about controversial contraceptive women can have their say." "so the that PROVERA Public interest groups like the Ottawa Coalition of Depo-provera were still, in 1985, saying that "Its safety hasn't been well enough proven." Canadian Health officials didn't approve it for public use as a contraceptive then, and they haven't since then. Yet, because of a legal loophole, depoprovera can be obtained from any doctor who believes the benefit to a patient providing, of outweighs the risk . . course, the 'consumer' has consented. At quick glance this seems like the consumer is exercising choice, but in reality this scenario doesn't necessarily lead to informed decision-making. continued pg 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page T �INTRODUCTION In September 1990, Ontario voters elected their first NDP government. Feminist reaction to the NDP's surprising victory ranged from ecstatic to guardedly Certainly our hopes were optimistic. REPORT A further example comes from the raised, as the NDP was known to be supportive of feminist issues, and had developed policies that addressed, at least some, of our concerns. We were government's planning process regarding strategies to ending male violence, where the serious concerns identified by heartened as well, by the record number batterers programs were ignored. of women appointed to Cabinet. women's groups/survivors to the Pay Equity Commission so the it may properly enforce the legislatior about While our data is limited we do know c one NDP employee group that have bee We were pleased that some of these women came with a background of grass roots activism which would introduce a feminist analysis into Cabinet discussions. That the Ontario government ensur that sufficient resources are availabl There appears to be an expectation that women's groups (with our inadequate resources) will "jump hoop" and participate in every consultation - often waiting for more than one year to hav their pay equity approval endorsed. Thi suggests that there are insufficier resources to enforce the legislation. with little notice. We do extend ourselves Now, two years later, we believe it is time to undertake an evaluation of just how our government has performed respect to women's issues. present this "report card". in Thus, we We take as a basis for our evaluation the analysis and recommendations of the Northwestern Ontario Women's Issues report presented to the government by Decade Council immediately after the to participate, and when our input ignored the government growing cynicism. risks is our C EMPLOYMENT EQUITY That the Ontario government legislate full employment equity. TRAINING That the Ontario government suppoi skill training for women, which woul expand their job opportunities in nor traditional, high skilled occupations. That the Ontario Government adopt strategy for Northwestern Ontario t assist women's access to training an jobs in resource based employment. election. A broad-based consultation process has occurred regarding employment, and the WOMEN AND DECISION MAKING concerns of social development and That the,Ontario government actively human rights advocates appear to have We been given fair consideration. equity that employment anticipate That the Ontario government suppoi a designated number of positions fc women in all publicly funded trainin legislation will be enacted in the near occupations (includin encourage policy to ensure gender parity on all appointed boards/commissions. future. programs towards achieving this recommendation. Steps have been taken to promote equity for all under-represented groups on government boards/commissions. That the Ontario government take steps to promote women's participation and perspective in all public consultations. Indeed, the government has enthusiastically embraced the concept of public consultation. In fact, some of us are close to consultation burn-out. On the surface it appears that the government should get top marks for their consultative initiatives. But while participation is encouraged, there is no assurance that the government will act on women's recommendations. Listening doesn't necessarily translate into action. For example, consultations around Provincial Municipal Social Services Review (PMSSR) elicited serious criticism from women (and many Northern groups) and we believed that PMSSR was shelved. However, we find many of the concerns we had about re-emerging in the now "Disentanglement" process that involves PMSSR only the provincial government and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Community interests, including women, are excluded from the Disentanglement discussions. non-traditions and ^'{ We believe the government is moving for on-the-jo n9).._ That the Ontario government amend pay equity legislation to include establishments of less than 10 employees and female dominated The Canadian Job Strategies Progran has established a partnership coverinc the federal, provincial and local levelE All training programs will be addressee workplaces. through the Canadian Labour Fora Pay equity has long been a priority with the NDP and during the first year of their mandate progress was made to address inadequacies in pay equity legislation, thus establishing a firmer base on which a truly progressive pay equity program could proceed. Consequently, we are recent by the severely shocked government announcement that pay equity amendments will be delayed by one year. While we sympathize with the government's financial woes, we find it unacceptable that women are disproportionately penalized. The delay in pay equity also raises the question of the government succumbing to pressure by the business lobby, thus risking creating cynicism of communities that traditionally support NDP policies. As the business lobby is predictably opposed to employment equity, we will carefully analyse employment equity legislation and its implementation. Development Board (FLFDB), the Ontari( Training Adjustment Board (OTAB), an1 Local Labour Force Development Board (LLFDB). Women's representation a these boards, while inadequate, ha One of the majc been assured. the strategy is th problems with targeting for training individuals who ar eligible for Unemployment Insuranc This criteria will severely limit access ti programs by northern women includin, the following groups: women re- entering the workforce, single parent mother collecting local assistance rather the U immigrant women, virtually any woma not collecting UI. A training strateg which presents barriers for larg numbers of women is contrary t recommendations to the Ontari government from Northwestern Ontari women. That the Ontario government procee with consultations with the Ontari Coalition for Better Child Care an other specific geographical group such as the Northwestern Ontari Regional Day Care Committee t develop a system of accessiblE affordable, quality child care fc children who require these services. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �The Ontario Government has maintained the issue of violence against women as a priority. They have attempted to work in concert with community women to CARD ensure support programs are in place, realizing many shared achievements. To achieve an accessible, affordable, high-quality child care system, the provincial government must undertake a fundamental restructuring of child care funding and management. The most significant step the government has taken occurred in November, 1991, with the decision to support future expansion of child care in the non-profit sector only. This decision establishes a firm base for the development of a quality system, and is applauded by child care The decision has been vociferously opposed by the for-profit advocates. child care operators, their business lobby allies, and the opposition parties (despite PROVINCIAL MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW SOCIAL Concerns remain where the government's accountability to women is tempered with their desire to please all That the Ontario Government ensure that servicees for women and children are not further penalized by implementation of recommendations of the Report of the Provincial Municipal Social Service Review, in respect to community based support services and programs. segment's of society. Initiatives responding to men's rights groups (the focus on batterers programs), professionals (the focus on mediation), the federal government (restricting training opportunities), and municipalities (PMSSR/ Disentanglement) continue to leave women and women's services at risk. That the Ontario Government ensure that Northern Ontario communities do not suffer further regional disparity in social services due to the burden of additional costs being assessed to TRANSITION FAYE PETERSON HOUSE the fact that this policy was part of the Liberals 1987 New Directions for Child Northern Ontario municipalities. Marion Boyd, Minister of Community and Social Services, deserves praise for her unwavering commitment to this important policy direction. With the election of the Ontario NDP government,we hoped that the 1990 That the Ontario Government ensure PMSSR report was a "dead document". Northwestern Ontario who are unable During 1992 the government consulted broadly throughout the province concerning "child care reform". We looked forward to implementation of significant reforms in early 1993. We reference tool to that process. PMSSR Care). understand that the target date for reform implementation has been set back to We January 1994. frightened by this delay. In Northwestern are Ontario At present, the Ontario government is negotiating a "disentanglement process" with municipalities. PMSSR remains a recommends greater financial contribution to and greater discretionary powers over community support services. There is a need for vigilance as the government continues through the disentanglement process. seriously we witnessing a rapid escalation of the day care crisis that has been with us for more than a decade. Centres have closed; VIOLENCE municipal government support is eroding; and more and more families are forced to withdraw from licensed child care as fee increases make the cost of care exorbitant. If reform doesn't happen That the Ontario Government provide adequate, secure funding for quality services for battered women and their children and sexual assault survivors. reform. The NDP's long established child care policies are supported by child care advocates. The government's good intentions about child care must be translated into action. C women from to be served by other shelters, have access to safety and shelter through the provision of capital and operation funds to provide an adequate facility for the operation of Faye Peterson Transition House and support services. January 1992 saw the opening of the facility for the o eration of Fa e e newPeterson Transition House. government came through on its promise of an adequate facility for regional battered women. Accolades to the Hon. Shelley Wark-Martyn and the Hon. are soon, there may be no child care left to battered that Shelley Martel (responsible for the capital dollars) and the Hon. Marion Boyd (operational dollars) for translating their commitment to battered women into political will and action. That the Ontario Government effect an in-depth consultation process between SEXUAL ASSUALT government and community based That the Ontario government ensure the stability of funding for community- women's organizations advocating on behalf of victims of violence to ensure that local concerns and priorities are reflected in future policies, programs and legislation. based, grass roots sexual assault services and in particular, services in northern and isolated communities. There has been some stabilization of That the Ontario Government address the long-term needs of battered women and their children, including additional long-term affordable housing and training and employment programs. That the Ontario Government ensure that family dispute resolution legislation and programs not place battered women and their children at risk. That the Ontario Government become active partners with community based women's organizations working to eliminate violence against women in Ontario. rape crisis centres although there are still too many hoops and hurdles to manoeuvre through in accessing funds from different sources. There is concern that the merger of the wife assault and the sexual assault initiatives will affect centres funding. Mainstream groups, many of whom were the strongest opponents of groups doing anti-violence work and who suddenly have a burning desire to do this work, need to have the support of commuitybased, grass roots groups, and a gender analysis of violence in order to access funds. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 9 �That the Ontario government, through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, implement spqcific Two areas not covered in Decade's "Issues" paper but that deserve our CONCLUSION comment are: training programs for professionals interfacing with victims/ survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual Our evaluation of the NDP record at this half-way point in its first mandate is ABORTION mixed. While the NDP are given top abuse; The particular, the health, education and legal systems. in While funding has been provided for research, public education, and safety audits, we are not aware of any action to implement the necessary curriculum changes. Ontario government has been consistent in its support for women's reproductive freedom. issue of sexual assault for existing health and legal personnel including Ontario government was the first in to fully fund free-standing abortion clinics, is indicating increased support for free-standing clinics, and is undertaking measures to counteract judges, nurses. police, lawyers, doctors, harassment of clinics, their staff, and patients. As well the Northern Health Travel Grants Program has expanded to help women in been remote areas cover abortion-related cos s. LABOUR REFORM This long-awaited reform of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, while providing some amendments that will be beneficial WOMEN'S CENTRES to women, was severely modified (to That the Ontario Government recognize the valuable work of Women's centres in women's advancement to equality, by providing appease the business lobby) and falls far short of what is needed. The amendments provide a bit more security for part-time workers, mall retail workers, workers for cleaning services, some food core funding to Ontario VVoip Centres. After many months of speculative waiting, Ontario's Women's Centres were rewarded in May, 1993 by the government announcement of $50,000 per year core funding Tor two years to twenty centres. While applauding this government move a sceptic might question the timing- with government service workers, and for workers of might mean we asked "Is there hope for women in an NDP Ontario?" We are still asking that question. We can only restate what we said then: "What the election of the NDP means for feminists is that we have to work harder than we've ever worked before. We must keep the feminist agenda visible and vocal ... every hour of every day. Our advocacy must brilliant, be creative, practical and empowering. And it must be relentless." Since first preparing this article we are faced with the recent Ontario budget and the government's proposed "social contract", which at this writing appears to be rejected by most unions and many groups. We make no attempt to analyze the social contract per se. We respect the government's need for financial control, but are not persuaded that an increased deficit would create the serious crisis that is portrayed. We support moves for greater government efficiency. Judgments or complaints about unfair labour practices would be speeded up. However, there is no protection for the saving domestic worker or baby-sitter that is the sole employee. Strike-breaking laws are insufficient, and unionized workers under federal jurisdiction will not be protected if transferred to provincial jurisdiction. (See full article NWJ Vol. 14 #3.) progress on issues of justice and equality must not be delayed. We suggest that if cutbacks to internal services and transfer agencies: will Women's Centres be expected to pick up the pieces? t been cracked. In a NWJ article (Dec. 1990) analyzing what the NDP victory AFTERWORD While funding has been made available to groups willing to undertake training, implementation of mandatory training has not been forthcoming. necessary progress has failed to occur. The barriers to women's equality have not come tumbling down- have not even Strong representation was made by Hon. Anne Swarbeck and Hon. Evelyn Gigantes in opposition to the federal government's attempt to re-criminalize abortion. The Canada That the Ontario government implement mandatory training on the marks for certain positions and initiatives, there are too many areas where must not impact front-line workers, nor restrict necessary government services. And we insist that the government stopped dragging their feet and just got on with programs and policies on justice and equality issues (e.g. child care, employment equity) that the support of community activists would be renewed and the criticism of the social contract thus mitigated. The failure to move on substantive social issues will only cause a further erosion of support. (3 HaleaMITIMENNOUTIM2121 Magi 4171111122EZZELI III laH.Liprni Ip JI the Upjohn Company of Canada has put together a product Meanwhile, DEPO-PROVERA monogram of Depo-Provera 150. This product monogram, or promotional infokit, is available at the Resource Centre of the Bay Street Birth Control Clinic in Imagine a newcomer to Canada who Toronto, and the drug itself is presently doesn't speak english going to a doctor who doesn't speak anything but english, being distributed through the same clinic. who then tries to explain to her, in english, the side effects of depo-provera. Even if she brings a translator with her, there will be some things lost in the Who has really created the need for this injectable contraceptive in Canada? Has the need for depo-provera been created by the women in Canada, or are we another market-target for Upjohn to manipulate into profits? translating process. How can we then pretend that women will be making informed decisions about the drug when this is a reality? PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Nbrtbern.Woman Page �BOOK REVIEW REVOLUTION FROM WITHIN by Alice Sabourin In my early years as a young woman, I unknowingly invested and over a ten year period lost incredible amounts of personal, mental and emotional energy and unmarked hours guessing at what the correct and desirable way to act, think and respond to life situations as they presented themselves. The underlying premise was to try and make my existence legitimate given the political, social and cultural terms with. I was faced With the passing of time and coming into my own, I am less inclined to try and outguess the other person and the feminist perspective and how it compares and contrasts to Native philosophy and principles of living. The next several months will be spent stealing a few moments here and there to do this, as I am certain the author is worthy or observation and study. Gloria Steinem provides a complimenting array of references from previous studies, academic as well as humanitarian commentary on various elements of her involvement with the feminist movement from the very beginning in the early 1950's to the present. Having read truthfully decide on what is right for me in that situation without fear of consequence or loss. This has caused others frustration, grief and surprise because as time passed, seemingly out of no where came a forceful energy implies, Steinem's hold's no bars in sharing her own experiences and life learning. In doing so answered some which has been at times chaotic, and questions I had not yet put words to. Revolution from Within, made some wonderful discoveries and as the cover I Introducing the . SUPERIOR WOMEN'S misdirected. To visualize this transition one could imagine a pool game where the pool player is determined to pocket the ball in one corner but instead, it develops a spin of its very own and ends up off the side into the opposite pocket! Changes within myself although internal have not always been planned nor have followed an agenda. Rather an emulation of' a winter snow fall, indirect free flowing and followed by a time of calm and solitude. As the snow falls from the sky and covers the earth, changes within myself have involved and effected in some way or another every other single human and non human in my universe. This circular momentum has been referred to in the social science What I enjoyed about this book was the back and forth movement across the centuries, continents and cultures. Perspectives and insights by both men, women, young and old some serious, some sad, and others would want to I read again and again to understand. Saturday, July 24, 1993 Unitarian House 129 S. Algoma 8:00 p.m. Steinem doesn't talk outside of herself but rather delves into the seasons °- er life and the significant connections to people, places and circumstances. Acceptance is heard throughout the narrative giving understanding and compassion to various times where her humanity in its fullness. This allowed for both mistakes, successes, vision and field as cybernetics, a futuristic concept as old as time itself. blindness, connection and openness amongst peers. I have left reading this book understanding the universality of life The interest to read Gloria Steinem's and the common search for love and Revolution from Within was timely having recognized that I am at a different place in my life than I was ten years ago and that I am also embarking on a new era of acceptance, for friendship and ultimately to be at one with self. Steinem moved from my head to my heart in that she is no longer a "leader of the feminist movement" but rather a "fellow traveller" on this great journey of life. my future. Doing this review would provide an opportunity to think about her COFFEEHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT and REFRESHMENTS (non-alcoholic) $2.00 at the door (or more if you can) "CELEBRATING THUNDER BAY WOMEN" life then and now, and to gain some insight to Steinem's shift in perspective at this time of her life. Secondly, I was interested in considering Alice Sabourin is an Ojiwe woman from Heron Bay; she is currently working on a Master's degree on Native Women's Healing at Lakehead University. WANAWAWAVANAWAtvieAWARAWAV The Person's Case signalled a huge victory for the women of Canada. Those who wanted to enter politics could now be appointed to the Senate. But that didn't mean women would have an easy time finding their way into Parliament's Upper Chamber. For while laws had changed, attitudes hadn't. 1929 Women make up 52% of the population - yet they continue to be underrepresented in Canada's decisionmaking institutions. 1992 * Women hold 15 out of a total of 95 seats in the Canadian Senate. * Women hold 40 seats out of a total of 200 in the House of Commons. * Women hold two seats out of a total of nine on the Supreme Court of Canada. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 11 �BOOK REVIEW A Chorus of Stones: The Private Life of War "The hard surface of stone is impervious to nothing in the end. The heat of the sun leaves evidence of daylight. Each drop of rain changes the form; even the were part of the process. wind and the shut, they could see the bones in their hands." Their horror and their ongoing attempts to seek acknowledgement of air itself, invisible to our eyes, etches its presence." describing early nuclear weapons testing, Griffin presents the reminiscence of soldiers deployed in trenches around the test sites: "Though their eyelids were In The Private Life of War, author Susan Griffin explores the collectively denied interconnections between our private lives and public events with emphasis on both the causes and the effects of war. Within this grand theme of the personal as political, Griffin shares through exposure to radiation, have to date proven to be without reward. While describing the absence of thorough training for the operators of nuclear power plants, Griffin states: "Yet perhaps it is the very extremity of the danger, bordering as it does on the continuity of life itself, the people of the late nineteenth and the desire for safety as an ultimate state that seals away all fear as if into a foreign country, the wish for section of the book is comprised by Griffin's own diary entries dated from the periods preceding and encompassing the 1991 war in Iraq, and her reflections upon the lives of a painter and of a writer; Charlotte Solomon and Ernest Hemingway. The two artists are connected by intergenerational suicides whereby Charlotte "... created this work to save her life", in order to escape the cycle of destruction - a chain of suicides that included aunts, uncles, cousins, a grandmother and mother; and whereby Hemingway, like his father, mysterious effort, or even through theoretical understanding, electroshock therapy for depression. Griffin calls this final section 'Notes towards a sketch for a work in progress'. As she examines all of the stories in this work she concludes: despite every indication of trouble, hence vanquishing not only this danger but all catastrophe and every mortal mistake by a sheer act of will, a terrible fear of "At the end of this long book about many kinds of denial, I want to write about bearing witness to events in such a way that they become lucid, their inner life revealed. When light is shed in this way, can it not danger that causes this denial of danger." Griffin examines the formative influences on men, and some women, who exerted influence on the course of history both for good and for bad: Heinrich Himmler bureaucrat behind the Final Solution), Enrico Fermi (the first scientist to produce a nuclear fission chain reaction), Sir Hugh Trenchard (the (the father of both the RAF and the practice of strategic bombing of civilians), Ghandi change the course of events? I find Charlotte's story especially pertinent now because she addresses the question of self-destruction. I have come to believe that our shared movement toward nuclear war is a movement toward mass suicide." and Walt Whitman (who were both our own history and the history of the world embedded in us, we hold a Hayworth, cannot weep until history is sung." final Ernest military nurses), Franz Kafka, Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Rutherford, Sigmund sorrow deep within and The succumbed to suicide after receiving keep on in one direction I am beginning to believe that we know everything, grandfather, or an uncle, or a secret about the battle of Dresden in 1945, our lives are made suddenly clearer to us, as the unnatural heaviness of unspoken truth is dispersed. For perhaps we are like stones; miraculous, but by the determination to I when we hear any secret revealed, a secret about a a security won not so much by practical "...Somehow I have always known this story, its essence, without ever having' been told. For, on hearing it, feel like the penitent must-have felt after rendering a confession. Suddenly the light itself by which I see was purified. A nameless grief now named hence lifted. part of us, such that the our homes. Everyone became less visible, less." twentieth centuries. This work invites the reader to participate in the processes of reflection and connection as the author explores the themes of denial and secrets, contradiction and connection. is stunning then their exposure to the family's stories as well as the stories of many well-known and not so well-known the history of each family, That terrible violence and nuclear explosions, as well as compensation for damages suffered her own that all history, including Second World War and the Cold war that followed. silencing pall which proceeded from it did not stop at the doorsteps of the effects of In the long awaited A Chorus of Stones: suicides of omission practised by my father are part of the history of the Freud and Daniel Paul Schreiber, Rita Ernest Hemingway, and CHO Charlotte Solomon, to name a few. that This book is presented in six overlapping sections, and Griffin uses several interweaving streams of writing to explore her themes. She narrates the development of projectile weaponry, strategic bombing, rocketry and nuclear weapons. She describes cellular and molecular biology and atomic structure. She explores the personal stories of people who were instrumental in the development and the deployment of our modern weapons as well as the stories of people who as workers and soldiers In exploring the link between denial and destruction, Griffin examines her own her mother and past, father, grandparents and their family secrets. She places them in connected context and recognizes the influences of world events on the dynamic of her family: "How is it that in the past I did not put together the two histories which lived through to make one history? Now can see I I 1111111111111=11=1111111111 clearly that my mother's alcoholism and the small PDF Northern compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Woman pa �Book Review continued Susan Griffin's book is haunting and dream disturbing, by its nature it invites the reader to participate and to reflect. affirming of own's own connections/links made between seemingly disparate events. As well, it is Thus it is a work that encourages the reader to consider both the need and the responsibility to speak up, to speak out, to tell one's story and to listen to the stories of others'. For as Griffin states: "...all the lives that surround us are in us... it is all one story..." During the time that I was musing over this book, read an article in the most I recent issue of MS. entitled "Paternal Legacy: How 'Normalized' Terror At Home Creates The Soldier". The article is written by a former U.S. Special Forces soldier who reflects on the origins of SLOW DANCE WITH WOMEN those men who revel in the military: "A lot of us who excel as soldiers were kicked Dance with me. It isn't done, you say, Women dancing together? But I assure you it is, And when it is done well Without fear Or guilt Or morbid self-searching (That is - naturally) It can change the shape of the world. There is nothing like The twofold softness Of women together To dull the cutting edges Of myriad oppressions And to soften The hard corners of life. around as kids and are mad as hell at the world..." and in a larger context: "If you don't believe you're immortal, mistreat a child. Your demons will live on..." , Click. Michele Proulx We will lead each other 9 -°-4/.1l111011\t.11100 Widows We will dance Swaying in the jaws of the lion We will dance In the eye of the hurricane We will dance War into peace Hatred into love Death into life We will dance In the glare Of patriarchy's searchlight And shatter it Into a million stars And even if I've discovered that widows are respectable, unlike deserted wives. Widows make people feel uncomfortable only until the formalities of sympathy are done. So lonely again, at least this time I am respectable, Even respectable, 'Though not, of course, socially a plus as a widower would be. They Stop the music Our dance will go on. Gerry Clarke 4/4/93 Never mind, I have my special friends and my children. They care. They comfort. It's me who hangs back Dreading to become a weight on their minds. Anyway, it's Cory's birthday soon, Complete with party. A day to be anticipated with pure pleasure; A bright spot on a rather blank horizon. Gerry Black PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor NoiitietriWOman Page 13 �BOOKS FOR SUMMER READING By Margaret Phillips It's hard to believe that a year has passed since I prepared last year's summer reading list. just out in cloth, thus is expensive - $26.95. The Bookstore has a reading copy that may be borrowed - call to get on the list (which is quite long). MYSTERIES For those of you who insist on escape reading for your summer pleasure we'll move to the mystery section and I'll tell you Hopefully this year we will get a nice enough summer that we can lie on the Fans of Rita Mae Brown will welcome her about a number of interesting Canadian beach with a pile of novels. newest novel, VENUS ENVY, where "Frazier" mystery writers. I want to begin this column by extending our who thinks she's dying tells all. But it is a mistake - she is very much alive and must deal with the consequences of her truth congratulations to Elizabeth Kouhi on the publication of her latest book, ESCAPE TO telling. "...(Frazier) is determined to make a WHITE OTTER CASTLE. new new beginning - as a brash, brazen, and children's novel is a delightful story, set in the 1920's of 12 year old Harry and 9 year totally irresistable woman who will raise the This old Lucy and their adventures as they travel (escape) from Ignace to White Otter Castle. As always, Kouhi weaves and exciting tale and evokes wonderful northern images that will give pleasure to adult readers as well as a younger audience. ESCAPE TO WHITE OTTER CASTLE is a truly Northwestern Ontario endeavour. As well as its setting and historical value - the author, the illustrator, Marion Storm, and the publisher, Elinor Barr's Singing Shield Productions are all Thunder Bay women. We're also pleased to note that Elizabeth Kouhi's SARAH JANE OF SILVER ISLET is back in print. KATHERINf AND THE GARBAGE DUMP is another recent children's book from a Northwestern Ontario author, Martha Morris of Atikokan. Young readers will enjoy Katherine's determination as she solves her "garbage problem". Other children's books to note include: DISCOVER THE WORLD: Empowering Children to Value Themselves, Others and the Earth, edited by Susan Hopkins and Jeffrey Winters MADDIE IN GOAL by Louise LeBlanc THE MOONLIGHT HIDE & SEEK CLUB IN THE POLLUTION SOLUTION by Rosamund Elwin and Michele Paulse act of coming out of the closet into a new art form." VENUS ENVY is toasted as Brown's best novel since Rubyfruit Jungle. The abundance of wonderful Canadian women writers continues to be impressive. Recent releases include: Sandra Birdsell's THE CHROME SUITE; A WHOLE BRASS BAND by Anne Cameron; PAPER, SCISSORS, ROCK by Ann Decter; Leona Gom's THE Y CHROMOSOME; THE LAST MAGICIAN by Janet Turner Hospital; FRIENDS I NEVER KNEW by Tanya Lester; and Sarah Murphy's THE DECONSTRUCTION OF WESLEY SMITHSON. Also - several short fiction collections: IMPERFECT MOMENTS: Stories by Candis Graham; LOVELY IN THE BONES by J. Jill Robinson; and Sharon Drache's first collection, GOLDEN GHETTO. Newly out in paperback are Joy Kowaga's ITSUKA; and THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE by Carol Shields. I particularly want to recommend new fiction by Lee Maracle, whose non-fiction (I AM WOMAN, BOBBILEE: INDIAN REBEL) many of you will be familiar with. Maracle, one of the strongest voices in Canadian literature, has two novels this year. SUNDOGS is a contemporary novel (influenced by the events of Kahnewache and Meech Lake) that traces Marianne's hopes and anxieties NAME CALLING by Rah Sadv as she learns to deal with her own life within the larger external conflict. The more recent novel RAVENSONG just arrived in the Bookstore this week, and I'm looking forward to reading it. It is described..."Set PEOPLE OF THE BUFFALO: How the along the Pacific Northwest Coast of the early 1950's, RAVENSONG unfolds in an ALISON GORDON whoa before turning to mystery writing, was a journalist and broadcaster, and covered the Toronto Blue Jays for the Toronto Star, was the first woman on the American League beat. In the KATE HENRY MYSTERY SERIES, Kate is a baseball reporter for the Toronto Planet, who keeps finding herself involved in murder investigations - three of them so far: THE DEAD PULL HITTER, SAFE AT HOME, and just out in paperback, NIGHT GAME. MEDORA SALE's series, also based in Toronto, features Detective Inspector John Sanders and photographer Harriet Jeffries. Fast-paced, well-plotted novels, the series includes: MURDER IN FOCUS, MURDER ON THE RUN, and MURDER IN A GOOD CAUSE. One of my favourite mystery writers is L.R. WRIGHT. The setting is B.C.'s Sunshine Coast and RCMP Staff Sergeant Karl Alberg is called upon to solve the varying murders in FALL FROM GRACE, A CHILL RAIN IN JANUARY, SLEEP WHILE I SING, and THE librarian Cassandra Mitchell has a dominant role, and it is nice to see the portrayal of a strong middle-aged woman. Wright was recipient of SUSPECT. the Eiger Award for THE ELLEN GODFREY is also a British Columbia writer; she founded Press Porcepic and computer software company. Computer business, technology and intrigue are found in several of her Jane The most recent, Tregar Mysteries. currently, owns a GEORGIA DISAPPEARED would have Plains Indians Lived by Maria Campbell urban Native community devastated by a flu epidemic. Stacey, seventeen and at the benefited from tighter editing, but I enjoyed MURDER BEHIND LOCKED DOORS. haven't read her earlier books THE CASE OF THE COLD MURDERER and MURDER AMONG THE WELL-TO-DO. A WALK IN THE RAINFOREST by Kristin brink of adulthood, balances her family's traditional ways against white society's Still Joy Prait intrusive new values, knowing her future lies in both worlds... In this passionate novel about a young woman's search for answers to difficult questions, Lee Maracle speaks unflinchingly of the gulf between two cultures - a gulf that Raven knows must be bridged. inspirational and By turns damning, prophetic, RAVENSONG is a moving drama that sparkles with humour in the midst of FICTION tragedy." I from the West Coast we have ELIZABETH BOWERS. Her only novel that I'm aware of is LADIES NIGHT featuring private investigator Meg Lacey. I read this a long time ago so I'm hazy about it, but the Toronto Star called it s "superb first novel". MARIAN FOSTER gives us strong lesbian mysteries featuring Toronto lawyer Harriet Fordhaur Croft. LEGAL TENDER, published in 1992 is Foster's second novel - preceded by THE MONARCHS ARE FLYING. Now on to adult fiction. GAIL BOWEN is the Saskatchewan author of the Joanne Kilbourn Mystery series which begins with DEADLY APPEARANCES. MURDER AT THE MENDEL (the second in the series) is being adapted as a made for TV film. Personally, I found this novel too filled with ugly characters for my liking - but The top of the list is, of course, THE FIFTH SACRED THING, Starhawk's first published fiction. Every "burnt-out" activist must read this magnificent novel. This book has given me more hope than anything I've read in years. Marion Zimmer Bradley declares THE FIFTH SACRED THING is "slated to be one of the great visionary Utopian novels of the century" - high praise indeed. The book is Womansline Books other mystery fans thought it was wonderful. Haven't yet read THE WANDERING SOUL MURDERS which is still in hard cover. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman. Page. 14 �SWANN: A literary mystery by CAROL SHIELDS is a superb story and my favourite. Shields. a Winnipeg-based novelist is one of Canada's most highly acclaimed fiction writers. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHIES There is much high praise for Blanche Cook's biography ELANOR 1884-1993 ROOSEVELT Volume 1 Wiesser High on the non-fiction list are new books by respected writers. THE CREATION OF FEMINIST CONSCIOUSNESS: From The Middle Ages to Eighteen-Seventy is Gerda Lerner's (Volume 2 is to follow). Cook's biography is considered to be a more human and accurate portrayal of the life of this interesting brave woman. second volume in the Women & History Series (following THE CREATION OF "Everyone who thinks PATRIARCHY). about women's thinking should read this book, discover our heritage, and WEDDED TO THE CAUSE: Ukranian- contemplate its interruptions." Canadian Women and Ethnic Identity 18911991 is a new book by Frances Swyripa that analyses the images and myths that have grown up around Ukranian-Canadian women, why they arose and how they were used. For all our francophone readers I want to tell you about a biography by a friend of mine, Lucie Brunet. "Cette biographie brosse non seulement le portrait d'une FrancoOntarienne de stature nationale ALMANDA WALKER-MARCHAND a fonde la Federation des femmes canadiennesfrancaises et en a ete la presidente de 1914 a 1946 - elle a aussi le merite de dresser un parallele entre les visions feministes d'hier et aujourd'hui, grace a une trame fictive qui entre coupe le recit histoique et qui l'enrichit sur le plan ideologique. On y decouvre une femme soucieuse de corriger les inegalities THE WORD OF A WOMAN: resource to survivors and to everyone working with violence issues. Lots of praise is forthcoming for Aphrodite Matsakis' handbook for trauma survivors, I CAN'T GET OVER IT. Perhaps the most important violence issue book to come out of this year is FEMICIDE: The Politics of Woman Killing edited by Jill Radford and Diana E.H. Russell. Feminist Dispatches 1968-1992 is Robin Morgan's most recent collection. "Whether you are a Other new non-fiction titles include: twenty-five year veteran of this current wave of feminism or a newcomer, this global journey of a courageous feminist at the The Women's CHALLENGING TIMES: Movement in Canada and the United States edited by Constance Backhouse and David cutting edge of the women's movement will H. Flaherty inspire, provoke, anger and educate you. This book is destined to be a feminist WOMEN IN MOVEMENT: Feminism and classic from which we can all learn." Social Action by Sheila Rowbotham One of the NWB's best-selling books year after year is Harriet Goldhor Lerner's THE DANCE OF ANGER. Now Lerner gives us THE DANCE OF DECEPTION: Pretending and Truth-Telling in Women's Lives, which GODDESS IN THE OFFICE: A personal energy guide for the spiritual warrior at work by Z. Budapest THE POLITICS OF ABORTION by Janine Brodie, Shelley A.M. Gavigan and Jane explores how and why women "hide the real" and the challenge for women to "live Jenson her own truth. to cease living a life dictated and defined by others." THE GAY AND LESBIAN LIBERATION sociales de son epoque et determinee a MOVEMENT by Margatet Cruikshank conditions de vie de ses UNCOILING THE SNAKE is described as "a compatriots, meme si cela exigeparfois d'etre politiquement en avance sur son brilliant multicultural collection of essays, stories, pictures and poems that illuminate temps." JIN GUO: Voices of Chinese Canadian and celebrate women's power to heal." This collection is edited by Vicki Noble, author of MOTHERPEACE and SHAKTI WOMEN. is "a moving and profoundly educational exercise in women recovering our history. The rich contribution of women of Chinese origin to the history of Canada's Every person who works in an academic institution (or any patriarchal institution for that matter) must read Paula J. Caplan's ameliorer les TO HEAL, this easy-to-read, easy-to-carry book takes you through key stages of the healing process and will be an invaluable WILLFUL VIRGIN, Essays in Feminism by Marilyn Frye IN FULL FLOWER: Aging Women, Power and Sexuality by Lois W. Banner Women peoples comes alive in the voices of the LIFTING A TON OF FEATHERS: women themsevles. JIN GUO is a model of feminist herstory." (Judy Rebick, NAC) Woman's Guide Academic World. Please note that GERTRUDE AND ALICE Diana Souhami is now out in paperback... And then there is - k.d. lang: Carrying the Torch by William Robertson. tremendous service with BEGINNING TO HEAL: A First Book for Survivors of Child by to Surviving in RECONSTRUCTING BABYLON: Essays on Women and Technology edited by H. Patricia Hynes A the En-GENDERing JUSTICE, Essays on Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, and the Construction of Social RACE-ing POWER: Ellen Bass and Laura Davis have done us a Sexual Abuse. Based on THE COURAGE Reality edited by Toni Morrison CALL ME LESBIAN: Lesbian Lives, Lesbian Theory by Julia Penelope Northern Woman Journal Fundraiser YARD SALE Northern Woman's Bookstore parking lot Saturday, August 28, 1993 Bring donations to the store August 27th 10 am to 2 pm PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 15 �1973 Northern Women's Conference was the catalyst for the two decades of feminist action that The followed throughout Northwestern Ontario. In the Fall '93 issue of the Northern Woman Journal, we plan to celebrate these twenty years of activism. We are asking you - NWJ readers - to share with us your memories of the highlights (a particular conference, the development of a service, a demonstration, a conference, etc.) and the women (those presently active as well as those involved twenty years ago). We particularly want memories of the outrageous, the risk-taking, the fun - the events and the people that empowered us (yes, we'll tell the Sudbury Conference story). We're not asking you to write the copy (although articles, poems and testimonies will be most welcome). We're asking for ideas. Please write us at NWJ, Box 144, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7C 4V5 with your memories and your suggestions for the content of this special Journal celebration. We'd like to have your ideas by midJuly - target date for copy is August 20th. Thanks for your help. NORTHERN WOMAN'S BOOKSTORE SUMMER SALE 20% OFF ALL FICTION 30 - 80% OFF SELECTED ITEMS STOCK UP ON YOUR SUMMER READING 65 South Court Street Tues. to Sat. 1 lam to 6 pm PDF compression, OCR, Northern Woman Page 16 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Semi Close MIN Beg Means. Nu. 51017 MAIL TO: RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN women JOURNAL P.O. BOX 144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 Return Postage Guaranteed IS THERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR LABEL?? PLEASE RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't forkot to roam your SUBSCRIPTION NAME. ADDRESS JANE POST AL CODE $8.00 Institutional $16.00 Individual NRS Wetle NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL -11(INDERS \* 1.4146Cid JOG° Pry pos. \e ,10`.4 C r ferry e 3000014 VOCIACkEI atos strioeck PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario P7C 4Y5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 15 No 1 Description An account of the resource Vol. 15, No. 1 (June 1993) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Subscription fees for the Journal Employment and training conference National Action Committee Free trade and women Women and NAFTA Sexism in healthcare Depo-provera Alcoholics Anonymous Poetry Women and political decision making Employment equity Access to social services in the north Violence against women Faye Peterson Transition House Sexual assault Women’s centres Abortion access Labour reform Feminist book review Feminist book list 1973 Northern Women’s Conference Authors/contributors: Margaret Phillips Diane Mills Jocelyn J. Paquette Leni Untinen Sandy Wilson Arja Lane Alice Sabourin Michele Proulx Gerry Clarke Gerry Black Jane Saunders Rae Ann Honey Chris Snyder Margaret Johnston Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1993-06 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2832/1994_Vol_15_No_2-3_Special_Issue.pdf f6424db9997d5eb52f6c5cdbe99d629a PDF Text Text t INOrthern Woman Volume 15 Numbers 2 and 3 Special Issue Thunder Bay, Ontario Sexual Assault Centres Cf) Economic Development Women's Centres g Violence Issues Information Centres ca.) Pensions Transition Houses c Health Support Groups C.) March 1994 $4.00 CELEBRATING .A WOMEN'S ACTIVISM .4)*- 1973 - 1993 Demonstrations Northern Woman Journal Position Papers Conferences 14003 Bookstore Organizing Lobbying Theatre 14 U OO O W Music 1111. O INJ Art PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITORIAL This is not an editorial but rather some Many months have elapsed reflections. since our last Journal issue but we have been busy fund-raising. To compensate for this delay we are providing you with this Special Double issue which includes a retrospective of NWO women's activism over the past twenty years. Much has happened since the last NWJ. Canada's first female Prime Minister has come and gone, and how quickly the "old boys" of the media and the P.C. Party dumped the blame for nine years of Mulroney disaster on Campbell's shoulders. We can bet it will be a long time before the Tories select another female leader. The media power mongers also tried to lay responsibility for the NDP's dismal showing on Audrey McLaughlin, never acknowledging how the media dismissed and marginalized her from the day she was elected. The NDP's problems are complex and multifaceted, but few should be assigned to McLaughlin. Nonetheless, we can anticipate that the feminist process McLaughlin tried so valiantly to implement will quickly be abandoned by the next NDP leader. So now we have a massive Liberal majority, an to the official opposition dedicated separation of Quebec, and a substantive Reform opposition, whose misogynist, racist and classist underpinnings make the old Tories look like shining stars. What does this mean for feminists and other activists? Ironically, it seems the social justice agenda will depend on the separatist Bloc (and the few determined NDP members). What can we expect from the Liberals? EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS A number of new Child Care Centres in the Kenora/Rainy River Districts require staff to provide quality care and early childhood experiences to young children. A wide variety of program positions in both first Nation and Municipal programs are available and will appeal to energetic applicants who are interested in enriching their own life experience while contributing to the provision of child care services that are responsive to the unique needs of the community. Supervisors Assistant Supervisors Resource Teachers Infant Teachers Toddler Teachers Preschool Teachers Positions Available: Initially, many feminists expressed cautious optimism, citing the presence of strong women in the Liberal caucus, and a modestly progressive "red book" social agenda. Such optimism will prove to be is instructive to note that Sheila Finestone (one of the strongest short-lived. It Liberal women) was denied a full Cabinet post, presumably because she was too "passionate" about her causes - women, culture and multiculturalism. The promises the Liberals have kept to date (eg Pearson, helicopters) can be viewed as gender neutral. Not so, the broken promise re NAFTA (see NWJ Vol.15#1 for women and NAFTA discussion). *Contingent upon location, other employment opportunities may be available to spouses/partners Qualifications: -Early Childhood Education Diploma or equivalent -Well developed communication and organizational skills -Good understanding of the Ojibway and/or Oji-Cree language and culture a definite asset for some positions -Adaptable to the northern climate and lifestyles What lies ahead is very scary. A UIC "overhaul" - a "restructuring" of the welfare system - catch words masking the destruction of our Canadian social programs (which now are frequently inadequate). Who will be most negatively affected by social program "reform" -- women, of course. A very disturbing trend in welfare reform discussion is the implicit assumption that caring for children is work of no value. (Listen carefully to Premier McKenna's words as he extols New Brunswick's welfare Location: Variety of locations throughout the Kenora/Rainy River Districts in Northwestern Ontario including remote fly-in communities reform program). How many elder women without independent income will be sacrificed by old age security 'reform," just Salary: Negotiable depending upon position and previous experience as non-labour force mothers were sacrificed Some locations offer accommodation, relocation and travel allowances Submit Resume To: District Child Care Selection Committee c/o Child Care Projects Support Worker 20 Main Street South Kenora, Ontario P9N 1S7 Fac # (807)468-2449 when the family allowance program was abandoned. We find from a study of those elected in 1993 many anti-choice Liberal MPs. Don't be surprised (but be prepared) when an anti- choice private members bill is introduced. No question, the goals we though we'd achieved in the 70s and 80s All! nave to be vigorously defended. the sa-e trne we must find energy to such For Further Information Contact: Leanne Mineault Child Care Projects Support Worker 1-800-268-2970 or (807)468-2400 THE CLOSING DATE FOR RESUMES IS THURSDAY MARCH 31, 1994 as the irto Canada of NORPLANT, a long -terrn contraceptive whose safety has not been proven. (NORPLANT has been 'dumped' on developing countries for a number of years, resulting in very serious health problems for many women.) continued pg 16 Northern Woman Page 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �From Gender Gap to Gender Trap In preparation for the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, international women's health activists met recently in Bangladesh to prepare their strategy. The following is one of the documents prepared in advance of this meeting. has been constructed as the desire of Women have always been the target of The United Nations Fund for women. Population Activities (UNFPA) has made an estimate of how the desire could be translated into real population control. "If all population control programmes. Therefore, women who said they wanted no more children were able to stop childbearing, the number of births would be reduced by 27 percent in Africa, 33 percent in Asia, and 35 percent in Latin America" (Safeguarding the Future, by Dr. Nafis Sadik) it is nothing new that these population control programmes are trying to "involve" women as a means to achieve the goals of What is new is the fertility reduction. rhetoric, such as "raising the status of women", which is only a curtain to veil the original intention. These words are more acceptable to women instead of talking only about contraceptive prevalence and depopulation. Women's womb is presently the most Why the women do not want any more children is not analyzed. In the case of Bangladesh, we have seen about the number of children is omitted and needs and desires of women are The reason is decontextualized. For example, a poor and understandable. that during the early sixties, the research by the population agencies on how to mobilize people to accept contraceptives showed that women must be involved and be given other economic benefits as well. They must be was identified as the producer of something black Brazilian woman may not want to helped to come out of their houses. "undesirable" for the earth ruled by white and rich people. Women, the owner of womb, has become the centre of attention for population control programmes bring her child into a desperate economic situation and a political environment where the child may be killed in the street by the woman should earn some cash income so that her status within the family is raised to a level to make her accept a contraceptive vigilantes. If the situation were different, she method without the "permission" of her husband. Once she starts bringing in cash income to the family the husband will not Activities to raise the status of resist. Every strategic object in this world. international agency is now talking about it in many different ways but most commonly as a concern about "women". The womb is part of the woman's body. Women never received so much attention until the womb The social and political context in which women decide Particular discourses are deployed in order to make the direct link between the number of "undesirable" population and the women's "responsibility" to stop bringing those people may love to have children. The question whether she wants children or not is contentless if abstracted out of the real situation, but for the population controllers the decontextualisation is all they need. So these women must be helped in a way that some terms are settled they do not have to bear the "unwanted" worldwide. into the world. securely by now in the common mainstream discussions to legitimize the acts of population control. These° are "unwanted" pregnancy and "unmet need" or "latent demand", etc. These words are used by mainstream population agencies, such as UNFPA, World Bank, IPPF, Population Council, Rockefeller Foundation, etc. Foundation, Ford Some studies are conducted to prove that women do not want children. For example, the World Fertility Survey shows that women in Asia, Africa, and Latin America do not want any more children. Once this "fact" is established it has become a very crucial and effective tool of the population control agencies. They can now say it is the women who do not want any more children. The purpose of the depopulating strategy children. A women help the population control agencies and the contraceptive distributors make direct relationships with the users of contraceptives and they therefore are able to circumvent the social, cultural or family norms associated with the child bearing There are also clearcut commercial interests linked to evolving depopulating discourses. The women's desire regarding the number of children, as well as the spacing of births, is crucial for the expansion of the commerce of contraceptive commodities. There is an "unmet need" for contraceptives, it is argued, therefore the need should be met. The "unmet demand" or "unmet need" is a way to identify new markets. The marketing interests of the pharmaceutical companies coincide with and complement the urge of population controllers to reduce the number of children women produce. Now the two decisions of the family. The precise objective is to cut individual women from their social and familial ties so that population controllers can make inroads to them directly. In the process, the women's bodies are displaced from the existing social nexus to be at the disposal of the population controllers, multinational companies, medical establishments, and other related The womb lies in the woman's body, so as long as she is in the hands of interests. the population control agencies, the chances of success for depopulation are much higher. It is indeed a war on the interests have merged into one and the same statistics are turned into tools to woman's body. realise their respective interests. In the beginning of the population control programmes, the issue was more directly related to practical problems of having Who are these women whose desire of having "no more" children has drawn so much interest among the international They are, of course, the community? women from black, poor, and various ethnic and cultural groups living in the developing countries. (In fact, the desire of elite and white women to have less or no children has become a problem for the ruling class in Europe and North America.) Generally the to reduce the number of the undesirable population are termed "population control programmes) or "family planning programmes". These programmes obvious intentions to exterminate a section of the world's population have been criticized by many. Therefore the language has been changed to incorporate discourses efforts arising from women's demands. Some of the new terms are "reproductive right", "women's right to choose" and "raising the status of women". It is proposed that woman herself now should " decide" and "act" to reduce the number of her children women as contraceptive users. Efforts were made to recruit women for specific contraceptive targets. But though millions of contraceptives were sold and some level of fertility decline has been observed, the long experience of over 30 years is not yet "satisfactory" in the relation to the decline in The developed countries fertility rate. providing aid for population control programmes are not happy with the results. So, women continue to remain the object of interest as they are still seen as the best means to achieve the goal of population control. Meanwhile, women have been very critical of population control policies and they are demanding access to safe means But those genuine contraception. of demands of women have been distorted towards the interest of population control agencies. continued pg 4 which are "unwanted" not only to her but to the world. The decision now is claimed to be not an imposition, but a free "choice" of women. Northern Woman Page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �continued from pg 3 The type of industries which are relocated in Initially the stated goal of population control programmes was to achieve decline in the average number of children per family. But this decline in fertility rates in the developing countries is not yet "satisfactory" in the eyes of the population control establishments. Some countries have shown enormous decline, such as Brazil and Thailand. In Thailand the average number of children per woman during 1965-70 was 6.14, by 1987 the number had declined to 2.2 Other countries have also shown significant levels of decline in fertility, yet taken together the total number of people in the developing countries have not reduced enough to satisfy the depopulation strategists. It is important in this context to look into the world scenario which focuses increasing These are the attention on women. situations generated by rapid changes in the world economic order, environmental degradation, and the geographic distribution of people in the developed and developing countries. i. World economic restructuring needs women as a source of cheap labour. The world economic order changing rapidly. The profit oriented market economy is rapidly emerging in societies that is previously used to produce mainly for the satisfaction of their own needs, rather than for the global market. Keeping women away from child bearing is a consequence of the logic of profit' and export oriented production. The world economic system now requires women in the developing countries to be involved in the industries as cheap labour:` In order to become a full-time worker, including working overtime and on holidays, they must be free from responsibilities such as marriage, child bearing, etc. The women engaged in jobs may not necessarily have to get married at an early age. "Women's access to labour market brings multiple benefits. It works to lower fertility by delaying the age of marriage. After marriage it provides women with an independent income which will improve their power and status in the family" (State of World Population, UNFPA, 1992). the developing countries for cheap labour do not recruit married women and do not provide maternity leave. Given the deunionization policy implemented in the package of structural adjustment programmes of multilateral agencies, women are losing ground to fight against the processes that are denuding them of their fundamental rights as workers. Under this situation, women are needed only for their capacity for production; their role in reproduction must be terminated as dictated by the logic of the system. The UNFPA consumed mostly in the developing countries, population growth allegedly accounted for both 69% of the increase in livestock numbers in developing countries and 68% of the increase in sub-Saharan Africa's carbon dioxide output between 1980 and 1988. No mention of the contribution of the developed countries in this respect. United States alone emits 22% of all carbon dioxide produced in the world. Uneven population growth in the developed and the developing countries. iii. document is very clear on this: "It is also The growing fear of the western developed clearly recognized that more attention must be given to women's productive rather than countries about the unequal number of reproductive role so that they may have being expressed very openly status apart from motherhood" (Population internal government documents. 'N ;r Issues Briefing Kit, UNFPA, 1992) percent of world population is occur- -g in the developed countries, which or ii. The world environment is degrading: Population is to be blamed! environment degradation has generated worldwide concern. Something must be done to mend it and a culprit must be found to be blamed. It is agreed by all that the "consumption patterns of industrialized countries such as the United States must be dramatically altered if environmental sustainability is to be achieved" (Why Population Matters, UNFPA, 1991). This report continues: "Americans need also to recognize the role industrialised countries play in global environmental problems. For example, Americans make Global up only 5% of the world's population but consume 33% of the world's resources and produce 33% of the world's pollution." In other words, only 5% of the world's population cause one-third of the pollution. people of other colour, race, or ethnicity is various in average is increasing at 2.1% per year. 42 least developed countries are growirig a: 2.8%. In contrast, the growth rate of developed regions, (essentially Europe, North America, Japan and Oceana) has dropped to 0.5% and may fall further. The same stark contrast is naturally to be seen in fertility rates: these average 3.8 in developing countries with the least developed among them at more than 6.0; but fertility is now only 1.9, i.e. below replacement level, in developed countries. Racism is more obvious in all the discussions of "overpopulation." In the cover page of The Economist (May 30thJune 5th, 1992), a picture of black African children was prominently presented to terrify the readers about "overpopulation." In UNFPA documents, whenever population is discussed the projected faces are of people of colour. On top of this, national But the western industrialised and developed countries are not prepared to change their consumption habits. On the contrary, they continue to blame the developing countries for their large populations as a major cause of environmental degradation. For many instances, population growth has been held responsible for deforestation, carbon dioxide output, methane gas emissions and loss of biodiversity. For example, since methane gas is produced by rice paddies and livestock and rice is produced and 65 S. COURT ST EQUINOX issues and the question of strict immigration laws are now on the priority agenda of the population discussion in the European and North American countries. Farida Abider is Executive Director of UBINIG, a Bangladesh research organization. She participated in the Women Working for Change project and visited Thunder Bay in 1989. PHONE: 346-4600 COMPUTER SERVICES Mailing Lists Resumes & Covering Letters Term Papers, Theses, Reports Newsletter & Pamphlet Layout Personal & Business Correspondence Business Forms Design Individual Lessons Consultation at your site or ours Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Repai r Equipment selection & Setup Call Maryann for a free consultation SPECIALIZING IN COMPUTER LITERACY TRAINING FOR WOMEN Northern Woman Page 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �"You fricking cow, Josie" I sobbed to myself, "you fricking, fricking cow." Patsy Cline I fall To Pieces I got home still sobbing at the thought of the suitcases, I cried for about ten minutes and Josie Wallenius were listening to Patsy Cline told Flo the fall to pieces." holiday was like a big wave, the kind that begins its swell miles out, and the holiday was the swell, not the crash on the beach, Flo and singing The last evening I was at my sister-in-law's house. The last party of the swell. At last I I "I then it stopped. That was 2 hours and 50 I was telling the kind story about my first husband for Matthew's sake, but it turned out it was for my stepson's sake, who had not understood something else, and there because that would come later, water draining moving pebbles that had needed to be re-arranged. was a pause as people looked into the swell, and I thought if this is story time I will tell another. I was at the stove, and Matthew appeared by my side. I told Brian, who is my other stepson's son, that as an anarchist he was a chip off the minutes less sobbing than I had done when they had bombed Iraq. And I thought of the suitcases again. Clothes, and 60 tiny bits of amethyst and 60 tiny Canadian flag badges, the ones you get from the M.P.'s office. 30 bits of amethyst for Daniel's class and 30 bits of amethyst for Alex's class. Badges ditto. So the kids could show where they had "You're privileged Mum". old been. I sank, Not you too Brutus. she wasn't escaping blows from her first I had not told my son, but I feel that I must when I write next, that I had been given little Canadian badges to take to Palestine from block, as his grandmother, my husband's first wife, had been a leftist when husband, He meant the journeying. Russia, Libya, Nicaragua, Palestine. lived I anything besides, privileged about failure, and know a hundred people who could go where I- went if they made that I choice, but they didn't make it, so shut up." I flung in an extra barb for good. measure. told them that his over the road from me in said, "What is the Bay of Pigs"? PRIVILEGE? And I said to the people who were listening to this story that I had never forgotten to this day the look of contempt that Nan had flung at me for asking such a question. I said that I had never understood what the contempt was for, that I had said to my first husband that it was strange that Nan never spoke to me any more even though she lived over the road, and it had taken me over 20 years to want to understand that knowing what the But he still thinks I am privileged. "They can't even turn their T.V. off and read." Bay of Pigs meant was important for all human beings to know, but the funny thing "Shit." I was speechless. The nights I was working full time and reading till 3 in the was that Joan, Brian's grandmother had never shown me contempt although she morning, sogging the pillow with tears. knew more about the Bay of Pigs than Nan, so that showed you what a wonderful "SHIT" I SAID. person Joan was, not to show contempt to people who did not know about the Bay of He walked away. Pigs. "Frick" I thought. I wanted to tell him about his blood father. I lay on a couch, the young women were talking. I lay talking with the old man in bed. I asked him who had heard the story about Nan's contempt because I wanted it to be my daughter-in-law, but he said it was my stepson's wife, so you never can tell, can you? My sister-in-law who is Canadian was asking my daughter-in-law what it was like living in London with all those IRA bombs going off. The silence was quite rapt. Rapt. I stirred. My daughter-in-law said Londoners could take it. The London blitz myths live on as though Dresden never happened. My mouth opened in the swell My intestines knotted. like a gasping fish. "Well, at least the IRA warn people, not like the bloody allies when they carpet bombed Iraq." It was as though I had thrown a gear shift MOMENTARILY into neutral ... somebody geared it back again, neatly. I had been giving my daughter driving lessons, but it wasn't her, she gets things, I have blessings to count. our M.P.s office, and had left them behind in a bin in a hotel room in the East Jerusalem hotel because I hadn't known what else to do with them. mentioned the Bay of Pigs to me and I had world, it's propaganda. That why I went. And I tried to bring a message back, and I failed and if you think this is privilege, Frick You, because it has been my experience I I Saskatchewan, and one day Nan had "Look son, you know what's killing this that nobody gives a mucking frick about anything outside their own lives which don't see am a failure and means and grandmother had a friend called Nan who used to visit England to see my family I used to travel from my daughter's When I place in Barnet to my son's place near Kings Cross station. I used to go by the underground train. The conspiracy theorists say all the big cities in the West have undergrounds so they can be blown up when the time comes. My son uses the train to go to work and my daughter-in-law uses the train to visit her mother. I remember in Palestine the people said the world is like a train. The people in the West are inside the train and the people not in the West are outside it banging on the windows and doors for attention. But everybody inside the train is hanging on tight, because things are getting uncomfortable inside the train too. Well, just after the time of Iraq, I was in England, on the underground going to see my son, and the train was packed, and opposite to me was an Arab man reading an Arabic newspaper, and sitting next to him Anyhow, the day they left went to the was a middle aged woman, neatly dressed, airport to see them off, then I went home. I walked into the house and into the silence. grey haired, carrying a bunch of seringa I The swell was over and now the pebbles would move. I felt great. I went to work that night and unwound, then I did six loads of washing in the laundrymat before I came blossoms. The train was rocking along and I remember think that the woman looked as though she had picked the blossoms for a friend because she had such a kind face. home. I was driving home, feeling O.K. and Suddenly the woman turned to the Arab suddenly, pebbles moved, and I saw them at the airport again, I saw them again as I was seeing them off. man who newspaper, My son was taking their two shiny new suitcases from the trunk of the car, and putting them on the airport cart, and was reading the Arabic "It's so dreadful what is going on, such a pity our troops did not finish it off and kill Sadam Hussein." I suddenly collapsed into sobbing. It was the suitcases. New, new for their trip to Canada to see Nan. A couple of working class kids with two new suitcases, their holiday dream. And I had dented it. The man smiled politely at her, he carried on reading. The woman sank back on her seat, her kind face smiling. The train rocked on. People were reading newspaper. They were going to work. My mouth opens. It is not me, it is never me. "For Christ's sake," shouts this voice, "It's all lies, don't you understand, it's all lies. continued pg 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 5 �Patsy Cline I fall To Pieces continued from pg 5 Book Review went to the door waiting for the train to stop. I stepped off and ran up the platform, and got on the escalator, had no idea what I station I was at, I just had to get off the train. I was still trembling. I felt a hand on my arm and turned around. It was the woman. Her face was flushed. She was out of breath. She had been running to catch up with me. "What do you mean?" she said. It's all lies, that's all I mean. Everything. It's all lies and propaganda. We got separated in the crowd. We had both left the train. It had nothing to do with privilege. Chapter 2. I had been waiting for an answer from my son. My old man had said, don't write in anger, but I had, plop, into the letter box, it was done. I was afraid, till he answered, I got the letter this morning. Sometimes things are too personal to share, but he said, together in a conflict that challenges DECLARATION OF THE FOUR SACRED THINGS A few faces turned, I was trembling, and as the rock samples. Both their classes, (my grandchildren's) were able to take a piece home, with around 30 pieces left which the school asked if they could keep to be used for study. I remember theln toiling up Silver Mountain, air thick with mosquitos, to get bits of amethyst for their little friends. Baraka Bashad, my son, which is Arabic for "Blessed be." The earth is a living, conscious being. In company with cultures of many different times and places, we name these things as sacred: air, fire, water, and earth. Whether we see them as the breath, energy, blood, and body of the Mother, or as the blessed gifts of a Creator, or as symbols of the interconnected systems that sustain fife, we know that nothing can live without them. WOMEN'S Saturday, March 19, 1994 Unitarian House 129 S. Algoma 7:45 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT and REFRESHMENTS (non-alcoholic) $3.50 at the door (or more if you can) CELEBRATING THUNDER BAY WOMEN year old crone-witch who visits with her departed lovers, reminisces and ruminates over her life's adventures, worries for both her grandchild and her lovers' grandchild and takes her fate and the fate of her city in hand when the need arises. It is at the Time of Reaper that Maya recounts the story of the Uprising: No one has the right to appropriate Today is the twentieth anniversary of the the Uprising. I've been asked to tell you the story of Las Cuatro Viejas, the Four Old Women who sparked the rebellion in '28 when the Stewards cancelled the elections and declared martial law. them or profit from them at expense of others. Any government that fails to protect them forfeits its legitimacy. part of earth life, and so are sacred. No one of us stands higher or lower than any other. Only justice can assure balance: only ecological balance can sustain freedom. Only in freedom can that fifth sacred thing we call spirit flourish in its full diversity. To honor the sacred is to create conditions in which nourishment, sustenance, habitat, knowledge, freedom, "We have had two blessed decades to remake our corner of the world, to live by what we believe. "...While the Stewards' troops were massing down on the peninsula, commandeering all stockpiles of food, and the rest of us were debating what to do and trying to work up courage to do it, Maria gathered with her neighbours, Alice Black, Lily Fong, and Greta Jeanne Morgolis, Four old women with nothing to lose. On the morning of the first of August, they marched out in and beauty can thrive. To honor the the dawn with pickaxes over their sacred is to make love possible. To this we dedicate our curiosity, our will, our courage, our silences, and of Army Street, and all the traffic stopped, such cars as a few people shoulders, straight out into the middle could still afford to drive. "Some of them were honking lives. The Fifth Sacred Thinq is Starhawk's first novel. Some readers may be already familiar with Starhawk's philosophy and world view as presented COFFEEHOUSE In the character of Maya, it seems that Starhawk may be envisioning herself several decades hence, a ninety-eight To call these things sacred is to say that they have a value beyond their usefulness for human ends, that they themselves become the standards by which our acts, our economics, our laws, and our purposes must be judged. our voices. To this we dedicate our SUPERIOR communities' very basis of existence: "There is still a place at our table, brother, if you will choose to join us." both All people, all living things, are "The badges went down well, but not as well Michele Proulx in her works The Spiral their horns, some were shouting threats, but when Maria raised the pickaxe above her head, there came a silence like a great, shared, indrawn breath. Then she let it fall, with a thud that shuddered through the streets, and Dance, Dreaming the Dark, and Truth or Dare. In The Fifth Sacred Thinq, Starhawk has taken another tack. She has written a story that is woven with her wit, her wisdom and her magic: a story that can only be categorized as Speculative Fiction. In the vein of the four old women began to dig. Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's rushed from our - Tale, we are presented with visions of potential futures based upon the extension of present day circumstances and trends. In The Fifth Sacred Thing, Starhawk offers the reader a choice of alternatives. The hoped-for and hopeful option is a community based upon the above Declaration of the Four Sacred Things, where people live and work together to try to re-establish the balanced dance of the earth and her creatures. The other alternative is "They tore up the pavement, blow by blow, and filled the holes with compost from a sack Greta carried, and planted them with seeds. By ten a crowd had gathered, the worc r. .s carried through the streets, aDC eager :c many _ s _ s es to our ba 7 -e,.. -2, _ v. with fear, -.:ea-s s:rear7-,ng water the seacs. But Alice raised her hand, and she called out in a loud voice. 'Don't you cry,' she told us. 'This is not a time to cry. This is a time to rejoice and praise the earth, because today we have planted our freedom!" presented in what remains of the City of Angels where capitalistic avarice and consumption beyond replenishment have created a world where most suffer and a few live in splendid excess. Starhawk brings these-opposing visions PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 6 �Panel On Violence: A Response Jocelyn J. Paquette REPRESENTATION ON PANEL Northern Ontario Representative National Action Committee on the Status of Women Who and how were consulted in this process? This question rang loudly when the National Action Committee on the Status of Women asked the PANEL to describe the selection process. NAC and other national women's groups negotiated with the PANEL to initiate change in their structure and process. We as women felt it had to be more inclusive and accountable. (letter from Judy Rebick) The National Organization of Immigrant and Vis no accountability to groups, of those groups that took part in ible ROLE OF PANEL to engage Canadians in a dialogue on violence against women in an interactive, responsive grass roots manner, with the aim of producing solid recommendations for preventive action, immediate intervention and long term implementation. (PANEL P.3) statement - is from the Executive Summary of the National Action Plan of the Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women. This It leaves me looking for the direction and vision required by our governments at all three level (provincial, municipal & federal) to affect positive change. These changes were to include legislative changes that would give $ access and equal treatment in our society. What we see in the final report is something very different. I wish to present three issues of how the PANEL failed to provide the VISION hoped to have at the end of this process. Using the Summary and comments from NAC we will look at; consultation process $ representation on the panel $ final recommendations CONSULTATION PROCESS Who were the women consulted throughout the country? They were women working in violence, front line workers dedicated to the elimination of violence against women in all its forms. Women attended the consultation only to have their stories told and re-told. In Thunder Bay for example there were 5 french language translators and not one professional to support the women when they disclosed. This lack of awareness to the pain and vulnerability felt by women over their experiences being voiced was evidence of the lack of accountability to women in this process. Ten million dollars to say women were at risk of violence in Canada! Services for victims of violence and frontline workers could have produced all the necessary documentation. Nothing new was discovered for most women in Canada. Minority Women (NOIVM), the Congress of Black Women and DAWN Can ada in June 1992 met spoke with Pat Marshall (Advisory Committee of the PANEL). The original proposal asked that three minority women have full participation in the PANE L discussions. What was agreed upon was two minority women and one woman with di sabilities. When the PANEL was written up the picture was very different. The women would now be "special advisors" and it was clear that their role would be limited. the consultation no commitment was made to ensure that even "some" of these recommendations are adhered to in the foreseeable future. The issue of hope for change was by this point squashed since no directive was in place to enforce or at least begin the process to put some of these recommendations in place. The aboriginal women's circle established wi thin the PANEL was the "model of operation that should have been adopted for the panel as a whole." (Sunera Thobani, NAC Preside nt) Women at the grass roots level working against violence, racial minority women and women with disabilities felt excluded from this process. NAC and other women's how can we take seriously the over 497 RECOM- MENDATIONS that lack any support or structure to carry out the work that is needed. ZERO boundaries, TOLERANCE = NO ACCOUNTABILITY. Empty phrases. Women today deserve better. organizations pulled their support from the PANEL due to failure to respond to the concerns identified by women across Canada. what $ level of government would be responsible for the implementation of the recommendations. [The FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS report] for calls making women's safety a priority at the municipal level but does In the final analysis myself and many women I work with in Northern Ontario see the not made by the PANEL in the following way; commit the federal government to adopting the same priority. (Press Release, July 29th, 1993 from NAC) there is no timeline, in other words of the RESULTS to consultation on violence against women we are offered no timeframe in which some these recommendations are to be carried. No promise of legislative changes that could in fact bring about real change to lessen the violence of even In the final analysis the process of the PANEL not only excluded women and demeaned their experiences but it allowed little hope for the future. While women are experiencing meet the violence and deal the negative impacts of the with it through the courts. dismantling of social programs and funding cuts to shelters, transition houses and frontline workers, this report remains silent on these key issues which increases women's vulnerability to violence. (Sunera Thobani, NAC president) CONCLUSION Where do we gc from here? Look at our options. The impact had on the Constitutional Accord must not be forgotten. We must secure access for ourselves. Though the Court Challenges Program was reinstated the Women's Program continues to be at risk. Cuts to the program due to reductions of transfer payments to the provinces furthers the aggressive assault against women in this country. continued pg 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 7 �Do you know the difference between Nobel prize-winning literature and pornography? You're one up on Canada Customs and the federal government if you The Customs Game do. Since the Supreme Court of Canada Whether to be nice, non-offensive and Wonder bread like in order to gain the Mickey Koivisto acceptance of heterosexual society. I am not When I was a baby dyke of 5 or 6, my friend Audrey and found a stash of her father's Playboy magazines. We were I intensely curious about the female body and innocently inspected the various body parts of the women at our leisure. A short while later Audrey's big sister hauled us out by our ankles from under their parent's bed. By the end of Big Sister's hissy fit we felt ashamed. Big Sister told us we were "bad girls" and those pictures "were dirty". We believed her. Audrey still does. I remember the incident vividly because it was the first time I was told that the female form was "dirty" and that was bad for I wanting to look. The shame stayed with me for years to come. The actions of Audrey's big sister made me feel that not only my body, but all women's bodies were dirty and lesbianism was a dark and sordid act that could not even be named. Many years later, kissed a woman for the first time, a twinkling of the feel ing I'd experienced so long ago came back to make my belly do wonderful and exhilarating flips. as I Unfortunately so did the shame I'd been told should feel. It would be another several years before I could make love to a woman and several more years before dared to make love to her in the light of day. Occasionally my bdhaviour is still I I affected by the-shame that was instilled in me. I have to be ever vigilant against it - and this is after 10 years of fighting homophobia in myself and the world at large. I've asked for On Our Backs, books by Califia or Bad Attitude at women's gone. More often bookstores wherever Pat I than not I've been informed that such pornography isn't appropriate for sale in a feminist bookstore. This is usually accompanied by a look of judgement one that says "you bad girl." I can't help but feel that Big Sister is once again trying to define my sexuality. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I honestly can't see the difference. want access to sexual imagery produced by lesbians for me. That makes me a consumer of pornography. It does not make me evil. It does not make me want to I go out and do everything I see or read about. Does this mean I objectify women? Why yes I sometimes guess I do. with my lover, Sometimes, when I'm in her body, she is many intensely lost things to me, including a sex object. She is also a Goddess in the flesh. When I look at On Our Backs, and see two women entangled in each other's arms, sweating and laughing or doing whatever the fuck I they want to, they are objects. They objectify my sexuality. The dictionary defines an object as anything that is visible or tangible and in this society my sexuality is not visible. I'm not positively represented as a lesbian woman. Although I want acknowledgement for my contributions I want to be recognized as a multidimensional human who happens to be a lesbian, I also refuse to buy into the homogenous rhetoric that says my sexuality has nothing to do with who I am. Recently, the lesbian and gay community has become polarized over the issue of whether to kick out the drag queens and stone butches. of that ilk. The stone butches and drag queens got us through Stonewall and farther than we'd ever been. believe we owe the success of the lesbian, gay, et al. struggle to I them and I'll be damned if I'll be a nice white girl for my movement. My sexuality is not all of who I am, but it is a part of me. I believe that access to sex positive delineative portraits of other lesbians allows that part of me a certain amount of validity. In a society where my community and I are handed down the Butler decision in February of 1992, no prominent difference can be seen in the availability of heterosexual pornography. However, Canada Customs has targeted feminist, lesbian and gay bookstores, making it difficult for them made it difficult for them to import not only erotica, but work by authors such as Toni Morrison, Anne Cameron and Jane Rule. In 1993, over 5,000 books and periodicals were detained by Canada funeral homes, magazines like On Our Backs might not be necessary. However, lesbians have a hell of a time talking about Customs. Many of them were available in mainstream bookstores. Some were required reading in Canadian universities. The common thread in their binding was destination or distribution. The materials were either destined for lesbian, feminist or gay bookstores or were shipped by Inland Books, a major supplier of lesbian and gay what goes on in our bedrooms. We have no material. on billboards and pandied to by every industry from diaper manufacturers to role models, we have no sex education courses in high school. Most of us can hardly tell even our lovers what we want from them. Someday this will change. Seeing ourselves having sex between any covers - including those of a magazine produced by lesbians will help get us there. Right now, lesbians need every piece of material we can get that says "YES, not only is it o.k. to have sex with other women, it's o.k. to have sex however you like and here's a few ideas ya'll might like to try". My family, my government and my contemporaries are doing their very best to ensure my day of equality never arrives. I want to be a big sister who says - "look, look everywhere you need to and remember that each woman including you is strong and unique and that's part of what makes her beautiful." IN THE BEGINNING, PRE-BUTLER Little Sisters Book & Art Emporium was the first store to challenge Canada Customs on its discriminatory practices. In 1986, the Vancouver lesbian and gay bookstore had its first shipment of books and magazines detained. Amongst the considerable amount of material ruled obscene under Canada's Custom Tariff Code and prohibited entry was The Advocate, a well known magazine. On behalf of Little Sisters, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association began to appeal the ruling. The BCCLA and Little Sisters launched a Federal Court challenge, but after waiting two and a half years to litigate the government conceded their mistake, two weeks before the trial. Hoping to raise the issue of discrimination, they sued for losses incurred. Again,the government conceded. A suit was filed with the B.C. Supreme Court in 1990. The Court decided not to hear the case before R. v Butler was heard. A new date was set for September, 1992, and was again postponed until October 1993, when the Crown unsuccessfully brought forward a motion to dismiss. In October, the Crown delayed for the third time, stating that they were inadequately prepared for a case which had been in their hands for more than three years. The also argued that twenty days would not be long enough to hear from all of the expert witnesses, they had demanded be there in person. Ten weeks have been assigned to hear the case, beginning on October 11, 1994. While the government succeeds in obfuscating and obstructing the justice sought by Little Sisters, the by now impecunious bookstore and BCCLA have maintained sole responsibility for raising the challenge. In money to continue the addition to the $80,000 and incalculable work hours spent, Little Sisters will be trying to raise an additional $200,000 before this October. THEY SAID BUTLER WAS A GOOD THIN:: Aside from the Little Sisters challer- Canada Customs has been coming fire from several of Canada's organizations. The Book & - :s - Council, PEN International, The Union and the International Federation began to pay atte -:: = E:i Customs' targeting of gay. SE= E..feminist bookstores was c-a a: -: ---a agenda at PEN Ind.'s Spain. They called on the c - - PDFNorthern compression, Woman Page OCR, 8 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �"immediately halt all seizures...". Also during International Booksellers The 1993, Federation, met in Belgium. They too called Customs attempted to apologize to L.D.M. for the Canadian government to "join the other major democratic countries of the world in confirming and guaranteeing the principle of freedom of expression..." The that seizures of books going to non-gay Book & Periodical Council, representing over 6,000 individuals and 5,500 firms and institutions began addressing letters to the Minister of Revenue, Importations Unit in Ottawa,and the Prime Minister. The attention from these organizations came following a seizure of unprecidented scope. Between April 16 and May 4, 1993, Canada Customs detained over a thousand books, destined for 46 Canadian bookstores and libraries. They were from Inland Books, a large U.S. supplier to feminist, queer and alternative bookstores. Customs placated the media, literary, lesbian and gay communities, by saying that there was a distinction between gay and non-gay bookstores and bookstores were a "mistake." The Sexual Politics of Meat was destroyed on its way to Wonder Words in Toronto. Book People, the distributor of the book was told "That they faced heavy fines" if they tried to resubmit the book of feminist analysis into Canada. While a summary of Canada Customs' actions reads like an Orwellian Keystone Cops script They say they're just doing their job "intercepting obscene material." Their decisions are arbitrary, subjective and biased. While most of us expressed joy over the Butler decision there is little to cheer EXAMINING BUTLER The Butler decision evolved from a 1987 incident involving Donald Butler, a Winnipeg video outlet owner who sold "hardcore" pornography. He was charged with 250 counts of violating the Criminal Code's obscenity provision. Butler's case was the perfect test for Canada's new obscenity law because of the numerous charges brought Criminal Code prohibition on obscenity did not violate his freedom of expression. If the Court had ruled in favour of The Charter of counts. The Crown appealed the acquittals. Butler appealed the convictions. In a nine to zero decision, the Supreme Court convicted Books. After six months and numerous calls Rights and Freedoms, the criminal code from the store to Customs the notification needed to begin appeals had still not been provision against obscenity would have been received. Customs later said that the comic was banned because it sexually degraded men. Eventually, the comic was allowed into the country. From Womensline Books the police seized Weenie-Toons! Women Artists Mock Cocks. This material was banned for debates began again in fervour. The decision came after many of Mulroney's bills Andrea Dworkin's books; Pornography: Men Possessing Women and Woman Hating prohibited from entry after publishing transcripts of a telephone conversation which the government wanted banned. Due to their journalistic clientele the seizure made the pages of the Montreal Gazette. Little Sisters in a in the States there are a lot more people realizing that we're talking about are... Canada Customs seized a lesbian comic; Hothead Paisan and returned it to Inland window display, began to have materials seized. Le Dernier Mot, a left-of-centre bookstore which caters to journalists, had of knowledgable about what the actual issues Butler of all charges. They ruled that the materials reads like a who's who of lesbian and gay publishing, mainstream bookstores remain relatively unscathed. Three notable exceptions are Pages and Le Dernier Mot. Pages, after mounting an anti-censorship Manager because this court case was delayed so many times. It's created more and more interest around it. People have become Books, While the file of seizures involving gay In a recent conversation with Janine Fuller, community, but that's changed a lot. Partly RFR detained (its first in an 18 year herstory). copies of Hothead Paisan seized. They too, had never faced inspection by Customs. The Customs' raids of Toronto Women's Bookstore material started after they began selling Bad Attitude, a sexually explicit magazine published by lesbians. real not necessarily an issue specific to against him. He was convicted on eight "its degradation of the male penis." The Toronto Women's Bookstore also had exception but the norm. The pornographers have been left alone. them, and in Canada it's just a bookstore - Toronto Women's Bookstore, Everywoman's Books, of Victoria and Womensline Books in London began to have material inspected. Everywoman's had a shipment of books Everywomans where homophobic behaviour is not the was a Canadian issue that didn't involve expeditously." The "expeditous" service offered by Customs must have left notifying bodies could be trusted, the Butler decision might have a chance of fulfilling its intent. However this has not happened in a society JANINE: ...for a long time I think it was an isolated thing. In the States they thought it that "The examinations were conducted Without legally supply lesbian imagery to a male heterosexual market. If Canada's policing MICKEY: How far reaching has the support been from the lesbian and gay community? council received a letter from then Minister of Revenue, Otto Jelinek reassuring them Customs war on lesbians and gays. The Attitude, a magazine produced by lesbians, for a lesbian market. Ironically, the X-rated bookstores peppered throughout the area, ongoing harassment of Canada Customs. four months later, the Book & Periodical and preposterous. BookstoreS which had never before been harassed became the targets of Canada Glad Day are no longer able to sell Bad What went wrong? the ones going to feminist or gay bookstores. The government had no response to the letters of outrage. Although Customs became even more homophobic standard for judging lesbian and gay porn. Their petition was denied and the owners of about in its application. released all the books on May 11. Except interest in covering the fight for queer sexual identity, those following the ordeal became dismayed as the actions of Canada argued that there should be a different Vancouver, we talked about the Butler decision, pending court case and the saying it was routine. As promised they bookstore owners wondering, just which country's Customs agency the Minister of Revenue was referring to. Although the Canadian media seemed to have little distributing obscenity. In court, lawyers American authors being banned in Canada. That sort of contextualizes it for them. MICKEY: It seems like The Globe & Mail has done some fair coverage of it, but don't think that Canadians in general understand the significance of the case or what Canada Customs is doing... I think the problem is Americans are born believing in the First Amendment, it's something they espouse on an almost daily basis, where as our Charter of Rights JANINE: I continued pg 10 invalidated. The pornography/censorship were defeated and many anti-pornography supporters had virtually given up hope on changes from the government. Now Canada was the first country to define pornography as hate literature. The Court had looked to its own verdict in R. v. Keegstra. Where the distribution of the material in that trial was 111111111 deemed harmful -to Jews, so to was pornography, said the Court, harmful to women. Anti-porn feminists cheered for the long awaited link between pornography and violence against women. Anti-censorship advocates called the decision, "A misconceived piece of legislation" and feared that bigotry now had license to run rampant. Although most of the material in the Butler case had been heterosexual, a small amount was gay male oriented. In a brief prepared by the Women's seized Legal Education Action Fund (LEAF), the judges were shown depictions of gay male sex so that they would better understand the degradation caused by pornography and empathize with women. This brought lesbian and gay erotica into the sphere of the new obscenity precedent and it was the first to be hit by the Butler decision. Glad Day bookstore of Toronto was charged with Northern Woman Page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �continued from pg 9 want to be detaining this material, but I don't has only just come into being in the last 15 But at the same time years... think Canadians are getting pretty outraged by it, I by the number of calls I get - from the straight media, the gay and lesbian media, there are a lot of people who realize this is a part of the big picture. It's not about one thing. It's about a whole history of harassment, not just for gay and lesbian bookstores, but for all book sellers. For 10 years this has been ongoing in gay and lesbian book selling communities in Canada, it's just been this feeling that it's o.k. to sit back and watch and think you're not going to be involved in this but eventually the feminist bookstores will start to experience the same kind of regulation - over the last year that's happened. Naiad Press, who have never really had any difficulty with their material are starting to have things like Claire of The Moon being stopped, I Left My Heart In San Fransisco - authors that you would not necessarily think would have their material stopped... When our court case was due to come up last October we had 39 affidavits - from book sellers and individuals across Canada, who were attesting to their experiences with Canada Customs. That was just a small medley. There's a lot of others... MICKEY: It seems like Inland Books has been unfairly targeted and because they've consolidated shipments, mainstream bookstores are now being effected... JANINE: Right. Where as it might have just been our shipment being stopped, because Inland consglidated their shipments the United Bookstore experienced a seizure, Cole's Bookstore has experienced a seizure. Marguerite Duras had one of her books going to Trent University for a course, and that book was stopped and banned in Canada. There's no doubt that Inland has been centered out and targeted. But the way Canada Customs operates is; once that once they catch one piece of material that they consider to be obscene you are an importer of 'obscene' material. When they're asked to explain why they've made these detentions they will say, 'Little Sisters has been targeted because they have a history of importing obscene materials.' That history has been made by Canada Customs. It creates itself through their actions. MICKEY: They say that they're 'just doing their job' intercepting obscene material. JANINE: To try to be fair to them - what they have to work with - in a determination of a detention, it is very limited. I've had Customs agents phone me and say; 'Look, I don't have a choice, because this is my job and there are 8 categories that I have to tick off when I review material and my supervisors are watching me review your material.' MICKEY: Tell me about the 8 categories. JANINE: They are 'sex with violence', 'child sex', 'incest', 'bestiality', 'necrophilia', 'hate propaganda' and 'other.' Certainly you can imagine 'anal penetration' is a category we often find our selves falling under and 'other' as well. 'Other' doesn't explain itself - it gives no explanation. MICKEY: Bad Attitude for instance could fall under that category. JANINE: 'Other' - Often we'll get 'other' bondage. Most of our seizures are 'anal', 'other' or 'sex with violence' because there's so much conjecture around what is violence and sex and consentuality. With Canada Customs they have a one day training course that puts them into a position to decide the morality of any one community or any one individual. MICKEY: That seems to be one of the biggest problems. Aside from the Butler decision itself - the way Canada's policing bodies are administering it. JANINE: Yes, it's the inconsistencies... Pat Califia's Macho Sluts has been seized on four separate occasions to this bookstore alone. Now each time it's been seized it's gone through the bureaucratic maze to find its approval status. Why should it be seized over and over again and not just be on a list that identifies it (as o.k.)... MICKEY: I spoke to a bookstore which dealt with their seizure problems by having the distributor send the unlabelled boxes. material in small, JANINE: ...unfortunately, that doesn't solve the problem. We just can't be silent about this anymore. We have to be very vigilant in our efforts to make sure that these laws are changed and the way that Canada Customs essentially does discriminate against Inland our bookstores. I understand this bookstore considering those options and often we've had people suggest it to us, but I guess we feel so strongly - we've spent all this time and money and energy working towards getting this issue before the courts where people can see the reality of it. MICKEY: I can see how booksellers might consider these options - to go back into the closet, to look for subversive ways to get material into Canada or to start censoring themselves when they order... JANINE: Yeah, don't think there's many book sellers who go through the excruciating process of thinking about I what's going to be stopped and what isn't and 'how much can I afford to risk?' I don't want to prejudge what Customs is going to have such a long history of knowing what they're going to do. So it do, but I certainly does affect what you order and how you order it. There's a trickle down effect with publishers... This happened with Gay Ideas, a book by Richard Moore. It's a very scholarly work around a lot of issues such as outing, gay history and that kind of thing. Oxford Canada - which had the rights to the book - said, 'Unless you omit these pictures, we're not interested in publishing it and we're withdrawing our proposal to bring it into Canada.' Beacon Press picked it up and published it, but again, if you're a small publisher you can't possibly fulfil the needs of all the people who are being censored. MICKEY: It almost seems like Customs' mandate is to force lesbian and gay sexuality back into the closet. JANINE: Well, when 'anal penetration' is a reason to be stopping it and the form is produced by our government - let's not loose sight of who's continue... allowed this to MICKEY: Of course, there's the Community Standards of Tolerance Test... JANINE: Yeah MICKEY: But which community? Right. Who's making choices? I've never been asked. those JANINE: MICKEY: How has this whole process changed your opinion of censorship or the Canadian government? JANINE: It's certainly opened my eyes. I think everyone has a sense of belief that the justice system is going to be somewhat swift and your voice will be heard, but after four and a half years (and really since 1986)... we've never gone to court, we've never had our voice heard. We've never had the chance to put this out to the Canadian public. It's discouraging. MICKEY: How far do you think the freedom of speech should be taken? Do you think there should be limits on what is allowed into Canada? JANINE: I think obviously as a society, we have a great deal of difficulty finding out what those limits are and how to set them. So I think it's a really difficult issue that needs a lot of discussion before it's implemented into any kind of law. think I with hate propaganda there should be certain provisions ... but they don't necessarily have to fall under the same Acts that we have. guess the belief is that Canada Customs shouldn't be regulating I these things. They should be done through Canadian law and not through Customs' officials who really don't know. continued pg 11 PDF compression, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman PageOCR, 10 , �continued from pg 10 JANINE: No They will not do that. MICKEY: That's what I thought when I first took a look at this whole thing; it's common agree with you. There are laws against harming women and child pornosense. I graphy. I don't think these issues have to be regulated by Customs. JANINE: Yeah, and you have to believe they're protecting women and children. Part of the Butler decision was heralded as this great victory for Canadian women - that it would be protecting women and children. Well, it hasn't... The way it's been applied has been against the gay and lesbian book selling community. MICKEY: Right, it certainly doesn't seem like there's been a shortage heterosexual pornography in Canada. JANINE: Not at all. It's been co-opted by the don't think personally. They fought long and hard for Butler. They made certain choices that weren't necessarily the best choices in their lobbying of the government. But Butler exists and it's not going to change as far as Canadian law goes. We're stuck with it, so we need to find some ways to understand Butler and make it work for us. I MICKEY: You're challenging Canada Customs prior restraint powers and hoping to prove that Canada Customs acted in a discriminatory manner against lesbians and gays. Is it possible to win half of the battle? How optimistic are you and your counsel? JANINE: ... there's so many variables that are going to bring a ruling in our favour or not or halfway... I think you get ever growing in you optimism when you have domestic mail being stopped (1)... right wing to achieve an agenda of their own. JANINE: I think that's really a touchstone for MICKEY: Is there dialogue in the feminist and lesbian communities? We're not litigating one book. We're litigating a I I I that that's what the 90S is about - polarizing the feminist and lesbian community around a lot of issues not just censorship... It's this desire to get acceptance within mainstream culture. I heard Naomi Wolf speak the other day in an interview, here in Vancouver. She was apologizing for lesbians being involved in feminist politics and trying to make it o.k. I thought that, was a really dangerous thing to be doing. You don't apologize for one group to get mainstream acceptance. be homogeneous - 'Gee, look at how nice and clean cut we all are.' JANINE: Yeah, like, 'Let's get control of what our images are.'... 'We don't want any more pictures of drag queens and ... leather dykes JANINE: Yes. But we can't forget this is our community, and that community is one which fought so long and is part of our history. MICKEY: That's who was at Stonewall 25 seems like Canada Customs is trying to It force us back into the closet. It's just another piece of evidence that's just glaring... I think a lot of the reasons about why we're doing this is - let's put all of our eggs in one basket... We're not litigating one book. We're litigating a history. When we're talking Sisters' case we're talking about everyone - Everywoman's Toronto Women's Bookstore...the Red Herring Bookstore, in Halifax. MICKEY: Anne Cameron was really vocal in her support of anti- pornography legislation, but her material was amongst the first to be perspective on what censorship means, And think there's definitely a feeling that Canada Customs is not meeting the needs of the feminists or the lesbians... I MICKEY: Has the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund come out and said; 'Gee, maybe, Butler wasn't such a good thing after all.'? If you are interested in making a donation to Little Sisters and the British Columbia Civil make cheques Liberties Association, payable to: Little Sisters Defence Fund c/o B.C. Civil Liberties Assoc. 518 - 119 W. Pender Street MICKEY: I know you have the support of many Canadian writers - even Pierre Burton... MICKEY: The Crown wants everyone there in person. They are not satisfied with I ****************************** She had Man Hating stopped. I think there's this feeling,`that at no matter what cost you protect the women and the children'... MICKEY: Vancouver has some of the most sex positive dykes in the world I think. It also buy Afterglow by Karen Barber and tell them that it's a banned book in Canada - it gives them a completely different Ontario and contained sci-fi books. Customs and Canada Post apologized, explaining that the package had jumped a conveyor belt.) By Mickey Koivisto authors. JANINE: ...I think a lot of feminist dykes in (1. Little Sisters had domestic mail seized and opened by Customs. It was sent from JANINE: The same with Andrea Dworkin. JANINE: Yeah. Vancouver have - well, when they come in to and I wish I could have given that money to eighty-million different organizations. But that's just water through our hands. seized... JANINE: Yeah, Jane Rule, Carol Vance, Nino Ricci, all pretty well known Canadian supporters - the Women's Fire Brigade, for instance. What's happening in Vancouver? every time.' We've spent $80,000 to date Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1S5 years ago. has some pretty militant pro- censorship 'I really can't believe this case has taken four times and these people keep having to pay Books...The MICKEY: You're right. I was at the March on Washington and it seemed like an attempt to what's set people off. They're saying, and a half years...It's been delayed three history. JANINE: Well think there's had to be. think that it's polarized the lesbian and feminist community. In many ways, see MICKEY: MICKEY: It's a really scary time for any small interest or individual who wants to challenge the government. affidavits? JANINE: That's certainly been a tactic they've used. Now originally when we set out with these affidavits it was believed in good faith that the Crown would be willing to let them into testimony... but, as a motive for having the case delayed, threw this thing at the last minute saying, 'Well, you've got all ... if you're going to bring them to Court we want the right to these affidavits and interview each and everyone of them. The Crown has an inexhaustible supply of money to be trying this case. We, on the other hand have to pay for every single one of those witnesses. We're in desperate need of people making donations so this case can be heard. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northein �m PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �boyfriend, and who accepts this abuse as one of the "things a girl has to put up with." The kind who doesn't get her period, PMS, or pregnant. The kind who possesses the Dil's sexual potency, on the other hand, is toned down through feminization/ emasculation. Time and again, these are the kinds of images of Black men found to Remember that before God finalized his body of a slim, athletic boy with perfect covenant with the Hebrews, Abraham had to prosthetic breasts attached. be most acceptable to predominantly white audiences. Marjorie Garber points out a familiar example in the comedian Flip Wilson and his character Geraldine Jones. Prior to the invention of the outrageous Geraldine, Black comics even such as Bill Cosby had great difficulty breaking into television, and the subjects they could deal with in front of The Crossing Game be willing to kill his only son; at the last minute, God sent an angel to stop Abraham's hand. At the moment that Fergus is about to carry out the execution of Jody, the prisoner makes a break for freedom, and runs straight into the path of a British army truck. This effectively keeps Fergus' hands clean through the intervention of "fate." In "Lolita," Humbert Humbert's original intention When Fergus/James is finally admitted to the place of mystery, Dil's apartment, he finds a shrine to the memory of Jody. But Jody does not live in memory alone. "He looks after me," says Dil, and Fergus experiences visions of Jody wearing his white cricket uniform. Jody is immortal. as an obsessive child molester is to get At last comes the moment of truth; Dil was not only able to break through race close to the intended victim by marrying her mother. He develops a plot to kill the mother and become Lolita's legal guardian so that he will have unsupervised access to her for purposes of seduction. Lolita's mother, unlike Dil's lover, is not presented We are as a sympathetic character. supposed to like Jody, and he is extremely likable if you ignore his misogyny (much like disrobes, revealing her/his penis. Fergus reacts by throwing up. This may be simply the film makers' method of re-assuring the audience that Fergus is heterosexual and that his "caretaking" of Dil from this point barriers to appear on television in millions of white peoples' homes, he was also permitted to make jokes about sex while in the guise of Geraldine. Never underestimate the political power of a cross dresser. forward will be motivated by strictly disinterested altruism. On another level, As useful as the image of Dil is for the Jesus), but we are not supposed to like Lolita's mother. And the mother, of course, has absolutely no intention of handing the daughter over to the step-father for "careAt the moment that Humbert taking'. Humbert is about to carry out the murder of his wife, she too makes a break for freedom, makes a mad run based on the sudden knowledge of her husband's intentions, and is killed by an oncoming car. This effectively keeps Humbert's hands clean, and with the mother out of the way, seduction of the however, we know that the Irish saint is deeply committed to the separation of male and female, and here he is faced with Dil, in whom all things come together so beautifully. Dil is a person who confounds white audiences were limited. With the anxiety about Wilson's Blackness redirected toward the gender ambiguity, this comedian Instruction of women in how to be girls, his characterization as a gay man reiterates familiar stereotypes: political naivete rather than political activism, low self esteem and notions of polar opposites, binaries, neediness rather than pride and self-reliance, physical weakness and sickliness rather than dualisms, and whose physical appearance is a blend of genders and races.4 strength and health, and so on. We saw all The characters of Jody and Dil seem to exemplify ways that film and other cultural expressions geared toward a presumed white audience, attempt to deal with the daughter begins. anxieties they expect their audiences to have In "The Crying Game," this intervention of screen. First the characters are stereotyped something similar in "Kiss of the Spiderwoman," which was also supposed to offer a positive, three-dimensional image of a gay man, and which also dealt with male bonding between heterosexual and homosexual against a back drop of political intrigue. about the presence of Black men on the fate in the form of a British Army truck seems to erase', in audiences' minds, the _ original intent of Fergus, the IRA man. The irony of the British soldier killed (accidentally) by his own army after surviving the ordeal of being held hostage, and at the point of being killed (intentionally) by his Irish captors, seems to allow a reading of "Whew! Fergus didn't have to kill Jody after all. We can still like him." And "None of this would have happened in the first place if the British weren't there." Well, not really. The cult of the warrior in Ireland, initiation into as primarily sexual beings, and as being more sexually active/potent than white men. This racist construction of sexual potency is supposed to be too scary for white audiences to handle, and so a character like Jody (the legendary hyper-sexual hypermasculine Black Male) must .'e neutralized by restricting his freedom -- he is bound and/or hooded throughout most of his appearance on the screen. And Dil's comment, "Dil knows how to tie a body" suggests that physical restraints have always been a big part of Jody's sex life. Jude crosses the water from girlhood to womanhood, bringing with her a power wardrobe and a big gun. She holds Fergus accountable for his abandonment of the IRA group and demands his involvement in an assassination. We know that Fergus, as a convert to the religion of Jody, must reject any loyalty to his old relationships and cleave to the new faith. We also know that it is against his religion to take orders from a woman. Jude refers to Dil as "the wee Black girl" re-minding us of Dil's apparent smallness and powerlessness in the situation. which depended on the willingness of a man to kill another man, existed well before the 16th century English invasions and also before the Anglo-Norman invasions of the Jude herself appears tough and in control, but her swagger doesn't quite conceal the nervous terror and rage just below the surface. With her "tougher look," tailored 12th century. suit, and demanding ways, we can compare Fergus goes across the water, escaping the fiery retribution of the British Army. We find him working construction (or is it de- construction?) in view of a cricket field, ever reminded of the covenant with Jody. He constructs a new identity, signified by a new name and a haircut provided by Dil. At the Metro bar, Dil cannot speak to Fergus/James or acknowledge him directly without being formally introduced. The bartender serves as her chaperone for this purpose. We see an old- fashioned courting ritual take place in an unlikely setting, but as a woman I also see the beginning of my instruction in how to be the kind of girl men are pining for in these days of pay equity, date rape persecutions and "no means no" legislation. the kind who speaks when spoken to, and who can be counted on to stay within socially acceptable boundaries of behaviour, reinforcing the notion that she is ultimately responsible for men's reactions to her. The kind who is loving and loyal as a dog, and stands by her man. The kind who waits to be rescued from her abusive her menacing presence on the screen to that of other liberated single career women of film, such as Alex in "Fatal Attraction." That 80s backlash film was used to market the return of the good woman/bad woman split, "good" meaning centred on husband, child, family values, "bad" meaning single, childless, career-oriented and sexually aggressive. It also inaugurated the now familiar device of "good" woman cast in the post-feminist role of killer of the "bad" woman, or the part of herself that offends, that does not serve men's interests. The image of a woman with a gun began to create too much anxiety for film producers and their presumed male audience, however, when it was realized that if she could turn the on her own other half, she may also turn it on her "better" half, especially if she is able to make all the connections and figure out the extent of the betrayal. continued pg 14 Northern PDFCompressor Womar,t Page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION �continued from pg 13 Witness the tremendous resistance to Woman With Gun in "Thelma and Louise. It's that it was actually Fergus and his mates who used Jude's tits and ass to get Jody. not just the practical concern that the woman might take aim at the actual The Woman is punished by death for being oppressor rather than an aspect of herself that causes such great anxiety; the gun also operates as phallic indicator, an extension of the phallus beyond the man and out into the world. I don't mean the penis, which is only a "piece of wang" after all, but the phallus, which is religion and culture and government and power. A woman is not supposed to be carrying one of those things around. With Jude in town, Dil is in danger, so s/he goes into hiding disguised as a man. In other films that relay heavily on crossdressing as a plot element, the male actors often dress up as women in order to finds employment, or to escape from danger. a woman; the feminine as constructed by men is rewarded with the privileges of staying alive, and being a vehicle for God's vengeance on that trouble-making woman. We last see Fergus and Dil together yet look. and Power in Celtic Ireland" for a more detailed analysis of separated from physical contact with their 4. visiting wives and girlfriends. As an IRA man in an English prison, it is a fairly safe bet that human rights violations are taking place, and that Fergus may not come out alive. Perhaps this explains his beatific expression: he is achieving the martyrdom that all good saints pray for. As he begins preaching the then it takes a devil to disobey Orders by occupying several different levels of the he sees before him a vision of heaven - that place where there is neither male or female, slave nor free, where all things are as one. It's sitting right across from him, in the person of Dil. continues to look like a girl dressed as a boy - a kind of Audrey Hepburn gamine Religion developments in Irish-Catholic theology and politics. changes gender indicators of hair and clothes to look more like a boy. When Fergus gives the reciprocal haircut, he However, even in Jody's cricket uniform, Dil See "The Serpent and the Goddess: separated by the restrictions of a prison visit. The scene takes place in a room full of tables, where men are safely and peacefully gospel of Jody from his monastic cell, the strains of "Stand By Your Man" attest to his reflecting back on Fergus' crossing story and the requirements of becoming a man. 3. Women, "Some Like It Hot" combines both of these motivations, with an emphasis on the need to survive by avoiding recognition. In "The Crying Game," Dil, who is a biological male, comments, "I want to make you into a man," perhaps an acknowledgement of the constructedness of gender, but also 2. It is interesting, in the context of the film as a whole, that both "Jude" and "Jody" are ungendered names, yet their characters are meant to exemplify what is "masculine by nature" and what is "feminine by nature". unshakeable faith, and he knows that he can look forward to his next crossing because The name "Dil" sounds a lot like "Devil" and perhaps this is why. If God and his saints set up a Natural Order in which Man is above Woman and White is above Black, hierarchy at the same tome. See "Vested Interests: Cross Dressing and Cultural Activity." It contains a chapter 5. offering in-depth analysis of the cultural image of the Black Transvestite. As well, Garber gives long-overdue consideration to female-to-male cross dressing phenomenon unto itself. as a Notes 1. Reference to a traditional English folk ballad explaining the difference between male and female genitals. Apparently, God made a mistake in cutting the cloth that would be worn as Adam and Eve as skin. Adam's skin was cut too long and Eve's too Fergus is protected (by Dirs tying him) from the free choice of whether or not to participate in the assassination. Dil kills Jude, placing the blame for Jody's death firmly on Jude's body: "She used her tits and ass to get him." Fortunately for Fergus, Dil is incapable of making all the connections and coming to the conclusion short, so that Adam had an unattractive extra flap, and Eve had an annoying gap. They brought themselves back for alterations, but God was too busy and dismissed them with the comment, "She can fight it out with Adam for that little piece of wang." Gilbert is active with the Northern Women's Centre and Definitely Superior Art Gallery. Lori NORTHERN WOMAN'S BOOKSTORE BEST SELLERS 1993 Non-Fiction Beginning to Heal Ellen Bass & Laura Davis You Can Be Free Ginny Ni Carthy Woman's Comfort Book Jennifer Loudon Women & Self-Esteem L. Sanford & M. Donovan Courage to Heal Workbook Laura Davis Women Who Run with the Wolves Courage to Heal Ellen Bass & Laura Davis Taking Care: A Handbook About Women's Health Mary J. Breen The Spirit Weeps Martens, Daily & Hodgson Changing Patterns: Women in Canada Sandra Burt, Lorraine Code, Lindsay Dorney Let the Healing Begin Maureen McEvoy Clarissa Estes On the Path Nancy W. I Can't Get Over ft Aphrodite Matsakin The Myth of Women's Masochism Paula Caplan Limited Edition: Voices of Women, Voices of Feminism ed. Geraldine Finn The Emotionally Abused Woman Beverly Engel Northern Woman Page OCR, 14 PDF compression, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Panel On Violence Book Review continued from pg 7 Ten million dollars (the amount spent by the PANEL ON VIOLENCE) represents the amount allocated to date to the WOMEN's PROGRAM per year. Now positioned and In the characters of Madrone and Bird, Starhawk presents young adults who have been nurtured within this community since their early childhoods; where education is holistic and includes the spiritual and the mystic. Madrone, who is a healer, ventures south to the City of Angels to teach those resisting delivered through the new supra ministry of Human Resources and Labour the Women's Program, cut by 10% in 1992, sees the move as threatening. This move has resulted in separating the four advocacy groups of Aboriginal Programs, Official Languages, Disabled Persons' Program and Women's Program. The future of these programs is now in question and groups seeking equity and equality for all are further marginalized. the thrall of the Stewards and the Millennialists. Bird returns to the City of San Francisco after ten years in a Take action. Contact women's organizations, whether provincial, national or local, and ask what you can do to keep our promise to one another. Millennialist prison, escaping only because he has withdrawn completely with-in sanity long enough to be overlooked by his captors. ZERO VIOLENCE NOT ZERO TOLERANCE Madrone's adventures in water starved N.B. Los Angeles are woven out of the courage and the strength of a person who recognizes her privilege and ability and though daunted by the scope of the challenge, is committed to living the vision of teaching and healing. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CALL C.E.C. FOR FAX NUMBERS TO THEIR OFFICES. I BELIEVE THEY WOULD BE BEST TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. In Madrone's absence the Stewards SEE YOU SOON, THE NEWSLETTER IS COMING invade San Francisco and forewarned by Bird, the community decides to Northern Woman's Bookstore's 10TH ANNIVERSARY! A week full of fun and entertainment! Anniversary Party on Tuesday March 15 10am - 10pm Pot Luck Supper at the Bookstore a novel that inspires speculation and hope. Even if you do not find her other works suited to your literary palate, The Fifth Sacred Thing is a work that few readers would not enjoy for its story and even fewer readers would not learn from. Daily Prizes, Surprises and Games! on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Lets celebrate the growth of feminist literature! on Saturday, March 19 5:30pm - 7:00pm then go to Superior Woman's Coffeehouse(at Unitarian Centre) Stewards as they attempt to conquer not only the city but the hearts and the minds of its people. Starhawk has written Good Books, Good Conversation, Good Food, Games and Prizes. Bring your favourite cassettes and your musical instruments and let's party! resist without compromising their Bird values of pacific resistance. the of tool primary becomes the 10% off all books all week THE FIFTH SACRED THING by Starhawk, Bantam Books New York, June 1993 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS We are putting together a collection of fiction, reflections poetry and art work about women's personal experiences with menstruation (first time, memorable We are moments, general thoughts). seeking submissions for all age and ethnic groups. This anthology is not restricted to artists or academics; we encourage first time writers to send us their tales. Submissions may be eight pages or less. Send submissions to: Paula Wansbrough and Kathy O'Grady, Department of Religion and Culture, Wilfred Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5. Deadline: April 30, 1994. Northern Woman Page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �$NWJ$ We must also examine the newest form of woman-bashing taking place in both public and private institutions, variously called "restructuring" or "downsizing," where a disproportionate number of women-held jobs are disappearing. A sure way to avoid employment equity... if you don't have any female employees you won't have to promote any. If you can't fire all the women maybe you can refuse to provide them with pay equity, which, it appears, at least one NWO municipality is trying to do. These are scary times. But, as our 20 year retrospective In the last issue we talked about the serious financial situation the NWJ was then experiencing. We are pleased to report that with the printing of this hefty special issue we will be back in debt. We urge you to thanks to fund-raising efforts and to your subscriptions sales with your friends and colleagues. Let's make the NORTHERN donations we have been able to clear all our debts, pay the printer for the last issue, and keep up with our rent. To raise $ we turned to yard sales, which were successful, but are only viable in the summer. We thank all of you who helped with the sales. demonstrates, women are amazingly resourceful in overcoming what seems to be insurmountable barriers. Northern women will continue to keep the feminist agenda visible and vibrant. Let's just follow Nellie McClung's lead.."Never retract, never explain, never apologize. Just get the job done and let 'em howl." Then there is the wonderful, wonderful Superior Women's Coffee House. Sincere appreciation goes to Jane and Margaret J. for the extensive time and energy they give to organizing these. While the Coffee House achieves only modest returns as a fundraiser, your sub today, and promote JOURNAL's 21st year healthiest ever. Thanks for your help. WOMAN the Please note: a * appears on your address label If it means your sub is due this issue. If a ** appears your subscription is past due. A *** means you're about to be cut off! Please be advised: Effective next issue the NWJ subscription rate will be raised to $10 for individuals, $20 for institutions. they add immeasurably to our cultural/social life, and hopefully, will become a permanent feature of the women's community. Footnote will be Many of you have made generous personal retiring from the NWJ collective. For these many years the Journal has been my writing motivation, my analytical prod, my spiritual home. But after 12 (14?) years it is time to will be forever grateful to the move on. Journal women for their friendship, nurturing and support. Over the years the NWJ has donations to the NWJ, and we sincerely appreciate your support. However, this With the publication of this issue I I experienced highs and lows, but, in my view, has developed a life of its own; and (in the same sense that Jill Vickers attributes to NAC) has become an "enduring feminist institution" which will continue to be of great importance to NWO women. firfirele&NNV.730:214tIV1/47.247ANN) The Winnipeg Women's Health Clinic eases the Journal's financial problems only for the short-term. To ensure our longer term financial health we must increase our subscription base, thus we, again, ask your Would each of you please recruit If we tripled our subscription base we could avoid future financial problems, and thus be able to focus our energies on producing a better and more regular NWJ. The reality is that help. three new subscribers? D. The experience in other countries has NNTZeig.eiNXII7115111°A.N.N7.0"AfAro serious implications for their health and wellbeing. With cutbacks in health care programs in all provinces, how will such HEALTH ALERT is seriously concerned about the approval by the Health Protection Branch of NORPLANT as a contraceptive agent for use by Canadian women. services be assured? As a long acting contraceptive, NORPLANT has often been viewed by health care providers as an easy "technological fix" where it has been approved, including the U.S., suggests some very serious problems which are likely to occur in Canada. Approval in Canada of NORPLANT is premature until a system to address these problems is in place. As a community health centre for women and as consumers, the Women's Health Clinic requests information on how these problems will now be addressed in Canada. Summary of Concerns NORPLANT is a new reproductive technology. Its use is entirely dependent on the insertion and removal by trained health practitioners. Informed consent is crucial to ensure that women understand the In other implications of this method. countries where NORPLANT is being used A. or where trials have been carried out, the lack of adequate counselling and informed consent has been well documented. recent report by the Royal on New Reproductive Technologies documents, Canadian women do not receive detailed and sensitive counselling pertaining to other new the Commission technologies, such as generic tests, with been that many women are lost to follow-up after the five year period. This raises the concern of women becoming pregnant while the implant is still secreting decreasing amounts of the hormone and hence foetal exposure, with concomitant risks. What process is in place to ensure that women will be followed up and the implants removed? B. for complicated social problems such as The experience with NORPLANT in countries As renew poverty or teen pregnancy. Young women, poor women, women from cultural groups where English is not a first language, women with disabilities, are more vulnerable to pressure and coercion. In the United States, courts have ordered the use of NORPLANT as a condition of probation and women on been offered financial welfare have incentives to use NORPLANT. What policies are in place to ensure this doesn't happen here? NORPLANT is associated with a wide range of significant side effects. As reported by the Population Council approximately half the vv omen using NORPLANT discontinue use by three years. C. As the removal of NORPLANT requires a minor surgical procedure, women do not have direct control over discontinuing its use. There is considerable documentation (e.g. Brazil, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, and the United States), that many women encounter resistance from practitioners in having it removed before the five year What role can the federal period. government play in ensuring ethical use of the drug particularly among vulnerable populations of women? E. Since NORPLANT insertion and removal require special training of health practitioners, how will this be handled across Canada and how will consumers be assured of the expertise of their care provider in this area? F. Long term risks of the drug must still be assessed through ongoing research. What are the mechanisms to ensure research appropriate to the epidemiological profile of Canadian women occurs and that there is scrupulous post-marketing surveillance? NORPLANT does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases nor against HIV infection. As a method that may be promoted and appeal to younger women, G. this is a major concern in Canada. Research show that as teenagers change to birth control with theoretically higher effectiveness rates, their chances of getting a STD increases (i.e. when teens change their contraceptive method to birth control pills they stop using condoms.) One can assume NORPLANT would have the same effect. It is disappointing that yet again women have been excluded from the drug approval process in Canada. The federal government must create a forum for women's concerns and recommendations to be addressed. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 16 �Celebrating Northern Woman Journal Volume 15 Numbers 2 and 3 Northwestern Ontario Special Issue Women The chronology and the historical portions of this retrospective were completed by Margaret Phillips. The following resources were invaluable in tracing our collective herstory: * Northwestern Ontario's Status of Women's Initiatives 1973-1993, Fiona Karlstedt 1987 * The History of the Battered Women's Movement in Northwestern Ontario, Fiona Karlstedt and Leni Untinen, 1989 * Transition House Services in Northwestern Ontario, Margaret Phillips, 1984 * Northern Woman Journal * N.W.O. Women's Decade Council Annual Report 1986-1993 * 'Story Telling' session with Lisa Bengtsson and Leni Untinen Celebrating 20 years of women's activism in Northwestern Ontario is the theme for this Special Issue of the NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL. Yes, it is 20 years since the first Northern Women's Conference, which is seen as a benchmark in the evolution of Northwestern Ontario's feminist movement. Not that these Conference women were the first to concern themselves with women's status. The L.U. Women's Liberation Group and the Birth Control centre organizers are recognized as the motivators of the "second wave" of feminism in our region. Strong women's groups preceded even this activity - the work of the many Women's Institutes throughout N.W.O., the local Women Teachers Federation, and the Business and Professional Women's Clubs, come to mind. Further back are First Nations women and pioneer women, whose "herstories" of strength and courage and resourcefulness and innovation we are only beginning to discover. But the 20 years just past are years of new activism as enduring feminist organizations have developed to provide services and resources to address women's needs, and to articulate an analysis and a Northwestern Ontario perspective that women's experience matters. This retrospective celebrates N.W.O. women's activism through the provision of services; the development of networks; the success of political action/advocacy; as well as the stories of a few (of the many) N.W.O. women who "make a difference". In developing the chronology we were amazed to realize all that has happened in 20 years (and we suspect that there are other achievements that have been lost to the record). We recognize that there have been failures along the way. Some because of systemic barriers as yet beyond our ability to dismantle; other failures for which we must assume responsibilty, and which require our analysis if we hope to achieve our collective feminist goals. But we leave such analysis for another day... as this NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL is a Celebration of the very significant achievement of the N.W.O. feminist movement. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 1 �Women and Northwestern Ontario We were meant to strive and struggle Meant to risk and meant to dare We are the lifeblood of the planet And our place is everywhere That our activism be regionally based has always been a given, and herein, perhaps, lies our strength. From the first Women's Conference in 1973, through International Women's Year Coordinating Committee, Decade, W.H.I.N., N.W.O.R.D.C.C. - the need for regional activism brought women Gert together for collective action. Local organizations develop to meet local needs, and take strength from the regional group, Celebrating N.W.O. women. Northwestern Ontario. What is our reality? We live in a and in turn strengthen and motivate other communities and the regional body. vast area of trees, rocks and water; a region of small towns, unorganized territories, widely separated from each other, centred only by one mid-sized city three hundred miles from the region's outer border. Our winters can be bitter, and seemingly neverending. (On October 1st, this year, snow Still, to many of us, Northwestern Ontario is storms prevented Kenora women from attending a workshop in Dryden.) Winter driving can be hazardous. Air fares are astronomical. A Mulroney government legacy to N.W.O. is that we no longer have choose our train. Lack of affordable transportation is a N.W.O. reality. The economy of our region (controlled in centres a thousand miles away), exacerbates patriarchal structures. The colonization and exploitation of our region affects everyone, but it is women who suffer most acutely. The poignant B.C. film "No Life For a Woman" could as easily have been made in Northwestern Ontailo. "I have no power over anything in my environment" (Project Mayday) "I a very special place. to Some of us even here when remain economic/family considerations don't dictate that we must. We believe, we feel, that left a good job, my independence, my Gert Northwestern Ontario is different, is special. There is no easy, rational explanation to our sense of differentness, specialness. It is pure emotion. Some years ago I was studying creative writing in the United States and having much difficulty with that foreign environment. I found that my writing was chock full of Northern images - frozen lakes, jagged rocks; stories of storms, of forest fires. I kept trying to explain my "geography" to my writing group but only Nancy (who was from West Virginia) related at all. In a letter from home received a wonderful newspaper I own cheque, my good feelings about myself when I moved here. It's been good for my husband... but I feel like I'm losing myself here" (Project Mayday) Here we're committed to struggle with fate, an inch at a time, if we must. This is the place where we bury the myths and write our own name in their dust. article about my friend Millie, who, at that time, was taking the Royal Commission on the Northern Environment to task. When Nancy read the article she questioned why Northwestern Ontario was spelled with a capital N, while southern Ontario with an uncapitalized s. replied that the article NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S DECADE COUNCIL I As women came together and shared their stories, the commonality of their experience became known. In a series of participatory workshops, organized by Decade's Economic Development Committee in the 1970s, women talked about isolation; the power and control of the "company"; the single-industry towns; the invisibility of women's needs to community planning. hierarchy of What I wouldn't give for a sidewalk." (Project Mayday) "Sidewalks. "When my husband works long hours, everything is dumped on my shoulders and there is no one to take the pressure off." (Project Mayday) "How can (a battered woman) get out of town if you have (Project Mayday) no money or car...?" A decade later when Women's Health Information Network (W.H.I.N.) held workshops across the region identical concerns were again expressed, as they were in the 1985 Project Mayday study of women's lives in North Shore communities. Northwestern Ontario experience a "chilly climate". Indeed, women must have been written by a Northern journalist .... that Northerners always capitalize North. "Ah", said Nancy "now I understand...." Not easy to explain, but indeed special. And Northwestern Ontario is enriched by very special women who have developed organizations that are tremendously effective empowering women, individually and collectively. Grounded by the assumption that "Northern women are the experts on their own lives", the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council (Decade) is a in regional political action organization committed to ensuring Northern women's perspectives are heard, and that policies must be changed to improve the status of Northern women. Decade Council is unique in Ontario, if not all of Canada; and is recognized as a model for feminist activism. We sometimes ponder why "Decade" councils have not evolved in other regions of the province. In a similar vein the N.W.O. Regional Day Care Committee was the first regional child care advocacy group to organize in Ontario, again providing a consistent and strong voice in demanding Northern perspectives be heard. The goal of the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council is to improve the status of women in Northwestern Ontario through the elimination of barriers to the full participation of women in all spheres - economic, social and political. The Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council promotes non-partisan interest in and action on status of women's issues. Decade Council: supports individual women and organizations as they work together for the equality of women in education, employment, the home and the community; facilitates information exchange among women's groups in the region; develops a body of knowledge and resources that incorporates Northwestern Ontario women's perspectives; provides resources and skill development on status of women issues in response to needs of area women; mobilizes and co-ordinates action on specific issues identified by area status women's groups and services; advocates on those issues at the local, provincial and national level; works within a feminist framework and organizational structi..'e the foundation being the Statement of Unity. Decade Council meets bi-monthly with representation from ira-, regional communities. Our activities and priorities are designed reflect the issues presented by Northwestern Ontario Women Present areas of work include, Women and Economic Develone-i and Women Against Violence. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Council R.R. #16, Mitchell Road Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6B3 (807) 683-5662 Fax (807) 683-8504 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 2 �Networking "The survey was brought to the communities in the early spring of 1983 along with a workshop entitled "Cabin Fever", a topic that coordinators were sure many women could relate to after a long winter. This workshop set the tone for the others, heavily emphasizing group participation and sharing of information. The aim was to have the In 1983, as a result of sustained lobbying by the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses and regional and local groups, the Ontario government provided "bail out" funds to Transition Houses that were experiencing a deficit. A stop-gap women identify what they needed to talk about, their problems and, in the process, measure of course, but a great boon to groups that were struggling to maintain their services to battered women. But there was one major problem. They left Atikokan out. Why exclude Atikokan from the "bail out" Because the Atikokan Crisis provision? Centre operated with volunteers (had operated with volunteers for seven years) and consequently their "deficit" was not as severe as those transition houses that had been operating with paid staff. validate their personal experience. "Cabin Fever" was well received and a number of women's groups formed as a result .... How often do you hear of a struggling, group turning down an unconditional grant? Never, you might think. But it has happened, not once, but twice in Northwestern Ontario. And not just underfunded one group, but seven groups - saying "we The herstory of the Atikokan Crisis Centre is yet another example of women's determination to make life better for women. It began in 1976 when two women who had experienced the problem of having no where to go and no one to turn to in a crisis situation began to study the need for formed a committee to implement this program. In emergency housing, and refuse to take this grant...give it to the organization that needs it most." The grants in question came from a special "anti-violence grants pot" of a particular Ministry. Because of the NETWORK, anti- violence groups knew that, in the first instance, Kenora, then several years later Year Two of the project brought home to the coordinators the problems inherent in the task. The sheer magnitude of the geographic expanse between workshops, the dangerous road conditions (which broke one car axle and forced another car into an encounter with a guardrail) and the difficulties of air travel, which brought a new meaning to the phrase "fear of flying", made us wonder if the workshop format was the best approach. But the 53 women who came out to the Women and Stress workshop in the isolated community of Manitouwadge, and the 56 December 1977 they approached the Township Council for financial support.. but Red Lake, had been unsuccessfully seeking who packed a room intended for 30 in funding for specific purposes. By directing The Crisis Centre were turned down. committee, with other supportive women, respective organizations could achieve a substantial goal, whereas dividing the grant eight ways would not significantly help any of them. Kenora to attend Exploring Life Changes: A Workshop on Menopause and Aging, reaffirmed our belief in the women's need for information and an opportunity to talk with one another. A frequent comment... was " learned that I am not alone". The Ministry officials went into shock,almost .... sheltered women in crisis in private homes, or rented a room in a local hotel; often paying the abused woman's expenses from their own pockets. The cornmitteaundertook a public education campaign and sponsored community workshops on violence issues. In 1979 they developed an agreement with the Township to use two rooms in the nurses residence. The Crisis Centre's expenses were covered by teas, bake sales, flea markets and all N.W.O. grants to one group, these pleading with the groups (one by one) to remained accept the grant. The Interestingly, the major grants steadfast. denied Kenora, then Red Lake, miraculously became available from other sources, and the individual shelters also got their piece of the pie. Feminist solidarity over political opportunism!!! I Women identified isolation - from one another, from extended family and friends left behind in another community, from husbands who often work out of town at the job site for days at a time - as a major stress in their lives. Community spirit was often identified as a problem... lack of organized play groups, child care, or interesting The demand for services grew, and by 1981 activities for women that might easily be organized were sometimes not dealt with because the women lacked a feeling of the top floor of the nurses residence was ownership in the community or were isolated donations. Services utilized as the Crisis Centre. continued to expand and by 1983 the centre was desperate for secure funding. But, because they had managed for seven years with volunteers they didn't qualify for "bail out" funds. Northwestern Ontario women thought this was unfair. The NETWORK went into action. Within hours the Minister responsible was bombarded with telegrams from women's groups across NWO. Atikokan received "bail out" funds. It was the ability to act quickly that made this lobby successful. The Decade Council Network was in place and was activated immediately. from one another because of frequent moves. The ability to mobilize political action is only one aspect of Networking. Networks are vitally important for individual women to find like-minded women to share experiences, share information and alleviate the isolation of living in the north. The workshop on menopause and aging had the best overall attendance. This indicated again how much the women ... want to come together and discuss something that so profoundly affects their lives. The Women's Health Information Network (W.H.I.N.) is a good example of a NWO organization that evolved to meet this need. W.H.I.N. stemmed from the NWO Women's Health Education Project - a three year project, initiated in 1982, to survey health needs of women in 14 NWO resource-based communities and design workshops on The need for a feminist network was first recognized by the Canadian Women's topics identified by the women. Centres Conference, held in Thunder Bay in In reviewing W.H.E.P. and W.H.I.N's reports several themes emerge: * isolation 1975. NETWORK NELLIE formed to "facilitate information sharing on issues requiring immediate collective action'. Northern Women's Centre was the NWO link in (Ottawa-based) NETWORK NELLIE and * women's sense of a lack of control over their environment began to develop communication links to * the need to validate their experience by s aring with other women women's groups throughout the region. Unfortunately, NETWORK NELLIE faded away after several years, but its concept article 'Breaking the Isolation' by Elaine stimulated the development of manageable) regional networks. Lynch in The weatthsharing Resources for C.2 a.- a: a- Nomen.) (more (The following excerpts are taken from an Book, Northern Woman Page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Networking Chronology April 1973 .... 1 600 gather for Northern Women's conference 1973-present Northern Woman Journal 1973-present Northern Women's Centre 1973-1976 many "consciousness raising" groups meet 1 "allowed us to get to know ourselves again as people other than mothers and homemakers. By getting in touch with our ... interests, and our special abilities, it built on 1 1 1973 First women's studies course "Today's Women: A New Awareness" facilitated by Estella Howard 1973 Women's Program, Secretary of State appoints program officer for NWO 1974-1984 Women's Programs, Confederation College 1 1 1 1 1974 Pro-choice activists meet. Form C.A.R.A.L. branch 1982. 1974 Rape Crisis Centre opens - closes in 1976 - present reactivated 1976. Now operating as T.B. Physical & Sexual Assault Centre 1 1 1 1975 Thunder Bay hosts National Women's Centres Conference with reps of 85 Cdn Women's Centres participating. Poet Gert Beadle discovered. 1 1 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 Nipigop-Red Rock Action Group hosts seminar "Inside-Outside" with 123 area women attending 1 1 1 First public Thunder Bay celebration of IWD. Thunder Woman Theatre performs Need for housing for women and children in crisis documented. Crisis Homes Inc. established. City opens Community Residences. 1 1 it The Information Caravan travels to 14 NWO communities with info on family law, day care, human rights, rape, health care, sex-role stereotyping, etc. 1975-1976 The Clinic Strike, though unsuccessful, demonstrates the plight of unorganized women workers & the need for legislative change 1976- present The Northwestern Ontario International Women's Decade Coordinating Council (Decade Council) forms to carry on the work begun during IWY 1976-present Rainy River District Decade Council Women's Place Kenora begins with volunteer crisis line - Crisis Centre opens 1978 but we are confident that the value of a regional network will reemerge (perhaps in a different form) and build on the experiences and solid achievements of W.H.I.N.'s There are a lot of women really excited about the regions' newest network - Northwestern Ontario Women in Trades, Technology & Operations (NW WITT). NW WITT in partnership with Equay-Wuk Native Women's Group has sponsored two successful regional conferences for aboriginal and non-aboriginal women employed or interested in trades, technology, operations and blue-collar work. decade of activity. The conferences have explored appropriate training models and supportive services for women. Support to local women is one of the network's main goals and conference participants have volunteered to act as NW These reps WITT community reps. 1 constitute the NW WITT steering committee and meet quarterly to plan and oversee NW 1 WITT's activities. 1 This network has also identified the need for a NW WITT voice at national and provincial 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1976-1980 The Networking encouraged by W.H.I.N., while not always visible, has provided links between women in their communities and across the region that empowers women in their daily lives. Since late 1992, W.H.I.N., as an organization, has been taking a rest, 1 1 Committee forms in Atikokan to document need for crisis housing towards adolescents on the subject of eating disorders) 1 1 1976 * developed resource kit "What Can I Do? Making Changes in Health Care" * sponsored the Body Image Play (directed 1 1 1975 * facilitation of scores of health related 1 NWO Women's Art Festival brings together over 1000 art works... the largest women's cultural event ever held in the district. First Regional Child Care conference attracts 140 day care parents, workers & advocates activities which included: * regional and local workshops 1 Women & Politics conference, sponsored by Women Teacher's Federation attracts 200. 350 T.B. full-time homemakers with children under 14 participate in Women & Stress study. The transition from W.H.E.P. to W.H.I.N. came in 1985. In the next seven years W.H.I.N. undertook an extensive array of Give Birth" Planning Seminar & formation of NWO International Women's Year Coordinating Comm. Kenora Women's Conference attempt something similar for other women" said a woman from Fort Frances." Guide to Travelling Away From Home to 1 1975 our self-esteem and made us ready to workshops in many NWO communities * published Health Network News * produced "Long Distance Delivery: A 1975 1974 (In the third year) a series of training sessions for community women centred on the use of the W.H.E.P. workshop kits. ... The women were delighted to discover the common issues they faced and the similarities of their concerns. The weekend 1 Sometimes Networking evolves as an offshoot of an organization's other objectives. A case in point is the Northwestern Ontario Networking springs from the opportunity to get to know one another that NWORDCC has provided through annual Forums. Because of these contacts day care workers from small regional communities now know their colleagues - and know where to seek advice on program expansion, resources, training, etc. Similarly, parents active with non-profit Day Care Boards discover (for example) that Atikokan faced that situation last year, or that Marathon was able to resolve this problem; and thus, a voice of experience is only a phone call away. Inconsistency of direction/advice from 1 funding sources often plagues NWO day 1 Ontario perspective is considered in official planning. Regional Day Care Committee (NWORDCC) whose prime function is advocacy. 1 1 policy levels, to ensure the Northwestern care, and the NETWORK has proven valuable in crisis management in some situations. Knowing there is a network to call on makes the very difficult job of providing day care in NWO a little easier.. less lonely. Northern Woman Page 4 9 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor PDF compression, OCR, �Chronology Not Another Conference Sometime in the late 1970s a group of feminists were in discussion (I forget the precise reason for the gathering). Most of the group were from southern Ontario, a couple of us from the North. At some point I mentioned that we were planning a Conference (Working Women? Pensions? Women and the Economy?.. I forget which) but my announcement was met with a mix "A condescension. of surprise and conference" they remarked "why would you hold a conference? They are a waste of We stopped holding conferences time. years ago." The Northerners quietly smiled at each other, acknowledging yet another instance of the south's total lack of appreciation of the reality, the uniqueness, of the north. For indeed, Conferences have played a vital role in the women's movement of Northwestern Ontario; have created the climate to build the networks that give us have been a lifeline for individual women to break the isolation our strength; we've experienced. all began with a Conference.. the 1973 Northern Women's Conference, and for It many of us there will never be anything that can match that experience. A group of us had been planning the Conference for months, hoping against hope that we could persuade 100 women to attend. It was a touch overwhelming when 600 women showed up ... and talked and talked (and laughed and cried) and celebrated our budding, feminism. The joy in finding like ' the the joy in breaking the isolation. It is from this first Conference that so much else has stemmed - the NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL; Women's Centres; action on violence issues; health; family law; child care; pro-choice activism... the list is Since 1973 there have been innumerable Conferences; some on specific issues; pensions, health, the economy, violence, bringing together, usually in Thunder Bay, women from across the region to acquire information, share insights, develop strategies. Other Conferences have been organized locally - Dryden, 1977-1983 Northern Women's Credit Union 1977 Decade's Equal Pay Committee (angered by Clinic Strike issue) organizes Working Women's Conference providing a forum for 235 NWO working women 1977-present Au Feminin Pluri-Elles 1977 May Sutton, supported by Decade Council, initiates action on pension reform resulting in survivor benefit legislation in 1979 1978 Ontario Native Women's Association (O.N.W.A.) establishes head office in Thunder Bay 1978 'Women in Transition" study reveals 1100 reported or suspected cases of wife battering in Thunder Bay; produces a multi-lingual self-help handbook "One Day at a Time" 1978 Major study "Women's Work: the Northwestern Ontario Case" provides data base for advocacy on employment related problems of NWO women. 1978 Dryden Women's Conference 1978 VOICES: Thunder Bay's first feminist theatre 1978-1980 Dryden Women's Decade Council 1978 "Life Begins at Forty" conference 1978 Beendigan Native Women's Crisis Home opens in Thunder Bay 1 1 1 Geraldton, Kenora, (although always including other regional women) with a wider agenda involving many issues and reaching out to 1 involve new women. 1 Some conferences are primarily information giving/skill building; others are specifically action oriented. Some conferences bring in nationally renowned guest resource leaders; others recruit all the resource people from N.W.O. or the local community. 1 1 The issue, the style, the agenda of the Conference is not the key. What matters is that women have the opportunity to get together. The motivational speakers, the dynamic workshops, are not the key. It is the breaks/informal time where friendships develop, networks evolve, and support and nurturing abound that give lasting importance. Of necessity, the largest single budget item of any conference, of any regional organization, is travel. Conferences also have been the mechanism that allows the creation of networks that are vital to women working with women's I lt networking later). Meeting colleagues at conferences has provided day care workers, endless. experiences. What was it that was so important about that Conference. Sure we were delighted and inspired by the wonderful feminist speakers. Yes, we were enthusiastic about the interesting and meaningful workshops. But what really was important was that we found Over the past decade the Northern Woman's Bookstore has been invited to be a resource at many conferences throughout the region, and consequently I have had the pleasure of Thunder Bay elects first feminist mayor Dusty Miller 1979 Atikokan Crisis Centre opens 1979 "Fifty Years a Person" celebration 1979-1983 Ignace Women's Education/ Information Group 1979 Women Against Violence Conference 1980- 1987 Red Lake Women's Information Group 1980 Research project issues report "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: An Occupational Health Hazard" 1980 Women in Single Industry Towns workshops held in Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Ignace 1980 Voices: For Lesbian Survival begins publishing 1980-1983 Mainstay House, Fort Frances 1981- present Northern office of Ontario Women's Bureau opens in Thunder Bay (now known as Ont. Women's Directorate 1981 NWO Women's Health Conference 1981-1985 Atikokan Women's Resource Centre 1981-1982 Women's Production of Thunder Bay 1981-1982 Women and Addictions Project 1982 Women and Stress Conference, Kenora 1982 - 1988 Project May Day 1982 "A Day for Us" Conference 1982 Pension reform activism through meetings in district communities & regional Conf. 1982 Faye Peterson Transition House opens 1982-1992 NWO Women' Health Project 1 services or on specific issues (more on transition house workers, tradeswomen, Board members of women's services, the opportunity to meet colleagues and share 1978 1 1 1 other women who thought as we did, we discovered we weren't crazy, we learned that wo were not alone. witnessing the empowerment that conferences bring to N.W.O. women. 1 1 1 1 1991 the Women Uniting for Change Conference brought together close to 400 In 1 women in the largest regional conference to be held since 1973. For many it was their first feminist conference and their excitement and joy was contagious. 1 1 1 1 It happens every Conference. Because every gathering - large or small - local or regional - involves new women attending for their first feminist gathering and gaining strength from the energy of women committed to making change. 1 1 1 1 Northwestern Ontario has an impressive record of successful collective action much of which has been motivated or enhanced by the opportunities provided at conference gatherings. We expect Conferences will continue to play an important role in feminist activism in our region. 