CONTENTdm
Kinesis
application/pdf
UL/AUG 1999 *»_ &S!KcS5» Sfetai Making DAWN...pg 11 CMPA $2.25 KINESIS I ^~~~ %News About Women That's Not In The Dallies Valuing v/omens unpaid v/orv; Breastfeeding Farming E\dLer care ^fc Reeye\»rAg iffi^ Aotherinq IIBf \ H omescho ol i ng ,^§fe^ :'"op£^Y^ **r—9 4p3BL lesbians } ! B debunking _B 1 tne the |g |§ H provocation kitchen ___L |^H defence CeleLorating 25 Ysars f 9 7 H - f » » 9 #309-877 E. Hastings St. Vancouver, BCV6A3Y1 Tel: (604)255-5499 Fax: (604)255-7508 Email: kinesis@web.net Kinesis welcomes volunteers to work on all aspects of the paper. Our next Story Meetings are on Tues Aug 3 and Tues Sep 7 at our office, 309-877 E. Hastings St. Production for < September 1999 issue is from August 17-24. All women welcome even if you don't have experience. Founded in 1974, Kinesis is published ten times a year by the Vancouver Status of Women. Its objectives are to be a non-sectarian feminist voice for women and to work actively for socia change, specifically combatting sexism, racism,classism, homophobia, ableism, imperialism and anti- Jewish oppression. Views expressed in Kinesis are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect VSW policy All unsigned material is the responsibility of the Kinesis Editorial Board. EDITORIAL BOARD Fatima Jaffer, Lissa Geller Kelly Haydon (on leave) Agnes Huang, Jenn Lo Bernadette Phan, Laura Quilici Amal Rana, Colleen Sheridan (on leave) PRODUCTION THIS ISSUE Robyn Hall, Taine, Nadine C. King Nancy Pang, Eun-ju Heo Bernadette Phan, Fatima Jaffer Leanne Keltie, Lynda Gray Monica K. Rasi, Ruth Sauder Marketing: Jenn Lo Circulation: Audrey Johnson, Chrystal Fowler Production Coordinator: Amal Rana Designer: Jenn Lo FRONT COVER Valuing women's unpaid work graphic by Bernadette Phan PRESS DATE June 28, 1999 SUBSCRIPTIONS Individual: $20 per year (+$1.40 GST ! or what you can afford Institutions/Groups: $45 per year (+$3.15 GST) VSW Membership (includes 1 year Kinesis subscription): $30 per year (+$1.40 GST) SUBMISSIONS Women and girls are welcome to make submissions. We reserve the right to edit and submission does no guarantee publication. If possible, submissions should be typed, doubl spaced and must be signed and include an address, telephone number! and SASE. Kinesis does not accept poetry or fiction. Editorial guidelines are available upon request. DEADLINES All submissions must be received in the month preceding publication. Note: Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan are doubl I Features and reviews: 10th News: 15th Letters and Bulletin Board: 18th Display advertising (camera ready): 18th (design required): 16th Printing by Horizon Publications. Kinesis is indexed in the Canadian Women's Periodicals Index, the Alternative Press Index, and is a member of the Canadian Magazine Publishers Association. ISSN 0317-9095 Publications mail registration #6426 Inside News New resource guide on women and unpaid work 3 by Agnes Huang Anti-choice ads anti-truth 4 by Joyce Arthur Security at women's shelters not the real issue 5 by Agnes Huang Features Women students organizing in Korea 8 by Eun-ju Heo Debunking the defense of provocation 9 by Agnes Huang The murder of Susan Klassen 10 by Shelagh Smith A 12-step plan to take back the nation 16 by Jane Kelsey Centrespread DA WNing: How to start and maintain a group The making of a resource manual 11 by Joan Meister A short herstory of the DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN) Canada Part One 12 by Joan Meister Part Two 13 by Eileen O'Brien DAWNs across Canada 15 How to order DAWNing 15 Arts Womyn Warriors on video 17 reviewed by Nadine C. King Review of Shooting Stars 18 by Jackie Brown Taste-test a lesbian erotic cookbook 19 by Shannon e. Ash Regulars As Kinesis Goes to Press 2 Inside Kinesis 2 Movement Matters 6 compiled by Dorcas Wilkins What's News 7 compiled by Leanne Keltie and Robyn Hall Letters 20 Bulletin Board 21 compiled by Amal Rana M^. Invitation to our Story Xeeting August 3rd at lpm 309-877 E Hastings KSt>?Agnes a(604) 255-5491 "No, if's no! menopausal depression. If's no pay, no sick leave, no pension, no identify!" Valuing women's work 3 I Minim HRI * * III Women organizing in Korea.. Making DAWN 16 JULY/AUGUST 1999 KINESIS As Kinesis goes to press, it's almost July. While the heat rises in other parts of the country, there are huge grey clouds over Vancouver. Tiny stabs of chilly rain fall on jacketed passers-by outside our windows. During a conversation with an anti-male violence frontline worker, we hear how women have been showing up at work wearing gloves. This ain't summer! More on the weather. In The Province newspaper, there was a story in June about women who are struggling to get the landlord of their building to turn on the heat because their children, especially the babies, are too cold to sleep. No, there'll be no heat, says Mr. Slumlord, because he's too hot at night. Eventually, a poll of tenants is taken. The score? Mostly women and children, too cold; mostly men, too hot. Conclusion? The heat stays off. The women fight on...a losing battle, really, because it would be unjust (!) if the needs of shivering babies takes precedence over those of the sweaty, beefy fellows next door or the hydro-cost-cutting needs of the landlord. Another weather vignette: in passing, we learnt that 1998 was the hottest year in four centuries! Yes, the weather is a preoccupation this month....but there are some other items that grabbed our attention in the last moments as the paper was getting prepped for the presses. ...Like the good news from Mexico (...where it is hot.) In keeping with the demands of the hundreds of thousands of women represented through their women's reps at the world conference on women in Beijing in '95...Mexico will count women's unpaid (home/domestic) work in the next census. The census will also take into account contributions made by family members (mostly women) towards care of members of the family with physically disabilities. According to a study of 20 million households in Mexico, this should affect some four million households with family members who have physical disabilities. The census will also count the contributions towards Mexico's national economy made by 42.2 million people who perform unpaid domestic work, about 92.3 percent of whom (no surprise) are women! ...Like the inspiring visit recently to Canada by Dr. Ellen Kornegay, of the Office of the Status of Women (OSW) in South Africa. Kornegay, a longtime activist for women's and African liberation in South Africa and in the USA and a former social worker, now works at the OSW which is housed in Thabo Mbeki's office, that is, in the offices of the president of South Africa. The OSW has a key role in formulating and vetting policies for gender components, and no ministry in South Africa, federal or provincial, can slip sexist policies by the OSW. Well, in theory, at least. We were unable to interview Kornegay for time reasons, but we'll tell you what we know. Kornegay was on a cross-Canada tour of meetings with government types to discuss women's equality measures that might work in the South African context. During her stop in Vancouver, a small group of women's organization reps (two) and Aboriginal women (three) met Kornegay at the Status of Women Canada office. We talked to her about what we think works and what doesn't. A startlingly honest general discussion ensued. Among observations...It's becoming more and more apparent that the Canadian independent women's movement(s) have been seriously co-opted and sidetracked in our struggle for women's liberation. Despite huge gains over the last 25 years, the best laid out plans have gone awry. For example, BC now has the only surviving stand-alone women's ministry in the country (until the NDP get voted out next Spring). Yet BC women are struggling against similar opporessive policies that the previous Social Credit governments had had in place—but now our opponents are NDPers. Our appreciation to the following supporters who became members of VSW, renewed their memberships or subscriptions to Kinesis, or who made donations during the months of May and June. Melanie Conn * Sharon Costello * Barbara Curran * Sharon Goldberg * Dorothy Kidd * Gail Ployer * Rosemarie Rupps * Esther Shannon * Jean Swanson * Rita Wong * RMD Productions * Surrey Teachers Association A special thanks to our donors who give every month. Monthly donations assist VSW in establishing a reliable funding base to carry out our programs, services and Kinesis throughout the years. Thanks to: Helen Babalos * Wendy Baker * Merlin Beltain * Jody Gordon * Erin Graham * Tamara Knox * Linda Shuto * Shelagh Wilson CORRECTIONS Oops, we must stand corrected. Last month, in our interview with Yue-Qing Yang, the director of Nu Shu: a hidden language of women in China [page 14,] we inaccurately stated that Nu Shu was used exclusively by "Yao" women. Nu Shu was also used by other women in the region, including Han Chinese women. Kornegay talked about the structures her country has put in place to work towards women's liberation (which is linked to the liberation of all peoples in her enviably politically literate country). Three years after South Africa held its first ever multiracial political elections, the OSW was set up as the apex of a network of other "gender equality" measures. [Ed. Note: The term/notion of gender equality is preferred by many South African women because, among other reasons, the notion of "women's" equality could invite unnecessary male opposition on grounds that women are being divisive at a time when Africans and other progressives need to come together and not get distracted from the greater goals of the day]. Setting up the OSW was chosen over the option of having yet another ministry focused on women's issues, which ran the risk of women's issues being ghettoized and seen as separate from the key issues of the day—male violence, housing and other re-allocation of resources issues. And so in 1997, the OSW set up shop within the Office of the Deputy President's Office. But now, with President Mandela gone and Deputy President Mbeki leading the country, the OSW finds itself at the nub of the high-powered happenings in that country. [Ed note: And with Mandela gone, the focus has somewhat shifted from reconciliation (and placating the white population) to rebuilding the country and effecting changes that Africans have already waited too long for.] Most powerful in our meeting with Kornegay was the connection forged between herself and the Aboriginal women present. For example, in South Africa, how to affect progressive change politically when you still must contend with an overwhelmingly white Afrikaner bureaucracy? In Canada, how to build up a community that is still colonized and controlled by the Apartheid-inspiring Indian Act? In the end, what stood out was the feeling that while South African women energetically and creatively act to take advantage of a still-strong political will for social change, Canadian women barely struggle to stay alive as a political and social force. Depressing? Yes. But meeting Kornegay was inspiring too. It impresses upon us a need to continue to try to think creatively, rethink, and/or throw out what works and what doesn't in the women's movement, rather than stubbornly clinging to what used to work...and damn it, will, if we only just keep at it It impresses upon us a need to challenge ourselves and honestly answer the question, "What is women's liberation and do I really want it? Do I have what it takes to get it?" One quick announcement as we go to press: Composer/pianist (Torontorian and Sagittarian) Lee Pui Ming will launch her 4th recording, Taklamakan, with a multi-media concert in Vancouver (at the Roundhouse) on July 20, and in Toronto on July 24. The concert will feature three Mongolian performers. For details, call Ellie O'Day at (604) 731-3339 or the Roundhouse. As Kinesis goes to press, we end by wishing you a good (warm) summer and plenty of opportunities to find and express your womanpower. Let yourselves shine and ...what the hell, do something to liberate yourself. Live big! And enjoy, if you can! Well, the first day of summer has come and gone and you may be wondering how the hard-working yet party-crazy gang at Kinesis celebrated this momentous occasion. Beware! The answer may disappoint you! Yes, the rumours you heard were true. Like many others in Vancouver, we celebrated the summer solstice by taking cover from the rain and asking ourselves, and each other, some soul-searching questions, such as: where is that damn sun? will it ever stop raining? is it really time for production again, and of course, that most frequent of dilemmas: what should we write in Inside Kinesis this time? Despite the foul weather that replaced some much needed sunshine, we managed to keep the creative fires burning within the mango-hued walls of our production room, with the help of some fabulous volunteers. Speaking of volunteers, the Kinesis team wants to congratulate Lissa Geller [a member of our editorial board and general all- around super volunteer] on the newest addition to her family, baby William. Congrats to Lissa, Tracey, David, Joey, and a huge welcome to William, the newest~not to mention, youngest-member of the Kinesis team. (Just kidding!) But while we're on the subject of volunteers, we want to thank all the dedicated women who came in to help us out with our July/August issue. We'd also like to welcome new writers Eun-ju Heo (who came all the way from Korea to write an article for us [see page 8]), and Shelagh Smith [see page 10.] For all you aspiring Kinesis editors, don't forget that we're still accepting ap plications for this position till August 16. The job does involve a lot of hard work, but it's also a really great opportunity! We look forward to receiving applications from as many women as possible [see the job posting on page 21.]