Gem fall /winter 2018

Global Eyes Magazine Winter 2018 2
Global Eyes Magazine
Quarterly Publication focusing on African/Caribbean News and events
A
Rising
Star
LIA
LOEWEN
Winter 2018
Photography by Kristen Sawatzky

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Global Eyes Magazine (GEM is published 4 times a year by volun-
teers.
Information provided in this publication is for community consump-
tion. We do not offer medical advice but offer information from
reputable sources in terms of nutrition, spiritual and mental health.
The stories are meant to keep the community at large informed about
the contributions Blacks, Caribbean and African people are making
towards a vibrant Winnipeg. It is also for entertainment.
Kwanzaa has turned 50 this
year, a significant milestone for Black
people particularly in the West. This
Afro-centric tradition was developed
by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of
African Studies during the time of the
civil unrest in the United States. It
was the era of protests, black panther,
Angela Davis and the civil rights
movement for fairness, equity and
human rights for Black people in the
United States and all over the world.
Those were dark days and many
Black youths were gunned down
during protests or lynched by the Ku
Klux Klan. Dr. Maulana and others
recognized the hoplessness overtaking
Black youths and came up with the
idea of something that would connect
them to their roots, inspire and help
them understand the strong prin-
cipled values of their African ances-
tors and so Kwanzaa was born.
In essence it isThanksgiving for
the harvest celebrated over a seven
day period, each day represents a
particular African value: Unity - To
strive for and maintain unity in the
family, community, nation, and race,
Self-Determination, Collective Work
and Responsibility, Cooperative
Economics, Purpose, Creativity and
Faith.
It is a time to pour libation in
rememberance of the ancestors for
their struggles to get Black people
where they are today.
The Congress of Black Women of
Winnipeg has been celebrating a
community kwanzaa for more than 16
years and this year was no different.

in this
ISSUE
Congratulations WISE on
another Successful Equality
Breakfast.
Thank you for supporting our
2018 Equality Breakfast and our
work for Equality!
Following the Breakfast, one
of our supporters expressed the
view that attendees should have
heard more about our work and our
need for financial support. Indeed,
that had been on our agenda, but I
chose to cut that out as we did not
want to take focus away from
Joanne’s important powerful
message. Obviously, I am not a
fundraiser!
Still, this supporter did make a
valid significant point. The ticket
price covers only event-related
costs! Consequently, we are
forwarding the 2017/2018 Annual
Report to share a bit about our
work and the impact of your
contribution. We ask that you
peruse the report and provide us
with any comments and questions.
It does include a reminder of the
important messages of the 2017
Equality Breakfast. Also, please
refer to our Facebook for
wonderful memories of our
October 26, 2018 WISE Equality
Breakfast. We welcome your
“feedback!”
We remind you that we do now
have our own charitable number!
We invite, need, and appreciate
financial contributions of any and
all amounts! Our registered name is
Working In Support Of Equality
(Manitoba) Inc.
Whatever your support and
involvement, you are important to
the advancement of our shared
vision and our programs!
Betty
Betty Hopkins, O.M.
W.I.S.E. Manitoba Chair
Please give Generously
Letter of Appeal from Betty Hopkins p4
Feature story Lia Loewen p5
Global & Local Briefs p6
Norma Walker & Estelle Muyinda p6
Celebrating milestones p7
Letter to my Children p10
Global Counsellor p10
Swahili – Bridging Africa p8
Missing Home at Christmas p9
Bridging Intergenerational Gap p11
Torch of Dignity p11
Bits & Bytes p12
WISE Inc. Person’s Day Breakfast p13
Living the life p14
Soul Pepper New Artistic Director p15
Victor Vaughan’s Op Eds p16
CCED 16th
Annual Gathering p17
Gaffin wid Buddy p18
Creative Expressions p19
Hindu Seniors p20
Kwanzaa P21
Health & Wellness pp 22& 23
Healthy Recipes p24

Lia Loewen is a young woman
to watch in Winnipeg, in Canada, in
the world. She is a young woman
with a passion for dancing.
Sitting at various cultural
intersections, a vision of future
typical Canadian she is a
combination of German Mennonite,
Barbadian and Bahamian. With such
a rich cultural background, it is not
surprising the wealth of talent this
young woman has.
I first saw Lia dance on the
stage at Manitoba Hydro during
Culture days in 2016 and I knew I
was looking at a star. She
commanded the stage and her
movements, confident, fluid and
bold. She stood out like the North
Star that guided Harriet Tubman to
Canada. Then I saw her in Mama
Mia on at Rainbow Stage and she
was amazing, she belonged on that
stage and she seemed to be having so
much fun. She has appeared no less
than two times at Rainbow stage in
shows like Shrek, and Mama Mia
With a triple threat approach she is
trained in Dance, Voice and acting
through the Royal Winnipeg
Ballet, Boston Ballet, Shelley
Shearer School of Dance and School
of Alberta Ballet, Voice by Donna
Fletcher and Susan Eichhorn
Young; and Ann Hodges in
acting.
I was pleasantly surprised when
her proud uncle told me in one
these conversations one has
with dental practitioners while
working on one’s teeth, that his
niece was accepted and will be
attending, Alvin Ailey School
of Dance. I was overjoyed. I
have never heard of anyone else
from Manitoba
accepted in that
prestigious school.
This is the school of the
crème de la crème in
dance which attracts the
highest calibre students.
Even though it is black
centric it is not a black
only school. Where
traditional ballet school
sees the curvaceous
black woman’s body as
not suitable for ballet
Alvin Ailey uses those
same features to
demonstrate that grace
can be found in any
shape or size, it is all in
the lightness of the
moves.
Lia has shown she has what it
takes to succeed and has won
numerous awards including
Thunderstruck Canada Judges
Choice Award in both 2017 and 2018
and in the same group won the top
overall senior solo dance in 2018. In
the Canadian National Dance
Championships she again won the
Judges Choice Award and was the
winner of Ken Peter Memorial
Award 2018, At Radix she won the
On the Edge Award and many more.
I can only imagine how pleased
these teachers are and not to mention
her mother and father Joy and John
Loewen and grandparents who are
supportive and bask in the skill and
accomplishments of this amazing
young woman. A very special girl
bound on the train for greater
success. Watch for hr. Globaleyes
Magazine congratulations Lia on her
accomplishment.
Lia’s Passion for Dance

LOCALAND GLOBAL BRIEFS
About the Author - Chioma
Lindo
Chioma Lindo had two life
changing events, the birth of
her children, that made her
reflect on the POWER of
WORDS and IMAGES on a
young childs life. Their births
highlighted how her own life,
born in Jamaica and raised in
Winnipeg Manitoba by an
encouraging mother,
contributed to the person she is
today. Through her journey as a
mom and a healthcare
professional (Occupational
Therapist) Chioma found her
passion—helping children
recognize the best of who they
are so they can thrive now and in the
future.
To date, Chioma’s company, Jones &
Zuri LLC, has designed t-shirts and
published a book, Beautiful ME, to
help girls (and boys) identify and
embrace the positive attributes that
shape who they are. Additionally,
she hosts fun interactive workshops
and discussions for children, of all
ages.
You must be 19+
You can only buy from licensed
retailers
You can only carry up to 30
grams
You can’t use in public
You can’t grow at home
You can’t drive impaired
Know the Risks: Cannabis...
Can be addictive
Can lead to depression and
anxiety
Will affect brain development
Will impair your ability to drive
Can harm your baby
Is risky to buy on the street
Knowledge is
Power
The Know the Law
about Cannabis
Congratulations to Norma Walker Dickens
and Estelle Muyinda Two of the 100 most
accomplished Black women in Canada.
Estelle Muyinda ,lawyer with a
background in management and in
human rights pertaining to the
constitutional rights of vulnerable
communities.
To the next Generation: “Do not
be silent . Use your voice for those
who cannot speak for themselves.
We achieve more when we work
collaboratively.”
Retired Teacher, Tireless women’s
Rights and Community activist,
Mother, Wife and Grandmother.
To the next Generation: “Enhance
your education by listening and
conversing with the elders. Become
politically active in your community
and school

