Global Eyes Magazine (GEM) December 2015

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4th
QUARTER
December 2015

Global Eyes Magazine December 2015
2
Reflection
Lambe Akinbolajio Celebrates his 87th birthday in Winnipeg
Mr. Akinbolaji flanked by his son Yisa (2nd
from L) and three daughters and their
spouses . Below are his grandchildren
The 87th birthday of Papa Lambe Akinbolaji was
celebrated in lavish style by his four children who are
living in Winnipeg.
Mr. Akinbolaji made his first visit to Winnipeg in
September, 2015 to see his children and grandchildren
and he said he was very pleased with what he saw.
Mr. Akinbolaji, a Yoruba thanked God for his
children’s progress and the love they have shown him “I
am very grateful,” he said through an interpreter. He said
that his other nine children who are living in Nigeria are
also planning to have a celebration for him. Mr. Lambe
said he felt very blessed. He shared a story that when Yisa
left home he advised him if he wanted to find a wife, he
should look to Nigeria and he would help him to find a
good one. He warned him not to marry a white girl. Now
that he met Catherine, his Caucasian daughter in law, he said he
is very happy and if his other sons should come to Canada, he
would tell all of them to marry white girls and the crowd roared
with laughter.
Mr. Lambe thanked his first born child Yisa for bringing not
only his mother’s children but his sisters from other mothers as
well. Mr. Lambe practiced polygamy. His daughters praised
their dad for not only ensuring his sons were educated but that
all his children were educated boys and girls equally.
The birthday celebration was held at the Fort Garry Community
Centre. There was lots to eat and drink, lots of shared stories
told.
John Brown’s baby had a chest cold
and they rubbed it with camphorated oil.
Glory, Glory Hallelujah. They rubbed it
with camphorated oil. This song and other
poems we learned, formed a large part of
our early education. It mattered not that
they had nothing to do with our
experiences as a people.
John Brown was born on May 09,
1800 to John Brown Sr., an abolitionist.
As a youngster John could not understand
why his black friends could not do the
things he was doing. This had a profound
effect on him and he became determined
to do something about slavery. He is not
considered to be a man who did anything
significant in his life. He went from job to
job, eventually becoming an itinerant
preacher. His determination to do
something about slavery was always
foremost in his mind.
He concocted a plan to raid an
armoury, steal guns and gave them to the
slaves. He knew that the slaves would
not follow a white man. He wanted
someone who the slaves would trust and
follow. He decided on Harriet Tubman
and Frederick Douglas. Harriet Tubman
was sick and could not help him. As a
friend of Frederick Douglas, he spent a
week with Douglas pleading with him to
join the raid but Douglas refused.
Just after sundown on Sunday,
October 16, 1859, John Brown and a
group of 21 men (16 white and 5 Black)
including his 5 sons, broke into the
Armoury at Harper’s Ferry Virginia and
quickly overpowered the guards, to steal
the 20,000 rifles, intending to distribute
to the large group of slaves who never
showed up.
After a couple of days the
Marines, led by General Robert E Lee
stormed the armoury and killed most of
the insurgents. John, with the remainder,
was arrested, tried and sentenced to death
on December 02. In prison he wrote a
note and passed it to a reporter on his
way to the gallows. The note read “I
John Brown am now certain that the
crimes of this guilty land will never be
purged away but with blood”. These
words proved prophetic because some
600,000 men died in the civil war which
started in 1861 shortly after his death.
As the Union soldiers marched to
war, they were singing the song John
Browns body lay rotting in the grave...
His soul is marching on. It should be
no surprise that to the northern states he
was a hero but to the southern states, a
terrorist.
John Brown - Hero and Villain by Victor Vaughan

3
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Global Eyes is an independent quarterly publication
devoted to promoting cultural awareness of the African and
Caribbean communities of Manitoba and highlighting the
issues and concerns of these communities. It also aims
at promoting cultural diversity and appreciation.
It features articles ranging from the achievements of local,
national and international personalities and general information
that are of interest to the African/Caribbean
Diaspora. It offers editorials with African/
Caribbean sensibilities and letters to the editor. The
Magazine is produced under a volunteer editorial
committee that assists with proof-reading, publicity and
distribution.
Mail cheque/Money Order to: Global Eyes Magazine (GEM)
671 Rathgar Avenue,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3L 1G6
December 2015 marks my fifth winter in Winnipeg.
The first one was in 2011.
The cold weather and
quantity of snow troubled
me! Winnipeg was a no
man’s land in winter! The
immigrant shelter
“L’Accueil Francophone”
introduced me to the
African French
Community. We celebrated
Christmas together.
Unfortunately we were not in the same boat. They found
me too “European”. Painful reality check!
Second Christmas was sorrowing but the next one was
funnier. I attended several suppers with French Manitobans.
I ate poutine and met wonderful people. Then, things got
much better since I have been working for the Province.
Some colleagues invited me over for Christmas 2014 and
shared amazing potlucks. All meals were excellent, I
breathed happiness!
This time of the year could be very stressful when we
spend our last penny for our love ones. Why do we offer
gifts during Christmas? Is this idea from Santa Clause or
St. Nicholas? Nope, that comes from the Bible. Christmas
or ‘Mass of Christ’ reminds us that God informed magi
about baby Jesus. Gospel of Matthew chapter 2 verse 10-
11: “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On
coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother
Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they
opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh.” Joy to the world, the Lord is
come...the Savior reigns!
God incarnated man, visited us, suffered death on the
cross for our sins as a sacrificial Lamb and resurrected the
third day. John chapter 3 verse 16, “For God so loved the
world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. In
Greek “Jesus” means ‘God saves”. As a born-again
Christian, I believe that I am saved because of Jesus’
sacrifice. Through His Holy Spirit, by grace, I have a deep
relationship with my Heavenly Father. Christmas is all
about the extravagant love of God for mankind.
By Benedicte Brou
I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Happy Holidays
everyone. May you
enjoy the season in good
health - GEM
Reflection – John Brown Hero or Villain p2
BénédicteBrou– Christmas story p3
Mwaka Kaonga ‘s Inspiring story p4
GCO Fall Supper p7
A new Player at the Forks p10
Creative Foundation Inc. p10
Leg-Up - Mr. Desmond Hoyte - p13
Regulars
Letter to my daughter.
Healthwise - recipes
Global Counsellor and much more...