. From reading the last few instalments of Inside Kinesis, you may have gotten the impression that all we do is party and eat. Okay, it's true, but this time around we did a few other exciting things too. July saw the official launch of what we hope become a long standing Kinesis tradition: our first clothes swap. Thanks to Monica and Bernadette for bringing in some truly snazzy items... The women of Kinesis are always in style! Speaking of stylish, absolutely stunning, fabulous... we're talking about the just-launched Kinesis subscription drive campaign, complete with lovely lime green brochures. We sent out 1,500 pieces to potential individual subscribers and 1,000 pieces to potential institutional subscribers. And now, we're waiting... A huge thank you to leanne Johnson—the genius behind this operation—for being a great sub-drive coordinator! Let's see, what else did we want to tell you! Oh yes, Kinesis will be closed for the month of July... time to give our hard working crew a break and a chance to go in search of some of that elusive sunshine. We'll be back in production for our September issue from August 17-22. Our next story meetings will be August 3rd and September 7th at 7:00pm at our office. Until then, we hope you have a great summer. SIS JULY/AUGUST 1999 News A new resource manual on women and unpaid work: Expanding our notions by Agnes Huang A new all-in-one handbook for anyone and everyone interested in getting a better handle on unpaid work has just been published. The When Women Count Resource Manual is the product of more than three years of compiling and writing, and many more years of researching and organizing, by Mothers Are Women. MAW is an activist organization based in Ottawa and operated out of the homes of a few of its members. (MAW does not receive any ongoing funding support. For this resource manual, the group received grant monies from Status of Women Canada.) The inspiration for the manual came out of a desire to broaden the debate, and to encourage women to become active and make connections in their own lives to unpaid work issues, says Evelyn Drescher, a spokesperson for MAW. "So many women out there aren't active or don't think they're active. We produced this manual so they'd know they can do it too." Women involved with MAW wanted the manual to encompass the broad range of issues related to unpaid work so that others would not have to go through the four, five year process it took them to get to their current place of understanding. With that said, Drescher admits that, although the manual extends more than 250 pages, it does not provide in-depth coverage of all the issues. The goal of When Women Count is to deepen the collective understanding that the issue of unpaid work is more than just taxes and the "mommy wars." Says Drescher: "The question of allocation and reallocation of resources in a society is an issue of economic rights and economic justice that goes beyond the tax system." In fact, unpaid work should be seen in the context of the environment, economic restructuring, volunteering at a rape crisis centre, breastfeeding, elder care, globalization, farming, and so on. Expanding the public's notion of what counts as unpaid work—pushing them to think beyond the traditional image of "the homemaker"—is critical, Drescher adds. This is particularly relevant given the recent focus in the media and by the Reform Party in the House of Commons on tax breaks for "single-income" families—read: "stay-at-home" moms versus "working" moms. In response, Finance Minister Paul Martin called together a multi-party Sub- Committee on Tax Equity for Families with Dependent Children. The subcommittee handed its report over to the federal Finance Committee on June 14, a week before the House recessed for the summer. For its part, MAW says what is needed is a comprehensive and progressive family policy that addresses a gamut of ways governments can support families (families defined in a broad sense). Such measures would include adequate maternity and parental leave, accurate measuring of unpaid work and caregiving, and ensuring that any pension benefits are directed towards the caregiver. As well, Drescher says more money should be allocated to the federal Women's Program, which provides funding to women's organizations, to encourage women's groups to continue working on this issue. In the meantime, MAW is focusing its attention on the 2001 Census, trying to ensure that there continues to be some recognition of unpaid work. MAW has a great stake in the Census, as it played a critical role in lobbying the federal government to add questions about unpaid work in the 1996 Census. Towards that goal, MAW published eight editions of The Kitchen Table Revolution newsletter between 1994 to 1996. Although geared specifically towards the Census, it also focused on a general exploration of the issue of unpaid work. Then, in 1996, MAW prepared a "Getting Counted" kit to help more people understand the usefulness of questions in the Census on unpaid work. While women's groups were successful in getting some recognition for unpaid see WORK next page Counting women in The When Women Count Resource Manual was produced to help the reader understand the issue of unpaid work more completely. It was compiled by women involved with Mothers Are Women. The manual is part of a work in progress—MAW recognizes that the issue and understanding of unpaid work are ever-evolving. Section I explores the politics of unpaid work, and speaks to the injustice of keeping unpaid work uncounted. Section II spells out how to facilitate the "When Women Count Workshop" created by MAW. Section III focuses on activism and explains different types of involvement in the movement to count and value unpaid work. And finally, Section IV contains a list of resources. Here, is an excerpt from the introduction of the manual. By opening the When Women Count Resource Manual, you have embarked on a further exploration of unpaid work. This resource manual is another piece of an ongoing discus sion. Far from being the "definitive word" on unpaid work, this document represents a continuation of the debate about unpaid work, and is another step in the process of getting all work recognized. The When Women Count Resource Manual is fundamentally a public education document. It is meant to provide you with information, and a place to begin your own discussion about unpaid work. It will also be used as a lobbying tool, to continue to persuade statisticians, economists, and policy makers of the importance of counting and valuing unpaid work. The unpaid work movement is a collection of people around the world demanding recognition for the unpaid work that holds the world together. It represents thousands of people, mostly women, doing millions of hours worth billions of dollars of work in caring for and feeding people—and doing this work in virtual obscurity, often not even able to eat the food they grow. The unpaid work movement can trace its roots back to the late 1800s, when women began to connect their fight for equality with the work they did. That connection rings true today, as the demand for recognition of unpaid work is made on the grounds of basic human rights. In between then and now, there have been a number of memorable moments. The moment in 1991 when Carol Lees refused to agree with the Canadian census that she "did not work" simply because she was not paid for her work. Moments when unpaid work gained recognition as a feminist issue. The moment when Selma James declared that justice would come in the form of wages for housework. The moment when Marilyn Waring's writing exposed the global economic system as unfair to women. These are all snapshots that document a continuing process. In 1996, a coalition of individuals and groups successfully lobbied Statistics Canada to include three ques tions about unpaid work on the Canadian Census of Population. Those questions attempted to measure some of the unpaid work done in the home, in caring for children, and in caring for elders. [The When Women Count Resource Manual] takes "another step:" the next step after the '96 Census, the step before Beijing +5 [the follow-up conference to the 4th World Conference on Women held in September 1995] and the 2001 Census. [It is] a building block of the unpaid work movement that has made this important issue a matter of human rights and international concern. The cost of the manual is $20 for members of MAW, and $30 for non- members. To join MAW or for copies of the When Women Count Resource Manual, contact Mothers Are Women, PO Box 4104, Stn E, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B1; tel: (613) 722-7851; fax: (613) 692-1388; email: maw@cyberspace.ca; website: www.cyberus.ca/~maw. JULY/AUGUST 1999 SIS News Women and abortion rights in Canada: Anti-truth advertising by Joyce Arthur A group called "Pro-Life BC" is currently sponsoring several ads on local TV that try to persuade pregnant women to carry their pregnancies to term. Although these slick ads are subtle and reasonably tasteful, they represent the snowy-white tip of a very large and dirty iceberg. Most anti- choice propaganda uses misinformation and fear-mongering to dissuade women from having abortions. More typical of anti-choice advertising is a recent 12-page insert in a Pitt Meadows community newspaper. This insert is very similar to others that have appeared in community newspapers over the years- -they all contain the same twisted mass of misinformation. It would take a book to adequately refute the many errors in these ads, but let me address three of the most dangerous ones. First, the anti-choice ads claim that abortion greatly increases the risk of breast cancer Most scientific studies show no such link. The anti-choicers rely on one or two flawed studies to make their claim, and deliberately ignore evidence contrary to their position. Many independent experts, including the Canadian Cancer Society, have concluded that a link between abortion and breast cancer has not been established. Even if a link did exist, it would be so miniscule as to be statistically insignificant. The anti-choicers are shedding crocodile tears over the issue of breast cancer, because if they had any real concern for women, they would not bully them with false and threatening scare tactics. Second, the anti-choice ads claim that abortion is physically risky for women, often resulting in serious complications, such as hemorrhage, perforation of the uterus or bowel, and a future risk of infertility or problem pregnancies. In reality, abortion is one of the simplest and safest medical procedures of all. In Canada, the maternal death rate for abortion is 0.1 per 100,000 procedures. Complications occur in about 1 percent of patients, the majority of them minor, such as fever or abdominal pain. Safe, early abortion has no effect on a woman's future ability to bear a healthy child. In contrast, in countries where abortion is illegal and unsafe, the maternal death rate for early abortion is 330 deaths per 100,000 procedures, and the rate of complications averages 25 percent, most of them severe, such as infertility or sepsis (a serious infection.) When a very rare maternal death from abortion occurs in NorthAmerica, the anti- choicers shed another flood of crocodile tears for women, publicizing it as an example of the dangers of abortion. Meanwhile, their proposed solution, illegal abortion, is one of the most efficient woman- killing machines ever invented. Third, the anti-choice ads claim that abortion causes "post-abortion syndrome," a condition characterized by serious and chronic psychological side-effects, including guilt, rage, nightmares, and sexual dysfunction. There is no such disorder. Most women feel primarily relief and happiness after their abortion, and never regret their decision. Any negative emotions that women experience tend to be mild and temporary, and often stem from the unwanted pregnancy itself, not the abortion. On rare occasions, some women do. suffer chronic emotional after-effects from their abortion, but this is usually linked to other factors, such as previous psychiatric problems or a coerced abortion decision. Ironically, new mothers are much more likely to suffer serious psychological effects, such as post-partum depression. When women do have some emotional problems with their abortion decision, what's really the root cause? The depiction of abortion as an immoral, shameful, and guilt-ridden activity has been honed to a fine art by the anti-choicers. Women who arrive at abortion clinics are often surprised at the professional, compassionate care they receive. Apparently, they expect second- rate care, and an atmosphere of disapproval. That's because the public well has been poisoned by years of relentless anti- choice propaganda. Various anti-choice agencies advertise that they help pregnant women in distress. But most, like Crisis Pregnancy Centres, do not make referrals for abortions, instead they give out false information on abortion, and instill anxiety and guilt for a decision to have an abortion. Some Christian counselling agencies claim to help vulnerable women who are troubled by a past abortion. Usually, they try to convince the woman that she murdered her own baby, then teach her to somehow forgive herself. Needless to say, such wounds may never heal. The next time you see or read a "pro- life" advertisement, question the accuracy of every image and every word. Don't be swayed by a superficial, caring exterior, and don't be fooled by crocodile tears for women. The anti-choice agenda is profoundly anti-woman, even anti-child. Because if they really cared about babies, they would care about mothers just as much. Their supposed concern for the fetus disguises a lack of respect for all women, especially those who insist on controlling their own bodies and lives. Joyce