On Saturday, October 13, 2018,
at the Soul Sanctuary Community
Centre Kenny Daodu celebrated her
60th birthday with 600 plus friends and
family members frKenny Daodu: Sixty
and Fabulous
On Saturday, October 13, 2018, at
the Soul Sanctuary Community Centre
Kenny Daodu celebrated her 60th
birthday with 600 plus friends and
family members from near and far. She
received a standing ovation from her
adoring friends and the hall resonated
with joyful noises and applauses as she
made her grand entrance smiling from
ear to ear. A beautiful, confident
woman, a dancing queen, Kenny
glowed wrapped in African attire.
She is a Nigerian-Canadian,
devoted wife, loving mother, hard-
worker within the WRHA (Winnipeg
Regional Health Authority), a self-
employed coach empowered by John
Maxwell’s teachings and a selfless
volunteer who never hesitates to go out
of her comfort zone to help others.
Kenny is a strong role model in the
Nigerian community. She ran twice for
political elections at the federal and
provincial levels, recipient of several
awards, co-founded the (NICCOM)
Nigeria Canada Congress of Manitoba,
which is a multi-ethnic, multicultural
and multi-racial community organization
that helps migrants to settle in Manitoba
and is the current president in waiting
for the Congress of Black Women of
Winnipeg.
Attendees feasted on delicious
Nigerian cuisine: jollof rice, chicken
bean-cake, African donuts, the works
and cake.
Dupe and Dr. Tito, Kenny’s two
beautiful and talented daughters co-
emceed the event while a live
Nigerian band entertained with vibrant
and traditional music and songs all the
while Kenny was bathe in US$ bills.
Kenny’s nephew flew in from
London, England to stand beside her
to represent Kenny’s late twin sister
Bayo. Bayo received her due
recognition in this event. The sisters
always celebrated their birthdays
together. Kenny is a passionate
traveller and photographer and there
was a project of some of her travel
photos on a wall.
The audience returned the love
and appreciation to Kenny in full
measure an apt reminder that takes a
village to create and honour an
exemplary wife, mother and friend.
By: Benedicte Brou
SIXTY & FABULOUS BIRTHDAY PARTY
EIGHTY &
FEISTY
Happy 80th birthday to Msrs.
Eula Matheson who celebrated
this special milestone event at the
Downtown Best Western Hotel
with long time friends, family and
members of the Guyanese Cultural
Organization. Lucky for him, Mr.
Gary Elbers got the honor of
cutting the Cake with this beautiful
woman.
Ms Matheson has been a strong
pillar in the Guyanese Cultural
Organization, together with her
late husband she was a founding
member and continues to be
involved to this day.
Mrs. Eula Matheson and GCO
Honorary Council Dr. Sandra
Sukhan pose for a picture.
Mr. & Mrs. Daodu and her nephew
from England look at a slide
presentation of Kenny’s journey
through 60 years.
Dupe and Dr. Tito the dynamic duo
emcee for the evening.

by Bunta Bantu
I went to Tanzania in 1974
for a two-year assignment as a
high school math teacher, a job
arranged by CUSO (Candian
University Service Overseas). I
had already taught for a year in
Canada, but had an incurable
case of wanderlust which seemed
to propel me to far and distant
shores, rather then facing the
daunting task of teaching and
inspiring Canadian high school
students who often present
challenges for the teacher —
other than those related to
learning and mastering the
provincial Ontario math
curriculum.
For a teacher who thinks that
learning is largely a self-initiated
form of eclecticism wherein a
person takes an interest in any
(and all) subjects and topics,
cultures and theories, wisdom
and its absence (peace and war)
— in fact, all that the swirling
globe has to offer to an
inquisitive mind.
As preparation before going
to my teaching post in Mbeya, I
was required to spend three
weeks studying the national
language, Kiswahili. I quickly
put to memory and practice such
felicitous phrases as Jambo!
Habari gani? Unakwenda wapi?
[Hello! What news? Where are
you going?]. I quickly built up a
beginner vocabulary, which I
used often in the community in
town and at Mbeya Secondary
School.
Forcing myself to listen
well, review often, and learn
more, I became more and more
conversant in Kiswahili. I even
bought an additional reference
textbook (which — by the way —
together with my initial course
textbook, I still have in my home
library).
Towards the end of my extended
third year there, I met some Japanese
volunteers. I would sometimes drop
by the house where they were staying
for a cup of Tanzanian grown coffee.
Interesting, though, was our choice
of language. They were not
comfortable speaking English, but a
couple of them had prepared and had
a good start in Swahili. So we
bridged the gap using the local
language.
Wikipedia will fill us in on the
background to this language:
“Swahili, also known as
Kiswahili (translation: language of
the Swahili people), is a Bantu
language and the first language of
the Swahili people. It is a lingua
franca of the African Great Lakes
region and other parts of eastern and
south-eastern Africa, including
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda,
Burundi, Mozambique, and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC).[6]
Comorian, spoken in the
Comoros Islands is sometimes
considered to be a dialect of Swahili,
though other authorities consider it a
distinct language.
“The exact number of Swahili
speakers, be it native or second-
language speakers, is unknown and a
matter of debate. Various estimates
have been put forward and they vary
widely, from 50 million to over 100
million.[8]
Swahili serves as a
national language of four nations:
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the
DRC. Shikomor, the official
language in Comoros and also
spoken in Mayotte (Shimaore), is
related to Swahili.[9]
Swahili is also
one of the working languages of the
Swahili — basis for a continental or global auxiliary language?
African Union and officially
recognised as a lingua franca of the
East African Community.[10]
South
Africa legalized the teaching of
Swahili in South African schools
as an optional subject beginning in
2020.[11]
“A significant fraction of
Swahili vocabulary derives from
Arabic[12]
, in part conveyed by
Persian-speaking Muslim
inhabitants. For example, the
Swahili word for “book” is kitabu,
traceable back to the Arabic word
ßÊÇÈ kitâbu (from the root k-t-b
“write”). However, the Swahili
plural form of this word (“books”)
is vitabu, following Bantu
grammar in which ki- is reanalysed
as a nominal class prefix, whose
plural is vi-.[13]
Source: https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Swahili_language As we see,
Swahili is becoming a secondary
and much valued language across
the African continent. Surely, some
of its vocabulary and grammatical
structures could be included in a
designed, global, secondary
language. Esperanto is designed
for quick acquisition, but is quite
eurocentric in its word origins, and
it persists in the use of accent
marks. Several creole languages
and intentionally simplified
English such as Tok Pisin (Papua
New Guinea) and Caribbean creole
languages still have key and useful
structures which deserve more
attention.I close by completing the
story started earlier about the
Japanese volunteers. Some three
years after leaving Tanzania, I was
in Japan for an extended visit. This
was in 1980. While in Japan, I had
kept in touch with the volunteers,
and had a chance to meet up with
one of the group. There, in