4
GLOBAL
EYES
MAGAZINE
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All contents are (c) 2014 and may not
be reprinted without the express or
written consent of the author or Editor.
Editor: Beatrice Watson
MWAKA KAONGA RUNNING LIFESTYLE INSPIRES OTHERS
Mwaka Kaonga, mother of six
children and grandmother of two is a
running machine. Rain, snow, sleet or ice
could not stop Mwaka from hitting the
trails, especially when she is preparing for a
marathon. And she prefers winter running.
If you are one of Mwaka’s FB friends you
would see most of her updates focus on her
running activities, and she pops up in races
all over the world from Germany to South
Africa to the USA. It makes you wonder
where this woman finds the time and energy
to keep going. “I am a goal oriented person.
I need to work at my goals. It took years of
my life to get to where I am today,” She says
calmly.
“Exercise is a tool I use to keep stress
at bay. It was not always like this. There
was a time when Mwaka said she could
hardly get out of bed. Life had knocked
her a few hard blows.”
Originally from Zambia, Mwaka
came to Canada with her husband some
30 years ago. And in 1996 she became a
single parent of two children after she and
her husband separated. At the same time
she lost her job, and soon after lost her
sister and adopted her 4 children” She
said.
“I was in a dark, dark place” Mwaka
recalled her good friend Rosemary
became concerned for her friend. “she
pestered me to get out of the house and do
something, Rosemary took me to the gym
just to make sure I did, I was at the gym
five days a week.” Later she started
running outside with Rosemary and then
she got hooked on that. I did my first half
Marathon in 2003 and after that I started
looking for races everywhere I went on
vacation “ She now runs five days a week.
Close to 50 years old, life is sweet at
the moment. She knows the meaning of
friendship and the importance of exercise in
combating stress.
“Exercise is very important for a
healthy body, mind and spirit. I have
embraced this lifestyle and I am enjoying it.”
To date Mwaka has run more than 20
marathons and says “I am not competing
with anyone but myself. My goal is to go
through training and finish the race “I am
addicted to medals. When I die I want all my
medals in the coffin with me,” she joked.
She finds satisfaction in being with
like minded people. They are positive and
“we motivate each other. Our moods
change when we get older and exercise
helps to keep us balanced.” There are a lot
Continued on p16
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THAT KEEPS ON
GIVING TO A LOVED
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CHRISTMAS.

5
Briefs
GUYANA-born legislator Roxanne
Jacqueline Persaud, was elected to the New York
Senate on November 3, 2015 and becoming the
first female, first black, first Guyanese to hold the
position of assembly member for the 59th
Assembly District in Brooklyn, New York.
Along time community advocate and
volunteer Persaud 49, said “It shows hard work
pays off,” Persaud, migrated from Guyana with
her parents and siblings, when she was 19 years
old. “As senator, I will work to bring all the
communities together and to make sure they have
equal representation.” She said her dedication to
serving her community motivated her to serve in
various capacities including President of the 69th
Precinct Community Council in Canarsie,
member of Community Board 18 and
Commissioner on the New York City Districting
Commission. Persaud graduated from the New
York Police Department (NYPD) Citizens Police
Academy, as well as the New York City Office of
EmergencyManagement-Community
Emergency Response Team. She is a “long-time
advocate for her community and an avid
volunteer.” (CMC)
Growing in Fertile Soil Lily Rosenberg’s Originals
There was drama, food, silent
auction,cosumes and karioke
at the Mentoring Artist for
Women Art’s (MAWA)
annual fundraising event at
the Pangam Restaurant. It was
a well-supported fun evening.
Winner of the costume was
Elize Finnigan who dressed
up as former PM Stephen
Harper as
the wicked
witch of the
West.
Want to
find out
more about
MAWA call
204-949-9490
Rockstar Welcome for Goodhall
Lily Rosenberg, Winnipeg
Jeweller, was one of the artists
whose work was featured at the
Winnipeg Art Gallery during Nuit
Blanche 2015. Rosenberg
specialises in silver and gold
jewellry and ornaments. For more
information please contact her at
lilyrosenberg@hotmail.com.
Dr. Jane Goodhall received
star treatment at the University
of Winnipeg as hundreds
gathered in the Duckworth
Centre to hear her Lecture about
her beloved friends, the
Chimpanzee. Goodhall said she
was fascinated with animals
from an early age and she
credited her mother’s
encourgement for her
accomplishments. She joked
that Tarzan made a mistake, she
is the real Jane.Viola Davis’ Historic
Emmy Win
Actress Viola Davis
made history as the
first Black woman to
receive an Emmy for
Outstanding Lead
Actress in a Drama
Series at the 67th
Annual Emmy
Awards in Los Angeles. Davis won
the Emmy for her role as law
professor and criminal defense
attorney Annalise Keating on ABC’s
How to Get Away With Murder.
Elise
Finnigan,
MAWA’s Fun-raising Ball