Arthur is a spokesperson for the Pro- Choice Action Network, and edits their newsletter, Pro-Choice Press. PC AN can be reached at http://www.prochoiceconnection.com/pro- can) from WORK previous page work in the Census, the questions included were restricted to just three areas: household work, child care and elder care. Now, Drescher says, activism is needed to even keep those three questions on unpaid work in the 2001 Census—the Liberal government has not confirmed it will not pull them. She adds that because the government is using the threat of dropping the questions altogether, MAW is unable to push for further progress, such as the inclusion of unpaid work in the Labour Market section of the Census, or the recognition of volunteer work. The Liberal government will decide on the content of the next Census this Fall. So far, Drescher says, MAW has only received supportive letters from Hedy Fry, secretary of state for the status of women, and Health Minister Allan Rock. She adds it is important to gain the support from others ministers like Pierre Pettigrew, Human Resources and Development Canada, and Finance Minister Paul Martin. MAW says that understanding the role of unpaid work in the functioning of households, communities, the marketplace, and national and global economies has critical and far-reaching implications for social and economic policy in Canada. As an example, Drescher points to the healthcare system. "In order to have a clear understanding of the real value/cost of healthcare, it is necessary to examine the economic contribution of both the formal (paid) and informal (unpaid) sectors to the system," says Drescher. "Only then can effective social policy be made." MAW is planning to raise the issue of valuing and compensating unpaid work at the Beijing +5 forum in New York next June. [Beijing +5 is the follow-up meeting to the 4th United Nations World Conference on Women held in September 1995 in Beijing, China.] Drescher notes that sorting out the issue of compensation is important, but it is a different debate from valuation. As a baseline though, no one should be penalized for doing unpaid work. That, Drescher says, includes being left vulnerable to poverty, a situation many women find themselves in particularly in their senior years. MAW will use the Beijing +5 forum to put pressure on the Canadian government to honour its international commitments to advance the status of women. The forum will also allow women's groups to stress the clear links between unpaid work and globalization, and to other issues such as migrant labour. Another project MAW is undertaking is to compile its Kitchen Table Revolution newsletters into one book, with an updated editorial. After that, the group will start a new series of newsletters which will focus on social policy issues. It's just all in a day's "unpaid" work. off our backs 29 years of the finest feniinistjoiirnalisni N^s International Health Conferences Lesbian issues Interviews Sexuality Radical Subscribe Today! ONE YEAR FOR JUST US$33 Nainc Address City, State, Zip Check or money order in US currency please. offeror backs 2337B18thSt.NW Washington, DC 20009 USA JULY/AUGUST 1999 News Battered women 9s shelters in Canada: Safety always top priority by Agnes Huang "Shelters are safe." That statement from Louise Riendeau was a sentiment expressed by feminists across the country after the murder of Ginette Roger at a women's shelter in St-Jean sur Richelieu, Quebec (30 minutes south of Montreal). Riendeau, the coordinator of Le Regroupement provincial des maisons d'hebergement et de transition pour femmes victimes de violence conjugate, a coalition of 48 women's shelters and transition houses in Quebec, says her organization had to put out a very clear message. "We don't want women to feel afraid to use women's shelters." Ginette Roger left her husband, Marcel Samson, and had been staying at Le Coup d'Elle shelter for a month. Shortly before 3:00am on June 11, Samson showed up at the shelter and kicked in the door. He asked a staff member where his wife was and when he didn't get the response he wanted, he went looking for her. When he found Ginette, he shot her seven times. He left the shelter, and later turned himself over to police. Earlier that morning, the house Roger and Samson had shared for the past 20 years was set on fire; police suspect Samson of the arson. The media and reported public response to Roger's death focused on the "security" of transition houses and women's shelters, rather than on the systemic problem of male violence against women. Questions raised highlighted what the shelter could have (or should have) done to better "protect" Roger—from steel doors to alarms—and not the fact that the day before she was killed, Ginette Roger told the staff at the shelter she did not feel safe returning home. Eileen Morrow of the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) counters that the safety and security of women are taken very seriously by transition houses and women's shelters. "We work from women's experiences and women's needs," says Morrow. "We encourage women if they are nervous to speak to the shelter workers about the security measures. If she's not comfortable, OUT OH Sflf££U VvlMoV.ST.»|o.s PfeSeur FESTIVAL * cjn r> TlfK£TS» J^ Virgin Meqastore / 788 Burrard St. #_n {limited to Friday night Saturday and Sunday only) *«ij en Little Sister's Book S Art Emporium /1238 Davie St. * East End 8ook Company /1470 Commercial Dr. "■*' H «o 1U|C0» www.outon screen.com or call 688.WEST (9378) ext.2014 *ff£SlBU!TY » ASl interpretation & wheelchair MIIPIM, DTK, FIHOCNiO, HAKE, ROTS, MAIiTiN'H, PEIE, EiNGEI, MINI, FETGELE, Hill, PMKT, LUX MUM, (WE RHINE. FUG, MAIL fllFTM, lltliiCIA, SCIWIELE1MM, ITMtEIFM. SJMlillM, FIFI, HUM, FAI1T, KUSM, PIIFTEI. IISMLMI, MIMUI, MIME, FLIIIEI, PIT, IIITILLEM, IITCIU. SEIICi P JL ____ -JL- "Sl she should tell the shelter workers what would make her feel safe." She adds that if an abusive man wants to assault or murder his wife or female partner, he is not likely to try anything at the shelter "A lot of abusers are aware that shelters have high security, and their tendency is to get the women out of the shelter," says Morrow. "In over 20 years of shelters in Canada, think of the hundreds of thousands of women who have used them, without incident." [In fact, before the murder of Ginette Roger, there was only one other time a woman has been killed in a women's shelter in Canada.] Riendeau says that the solution isn't to create walled compounds around women who come to shelters. "We cannot make the shelters into prisons. Women have to be comfortable; it has to feel like their homes." Instead, she says, the focus must be on ending male violence against women. "We make an appeal to everybody—individuals, institutions, governments—to end conjugal violence, to teach children not to respond with violence, to help victims make their lives again, and to say 'no' when they see violent behaviour." The underlying issue of male violence against women was certainly on the minds of the more than 300 women from women's shelters across Quebec who converged on St-Jean sur Richelieu for Ginette Roger 's funeral. They came to remember Ginette and to make a declaration: Each time a woman is killed, hurt or injured; it's one of us who is killed, hurt or injured. Ironically, just six days before Roger's death, members of Le Regroupement voted unanimously at the coalition's annual general meeting to press the provincial government to make ending violence against women a priority and to increase funding to women's shelters. Le Regroupement estimates that each transition house or shelter in Quebec needs between $530,000 and $665,000 per year in order to ensure quality services to women. Currently, they operate on just half of that. Women's shelters in Quebec haven't received any increases in funding since 1992, and, in fact, have seen their budgets cut over the years. These cuts have been disasterous. Two shelters in Abitibi are facing closure because of their accumulated deficits. Le Regroupement points out that each year, transition houses in Quebec offer shelter to more than 8,000 women and their children. "Our shelters are always full. We have a lot of work, good politics on paper, but we don't have enough funding," says Riendeau. This critical need for women's shelters was highlighted in a recent study by Statistics Canada, funded by Health Canada The results of the survey on "Canada's Shelters for Abused Women," released just two days after Roger's death, showed that in 1997-98, 90,792 women and dependent children were admitted to 413 shelters for battered women across Canada. In a snapshot taken on April 20, 1998, there were 5,115 residents in 422 shelters, 48 percent were women and 52 percent were dependent children. Back in St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu... because the media attention on the murder of Ginette Roger exposed the location of the L'Coup d'Elle shelter, it will have to move. "It's not possible to ensure good security for women at this house anymore," says Riendeau. The mayor of the St-Jean sur Richelieu has pledged to help with the fundraising. However, it is not just the financial cost that will be great. The emotional cost to the women working and using the shelter will also be enormous. The Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses has produced its own report on the impact of funding cuts by Mike Harris and the Conservatives on services for battered women."Falling Through the Gap" is available on the Ontario Women's Justice Network website at: www.web.net/~owjn/ or from OAITH at (416) 977-6619. Copies of the StatsCan survey on shelters for abused women are available free of charge from Health Canada or by calling the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics at 1-800-267-6677. Western Canada's Lesbian & Gay Bookstore Open Daily 10am to 1 lpm Our Books/Our Issues Gay Fiction Lesbian Fiction Our Magazines & Journals AIDS/Health Humour Queer Theory Feminist Theory Biographies, Essays, Poetry Religion & Spirituality Art & Photography Erotica I Community Little Sister's Book & Art Emporium 1238 Davie Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6E 1N4 (604) 669-1753 Phone Orders 1-800-567-1662 Internet Address: http://www.lsisters.com JULY/AUGUST 1999 Movement Matters listings information Movement Matters is designed to be a network of news, updates and information of special interest to the women's movement. Submissions to Movement Matters should be no more than 500 words, typed, double spaced and may be edited for length. Deadline is the 18th of the month preceding publication. compiled by Dorcas Wilkins Bambino's heads into Year 2 Bambino's Family Co-operative in Victoria, British Columbia will be celebrating its first anniversary with a party on July 17th. Opened a year ago in an old house near downtown Victoria, Bambino's was envisioned as many things: a thrift store that would provide a child-friendly option for shopping, a cafe offering healthy snacks and refreshments, and a resource centre for neighbourhood parents [see Kinesis Ocfo- ber 1998.] Lori Snow, Navit Giauque, Gratia Watson and Leah Orr—the four young mothers who own and operate the business—have been working hard at honing old and acquiring new skills. The thrift store, Bambino's main source of revenue and primary focus, continues to provide much needed children's items at affordable prices. The cafe has become a place for neighbourhood parents to break out of the isolation that parenting (especially low-income and/or single parenting) often brings. The resource centre and library continue to grow and now contain numerous books and magazines and a bulletin board with information on local events and organizations. For all their successes, there have also been obstacles. For example, the Ministry of Human Resources was very supportive at first, even doing a case study on the endeavour early on. So far, all four members are still receiving income assistance, but there is concern that recent changes to the welfare system will negatively impact on the business. Two members are currently working on getting their daycare subsidies back. Because these two members are not "working"—there is still not enough money to pay the members wages—they no longer qualify for daycare subsidies. But there is optimism that Bambino's will soon lead the women off the system to economic independence. Bambino's recently started selling memberships to its customers, with a portion of the fee being put into a "Children's Fund." This fund will be used to sponsor children from low-income families to take up extracurricular activities such as music, sport or dance lessons that they would otherwise not be able to afford. Community support has been key to Bambino's success. Donations continue to come through the door, and dedicated volunteers help to keep things in running order. Valuable advice has come from other business owners and organizations in Victoria. So remember: on Saturday, July 17th, drop by and celebrate Bambino's anniversary. The festivities run from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 607 Vancouver St, Victoria. There will be music, prizes, face-painting, food and more. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call Bambino's at tel: (250) 995-8499. Canadian NGO alternative report The newly formed Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) has taken on the role of bringing together a Canadian NGO (non-governmental organization) Alternative Report to take to the Beijing +5 special session of the United Nations (UN) next June. The report will be part of a global document which will assess the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (PFA) adopted by national governments at the 4th World Conference on Women in September, 1995. The NGO Report will be an alternative to the document presented to the UN by the Canadian government. It will be available for women to use in their efforts to ensure commitments made internationally by Canada are honoured domestically. The Canadian NGO Alternative Report will be based on an integrated feminist analysis. The analysis will recognize and take into account the multiple and intersecting impacts of policies and practices on different groups of women because of their race, class, ability/disability, sexual orientation, religion, culture, refugee or immigrant status, or other status. It links the domestic and the international. Over the course of the summer, FAFIA will network with women's equality-seeking groups across Canada to gather infor mation on how successfully (or unsuccessfully) the Beijing PFA has been implemented in Canada. FAFIA invites women's groups to submit research or data that might be critical in the development of the report. The Canadian NGO Alternative Report will be released in February, and the global report will be launched in New York two days prior to the presentation of the UN's Beijing +5 Report at the special session. Submissions for the FAFIA report can be sent to the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women, 151 Slater St, Suite 408, Ottawa, Ontario, KIP 5H3; fax: (613) 563-0682. For more information, contact CRIAW by phone at: (613) 563-0681 or by email at: criaw@sympatico.ca. To access information about Beijing +5 through the Internet, visit the Global NGO Beijing +5 website at http://www.womanaction.org Young women and NAC The National Action Committee on the Status of Women presents a newly formed Young Women's Caucus. This Caucus is committed to providing young women with a space where their voices are validated, celebrated and honoured. Young women between 16-30 are needed to unite, to learn from their grandmothers, to fight for today, and to pave a smooth path for their daughters. The goals for 1999/2000 include participating in the World March of Women in the Year 2000, and organizing a Young Women Unite II Conference. Also, there are plans to start "chapters" across Canada, to fundraise, and to work for leadership roles within NAC. For more information, contact Rachel at (416) 755-9605 or thedivas@pathcom.com; or Kelly at (905) 525-0629 or hwetl- pr@interlynx.net. The "colour of violence" Organizing is well underway for a conference which will bring together activists whose work challenges violence against women of colour. The Color of Violence: Violence Against Women of Colour will take place April 14 to 15,2000 at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and will allow participants opportunities to strategize around the relationships among racism, colonialism and gender violence in the lives of women of colour. There will also be a film festival on violence against women of colour in conjunction with this conference. Among the issues to be explored are the ways in which modern capitalism is constituted through the sexual exploitation of women in the "Third World" and of women of colour in the US, as evidenced by the global trafficking of women and the super-exploitation of female labour in multinational industries. The conference will look at how the media perpetuates the victimization of women of colour by portraying them as silent and powerless and by shutting them out of the national discussions that affect them. Take, for example, the narrow but pervasive media messages surrounding the O.J. Simpson and Mike Tyson cases. In each of these discussions, the perspectives of women of colour were noticeably absent. Other topics on the agenda include the ways in which sexual and domestic violence operate in attacks on immigrants' rights and Indian treaty rights, the proliferation of prisons, militarism, economic neo-colonialism, and institutional racism. The conference will also seek to broaden the understanding of gender violence to include analyses of the ways in which the bodies of women of colour have been and continue to be colonized, especially through attacks on the reproductive rights of women of colour, medical experimentation on communities of colour, and bio-colonial attacks on indigenous communities through such projects as Human Genome Diversity Project. The keynote presenters will be Angela Davis, co-founder of Critical Resistance: Beyond the Prison Industrial Complex, and Haunani Kay Trask, an indigenous activist and writer from Hawai'i. Registration materials will be available in October. There will be no charge to attend the conference, but registration is limited. To receive a package, contact Andrea Smith at 123 Felix St, U, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA; tel: (831) 460-1856; fax (831) 459-3733; or email andsym@cats.ucsc.edu. For more information, visit the conference website at: www2.ucsc.edu/people/andysm/ WOMEN IN PRINT BOOKS &. OTHER MEDIA Discounts/or book clubs ♦ Special orders \a> o Mt>€ft HOuJ CR ^ frT6D 1 1 ? WSTEBveS scln/^D AT Klr4£SlS <& X ;,^ 6csr i_V S P ecu \jpttC *¥BOcrn TrxB F-ArST- _ST m^THcJD to __d____L_____J__ (£ \5mbfV um DO Tr-fes^ Pr^D O-THefc. CaM^STlofsiS Keep vou up Par NlGvtTTl V^rr piiNiesis to— S^ AY »JSlA^g^-P - Nlo expCRieisice *s m«sc:&s>s>/m*>/ i^caa-Cfco4)i55 -54^9 JULY/AUGUST 1999 Whats News compiled by Leanne Keltie and Robyn Hall Get the Vatican out of the UN An international campaign has been launched to challenge the Vatican's status as a Non-Member State Permanent Observer with the United Nations. This status allows the Vatican—the Roman Catholic Church—to take part in UN meetings and conferences where it is typically granted full status, including a vote on any question put to a vote. As the UN generally seeks consensus rather than forcing issues to a vote, this allows dissenting voices a stronger presence than they would normally have. The power that the Vatican has due to its status seriously impacts women's health worldwide. The Holy See (the government body of the Vatican) consistently tries to limit women's access to family planning, safe abortion, and emergency contraception, even for women who have been raped as an act of war. The Vatican has also attempted to block international policy that would promote condom use and education as a tool in preventing HTV/AIDS. "The time has come to challenge this facade of the Vatican as a state," said Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for Free Choice (CFFC). "Why should an entity that is in essence 100 square miles of office space and tourist attractions in the middle of Rome with a citizenry that excludes women and children have a place at the table where governments set policies affecting the very survival of women and children?" Part of the campaign to remove the Vatican's special status includes an international postcard campaign to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This postcard calls for an official review, and is designed to create public awareness about the Vatican's position at the UN. Hundreds of groups around the world are endorsing the campaign, including CFFC, Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network, Centre for Reproductive Law and Policy, Women Living Under Muslim Laws, Israel Women's Network, WomanHealth Philippines, Centre for Health and Gender Equity (India), and the National Organization for Women (US). In Vancouver, British Columbia, local groups are planning a press conference in July to publicize the campaign. To participate or for more information contact Joyce Arthur of the Pro-Choice Action Network at (604) 421-0957 or email: writer@direct.ca. For more information about the "See Change" email Catholics for a Free Choice, at: lbucar@igc.apc.org. Public inquiry into Ontario elections Although Mike Harris' Progressive Conservative Party received a second mandate to govern the province of Ontario, the elections themselves were shrouded in controversy and frustration. Many eligible voters faced serious difficulties in casting their ballots, and a broad inquiry has been demanded by many, including the Ontario Coalition for Social Justice (OCSJ), the New Democratic Party—which lost official party status in the legislature—and the Liberal Party. The main problems involved polling clerks not showing up for work, ballot boxes not being delivered, bomb threats to polling stations, and difficulties of eligible voters in placing their ballots as a result of the recently implemented permanent voters' list. This list replaced the usual door- to-door enumeration, and can make it more difficult for some groups of people to be able to vote. The OCSJ says the new registration system made it difficult for many tenants, poor people, and those who recently turned 18, to get on the permanent voters' list. The worst chaos of the day occurred in the riding of Vaughan-King Aurora where 220 poll clerks quit just before election day. Officials also said that many were intimidated into not showing up. In an attempt to improve the situation, several polling stations were allowed to remain open later than the rest. This caused further frustration for those involved, as results were publicized while voting continued. To make matters worse, Chief Electoral Officer Warren Bailie was unavailable as he ran around trying to solve the ongoing problems of the election. Bailie has since retired from his position. For more information about the call for an inquiry, contact The Ontario Coalition for Social Justice, 305-15 Gervais Dr, Don Mills, Ontario, M3C 1Y8; tel: (416) 441-3714; fax: (416) 441-4073; website: www3.sympatico.ca/ ocsj. Review of Canadian Human Rights Act The four-member panel given the responsibility of reviewing Canada's human rights protection has announced it is now operational. In April, Minister of Justice Anne McLellan announced the establishment of a review panel which is composed of: Gerard La Forest, a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, as chair; Renee Dupuis, a former commissioner oi the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC); Bill Black, a professor of law at the University of British Columbia; and Harish Jain, a professor of business at McMaster University. The review will examine and analyze the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) and the policies and practices of the Commission. It will also address 1998 recommendations from the Auditor General that the human rights system be made more effective in resolving allegations of discrimination. The panel will review, among other things: the prohibited grounds of discrimination, including the ground of "social condition" (not currently in the CHRA); the scope and jurisdiction of the Act; the effectiveness of the current complaints-based model; and the powers and procedures of the CHRC and the human rights tribunal. The panel will hold consultations in the fall with the CHRC, employers, unions, equality-seeking groups, non-governmental organizations, government departments, commission, crown corporations, agencies, and other interested members of the public. A final report will be submitted to the Minister of Justice with recommendations by April 8,2000. To find out more about the review or to be included in the consultation process, contact the Canadian Human Rights Act Review Panel, Place de Ville, Tower B, 122 Kent St, 8th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, KIP 5P2; email: chrareview.org; tel: (613) 946-1388; fax: (613) 946-1387. NWAC challenges Bill C-49 Despite strong protests from Aboriginal women across the country, the Canadian Parliament and Senate recently passed Bill C-49, which gives band councils power to control land on reserves. In response, the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) has launched a lawsuit against Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart, saying that the new legislation does not protect the interests of Aboriginal women. Bill C-49 gives 14 bands across the country the power to expropriate land for community use, and to decide on how matrimonial land will be divided when marriages fall apart. Many women fear that band leaders, who are mostly male, will pass laws that favour men. NWAC argues that putting decisionmaking power in the hands of bands means that women on some reserves could see their matrimonial property rights diminish after divorce. Aboriginal women on reserves are not covered by provincial laws which would allow them to claim half of the matrimonial properties. Two years ago, the BC Native Women's Society launched its own constitutional challenge against the federal government precisely over the matter of the division of matrimonial property rights. The Society argues that the Indian Act discriminates against Aboriginal women living on reserves on the basis of sex, ancestry, race, marital status and/or place of origin. In its lawsuit, the BCNWS also asked the court to put an earlier version of Bill C- 49 on hold until the matter concerning matrimonial property rights was settled. [Then, the legislation was referred to Bill C- 75, the First Nations Land Management Agreement.