1 1 Northern Woman Pape 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Political Action Chronology 1983 Women in Crisis, Sioux-Hudson North organizes Transition House opens 1985 1983 -1985 Childbirth Education & support group 1983- present Northern Woman's Bookstore 1983 Women and the Economy conference As feminists gathered, exploring our shared experiences, our analysis deepened, and the systemic barriers to women's equality became exposed. The need for legislative 1983 Feminist Reunion Dinner equality for women became 1984 Dryden BiCentennial Conference Political action is necessary and N.W.O. 1984 Forum on Women and the North communicates NWO perspectives and concerns to Ontario Status of Women Council (now Ontario Advisory Committee on Women's Issues) 1985 "Contingency Day campaign to raise awareness re retirement and pension needs of women 1985 North Shore Women's Conference 1985 "Run to Win" guidebook produced 1985 Hoshazaki House, Dryden opens 1985 "A Day in the Life" workshop, Fort Frances 1985 Women and Decision Making project 1985/89/92 Women and Disabilities conferences 1985-present Northwestern Ontario Regional Day Care Committee 1985-present New Starts for Women, Red Lake 1985 Thunder Bay Advocates for Quality Child Care form. In 1986 successfully lobby City Council to maintain quality child care. 1985 -1987 Committee to re-instate birthing services (Nipigon) 1986 Young Women's Conference 1986 Feminist counselling workshops held in Dryden, Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay 1986 Geraldton Women's Conference 1986 Women & Mental Health Workshop, Atikokan 1986 "We Have a Lot to Share" workshops held in Dryden, Thunder Bay & Terrace Bay 1986 1986 1986 Marjorie House opens in Marathon serving women and children in North Shore communities NWO women participate in pay equity consultation "Women in Northwestern Ontario" presentation made to Task Force on Single Industry Towns and policy change to provide justice and apparent. feminists have been in the forefront of demands for policy and legislative reform that takes into account women's experience. Supporting, or leading, political action federally and provincially, we have also continuously articulated a N.W.O. perspective, as while some issues are common nationally (even globally) there are other issues that are specific to N.W.O. Frequently overlooked by southern-based policy developers, it is important that our Northern voice be heard. Over the years regional groups such as Decade Council and the Northwestern Ontario Regional Day Care Committee have become skillful in presenting the N.W.O. perspective. Absolutely vital for Quality child care. women to have the opportunity for During these 20 years we've learned that effecting political change is indeed hard economic equality. With much persistent effort community groups in many N.W.O. communities throughout the 1970s identified the need for a day care centre, and convinced their municipal council to accept responsibility for the centre's operation. With a change in government funding policy slogging. The solutions seemed so obvious in to us, and our assumption was that when subsidy") the economic viability of many of these centres was jeopardized. The threat of closure of these day care centres was a N.W.O. crisis. In response to the crisis, the Northwestern Ontario Regional Day Care Committee was formed and one of the most extensive grassroots lobbies the North has initiated. Parents, children, ever day care workers and community activists made politicians abundantly aware that the policy decision (made in Toronto and pointed out the injustices (with government/ research) substantiated institutional action would be quickly forthcoming. Our initial optimism is long gone but our determination remains. While we've lost our naivety, we've refused to lose our hope. we In 1977, a Thunder Bay woman, May Sutton, soon was suddenly widowed and experienced a drastic reduction of her income as after her husband's death May's pension (under the Spouses Allowance Program) was cut off. Then in her early 60s, in less than robust health, May's prospects of finding paid employment were nonexistent. Recognizing that her plight was shared by many women, May set out to do something about this deplorable situation. Two years later, legislation was enacted providing survivors benefits to widowed persons between the ages of 60 - 64 years. In the intervening two years May, with the assistance of Decade Council, mobilized senior citizens and women's groups to take political action on this issue. Utilizing every possible forum including the Working 1986 Heather Bishop and Tracy Riley help us celebrate "end of the decade" 1986 Sioux Lookout & Marathon videos produced for input into federal Child Care Comm. hearings Women's Conference, Dryden Women's Conference, Senior Citizens Alliance, Life Begins at Forty Conference, May made N.W.O. aware of this problem. She then 1986/87 Massive NWO lobby re "indirect subsidy" day care issue. 300 Geraldton parents send letters to Minister of Community & Social Services. Day care children send Minister pictorial "Save Our Day Care Centre" messages went national, with articles in Homemakers magazine, the NAC newsletter, and a CBCToronto television interview; as well as participating in Ontario Senior Citizens workshops. She achieved results. Viewing this particular legislative victory as just one 1987 "Team Building" NWO Transition House Conference small step, May stayed involved with the Women And Pensions Committee, which 1987 Forum on Women and the Economy 1987 Safe Access Project focussed on broader issues of pensions and women's poverty. One small step perhaps, 1987 'Ask Your Candidate" voter's guide distributed 1987 Kenora Women's Place purchases home 1986 (the elimination of the "indirect Ottawa) did not take into account the reality of day care in the North. N.W.O. was mobilized, and the Minister of Community and Social Services was inundated with letters, videos, petitions, telephone calls, and children's "Save Our Centres" dramatic pictorial contributions. Over several weeks children's art work arrived daily on the Minister's desk.... and he got the message. Agreeing to meet in Thunder Bay, the Minister listened carefully to our representations, and put into effect a policy that, at least temporarily, eased the crisis for the municipal centres. The longer term goal of comprehensive child care reform remains elusive, consequently the N.W.O. day care community must constantly renew its advocacy efforts, but because of that 1986 political action, day care centres in our small regional communities continue to exist. but a great example that one woman's determination can "make a difference". Woman Page 6 PDFNorthern compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Political Action Chronology 1 1 1 1987 Rural Women's Network Conference, Fort Frances 1987 Workshop & presentation by Lillian Men 1987 Women's Health Conferences held in Nipigon & Sioux Lookout 1987 "Twelve Angry Crinolines" street performance brings attention to the marginalization of women artists 1987 W.H.I.N. conducts PMS, menopause, patient rights, nutrition, birthing, conferences throughout the region 1987 Joyce Weiland gives workshop-critique with women artists 1987 Workshop kits on Free Trade and Privatization produced 1988 Video tapes produced on history of battered women's movement in NWO 1988 Women and Transition project, Kenora 1988 Maya Bannerman performs 1988 Project on Out of Town Birth 1988 "Healthy Horizons: the Impact of Technology on Women's Health" Conference 1988 Banakonda Kennedy-I0sh paintings and drawings about the birthing experience, and a workshop called "A Walk In The Medicine Wheel" 1988 Broad/Cast - exhibition examining media images of women in NWO 1988 Incest Committee sponsors workshop with Elly Danica, author of DON'T: a Woman's Word 1989 "Freedom from Fear" brochures produced 1989 "What Can I Do? Making Changes in Health Care" resource kit 1989 NWO activists participate in "Child Care Bake Off" 1989 Conference on violence issues brings together educators and shelter workers 1989 Training kits produced for Boards of Directors of shelters 1989 Cross-Cultural community forum on incest and child sexual abuse, Kenora 1989 Violence Against Women Who Communicate poster competition and exhibition, in conjunction with photography exhibition 1989 "Women Working for Change" brings together NWO women and women from Bangladesh, Zambia and the Philippines to share experiences and strategies 1989-present Lakehead University Women's Studies Program 1989 Sylvia Wagner - "Mrs. M and the Alter of Life* solo exhibition installation pieces examining the figure of the Housewife as she is portrayed in television commercials 1989/90/92 Women Healing gatherings 1989 "Celebrating Women" conference, Kenora 1989 Thunder Bay feminists trashed and harassed for "women-only" vigil in memory of 14 women murdered in Montreal 1 1 1 With the solidarity provided by existing N.W.O. shelters other Decade members, these groups were able to stand firm. Because of the Decade action, and changes to the operations policy were achieved. Continuing critique and action led, in the longer term, to the stabilization of all transition house funding. One of the most engaging portraits The issue of violence against women has been a focal point for N.W.O. organizing. Women's shelters have developed in many communities and Decade Council has been persistent in analyzing policy development re battered women. There are a score of examples of political action on this issue. We will briefly relate just two of these actions. The 1983 provincial government Family Resource Centre initiative was developed without consultation with the battered women's movement, or with the affected municipalities/First Nations communities. It contained many elements that were completely unacceptable. It appeared that the F.R.C. proposal was designed to ensure that the philosophy and operation of battered women's services would be removed from women's groups/local communities and controlled by politicians/ bureaucrats. - The eligibility criteria were unworkable; the budget totally inadequate; training for staff and volunteers totally lacking and expectation of service providers unrealistic. It is instructive to note that the F.R.C. announcement came shortly after the 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 of determination and political courage is the image of Freda Hoshazaki locking the door, closing down the black-ribboned Hoshazaki House (the Dryden Transition House) moments after it was officially opened. That didn't actually happen but Freda was prepared to do it. Six years of planning by a community group finally, in 1985, led to the opening of the Transition House. The Dryden group experienced all the barriers common to transition house development, including municipal resistance; and they were temporarily side-lined by the F.R.C. initiative, but they perservered. The final roadblock was that the promised Ministry of Community and Social Services operational funds failed to materialize. Repeated communication with the Ministry lead to more promises but no cheque. Drastic action was called for, thus the committee was prepared to simulateously open and close the doors. An enterprising journalist heard rumours... and telephoned the Ministry. The cheque arrived within 24 hours. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Oh, these gutsy Northern women! 1 1 1 1 Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses annual meeting, when that organization was gearing down for a Summer of not, the summer recess. 1 1 1 1 potential ill effects of this new program on Northwestern Ontario prompted Decade to develop a comprehensive critique (which O.A.I.T.H. supported). At the time transition 1 1 1 1 houses were in the planning stages in a number of N.W.O. communities, and the F.R.C. initiative threatened their viability. 1 1 1 NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO REGIONAL DAY CARE COMMITTEE Post Office Box 144 Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 4V5 Comprehensive, high quality, publicly funded, non-profit child care as the right of every child PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 7 �Chronology When I came back to Thunder Bay, I went Women's Voices into practice with the woman I'd worked with before. 1 1990 A Room for Honouring Women - artists examine male violence against women in response to the Montreal massacre MP 1 Michele Proulx interviews Lucie Nichols 1 1 1990 Women Living Independently with Disabilities (WILD.) forms in Thunder Bay 1990 Anne Cameron reads in Thunder Bay and as a midwife for many years. She has recently completed the 1 1 1 1990 1990 1990 Women & Work in Northwestern Ontario - Socio-Economic Research Report Women & Family Law - Equal Justice? report, Kenora Naming the Violence - solo exhibition by Jennifer Garrett started working as a midwife it was still very much an out-on-the-fringe kind of field. It was not a medically accepted thing, although it was never illegal. Midwifery just had no legal status in Canada. 1 It is just now becoming possible, in this province, for a woman and her baby to enjoy the excellent care that midwives provide in the birth setting 1 1 1 of the woman's choice and with 1 OHIP coverage. Lucy and I spoke in 1 1990-1993 I process for certification as a midwife in Ontario. 1 Yes, certainly in the beginning, when LN Lucy Nichols has worked as a nurse 1 Did you find, that over time, you developed a clientele by word of mouth? October about her involvement in "Take Back the Night" marches, Kenora these exciting changes. 1 1991 1991 Kenora Sexual Assault Centre initiates network of self-help groups across district 1 1 1 Lucie Blue Tremblay helps us celebrate 1 IWD 1 1991 "Women Uniting for Change" conference 1991 WEAVING MAT(t)ERS - exhibition by Sasha McInnes New Starts for Women shelter opens, Red Lake 1 "Fighting Days" performs in Kenora 1991 "On Shifting Ground" - examination of, and critique of, the image of women as nature, fertility, earth symbol 1 1 1992 1 1 1 1 Ontario Cabinet Forum on Women's 1 Issues 1 1992 NWO groups lobby for inclusion of women in constitution talks 1 1 1992 1992 Women & Addictions conference, Kenora 1 1 1 Body Image play tours region 1 1992 Artists Against Violence 1992/1993 "Striving and Thriving" conferences, Eagle Lake NW WITT network forms 1 1 1992 1 1 1 Company of Sirens perform in Thunder 1 Bay 1992 1 1 Provincial Child Care Reform consultation 1 1 1992 1993 1993 Judy Rebick speaks on women and the constitution 1 1 1 Superior Women's Coffee Houses "More Than Dollars" Community Economic Development workshops in Dryden and Nipigon completely fascinated with it and wanted to be involved with somehow; certainly I adored working with the babies and 1993 Cross-cultural training sessions for shelter workers held across region Young Women's Committee forms enjoyed working with the mothers after the birth. knew that there was a profession called midwifery but I also knew that it did not exist in Canada. knew that it was something really wanted to do, but because I live in Canada, there was no way of doing it, the idea just went in the back of my brain and stayed there for a long time. It became more of a possibility for me when I moved to Thunder Bay and I met a woman here who was a midwife. She had trained as a midwife in Germany and she was working I I I at that time, which was 1980, in a very underground sort of way, attending home births. When we met, I immediately expressed to her my long hidden desire to be a midwife, and she said "Apprentice with me and I'll teach you to be a midwife." started attending births with her and just went on from there. I worked with her for I two years and in that two years we, I think, that it was going to be a long time before I could gain enough experience to call myself a midwife at that rate. So that's when I made 1 arrangements to go and obtain training in 1 Scotland. 1 MP What did that training consist of? 1 LN It was an eighteen month program at 1 a maternity hospital in Scotland. Midwifery 1 has been an organized profession forever in 1 1 4 thildtm". Woodcui, $6.1k. 04.t.,4 MP What about home births? LN No it was never illegal. It was "a- legal" - not legally recognized. When we first started practicing, we would attend a birth at home and the couple would then go to register the birth, to get the baby's birth certificate. We would always instruct them to say that the father had delivered the baby because we couldn't really afford to have our names out there too much. But then, gradually, we just stopped doing that and we became more public and more open about what we were doing and we found some supportive doctors. We actually did some work within the hospitals here, to build some good relationships with the staff in the hospitals. We were probably, in some ways, a lot further ahead than some of the midwives in Southern Ontario, because we ended up having pretty good relationships with the two hospitals here and having a Not number of supportive physicians. supportive in the sense that they thought home birth was a good idea, but supportive in the sense that they were there to back us up if we needed help, to transport a woman to hospital. When we did go to the hospital we were always welcomed by the staff, we were never treated badly, we never felt that the staff were going to treat our women badly because they were women who had come in from a home birth. Generally speaking, the medical community became pretty accepting. 1 babies in hospitals. So the midwifery training 1 was very hospital oriented - there wasn't and who will never accept the concept of home birth as a safe option for women. Family Law Forum, Kenora 1 1993 "Moving On: A Woman Guide through the Separation and Divorce Process", produced by Women's Place, Kenora l 1 Self-Empowerment Workshop, Kenora M;/.rfe osit;e1, MP 1993 1993 UP most of Europe and Britain. It was a good training in some ways but not so great in other ways. There used to be a pretty common tradition of home birth in Britain, but in the last fifteen to twenty years they've really got away from home births and have been pushing women pretty hard to have Women and the Economy Committee sponsors 3 workshops 1 1993 I I 1 1993 d ldh time in maternity - my feelings were really torn because part of me was completely appalled at the way birth happened in the attended five births. The demand for midwifery at that time was pretty slow; I felt Hope Thompson "Mandate" - gender and power in corporate landscape 1 1992 th P4a-Nankili1B1(qiikt706,0/1;2: I hospital. But the other part of me was 1 1 1991 LN It was something that I wanted for a long time. first did my nursing training twenty years ago; I remember when I did my 1 1991 What drew you to midwifery? MP 1 1 1 1993 Sexual Harassment Workshop, Kenora 1 1993 "From Fear to Freedom" booklet 1 fortunate to have a couple of teachers who produced by WILD. 1 were midwives with experience 1 World much to say about home birth. I was in Third were really comfortable with the idea of delivering babies in all kinds of circumstances. I would pick their brains about what you would do in home situation - I learned a lot from them. countries, so they So in a sense you were being active for the cause of midwifery and home birth through your example. LN Well, I think so. There are certainly members of the medical community who will never accept midwifery as a valid profession And I don't think that there is very much that anybody can do to change that. But, yes we tried really hard to show that we were safe, competent practitioners and that we gave safe care to women. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 8 �MP What is it, that makes a midwife a has the responsibility for accepting or not accepting any care that is offered. However, most of the time patients don't really midwife? I could quote from the international definition of midwifery which explains that a midwife is a primary caregiver to women understand that and are not given the during the childbearing cycle. MP LN That is, caregiver, in situations where they're healthy and they're having a normal pregnancy and anticipating a normal birth. Physicians, particularly obstetricians, are trained Obspecialists in complicated cases. stetricians are trained to deal with the more high risk women, women who have L' There are two different things. First, there are the practising midwives in Ontario, most of whom belong to a professional organization known as the Association of complications in their pregnancy, who, for one reason or another are anticipating a complicated birth. That's one really basic difference between what a physician does and what a midwife does. MP The term "Midwife" itself LN Yes - with woman. It's from the Old don't know what language it is - what its origin is but I know it means "with woman." I English. And that also illustrates the difference between the way midwives function and the way most doctors function - midwives are really with the woman. We don't see our role as being the decision maker, the one who directs the course of what happens, My role is to work with a woman, to inform her, to give her all the best information that can about what's happening and to support her decisions. I I see the woman and her partner in the birth - even though, they are together making decisions - it is the woman who is the primary decision maker. am there to support her decisions and to care for her throughout the process. Nurses are very different from midwives. First of all, the nurses' role is not as a primary caregiver. Even though occasionally they will catch I babies at hospital, that's not the intention of their role. Their role is to care for the woman in labour and to inform the primary caregiver, who is generally a physician, of what is happening and to have the primary caregiver be responsible for making decisions. the intermediary between the woman and the doctor? The nurse is Well yes, at least theoretically, an LN important part of the role of the nurse is to act as an advocate for the patient. Unfortunately, I think, very often nurses do not live up to that role and they end up being more the spokesperson for the doctor. So the communication goes the other way. Instead of from the patient through the nurse to the doctor, it goes from the doctor through the nurse to the patient. MP an independent profession. What is the connection between practising midwifery and advocating for the legalization of midwifery - not just local leading by example, but your connection to the provincial level of activity? MP about what midwives do; we are support to act.... during the pregnancy, the labour, the birth and the post partum period. Midwives are specialists in normal birth. My role as a midwife is to care for women as a primary - will be set up to govern midwifery practice in Ontario. Doctors will have nothing to say It's a power structure that seems to in general medical Ontario Midwives. The AOM has been very actively involved for over ten years, trying to opt midwifery recognized. Then there is the resumer side of it, the Midwifery Task force of Ontario. The Midwifery Task Force is a consumer lobby group which has also been very active for over ten years to get midwifery legalized. The two groups have been working on parallel courses. For the government, one of the major kicks in the butt was a very unfortunate occurrence, a home birth where a baby died. When that happened, because it was a death that occurred in a home birth situation, there was a coroner's inquest into the death. From that coroner's inquest came the vehicle for examining the whole of what's been happening in Ontario with midwifery practise. The inquest became a very lengthy, and a very involved process with expert witnesses from marry countries around the world, and from the provinces and from different professions - nursing, midwifery, medicine - you name it. The outcome of that inquest was first of all, that there was no blame attached to the midwives who attended the birth, and secondly, a very MP Will midwives operate out hospitals or out of private practice? of This is incredibly exciting and unique in the world - the way that we've managed. LN We've worked very, very hard in this province to make midwifery happen in the way we think is the best way for it to happen. Most doctors are really pissed off that midwifery is going to be funded by the Ministry of Health and that we will be paid salaries, not on a fee for service basis. As far as I'm concerned, the fee for service system is completely incompatible with giving good care. It encourages churning people through as quickly as possible, to make enough money to pay the overhead etc., to buy that sailboat, whatever. Midwives will be paid on a salary basis - that salary strong recommendation that midwifery should be legalized and that the government will be based on an estimation of the move on that as quickly as possible. That required to attend a certain number of births per year averaged over a certain number of was the impetus for the government to establish a task force on midwifery with a series of hearings throughout the province and a very thick report. From that came the legislation which has been passed, How will midwives fit into the existing health care structure? MP number of full time practices; you'll be years, so its not as though you can collect a full time salary and attend three births a year. You will have to maintain a certain level of practice in order to qualify for full time salary. If you want to do half time practice, you can but then you only get half time salary. So that's one aspect that is LN For now, midwifery is an independant Midwives will self-regulated profession. quite unique. Mostly what is really unique about how we are going to be practicing in this province is that it will be a requirement have their own college, the College of of a midwife's practice that she provide Midwives which will be the regulatory body Midwifery will be for the profession. governed by the Midwifery Act which is part of an umbrella piece of legislation called the continuity of care - in other words, we care for women through out the entire pregnancy, Regulated Health Professions Act of Ontario. This act covers all of.the health professions: aspect of what we do. Another critical aspect nurses, doctors, chiro-practors, massage therapists; each has its own section. The Midwifery Act is a section of that umbrella act and it covers all aspects of legislation choice of birth place. So its not that you can be a midwife and only deal with babies ifery - everything that we The College of Midieives you are required to attend births in all settings according to the wishes of the pertaining to can and cannot , labour, birth and post partum. This continuity of care is a extremely important is that we will follow the woman to her in a birthing centre or only work in a hospital or only do home births. If you are a midwife women. be well established practice. MP So the status of home birth in Ontario has changed from "a-legal" to legal? It's a bit of a misleading power structure, because if you really examine it, it LN is always the patient who is in charge, the patient who is ultimately responsible for the decisions that are made. Unless it's a dire emergency and the patient is unconscious and unable to make decisions. The patient is the employer of the physician, the nurse, the hospital. It is the patient who ultimately Definitely, because its a requirement of our medical practice of midwifery that we attend home births. LN ff you would like more information about midwifery or the midwifery program to be offered at L.U., call Lucie Nichols at 343 4774. Northern Woman Page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �My memories of feminism in Thunder Bay form a collage of images ... women's faces and the places where we met to create and plan. Underscoring the images is a remembrance of feeling pressured for time...too much to do, too little time! We all had day timers (printed especially for busy women) with every day filled to overflowing. I remember my new-found pride in womanhood and all things created and achieved by women...all the films, books and even the day timers. heard the The "first conference". Until Friday night speaker I would have bet that wasn't disadvantaged by being a woman. wept to hear her story which was my own and my failure to see anything wrong with it. I I I french fries, so we could set up a big table for the Journal where we would cut and paste in fun and frenzy. I remember the issues we tackled...rape and sexual assault, battered wives, and financing loans for women who had only their husbands' credit ratings...and the things we built - Rape and Sexual Assault Centre, the Faye Peterson Transition House and the Northern Women's Credit Union. I remember taking the time to enjoy life with women I enjoyed. Typing and printing Salt and Yeast was a labour of love which showed me that we need poetry in our lives too. Even our meetings could be made into pot lucks and parties with the line between work and pleasure lost entirely. Leni Unitnen ... I was two paragraphs into writing this speech when my son came by to take me to lunch and asked him, 'So what do you think women brought to the North?" I I remember Women's Centre on the second floor of the YMCA and the door Damon Dowbak painted in the children's room. I remember setting up a crib for my son, then less than one year old, in the children's room so I could work on a day care project. I remember using a gestetner to run copies look at the old pictures which show us when we were young... pictures taken 20 years ago! Pictures which show us singly and in groups at our meeting places. And I wonder how did we do all the wonderful things we did. But then remember the passion and the devotion we shared and I I Jokingly, he said, "The women brought Tupperware" and thought about it for a I moment and decided, "No, the women are Tupperware": I know the answer. They are flexible. They protect and preserve. They are marvellous caretakers of the of the NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL which was put together at "the Y". How Lynne Thornburg professional we felt when we changed to our newsprint format! I remember the move to Bay Street and working to clean up the old leftovers. If they are the real thing, they wear the good housekeeping seal of approval. If they don't have the seal of approval, they lack credibility. They never break when you drop them. Memories kitchen, stripping away grease of a million And they are never at the table on really important occasions. But with all that where would we be without tupperware and where would the North be without women. Women have brought to the North all of the stereotyped feminine Memories Lots of nostalgia. The wonderful, wonderful New Year's Day parties, especially when Women's Centre was on Amelia St. Midnight swims at the Y. The visit to Thunder Bay of the Abortion Caravan. To mark the twentieth anniversary of the Northern Woman Journal, I was asked if I could write a short piece that spoke in some way to the unique character and sense of humour of women in the movement. Two particular occasions came almost immediately to mind. Capturing their essence on paper though is another matter, so please bear with me. One indelible memory I have is that of Gert Beadle reciting her poetry at a function in Dryden during the 1980's. In attendance that night were various government and municipal dignitaries. Taking centre stage in her fuzzy, flapping, pink slippers, Gert looked every The intensity of discussion and analysis, combined with nurturing support of early Women Centre collectives and the 1982-85 Journal collective. The production of the "Prisons" issue of the Journal. Fiona presenting roses to lona Campanello, thus totally defusing an anti-choice demonstration. The empowering of NWO child care workers as they joined 500 others in storming P.M. Mulroney's office when he refused to appear (or send Cabinet representation) to a National Child Care Conference. And a memory that will remain forever with every present: Kim Erickson singing Bread and Roses at the Ontario Cabinet Forum on Women's Issues. the kindly grandmother. Her unsuspecting audience had no idea of what they were in for as she began her program with a poem about the husband who, in an attempt to crush his wife's spirit, tried to kill inch her houseplants by urinating on them. Forced to sit and listen politely to a composition about some guy pissing in his wife's pots left them squirming. It was one of those rare moments in time... characteristics ... warmth, tradition, caring, sharing and a strength and staying power fed by love and preservation. Industry's role in the North has been to take. Minerals from the earth, wood from the land. Women's role has been to plant roots, to add substance, to build a place to live, to stay in Northwestern Ontario. ... Women attempted to play the perfect role: the perfect mother, perfect company wife, perfect soul mate. They lived in exact-model company houses or sometimes substandard housing and made them into warm homes where they prepared the meals, washed the socks, relieved the stress, and sent their men back each day to the company. To keep everyone happy, women geared their own interests and recreation to their partners, trekking the ski-doo trails, sitting in the boat or the bar, longing to take a course that wasn't available or to see a play that would never come to town. The second occasion that comes to mind happened several years ago during a Decade Council retreat at Quetico Centre when a group of us were sitting around one evening talking about some of the incredible characters we knew; in this case, two longtime friends, Hilda and Mary. Leni's telling of the story of Mary's deep regret at having ignored Hilda's advice to invest in Cabbage Patch Doll stock left us howling with laughter and blinded by tears. That night was a celebration of who we are. We need to celebrate on another with the same affection every day - it does the heart and soul good. Margaret Fiona Karlstedt PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Pane in �kg/bet Women's roles have traditionally isolated them from other women. Family structures and needs allowed little time for women to get together in a structured way. It was not until the '70s that things began to change...when women started meeting to share ideas and concerns. Groups were established dealing with what some men and women alike construed as totally selfish subjects, like women and violence, or women and economics. A large conference Memories was held in 1973. What women found out was that their concerns, needs and interests were shared by other women living in much the same circumstances. Conferences became our lifelines. We used them to tie into each other and to women living in other parts of the province and country. We listened to women when they raised a My fondest memory is when my daughter, then in Grade 7 or 8, joined with her two concern. We talked about it, printed it, and studied it. And more women added their voice to the concern. William). There are a million memories of the Thunder Bay sisterhood and the education they gave a willing rebel. That I was a little long in the tooth when the reality of what I had missed in my life occurred to me problably explains One of those "exotic dance" places we why even today I can't believe the nerve I had. I used to think, Gert, if you ever lose your nerve you will fold like a pricked balloon or a wet paper sack. As fast as women came together, they were labelled...homewreckers, women` libber's... and women were forced to defend a stereotyped image. The media had a field day in their interpretation of the women's movement. What that did unfortunately was successfully isolate women who didn't want to be portrayed as a man-hating reactionary in bush boots and braids. But women are used to dealing with isolating tactics. We learned to push ahead. We took the issue of violence and forced it close girl friends in our second Reclaim the Night March (through the streets of Fort She remembers being hoarse in the morning from chanting "Women Unite, Take Back the Night." marched passed was Uncle Sam's Tavern, which has since been demolished to build a community health centre. How's that for neighbourhood improvement and "personal is political". Donna Phoenix onto the front importantly supporting together. we learned each other the value of and standing When I had the mastectomy in 1976 and There was and still is a resistance to women was just a short time in bed after the wanting change. Change costs money. It isn't going to cost us any because women never had it in the first place. And so men, surgery...still very groggy...I heard a voice industry and government have a vested interest in resisting the issues raised by influences for the most of my life was suddenly unfettered and ready for action as long as it was in protest against patriarchial regimentation. have not known a more profound sense of belonging anywhere than in the circle we called consciousness raising, there is no more tangible evidence of what women could and should feel in a time when they are together pursuing an ideal. I Memories pages and into government. We learned to write briefs and we learned to lobby. More History will record I never lost my nerve, my spirit which had been under negative (nurse) say "No, you can't come in, only family is allowed". Then heard Estelle Howard say "I'm her sister". barely I I remember seeing Estelle, my eyes wouldn't Feminism is many things to many people but to me it was an idea whose time had come, an ideal. It still is. The dogma of liberation the political correctness went over my head, I was in love with my own free spirit. The publishing of Salt and Yeast changed my life, I guess the party at the centre on that occassion might be a high point, perhaps the party on my 65th birthday women. But the movement moves on.... stay open, but she gave me a drink and We will no longer accept that some of us are held my hand. Right from my first days with feminists I felt "Sisterhood" and a new and tremendous pride in being a woman, but the visit from Estelle was certainly a highlight of perhaps the feminist play, perhaps working on the Journal, perhaps taking the Common Woman players to Sudbury. Certainly doing the sharing and caring women did for and my poetry as outrageous as it could get with each other. gave me a sense of liberation and great joy. The many funny things we did in our various Women's Centres are memorable, especially the skit one Christmas. Maureen did a flash, Laurie was a robot, Monika was the emcee (Monika Meatloaf) and I was Noreen Nitpick (did I name myself?) Doreen was Gay De flowered.... did a skit about Women's Place The sisterhood at Thunder Bay gave me back my creative spirit and the strength to receiving funding for a project "On Our copy of the script somewhere.. must find it. attend the Women's Centre board meetings by special invitation but I am truly a liberated woman: for that I thank that great collective that has my undying love and gratitude. Noreen Dunbar Gert beaten in our own homes and there is no help available. We will no longer accept that we work at jobs equal to men's and are paid less. We will no longer accept that we aren't at the table on important occasions.. the Board table, the Council table, the political table. We will no longer accept that after we have dedicated our lives to raising children and homemaking we run the risk of being left impoverished because of inadequate pensions. We want affordable day care. We want training and employment and equal access to good paying jobs. We want economic equality. We want our contributions recognized. So, let them label us and let them howl, we still ain't satisfied. Backs". I don't think it would be politically correct to do that now do you? have a I when they presented me with a vibrator, preserve it, I have in turn given that spirit to countless women. The Courier calls me Kelowna's Pagan Crone but they do it with affection and they print my scurrilous attacks on religious intolerance and misogyny. I PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 11 �The following is from "Letters to My Sisters" which was performed by the Common Woman Players, a group of Northwestern Ontario women, at the 1979 Sudbury Women's Conference. Dear Sisters Atikokan has been a one industry town since its beginning. First a CN Railway divisional point, and later the home of Steep Rock Iron Mines. They overlapped for about five years. Between 1901 and 1954 all travel to and from Atikokan was done by train or canoe. In '46 when I arrived on the scene, only a few of the women - mostly wives of the management and executives - were from large centres. Wives of the hourly men and railway personnel were usually from rural Saskatchewan and Northern Ontario, and wouldn't be devastated by the lack of the "finer things in life," not that they wouldn't appreciate theatre, ballet, art They were galleries and libraries. considered frills and would come later. Eighty-five percent of them were young with small children. The winters were bitter cold, long, no transportation except one taxi that ran if the weather was conducive. There wasn't any place to shop anyway. The Manitoba, Hudson Bay Post was out at the mine site and the hospital was a box car on the railroad siding. When a baby was due, first the doctor had to be found and sobered up, then came the fun of just getting to the hospital. If it was in the winter, it was hardly worth the effort. The mother lay in state in one of the two beds with diapers hung to dry from rope strung back and forth across the room, and she was kdpt busy with a towel wiping the-condensation off the walls to keep her bed reasonably dry. Besides starting a new mine, other new records were set: the highest birth rate in Canada, highest incidence of insanity and suicide. More beer and booze was sold in Atikokan than in Toronto. This was my life - trying to get the most out of a one industry town in Northern Ontario. We didn't give up, we howled, rebelled, cried, beat our heads, then stuck our tongues out at the devil and got on with the job of making a home and town worth fighting for. And now the mines have closed down!!! For the first while I thought I'd lose my mind. Being told that it was going to happen didn't really sink in until that day when I had no job to go to. After 14 years of going to work five days a week, solving work problems, knowing the security of that pay cheque, gaining confidence from doing a job well, and having the dignity of working with people who respect you, doesn't do much to prepare you for the degradation of having to register for Unemployment Insurance. Why should I, who have always made my own way, now have to accept this dole? Why aren't there jobs for us here in this town? Why should I have to put up with the indignity of having to go down to the UIC building at all? Why should I be made to feel like a pauper asking for a hand-out, to have to answer questions that I had no answer for? I slunk out of there like an old dog with distemper, hoping no one saw me. Then I met more people who had been through the same ordeal and who were as angry as I was, and who asked the question - "why aren't some of the available jobs here in Atikokan?" I wasn't the only one that went Atikokan Crisis Centre Roads and shopping improved somewhat, but women had to look after their own "food for the soul." They started women's groups, church groups, agitated for a new hospital and churches, taught classes in art, crafts, their neighbours and accepted help when it was needed. Northern Woman Page 12 new $5,000,000 sewer system uses their own men and equipment. When asked about the percentage of local employees it came out 13 of 30. The road construction company that is doing the highway outside time and energy invested in this town to give it up now, just because our government bodies have boobed. Now that Council has decided that dumping nuclear waste into this tears, isolation, boarders in their homes, lost friends and homesickness. Swing-shift was brought in at the mine. This innovation of Children's Aid, service organizations: hospital work, teaching, church work, helped that will hire local people, not like Hydro who bring in all but 20% of their labour force. The construction company that is putting in the leaving. I'm not going to!! I've too much figure skating. Women coped with pay cut backs, mud, cold, frozen fuel lines, booze, the mines, in tourist camps and at the mines. They did their jobs, raised their families, kept up with the work of their been brought in, but not until six months before the pit closed down, why wasn't it done ten years ago? We want something one of the stipulations of the contract? Many of the miners are pulling up their roots and wouldn't freeze to death playing hockey and find, catering, working in the new stores and restaurants, taking in boarders and/or roomers from the construction crews and True, an Industrial Development Official had these companies. What is the matter with Council that hiring local labour cannot be had a regulation size rink built so the kids jobs. They worked at anything they could Management, Council, Government and workers all knew that the closure of the mines was imminent and yet nothing had been done to entice a new industry big enough to take up the slack, into the area. town clerk who is also the secretary of Council, didn't know the hiring policy of necessary, so women raised the money and When hours at the mine were cut from 56 72 per week to 32, many women had to find without it. To hell with them and their bloody money." their own equipment. When questioned, the singing group which just disbanded this year, and a Little Theatre Group. Council didn't think an indoor skating rink was friendships. Just something more for people to put up with. out of that office with "Stick it lady, I'll do of town and the streets of the town use people brought in from other Unions and sewing and cooking, started the Norternaires the devil is the ultimate in breaking up Women's Voices area would be a good thing for all of us, Our vision is... "To live in a peaceful society without fear of violence, to have freedom of choices, where people are equally valued. WE BEGIN BY VALUING OURSELVES" I think there is a reason for me to stay. We've been betrayed, and the only thing to do is to get onto our horse again and get something done about it. Thanks for listening, UIC number 16975 Ruby Chumway Atikokan Crisis Line: 597-6908 Toll Free Crisis Line 1-800-465-3348 Ruby Chumway continues to work to make her community a better place for women. (area code access: 807-705-204) PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Memorial Award Honours Millie In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the people of Northwestern Ontario, the Millie Barrett Memorial Award has been established. lifetime. True to her nature, a serious health problem did not deter Millie's commitment to the value of community development, which she personified. Many of us, unaware of her personal situation, continued to call upon A mentor to many of us, Millie's commitment to economic, political and social justice inspired us all. Millie's deep respect for people made her a superb grass-roots organizer. Her skills and her wisdom were generously given to women's groups, Native organizations, environmentalists; to all who shared her love of Northwestern Ontario. Her friendship enriched our lives. Actively involved and influential in every community in which she lived and worked, it was the small communities that Millie loved best, where people "spoke her language." Whenever a difficult task needed doing we called on Millie. From chairing tumultuous meetings, to facilitating a "counter" conference, to negotiating with decisionmakers, to setting the record straight with southern officials, Millie met the challenge with determination, poise and good humour. Millie's passionate voice spoke our hopes and our vision. An enthusiastic participant in the 1973 Northern Women's Conference, Millie's involvement with NM:), women predated that her, and as always received her assistance and support. Just a few months before her death, Millie was actively involved with the Women Uniting for Change Conference, where she facilitated a workshop on Older Women and Housing issues, and chaired the resolutions session. Millie's passing is a great loss, personally and politically, to the people of Northwestern Ontario. Her words and her works are her legacy to the region. Our task is to continue to develop her ideals. The Millie Barrett Memorial Award will be administered through Lakehead University, and will support mature students pursuing studies or research in the political, historical, or social policy fields; and, who have demonstrated commitment to Northern concerns that reflect Millie's spirit and ideals. Contributions may be made to the Millie Barrett Memorial Fund, in care of the Director of Development, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1. conference, and extended throughout her ift. 4.10 410 gol die 4111%. 