downtown Tokyo, a Canadian
volunteer and Japanese volunteer,
had a meal together, talking all the
while using Swahili, seeming to
have the memory of the language
still fresh in our minds.The topic of
inventing or adopting a simplified,
common language that transcends
borders and nationalities is not on
the to-do list of business and
government leaders.But still, I look
forward to conversing again using
Swahili. For those interested in inter-
national dialogue and peace, a look
at the possibilities that an easy to
learn language offers must certainly
put Swahili on their short list.
After spending six years in
Canada without seeing my family, I
had reached rock bottom. For my
sanity, I had to go back to France
even just for three weeks. June 2018
was bittersweet as I felt like a tourist
in my own city, Paris. What a weird
feeling. I couldn’t walk around
without being escorted by my mom.
I missed her that much, and I needed
her help to find my way. Everything
was new: new grocery stores, new
subways, new buses and new
tramways. Boy, all that novelty
confused me. Paris changed a lot.
Reality check, I èm different too! My
siblings told me that I’m nicer now.
Anyway, I was glad to see my three
toddler nephews for the first time.
Three weeks later I was already on
the plane for Quebec, crying like a
baby. After flying four hours, the
pilot told us that the aircraft had
some issues that we couldn’t cross
the Atlantic Ocean. So we flew back
to France. And the plane hadn’t
crashed, thanks to God! We landed then the plane couldn’t move.
Several police cars, fire trucks and other emergency trucks surrounded
our aeroplane. The pilot kept telling us that it was protocol. The devil
is a liar! As one engine blew up when we were flying. We saw a pool
of oil underneath the motor when we went down the emergency
stairway. They rushed us to buses to go to the airport. We were
starving, exhausted and in total shock. It was a huge mess. It was 8
p.m. The airport crew sent our empty stomachs off to a hotel at 1 a.m.
The following day at 7 a.m., still hungry, we were back at the airport.
We beg them for food and Air Canada paid for our meal. Then they
squeezed us on several flights to Canada. It was a perilous journey, but
I made it. Living as an isolated immigrant in Canada is very
depressing. And I’m not talking about the harsh weather. Strangely, the
more Canadian friends I have, the lonelier I
feel. They are good people but can’t
understand me. But when I mingle with
other immigrants, we are on the same page,
we encourage each other, and that soothes
my anxiety.
I’m looking forward to returning to
France for good as most of my French
friends did a few years ago.
Bénédicte BrouFollow me on
benebralive.blogspot.com
MISSING MY
FAMILY, MISSING
MY COMFORT
ZONE
All work and no play makes Jack and Jill dull people. We need to spice it up
sometimes at community events that do cost an arm and a leg. The Black
History Fashion show and concert was one such event. You got a glimpse of
the latest fashions and awesome models flouncing on the stage in confident
style at Jamaica Cultural Centre. They modeled fashions from the African
Pot, Laura Petites and others. It also featured Mary Kay Cosmetics repre-
sentative, Barbara Berven and the natural looks. It was a fun event.
Black History Month Fundraiser Fashion Show

My dear children
I am always enraptured by and feel a little emotionally off kilter by the fall season. It is such a beautiful
time of year but a harbinger a reminder that tentacles of snow and icy cold is upon us again. The falling leaves
remind me of the cycle of life. They go out in a blaze of glorious colours, shades, textures and create a
landscape that we have never seen before. It is always different. Have you ever watched a leaf dance, float
and sail peacefully on its way to the ground where it will be stepped on, raked up and bagged away as
unsighful things but they are at peace with it. And while on its way down a wind might come and pick it up
and it would soar high above giving it another lease on life. It reminds me of grandparents, your grandparents
and how seeing you lifted their spirits and their faces lit up glowing with love and pride.
Grandchildren give wings to grannies and grandpas and I wish you grandparents were still around.
However, they have all gone to the place where those once beautiful leaves go, to transmute into something
else. I wish children who are privileged to have grandparents around, would spend time with them. They may
not be the easiest people to be around but be patient, they have stories to tell if you are patient. Those are your
stories that they tell.
Fall reminds me of many things and I remember the fall your grandmother came to visit. All the leafless
trees surprised her. I reassured her they are just preparing to go to sleep for the winter and to wake up fresh
and rejuvenated in the spring. She lived to see that miracle, something she would have never experienced in
the Caribbean.Whenever the leaves fall from the trees I think of her and hold her in my heart for a while
longer before letting her go her way.
Dear Global counselor
I am an 18-year-old African man. I don’t know but I may be different than other young men my age because
I feel things deep within my soul and I get hurt but like stupid males, I am reluctant to show it and I turn that
hurt into serious anger. My problem is with my African parents who I think should go back to school and
learn how to speak to their children. I am not a dog. I am a human being.
My parents even though they think they are helping me to toe their line I feel their attitude is driving me
away from them and I find myself disrespecting my parents in the way I talk to them. I respond in like man-
ner, as their words cut into my flesh I want mine to cut into their flesh. It is human right? When I follow
their example, I feel very sad and ashamed of myself. My parents speak to me as if I am not worthy of a
kind, soft way of speaking and I cannot hear them when they speak in a rough manner. All I want to do is to
run away far from them. I feel so depressed sometimes I have to ask God why did He have to give me such
parents.
I love my parents but I do not love their attitude. I cannot wait to leave home and anytime will not be too
soon. I cannot take it anymore.
Beaten Down
Dear Beaten down,
You are not alone in your struggle with rough and tough parents. I get lots of mail about this poblem but this
letter spoke to me. Your parents might be from the school of hard knocks. A lot of the immigrant newcom-
ers’ cultures bank all their bets on their children. Not only do them want their children to succeed and get a
better job, they want their children to excel and be something they themselves could not achieve. In fact they
are counting on their children to shine the spotlight on them. So they are hell bent on bringing up a child
who is going somewhere and will make their parents proud. Communication is the key. Maybe speak to your
pastor or a respected elder in the community to convey your frustration and depression to your parents,
perhaps they will listen. It is a tough situation but on the other hand; imagineyour parents childhood. Some-
one taught them this is the way to do it and they listened. I think once they become aware of what’s going on
with you they mightchange. Try it.
LETTER TO MY CHILDREN
GLOBAL COUNSELOR

Neither rain, freezing cold nor
snow flurries was enough to thwart
the success of The Third Annual
Torch of Dignity promoting human
rights for all Manitobans. On
September 23, 2018 the event went
on as planned with more than 60
sponsored runners and more than 80
volunteers.
Bedson Park was the
registration and Opening ceremonies
venue with Master of Ceremonies
Mary Lou Bourgeois, Chairperson,
Torch of Dignity and host drummers
– Buffalo Red Thunder Singers.
Lisa Hill, Event Coordinator
and one of the hardest workers in the
organization pulled everything
together.
President Valerie Thompson
reminded everyone why they were
running “it is to assist our goal of
establishing human rights as a way
of life for more and more people in
our Province of Manitoba. We will
continue to work hard together to
achieve this most important goal.”
The MHRI is always looking for
more volunteers, so if you are
looking for a good way to spend
your energy and leave a legacy in
this city you might want to call Sean
Laing, Volunteer Coordinator at 204-
783-8374.
Third Annual Torch of
Dignity Garnered more
Community Support The Barbados Association
of Manitoba, Inc. (BAW)
successfully launched and
executed the Bridging
Intergenerational Gap project
over a six-month period
starting in June 2018.
Antoinette Zloty, Chair,
Project Advisory Committee
thanked the Federal
Government ‘s New Horizons
for Seniors Program, which
funded the project. Among the
project aims and objectives are
to build linkages, bonds and
capacities between younger and
older generations in the Black
community and to create a
video of the project. The
overarching theme focused on
fun and creating lasting
friendships between
participants.
Valerie Williams, project
Coordinator, said they achieved
the project goals through
presentations, discussions,
networking, collaborative
recreational activities and sharing
information amongst the
participants. The topics presented
included Elder and Financial Abuse,
Recreational Activities across
Generations, panel presentations on
Volunteerism for all and Social
Media and video preview. Within
this format participants learned chair
yoga, formal soca dancing, computer
skills, fitness and games for
everyone.
Held at the Winnipeg Winter
Club, each monthly gathering
followed a set format: networking
over coffee and tea, formal
presentations, complimentary lunch
followed by small group and
interactive discussions on the topic
presented that day.
The Barbados Association of
Winnipeg treated project participants
and their guests to a festive luncheon
at the Winnipeg Winter Club and the
final meeting and reception will be
sometime in January 2019.
Bridging Intergenerational Gap Connecting
Generations
Lisa Hill Coord.
Val Thompson,
President Luncheon Photos