[The Society's case is still before the federal court of Canada. NWAC's own breach-of-duty lawsuit alleges that Stewart and the federal government failed to protect Aboriginal women by backing the contentious piece of legislation. "There will be no national standards, there will no consistency," says Marilyn Buffalo, NWAC's president, "Women will end up landless and there's no way to appeal. We're going into a new millennium and Native women are the only women in Canada who don't have protection." For more information about the Native Women's Association of Canada's concerns with Bill C-49, contact NWAC, 9 Melrose Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 1T8; tel: (613) 722- 3033; fax: (613) 722-7687; email:nwac@istar.ca Child support awards upheld A Supreme Court of Canada judgement released in early June says that frontline judges are the best able to make decisions in child support cases, and that most of these decisions will not be open to appeal in the future. In its unanimous decision, the Court said that appeal courts are not entitled to overturn family court decisions simply because they would have made a different judgement call in the particular case. An appeal court can only overturn a decision when there has been "an error in principle, a significant misapprehension of the evidence or unless the award is clearly wrong." This decision will be of interest to women who find themselves in long court battles with ex-partners who have a significantly greater financial ability to continue the fight. In the decision Justice Claire L'Hereux-Dube writes that the new ruling "avoids giving parties an incentive to appeal judgements and incur added expenses and promotes finality in family law litigation." The decision is a victory for Patricia Davis, a Winnipeg mother whose former husband Walter Hickey appealed a family court decision that increased his monthly child support payments after his income had doubled. The appeal court struck down the initial increase in support payments. Now that the SCC has agreed with Davis, she will not have pay back the $14,400 she owed after the appeal court retroactively reduced her award. Women can also look forward to a decision in the case of Thomas Baker, an Ontario millionaire whose support payments were substantially increased according to the new federal guidelines that tie support to the income of the paying parent. The Ontario Court of Appeal had upheld the increase of the initial trial judge. World's financial centres occupied Hundreds of thousands of people occupied and transformed about 100 major financial districts in 40 countries on Friday, June 18th in one of the largest coordinated mass protests in recent history. The protests were timed to coincide with the start of the G-8 summit in Cologne, Germany. [The G- 8 is comprised of the eight wealthiest "First World" nations in the world.] The day of action, protest and carnival was held "in recognition that the global capitalist system based on the exploitation of people and the planet for the profit of a few is at the very root of our social and ecological troubles." At the top of the list of protesters' demands was debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries. The events were organized by a worldwide decentralized network of grassroots activists. In Nigeria, the oil giants which have wreaked havoc in the Niger Delta region were targeted. In Argentina, a procession through the streets of Buenos Aires demanded debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries. In England, protests by about 4,000 people led to rioting and altercations with police. In Ottawa, a coalition of groups took to the street to conduct moral audits at the offices and locations of corporations like Scotiabank and Shell. For more information on the campaign and the actions that happened on the day, check out the network's website: http://www.jl8.org/ Off-reserve voting rights affirmed Aboriginal women cheered a Supreme Court of Canada decision handed down in May that says a section of the Indian Act barring Aboriginal people living off-reserve from voting in band elections is discriminatory. The court told the federal government to change the law to allow off-reserve voting within 18 months. The vast majority of the over $6 billion spent by the federal government on sup- see NEWS next page JULY/AUGUST 1999 KINESIS Feature Women students organizing in Korea: Pride & hope in feminism Eun-ju Heo at the Vancouver Status of Women by Eun-ju Heo In universities in Korea, most of the student unions have a women's component. In some schools, there is a Women's Student Union (WSU). And in the case where the WSU is run well and in really good condition, it is independent from the student union. I want to write about what the Women's Student Unions in Korea are doing. First of all, the most important role for a WSU is to represent women students. Since women students are still discriminated against in many ways, we need a powerful organization to be our representative, and also to be an asylum. One of the main issues women students are dealing with is sexual violence on campus, including rape. Many WSUs send out surveys to students; for example, one might solicit opinions about beauty pageants. At my school, we also publish a monthly newspaper called Women's Opinion. In it, we sometimes print the results of the surveys. Another important role of the WSU is education. We try to motivate students to realize how bad the situation is for women in Korea, both within school and outside of it. At the same time, we also try to encourage students to participate in the movement and in matters related to women's organizations. We have many different kinds of activities, like a campaign against sexist advertising, a women's film festival, and different lectures. We also hold a menstruation festival. At the menstruation festival, we highlighted that menstruation is something women should be proud of. Even though almost every woman at some point in her life menstruates, it is regarded as dirty and as something that shouldn't be talked about in public. For example, in Korea, commercials on TV about menstrual pads were prohibited by law until very recently. The reason for prohibiting them was because these commercials could make viewers "feel disgusted." Even though this law has changed, women still cannot speak out that they are menstruating—it's still something that shouldn't be mentioned by women in public. Women are made to feel shameful about their bodies, unless their bodies are attracting men's attention. That's why the menstruation festival is not just about menstruation; it's also about women's bodies. What we did in this festival was try to encourage women students to reconsider their bodies. We wanted to convince women students that their bodies are something they should take care of and be proud of. To help get rid of the "men's" viewpoint from women students' minds, we needed to use something really shocking and that has been viewed as taboo. That's why we picked menstruation. At this festival,we had lectures about women's issues, showed films related to this topic, had games, concerts, et cetera. The final role of WSUs is to strengthen solidarity between women students and women out of school (especially women estranged in the society, who are mostly poor and don't have any social power). Considering recent Korean history, student unions have played an important role for the liberalization of Korea during the dictatorship after the Korean War [in the 1950s.] WSUs are doing many things which are more specific to all women than the work of the universities' student unions. For example, the Korean Student Union Organization holds a campaign called NONGHWAL. Many students from the different universities go to the countryside every growing season to help the farmers. We stay there for about 10 days each time. (It depends on how much work there is to do.) The student unions and Korean Farmers Association are strongly connected. We believe we can build solidarity with farmers against the government's terrible policy for farming. [There are no price guarantees for food grown in Korea, so many farmers are poor and are forced to go to the cities to find work] For this activity, WSUs prepare programs specifically for women farmers. Women students work with the farmers in the daytime. Afterwards, we invite the women to the places where we're staying. To be closer with the women farmers, we call them mothers. We sometimes talk about issues such as women farmers' double suffering—they can't even rest at home after working because of all the domestic chores they have to do, and the social programs, such as healthcare, for women farmers are much worse in the countryside than in the cities. Our favourite activity is giving them massages. We feel really close to each other, just like mother and daughter. We also show them how to stretch their bodies after working long and hard. Before going to the farms, we prepare our activities and study up on some current issues concerning women farmers. It takes a pretty long time, we usually start preparing two months beforehand. As another example, we organize K1HWAL. Literally, KIHWAL means an activity at a brothel for the women there. After the Korean War, the US army stayed in Korea. There are many brothels around their bases, and the US army has stayed in specific areas for a long time. That's why there are lots of crimes done by US soldiers around the bases. Most of the crimes involve raping and killing women in the brothels in very brutal ways. There are also many children who don't have fathers (actually their fathers must be the soldiers).The children are exposed to really terrible circumstances. What we do is take care of the children, and fight for the punishment of these rapists and murderers. Considering that the criminal laws concerning military personnel were made just after the Korean War by the Korean army and US army, it is safe to say that Korea is still colonized militarily by America. For example, American soldiers cannot be punished through the Korean legal system. Even though there have been many protests against this for quite a long time, many Korean women have been murdered and the criminals haven't been punished. We also try to let students in other parts of Seoul know what's going on around the US military bases, which the media has never talked about. This is harder than any other activity because we need to address two issues at the same time: prostitution and the US army. And prostitution is one of the hardest issues to bring out to the student movement because of many conservative prejudices about it. We have some difficulties in keeping these various activities going. Some people say the situation for WSUs is getting harder with the economic crisis in Korea. However, there are still many students who long for freedom and who are ready to fight against the oppression of women. I have never seen them tire of what they are doing. We are strong and sure that we can change something. We are young. For me, I couldn't help becoming more interested in feminism since entering university. I expected complete freedom in my school life. That's why I joined a group at my university for studying social science and for organizing the students around current issues. However, I was frustrated by the sexist discrimination. Many people in that group think feminism is not something as serious as other current political movements. Sometimes, I got really aggressive when talking to them about anything related to feminism. I couldn't help it. Fortunately at that time, I got to know some women in a feminist group at my school who helped me. I felt excited because they talked to me about the issues I wanted to talk about, but couldn't actually speak out on. I started studying feminism and talking about it with pride. Gradually, I got to know how to talk about feminism to the people I had previously been angry with. Now, each time I get angry when facing the prejudices against women, I grab on to hope with the people around me who are striving for the same aim. Eun-ju Heo is studying French at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea. from NEWS previous page port for Aboriginal people in Canada is directed to band councils, although many Aboriginal people live off-reserve. Most of these people are women and children—in Vancouver, 48 percent of the women are single mothers. These women, and off-reserve men, have not been able to access the rights and benefits afforded on-reserve Natives, ac cording to Viola Thomas of the United Native Nations. Off-reserve band members have been excluded from their band's political process since 1951 when residency requirements were changed. Many people were then denied votes even though they had to leave their reserve due to lack of jobs and housing shortages. "It's always been a struggle of limited resources to meet the needs of all their constituent members," says Thomas. Although women are excited about the decision and hope the country's band councils will accept it, there is concern that many councils will continue to ban off-reserve voting. The Assembly of First Nations issued a press release saying only aboriginal leadership should decide "on the citizenship and membership of First Nations." Even so, says Thomas, "It's a V for victory for off-reserve Indians in Canada. This ruling says to the federal and provincial governments, you can't ignore the needs of the people who live off reserve." [Sources: various emails, press releases, newsletters and daily newspapers.] SIS JULY/AUGUST 1999 Feature Violence against women and the criminal justice system in Canada: Getting away with murder by Agnes Huang A man kills his wife (ex-wife, girlfriend, common-law spouse). Murder? No, manslaughter. Why? She provoked him. Life imprisonment? No, maybe three, five, seven years...including double for time already served. Why? She provoked him. Provocation: "a wrongful act or insult that is of such a nature as to be sufficient to deprive an ordinary person of the power of self-control" [Criminal Code, Section 232.] Provocation: a court-sanctioned excuse a man can use to justify why he killed a woman. Men using the defence Of provocation to avoid being convicted of murder for killing their female partners or ex-partners has made its way into the public spotlight over the past few months. In late May, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) handed down its ruling in the case of Bert Stone. And the month before, Louise Hardy, a member of parliament from the Yukon, put forward a private members' bill calling for the abolishment of the provocation defence. In its ruling, the SCC upheld the sentence given to Stone for stabbing his wife, Donna Mae, to death 47 times in