6
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justice to your hair?
Look no more!
Les Touche Salon
will send you satisfied everytime
4-555 Balmoral Ave
Hours: Mon. - Sat.
9 a.m - 7:00 p.m.
Phone: 947-5830
Editorial - Take One
Condolences
Christmas means food and food means Shopping at Grand
Central Market Perhaps.
Christine Forbes and her family for
the loss of her brother in Jamaica
The Fletcher family for the loss of
their loved ones.
Get well wishes go out to:
Betty Hopkins, WISE Chair
Arlene Draffin Jones - who was
recently hospitalized
It is nice to see
our younger
generation taking the leap into business
and it is the hope that more would see
becoming their own bosses as an avenue
to personal and community deveopment.
Owning a business is not for the faint
hearted. Entrepreneurs are a breed in a
class of its own. Wendell Parke is in that
class. They thrive on calculated risks
and there is no failure as each set back
is seen as an opportunity to take stock
and learn from what happened and
move forward. This is the resilience
and self-confidence we need to
inculcate in this generation. Gone are
the days when having a comfortable
government job with assured pensions
and benefits is assured. It is the day
when we have to teach our children
how to take charge of their lives with
confidence. Thanks to Arnold Parke,
Wendell Parke’s father who has
shown confidence in his son to invest
in a joint venture with him. Wendell
had the business spark in him as long
as he can remember. He has a band,
and a record company that produces
music for others. Wendell recognized
all his skills to date helped him to
tackle his grandest effort yet with
confidence. The skills he learned
from the past are now parlayed into
this venture. The Caribbean and
Black community can do their part by
helping and supporting Parke to succeed.
When one person from a community
succeeds the entire community grows and
there is pride in knowing that our children
have what it takes to move from employee
to employer. It empowers the entire
community, but to succeed, we must see
Wendell as a product of the Caribbean or
Black community and support him like we
would our own child. When he succeeds we
all succeed and can walk with our heads a
little higher. I hope to see you at the Grand
Central Market sometime soon. Watch for
specials catering to the after church crowds
on Sundays, specials for seniors and other
goodies. Our good wishes for the success of
Grand Central Market.
Big thank you go out to those
who have supported GEM with
either their donation or
subscription. Special thanks to
the following: Mrs. Spence, Sy
HleziMaureen Kalloo, Lisa
Hacket, Mavis McLaren, Mr.
Lucky McLeod, Mr.& Mrs.
Charles Jones, May you always
be blessed with enough to spare
GLOBAL
EYES
MAGAZINE
RECOGNITION
CORNER
Happiness... consists in giving, and in
serving others. Henry Drummond

7
Guyanese Cultural
Organizations’
Seniors Fall Supper
GCO Twins
Shondell Babb honors seniors
with inspiration reading
participants
participants
Andy Castello and Roland Fereria -
Guyanese musiciansEulah Matheson receives gift from
Colleen Hayley
Birthday cake for Eulah Matheson - Gary
Elbers and Winston Johnson beside her
The Guyanese people are known
for their generosity and respect for
elders. And last October 2015 the
organization (GCO) respected the
elders not only in the Guyanese
community but other Caribbean
communities as well with a sumptuous
meal lovingly prepared by fabulous
Guyanese cooks who brought home the
Guyanese taste in eddo soup,
chowmein and cook-up rice and peas.
The seniors were properly pampered
with music by two Guyanese musicians
that added a joyful flavour to the entire
event.
And, special love was showered
on Mrs. Eulah Matheson who
celebrated a birthday. She was
honoured with a birthday cake and a
special gift. Mrs Matheson. and her
late husband were among the founding
members of the Guyanese Cultural
Organization and they contributed a
tremendous amount of time and energy
to keep it going and the community has
never failed to rally around Mrs
Matheson after her husband of many
years passed on. She is well loved and
she appreciated the kind gesture the
community dished out. She thanked
the GCO and made it known that
someone had said she would not live a
long time and here she is still living it
up and looking good too. The lesson is
only God knows how long a person
will live. The event ended with a bit of
dancing and jubilation.
Meet André Doumbé
André Doumbè president of
ACOMI, African
Communities of
Manitoba
Incorporated. He
is also a member
of the Manitoba
Human Rights
Commission
Board of
Directors. Andre
is serving his
second term on
the Board. He continues to be an
advocate for the African and
Caribbean issues. Best wishes to
Andre in this challenging role. He
was born in Cameroon.