Alexa Potashnik one of the rising activists in the
community speaking at Manitoba Association of Rights
& L:iberties Fundraising Event.
This is how you do the
Highlife Dance - at
Phillis’Nachilongo’s
80th birthday party
Segun Olude, community builder, was
one of lucky winners at the Congress of
Black Women’s Scholarship fundraiser
Dr. Raymond Currie, the ideas man
behind Circles for Reconciliation, found
his success in partnering with the
Indigenous community leaders. Circles
for Reconciliation faciltators volun-
teered at the recent Immigration
Partnership conference which was a
huge success.
Bits & BIytes
Torch of Dignity Participants - Making Winnipeg
a Human Rights City
Throw your dreams into space
like a kite, and you do not know
what it will bring back, a new
life, a new friend, a new love, a
new country. Anais Nin
Quotable Quote

Manitoba WISE Inc. Person’s Day
Breakfast was the usual buzz of
energy of a bunch of activist women
in the room. A lively din hung in the
air that stimulated everyone. This
year’s guest speaker, Dr. Joanne St.
Lewis, law professor, University of
Ottawa brought the excitement to a
new level.
She spoke about her personal
experience with social media and how
it almost destroyed her reputation;
how it can turn one’s life upside down
over night without seemingly having
any recourse to do anything about it.
The fake news purveyors are
sometimes faceless and nameless but
people share these stories without
verifying the facts and oblivious to the
harm it can cause and that it is about a
human being.
Her unique problem started in
the university environment. A
professor, no less, made the mistake
of referring to Prof. St. Lewis as a
“house negro” to the university
President who is Caucasian and traitor
to her race.
Anyone who knows anything
about Professor St. Lewis knows her
as one of the strongest advocates for
her race and this was her soft
underbelly, the fact that someone has
judged her unfit to represent her race.
This is her reputation, the core of
what she believed in and to have
people making judgemental
comments about her, calling her
down for this alleged treachery
was difficult for her, she said. “It
was painful.”
While many people in this
situation would have put their
hands, up and give up, not
professor St. Lewis. She said she
felt compelled to respond to
clear her name. She adamantly
refused any help from her
friends who were willing to take
on this fight.
She sued the professor for
defamation of character, won,
and won big financially. Thanks
to the university of Ottawa for
picking up the more than ahalf
million legal bill. Without that help,
she would have had to sell everything
she had or drop the case. It is a win
but in some ways a hollow win.
There is the damage and the false
information still being shared, read
and judged. How does a person clear
their name off the internet?
Impossible.
One of the ways you can dispel
fake information and minimize the
damage is what Prof. St. Lewis does –
using her experience as a lesson for
the public. She receives invitation to
speak at various fora on this topic.
Ironically, what was meant to
grind her in the dust of public opinion
has given her a lucrative unplanned
platform to create awareness of the
shadow side of social media most of
which originates in the United States.
Canadians have little control of the
information on social media sites.
Prof. St. Lewis said it was not
an easy journey. She experienced
trauma, paranoia and even despair at
times. Thanks to her strong circle of
support. For those interested you can
find the entire factum online, articles
and blog posts on this topic.
Professor St. Lewis was well
received in Winnipeg and received a
standing ovation. There was a strong
show of people attending from the
Black and immigrant communities.
Professor Joanne St. Lewis delivers rivetting Personal Experience
with Social Media
Kenny Daodu Year End Leadership Brunch A Big Hit
A certified coach and Leader Kenny is
poised to help those who want to help
themselves. She has hit the ground running
after her leadership coach certification and
held a successful year end brunch at Soul
Sanctuary. Next year promises to be an
exciting time and Kenny will unleash her
program in the early new year. Through the
proven Maxwell Method, Kenny is
equipped to help you develop your entre-
preneurship, speaking, coaching, selling and
mindset principles. She is keen to share
what she has learned so take advantage of
this resource to be on your way

Phillis Nachilongo is a
woman of exuberant spirit and it
shines through wherever she is.
She is the person to be around if
you want to lift your spirits. You
cannot encounter Phyllis without
being impressed by her joy of
life.
Mwaka and her team spear-
headed a beautiful 80th surprise
birthday party for her mother.
Invtees were sworn to secrecy.
Phillis must not have a clue as to
extent of the party.
The church hall suitably
decorated, the event was planned
with attention to the details that
made it special, classy and fun.
There was everything from the
grand entrance to red carpet
photographs with the celebrant
with each of the guest.
Phillis smiled from ear to
ear through the celebration and
greeted friends and acquaintan-
ces as if they’d known each other
since childhood. When it came
time for the traditional dances
Phillis threw off her 80 year old
body and became the vibrant
much younger woman matching
the moves of her children and
grandchildren.
True, age is a number
marking the moon times sunrises
“Dear friends let us love one
another, because love comes from
God. “Whoever loves is a child of
God and knows God (1 John 4:7)
Jerome & Margaret.
Congratulations to Margaret and
Jerome Strachan who celebrated 50
years of love, marriage and family
life surrounded by family and
friends from near and far at St. John
XXIII Parish and the Assiniboine
Gordon Inn on the Park.
A couple of strong community
builders whose volunteering
activities in Winnipeg span more
than 25 years particularly in the the
Church and the multicultural
Communities. This diversity was
reflected in the friends and
colleagues who were part of this
beautiful event.
The celebration began at the
Church with a full service of
thanksgiving and Margaret and
Jerome received a gift from the
Pope from the officiating priest.
Following this everyone retreated to
the Assiniboine Gordon Inn where
the celebration including a buffet
feast, speeches and dancing took
place. It was truly a community
event. Jerome and Margaret
specifically told guests not to bring
them any gift, as their presence was
gift enough to them.
and sunsets. Many are
not privileged to see as
man . Phillis makes
aging seems fashionable.
The evening was cel-
ebrated with music, good
food, good company and
dance.
Congratulations to
Margaret and Jerome
- 50 Years Strachan
Living the Life