41114. Ad AM 4/1110 AA. 010 Ole AO OW A. 4111 41 4,1 4011 ONO 4110 goer web dn 411110 "The people who belong here, whether they are born here or are here by choice, will tell you that it isn't so much that they chose this land The but that the land chose them. land, the bush, is the arbiter of everything here. The bush imposes a certain respect, a certain humility a certain healthy tempering of human a And it promotes arrogance. certain competence, an ability to deal with the essentials, to cope with harsh realities among those who belong here." MILDRED E. BARRETT 4% ONO ONO 4110 4110 ONO 4 40140 A* AO "0 ONO AO 41110 AM Ar "st 1924 - 1992 41% 4a ow ow AM ow, eminist Literature alwiroominwift*-- or feminists over 50 one of the most citing aspects of the women's movement Three months later the Northern Woman's Bookstore opened. as the discovery of feminist literature. nally, our voices were being heard, our henever we met, someone would bring th a book she had discovered that had hanged her life", and would loan this asure for others of us to eagerly devour. Dryden, Eagle Lake, Sioux Narrows, Terrace Bay, Geraldton, Hearst, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, resourcing Women's conferences; Women Healing gatherings; NW WITT conferences; violence, health, MPD, and urs would be spent discussing, digesting, 1.1701111K ITE MAMA% minist books trickled in to Thunder Bay-- Opening in the store-front cubby-hole of Women's Space on Bay St., then to N. okstore stocked a feminist section, and Court St., then Camelot St, the Bookstore now has a permanent home, sharing space with Equinox Enterprises at 65 S. Court St. wanted. Then we learned about the ronto Women's Bookstore, so whenever got to Toronto a day was spent there, sorbing this wonderful array of women's rds. Spending all our hard-earned vings we'd come home with a suitcase full books - again to be shared, digested and cussed. ny, many times over the years we talked out how we'd love to have a women's okstore in Thunder Bay, but all we did s yearn. Then one night in the fall of 83 the discussion reemerged at a Journal eting. We need a Bookstore! Let's do it! w can we start a Bookstore when we can rely get the Journal out? We can do it! impossible! Round and round the circle hours. At the end of the evening a cision was made, the Journal would not dertake a bookstore, but Anna McColl d Margaret Phillips, in partnership would. addiction workshops. A LITEAME owe Alki AI AVMs CA DIA LIMIS u couldn't find them at the library or ainstream bookstores, only the Co-op re helpful in ordering when we knew what women across Northwestern Ontario, providing a mail order service (anywhere in Canada) and taking (or sending) books to conferences and workshops throughout the region. The Bookstore has been to Kenora, periences analyzed, our history recovered. vouring our new insights and emotions. te Millet, Robin Morgan, Vivian Gornick, ulamith Firestone impacted on our lives d motivated us to feminist action. The Bookstore serves as a resource to Margaret, Mary Ann Kleynendorst and Rose Piths, purchased this home, in partnership, in 1992, and separately operate their respective services. Anna retired from active Bookstore partnership in 1988, but remains closely involved. As with all feminist bookstores, the Northern Woman's Bookstore is more than a "store", it is an information centre, a gathering place, sometimes a quite place to browse, sometimes an active place for feminist dialogue. On March 15th the Bookstore will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its official opening. A great anniversary party is planned and events and sales will continue all week. Come down and join in the fun. Starting with a mere 300 books, today the Northern Woman's Bookstore stocks over 2000 titles covering a broad spectrum of women's interests: feminist theory, violence issues, health, women's spirituality, lesbian, biography, women's history, self-help, recovery, psychology, education, work, older women, children, literary criticism, women's studies, Third World, environment, humour, poetry and fiction. Women's music, feminist periodicals, and greeting cards compliment the books. Rose has recently provided a new source of joy - a wonderful selection of women's jewellery. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Page 13 �Services The early years of feminist ferment quickly faced a contradiction: analysis/political action or service? (The interweaving of analysis, action and service remain a challenge.) From the moment there was a telephone number and an identifiable woman's space, individual women in crisis appeared. So many times the discussion group/action meeting got put on hold while a safe home for a battered woman was located; vehicles found to transport a woman's belongings in the dark of the night; a sympathetic lawyer contacted to provide advice; money raised to provide transportation out of town, or simply to buy food. The support individual women sought Throughout Northwestern Ontario the first issue that women organized around was battering. "It is a story of struggle, achievement, tears and celebration. Each women's simplistic BATTERING. in group had a dream, its approach. STOP PROTECT WOMEN. As women in each town addressed the tip of the problem, the iceberg rose from the water. The numbers and problems of battered women overwhelmed the vision in reality. As each organization toyed with the idea of opening a transition house, their covered the gamut of issues: legal, financial, health, violence, employment, education.... It quickly became apparent that there was a great need for services for women, provided by women, grounded in women's experience. battered sisters demonstrated there was no turning back. Women were in this issue for the long haul." Through the 1970s we find women bonding together to provide the service, the nurturing, the needed support. Creating women's centres, information and support groups, specific services and individual because of the unequal power relations support, women reached out to meet the needs of women in crisis. The development of these vital womencentred services progressed despite formidable barriers encountered along the way. Because of hundreds of thousands of volunteer 'woman-hours, services have been achieved. The energy, the personal and monetary sacrifices, and the considerable emotional stress required, demonstrates the depth of women's commitment to their sisters. It is not surprising that woman-battering issues have been a priority in Northwestern Ontario. Violence against women persists between men and women in our society. A patriarchal society that economically, socially, politically subscribes a second class status to women condones violence against women. Given the economic status of NWO women; the "male culture" of resource industries; the lack of child care; the scarcity of adequatelypaid jobs for women; the lack of recognition of the value of women's traditional work; NWO women are indeed vulnerable. While the root cause of battering - the power and privilege held by men - is still not seriously addressed in our society, NWO women have established services for battered women and have raised community consciousness about violence issues. structures often leave us bruised. But, women continue to strive for new modes of operating, new ways to empower women to create opportunities, make decisions, best suited to their needs. "respect for the right of individuals to choose the kind of maternity care that meets their needs, and the right to information which will enable them to make informed and responsible choices regarding childbirth options." As well as providing peer support, the CESG had some success in pressing the medical system to be more responsive to birthing mothers needs. The work of the Women's Health Information (see Networking) lead to the development of other community-based groups that addressed women's health and adequate funding brought into play a equality, the intransigence of patriarchal had a special interest in the physical and emotional health care provided to birthing mothers and couples. The group held a Network As services matured, the need for paid staff new dimension... feminists engaging with the state. The lessons learned have often been painful. The extent of hostility to women's The Childbirth Education and Support Group Twenty years ago there were no services. Today shelter services for battered women are provided in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Atikokan, Thunder Bay, needs in a number of NWO communities. Geraldton and the North Shore communities. Information and support groups have been an important service enriching the lives of Rape crisis centres developed in Thunder Bay and Kenora in the mid-70s and have continued to expand their services, with an ever-increasing demand for support for incest survivors. Over the years a number of groups have addressed the issue of pornography. Most recently attention is many NWO women. Reviewing the history of the Red Lake Women's Information Group (1980-87) we find an impressive story of educational being given to the insidious problem of activities and political action. Workshops and information sessions included: women sexual harassment. The work goes on. and addictions; financial management; violence issues; women and health; women through film; body images; women and Although often the first problem addressed, violence was by no means the only issue that brought women together. Women's health issues - physical, mental, emotional were high on the agenda. The Thunder Bay Post-Partum Counselling Services, a self- help and support group, formed in 1980. "The groups offered one-to-one support and weekly group meetings. When a depressed mother contacted the group she was given the phone number of a volunteer who was willing to listen, share similar experiences and offer reassurance. In a caring and sharing atmosphere, women discovered that they were not alone, that they were not "crazy", that they did have the power to regain control of their lives." decision making; economic development; pensions; stress; PMS; DES; breast selfexamination; assertiveness training; manmade language; child and family legislation; pornography (leading to a Pornography Working Group to plan ongoing public Action was taken around education). violence issues and child care. In 1985 the group produced and distributed an information pamphlet on day care, housing, affirmative action, and services for women in crisis - thus raising the visibility of these issues in the lead-up to the municipal election. These achievements are all the more noteworthy when we consider the transient nature of the town and the reality that the groups had to be regularly replenished as active members moved from the community. PDFNorthern compression, OCR, Woman Page 14 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Services The Ignace Women's Education/Information Group (1979-83) was a "bunch of women who wanted to make the most out of living". The group met regularly to discuss common concerns, promote workshops and training/education programs, and establish Women's Place Kenora Accepting the inevitability of the FRC, WPK submitted a proposal to operate the facility. Their proposal was rejected in favour of a One of the most amazing stories of feminist service is demonstrated by the herstory of Women's Place - Kenora (WPK). It is a chronicle of courage, determination, commitment and vision. group that had no experience in working access to resources (books, films, etc) of It began with a Women's Conference in interest to women. 1975 where the need for a women's centre and for rape crisis services were identified. A group of women "committed to the quality In of life for women" formed the Atikokan inadequate Women's Resource Centre (1981-85). The Centre was "a place where women with diverse interests could meet and share ideas, discuss concerns and take action. A resource library was set up to afford women greater access to information on status of women issues and other topics of interest. Guest speakers were featured at monthly meetings..assertiveness training offered. Volunteers were active in coordinating such activities as clothing, toy, coupon and skill exchanges, a food coop, and assisting Atikokan Crisis Centre in developing services for women in crisis. To keep area women informed a weekly column was published in the local paper." the AWARE, Bay Terrace with battered women. Ironically, WPK was asked to train the FRC crisis line workers. 1976, one woman, distressed by the service she had received, organized a group of volunteers to operate a rape crisis line. From the calls received it quickly became apparent that support for women experiencing all forms of abuse, not only rape, was needed. Thus a community organization - the Kenora Women's Crisis Intervention Project - formed with the goal of establishing a crisis centre, and the "grants" game began. For the next number of years the group survived from one short-term grant to another short-term grant with never sufficient funding to adequately meet needs. committed activist and founding mother of Kenora's Women's Place, Charlotte Holm In 1980 a suitable location was found to house the Crisis Centre but the municipality refused to approve the premises for sheltering, or to provide per diem funding. Women's Concurrent to all this political work, WPK reestablished a downtown Crisis Centre. (In a 10 day period in Nov. 1984 the Centre dealt Resource Group "developed a number of strategies to promote understanding of and action on women's issues in the with 24 women and children in need of community... space was acquired for a drop- assistance policies; they surveyed the availability and quality of services for battered and assaulted women; encouraged shelter.) in centre where women could meet other women and form mutual support networks. Information evenings and workshops were conducted communications, trained to lead workshops on women and addictions; a single parents groups was formed; and a committee formed to investigate the extent of wife battering in North Shore communities." Disappointed, but undaunted, the Centre (which incorporated as Women's Place Kenora in 1981) then undertook public education programs to sensitize the community to the issue of violence against women, and embarked on a capital fundraising campaign with the objective of WPK establishing a Transition House. broadened their horizons and organized a safe, legal abortion is a key example of such planned support. In the 1970s & 80s many NWO women were denied abortions in their home communities (even those communities where hospitals provided abortions). While wide range of activities including workshops on alternative health care, group dynamics, women and addictions, pensions and pornography. The Centre was also utilized for support groups such as MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and the Newcomers Club, as well as recreation and cultural activities. The Centre temporarily had to close when the lease expired in December 1982. However, service continued as the crisis line was moved to a member's home (files were stored to await new space and new funding). the situation has eased somewhat since the 1988 Supreme Court decision striking down Having raised some capital towards a down payment for a Transition House WPK Throughout history individual women have always provided support to other women in crisis. With the development of a feminist analysis the need to plan for situations of The needed support became clear. assistance provided to women seeking a the federal abortion law, there are still communities in our region without abortion services. Since the early 1970s a core group of Thunder Bay women have volunteered their time supporting and counselling women coming to Thunder Bay for their abortion, and accompanying (and fundraising for) women who have found it necessary to travel to Minneapolis, and later Duluth, to obtain their abortions. The work of this group of women has been largely unrecognized (except for the gratitude of the women supported) but has been (is) a vital service to women. in getting "Images of Women" .... which "clarified the connections between violence against sexism, family law, women and violence, The and women in single industry towns impact of these activities can be assessed in part by what came after. Volunteers were succeeded health and justice agencies to develop protocols; and conducted six workshops on women and addictions, assertiveness, ..?vtraining, They improvements to the Town's emergency applied to Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (which had a program to build shelters). While CMHC was receptive, the mortgage was dependent on the commitment of the municipalities to provide per diem funding... which was again denied. women in the home, at work, and on the streets. In 1986 a workshop "Equality Under Law" was co-sponsored with the community Legal Clinic; and many years of analysis and focus on the justice system's response to women victims of violence was rewarded when the province selected Kenora for a Victim/Witness Advocacy Program. (The province, of course, did not recognize WPK as contributing to this decision, and they rejected WPK's offer to consult in the development and implementation of the program.) the "By keeping the issues visible and holding agencies accountable WPK was able, albeit slowly, to create a climate for change within the community." Supported by other community agencies, WPK pressed the Ontario Housing Corporation to increase the availability of subsidized housing for abused women and single-parent, female-headed families, and in 1987 forty housing units were approved. The rape crisis centre continued to operate with volunteers... and the occasional shortterm grant. WPK's goal to provide a Transition House was further frustrated when, in 1983, the province intervened and offered municipalities 100% capital funding for WPK Family Resource Centres (FRC). presented a critique of the FRC project to the municipality and the province, however 8 0 the Town accepted the Ministry's offer. Northern Woman Page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �A most positive development came in 1987 when WPK received a major capital grant to purchase a house. WPK gives much credit to the other women's groups of Decade Council who supported their quest for this funding. The new home providing office, library and meeting space (a large meeting room was later added) quickly became a "well-utilized centre for community women". ms y WPK activities have also flourished (and in 1993 staff support secured when the province began funding women's centres). Open meetings are held monthly with timely and provocative speakers, films and discussions. WPK sponsored the 1992 Woman Healing Gathering, organized a Women and Addictions conference, and co- sponsored workshops Self- on Empowerment, and on "Sexual Harassment: A Workplace Hazard". Take Back the Night marches and December 6th memorials are held annually. Lobbying and letter writing continues. The whole area of family law, separation and divorce, and support and custody issues A have been extensively worked on. Women and Family Law Forum was held and a booklet "Moving On: A Woman's Guide through the Separation and Divorce Process" produced. The meeting room provides a wonderful safe and comfortable space for many community groups (Nursing Moms; Women for Sobriety; self -help groups, etc.) to hold regular gatherings, as well as groups/agencies holding one-time events/training sessions. Indeed it is a 'well-used community woman's space', and the ever expanding library -tiOt936\ is a valuable resource to the community. participated in the provincial campaign to increase awareness of rape and sexual assault by producing a fact card that was mailed to 6000 households,- and sponsored a week long radio campaign and circulated additional cards to local social service agencies. Much energy also went to letter writing campaigns re violence issues, free trade and privatization. In 1990 the Ontario government made funds available to Rape Crisis Centres, and finally Kenora was able to hire full-time staff and "actually engage in planning our program and activities, rather than just responding on a crisis basis". With crisis services secured Survivor WPK could expand activities. groups were facilitated, group facilitators roses too", WPK also plans fun events bringing in feminist theatre and musicians to help Kenora women celebrate. perseverance, the commitment of the women of WPK is a The stellar energy, experience. The NWJ salutes Women's Place Kenora and the many hundreds of women in communities across Northwestern Ontario working to ensure their communities courses held, and a Cross Cultural Forum safer place Incest organized. for women. and Child Sexual Abuse service for women, by women, grounded in women's are on the example of feminist trained, a resource guide for abused women "Out of the Shadows" produced, WEN-DO ...is superior entertainment for local women. Thanks to our already loyal fans (women who have attended the Coffeehouse more than once) and their friends, the Superior Women's Coffeehouse has enjoyed tremendous success. Since last July, Coffeehouse audiences have been entertained by many local women, including: Believing that women must have "bread but Anti-violence work continued. In 1988 WPK SUPERIOR WOMEN'S COFFEEHOUSE Nancy St. Jarre and Sue Paskoski, Josie Joyce Michalchuk, Glenna McLeod, Nancy MacGibbon, Val Saunders and Ellafern Poindexter. The highlight of the Wallenius, season was a performance by Heather Bishop on January 22nd. Coffeehouse performers are now booked into the summer. In addition to musical performances, our audiences enjoy poetry reading and storytelling, art exhibits, craft displays and, of course, coffee and treats at each event. The Superior Women's Coffeehouse takes place at the Unitarian House on S. Algoma on the third Saturday of every second month. Translation - the next Coffeehouse will happen on Saturday March 19th at 8:00 All women and their friends pm. are welcome. Admission is really cheap and it is the place to be in Thunder Bay...If you (or someone you know) is interested in performing at the Coffeehouse, contact Jane through the Northern Women's Bookstore. a better and Thank you to all who have supported us so To ensure a clear distinction far assault services and activities the Kenora Sexual Assault Centre incorporated as a separate entity in 1991. Let's audience, performers and workers. keep the Superior Women's Coffeehouse open for a good long time. between women's centre - See you on March 19th. Since permanent funding was secure the KSAC has been able to reach out to district women through the group support program providing group facilitation training and selfhelp training. Local community work has included developing a protocol with the hospital and police services to respond to victims of sexual assault; public education sessions including the "Break the Cycle" 22/ WOMEN'S campaign; development of a manual for self- help survivor groups; work with local high school students by sponsoring a date rape poster contest; co-sponsorship of a sexual harassment workshop; and establishing a district wide 24-hour toll free crisis line Marion MacAdam Project Co-ordinator APRENrICESHIP Ommeowg otaw-wo%mi RtOJECT Royal Canadian Legion Building 300 McClellan Avenue Kenora, Ontario P9N 1A8 TEL: (807) 468-3698 FAX: (807) 468-3051 (1-800-565-6161). individual counselling, facilitation of survivor groups and training of crisis-line workers continues. Northern Woman Page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �FROM THE JOURNAL FILES itorial Survivors! Determined, persevering, resilient Survivors. As the NORTHERN WOMAN enters our twelfth year of publication we conclude that we - that Northwestern Ontario women - that all women - are survivors. Preparing this Anniversary issue and consequently reviewing all our past issues, has prompted our mixed emotions! A joyful nostalgia for the excitement, the optimism, the birth of awareness that the early Journals evoked. A sense of pride for the creativity, the courage, the excellence of Northwestern Ontario women writers. A disheartening recognition of how little change has occurred in the institutions/attitudes/actions that oppress women. Be it 1973 or 1984 the issues remain - violence, reproductive rights, economic equality, health care, day care - and on Legally, equality under the constitution is essentially a'paper tiger. Provinces play the major role in enSocially, forcement of human rights. women are losing their traditional power Sources, but are NOT GAINING IN TRADITIONAL MALE POWER STRUCTURES. These economic hard times are making the feminist take a back seat. Welfare mothers are being forced to find work in jobless economic markets with no availability of child care. Men as a class are coming down hard on women as a class--especially poor women--because we still are basically powerless. and on. OH BROTHER Thus as we observe our anniversary we do celebrate the courage, the strength, the survival of women; yet we understand the need for unrelenting analysis and constant vigilance. Dear Viola: In response to your request for written support regarding a name change for the Lakehead University's "Man In Society" course please allow me to explain that the-term "man in VOLUME the 'phrase "Man and Society" 'is in this instance, the generic, term mean- ing "all people". Similarily, the pronoun "his" can also be used generically as in the common phrase "Man and His World". We must never forget that the word "man", when used generically, includes, the female. I have not seen the course outline for "Man and Society" but I imagine it covers all the aspects of a man's life. No doubt it deals with basic anatbmy. For example, under the heading "Man's Body" (which of course refers to male and female -) one could Study man and his heart, man and his ovaries, man and his fallopian tubes, the breasts of man. The life stages of man would be included. Topics would be: man at puberty, man's menstruation, man as father, man as mother, man as husband, man as wife, the end of the-childbearing years-the menopause of man. As one man to another, Viola, I am interested in all education which promotes the brotherhood of man. I have discussed this with other men of good will including my sister. I.ama man of two, minds about this question but I am also a daughter. I will abide by my mother's opinion for I believe that, when tinkering with the language, all generations should be consulted. Besides, isn't it true that we are not the men our mothers were? If I could consult ber man to: man, I know that she would firmly state that the use of the word generically to mean all people somehow--illogically perhaps--leaves out half of alf mankind. Yours sincerely, Joan Baril March 1982 Editoriai: Our Heritage ISSU True to her Taurian nature, the paper has stubbornly persisted, bouncing back into publication from innumerable bouts of self-criticism, colic, fractures, diversity diarrhea, hnd funding influenza. Her health 3 i -as stabilized for the time being and the bright-eyed collective, hone f-om past experience, .2.o have learned t-e proper perscription to ensure , --be4_ng c,f 1-.1.3 Northern Woman. EDITORIAL For most of us involved in the Feminist Movement, - instant recognition of our oppression was very unlikely. It is more probable to assume.that although we were exposed to inequalities and sexism very early in our girlhood, this recognition of our oppression did not occur, or was not acknowledged as being a problem of being born a female. However, if it was recognized at all, it was likely to be viewed as a personal .Not a universal oppression. The growing 'stages of our awareness (raising of our consciousness) can be compared to the rungs of a ladder. We all began on the bottom rung. ConsciOusness-raising is the first step up from the bottom rung. Our educational system and ourday-to-day living does not usually provide us with the perceptions and knowledge that allow us to effectively discern areas of discontent and oppression. External influences such as women's conferences, women's centres, feminist literature, rap sessions with our friends, women's studies, films, conscious ness-raising (CR) groups, do contribute to internal recognition of our oppression. Click, click. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Page`17 Northeiil Womari �FROM THE JOURNAL FILES 1988 Volume 11 No. Pro oChoice And then there was the Abortion Caravan's journey through Thunder Bay. Beginning on the west coast the Abortion Caravan travelled across the cour*try gathering support and momentum for their Ottawa protest of the abortion law (1970). Meetings were organized along the way and Caravan members and local women gave personal testimony to the need to repeal the law. Apparently the Caravan's western stops had been supportive but uneventful... the gatherings mostly committed pro-choicers. Then they reached Thunder Bay. The Women's Liberation Group in their enthusiasm and idealism had widely promoted a public meeting... and the crowds came ... the small basement church hall was overflowing ... irimarily with pro-choice supporters. but including a small, vocal group ot anti-choice women and their "brothers" who persistently disrupted the meeting's agenda. Apparently frustrated by the pro-choice speakers calmness and logic, the anti-abortionists broke up the meeting with a vitriolic display of verbal abuse... which spilled out into the streets where deflammatory accusations of a personal nature nearly caused a riot. Totally stunned by this amazing experience, the Abortion Caravan-continued on to Ottawa apparently blanking out this experience as the Thunder Bay stop is omitted from all of the Caravan's historical accounts. Women's Liberation meanwhile matured their political sophistication. Editorial Many months ago, as the Northern Woman Journal collective was meeting to plan future issues of The Northern Wbman, we suddenly found ourselves engrossed in a discussion of our (i.e. omen's) situation. Many hours later Donna (who always discusses with pen and paper in hand) brought to our attention key words she had heard us say. Restricting. Inhibiting. Tied up. Locked. Cramped. Confined. Limit. Cage. Stopped. Caught. Duty. Subordinate. Trapped. Silence. Inferior. Blocked. Excluded. And so, this "Prisonssissue was born. Prisons is not a cheerful topic. Yet, an understanding that the factors that imprison women are systemic is crucial. The "prisons" imposed by rape, battering, pornography, sexual harassment, denial of reproductive rights will only be counteracted when we fully understand them as issues of male power and control. The dilemmas women face regarding double work days, inadequate day care, isolation, and 'super-woman' exhaustion will be rationalized only when we understand the tyranny of the "institutions" of marriage and motherhood, and can separate the "institution" from our very normal desire for warm, caring relationships. Wye will only regain control of our own well-fare when we ad knowledge the misogyny of many "experts" (medical practioners, counsellors, etc.) who have usurped women's traditional healing roles. And it is important to recognize and analyze the renewed economic oppressions women are experiencing - blanketed by that over-used term recession. Let's fade it, the governments' (6&5 and 9&5) restraint programs are a direct attack on wormn.-It is not accidental that in Canada poverty is largely a female phenomena. Urging an examination of the prisons that restrict us is meant not to depress us, but to empower us. It is only when we understand and acknowledge the roots ot the oppression of women, that we will develop the strength, the courage and the creativity to demolish the 1prisons EQUINOX ENTERPRISES Call Maryann at 346-4600 or 577-6090 Jane -of -All- Trades General Maintenance and Home Repair Drywalling, Painting and Wallpapering Furniture Refinishing Shelving & Custom Wood Furniture Decks and Sheds Reasonable rates! Willing to tackle any job you need doing Northern Woman PageOCR, 18 V web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor PDF compression, �Book Review The "bridging of generations" is an important NAC theme in Canadian feminism. benefited from the experience of other Politics as if Women Mattered: A Political The premise of this book is that given the national women's organizations - particularly Analysis of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, by Jill Vickers, Pauline Rankin, Christine Appelle; University of Toronto Press, 1993 failure of male-stream politics to incorporate the concerns that women have advanced for this past 100 years, "women's movements can and must develop enduring institutions the National Council of Women (which celebrates its 100th year in 1993). As well, working in coalitions has always been important. through which their efforts to gain equality Reviewed by Margaret Phillips If you have ever engaged in feminist discussions about reform/revolution; action/ service; process/task; professionalism/grass roots; to take/not take government funding, you will find this book interesting, instructive, thought-provoking and satisfying. can be organized over the course of several generations." One such coalition the Committee for the Only within women's movements - that women control - will a political analysis, derived from women's experience and perspective, develop. As a 'parliament of women," operating parallel to the political system Canadian women's movements develop a political analysis " as if women Women) was established to lobby for the creation of the Royal Commission on the Equality of Women (later restructured as the National Ad Hoc Committee on the Status of mattered." In fact, Politics As If Women Mattered: A wave" feminists (of whichever ideological distinction) as its analysis will inform our understanding of the Canadian women's movement, and help clarify our analysis of the successes and failures of the feminist of the royal commission, and they thereby came to represent an radical and leftist grass roots grafted on to NAC's founding course of several generations. coalition. organizations in which we are (were) involved. The book will also be important Politics As if Women Mattered is not, the authors make clear, a history of NAC, but is a political analysis based on the study of available NAC documentation. The period under study is 1972-1988. On first glance it seems unfortunate that the study ended in 1988, given the significant and remarkable challenges and changes NAC has experienced in the past five years. But with the evolution of NAC and the now-proven enduring nature of the organization it is appropriate that the present stage and continuing development of NAC as a vital Canadian political Institution" be recorded in a future document. A A Initially an organization of convenience, NAC became the arena in which such conflicting understandings of the condition of women could be debated and explored. As a result, it came to take on a unique role as a "parliament of women." Organized in 1972, from the Strategies for Change Conference, NAC originated with the limited mandate of lobbying to ensure the recommendations of the Royal Commission of the Status of Women were The ideological diversity of NAC's membership was However, NAC quickly advanced to an organization remarkable, which NAC's credibility consistently has been based on its claim of representing women better than did any other existing political It structures. The authors conclude that "NAC made good on this claim. In particular, the ideological diversity of its membership was bridge between generations of feminists". INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY FAIR Tuesday, March 8, INFORMATION 1994 7:00 p.m. Scandia Room, Valhalla Inn Guest Speaker: DR. SHIRIN KUDCHEDKER SNDT Women's University Bombay, India was between generations feminists. polity. remarkable, as was its ability to act as a as its ability to act as a bridge developed feminist approaches to public <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< A A A lobbying were the initial majority of NAC representatives of the new, radical "grass Conference also participated from the "In time, these new groups beginning. developed an analysis of the oppression of women that was distinctly different from that Women's movements can and must develop enduring institutions through which their efforts to gain equality can be organized over the Christine Appelle, is an important book for all "second and organization of the movement. While traditional feminists with experience in voices heard at the Strategy for Change Committee on the Status of Women, by Jill for young women and for newly-involved women as a herstory of the English Canadian women's movement and the evolution of NAC" as the prime national became the founding mothers of NAC. roots" feminist groups who had made their Political Analysis of the National Action Vickers, Pine Rankin Status of Women; and many of its members of is this ability of women from different generations and diverse ideological persuasions to work together under one A V A V A V A V A V A V V A A V V TOPIC: Violence Against Women: A Comparison of Canadian and Indian Experiences A A V V A A BROUGHT TO YOU BY: V A V The Public Service Alliance of Canada/Thunder Bay Regional Women's Committee V A A V Thunder Bay Immigrant & Visible Minority Women's Organization V A A V V A The Women's Committee of the Thunder Bay & District Labour Council A V V A A V V A A V V A A V V A A V V A A V A V A umbrella organization that significantly differentiates the Canadian Women's Movement from the United States movement. Canadian women's willingness to engage with the state and to accept government funding also differs from American feminism which (at least in the Republican era) as been strongly antistatism. The authors discuss the influence on feminism of the political environment of the liberal era which they Canadian term 'radical liberalism', which "embodied a commitment to the ordinary political process, a belief in the welfare state, a belief in the efficacy of state action in general to remedy injustices, a belief that change is possible, a belief that dialogue is useful and may help promote change, and a belief that service or helping others is a valid contribution to the process of change." Northern Woman Page 19 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Book Review Groups such as the Voice of Women and the Committee for Equality coalition became feminist in purpose while remaining "traditional in their views of politics and organization and adhered to a reformist, rather than radical, analysis of women's situation". The new grass roots groups embodied 'radical feminism' with the focus on gender as the source of oppression. Despite these conflicting perspectives there was a willingness by both groups to work together resulting in "the Canadian tradition of integrative feminism." The now grass roots