8
Regulars
Global Counsellor
Letter to my children
My dear children,
Another Christmas and memories
of Christmas past flood the mind like
the chintzy Christmas items that flood
our senses in shopping malls. It is the
time I miss my sweet mommy the most
and wish she was on this side of life for
me to search out the best cards with the
sweetest words of praise and love I bear
her. The thought of “going home” might
have crossed my mind for home was
where mommy was. Even though I love
my sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends back home it is not the same.
There is still that hollowness of the
missing piece. So I’m not thinking of
going home this year. I’ll stay right here
with my Winnipeg friends who are now
my family. I am grateful for the deep
tracks in friendships I’ve created
over the years.
I do not begrudge those who
get all excited, go the whole nine
yards for Christmas in a commercial
way. We’ve all been there and when
you know better you do better. For
me, it is a sombre time of reflection
and gratitude, being aware of the
abundance which flows easily and
effortlessly in my daily life, through
my children, my friends, my work
and through my spiritual practice.
The stuff I craved in the past
now burdens the spirit which seeks
expansion, uncluttered spaces.
Friends and people expand your life
to edges you didn’t know were there,
it is something money cannot buy.
Treasure your friends and the people
who come into your lives like your
finest pearls and precious stones, they
are teachers and they reflect you; take
care of their feelings and be grateful
for them. When everything falls away
and, the jewelry in your box lose their
shine, the dusty fine china urge you
no longer cause your eyes to twinkle,
friends on the other hand increase in
value, it is a stock that appreciates.
You’ll do well to invest in this stock.
Christmas is a good time to invest
some more value in this stock –
friends. Have a friendship blessed
Christmas my darlings.
Love mom
Dear Global Counsellor,
I am a 16 year old African girl and have a
serious crush on a Filipino boy in my class.
He is a good friend and we do a lot of stuff
in groups. He treats me like a friend and
does not seem to be aware of the moves I’m
making on him to tell him I’m into him.
What can I do let him know that I am
interested in him. I believe he is crushing
on me too even though he may not be
aware of it now. Some of my friends tell
me that Filipinos do not go for girls outside
of their race and do not like black people in
that way. This made me feel very sad. I feel
my friends are stereotyping and may be
racist themselves. I do not want to believe
it. I am an attractive girl and this boy he is
open minded, love to rap and loves black
culture. What can I do? I want us to be
together like boyfriend and girlfriend for
the holidays. That would make my
Christmas so splendid. Help me.
Desperate
Dear Desperate
If you have read my advice before you
would know that I like sharp shooting. You
would not know what you need to
know by beating around the bush.
These days it is acceptable for women
or girls to make the first move. I
understand boys feel special when a girl
declares her for them but you have to
develop a tough skin and be prepared
for rejection. Rejection does not mean
that something is wrong with you it
may mean that this boy has his eyes on
someone else and that’s where he is it. .
Sometimes once the seed is planted that
boy starts looking at you different, as a
possible girlfriend and even though he
may reject you at first he may come to
realize, hey it might not be so bad after
all. Stereotypes lead to discrimination.
Even though most Filipinos are with
people of their own race, there are some
who date and marry women outside of
their race, so I would not put much
thought on stereotypes. The bottom line
is invite this boy for a slurpee or
somewhere that you can be alone
together and let him know how you
feel.
Caribbean Connection
Harry Finnigan, principal of McKay
Finnigan and Associates, expert in
community economic development
was hired as a consultant by the
Council of Caribbean Organizations
of Manitoba many years ago to do a
feasiblity study for a single Cultural
Centre to serve the needs of all the
Caribbean organizations. He said he
was excited about and believed in
the project.

9
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS
GAFFIN WID BUDDY
To Twin sister (Kenny)
To be a twin sister
Is a privilege reserved for a few
Oh how I wished I had a twin
Life would be so much fun
A playmate always around
To play with our dolls
Or wrestle each other to the ground
We’d be able to share clothes
Have fun times doing our make up
Grow up in each other’s shadow
Wanting the best for each other.
She’d always be there for me
And I for her.
Death and loss were not part of my
thinking
Could I bear even the thought of it
No, we’d always be together in my
plan
And so my heart goes out to you my
friend, Kenny
For losing your womb mate so soon
But you’ve accepted life’s offering
with courage and faith
You know even though she is no
longer visible
Her invisible body, her spirt is ever
present here and there.
(BAW)
NOVENTIS
She laughed when I said ‘I’m a farmer’
’Planting lies and hoping to sew truth...
(Not quite handsome for a country boy
But somehow rugged and very cute!)’
I thought her ways were more of
Wind than wine
But, as usual, I learned with time...
Upon receipt of her invitation
Then suspected a foundation
Had been set (but sat unrevealed)
She said, ‘I meant to tell you, Neil’
’I’m going to be moving far away
You may write to me if you feel like—’
With results like stabbing air and
Expecting blood with a pocket knife
She, away, and I moved on since
Wisest to tatooed brows and painted
smiles
And eyelids with pupils that dilate
Shimmering like fresh snow when they
blink
I fell to ashes - no pheonix rose
Now admit to feeling indisposed
But you were long ago
And his part of me no longer pines
within...
Bouy social media is good but it bring
out de crazies in people. People tink
dey are anonymous but somebody
always watching and anyting said in
dark come to light eventually. Dis ting
in Paris gat people tekking off de
cloak of tolerance an acceptance an
bare de racism dat de bin hiding all de
time. ISIS might be deliberately
distorting the Koran like de
Chritisians did in de past but it does
not mek all Muslim people bad. Luk
up de history of Christianity an you go
see. Like
Chrisitianity the
core beliefs in all
religions is peace
and love but we
humans wid our
pea brains mess it
u bad bad. Me point is don’ go
blaming peace loving Muslims, dey
are hurting like de rest of us but
racist don’t want to see anyting but
blame and hate.
Imagine living in a society where all
citizens pledge to
build a
community based
on equality and
non-
discrimination,
where men and
women are
actively
participating in
the decision that
affect their daily lives guided by the
human rights framework? That would be
awesome, you’d agree. This is the goal of
the People’s Movement for Human Rights
Learning (PDHRE) that Shulamith
Koenig, Winner of the UN Award for
Human Rights in 2003 and who at 85
years old travels around the globe
spreading the message of human rights
and attempting to set up human rights
cities around the world, including the City
of Winnipeg.
Val Thompson chairs the local
chapter and if you want to see Winnipeg
become a human rights city, Val is looking
for you. Won’t you join her on this
exciting journey? What could be more
important that working for the rights of all
peoples, all cultures and all races to live in
harmony be treated equally and without
discrimination?
If you would like to know more
please contact Val Thompson at
valeriethompson@shaw.ca. There are
some exciting projects in the works that
your help is needed. More information in
the next issue of GEM will be presented.
HUMAN RIGHTS
CITY ANYONE?
HAILAND FAREWELL(Christmas)
Care more when they are not here
Love most when at least prepared
Glued to the phone
Arguing over bones and things of a
similar value…
The real ‘ghosts’ are the memories
Of long past conversations…
‘I can still see you so clearly - do you
get snow?’…
A headstone and a (sub)plot
Synopsis to a wordless book
That image fails to conjure for me
A warm sense of
invitation…
‘But I only think of
anything else when I
have to’…
By Neil Pitamber, a
Canadian-Guyanese
writer, poet