March 1994. After discovering she was dead, Stone stuffed Donna's body into the tool box at the back of his truck, drove to their home in Winfield, British Columbia, then shortly after, took a flight to Mexico. Stone claims Donna had "provoked" him by mocking his sexual prowess, the paternity of his children, and threatening to divorce him. Stone says he doesn't remember what happened, only that he heard a "whooshing" sound. The jury convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Hardy's bill comes out of a case that mobilized the community of Whitehorse, Yukon to call for reforms to the Criminal Code. In November 1995, Ralph Klassen strangled to death his estranged wife, Susan [see page 10.] Klassen claims his wife had "provoked" him by mocking his infertility and making reference to her interest in another man. The jury convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Both BC's Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh and federal Minister of Justice Anne McLellan have publicly stated that the defence of provocation needs to be reviewed. In fact, Dosanjh has spoken out for the abolishment of the defence in cases of spousal homicide. It is ironic then, that in neither the Stone nor Klassen cases did the BC Crown or the federal Crown, respectively, challenge the consideration or the acceptance of the defence of provocation. Nor did either Crown base its appeal on the evidence of prior history of abuse that was ruled inadmissible (or not pursued by the Crown) [see sidebar.] Instead, it was the sentences handed out to Stone and Klassen that the government representatives took issue with. /Kinesis was unable to secure interviews with either Ujjal Dosanjh or Anne McLellan.] Bert Stone was sentenced to seven years in prison. However, given that the 18 months he spent in jail awaiting trial was doubled and counted as three years, Stone's sentence after the verdict amounted to only four years. Stone is now out. Ralph Klassen was sentenced to five years in prison. Last July, he was granted day parole, and is scheduled for full release this October. Susan Klassen's sister, Brenda McDonald, says she doesn't understand why the Crown only focused on the sentence in its appeal. "To me, the verdict should have been appealed," says McDonald. "The court is still saying that Susan was at fault for not wanting her estranged spouse in her house." McDonald points to facts that show Ralph Klassen knew what he was doing. Klassen had driven up from Southern Alberta to Whitehorse in a day to see Susuan, and that night, he killed her. "It didn't matter that Ralph wrote a suicide note confessing and saying he was jealous that Susan was leaving him. The judge instead interpreted this as a clear sign of remorse." At his parole hearing, the warden at William Head Institution (near Victoria) where Klassen is incarcerated called him the "cream of the crop." And Klassen's counsellor said they had had numerous conversations about the "type" of women he chooses. [Blame the victim/woman.] This is similar to the sentiment expressed by the parole board members hearing Bert Stone's application for day parole: "...you tend to gravitate towards females who have been previously involved in dysfunctional relationships." [Again, blame the victim/woman.] "What does a person have to do to show he is violent?" asks McDonald. Surely, a very important question. The whole characterization of men who escape murder convictions for killing their female partners or ex-partners as not dangerous is fairly typical. Andree Cote, director of legislation and law reform with the National Association of Women and the Law, says she has read cases from the 1980s which basically say that the man was a danger to his wife [but not to anyone else or society] but since she's dead, there is no reason to put him in prison. "You literally had this kind of logic." The Supreme Court on Stone... In upholding Bert Stone's sentence, the SCC basically said that trial judges should have the leeway to make those decisions. [The SCC had denied the federal Crown's application to appeal Ralph Klassen's sentence.] One issue related to the defence of provocation addressed by the SCC is "double-benefit." Cote explains that in Quebec, the courts have ruled that if the accused is successful in using the defence of provocation to reduce a murder charge to manslaughter, then it will not consider the same defence at the sentencing stage because the accused has already benefitted from it. In the Stone case, the SCC ruled that an accused can use provocation both ways: to reduce murder to manslaughter, and then to reduce the severity of the sentence. see PROVOCATION page 16 How "fair" is a fair trial The laws of evidence are intended to protect the accused and ensure a "fair" trial. But how "fair" is "fair," if the laws of evidence can be invoked to deny justice to women killed by their male partners or ex-partners? Marilyn McCrimmon, a professor of law at the University of British Columbia, says that, in criminal proceedings, evidence is confined to that particular incident for which the accused is on trial, unless there is something particularly relevant. So what is "relevant?" McCrimmon says evidence is deemed "not relevant" if the purpose is to show the accused was the type of person who is violent. Evidence in cases of violence against women would only be deemed "relevant," if it showed the accused had a continuous passion towards hatred of the woman—that is, it spoke to his state of mind. McCrimmon notes that admission of evidence is very "discretionary." Then, even if evidence is deemed relevant, the trial judge can deny it as prejudicial. In both the Stone and Klassen cases, evidence that many feel was relevant to establish the intent of the accused, was not allowed to be heard by the jury. Following up on the community's outrage at Stone's manslaughter conviction, The Kelowna Daily Courier printed a list of evidence not allowed into trial on October 24,1995, a few days before Stone was sentenced. In Fall 1993, Donna and Bert were driving back from Prince George. They fought when Donna tried to get Bert to stop in Kamloops to drop off some things to her daughter. Stone struck Donna in the mouth and tried to pull her out of the truck. A passing motorcyclist intervened. On October 17, 1993, a man heard Donna scream as she was on top of the hood of Stone's car in the parking lot of A&W in Winfield. The man saw Stone hit Donna several times on the head and face. Later, Donna would tell police that Stone had struck her four times with his car before she ended up on his hood. Donna called the police because she was afraid Stone would come after her again. On February 15,1994, Donna and a friend went to the RCMP detachment in Kelowna, and told the RCMP that Stone had been threatening to kill her if she didn't convince the police to drop the pending charges related to the A&W assault. Since December, Donna had met with police several times begging them to withdraw the case. The RCMP would not. Ironically, the Crown had approved an assault charge against Stone two days before Donna was killed. That charge has never been pursued. The trial judge, Donald Brenner, would not allow the incidents to be introduced in as evidence because the assaults happened so long prior to the killing that they had no bearing on Stone's actions the day he stabbed Donna. Brenner also rejected much of the evidence of Stone's alleged prior history of abusing Donna because it was based on Donna's statements to other people. The trial judge said he wasn't convinced the testimony was reliable because of Donna sometimes "exaggerated and had a tendency to lie." [Part of the questioning of Donna's credibility rested on the fact that she had asked the RCMP to drop the assault charges against Stone.] Because none of this evidence was allowed in during the trial, Bert Stone was able to tell the jury that he had never struck his wife or become angry at her before he killed her. Brenda McDonald, Susan Klassen's sister, says everything also went Ralph Klassen's way. "It seemed that anytime Ralph wanted to use history, it was OK." However, when it was a matter of his credibility, that was another thing. According to McDonald, the biggest problem in the case against Ralph Klassen was the Crown. She says the Crown's argument essentially was that Klassen was an "ordinary guy" and should have known better. When the Crown lawyer put to Klassen that Susan had been seeking a divorce, he denied it. However, the Crown lawyer did not challenge him on that, even though McDonald says she had taken great pains to obtain divorce documents from a lawyer Susan had consulted. As well, McDonald says the Crown never pursued allegations that Klassen was abusive towards his first wife. Klassen had been married 20 years earlier, for three months. During that short period, he allegedly choked his first wife, beat her and smashed her face. She left him and had their marriage annulled. His first wife did not pursue charges against Klassen. At his trial, when asked if he had been married before, Klassen said yes, but explained that they were too young and went their separate ways. His alleged violence towards his first wife was not raised at trial, only later at his parole hearing after the woman had came forward herself. The Crown lawyer told McDonald that Klassen's first wife's testimony likely would not have been admissible in any case because the incidents happened so long ago. Joanne Klineberg of the federal Justice Department says there are no plans to review the laws of evidence. However, she adds that following the Allison Parrot case, there have been questions raised about what information is and isn't admissible at trial. JULY/AUGUST 1999 KINESIS Feature Violence against women and the defense of provocation: The case of Susan Klassen by Shelagh Smith Susan Klassen was 36 years old at the time of her death. She was a well-loved and deeply respected occupational therapist and international storyteller. She was coordinator of therapy services for the Thompson Centre, a long term care facility, in Whitehorse, Yukon and director of the Yukon International Storytelling Festival. Susan was married in 1982 to Ralph Klassen. Ralph grew up in Manitoba, riis family belonged first to the Mennonite Church and later to the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. Ralph earned his masters in Theology, but was a pastor for only seven months. He worked in a number of jobs over the years: truck driver, farmer, car salesman, carpenter and photographer. During their marriage, Susan and Ralph lived in many communities, only staying in any one place for several months or a few years because of Ralph's inability to settle and find meaningful employment. They moved to Whitehorse in 1990. The Klassen marriage showed signs of stress over the years, with the couple separating several times. In the Fall of 1995, Susan and her husband agreed to a six- month trial separation. Susan sought a separation because of her husband's jealousy, anger and physical aggression. Susan helped Ralph, financially and emotionally, to resettle in Alberta so he could build a new life for himself. Ralph could not accept Susan's desire for independence and saw it as rejection. On November 1,1995, Ralph returned to Whitehorse to try to convince Susan to reconcile the marriage. However, the separation was important to Susan and she knew that nothing could have changed between them in such a short period of time. Later that night, Ralph strangled his wife to death. He claims that he lost control after Susan allegedly made a remark about his inability to produce children and her interest in another man. (Susan's family and friends say these remarks are not consistent with her character.) Ralph claims to have "blacked out" after getting on top of Susan and putting his hands around her neck. Trial evidence suggests that Ralph first choked Susan with his bare hands, spraining both his thumbs under the force, until she lost consciousness. He then took a pillowcase off a pillow and tied it extremely tight around Susan's neck, permanently cutting off the oxygen to her brain. There were no signs of a struggle. Ralph wrote a note apologizing for going into a jealous fit of rage, and then tried to kill himself by deliberately driving into an oncoming vehicle on the highway. Ralph received minor cuts and bruises, but the driver of the vehicle—a propane truck— lost three months of work and continues to receive physiotherapy for injuries to his back and neck. Ralph was never charged for this offence. Ralph was charged with second degree murder in the death of his wife. He admitted to police and to the court that he had strangled his wife in a fit of jealousy. On January 17, 1997, the jury found Klassen not guilty of murder, but guilty of a lesser offense of manslaughter. The next day, Ralph Klassen was sentenced to five years imprisonment, including time served. He is scheduled for release in October 1999. When Ralph became eligible for day parole in the Spring of 1998, the parole board rejected his application because it felt he showed no remorse and did not take any responsibility for his crime. The reaction to the verdict was immediate and far-reaching. A petition was started on January 20th, demanding that the Crown appeal the case. Over 1,000 people signed this petition. Because a case can only be appealed on a point of law, a letter was drafted and sent to then Minister of Justice Allan Rock requesting an external review of the trial transcripts to determine whether there was, in fact, a point of law on which to appeal the verdict or the sentence. In Whitehorse, on January 24, over 300 women, men and youth participated in minus 40 degree temperature in a silent march to protest the verdict and sentence Ralph Klassen received. There has since been a letter writing campaign and a petition requesting changes to the