Weyni Mengesha: New
Artistic Director - Soul
Pepper Theatre
One of Canada’s top theatres and
the largest theatre in the City of
Toronto recently hired Weyni
Mengesha as the company’s new
Artistic Director and with it put a dent
in the glass ceiling for both women
and actors of colour.
Born in Vancouver, raised in
Scarborough, Weyni is married
with two sons. She comes highly
qualified and accomplished for this
position. She is an accomplished
and talented director and
dramaturge. Among her credits are
“Da Kink in my Hair” which played
to rave reviews and full houses
across North America and London.
Lorraine Hansberry’s – A Raisin in
the Sun, Small Room at the top, for
which she received the best director
award. She received Dora Awards
for Best Production for Father
comes from the Wars (2017) and
Kim’s convenience (2012)
Weyni is a role model for all
women but especially women of
colour. Weyni said she committed to
mentoring new talent and one
among them is Winnipeg’s Bahia
Watson. She also voiced her
commitment to reflecting Canada’s
diverse talents in her work. This
promises to be an exciting time for
Theatre in Toronto and aspiring
talented actors and theatre
professionals of colour.
Weyni’s gain and by extension
the gain for women of colour is
Founder of Soul Pepper Theatre’s
Albert Schultz’s loss, caught in the
Me-too movement sting. Schultz
resigned amidst allegations of
sexual harassment charges against
him by some leading actors.
WISE INC. Photo op
The African and Caribbean
communities lost many family
and friends over this period
and our thoughts are with you
at this time. We did not get the
namesd of every one but we
know it will be a difficult
Christmas for you this year
without your loved ones.
We send you our heart felt
sympathies and want you
toknow you are thought about
and you are loved.
Life travels in a path only it
knows and we hae to adjust
knowing that all is well and
everything is as it should be.
To those celebrating birth-
days, anniversaries and
victories in the last elec-
tions, we send you best
wishes for your success in
all areas. We are praying
for your continued success
which will touch the lives
of many
Keep listening to the inner
small voice
If you are alone reach out
to someoethey mayt have a
word of solace for yu. Do
what is right for you but
know that friends are there
if you reach out.
In Memoriam and Get Well Wishes

If there is one symbol that causes
negative excitement today, it is the
Swastika, aka Gammadion,
Hakenkreuz or Flyfot. The swastika
flag, the symbol in black, in the middle
of a white circle on a red background,
produces feelings of evil, Nazism and
fear, causing all to remember the so
called evil barbarian Hitler. Is this a
fair characterization?
The Swastika is a very old symbol
with widespread use throughout the
world, and considered a sign of good
fortune and well being. On closer
inspection, one might see four perfect squares, (360 degrees),
representing the sun, associated with the worship of Aryan sun gods.
This is probably the reason Adolf Hitler chose this symbol when he, in
charge of propaganda for the National Socialist Party in the 1920’s,
sought out a symbol to distinguish them from other groups of the day.
The Germans also considered the Aryans to be their ancestors.
The “hooked cross” as it was also known, “seemed to beckon to
action the insecure lower-middle classes which had been floundering
in the uncertainty of the first chaotic postwar years,” wrote U S
correspondent William Shirer. Adolf Hitler writing in Mein Kampf,
describes the swastika this way. “In red we see the social idea of the
movement, in white the Nationalist idea, and in the swastika the vision
of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man.”
Pastor, Dr Ray Hagins made a claim that Adolph Hitler may not
be the “mad” man world has made him out to be, he just messed with
the wrong people. When he tried to expel them, Jews from Germany,
no other country would take them. Canada is famously reported to
have said, “None is too many.” It is at this point that he started to
exterminate them.
There are many words, phrases, symbols and the like, whose
meanings have changed over the years. It is clear that the Swastika
falls into this category. Whether Hitler was a mad man or not, it is
clear that his intentions were good when he chose it as German’s
symbol.
Victor Vaughan.
The Swastika
A Day to Remember?
Today is Remembrance Day, (RD). While most people are
watching or participating in RD celebrations, I choose to watch the
exploits of the 761st
all black tank battalion. As a little boy I was told
that RD commemorated the
sacrifices of those who died so that
we would be free.
That is what we were told.
We were also told that we (blacks)
were cannibals. What we were not
told was how effective the Tuskege
Airmen, also of the 761st
were to the
US efforts in the wars. We were not
told about the Tuskegee
experiments, slavery, lynchings, the
black Wall Street, etc..
Historian Dr John Henrick
Clarke has told us that WW1 was a
fight amongst Europeans, and the
WW2 was just a continuation of
that fight. When things were not
going well in Europe, England put
out a call to Canada for help. Many
young black men, including many
from the Caribbean went to sign up.
They were refused and a British
commander in Canada wrote back
to England saying “Niggers can’t
fight.” They persisted and, the only
Black Battalion in Canadian history
was formed. Chaplain, Captain
William A White was the only non
white captain in the battalion. On
arriving in Europe, the battalion
were given shovels rather than
rifles, having to clear forests to
make landing strips and dig ditches,
despite the brutally harsh treatment
of the white officers.
Do we have a lot to
remember? Yes we do. From the
time the Emancipation Proclamation
was signed in the US, Margaret
Sanger and her eugenics movement
did their best to eliminate as many
blacks as they could. The Tuskege
experiments affected not only the
men who were experimented on, but
an untold number of future
generations. As if all this was not
enough, Robert Manaker and Paul
Kotin conducted some experiments
which resulted in the AIDS virus
being created. It was called “MK
NAOMI: Kill all Niggers.” Negroes

Are Only Momentary Individuals.
Black and indigenous peoples all
over the world were killed and their
land stolen by the European man. Dr
Clarke, says, “He wants whatever he
sees, thinks he can’t do without it
and does not care to pay for it.” We
need to remember who we are,
where we came from and what we
had, before it was stolen from us.
Please, Never Forget.
Submitted by
Victor Vaughan.
The Canadian Economic
Development Network (CEDNet)
16th
Annual Gathering of about 500
community builders and 16
workshops tackling the theme Edge
of Change at St. John’s High School
was another success story.
Three dynamic panelists set
the tone in the morning plenary that
shaped the discussions for the rest of
the day – Elder Louise Mae
Campbell, Uzoma Asagwara and
Abdikheir Ahmad. In addition to
their formal jobs these three
panelists are advocates for social
justice in their private lives. Elder
Campbell is Resident at Red River
College a strong advocate for the
Indigenous people. Abdikheir
Ahmad former refugee from Somalia
is an avid advocate for immigrant
and refugees issues, and Director of
Partnership Immigration Winnipeg.
Uzoma, Psychiatric Nurse and
business owner, a passionate
advocate for Queer People of
Colour (QPOC) and is one of the
founders of this organization to bring
the voices of queer Africans, Blacks
and people of colour into the social
and political narratives in this
province.
Elder Campbell said
nothing would change until
women take back their rightful
place in our community. Our
chiefs talk the talk but do not
walk the walk. She said she is
excited that women are
standing up in the
#me-too movement.
Something changed us
she said and pointed her fingers
at religions that took over the
lives of Indigenous people,
converting them to the
colonizers religious beliefs.
We have to continue to build
our spirits, she said
Uzoma said it is an
exciting time to be queer. “As
an activist being Queer and
black inform the way I
experience the world.” She
said some of the queer content
of blacks, indigenous and
people of colour are scary while
others are uplifting.” She said
it is heartening to hear today’s
youths speak their truth and
know who they are unlike when
she was growing up and being
clueless about queer culture or
what being queer was all about.
Abdikheir spoke about
the rise of the neocolonialism
and imperialism trends that
appear to be circling back and
the need for greater solidarity
among socially conscious
people and communities. He
referenced the Bear Clan, Meet
me at the Bell Tower and other
efforts by the indigenous
people to reclaim their
communities from pimps and
drug dealers. He stressed the
need to share resources and to
continue to network so we can
make our communities stronger
“Those with privilege need to lift up
those who are not so privileged and
in that way we’re all lifted. “ Time is
always in short supply when issues
are being talked about passionately
and the panelists had to cut short
their ideas and opinions.
CCEDNet is a national
association of organizations and
people throughout Canada
committed to strengthening
communities by creating economic
opportunities that enhance social and
environmental conditions.CCEDNet’s 16th
Annual
Gathering
Elder Mae Louise Campbell, Chioma
Asagwara, Abdikeir Ahmad