10
A New Player at the Forks Market
The Creative Foundation of Manitoba
Inc. has resumed its work in helping to
connect youths with the importance of art
in everyday life.
In October 2015 it sponsored a one
day event titled “Multicultural harmony
through the Arts” at Canada Inns with
Guest Speaker Douglas Riske, Executive
Director of Manitoba Arts Council,
workshop animators, Sue Hemphill, Becky
Thiessen Randy Guest and Yisa Akinbolaji.
The activities were interactive and student
participation was high. Students learned
about intercultural sensitivity, community
art and perspectives in film and visual art.
Creative Foundation president Dr.
Sunday Olukoju welcomed the audience
and provided an overview of the
organization and expectations of the day’s
activities while Vice President, Malinda
Lee navigated the day’s event flawlessly.
Mr. Riske set the tone of the day
speaking eloquently about the importance
of art in the lives of people and students
were transfixedwiththepassionheexuded
Riskesaid“Manitobaisknownasa
hotbed of arts andculture.” And
challenged the audience to think about
what is inside all the activities they
participate in. “Look inside yourselves,
in your workplaces, malls, bowling alley
and see where the art exists. Some
people still resist art as airy fairy stuff.
Art is inside of us, it brings out empathy
in people – our ability to enter the
thoughts and feelings of another.” he
said
“people
who
participate
in art
activities
are better
neighbours,
maybe they
are the ones
who will likely talk to you over the fence. Arts
help us see inside.”
Riske added, if you took away the art from
the Jets game, for example, “what would you
have left? Sports and arts go hand in hand. Art is
used to sell. It is an economic driver. Art is a
growing strong and sustainable industry, dealing
with renewal resources – YOU.”
Many people may know Wendell
Parke as an entertainer and record
producer but he is also a shrewd
businessman which he is channelling in
the biggest business venture he has
undertaken so far becoming the co-
owner of the Grand Central Market at
the Forks which opened July 31 in the
space formerly known as Casa Bella.
In High School Wendell had won the
Young Entrepreneurs Award for his
Hot Dog Business Plan and is the brain
behind the venture while his father
Arnold Parke is the Financier. Wendell
put the proposal together and said it
was tough coming up with a winner. He
did his homework and what he offered
caught the eye of the Forks Market
Management.
Quiet and unassuming the smiling
Wendell said he has learned a lot
throughout the development process
and is continuing with the learning
curve as they settle in to a regular
routine at the Forks.
The former Basket Ball player and
contemporary of Minister Kevin Chief
he has a learning curve to overcome in this
area.
Wendell said the store is modelled after
New York and LA Market with similar
concept as the Forks. The name Grand
Central Market reflects the theme and
history of the forks and fits it with the Forks
management’s current vision.
Excited to be working with his dad
Wendell explained Grand Central Station
market offers prepared foods cooked every
day, pastries, health juices, local farm fresh
seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as a
section with ethnic foods. Sonia Lemoine,
Vegan Chef is helping him to develop a
vegan menu for the market. “There will be
something for everyone. So far the Jerk
chicken is proving to be a hit,” he said
Wendell said the summer was hectic, had
him running off his feet and that he was
surprised to see the many tourists from all
over the world who visit the Forks each day.
He said there are always surprises at the
Grand Central Market because his dad has a
unique eye for products and introduces some
unique items frequently “I don’t know where he
shops for them but it is great.”
Multicultural Harmony through the Arts
Sue Hemphill
Becky Thiessen
Randy Guest
Yisa
Akinbolaji
and Todd McCullough, Wendell said the
biggest challenge is staffing and realizes
Douglas
Riske