groups embodied 'radical feminism' with the focus on gender as the source of oppression. One result of the years of internal turmoil was that "some members of the executive were beginning to care far more about the integrity of NAC and its political processes than about the factions represented on the issues in dispute. This commitment would status in their quest for changes to the be the basis on which the institutionalization of NAC could begin... It also reflected the emergence of integrative feminism as the pursue a more militant, collective-rights intellectual basis for parliament of women! individual rights and its failure to defend NAC's role as a Indian Act. But this was an "individual rights issue...and status women, more intent on collective rights were never significantly involved with Throughout NAC. the 1980s...many aboriginal women came to approach, which rejected white feminism for a number of reasons, including its stand on aboriginal collective rights Charter negotiations." during the The final era discussed, 1982-1988, is titled Institutionalizing NAC. The authors "use the term institution in reference to an instrument of social organization that exercises collective power over a number of generations." Recognition is given to the discomfort many feminists feel about "institutions," but it is considered that feminists now have the experience of a woman-centred perspective to the Free Trade debate and Meech Lake (and more recently the Referendum) moved NAG into "a full-fledged feminist politics." This entry It is within the third era that NAC developed "feminist approaches to conventional political issues that transcend the more limited status-of-women approach." Bringing 'male' under study 1972-1988 is considered to have these distinct stages. creating our own institutions and that new into women see our institution as "natural." The founding era 1972-78 had the dominant objective of lobbying for Royal Commission politicians but resonates well with many women who can link the analysis to their This third period studied saw NAC gradually resolve the conflicts that had so stressed it; develop internal structures more acceptable particular experiences. to the membership; and develop a high policy seriously represented one of the most important advances NAC had ever made as an institution of an enduring women's movement." The period implementation, yet the 'radical' feminists advanced alternatives, particularly, the issue of violence/sexual assault (absent from the R.C. report) required NAC to develop policy positions. During this period two government departments - Women's Programs of the Secretary of State, and Status of Women Canada were established, and the quasigovernmental Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women appointed these three state structures also "shaped NAC's political environment:4' NAC assumed that government funding should be sought (without considering how this would affect NAC's options). By the end of the era the new generation of feminists held the majority on NAC executive, and the move from Royal Commission preoccupation and to a new role for NAC began. The founding era "equipped NAC for the changes ahead, in that the political experience of the older generation of feminists had been transmitted to the younger generation." The Transitional Era, 1979-1982 was a period of conflict for NAC with energy consumed by the issues of internal structure; government funding; membership accountability; executive accountability; voluntarism vs paid staff; as well as basic purpose (i.e. lobbying or being the focal point of a transformative movement). Why such conflict? The experiences of the founding members and the new generation concerning political process was significantly different, as were their views on what "feminist politics" should be. Nonetheless ... "The realities of politics, economics, and geography in Canada had forced women from all factions to come together to conduct politics with a shared structure and consequently, to deal with, rather than avoid, the conflict..." and that "the resolution of that conflict bore practical fruit." public profile. In this era NAC dramatically increased its membership becoming more inclusive (lesbians, women with disabilities, immigrant women, visible-minority women, prostitutes), as well as more broadly based in terms of issues of concern to member groups (violence; sexual harassment; pornography). NAC also became the focal target of the anti-feminist movement - and became strengthened by the solidarity of traditional and radical feminists in the wake of the Right's attack. The authors suggest that "..it is because of umbrella structures such as NAC that efforts to drive wedges among different elements of the women's movement have been less effective in Canada than in other countries." While becoming more inclusive in the past decade, NAC has not been successful in achieving significant involvement of Quebec francophone women or First Nation's women. The relationship of Quebec francophone women to NAC is discussed throughout the analysis. The FFQ (Federation des femmes du Quebec) joined, left, re-joined, left again during the study period. The FFQ, a 'liberal- feminist' organization was viewed (by government and others) as the critical Quebec women's organization, however, it is noted that "francophone feminism in Quebec developed institutionally separate wings, with revolutionary left and radical feminists resisting organizational involvement with liberal-feminist groups such as the FFQ....Moreover the development of a territory is threatening to "The development within NAC of a public-policy debate that took women seriously and that took public Bringing a woman-centred perspective to the Free Trade debate and Meech Lake moved NAC into a fullfledged feminist politics. In a concluding chapter the authors ask 'Can NAC survive'? and conclude that NAC will become increasingly important. "Ironically, the very fact that most women know that changes needed to eliminate the poverty, violence, and degradation that often marks their lives will not come quickly makes it likely that NAC, like its model, the National Council of Women of Canada, will survive for many more decades." The only NAC conference I have attended was the founding conference in 1972. While not active, I have always supported NAC, and have observed its evolution with keen interest. In discussions critical of NAC (including threats to withdraw membership) my reaction has always been - NAC is all we have, and we need it. From a vantage point of 20 years involvement in Northwestern Ontario feminism it is clear that the power structures of our society will not advance the equality of women. In fact the anti-woman agenda grows stronger. Feminists have to admit that our progress has been minuscule; and agree that it will take several progressive form of nationalism in Quebec shifted the focus of many younger francophone feminists to collective rather generations to begin to accomplish the than individual rights claims...these collective claims set feminism in francophone quebec us well and we can only hope it will grow and strengthen and ensure a Canadian on a trajectory that anglophone feminists political culture "as if women mattered.' goals that in the 1970s we naively believed would be quickly achieved. NAC has served within NAC would take some time to understand." (Because NAC was wreaked with internal conflicts they could not give leadership on the issue of the Canadian Constitution. It was a quickly mobilized coalition of women the AD HOC COMMITTEE - that dealt with the constitution crisis and won for Canadian Women equality guarantees. The networks NAC had developed were, however, very The concept of individual rights rather than collective rights is also a major factor in NAC's inability to include many First Nation's women's organizations. NAC was a leading supporter of Mary Two Axe Early and other Native women who had lost their important to the AD HOC Committee.) PDF compression, OCR, Northern Woman Page 2 0 web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �sassed ties. Mel INIOltransa $s. SOU L TO: rA01AriP)^ RETURN TO: f_)00 giCk tin Kamm WWI P.O. DOI 144 THUNDER RAT, ONTARIO ;Na -r.CANik-11'(\ tri--E, JOURNAL P7C 4V RI Patera Postage Guaranteed IS TEM AN ASTERISK ON TOUR LABEL ?? .EASE RENEW TOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't for_got to wow your SUBSCRIPTION NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE individual prodticed $8.00 inditutionel $16.00 NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL Consetweil WO* Margaret Phillips viele\e PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario CHRIS SEDER 034EsNus°E'Is P7C 4115 RAE ANNE limey ERN 9RT IN MARGARET JOH sToN Celebrating Northwestern 9MAN 7URAIAL Ontario Women PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 15 No 2-3 Description An account of the resource Vol. 15, No 2 & 3 (March 1994) Title: Northern Woman Journal: Celebrating Northern Women’s Activism Topics include: Sexual assault centres Women’s centres Transition houses Support groups Economic development Violence against women Pensions Health Early childhood educators Population control discourse Feminist book review Panel on violence Pornography Trans identities in film Feminist book review Winnipeg Women’s Health Clinic Women in Northwestern Ontario Networking for women in Northwestern Ontario Women’s conferences Feminists and political action/activism Midwifery Home birth Atikokan Crisis Centre Feminist literature Services for northern women Women’s Place Kenora History of the journal Pro-choice Feminist book review Authors/Contributors: Josie Wallenius Michele Proulx Jocelyn J. Paquette Mickey Koivisto Lori Gilbert Michele Proulx Lynne Thornburg Leni Untinen Fiona Karlstedt Noreen Dunbar Gert Beadle Ruby Chumway Rae Anne Honey Margaret Phillips Margaret Johnston Jane Saunders Chris Snyder Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1994-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2833/1994_Vol_15_No_4.pdf d600de177c316ab0357c44e10fbeb278 PDF Text Text $2.00 04 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO co 7 September 1994 7200 14003 Volume 15 Number 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �As the NWJ goes to press, representatives of governments throughout the world are meeting in Cairo at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). What is critical for women worldwide is whether the recommendations and action stemming from this Conference will provide for "development" that will accommodate women's social, health and economic needs; or will it again focus on "population" and population control policies that are inherently abusive to women. Will women's voices be heard in Cairo? Will an alternative to population control be advanced? Will governments recognize that the women whose lives are most directly affected must be allowed to determine their own needs and solutions in relation to fertility control, health and development within their own contexts? "Women need access to safe and effective methods of birth control and abortion. But population programs that merely involve the distribution of contraceptives in the absence of education, improved health care, credit and productive resources, jobs, economic security and legal protection from exploitation and violence is of limited value and can sometimes do great harm" states Karen Seabrooke of Inter Pares. The population control lobby (which includes multi-national pharmaceutical companies) is powerful. Unfortunately, many mainstream media pundits have become mired in the population control camp. It is urgent that feminists analyze the "population issue" and put forward the alternative vision. fact, women have been working internationally in this regard for years (e.g. Comilla Declaration, Bangladesh 1989, N60 In Treaty on Population, Environment and Women, Rio, 1992). Those familiar with population control programs in developing countries know that these programs are coercive, exploitative and harmful to women. We also know that poor women, women of colour, and disabled women are targeted for fertility reduction. Forced sterilization of Aboriginal and Inuit women, black women and disabled Canada. women has occurred in Canada is involved in population control through domestic and foreign policies. Canadian women must understand the issue in both a national and international context. The Canadian Women's Committee on Reproduction, Population and Development came together because of a felt need to present a Canadian feminist perspective on population issues. Their recently produced report is essential reading for everyone concerned with women's well-being. by MARGARET PHILLIPS PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �TRADITIONAL TO NON- TRADITIONAL Teresa Legowski interviewed Mary Feawasige at her home in Ear Falls. Teresa: started? How did your profession get Mary: I was very young when I got married (17) and then I started having children, one after the other. By the time I was 25 I had five girls; the The police said just to throw him out. Right! I was only 120 pounds then and he was 210 Teresa: How old were the girls at this time? - how am I to throw him out? So he got a job here too and moved into the house. What could I do? I was stuck again. He Mary: My oldest daughter was 13 when my husband and I split up, so the twins were in daycare after school until I would get home, or one of the older girls would go pick them up and bring them home. If it was afternoon shift I'd have sitters come in or sometimes the neighbours would come in. But I'll tell you, the girls really helped out an awful lot. stayed around here for a year and things got really, really drastic. Things really came to last two were twins. My marriage was not going good. This went on for 12 years and then I finally got a job for a a head. construction company for the summer. got a gun after him and told him, that's it, have no protection. I told him if you come through that door you're going to get shot just don't come because I'd taken enough abuse and wasn't taking it anymore. So that's what happened and somebody I When it was over I was on unemployment in 1975 which was the year they were really pushing people to take courses. job What was your construction company? Teresa: in He ended up leaving forcibly because I kind of flipped out, I guess, and the phoned the police and they came down and, of course, if had the gun that was a different story - they were going to take it away from me but an hour before he'd had a knife to me and the children had phoned the police. never did give the gun up. took the bullets out and laid it on the table. I Mary: I was just a flag person on the road. (I don't say flag man, I say flag person.) So, they were pushing to take these courses and the only thing I could see was I'd been with my husband for fourteen years, I was I kind of used to the bush. I'd go out and help cut firewood and use the powersaw. They had a cutter and skidder course. So I thought, well, I know the money in the bush is good. I've got no education, no way to support these girls. There was no way in the world I was going on welfare. So I took I the one-person slasher again for 12-13 years until last spring when I went on a delimber. It's been 17 years that I've been working in the bush. At the beginning when first anywhere near Ear Falls at all. He has come the odd time in the last few years. He stopped in to see one of my daughters. don't have a problem with him anymore, it's finally over. I I in the bush. So I went to Manpower and told them of all the discrimination and I got a phone call the next day...Do you want a job? YES! You have to move to Ear Falls. Where's Ear Falls? So, he explained it all to me and at that point in time I didn't trust him too much so I made him give me a letter in writing that within thirty days of moving to Ear Falls that I would be working and if wasn't, they had to pay my wages. So this was how it happened. He gave me the I Mary: No. We saw each other quite often. J.S. and usually always worked the same I shift so we were always together. We ran started with the powersaw felling trees. never did like a powersaw very well. I saw they finally did put in were so bad that they my ex-husband cut from his toes to his head with powersaw cuts and I was really always powersaw looks like and you're putting them So did you see each other or did you work on separate crews? Teresa: I I I I came here there were three other women bunchers at night usually just the two of us. Sometimes one would break down and one would stay out by herself. In those days we Then I started working here in the bush. said, OK, that's fine. That's all wanted to know because know you've been hiring 17 yr old boys off the street and you're not supposed to hire anybody in the bush unless they're 18. I've had my name in here for a year - I'm qualified, I've taken courses; these kids don't even know what a I In the meantime I was still working; I believe I was on that buncher for three years. Then I went on to a one-person slasher for a year and then to a three-person slasher. I was on that for two years and then I went back to even ride the bus if you're on it to go to work. and that was it, the discussions went on. There was no subject that was ever taboo. It was, if it bothers you, let's hear it. If somebody did something to you, let's hear about it. Everything always came out in the open so it was actually pretty good. and the Reeve here in Ear Falls and the doctor's wife. I had everybody going and then in one day things finally got done. had a bond put against my husband and he couldn't come within a hundred mile radius of me. !f he did he would get chargett wttr I attempted murder and he would definitely go Thank goodness - I've had no to jail. problems since. He couldn't come women too. I was told that he had talked to the guys and they absolutely said they won't that was family night. The dishes were done Then finally a judge got involved and lawyers I the course, did excellent, finished, put my name in at that time. It took me awhile - I kept going in reapplying and phoning bugging them. Finally a year later they told me: We're not going to hire you because of the fact you're a woman. I said that wasn't a very smart thing to say really. That was the year there was kind of a push for the We had a very close family - we always talked one night a week (Thursday night), didn't have two-way radios and the ones wouldn't go further than 12 miles - all crackling and wouldn't work right. So a lot of times you were out there by yourself. very afraid of that saw because they can kick back so fast. I wasn't afraid of being maimed, you know, or scarred, I just didn't want to lose an arm. Then, they needed a had a few episodes which weren't too much fun. Now I can laugh about them. skidder operator so I got on that and was on Teresa: Can you describe one of them? I that for a few months and then I went on a feller buncher. It was a little easier, but then it was shiftwork. That's when the problems started a little bit more at home with the kids. I was working on the buncher and J.S.'s buncher had broken down. She had more seniority and to her if you had more seniority, you had the right to go home and I had to stay there and work. On this day Mary: one winter I started felling - I had a truck and drove it to the landing, then I started cutting wood and in came a snow storm. It was a letter. doozer and the wind picked up and was So, I came out here and started working and blowing and I was thinking that the little road I came in on was plowed very narrow and I in the meantime husband where I had split-up with my been living in Wabigoon. When I moved here to Ear Falls, I had he followed and I couldn't get rid of him. I called the police and told them we were going into our separation and that this was my house, I paid the rent, it's in my name. knew that it would be drifted right full. I 9:00 and thought I'm not worked until staying out here any longer, so I brought the machine to the landing and got on the truck. I made it through the first 2 snow drifts and the third one just pulled me right in and I was stuck. The camp was 2 miles away or better so I walked to camp, got a skidder Northern Woman Journal Page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �job. So, you have to do it. It's gotta be ten and brought it back and hooked it on to the truck, but with nobody steering it I was just pulling it from one bank into the other one. So finally I took my boot lace off and tied years since there have been no other women working out in the bush except myself - there's no other woman working in the bush for C.P. but myself. D.C. went on staff and she was scaling for a while and then quit - she didn't want to do it anymore. J.S. decided to go to Edmonton and the steering wheel to the side window (straight so it couldn't turn). I finally got the truck out and by the time I got home it was 2:30 in the morning and I started at 9:00 to get out of there. Calgary. Teresa: That's what they say - necessity is the mother of invention. It's always the female who thinks of these things! So there are no younger women coming up in the ranks at all? Teresa: Mary: One other night I was broken down on the buncher way back in the bush and I had a long way to walk out. Of course, my Mary: No. There are no other women in there except myself. They haven't hired anybody since 1986 (no men or women). flashlight was dead - what else is new? This is They won't be hiring either because now we have a contract (letter of understanding) that we are on a protected list - we have our jobs in January - cold again - it's always in winter they freeze. It was a bright night but really cold - it must have been thirtysome below but I had a parka on and was warm and started walking out. It was real quiet could hear this "crunch, and thought crunch." until the day we die or retire, whichever There won't be any new comes first. people. It's a shame because then women won't get a chance to get into it. I I I stopped and listened and it would stop. Then I'd walk again and hear it again. You don't realize being a female that you have so many body hairs that can all stand up at the same time! I almost felt like my parka was expanding - it was the most eerie feeling because you know there's something there but you can"t see it. Something was following me - knew it I wasn't a person. I kept going and saying, couldn't run don't panic, don't run. anyway with the big boots had on and there were stumps and trees all over; would have fallen flat on my face. All of a sudden I tA, the outline of the truck and I made a wild dash for it. The next day the I I I foreman checked - there were three wolves stalking me. Just in the bushline they were walking all the way beside me. That's a weird feeling. They say wolves won't attack but they like to stalk and they're very curious. It's a weird feeling to be out there all by yourself and you have nothing - no weapon, no flashlight and you know your vehicle is a long way away. Teresa: She met a guy there and got married and didn't come back. I'm the only one left out there. When you first started, this man said to you that the guys wouldn't even want you on the bus with them, in terms of their attitude towards women out there. How did you find it when you started to work? Teresa: working You said that when you started shift work that's when mentioned some of the ways you tried to overcome that. What exactly was starting to happen? Mary: The girls were getting older and into their teens and they were starting to think about boys and that kind of stuff and I used to tell them to invite one or two friends over and stay there and watch tv or play games. My house was always full of kids but at least knew where my girls were. The guys would drop me off in the bus in front of my place and there were kids around the front door, around the back door and they'd say said, know how can you stand that? I I I where my kids are, do you know where yours are? - fishing, building a big deck in the back (myself and the girls built it all by ourselves). I had a camper and we'd go swimming, fishing and We always spent our water skiing. weekends together. I had the odd boyfriend but I didn't want to put the girls in that position, and myself too; I didn't trust men anymore for awhile. I just kind of stayed away from them. I was Mary: It wasn't so bad here because there were other women already ahead of me who brought up in the city - when I was married, we used to live in two - three room shacks had been working in the bush and the with no water, no electricity and wash majority of them had proved that they were clothes on a scrub board. That's what was moved to Ear Falls 17 happening until very good workers. You take a lot of ribbing; you take a lot of kidding. You get a lot of dirty jobs that nobody else will do. But if you problem. do your job, there isn't any Teresa: So it's a matter of proving yourself? Mary: That's right. A lot of women say that we should have the right to have the high paying jobs too. I say they should have a right too, if they can do the job. If they are not capable of doing the job, the same as a man does, then they shouldn't. Then you I years ago. Mary: I met my husband in a tourist camp in Pearl Falls. I went to work there in the summer and he was guiding there. And you were a city girl up until Mary: Yes - from Winnipeg. My aunt had a tourist camp in Pearl Falls. left the camp I have to take the bad with the good. You can't holler at someone else to come and do this because you're going to get your and my aunt. found me another job at a hands dirty - you just do it. I come home all covered in grease a lot of times - really dirty alright looking back on it now. and grubby-looking, but that's part of the yourself? Mary: That a woman can do anything she anything! I've puts her mind to doing always taught my girls that where there's a . . . will, there's a way. Teresa: Is that what got you through most of the stuff? Mary: Yes, that and my girls. I do everything for my girls. (I really don't know why I'm crying.) Now I guess maybe I'm going to get transferred to Dryden. I'm Putting a posting in is what I'm doing though to get transferred to Dryden. Now that my family's all gone (I've still got three girls here in Ear Falls but they don't live here anymore), I'm going to spread my wings now. I'm going to go to Dryden and maybe find a guy I like. I'm going to start looking. I always say that here Ear in Falls there are no eligible bachelors, just everybody's leftovers that nobody else wants anyway, so why would I want them? The girls and I fixed up this old house, we built the deck, we landscaped ourselves, and we all shared everything. The girls didn't like the yard work and I love it. They did the housework. There was always a big chore list of the fridge. It always all got done. The neighbour's kids worked here too if they were around. If my kids got grounded and the neighbour's kids were here too, they got grounded too. All kids get into trouble. No children are angels no matter whose they are. Teresa: How did you meet your husband? Teresa: then? through what do you think is the most important thing you've found out about all the problems started happening at home. You We did things on weekends Teresa: Of all the things that you've gone Lodge. I started working there and met my husband. I was young but it turned out Teresa: In terms of you being able to raise five kids as a single parent, I think a lot of it had to do with the wages you were earning. Mary: Yes. When my husband and first split up, the first three years were pretty had to pay all of his debts off rough. I I because he quit working when we split up. He had borrowed money from finance companies and all kinds of loans and I got my wages garnisheed. The only job I had held before was as a part-time construction worker. I had never co-signed any of his loans but I was made responsible for all his debts. I had to pay them off plus support five children because he never contributed PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Journal Page 4 �one red penny to them. I went to court a number of times trying to get some money from him - I finally got them to drop the garnishment but I still had to pay half of his debts off - making payments. In 1984 I got a bill from taxation saying that I owed them all these thousands of dollars from all this child support I'd been receiving in 1982. never received any child support, but in the meantime until they looked into it further, I I still had to pay thousands of dollars, whether it was right or not. So I started sending Mary: The first few years I names. I'd put a stamp on the envelope and let them mail it. We did the same for Father's Day and Christmas. After a while the cards would be on the table and nobody signed them so I quit buying them. The two youngest girls - the twins - they never remembered most of the bad married life - whatever I could afford. I guess I misplaced a couple of money orders and I lost track of some of it and it took them a year and a half had a very hard time not saying snide Teresa: And in the meantime, how long did it take you to get your divorce from him? Mary: I had it in three years. When I went through the divorce at that time he owed me $17,000 according to the court and when I asked the court who was going to collect it, they said you have to do that. How am I going to do that? This was the seventh time I had taken a day off and gone to court and not once was her made to go to court to own up to his responsibility. I said why don't you just write down that he, owes me nothing - you might as well because that's exactly what I'm gbing to get. They said they couldn't do that - it wouldn't be legal. He was supposed to be paying $250/month for the children - $250/month for five kids and I never got a penny. Teresa: What do you think of the new ruling that the Quebec woman got that she does not have to pay taxes on her child support payments? Teresa: What is your role as an area rep? Mary: talk to groups of women and tell I them about my experiences - good and bad - and what they can expect if they get a job in a man's world. I try to encourage women asked if he could stop by for coffee. She said sure; he came over and she said she more and there are a few women around remarks. The girls have made efforts to go and see him. I've seen him a few times; I'll stop and talk to him. town that I've been keeping close touch with trying to get them into jobs. I go around to the seminars and meet new women that are in different trades. You also mentioned to me that you've talked to groups of women in the There are a lot of things in the women's Teresa: Mary: It took me five years. gorgeous and, of course, it's exactly the way she wanted it. Her friends are hiring her to build decks, do renovations. It is starting to work. the older three girls remembered. Last summer my oldest daughter who lives in Winnipeg was contacted by her Dad and he Teresa: When did you finally end up paying off all of your husband's debts? getting jobs even with these trades. One carpenter built her own home and it's just birthday cards and ask the girls to sign their them money - $100 here and $50 there, to straighten it all out. When they sent me back my money, there was some missing and they never did send back all I had sent to them. We lived from payday to payday. But the women have a very hard time used to buy Women in Trades Technology and movement. How did you get involved with Is it them? What is their official title? Northwest Women in Trades and Technology? Mary: Yes it is. How did I get involved with think them? I am an area rep for them. somebody called me and asked if I would I like to go to a meeting and went to a met everybody meeting in Dryden and I I Then they had a seminar in Eagle River. Usually in the fall of every year in a tourist camp, they rent all the cabins and sometimes have over 100 women come in. They are more on the basis of giving selfesteem to women - don't give up, keep there. going, keep trying to get trades. There were welders there and a carpenter with papers. movement that really don't believe in. always believed if you're capable of doing something then you should be able to do it. I I you're not capable you shouldn't But if expect someone else to do things for you and you take the credit for it. I think too if you go into a man's tradition there are things that you have to put up with. On Thursday morning I got on the bus and first one guy started teasing me and another guy started and pretty soon everybody was picking on me. One guy said "You know, Mary, you could have just about any job you wanted out here in the bush - all you'd have to do is charge us all with sexual harassment." He said "I bet you could charge everyone of us with sexual harassment" and I said I probably could, but these are things you have to take in stride. Men are different than women.-iikiokama31,._ to fit in with them, you have to fit in. They all call me one of the guys but I'm not one of the guys anymore - I found myself a pink hardhat - I'm the only one with a pink hardhat. I'm also in the union. There was a rally on Parliament Hill last May and I was in on that - I was marching. All of a sudden in this march I would see this "pink" bobbing I always requested a pink cap with a red pompom - I never even got a safety hat after Mary: I think that's right - it should be that way. I know if I had received any money for child support that money would have gone directly for the children. I had to say sorry I can't buy you a parka this year but maybe if I had child support you could have a parka this year. You'll have to wear that old one that you've had the last three years. I really don't think they should have to pay taxes on that. There just never seems to be enough money to go around. My girls all learned early - they started babysitting and helping pay for their own things. If they wanted a new bike, I'd give them half the money they wanted and they would put in the other half. I'd take the car and we'd go collecting bottles along the highway on weekends and go pick pine cones and all kinds of things to earn extra money. Teresa: How did you see yourself as a role model for your kids? Now I see myself as a good role model for my children. Mary: that. I saw a pink hat and I told the guy beside me to hold my sign, I was going after that hat. I finally caught the guy and he was a telephone man and they had 10 - 12 hardhats made up especially for this march. He did not want to give up his pink hardhat. I traded my white union cap and he gave me the pink hardhat. I got back to Dryden on the plane that day and got a ride with a fellow from Ear Falls. He said we should stop for some chicken on the way home - took the hardhat off and went into the restaurant and when I came out my hardhat was gone. Somebody had followed us that had been on the plane. never did find out who took it but three months later I went to a union meeting in Dryden and in the middle of the table was I my pink hardhat - I got it back. I've always told the guys I may have to work with all of you, I may have to do the same job as you guys, but I'm not one of you guys - now I've got something to prove I am different. Teresa: Did they ever see their father while you were here? Did he ever come around to say hello? Northern Woman Journal Page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �TAKING BACK WHAT IS MINE We were trapped, no telephone in our tiny by Charlene Dodge no weapons with which to prison cell, oppressing, stifling, overwhelming, invades the most precious sense of security that I am entitled to have - my thoughts. The sound of a muffled footstep, the monotonous tones of heavy breathing, the flickering of a barely present shadow, send Fear, me into a screeching spiral of frightening reality. Struggling for emotional control, cling to the realization that I am probably I safe, merely overreacting to past events that are too incomprehensible to have ever really happened. In the privacy of my own home, possibly fall prey to an how could unspeakable act of violence and terror? I protect ourselves. How does one describe the feeling, relive the fear and certainty of impending death? How does one maintain complete control in such a terrible ordeal? could Was he still inside of the house? I hear nothing but the ragged breathing of our terror, and the wind and rain howling outside. Would anybody hear our muffled screams if he returned? Our only hope, our only prayer, was the was too frightened to crawl window. I outside and run for help, so I merely flung it open and screamed until I was hoarse. He could be out there waiting for his golden Yet, nobody is infallible, a lesson dearly learned at the cost of nearly paying the opportunity, watching in fevered anticipation. He must have been gleeful over my feeble to see the best in everybody, overlooking cries, must have laughed over the sheer terror and pain he had inflicted upon his hapless victims. Begging to the world to save us, I was certain I had never been so the fact that certain people fester to the desolate, so reliant on a faceless stranger to ominous point of overload, striking out at the show us mercy. Finally, a shadow raced across my line of vision, and I jumped away from the window. It could be one of two ultimate price - that of my life. Young and naive, a firm believer that society consisted of fair players, I was too confident, too eager innocent to destroy nearly everything in retaliation. A harmless dream, I thought as I heard the sound of running footsteps and harsh screaming. It was late at night, far too dark to deal with the unwanted complications of meaningless interruptions. As if in a haze, my roommate came bounding through the persons - a rescuer, or the attacker. Terrible, unenviable odds, as we waited for our fate in the stifling, one room hell. registered her words - "I've been attacked by silently a man with a hammer." No, I silently prayed, begged for God to show us pity, and heard a familiar voice of a coworker. Hugging my shocked companion closely, I whispered that we were safe as I finally gave into the overwhelming hysteria and cried, huge racking sobs that shook my body. Dismantling our formidable fortress of furniture, we raced into the welcome midst of our rescuers, thankful to be alive. screamed in denial, that simply could not be! We were in our own home, two female teachers, prepared and ready to develop Although this happened almost four years ago, will always remember the aftermath inky hell of. night, to land squarely in the centre of my bed. Her eyes were wide with terror, and her voice was barely a whisper. I bolted upright as my disbelieving mind I young minds in a few scant hours. She was terrified, almost incoherent, but her message that he was still in our home rang through my muddled mind in tones that were sickeningly clear. How could this be, in I I with startling clarity. The praises of everybody commending us on our bravery and adept handling of the situation did little to alleviate the sense of outrage that I had felt at the time. How dare this nameless intruder steal our security, our faith in the human race, and cast it aside like a used tissue? How would we ever feel secure again? Indeed, how could we ever feel secure again? People commented on how fortunate we were to have been unscathed, basically unharmed by the entire ordeal. Such inaccurate conclusions were based on the assumption that no physical marks meant no harm done. How wrong they all were, since we were both emotionally battered beyond all imaginable repair. The stranger had tainted our perception of the human race, making us speculate about the probability of living among monsters. It made us verify our vulnerability at the hands of our male counterparts, taking away our sense of equality and oneness that we had worked so hard to achieve. Sadly, this incident paled in comparison to the horrific occurrences in today's media. Women, being slaughtered by the hundreds by vindictive, hateful people they had tried to befriend. Being struck down in the prime of their lives by strangers who were too sick to recognize the potential and the promise lying within the gentle souls. What will it take to get the message across to those who could make a difference in this war of the sexes designed for female defeat? Will it take a total holocaust of innocent victims who in no way deserved the bitter fate that was delivered to them? I had always considered myself to be a strong and confident woman until the night that a stranger took all of that away. Now, every newspaper article, every blatant headline convinces me that I am fragile and easily broken, fitting into a mould that society has constructed for our sex. Nothing could ever totally erase the feelings of anger, betrayal and bitterness that I have harboured towards the perpetrators of such unconscionable acts. What could possibly such a tiny, close community? How could it happen when I had carefully locked all of the doors before I had retired for the night? of self-preservation clung tenaciously to the cloying air about me. if there was even the slightest chance that this maniac was still in our home, we had to be rational, we had to be strong. Springing out of bed, instructed my hysterical friend to A sense I help me barricade the bedroom door with the furniture that littered the room. The lock would never withstand the murderous frenzy of a twisted mind if the intruder were to Join us for a WOMEN'S DANCE on Saturday, October 22nd return. He could never get past the heavy furniture, since the door swung inward. Was he listening to our pathetic struggle for survival? Did he smile in the darkness as he heard us scuttle about the room, clinging to the fragile hope that we would indeed prevail? from 9:00pm to 1:00am at the Multicultural Centre 17 N. Court St $5.00 at the door (All proceeds to the Northern Woman Journal) Northern Woman Journal 6 PDF compression, OCR, webPage optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �be going through the male mind to allow this to occur, to terrorize the beauty of a free spirit, inflict being? pain to the essence of our oppression to rise above the stifling chains places upon us by stereotypes of weakness and inequality. It seems to be a grave injustice that we cannot escape the shackles of violence directed to destroy us - that there I wonder sometimes if it will ever be possible for women to regain what is rightfully theirs a place as an equal citizen in every respect of the word, from security in the workplace, can still exist the primitive minds that blame and hold us responsible for some minute detail that did not go in their favour. to peace of mind in everyday life. It is not Fourteen of us were massacred in Montreal morally right that we should be compelled to at the hands of a man who believed that glance over our shoulders when we hear somebody walking behind us, it is not fair that we should hesitate to answer the door of our own home because we are female and alone at the time. women were the epitome of failure in his life. Countless numbers of us are victimized in daily life at the hands of men we trust as husbands, our family, or the fathers of our children. No, it is not just, and it is not fair. We as women have overcome adversity and We unite in common bonds throughout the countries of the world to voice our outrage, and mourn for the death of our fellow mentors. The futility of what we say is difficult to ignore when the evening news screams another bulletin about another female victim. What will it take to stop the pain, to move a progressive step forward, instead of a vindictive bound backward? As both a woman and a victim, implore society to listen to our voices, to give back I what is rightfully ours. Let us, as women, be essential elements in a functioning society by allowing us to cultivate security in our homes, our workplace, and above all else, in a world that should emphasize the importance of personal freedom and safety for every living person, be they male or female. 