’…tandoori legback and
Trini-stylebiryani;specklebanana
and crab tengle-leh; hustle when
school dun fuh flutie and snow
crush; where laugh story deh, cry
storydeh;coverupdimirrorwhen
yu see lightning flash; bicycle to
transpote truck to mota bike; dem
say flour paste make di best ‘kite’
glue; believe every child to man a
look fuh mek heights; every little
rascal tink he a star boy; every
little girl tink she a Rapunzel; fi
blessalickleweedeverybaldhead
a Rasta; worship yu pandit and
watch he head swell; ‘I only ha’
OvaltinetodrinkandNesquik;but
yu want yu Milo? Yu could go to
hell-o!’; Edgar Mittleholzer have
yu captivated; Randolph Turpin a
yu favourite hero; let eddoes be
eddoes, and bigones be bigones;
labba and creek water by di canal;
vaquero on a wild bull down in
Lethem; regetta a tear up Bartica
bacchanal!; have yu abeer and yu
abrack in hand; even baby powder
fuh Phagwah morning; drink a
Wheh all de men deh who
bin sexually abused by
adda men and
sometimes even by
women. Don‘t tell me
dis doan happen. It
happens moh often dan yuh tink.
Eh eh. It‘s dime fuh men to fess
up, throw aff dat iron male pride
an admit dat yuh bin hurt,
sexually hurt by men yuh trusted.
Dere‘s no shame. Its nat yuh
fault if someone took advantage
of yuh innocence. Yuh have to
take responsibility like dem
women an speak up. Tis the
season full tell all. Drain de
swamp. Maybe you was a lickle
boy, doan even know what‘s goin
cold beer with ‘Bruk Pocket Sam’;
present him di bill and lef’ him
quarelling; ‘what’s all di good, boy,
what’s all di strange?; wha’yu have fuh
gi poor people today?’; PPP and PNC
no cay ‘bout di ‘Slum’; but all body a
see tings in dem own way; gulgula,
kachourie, prasad and ghoja; light up
di Holika and sing chowtaal; Andrew
Watson a di fuss black man hey; fuh
play UK senior league football; carbon
tin and lighter a dance in di air; hassar
and live crab in a steel drum; jukebox
withforty-fiveaspinoutrealhard;likee
a drive pon black ice and drinking Cane
Rum; Lemon Hart, Gosling’s, and even
Screech, too; Sailor Jerry’s and Koko
Kanu;PeriodicTablenuhhaveElement
8; buh should’un mean my table
must’un have, too; rumbillion also
known as kill-devil; black tea and rum
or ginger and lemongrass; bauxite,
alumina and dragline; marbles in yu
pocket, moth balls in yu draws;
camphor in hot water and baby oil;
when you have fresh cold drink
eucalyptus; spring time in Trinidad is
time fuh Carnival; King and Queens
and di new calypsoes; wire mesh pon
top a pot fuh keep out mosquito; light
kerosene but avoid steel wool; ‘Oh
wha’dihellbringahangar!’leweelight
up; bake with white sea eggs or hot
buljol; tell me how SSS Tonic come
from Atlanta; and mostly Jamaicans a
swear by dis ting?; how so much a we
believe in Healing Oil; and Canadians
never hear ‘bout di ting?; who coulda
tell yu ‘bout Dr. Chase Tonic; mo’dan
di average Trinidadian?; coulda swear
Maxwell have a house a Blue
Mountain; f’on di way oono people a
stock up pon ‘am; rock lobster, frizzled
ham, and carib chicken; ‘Oh,
Conchmonger! Kindly scorch a fresh
conch!’; gi ‘am lime juice, sliced
onions and bird pepper; it gi’ di ooman
dem waist line a
good bounce!;
‘Long,longtimewe
no have no nice
time; sad to say, sad
to say, they ent
coming back...’
Neil Pitamber
on and dis, dis rass man dat yuh luk
up to like a hero violated yuh. It‘s
now or neva man. If yuh bin hurt
and yuh hurting, you gon hurt adda
people – fess up. Own up. No
judgement here man. Get de help
yuh need wid maybe anxiety,
depression, low self-esteem. Save
yuh relationship wid yuh family. If
dat many women been hurt, abused,
assaulted sexually by powerful
people, dere has to be mentoo in dis
boat. Times up, time to call out, time
to make amends. Hey, ah gat yuh
back. Taking bout mekking
amends when is Jim Crow goin mek
emends to we black people. Me sick
an tired of de gunning down of
innocent black people. Wha mek
LONG, LONG TIME
#Mentoo Movement
everybady hate us soh. De ada day
me see a lone banna by Maryland
and Portage wid all kind a posters of
black people and lion and ting and
wid a camera on tripods taping
heself. So I stap and ask him what
he doing. He had a lat to say. He
sey we Black Caribbeans ah na
Africans, we are de chosen people
but we got to get back to our roots.
He seh did white man fool us bad.
He seh God is punishing us for our
disobedience but dere are tings we
must do to mek amendsa. And I
always tought de Jews was the
chosen people. Eh eh.
Talk to yuh soon buoy
GAFFIN WID BUDDY

Children of Zion
Everytime I look around
Someone is being shot down
Burnt to the ground
Castigated as a vagabond
Just for being black or brown
Why do people feel its okay
To accuse blacks anyday
anyway
Sure that they will be believed
And don’t think they are
deceived
All because of a black is in the
mix
A handy tool is this simple
trick.
You point the finger at our
blackness
In holy rightousness
You brand us evil, trouble,
wrong
That’s the beat of your song
The beat that says you don’t
belong
A culture of discrimination
Built upon byations, this nation
Sometimes it makes me mad
Sometimes it makes me sad
Sometimes I wish I had been
born
Free from this scorn
Oh man, Nah, nah nah
I’m black thanks to Jah
And sometimes my heart crack
At the injustices, the flack
Heaped upon black
But we’ve got hearts of gold
The chosen one I’ve been told
A new day is on the horizon
For we are the children of
Zion.
(BAW)
Though surrounded by humanities’
arid embrace
The cactus still blooms.
While striving for survival on God’s
most hateful soil
Engrossed with the battering of
prejudice’s piercing winds
Striving beside each other, entwined
by time
Honing skills of survival from
plants long gone
Sharing sparse drops of Faith’s
enrichingwaters,withsisterlylove
Protected by tentacles sharp and
protective, while
Embracing the sunshine and
blessings from above
It reaches for the sky, Lifting as it
climbs,...
The cactus not only blooms
It carries on!
Ettie Rutherford.
One of the 100 Accommplished Black
Women
Letter to the Editor:
The Cactus Still Blooms
Tessa comes of age as the
advent of Independence on a small
British Caribbean island disturbs the
status quo and establishes a new
class and race hierarchy in a country
that historically was a polyglot
nation. As East Indians living in
straitened circumstances in a city in
which the social mores are now
dictated by the white, mixed race,
and well-to-do Blacks, Chinese,
Syrians, and Portuguese, the family
is under siege as they struggle with
financial hardship and discrimination
when they are forced to move from
their beautiful home in Port of Spain
to a much smaller house in the
impoverished suburb of San Juan de
la PIna. The family’s social life is
centred around the Catholic Church
and their extended family, and they
have their own prejudices as Tessa
discovers when the restrictions
placed on them by being Catholic
hampers her family’s ability to
improve their circumstances.
Winning entrance into the most
prestigious Convent School in the
Port of Spain is Tessa’s only hope to
get the education she needs to climb
out of poverty and break free of the
racism that seeks to define and
restrict her life.
Madeline Coopsammy
launched new book at
McNally’s
I’d like the Editor of GEM to
know that I just finished reading
the Fall 2017 edition, and loved
every story, interview and all
content.
Great pictures, too. Fine human
interest stories. GEM’s output has
been consistent in each and every
issue. I read every page and its
high time I congratulate you.
Thank you for the dedication to
publish this news magazine.
Sincerely, Helma Rogge Rehders
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS

Uganda Canadian
Association of Manitoba
for their New Year’s Eve
party on Dec. 31st 2018.
Venue: 613 St Mary’s
Rd.
Time: 7 pm - 1 am
For more info please
contact Raymond
Mukama @ 204 396
6581.
Please be encouraged to
attend.
___________________
Guyanese Cultural
Organization
Old Year’s Night Party
Monday, Dec 31st
,
20188pm
_______
Independent Order of
English Mechanics
New Year’s Eve Dinner
and Dance
Party Favours and all
the trimmings
100 Fife Street
$40.00
8:00 p.m.
The Manitoba Hindu Seniors
recently had a knowledge night with
an invites speaker Melanie Gudreau
Arbonne Representative touched on
health and wellness and shared her
personal journey back to health with
Arbonne health products.
Participants have to sample some of
the products and a delicious potluck
vegetarian dinner of rice, vegetables,
curry noodles and desert cakes and
drinks
It was an evening of learning
laughter and camaraderie at the
Manitoba Hindu Centre on 834
Ellice Street. Thanks to President,
Kamta Roy Singh there was no
shortage of Chinese food and Tim
Hortons coffee. Thanks to the
Society for opening up their events
to anyone who are interested and you
do not have to be a “senior” wink,
wink.
Manitoba Hindu Seniors has Great Programs for Everyone
New Years Eve
Events
Ring in the New Year with
friends or make new friends this
News Years Eve or have ahouse
party and call your friends
____________________
Congratulations to Diane Dwarka who
recently received one of the
Canada Race Relations Foundation’s
Community Champion Special Awards
for 2018, The Foundation gave out the
awards at its 10th
biennial Awards of
Excellence Gala Dinner at the Delta
Marriott Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Community Champion
Merry Christmas
& Happy New
Year to one and
all
Let’s meet right
here in the new
year
Guyanese Association New
Years Eve - Dinner and Dance
Please join us for the 40th
Annual Old Years Night Dinner
and Dance, hosted by the
Guyanese Association of
Manitoba. This year it will be
held at December 31, Canad
Inns Polo Park. Cocktails at
6pm, Buffet Dinner at 7pm,
Dance at 9pm.
___________________________

UBUNTU
- A very nice story from
Africa
The motivation behind the Ubuntu
culture in Africa ...
An Anthropologist proposed a game
to the African tribal children ...
He placed a basket of sweets near a
tree
And made the children stand 100
meters away.
Then announced that whoever
reaches first would get all the sweets
in the basket.
When he said ‘ready steady go!’ ...
Do you know what these children
did?
They all held each others hands, ran
together towards the tree, divided the
sweets equally among themselves,
ate the sweets and enjoyed it.
When the Anthropologist asked them
why they did so,
They answered ‘Ubuntu’.
Which meant -
_’How can one be happy when the
others are sad?’_
Ubuntu in their language means -
_’I am because we are!’_
A strong message for all generations.
Let’s have a Ubuntu Life
I AM BECAUSE WE
ARE
HAPPY KWANZAA TO ONE AND ALL
The Congress of Black Women
of Winnipeg cel-
ebrates
Kwanzaa
each year
during the
earlier part
of Decem-
ber.
Even
though
Kwanzaa
is properly
celebrated
from
BoxingDay
toNew
Year’sDay,
thatisnota
covenienttimeforCongress
memberssincetheycelebrate
Christmasreligiousholiday.
Kwanzaa,acelebrationofThanks-
givingintheAfricantradition,
occurredonDecember9thatthe
JamaicanCulturalCentre.Morethan
100peopleparticipatedincluding70
pluschildren.
Libationwaspouredandthecom-
munityrememberedit’sancestors
andtheval;uestheyupheld-
Umoja:Unity-Tostriveforand
maintainunityinthefamily,commu-
nity,nation,andrace.Kujichagulia:
Self-Determination: Ujima:
CollectiveWorkandResponsibility.
Ujamaa:CooperativeEconomics..
Nia:Purpose....Kuumba:Cre-
ativity....Imani:Faith.
Thecelbrationwasuplifting,
affirmingandempowering. Two
MLAsincludingaministergraced
theeventandstayedalmosttothe
end.
Therewasanabundanceoffoodand
drinks andtakeawaycontinainers
foralltoenjoythefollowingdayin
keepingwiththeAfricantradition.
Jumping Over the Broom (jumping
over problems)

Conventional medicine is not
the only game in town these days.
As once oppressed peoples
empower themselves in political,
economic and social spheres they
begin to look at other dominant
structures that affect their lives. One
such structure is our medical
system.
Alternative medicine is
prominent in social media as
users share information that
millions read every day. People
want to get to the root of their
illness. They want reasons why
they are sick. Whereas the basis
of conventional medicine is to
diagnose, operate and medicate
the affected part, alternative
medicine treats the entire human
body. This approach can be like
taking the train as opposed to the
plane to get to the same
destination . Science has helped
mankind live longer as well as to
die slower and overall has been
very beneficial to human
existence. People need a merging
of a variety of healing systems to
improve our quality of life. We
are not here to live forever, but
whatever life we have let it be
one of quality instead of quantity,
seems to be people’s message.
In a recent article, Dr. James
Makokis, from Saddle Lake Cree
Nation said that he combines
both western and Indigenous
medicine to treat his patients. He
said it is time to throw off the
influence of colonization on
Indigenous people and embrace
traditional medicine. In similar
manner Dr. Sebi master herbalist
developed the bio-mineral
alkaline approach. Dr. Sebi has
boldly claimed he cured diabetes,
cancer, AIDs, sickle cell using special
herbs, fasting and hoslistic eating of
alkaline diets. Many people around the
world follow his health regimen, while
mainstream medical community
criticize his lack of a medical degree.
Dr. Sebi, has never claimed to be a
medical doctor.
Progressive thinkers from
mainstream societies, tired of the side
effects and the constant plying of drugs
and more drugs to stabililize chronic
conditions are also empowered to seek
holistic approaches such as energy
medicines, Reiki, pranic healing and
diets. Dr. Joe Dispenza a scientist and
quantum physicists in his book “the
Placebo effect” talks about the self-
healing machine that humans are. Our
ancestors lived differently and led
healthier lives – the knowledge is there.
It was kept away from common folks.
Thanks to social media and the internet
this information certain practices is
becoming common knowledge.
Conventional doctors practice
medicine the way they have been
taught and operate in a silo that keep
them away from other health
professionals.
However, conventional
medicine’s role cannot be overstated.
In critical situations, it is the best route
to stabilize a situation and quicker
than alternative medicine that is
systematic.
One of the sure ways to maintain
good health is to have a healthy
lifestyle by eating whole foods,
exercise, engage is some spiritual
practice and live simply. Use your
mind in service to your body. When
we show conventional medicine the
way, they will adapt their medical
training to include subjects like
nutrition, mind body connections and
there may be a place for non-
traditional treatments being funded by
the government. Presently families or
go-fund-me pages have to bear the
high cost of alternativetreatments.
The sick person will benefit from a merging of Traditional and
Modern Medical Practices
quotable quote
Through Love all that is bitter will
be sweet, Through Love all that is
copper will be gold, Through Love
all dregs will become wine, through
Love all pain will turn to medicine.
Rumi