11
Shireen Ahmed calls for
Acceptance by fellow
Canadians
You’re invited to a discussion on
Sexualizing the ‘Disposable’ woman on
Novemebr 30, 2015, 7-9 p.m. at the U.W ‘s
Eckhardt Grammate Hall, 515 Portage
Avenue 3rd Floor. The event is sponsored in
association with the Canadian Federation of
Students Consent Culture Campaign. It
promises to be an evening of collaborative
dialogue storytelling and education around
Consent Culture. The aim of the discussion
is to create awareness of the ways in which
marginalized women are more vulnerable to
sexual and gender-based violence due to
intersectional systemic oppression.
and does not intend to insult or attack
anyone, but instead spark the importance of
providing a safe space for disccusions such
as this to happen more often. The panelists
include:UzomaAsagwara
Adeline Bird (Host, producer, founder of the
webseries and Podcast Style & Soul)
Autumn Crossman,Tasha Spillett
(Indigenous Educator currently working at U
of W in the Faculty of Education and U of M
in the Department of Native Studies)
For more information please contact Alexa
Potashnik (Racialised Student
Commissioner with the Canadian Federation
of Student of Manitoba) at:
alexa_potashnik@hotmail.com
or (204) 914-4149.
Get in the MIX
MATCH, Manitoba Chapter marked
International Day of Peace with a forum
around Recommendations of the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission at
Kaknichihk building. Speakers were
Sylvia James and Velma Orvis who
shared their experience in working for
peace and reconciliation. Sylvia initiated
the Helen Betty Osborne walk from the
Pas 11 years ago and seven years ago
Brenda Osborne’s (relative of Betty
Osborne) daughter also disappeared.
Betty Osborne was murdered in the Pas
on November 13, 1971 by four young
men and it took 18 years to convict her
killers. Brenda Osborne is now the
official keeper of the Flag for the annual
walk. Sylvia said she was excited to be
part of the 10,000 marchers in the streets
of Ottawa to receive the report from the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Velma shared her experience
working with abused men and women
and with seniors in residences. She did
smudging for participants. She said
during the walk they saw the Eagle which
represents change. She said it was hard
emotionally. “If we believe and respect
our own spirituality we will believe we
are on the same level.”
Nuala Nazarko shared her report
on the work of MATCH and the
International Women’s Fund which
supports indigenous women’s group in
Guatemala and in the Pacific. MATCH
depends on the generosity of the
community to help it in its work of
empowering and supporting women in
doing it for themselves and Helen
Whettles, the chair of Match Manitoba is
putting out every effort to spread the
word about the work of MATCH and the
need for your donation.
W.I.S.E (Women in Support of
Equality)formerly
known as LEAF
M a n i t o b a
celebrated its 30th
Annual Person’s
Day Breakfast at
the Convention
Centre with a full
house
G u e s t
speaker, Shireen Ahmed, born and
raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia spoke
a b o u t ‘ Ve i l e d T h r e a t , Wo m e n ,
Multiculturalism & Equality in Canada
The Promise of the Charter, said she
found sports as a vehicle to human
rights and it teaches lessons of loss and
perseverance.
For all the hullabaloo about niqab,
she said there are fewer than 300
women in this country who wear the
niqab.
“Focusing on this issue overlooks
the more than 1200 missing and
murdered Aboriginal women, gender
pay gap, environment and sexualized
violence which impact a large number
of women every day. These are the
issues that are worth the headlines and
not a few niqab wearing women.”
The Government questions our
loyalty but the equality provision is
enshrined in the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms. ‘Who or what are we in
Canada. Minority rights are enshrined
in the Charter but my children face the
s a m e
prejudices as
I faced. When
could we be
comfortable
Canadians?
They play ice
hockey and
eat poutine
too‘.
Isha Khan, Legal Counsel, MHRC
introduced the Guestspeaker
MATCH CELEBRATES
INTERNATIONAL DAY
OF PEACE WITH THE
ABORIGINAL
COMMUNITY
The Black History Month celebration
committee is sponsoring a fundraiser on
December 10, 2015 at the Rumours
Comedy Club and need to sell at least
100 tickets. Tickets are $12.00. Email
bhmwinnipeg@gmail.com
for your tickets and for more information.

12
Zoning In - Bits And BytesZoning In - Bits And BytesZoning In - Bits And BytesZoning In - Bits And BytesZoning In - Bits And Bytes
The second annual Multicultural Tea
Festival sponsored by the Islamic Social
Services of Manitoba in recognition of the
Islamic History month was an event not to be
missed.
Coordinated by RubyAtif, the event was
fun, exciting and had the energy of a
marketplace in the Middle East filled with rich
scents, colours, and beautiful women in hijabs
mingling happily with non-Muslims and
Canadian born people. This is what gives
Winnipeg its Multicultural edge.
Without leaving Winnipeg one was treated
to all kinds of teas and baked goodies from
countries including Pakistan, India, Bosnia,
Ethiopia,Afghanistan, China, Japan, Egypt,
Philippines, Lebanon and the Philippines.
Teas ranged from sweetened chai to salted
pink tea.
Goodies
were too
numerous
to
mention.
Ishmaila
Alfa,
CBC
Radio
Host heated
up things
with his
excellent
emceeingskills.
Congratulations to Martha Aviles on
her retirement after more than 30
years working in Canada and
Nicaragua. Her last place of work
was Laurel Centre where she worked
as a Therapist for women and girls
who are and have been sexually
abused.
In attendance were Martha’s
immediate family members: husband
Francesco, daughter Martha and her
grand daughter plus her first doctor,
first ESL Teacher, first people to help
her settle and integrate were there to
help her celebrate this milestone.
The staff praised Martha for her
contribution to their practice through
humour, dedication and skills. It was
a beautiful send off.
Horace Patterson
Annual Jazz Concert
It was cabaret style seating at the
Horace Patterson Foundation Annual
fundrasing concert held at the Centro
Cabota Cultural Centre. The relaxed
atmosphere and the wonderful Jazz
music transformed the space into a
delicious Sunday afternoon “hang” of
the coolest crowd that could have been
in New York or New Orleans right here
in Winnipeg home of Canada’s fiercest
jazz lovers. The comfortably filled
venue was entertained by the talented
Steve Kirby, Lisa Kirby, Derrick
Gardner, Ishmaila Alfa and the lovely
Joanne Majoke accompanied by the
University of Manitoba Student Jazz
Band.
Moving On
Sarasvati Productions announced
the first annual Janet Taylor Bake Off
Award in memory of Taylor’s
contribution as President and volunteer of
the Theatre for many years as well as
Taylor’s financial support to female
playwrights as they develop a new script.
To participate in the Bake off Female
playwrights are invited to write a new
scene in 8 hours with three ingredients
that the Theatre provides. Five scenes are
usually selected and the best one will be
given the Janet Taylor Bake Off Award.
They challenge playwrights to think on
the fly and it has been a fun event at
Femfest each year. The public is invited
to contribute to this award.
NewJanetTaylor
Bake Off Award
at FEMFEST
Multicultural Tea
Festival
Hope McIntyre,
Artistic Direcor and
Janet Taylor sisterss