Criminal Code concerning violence against women, and in particular, domestic femicide. To date, over 10,000 signatures have been collected across Canada. The petition has been presented several times in the House of Commons. Louise Hardy, a member of Parliament from the Yukon, has also introduced a private member's bill calling for the elimination of the defense of provocation. Statistically, and from women's own experiences, a relationship that ends in violence almost always has had a history of violence. This history of violence must be recognized and taken into consideration by the justice system when women's lives are taken by their partners or ex-partners. The dynamics of controlling behavior in abusive men is such that it starts with verbal abuse, intimidation and threats and then escalates to physical abuse which becomes increasingly violent, sometimes ending in the final act of murder. At his trial, Ralph stated that he and Susan had became more distant after they moved to Whitehorse. It was at this time that Susan began to pursue some of her own interests, including storytelling, and to establish roots in the community. Ralph became increasingly jealous of Susan's friendships and popularity and tried to convince her many times that they should move again. Susan wanted to stay. Ralph's jealousy and controlling behavior were well known to many of their friends. In 1994, Susan was scheduled to perform at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival. She did not show up. Many felt that an emergency must have come up because it was highly unlike Susan to miss the festival. Later, Susan would only admit that she did not attend the festival because of Ralph's anger—she "wasn't spending enough time helping him build their home." It was obviously not worth the risk for Susan to take two hours to fulfill her commitment that day. Another incident occurred in 1992. While performing in the play, Last Rites, Susan often showed up late for rehearsals, in tears. She had many angry confrontations with Ralph while trying to leave their home because Ralph was trying to control the amount of time she spent with friends. On the stand, Ralph claimed not to recall any of these incidents, yet these incidents are very vivid in the memories of many others. Susan often had to calm Ralph's anger. In March 1993, Susan was looking for a mirror with a wood frame for the bathroom of their newly built country home. She was unable to find anything suitable in any of the Whitehorse stores. One day that month, Ralph became infuriated with Susan; he screamed that she was too stupid and incompetent to find a mirror. His rage was so out of control that it was impossible for Susan to pacify his anger. While friends of Susan were aware this conflict had occurred, Ralph stated in court that he did not recall the incident. On another occasion, in June 1995, Susan returned to work after being away on a sea kayaking trip for women. She arrived late to a meeting that morning. Her co-workers noticed she had used make-up to try and cover up a black eye. Friends knew that Ralph had been very angry at Susan the,night before. Susan never told anyone how she got the injury, and was silent when asked if Ralph had given her the black eye. In court, Ralph claimed he did not know how his wife got the black eye. Susan was always protecting Ralph's "character," too embarrassed for people to know what she faced daily; she didn't want people to worry about her. She was also very supportive of Ralph's projects and attempts to find meaningful employment throughout the years, accompanying him to remote fishing camps and isolated farms, often to the detriment of her own personal and career advancement. Ralph admitted to the court that he put his own needs in front of others and was self serving. In her paper, The Defense of Provocation and Domestic Femicide, Andree Cote states that men who batter women use minimization, confusion, outright denial, intoxication, loss of control and projection to blame their victim and deny their own responsibility. The provocation defense in the Criminal Code as it is currently used in femicide/ wife slaughter cases inappropriately and unjustly changes the focus of the criminal trial from the behaviour of the accused and his intentions to the behaviour of the victim. The statutory defense of provocation provides a legal excuse for men's anger. It reduces what would otherwise be murder to manslaughter. Manslaughter is when the offender commits an act that unintentionally results in death. Second degree murder is when an offender commits an act that is intended to cause death, or bodily harm likely to cause death. According to the paper Reforming the Defense of Provocation by Sheila Galloway and Joanne St. Lewis, the defence of provo cation is used mostly by men who kill women because they are emotionally unable to accept loss of power and control. When women kill their husbands, it is almost invariably because of a history of battering and abuse. It is an act of self-defence for themselves and their children. No matter who dies in the relationship—and it is mostly women who do—it is often a reaction to a history of repeated male violence, not of female violence. Although the statutory defence of provocation was disallowed by the judge in the Klassen case, the judge did instruct the jurors that on the basis of "common law," they could consider provocation-type evidence in the following way: "The law is that where the conduct of the deceased produces in the accused a state of excitement, anger or disturbance so intense that he may not contemplate the consequences of his acts, and might not in fact intend to bring about those consequences, then you can find the accused did not have the intent to kill or cause bodily harm that he knew was likely to result in death." Allowing provocation-type evidence often reduces second degree murder to a conviction of manslaughter in cases of domestic femicide, as happened in this case. An appeal on Ralph Klassen's five-year sentence was dismissed in June 1997 by the British Columbia-Yukon Court of Appeal. The federal Department of Justice tried to appeal Klassen's sentence to the Supreme Court of Canada, but this request was turned down. We continue to ask people to write Justice Minister Anne McLellan and urge her to take immediate action. In order for men to take full criminal responsibility for their violent actions against women, the statutory defence of provocation should be abolished. The common law rule which allows provocation type evidence to be used to negate the intent to murder should be amended by statute. We are the voices for the women who have died at the hands of male violence and for those who are kept silent in abusive relationships. We must send a strong message that the Canadian justice system must change to reflect society's standard of zero tolerance of violence against women. For mote information or to offer comments, please send e-mail to the following address: susan@klondike.com. For copies of sample petitions, visit the website: http:// www.yukonweb/community/susan/ Send letters and petitions to federal Minister of Justice Anne McLellan. Also send copies to Hedy Fry, the secretary of state responsible for the status of women, and your provincial/territorial justice minister. [For addresses, see the Letters section on page 20 of this issue.] Shelagh Smith was a friend of Susan Klassen. She get involved in the campaign to abolish the defense of provocation because she was shocked that Susan was blamed for her own death because of something she (allegedly) said. She feels that the existence of the provocation defense excuses men (and women) from taking responsibility for their violent behaviour. 10 SIS JULY/AUGUST 1999 Feature Women with disabilities in Canada: The making of DAWN A new book has been published by DAWN Canada (DisAbled Women's Network Canada) to provide women with information on how to form their local DAWN group, or groups for support or companionship. DAWN Canada is a national organization formed to address the needs of women with disabilities. There are local DAWNs in most provinces and territories. Given the lack of funding support from government and other sources, DAWN groups are run almost entirely by women with disabilities who volunteer their time, energy, skills and commitment. DAWNing: How to Start and Maintain a Group is based on women's experience, and is full of encouragement and practical advice. The manual is written in Plain Language [see box] by women who live and work with disabilities of all kinds. Edited by Joan Meister and Shirley Masuda, both long-time activists with DAWN Canada, the manual is broken down into seven chapters, with references and relevant organizations listed at the end of the book. DAWNing walks women through various issues that may come up when they start planning their own groups. Some of the issues covered are: setting up a society, feminist group process, diversity, cross-disability, confidentiality, conducting research, coalition building, advocacy, writing grant proposals, and accessible language. The manual also has an "Access Needs Checklist," which is valuable not only for organizations run by women with disabilities, but also for any women's organization. On this and the following four pages, Kinesis presents excerpts from DAWNing. Below, Joan Meister talks about the need for this kind of resource manual. On the next three pages, Meister and Eileen O'Brien, both past-Chairs of DAWN Canada, give their insights into the developing herstory of the organization. And finally, a list of DAWN groups across Canada and an order form for DAWNing appear on page 17. so scary anymore... fQ by Joan Meister The need for DAWNing probably occurred to me immediately after I became the Chair of DAWN Canada in 1987, way back on a cold winter afternoon in Winnipeg. It was our founding conference and I agreed to be Chair. (I knew how to chair a meeting.) I'd been active in my union, left- wing politics and, of course, the women's movement. "Rules of Order" didn't scare me anymore. Why, I knew how to deal with "challenges to the chair" and a "preferential speaker's list," too. Hah! Fools rush in... What I didn't know was that chairing a meeting is only a small, small part of running, helping to shape and keeping alive, a national organization like DAWN Canada. There are so many other things that are also important: □ I spent an awful lot of time flying back and forth to Ottawa and many other cities. □ I attended endless meetings with bureaucrats (government employees) and politicians (elected representatives). □ I supervised all projects. □ I answered the phone that never stopped ringing. MS (multiple sclerosis) and low energy had already taught me how to set priorities (putting things in order of importance) and it was a good thing. I couldn't believe how many things I was doing for the first time—things I didn't actually know how to do. Thank goodness I had Shirley Masuda here in Vancouver to listen to me, support me, and help me lots and lots. And Maria Barile in Montreal and Pat Israel in Toronto, and... I began to understand how lucky I was to have had relevant (similar, fitting) experiences doing things like taking hours and hours of minutes, participating in panels, or being on my union's negotiating (bargaining) team. All of these things helped me to be able to do many things for DAWN Canada. Then I began to realize how few other women with disabilities had ever had those kinds of opportunities. I started using a wheelchair at 30 and I'd had a chance to do many (mostly inaccessible) things before that. I learned that many women with disabilities have lived institutionalized, medicalized or just plain isolated, since birth. Or that they have been unemployed or underemployed, and never have had the chance to go to a job interview, never mind a union meeting. I soon found that most of the political work I had done before was suddenly not accessible to me. I didn't stop being a feminist and a trade unionist but I did start using a wheelchair, and my former world had too many stairs and was suddenly closed to me and beyond my reach. The women's movement didn't really "get it" about access. I turned to the disability community to do my political work and soon after, I realized the disability community just didn't "get it" about women's issues. I turned there because I figured that it would be accessible. It seemed that these organizations, which were mostly dominated (controlled) by men, weren't interested in doing—or didn't have enough time or money to do—anything about an issue like mothering as a woman with a disability or about the violence in our lives. Different priorities. Not too long after that, I started to wish that somebody had written down some of the things I needed to know and had the answers to the thousands of questions I had. Questions like: □ How do you hold an accessible meeting? O How do you form a society? d And why should you? □ Just how do you go about getting money out of the government? □ Why doesn't anyone have a simple checklist for access needs? For the longest time, I was zooming off to zillions of meetings with important people about important issues and never feeling as though I really knew what I was doing. My main objective during those first years was to get women with disabilities on the agenda—everybody's agenda—and keep us there. I spent a lot of time asking a lot of different people for lots of advice about a lot of different things. DAWNing is an attempt to give answers to those kinds of questions, put down in one place, so that you can feel a bit more confident than I used to feel. In those days, I relied heavily on my general belief that people with disabilities scared most non-disabled people or at least made them uncomfortable. I felt that having a disability gave me a tiny advantage in a world where, as a feminist in a wheelchair, I did not have much power or much ability to influence decisions. I still rely on that one sometimes. But DAWN Canada has made it mostly unnecessary for us to use those kinds of stupid devices. As women with disabilities, we have believable (credible) issues and, therefore, we are taken a bit more seriously than we were at the beginning. I hope that after you have a look at DAWNing or even parts of it, you will know how to hold your meeting or how to get some money from the government or that this "process" stuff isn't too mysterious. If you take it all apart into smaller pieces, it doesn't seem so hard or big. But more importantly, I hope you figure out how to reach out to other women with disabilities, get together with them and make your lives better. I hope you share some good advice, good ideas and good laughs. I hope you start some cross-disability, truly accessible groups for women with disabilities—whether you decide to become a society or not and no matter what your reasons are for getting together! And I sure hope that DAWNing gives you some clear ideas about how to get there. And why we should try and keep trying. .