Health & Wellness
What’s the deal with
cucumbers?
Dr. Sebi’s Six Good Reasons to
Treasure Cucumbers
1. Cucumbers reduce the risk
of many cancers - Cucumbers
natural lignans protect against
many estrogen-related cancers,
including those of the skin
breast, ovary, uterus, and
prostate.
2. Cucumbers keep you
hydrated - Don’t think ‘cause
summer’s over that the risk of
dehydration is too. One
medium cucumber holds about
seven ounces and helps boost
your water intake all day.
3. Cucumbers have dozens
of antioxidants, including the
flavonoids known to protect
against heart disease. Seeds are
beneficial, so never seed your
cucumbers.
4. Cucumbers are also great
for weight loss. Low in calories
to begin with, cucumbers have
plenty of fiber and fluids and
they make an excellent
alternative to many breads and
crackers.
5. Cucumbers soothe your
skin - Cut cucumbers provide
natural chemicals with anti-
inflammatory properties. The
effect on your skin is a
reduction in irritations and
swelling.6. Guess what?
Bad breath is often produced by
bacteria in the mouth.
Cucumbers help to cleanse the
mouth and cucumbers wash
away the bacteria that cause
bad breath. If you need one
more reason to eat a few more,
see the recipe below. You’re
going to love it!
Mushrooms are good for
everybody.
For the man in your life,
mushrooms have some key
benefits that men, in particular,
should pick up on.
, there’s every reason to keep
eating any mushroom you find,
(except shitake mushrooms).
Here’s five good reasons that
you, and every man in your life
should be eating mushrooms all
the time!
1. Mushrooms reduce
cholesterol and blood
pressure
For men, higher cholesterol and
blood pressure are more serious
problems. Mushrooms high
potassium levels actually help
to remove excess salt from the
body and help keep blood
pressure under control.
Mushrooms also have almost
no sodium, so they also reduce
the risk of hypertension.
2. Mushrooms are great for
losing weight.
Naturally low in calories,
mushrooms are a great
substitute for meat, and they’re
versatile, fibrous, and nutritious
with plenty of natural proteins.
They’re also completely fat
free.
3. Mushroom improves sex
drive and stamina.
Mushrooms are full of enzymes
that improve sexual function
and health. Eaten regularly,
mushrooms improves the
production of healthy sperm and
inhibit estrogen production in men,
plus all the zinc helps to maintain a
healthy sex drive while promoting
testosterone production.
4. Mushrooms have been shown to
prevent prostate cancer.
Selenium in mushrooms supports the
immune system and helps to prevent
harmful cells. This reducesthe risk of
prostate cancer. The anti-
carcinogenic compounds in
mushroom prevent the development
of cancer cells in general throughout
the body. But mushrooms can also
help to breakdown existing tumors
and cancer cells when they’re eaten
regularly.
5. Mushrooms improves overall
brain function and activity.
Maybe best of all, the copper in
mushrooms helps with the
absorption of many other minerals
that improve brain health. Along
with all that potassium, the minerals
found in mushrooms keep the brain
healthy and helps in improving
regular blood flow to the brain.
Mushrooms may even play a role in
thwarting Alzheimer’s and regular
mushroom eaters can expect to live
to a ripe old age.
Guess what. Mushrooms are also
delicious and easy to prepare and
consume, seven days a week. So
keep eating them and if you run out
of recipes, there’s a new one just
down this page!
(Dr. Sebi’s teachings - take it or
leave it)

Healthy Recipes
Homemade Delicious
Plant-Based Muffins
Ingredients:
·1 small organic sweet potato,
roasted (should be about 1 cup,
packed)
·3tbsp.Groundflaxseedin½cupof
water (let the flaxseed sit in water for
10 minutes; this substitutes your
egg)
·¾cuporganic coconut milk
·2 tbsp. organic olive oil
·½cuppuremaplesyrupor
unpasteurizedhoney
·1 cup organic brown rice flour
·¼cuporganic coconut flour
1 tbsp.Aluminum-free baking
powder
½tsp.Himalayansalt
·1 tbsp. Ground cinnamon
·1 tsp ground ginger
· tsp ground turmeric
·! tsp ground cloves
·[! tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions:
1.Preheat oven to 400F.
2.Use a skewer to make a dozen or
mre holes in your sweet potato skin,
then cook it on a baking tray for an
hour, or until soft.
3.Allow potato to cool, and then cut
it in half and scoop out the insides
into a large bowl.Add the flaxseed,
coconut milk, olive oil, and maple
syrup. Combine until smooth.
4.In a separate bowl, mix all of the
dry ingredients, then add these to the
potato mixture and stir until properly
combined.
5.Oilyourmuffintraythoroughly
with coconut oil, then pour the
batter evenly into the muffin tray
so that each one is approximately
T! full.
6.Cook for 30-35 minutes.
Recipe by Abbey Ryan. Thank you.
Ingredients:
• 1 medium burro banana
• 1 Seville orange
• 1 cup berries (can be just
blueberries or a mixture of
blueberries, strawberries and
raspberries)
• 2 cups fresh lettuce
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
• Water
• 1/4 avocado, pitted
Instructions:
1) Add the water to your blender
first, followed by the fruit and the
greens.
2) Blend all ingredients until
smooth and enjoy!
Heart Healthy Berrty Salsa
DETOX BERRY
SMOOTHIE
Ingredients:·
1 cup fresh blueberries· 5
medium strawberries·
1 pinch sea salt·
2 tbsp. grapeseed oil·
1/4 red onion·
1/3 cup chopped green bell
pepper·
1/2 avocado, chopped· Juice
of two key limes
Instructions:
1) Combine blueberries,
strawberries, onion, key lime zest,
key lime juice and green bell pepper
in a food processor or blender and
pulse about 5-6 times.
2) Taste and season with sea salt and
cayenne pepper if desired.
3) Scrape salsa into a bowl and fold
in chopped avocado.
Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium red onion,
sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes,
halved
• 10 ripe figs, sliced
• 2 tablespoons key lime
juice
• 4 cups dandelion greens
• Sea salt, to taste
Instructions:
1) In a small bowl, toss fig slices
with 1 teaspoon of key lime juice.
2) Wash dandelion greens and
cut into bite-sized pieces.
3) In a salad bowl, combine the
greens, onions, cherry tomatoes
and figs with all their juices.
4) Sprinkle with sea salt and
olive oil.
Blissful Smoothie
Dandelion Fig Salad
Ingredients:•
1 pear, chopped•
1/4 avocado, pitted•
1 oz. blueberries•
1/4 cup cooked quinoa•
1 cup water Instructions:
1) Blend all ingredients in a high-
speed blender
High in vitamin B to help keep
nerve and brain cells healthy, and
you a lot happier. This smoothie
gives you all of the heartiness of the
quinoa and gives you a filling and
appetizing drink
Recipes from Dr. Sebi - Good for
you tastes good too

Season of Nuptials
Congratulations to Maiko Watson & Brooks Alexander Munroe and Melissa Yaw and
Fabian Thomas on recently tying the knot. Both Maiko and Melissa are Winnipeggers
living in Toronto, cousins and friends. The weddings took place in Toronto, three weeks
apart. Melissa’s wedding took place in one of Toronto’s cozy parks with a Wakanda
theme. Maiko’s followed a more traditional theme.

Gem fall /winter 2018

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