13
Why are Women so Freaking
Unhappy?
CDC reports women suffer more than
men from frequent mental distress.
Women report feeling stressed,
depressed, or having problems with
their emotions fourteen or more days
out of the month.
More women than men are unhappy in
their marriage (and in cohabitation
relationships) and are more likely to
end the relationship.
‘Baby blues’ have risen sharply
compared to 30 years ago.
”Women’s happiness has declined both
absolutely and relative to
men…women in the 1970s typically
reported higher subjective well-being
than did men. These declines have
continued and a new gender gap is
emerging - one with higher subjective
well-being for men.” I.e. men are
happier than women now. Women are
unhappier than men regardless of
whether or not they are working, stay-
at-home moms, married or divorced,
young or old, well-educated or not.”?
According to Patrick Wanis Celebrity
Life Coach and Behavioural expert
women need t:o:
Stop exposing yourself to fake
unachievable standards.
Stop being fooled by the “50 is the
new 30” advertisements.
Stop pursuing eternal youth.
Stop reading about the post-baby
body, bottom, boobs, hips, thighs or
legs of Jessica Simpson, Kim
Kardashian or some other celebrity.
Stop comparing yourself to other
women.
Stop trying to get more and more
likes for your latest selfie on social-
media.
Start embracing who you truly are.
Start accepting and liking yourself
for who you are right now.
Start setting your own standards for
your appearance and health.
Start setting new goals for your life
based on your own
The Caribbean Community Cultural
Centre at 1100 Fife Street was
transformed into a beautiful banquet hall
for the
community
dinner on
Saturday
October 17,
2015. There was
full
representation of
all member
organizations.
The packed hall
of well dressed
people savoured
a delightful
evening of
music, speeches,
prose, poetry
,songs and food.
Thanks to the talents of Mavis McLaren
Jamaican Dialect storyteller, ANANSI
School for the Performing Arts, Shirley
Alleyne, poet, and Rhonda Thompson, R
& B, Gospel, Hip Hop artist who provided
entertainment. Joy Bissoon emceed in
style. Dignitaries included Flor
Marcelino, Minister for Multiculturalism
and Literacy, Melanie Wight, MLA for
Burrows and Minister of Children and
Youth Opportunities and Assistant deputy
Mayor Janice Lukes.
Diane Dwarka introduced Ismaila
Alfa, host of Up to Speed CBC radio as
the guest speaker. Ismaila shared his
experience of growing up as a biracial
child in Winnipeg. He came with his
family from Nigeria, at an early age.
Father of 3 children, Ismaila said they
found total acceptance in the Caribbean
community and
heaped praise
on the elders
who
encouraged him
and his younger
sister along the
way. He found
his tribe in
Dumisiani
Theatre
production that
honed his
speaking skills
and built his
self confidence.
Lois Patterson
was a big influence. She believed in his
gifts and eventually he became a believer
in himself. “I am the by-product of the
amazing Caribbean community that took
me in like I was from one of the islands.”
Ismaila said the best deterrent for
crime is community support. “It takes a
village to raise a child ,”he reminded.
‘Diversity keeps our community
healthy – the more we invite people in our
community the stronger it becomes. He
told the audience it is time to build
outwards. You are a community and it is a
living, breathing thing.
Ismaila received a standing ovation
and The evening‘s formality ended with a
vote of thanks from Rupert Forde then the
dancing began.
Diversity Keeps Communities Healthy
Rhonda
Thompson
Mavis McLaren

14
HEALTHWISE
Let your food be
medicine and your
medicine be food.
Hippocrates
Gem of Wisdom
(From Diamond Rosary)
Becoming aware Of what Ego is
All of us are familiar with the emotion
of ego. We are aware to different extents,
about the negative repercussions of the
emotion of ego on us and on others.
Depending on how aware we are about the
effects, we work to eradicate the emotion
from our daily lives, so that it neither
disturbs us nor others. Some of us even
consider it a positive emotion and feel it
contributes positively to our personal and
professional progress. To be aware
completely of the negative effects of ego and
to realize clearly whether it is a positive
emotion or not in the first place, it is
important to first become aware of what it
the ego.
Ego is attachment, inside my
consciousness, to an incorrect image of my
‘self’ which I then mistake for myself. When
the attachment takes place, you lose your
sense of identity in the image of the object of
attachment which you create on the screen of
your mind. That object can be something
physical like your body, your physical
personality, a relationship, a material
possession, your status, money, a particular
skill, respect from others, etc. or something
non-physical like a belief; an opinion; a
mindset, a memory, a particular virtue,
specialty, power or a sanskara (positive or
negative), etc. Therefore ego is the self
attaching to and identifying with an image
that is not the self. This process takes place
entirely within our consciousness many
times in the day, on the screen of the mind.
E.g. When we say this is my salary package
(something physical) or my opinion
(something non-physical), we are (without
being aware about it) creating an image of
the salary package or the opinion inside our
consciousness and becoming attached to it,
so that we lose our self identity in the salary
package or the opinion, believing that I am
the salary package or the opinion. So at that
time, the salary package or the opinion
becomes an incorrect image of the self to
which I am attached. This is ego. If while
thinking, feeling or speaking about my salary
package or my opinion, we do not become
attached to or do not lose our self identity in
either of the two, then that is not ego.
3 ripe bananas
1 (15 ounce) can
chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
and rinsed
•1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup honey
4 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175
degrees C).
Grease 1 large loaf pan.
Blend bananas, chickpeas, butter,
dates, almond flour, honey, eggs, baking
soda, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla extract,
and salt together in a blender or food
processor until batter is smooth.
-Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden
brown and a knife inserted in the center
of the loaf comes out clean, about 1
hour. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before
slicing.
Ingredients
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fennel seed
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons allspice
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground ginger
4 garlic cloves, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup orange juice
7 pounds chicken wings
Delicious Banana
Bread
Combine all ingredients in a bowl
and set aside. Spoon or rub
seasoning mixture over chicken
wings and let marinate for 20 to 30
minutes.
Heat butter and oil in large skillet
over medium heat. When bubbling,
add wings and cook 5 to 10 minutes
on each side until browned but not
crisp Could be served with rice or
eat by itself.
Spicy Jerk
Wings
Ingredients
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1½ cups basmati rice
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups. chicken or vegetable stock
4 tsp. ground turmeric
3 Tbsp. ground cumin
3 Tbsp. ground coriander
1 pinch red pepper flakes (crushed)
1 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
12 cup raisins
¾ cup cashew (halves)
Procedure:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-
high heat. Add rice and cook for 2
minutes. Stir in the remaining
ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and cover tightly,
stirring once to ensure prevent
sticking. Cook until rice is tender –
about 20 minutes ·
Tumeric Basmati Rice