11147BISMIBRISMISSISAMPOSNATINISIMIONIONW17. LYNX IMAGEScap 174 SPADINA AVE. SUITE 606 TORONTO ONT. CANADA MST 2C2 TEL: (416) 777-9333 FAX: (416) 777-1407 PRESS RELEASE THE REVENGE OF THE INVISIBLE WOMAN A documentary film about women and aging Filmmakers Andrea Gutsche and Barbara Chisholm are making a documentary film to counter the fear women have of aging. "Many women feel "invisible" once they reach their middle years - as if there is no longer a place for them in a society obsessed with the cult of youth. Roles constructed over a lifetime lose their stage, and for many, it feels like a time of decline," says Gutsche. "In the film, we want to portray the difficulties and regrets that women experience, but we also want to highlight women for whom this period has been a time to explore and flourish, and has surpassed any other time in their lives," Chisholm adds. The Revenge of the Invisible Woman will be funny, uplifting, insightful, and inspirational it will renew the spirit of any woman who has suffered in invisibility. We're On The Lookout... The filmmakers are looking for women from across the continent, and from a variety of cultural, economic, and religious backgrounds who have interesting stories to tell, and who are willing to share their experiences on film. We want to hear about menopause, love and sex, and new goals. We want to hear from women who have found individual ways to respond to what society has deemed this "unnatural" process of aging; woman for whom this period has given them new strength; and women who have taken their lives in new and unexpected directions. We want the film to be powerful, to reflect what is in women's hearts... and we want it to be humorous - to say in the open things that many women feel in private, so that we can laugh and know that we are not alone. What I want is to draw middle-aged women out of their purdah, make them really joyous. Menopause is the invisible experience. People don't want to hear about it. But this is the time when everything comes good for you - your humour, your style - your bad temper. Germaine Greer Women of the 14th Moon The film is scheduled for shooting early this autumn. For more information, please contact Andrea Gutsche or Barbara Chisholm at the above address. Northern Woman Journal Page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �OUR LONG PAINFUL JOURNEY: A CHRONICLE OF DEPRESSION by Gwenith Margaret Whitford Melancholia was once the diagnosis for the unrelenting sadness and despair which afflicted certain people for no apparent reason. This malady is now commonly described as depression. As a mood disorder, it is recognized as an emotional illness. Its debilitating effects can be extreme. Scientific studies have found its origins are traced to a disruption of normal brain grip, feelings of hopelessness and despondency seem to go on and on. This is defined as clinical chemistry. Once in its depression. It is much more than a case of the 'blues.' Everyone endures an occasional 'down' period during the stressful times in one's life. This is called a reactive depression. When the crisis is resolved, one's spirits tend to lift. However, the intensity and duration of a clinical depression is much more prolonged and painful_ It is often accompanied by excessive anxiety. Some people may experience it during the short days of winter. Others have bouts -that linger for months, and if untreated, possibly for years. For too many, the only escape from this torment is to commit suicide. Research has determined that depression can be an inherited tendency. Stress may also play a role in its onset. Current After having spent several long moments reflecting on a very bad time in her life, Felicity emphatically stated that she could not believe that it was possible to ever feel so bad. She shuddered when she declared to me that she could never survive another episode like that again. The emotional pain was so intense and all encompassing. When she was about fourteen, Felicity first realized that she didn't always feel quite right. She was subject to very bad moods. She and her family reluctantly accepted it as a rocky phase of adolescence. In her last year of high school, she studied excessively and experienced tremendous anxiety. Despite her straight "A" average, she had managed to convince herself that she wasn't very smart. Something really snapped during her first week at university. Felicity described the unfamiliar sensations like this: "It felt as if acid had been poured into my veins. I was wired all the time." Her unrelenting anxiety and constant agitation rendered her unable to even talk to her friends. Increasingly frustrated, she turned inward and became an unwilling insomniac. There was never a moment when she could feel relaxed about anything. Due to a combination of the above factors, Upwards of ten percent of the population of Canada may have either knowingly or unknowingly succumbed to this severe affliction. As an emotional disorder, it is the most common mental illness in North America. And it could happen to anyone. This is the story of a survivor - a woman who endured a depression for over a her body, tearing away at the very core of her soul. There seemed to be no end in sight and nowhere to turn for help. Frightened and alone, her life was hurtling towards an all time low. Thinking that a change of scenery would relieve some of the agony, she quit university one credit short of her degree. Not wanting to be idle, she joined a Dr. Felicity Graves (a pseudonym) is a Ph.D. graduate who works as a scientific researcher at a Canadian university. Although she is now happily married, successful and well-ensconced in her career, volunteer youth program called 'Katimavik'. This federally sponsored work experience young adult life battling severe depression. interference forced her to once again tl seek professional treatment But the tal help. given counsellor/psychologist by a was campu completel useless. Her need for survival was great. She reall did not want to take her own life. He addiction to running great distances of 10 tl 12 miles per day helped to ease the pain. soothed her into a trance-like state, at leas for a few hours after every work out. Her optimum physical health was marred 17 an increasing obsession with her weight Although extremely thin, she viewed herse as being disgustingly fat. One way o another, a tragic and senseless end to thi anguish was becoming a frightenim possibility. unending one of situation became desperation. Panic attacks ripped through decade and lived to talk about it. she spent approximately 12 years of her Incessant suicidal thoughts taunted an tormented her. it became almost impossibly to study for exams. This daunting that these strange feelings would only be temporary. In the meantime, Felicity was Three agonizing years dragged by before her simmering anxiety exploded into a full blown derepression. Engulfed in feeling of hopelessness and despair, Felicity's the numbers of persons who have been afflicted with this emotional illness have increased significantly since the 1940s. accepted at another university which offerec a science program that was of great interes to her. But it was no respite. In fact, thing got even worse. university student, the physician assured her yet undetermined environmental factor. Hormonal systems, as well as genetics, play a significant role in this particular chemical imbalance in the brain. one credit she needed for her Bachelor o Arts degree. She applied to and wa: These increasingly frightening sensations prompted Felicity to seek advice from her family doctor. Because she was a new told to seek a diversion, such as a hobby or other interest outside of school. Although she complied with the prescription by pursuing long distance running, the remedy never did take effect. investigations have also suggested that there may be some interaction with an as That summer she managed to complete th( took her to different locations across the country with a group of young people who worked on community-oriented projects. Two-thirds of the way through this program, the intensifying anxiety continued to throttle and choke her. She felt trapped, as if there were no escape. Keeping to herself, she told no one of her situation. Worst of all, she felt hopelessly alone. Thinking that the pressure of this experience was too great for her, her only viable option was, once again, to quit. Just when there seemed to be no escap serendipity intervened in a most fortuitot way. Felicity happened upon a book call( Holiday of Darkness by Toroni psychologist Dr. Norman Endler. To h amazement, the description of this man illness was refreshingly familiar. She no knew what had been tormenting her for those years. And it was indeed call( depression. After she insisted that her parents read th book ( and they complied), they recogniz( the seriousness of her problem. With th( assistance in demanding immediate medic attention, Felicity was able to obtain ti services of a psychiatrist without dela Seven years after the initial onset of h illness, she began corrective drug ar psychotherapy. Northern Woman 8 PDF compression, OCR,Journal web Page optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �However, it was not the quick fix that she had so desperately hoped for. Inappropriate and inadequate treatment left her with a host of annoying side effects such as increased heart rate, hand tremors, constipation, dry Her mouth and excessive sweating. psychiatrist chose to ignore her requests for medication with fewer side effects. To make matters even worse, her recurrent anxiety attacks were not being controlled at all. That beloved running was now out of the question because of a rapidly beating heart. In addition, the slightest movements left her She recalled a drenched in sweat. particularly embarrassing incident when she was waiting in line at a bank on a cool autumn day. After a few minutes, her clothes were dripping wet. She was so selfconscious about it that she left the bank line and headed for home. As she walked down the street, she imagined the disgusted stares from everyone who passed her by. She really believed she was a freak. Three years after discovering the nature of her illness, Felicity discontinued both her drug and talk therapy. There didn't seem to be anything else that the doctor could do for period of time, Felicity's disillusionment with psychiatrists and psychologists was absolute. her. For a She then tried to take different approaches to healing herself. She attempted an anxiety and public speaking course, sought aptitude testing and then pursued transcendental meditation, But these repeated efforts to Coincidentally, her physical and emotional healing began when she returned to the family doctor who had initially dismissed her complaints so many years ago. But this time things were different. This physician had recently suffered through His ability to a life-threatening illness. empathize and to have compassion for those with other afflictions had greatly intensified. With his attentive guidance, Felicity is now fully recovered from her chronic depression, and continues a maintenance dose of antidepressants that works well for her. When Felicity back looks over those harrowing times in her life, she can clearly see that it was a matter of getting through one day at a time without really knowing what was wrong or what she should do to correct things. In hindsight, she realizes that you can go from one thing to another, but a serious problem will always follow you. For me, it was one long painful journey." week, for no apparent, to seek immediate medical attention. These are: prolonged and overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, extreme anxiety, loss of energy and interest, withdrawn, irritable, inability to concentrate, suicidal thoughts or feelings of guilt, excessive sleep or difficulty in sleeping. During something else to fill her life, and was accepted into a graduate school science Felicity suggests that a family member or friend intervene on the patient's behalf, if necessary. Go to another doctor if the first all this time, she managed to complete her science degree with first class honours. She searched around for program. Unfortunately, the first two years in the one is not providing appropriate care, or has misdiagnosed the problem. Masters program were a complete waste of time. Felicity felt completely misguided and The was much too insecure and frightened to ask her supervisor for direction. She just managed to stumble along. The ultimate humiliation came when she realized that she was too terrified to instruct undergraduate students in laboratory experiments. Although the co-ordinator was exceptionally understanding, Felicity experienced tremendous shame in having to reveal this "weakness". Anxiety fulminated into endless hours of gripping terror. There were no hours of the day or night from which she could escape it. Eventually, she became very run down. Felicity a very lively 1988 and being so recalled attending Christmas party in exhausted that she was close to fainting. Although there were people there that she hadn't seen for a while, her weakened state left her unable to converse with them. Shortly thereafter, a severe bout of mononucleosis rendered her physically, as well as emotionally drained for months. Recurrent painful abscesses appeared all over her body. Frequent co,urses of antibiotics wreaked havoc with her already stressed out immune system. Is Superior Felicity urges that if one experiences any of the following symptoms for more that a She insists that the person with depression be persistent with her doctor about appropriate and adequate medical treatment. This is often a very difficult task for a person in the throes of depression, so help herself were in vain. Coffeehouse family doctor should be able to determine if a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed. Felicity believes that it is important to initiate corrective drug therapy, which can only be administered by a medical doctor, before embarking on talk therapy. When the person is beginning to Superior Women's Coffeehouse celebrated its first birthday this past July among friends at the Unitarian Hall. In our second season, we hope to bring more women musicians, poets, storytellers, artists and entertainers to our loyal and enthusiastic audiences. Coffeehouses are open to all women and their friends, and are held (usually) on the third Saturday of every second month at the Unitarian Hall on S. Algoma St. Our next gathering is Saturday, September 24th at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 at the door (see ad this Journal issue). Join us for a lovely evening of music and what else coffee! In addition to the Coffeehouse, we are holding our inaugural WOMEN'S SOCIAL at the Multicultural Centre on N. Court St. (see ad this Journal issue). This special event will run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will be a fun evening of dancing, socializing and maybe a glass of wine! Tickets will be available for $5 at the September Coffeehouse or from our friendly Journal Collective members. feel better, then suitable psycotherapy may be appropriate. Her firm conviction is to seek treatment as soon as possible; the longer one puts off getting medical attention, then the longer it will probably take to recover. Do not delay. Unfortunately, a stigma continues to attach itself to emotional and mental illnesses. People seem to be afraid of what they don't understand. If you are ridiculed by others for their own ignorance, try to disregard them. Felicity stresses that depression is a real illness, not a character flaw, and it can be successfully treated in most cases. Society must realize that the mind can suffer an illness in the same manner as the body. And it could happen to anyone at any time. It knows no barriers. educating the masses about this common affliction, Felicity believes that there will be no more need to suffer and no more need for shame. By PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Northern Woman Journal Page 9 �Northern Woman's Bookstore 65 South Court Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2X2 (807) 344-7979 WHAT'S NEW IN THE BOOKSTORE by Margaret Phillips Fall is always a book reader's dream. Despite urging from booksellers to stagger the publication of major new titles throughout the year, publishers insist on bringing out all new works in the fall. This year is no exception: there are choices galore. In Canadian fiction there is a new Alice Munro collection, OPEN SECRETS; ACROSS THE BRIDGE by Mavis Gallant; SKY Lee's second novel BELLYDANCER; a new lesbian mystery GHOST MOTEL by Jackie Manthorne; and the amazing Anne Cameron's latest novel DEEJAY AND BETTY. New American fiction includes a wonderful amazon her-story novel AMAZON STORY BONES by Ellen Frye; I AM BECOMING THE WOMAN I'VE WANTED, edited by Sandra Haldeman Martz (of 'When I'm an Old Woman' fame); Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown have another mystery MURDER AT MONTICELLO. And both Starhawk's THE BIOGRAPHIES/MEMOIRS NON-FICTION looking forward to Kay really McPherson's autobiography which is very appropriately titled WHEN IN DOUBT DO BOTH. With unflagging energy McPherson How to choose which non-fiction titles to write about? It's a difficult choice. I'll begin I'm has been one of my generation's most courageous activists (even once denied entry to the U.S. because she was "subversive"). Active in the VOICE OF WOMEN, NAC and the peace movement, and after 30 years still writing, organizing and demonstrating, McPherson is a true FIRING THE HEATHER: The Life and Times Briskin and Patricia Mc Dermott; and in of Nellie McClung by Mary E. Hallett and SISTERS IN SOLIDARITY by Julie White. "Everything you need to know about how to Marilyn I. Davies is an important book which provides a vivid portrait of the many-faceted McClung - suffragist, politician, author - and also gives a picture of the times in which she lived, the barriers facing women, and the determination of the feminist activists of that era. Other recent fiction titles include: ANGEL OF SOLITUDE by Marie-Claire Blais THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT by Eve Zaremba CHORUS OF MUSHROOMS by Hiromi Goto DEAD AND LIVING by Jane Bow THE INFINITE PLAN by Isabel Allende straight" (which she is sure her unauthorized biographers will not do), UNDER MY SKIN is Undertaken by Lessing "to set the record certainly a different style of biography, and very fascinating reading. While often irritated by Lessing's elitism, I am awestruck by her superb writing, and look forward to Volume MEDUSA AND HER SISTERS by Clare WEDDING CAKES, RATS AND RODEO QUEENS by Anne Cameron Criticism, edited by Jeannette Armstrong is the first compilation in Canada of literary critique essays on "Native Literature" by First Nations People. Literary movement, and it is nice that her memoirs are available to us during her lifetime. No doubt THE autobiography of the year will be Doris Lessing's UNDER MY SKIN, which covers the first thirty years of her life. Women, edited by Asha Kanwar LOOKING AT THE WORDS OF OUR PEOPLE: An Anthology of First Nation Women's relationship in the Canadian Labour movement is explored in WOMEN Feminism, UNIONS: CHALLENGING Democracy and Militancy, edited by Linda "role model" for the Canadian women's FIFTH SACRED THING, and LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE by Laura Esquirel are out in paperback. Braux ONLYVILLE by Cynthia Holz OUT ON MAIN STREET by Shani Mootoo SAINTS AND RUNNERS by Libby Scheier THE U N FORGETTI NG HEART: An Anthology of Short Stories by African American with some of the Canadian titles. form or build a union" is found in ORGANIZING UNIONS by Mary Cornish and Lynn Spink. J. Caplan (Myth of Women's Masochism, Don't Blame Mother) has a new book titled: YOU'RE SMARTER THAN THEY MAKE YOU FEEL: How the Experts Intimidate Us and What We Can Do About It. Paula PATIENT NO MORE: The Politics of Breast Cancer, by Sharon Batt, is "both a personal document of one woman's journey from anger to action, and an unparalleled exposé of the politics of breast cancer. WE'RE ROOTED HERE AND THEY CAN'T PULL US UP: Essays in African Canadian Other biographies/memoirs include: Women's History, Peggy Bristow, editor, Dionne Brand, Linda Carty, Afva Cooper, Sylvia Hamilton, Adrienne Shadd. These DOWN UNDER ALL OVER: A Love Affair essays "explore 300 years of Black women this long overdue history . in Canada . with Australia by Barbara Marie Brewster GRACE: The Life of Grace Maclnnes by S.P. . . . . Lewis in . provides a much-needed text . history, women's history and Canadian I AM ROE: My Life Roe v Wade and women's studies." Freedom of Choice by Norma McCorvey k.d. lang: All You Get is Me by Victoria Starr THE ME IN THE MIRROR by Connie Panzarino PERFECTION OF THE MORNING: An Apprenticeship in Nature by Sharon Butala TOUCH THE DRAGON by Karen Connelly . PICASSO'S WOMA\ A Breast Cancer Story WHERE ONCE OUR MOTHERS STOOD WE STAND: Women in Newfoundland by Margot I. Duley WILDERNESS MOTHER: The Chronicle of a Modern Pioneer by Deanna Kawatski WHEN WOMEN PLAYED BASEBALL by Susan E. Johnson Rosalind MacPhee Nortyern.WimanOCR, Journal:web Pageoptimization 10 PDF compression, using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �NEW TITLES ON VIOLENCE ISSUES LESBIAN NON-FICTION In RESIST!: Essays Against a Homophobic Culture, edited by Mona Oikawa, Dionne Falconer and Ann Decter, lesbians and bisexual women examine and challenge the ways in which homophobia, Iesbophobia and heterosexism function - individually, socially and politically." AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY: The Evidence of Harm by Diane E.H. Russell CAN'T GET OVER IT: Handbook for I Trauma Survivors by Aphrodite Matsakis IMPROPER ADVANCES: Rape and Heterosexual Conflict in Ontario 1880-1929 by Karen Dubinsky CARRY: A Memoir of THE MOTHER Healing from Emotional Abuse by Louise M. Wisechild NEXT TIME SHE'LL BE DEAD by Ann Jones TRANSFORMING A RAPE CULTURE by Buchwald et al UNCHAINED MEMORIES: True Stories of Traumatic Memories by Lenore Terr YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT: Women's BLOODLINES Odyssey of a Native Dasaillatc v. I OUT RAGE: Dykes and Bis Resist Homophobia, edited by Mona Oikawa, Dionne Falcone, Rosamund Elwin and Ann Decter, "is a chorus of lesbian voices working class and middle class, Black Asian, First Nation, Jewish and white - raised in anger and celebration." MY AMERICAN HISTORY: Lesbian and Gay During the Reagan/Bush Years, by Life Sarah Schulman, is a collection of essays that includes Handbook. the Lesbian Avengers About Sex, Class and Literature, by Dorothy Allison: "I wear my skin only as thin as I have to, armour myself only as much as seems absolutely necessary. try to live naked in the world, unashamed even under attack, unafraid even though I know how much there is to SKIN: Talking THE LESBIAN HERESY by Sheila Jeffreys AUTHOR Of TF42 /AILING OF CECILIA CA3T1Jkl Guide to Confronting Emotional Abuse at Work by Ginny Ni Carthy, Naomi Gottlieb, 11. Sandra Coffman THE COURAGE TO HEAL (updated and expanded) by E. Bass and I. Davis BACK IN STOCK: INCEST AND SEXUALITY by Wendy Malts and Beverly Holman SEXUALLY VICTIMIZED CHILDREN by David Finklehorn THINKING FEMINIST by Diane Richardson and Victoria Robinson A WHISTLING WOMAN IS UP TO NO GOOD by Laurel King WITCHCRAZE by Anne L. Barstow WOMAN CHANGING WOMAN by Virginia Butler MORE NON-FICTION TITLES I fear." JANET CAMPBELL HALE AND STILL WE RISE, ed Linda Carty GAZA AND GOD by Rosemary Ruether BLOOD, BREAD AND ROSES: How "challenges thee male supremacist and racist assumptions of the sex industry. THE LESBIAN HERESY advocates the continued creation of a separate lesbian culture, community, friendship and ethics based on principles of equality and resistance." Finally, I would like to introduce two talented young NWO women. JESSICA BLACK has written and published a young-adult book called TRAM'S DIARY. TRAM was sent from Menstruation Created the World by Judy the planet Quilop as a "world watcher to Grahn DECOLONIZING FEMINISM by Laura Donaldson THE FEMINIST CLASSROOM by Frances A. protect humans from extinction," and observes a number of problems with suggestions of how young people can deal with them. AMY BRUNN has recorded her Maher and Mary Kay Tetreault HOMEWORKERS WORLDWIDE by Sheila Rowbotham first cassette SAVANNAH, and demonstrates great musical talent. Congratulations to both Jessica and Amy. LETTERS FROM THE WAR ZONE by Andrea Dworkin MEETING THE MADWOMAN by Linda Leonard MISCEGENATION BLUES ed. Carol Camper MOVING BEYOND WORDS by Gloria Steinem PILLAR OF ISIS by Vivian O'Regan VVC..)IVIENS. !VI EDICINE WAYS SANDINO'S DAUGHTERS REVISITED by Margaret Randall ,,un, wave )00e344 mean 5211911 larh. 02920 anako. 161140 2.1,LSE111,110 nslae n000 03 318" esm f Aos" vv00,14.3 nage cormary.en AENEWErI3330"Herr3110 453003.0438400 2044 20320 3 328040 02' 3223307 f 3134402 vnaurrrn, 3edd48111 crmov taia-Amn e893 v34101 10010 413.14 bvicra. 14558 .4800 NANA 65 S. COURT ST EQUINOX 811325 kb 12'4 501.3100211 PHONE: 346-4600 COMPUTER SERVICES Mailing Lists Resumes & Covering Letters Term Papers, Theses, Reports Newsletter & Pamphlet Layout Personal & Business Correspondence Business Forms Design Individual Lessons Consultation at your site or ours Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Repair Equipment selection & Setup Call Maryann for a free consultation SPECIALIZING IN COMPUTER LITERACY TRAINING FOR WOMEN Journal Page Il PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy ofNotthern.Woinan CVISION PDFCompressor �Recommendation # 1: Policies must be put in place that support all women (independent of their race or class background, age and abilities) to obtain reproductive,freedom, including access to appropriate primary health care services, food, housing, information, education, universal child care, as well as access to policy and decision-making channels. Recommendation # 2: Canada must immediately address the development and use of "new" reproductive technologies in light of the outstanding questions about the impact of these technologies on the health of women and their children and on society as a whole. Recommendation #3:, Immigration and refugee policies must be adopted that do not discriminate against people of the Third World. Migration and displacement of Third World people must not be used as a rationale for funding population control programs. Recommendation #4: Rather than investing millions of dollars in the development and use of sophisticated fertility and fetal monitoring technology, Canada should balance its use of technologies and financial resources to accomodate persons with disabilities and, in conjunction with disability rights organizations, to: 1) address the socio-economic and environmental causes of infertility and disability (ie. causes related to poverty, war, toxic environments and unsafe workplaces); 2) protect both disability equality rights and sex equality rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; 3) educate all professions and the Canadian public in order to replace the eugenic philosophy of "detection for the purpose of elimination" with a philosophy which is respectful of the equality rights of persons with disabilities and all women's reproductive autonomy. Recommendation #5: The Canadian government must adopt policies to end the use of Depo Provera as a contraceptive in Canada as well as in the Third World and to stop the unethical use of other long-acting provider-controlled contraceptives. The Canadian government must restrict the use of Norplant to recognized health centres where providers have been thoroughly trained in insertion and removal. The government must establish a registry to monitor women who have used Depo Provera or Norplant. The government must also fund ongoing research into the long-term health risks of these drugs on women and their children. Recommendation #6: Canada must take a leadership role in ensuring that the distribution of hormonal contraceptives takes place within an ethical framework, as part of integrated health services and with women's full and informed consent. For this to happen, full information about the potential risks of these agents must be gathered and made accessible to all current and potential users. Recommendation #7: Appropriate government and health bodies, in consultation with women's organizations, must evaluate the safety, and use of hormonal contraceptives in Canada and in those Third World countries where CIDA provides development assistance. Recommendation #8: Canada and federally-funded institutions such as the International Development Research Centre, must put resources toward the development of safe and appropriate contraceptives that women control and that meet women's needs, and negotiate with women about the process for doing this. Canada should take a lead role in supporting the improvement of existing, and development of new, barrier methods as well as in developing, educating, and promoting appropriate contraceptive use by men. Recommendation #9: Policies and measures must be put in place to ensure funds from the Canadian International Development Agency go to basic human development and integrated health services including reproductive health information and services, rather than to population control programs. Recommendation #10: Canada should be a leading voice within the international community (United Nations, World Bank, ea.) in promoting sustainable development as a priority rather than prioritizing a reduction of the population growth rate. Recommendation #11: Canada should stop supporting structural adjustment programs, forgive Third World debt and work towards equitable trade relations major steps towards removing barriers to sustainable development and women's rights worldwide. NORTHERN VOMAN J)URNAL Northern Woman Journal Page 12 NORTHERN VOMAN 3)URNAL 111411.44, OCR, 44 PDF compression, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Everywomen Going North for Easter For six months of the year I am Intellectual Woman Reading/writing/thinking/creating my work. Winter Cycle Almost monochrome this grey Easter day but for the yellow line bisecting the highway to the vanishing point. For another half the year I am Earth Mother Baking cookies, visiting parks, devoting all my time to my Family. Summer Solstice In winter away from In summer away from White birches in clear outline against evergreens so dark they're almost black. I resent every moment . my work. I celebrate every moment my work. The skyline lacy with the skeletal hands of leafless trees. Driving along this eternal northern road I worry about this scenery so imprinted on my mind that my dying images may well be of jutting rocks and jagged trees In winter I am inspired at odd moments in the bath, in my bed. In summer I am required at all moments from the bath, from the gibed. Divided between the women I am or hope to become., What do my daughters make of_this matriarchal metamorphosis? This strange shifting back and forth. They no longer ask me if my work is done but wait, suspended stillborn, expecting the birth of a whole mother. Renee Norman but closer up, the conifers are deep, warm green and lift their arms in frilly, undulating boughs and the hills far away are almost blue. Ruth Latta rf,--V.s7-1-,...*...._ -.V.ir - ,I itil ft- -1 ,mor -... .,. .---;. - 45`4' 44.:, I....C.rz..- WAVES used to be a cold narrow brook, running in the forest, mountains, and valleys. I know that standinci waters die from within. I knew that joining the waves of the seas brings new life to the little brooks. Neither the long way, nor the dark craters, not the temptation to stop running ore vented me from moving on Now I have joined the endless waves. I exist in struggle, and my rest is my death. by Marzieh Ahmadi Oskooi Harzieh Ahmadi Oskooi was a woman revolutionary guerrilla, and a member of the Organization of Irani an People's Fedavee Guerrilla, She has written many poems and short stories about the suffering of Iranian people, resistance, and struggle. She was martyred in an armed confrontation with the Shah's (Iran) police in 1974. Northern Woman Journal Page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �KNOW by Brenda Small Outside the house where I grew up there was a willow tree that hid the bones of various animals that my father harvested to feed our family. Underneath the lush green leaves of summer, the various token pieces of bone that hung by pieces of string represented our thanks and offering to the spirit world. SOME had heard stories of families that had starved in the bush and was taught As a child, I that these bones my father hung from the tree was our recognition of that possibility. I learned from. an early age that we had to be thankful for everything we were able to harvest from the land. The ritual of hanging up the bones showed that we were grateful and that we acknowledged' our continuing obligation to respect the earth. I suspect that when others looked at our cultivated yard and simple woodframe house they thought that we had long ago given up our harvesting rituals. The truth of the matter was that there was more to the way that we lived than there appeared. Amidst the forget-me-nots and marigolds that my mother had planted along the white picket fence I knew that those bones were there even if the rest of the world did not. In more recent years, I realize that there are numerous ways in which this childhood experience serves as a metaphor about my own adult life. As a Cree woman, living in modern times, I am often viewed as one of those who gave up traditional Cree pursuits for an urban, decidedly non-Aboriginal way of life. Not true, say. Just like that willow tree that stood on the manicured lawn of my parents home there is more here than meets the eye. I In spite of the urban environment there are many ways in which I have tried to observe the traditions of my people. I have tried to remain true to my early childhood lessons and to remember the things that my parents taught me. But I realize that I am required to find a way for these principles to apply in the face of enormous social and political TRIBAL WOMEN found myself face to face with Aboriginal people who bore no resemblance to the people I grew up with. Although these urban sophisticates were felt that a legal definition was hardly conclusive in determining the real citizenship responsibilities associated with being a always related to someone from a reserve or realizing the extent of my own internalized colonialism, I realized that I had saw these to change the way that Several years ago I village community they themselves had never lived in the way that many Aboriginal people have. They certainly did not grow up in the conditions or environment to which I was accustomed. The distance between my life experience and theirs was great and often equivalent to that of a white middle class Canadian, who in all liklihood had little or no knowledge of life in remote northern Ontario. I recall that my first response was not unlike that of many Aboriginal people in that questioned the place of these individuals member of an Aboriginal community. After I newcomers who had come into our circle. wanted to see these decided that I I individuals in another way. I wanted to see them through the eyes of a Cree or Eeou woman. I wanted to greet them in the tradition of my people. I wanted to try and greet them in the way that a balanced and healthy Cree community would have welcomed them. I within our community. In all honesty, my first response was one of exclusion: Who are these people who "say" that they're Indian? Along with this recognition, I had to begin to look for the qualities that reminded me of the traditional teachings of my family. started to look for kindness and generosity I of spirit. Ironically, I did not question their legal status as "Indians" but I shared the same ethnochauvinistic and learned defensive position that although they could be considered "Indians" under Canadian law that did not really mean anything in Aboriginal terms. I I wanted to see these individuals in terms other than the legal and the political. To my mind, the only way I would truly "see" them would be by finding the tribal identity that lived within myself and in them. I began to wonder would our hearts beat the same? change. This means, in part, that I subscribe to the notion that culture is an evolving thing and that it becomes many things through time. believe that the It also means that traditional values of my people are timeless I and that their relevance is not lost by the very nature of change. Northern Woman Journal Page 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �I wanted to see the Aboriginal roots of these people reflected in their behaviour. I wanted to feel a kinship that would transcend our individual lives which were largely made up of differences in physical characteristics, imposed euro-centric legal definitions, acquired classism and internalized racism. By transcending these boundaries and divisive behaviours knew that we would begin to recognize one another in a much SUPERIOR WOMEN'S I more spiritual way. COFFEEHOUSE I began to imagine us seeing one another in With the recognition of tribal ways. ourselves as ancient tribal peoples I thought to myself, we would learn to meet one another in a context. natural, less constrained Saturday, September 24, 1994 8:00p.m. The equation then had to be extended to "other" people. Others who made up the dominant culture and the profoundly unfamiliar. Would I be able-to see others in a tribal way? at the Unitarian House 129 S. Algoma I have been told that it is not our way to be exclusionary. There are many stories about $3.00 at the door (or more if you can) things being part of an integrated whole. Now, struck by the beautiful blue eyes of my Mohawk friend who is the third generation of her people to be raised away from the village of her people I am sure that she is tribal. When I see the perseverance of my Cree FEATURING RECORDING ARTIST friend from Saskatchewan, I am humbled and grateful to see the courage of her mother in her walk. I celebrate that I don't need to see their status cards or question their place in the amended legislation anymore. Amy Brunn Their kindness and generosity of spirit is reflected in how they make time for others. They are polite and respectful. Their quiet participation in moments of meditation and prayer signifies their coming home. When I see them in the circle I am proud. When I am told of how they lobby on behalf of Aboriginal women and students in the corridors of privilege in Toronto, touched by their determination. I am I know these tribal women, my grandmother and my mother introduced them to me long ago. P. Northern Woman Journal Page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �SUPERIOR WOMEN'S COFFEEHOUSE presents singer, songwriter, entertainer, recording artist Kim Erickson Saturday, November 12, 1994 8:00p.m. at the Unitarian House 129 S. Algoma Tickets $5.00 in advance ($6.00 at the door) Available at Northern Woman's Book Store 65 S. Court St. .6.4111, Breast Cancer in Ontario died from breast cancer. jacqueline Pelletier has been appointed as the provincial spokesperson for the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). The OBSP was set up by the Ministry of Health in 1990 to provide a province-wide, comprehensive breast cancer screening program. It is estimated that in 1993, 2,100 women Screening at an OBSP centre includes an examination of the breasts by a nurse-examiner, twoview mammography and instruction on breast self-examination. To be eligible for screening, a woman must be an Ontario resident aged 50 or older with no previous history of breast cancer, no surgical enlargement of her breasts and no mammogram within the last year. There is no charge for the service. A woman can make her own appointment or be referred by her physician. Screening results are provided in writing to each woman and her physician within two weeks of her screening visit. Centres are located in Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto and Windsor. A mobile screening van serves Northwestern Ontario from its base in Thunder Bay. For information about a centre in your region, call: In Northwestern Ontario, the Breast Screening program goes on the road. From March through November, the van travels from Marathon/Manitouwadge to the Manitoba border. For information or the date that the van will be in your area, call 1- iii 800- 461 -7031. 1-800-668-9304. Northern Woman Journalweb Pageoptimization 16 PDF compression, OCR, using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Soaped Class Mall Nee Istratlea No. 5697 MAIL TO: 4,0 RETURN TO: YV`-e-- THE NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL P.O. BOX 144 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7C 4V5 Th Return Postage Guaranteed ;2IS THERE AN ASTERISK ON YOUR,LABEL?? PLEASE RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Don't forget to renew your SUBSCRIPTION NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE proible'd Hri517)1\wr Stab() Individual Institutional $20.00 NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL PO Box 144 Thunder Bay Ontario fkQ,C\- ri\F dfm /4, P7C4Y5 %1Atie SA 1..14 S siypee odS01° PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 15 No 4 Description An account of the resource Vol. 15, No. 4 (Sept 1994) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Canadian Women’s Committee on Reproduction, Population and Development Population control Women in non-traditional work roles Depression and women Northern Women’s Bookstore Reproductive rights Poetry Colonialism Breast cancer Authors/Contributors: Margaret Phillips Teresa Legoswki Charlene Dodge Gwenith Margaret Whitford Renee Norman Ruth Latta Marzieh Ahmadi Oskool Brenda Small Margaret Johnston Chris Snyder Jane Saunders Sandy Smith Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1994-09 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English