15
Leg Up
While most of us know the
importance of giving back to the
community, only few of us do and
Barbadian born Leroy Hoyte is one of
them.
On October 23, 2015, the Hon.
Deanne Crothers, Minister of Healthy
Living and Seniors at the Legislative
Building presented Hoyte the 2015
Recognition Award for his outstanding
and meritorious service to the
Winnipeg community.
Witnessing the presentation were
Jean Gaskin, who nominated Mr.
Hoyte for the award and her sister
Antoinette Zloty. Jean said she was so
impressed with the compassion,
dedication and reliability of Mr. Hoyte
that she felt compelled to nominate
him and let others know what a role
model there is among us.
Gaskin said, Mr. Hoyte is a man
who exemplifies community spirit. A
caregiver at heart, he gives the most
important thing a person can give, of
himself to those who need, not
expecting anything in return. A man
who stands tall in the community for
what he represents to those fortunate
enough to know the man.
Mr. Hoyte migrated to Canada
via England where he took up residence
at the age of 25 leaving behind family
and friends in Barbados in search for
something better. He worked with the
London Transport and then with St.
Mary’s Hospital in London before
heading for Canada in 1976 and for 25
years he worked in the health care field
at St. Boniface General Hospital where
he cared for people. When he retired in
he became a full time caregiver for his
beloved late wife Mrs. Joan Hoyte and
after she passed away, Mr. Hoyte
ratcheted up his reach to beyond his
family and into the community. He is
there for anyone who requires his help.
Desmond Hoyte Volunteer Services
win him Prestigious Award
He offers real services that are sometimes difficult
to find e.g. he takes people to medical
appointments, escorts some to and from group
meetings, outings, is there to listen to those
struggling with emotional issues and he even
shares his baked goods and meals with others who
enjoy a good Caribbean meal. People like Mr.
Hoyte is hard to find,
At the age of 84 he keeps his mind fresh and
his body active by being an active participant in
life. He is a long standing member of the Barbados
Association of Winnipeg since 1977 a year after he
arrived in Winnipeg. He is currently a member of
the Caribbean Seniors Group, volunteers at the
Church where he served as a member of the vestry,
a regular volunteer at Folklorama throughout the
years and was honoured with being asked to be a
VIP for Folklorama this year.
This award is long overdue to Mr. Hoyte and
I am so happy to be in the company of such a
person., Gaskin
A FIRST IN THE
WORLD
The Eritrean-American was
born in California after her mother
escaped Eritrea in the early 1980s.
Today, Girma is a successful
attorney who advocates for civil
rights of people with disabilities,
reported the Diplomat News
Network. She says that she is
proof that if you believe that you
can achieve a goal, then you will.
The 27-year-old’s family
comes from Eritrea, a country in
the Eastern region of Africa. Being
born deaf and blind in her home
country did not give her many
options for access to education,
noted India.com. There were no
schools for people with special
physical disabilities, and it would
have been impossible for Haben to
get the education she needed to
become a lawyer. Her older brother
was also born deaf-blind and did
not have access to special
education in Eritrea, either.
Girma went to Lewis & Clark
College, where she graduated
magna cum laude in 2010. She
later matriculated to Harvard Law
School and earned her J.D. in
2013. (HNGN News source)
President Barack Obama , VP Joe
Biden and Haben Girma
Quotable Quote
“The first step toward
success is taken when you
refuse to be a captive of the
environment in which you
first find yourself.”
Mark Caine

16
of running groups that will teach you to do it properly and
safely.
Mwaka says she has a running buddy who is 70 years old
and she wants to be running at that age too.
She gets a lot of support and encouragement from her
children. They realized that when she runs she is happier.
Her children are also active, they encourage each other. she
wants to encourage everyone to get active it is worth the
effort and it helps you to age with grace. It can be as little as
20 minutes a day of walking. Consistency is the key. Start
small to get into a routine then you can build up if you need
to. I started with 10 minutes on the treadmill. If anyone
wants to start and need more information or company I will
start up with them.
Mwaka Kaonga continue d from p6
Mwaka, 3rd from lft with running buddies
Meet Me at the Bell Tower Celebrates 5th Anniversary
This weekly community gathering on Selkirk Ave. lead by Michael Champagne, from Shamattawa Cree
Nation is an attempt tor estore the community to wholeness and make it a safe place for families. This
event attracts people of all ages and ethnicities. Meet me at the Bell Tower has not only engaged the
Aboriginal Community but extends invitation to all
Winnipeggers to join the weekly group at the Bell Tower to
discuss issues of concerns.
The stimulus for “Meet Me at the Bell Tower” was
the gang-related death of Clark Stevenson, a 15-year-
old, stabbed to death on September 10, 2011. This
woke up the community. The bell also is a historic
community tool. It is rung when important events are
happening in addition to the hourly chimes. It also
signals danger. It was the city’s fire bell from 1877 to
1903. It was installed in the Market Building behind
the original City Hall. When that building was
demolished in 1961 the bell went into storage. In
1985, as part of a revitalization project, it was
installed where it is now on Selkirk Avenue.
These meetings are followed with food and
entertainment and activities for children

Global Eyes Magazine (GEM) December 2015

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Global Eyes Magazine (GEM) December 2015