••••••• Using Plain Language **w#, □ women labelled mentally handi- * DAWNing is meant to be written in Plain Language. Plain Language is a way of organizing information that makes sense to the reader. It makes sure the materials are easy-to-read, which assists all readers to get the information they need quickly and easily. Plain Language is another way of meeting women's access needs that helps us to connect better with each other. And not just with other women with disabilities, but also: □ women who have English as a second language. □ women who have low reading skills because of barriers like lack of large print, poverty or culturally appropriate, accessible, safe education. □ women with huge fatigue issues J and tired brains. # Plain Language keeps the reader * in mind. • The Canadian Association for Com- * munity Living (CACL) has produced a ^ guidebook on Plain Language called, The * Power of Language: Facilitator's # Manual on Plain Language Writing. For # a copy, contact the CACL, 4700 Keele St, J Downsview, Ontario, M3J1P3; tel: (416) # 661-9611; TTY: (416) 661-2023;fax: (416) J 661-5701; email: cacl@yorku.ca. # JULY/AUGUST 1999 DisAbled Women's Network Canada: a short herstory Dedicated, fearless warrior women Part One by Joan Meister Back in June 1985, a critical meeting took place in Ottawa. It was the first time women with disabilities from all across Canada had ever got together as women with disabilities to talk about issues of concern to women with disabilities at an event that was organized by women with disabilities. A few good women had not only dreamed of getting just women with disabilities together, without any men, to talk to each other about really important things, they did it! The meeting took place. "We were in charge," says Maria, one of the organizers. It's her favourite memory of that time. The meeting was organized by Pat Israel (Toronto), Pat Danforth (Regina) and Maria Barile (Montreal). Each of these visionaries (people who see far into the future) had been working in the disability Pat Danforth thought of our wonderful name, DAWN: DisAbled Women's Network. The name was a response to the idea that we should create an autonomous (independent) national organization to explore our issues of concern and be the voice of women with disabilities in Canada. Not surprisingly, we realized that there was a lot of work to do. We decided that: □ we absolutely had to get to work on the issues that we had identified; we needed to do research on them. □ we had to go home and start more groups, have more meetings like this one. □ we had to stay in touch with each other on a national level. We thought if there were 17 of us in one room in Ottawa, just imagine how many of us there were out there in the whole country. We didn't think about how PEI, Saskatchewan and Ontario were also being started up. During this time, Pat Israel and Pat Danforth got funding to hold our founding conference. I was busy getting the Constitution and By-Laws written as a draft to take to the conference. We were all busy getting our provincial groups organized. An "angel" appeared here in BC to help the Steering Committee, and we were given free postage and photocopying. Disabled Peoples' International Conference Not too long after the first meeting in Ottawa, DAWN Canada was offered funding from the federal government for five of us to attend the Second World Congress of Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) in the Bahamas. DPI is the group that represents that Disabled Peoples' International made sure women with disabilities had an equal voice and an equal place in DPI. This is a work in progress. It was a very powerful feeling, though, to be working with all of these wonderful women with disabilities from all over the world. And a proud feeling, knowing that we all "got it." DAWN Canada had truly begun. We understood that we were really part of a pretty amazing network—women with disabilities from all over the world and all over Canada, too. The founding conference In March 1987, the founding conference of DAWN Canada took place in Winnipeg. A number of important things took place during this meeting. Not only did we ratify (approve) the Constitution and By- community for a long time. [That community] was not supportive of issues of concern to women with disabilities. Each woman believed that a meeting to talk to other women was very important. They wanted to identify and discuss big issues in our lives as women with disabilities. A fine old DAWN tradition was begun. The organizers got money from the federal government to hold this meeting in Ottawa at the Westin Hotel. It was the only hotel in Ottawa that had enough modified (changed to be accessible) rooms to accommodate us (meet our needs). It was very expensive—access can be expensive when there are no choices. The hotel is connected to a mall but no one went shopping! Instead, 17 women with disabilities from all across Canada started talking. We talked for three days. Non-stop. We met in a room with no windows and covered all four walls with four levels of flip chart pages. We talked like we'd never been in a room with that many other women with disabilities before. We hadn't. It was exhausting (tiring) and very high energy at the same time. We were in charge. We got a lot of work done. We defined six areas of major concern: G mothering □ self image O employment □ health O sexuality O violence we didn't have one cent to do anything with; we just knew there was a need to do it. We decided to return to our various parts of the country and organize DAWN groups locally. Most of us made a commitment to do lots of hard work. It was an amazing three-day meeting; it was well-organized and well-run. It was our first taste of government funding. It was a first attempt to represent women with all kinds of disabilities. Or so we thought. We didn't have a very good grasp of cross- disability at that first meeting. We did not have any women who represented women with mental illness or any who were labelled mentally handicapped. We didn't even know about women with brain injuries or HTV/AIDS then. A Steering Committee was formed to guide DAWN through its infancy. These women already had computers and all were attached to e-mail (electronic mail) and that was how we kept in touch. We had absolutely no money so it was just as well we were able to talk to each other electronically instead of by long distance phone calls. We still don't have enough money to have a phone number listed for DAWN Canada! When I returned to Vancouver, I was given the opportunity at a BC Coalition of People with Disabilities conference to hold a workshop for women. That was the beginning of DAWN BC. Groups in Quebec, national organizations of people with all kinds of disabilities. For me, it was a very powerful experience because there were more of us than them—the guests with disabilities outnumbered the non-disabled guests. We didn't feel weird when they got on an elevator with a bunch of us; they did. It was hurricane season but luckily, there was no hurricane of a weather-related variety. There was a big storm brewing inside, though. The DAWN Canada women called a women's meeting and 60 women attended it. It lasted all evening and was translated into five languages (English, Laws, we also decided to join the national umbrella organization for disability groups in Canada, the Council of Provincial Organizations of the Handicapped (COPOH). [COPOH has since changed its name to the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD).] We also decided to join other feminists at the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC). We approved (ratified) the she areas decided in Ottawa as priority areas for future DAWN Canada work and decided to ask the federal government for funding to do the research. No one had ever done any research before about issues of concern to French, Japanese, American Sign Language—women with disabilities. and Spanish) more-or-less at the same time (simultaneously) and spontaneously (without any planning). The work of translating for the meeting was done by women who are bilingual and who volunteered to doit. DAWN was able to play a useful role since we had spent three days in Ottawa figuring out what the biggest issues were for us. We shared our knowledge with the women from around the world and found we all had similar concerns. Imagine that. Anyway, there was this other big concern about the DPI Congress: gender parity (equal numbers of women and men participating equally). That women-only meeting resolved to (decided to do it and act on it) make sure The final piece of important business was the election of a Board of Directors. The Board was representative of each region of Canada and almost all disabilities. The Board elected an Executive, and DAWN Canada was born! Starting to work The Board immediately began to put into action the directions from both the meeting in Ottawa and the founding conference in Winnipeg. Research, research, research. We all knew about the issues in our own lives and those of the women we knew, but we knew nothing more general or representative about women with all kinds of disabilities in Canada, and neither did anyone else. We were given enough to produce papers on employment, violence and parenting. We hired Julian Ridington as our first researcher, and she gathered the information and produced the papers. She sent out a very long questionnaire to women all across the country and waited for their responses. Lots of women were interviewed for their more in-depth comments. During her work, Jillian found that all of the topics involved the issue of self-image, and so she did an additional paper on that topic, too. The response was overwhelming. Women let us know in detail about every aspect of their lives. From their responses, we knew we were heading in the right direction. The papers we produced in 1989 were: □ Who Do We Think We Are?: Self Image and Women with Disabilities D Different Therefore Unequal: Employment and Women with Disabilities □ Beating the "Odds:" Violence and Women with Disabilities O The Only Parent in the Neighbourhood: Mothering and Women with Disabilities The papers were the first research done by women with disabilities about women with disabilities. We've been recognized since then as world leaders on issues of concern to women with disabilities. We only had enough funding to produce a small number of them and these important documents are now out-of-print (we ran out). We still get requests for them. In 1991, we held another Annual General Meeting which was attached to a conference called "Self-Image: Who Do We Think We Are?" Pat Israel was elected Chair and soon after DAWN Canada received enough funding to open a national office in Toronto. Joanne Doucette was hired as the Coordinator. Pat resigned before she burned out and everything came back to Vancouver. As the Past-Chair, I ended up doing the same stuff I was doing before. Working harder and faster The next few years were a blur of activity for DAWN Canada. We were swamped with requests to attend government meetings, consultations and conferences, and other organizations' events. We got lots of phone calls for information, and requests for documents. We had no staff and no office. The business of this national organization was again being conducted out of my bedroom. The fact that so many were interested in our existence let us know we were providing a valuable and unique service to those who were well enough connected to know that DAWN Canada existed. Unfortunately these were mostly bureaucrats, politicians and other national organizations, not necessarily women with disabilities. DAWN Canada Board members were in touch with the women who were trying to organize on the provincial level. We hoped, anyway. The women at the provincial level didn't (and still don't) get much financial support either. My main job was to keep DAWN Canada alive. This meant keeping the Board of Directors informed about the events that were happening. Another important aspect was getting DAWN and our issues on everybody's agenda: the women's movement, the disability community, the funders, the employers, the insurance companies, the politicians... Meanwhile, back in the regions... At the beginning, DAWN groups were popping up all over the country. There was a huge excitement in the air and women with disabilities were happy to get involved and talk to each other for the first time. The groups that were starting up had lots of enthusiasm but no experience or resources. Although we got funding to put out a few copies of a national newsletter, Thriving, DAWN Canada did not have the resources to do much communication or support work for the members in the regions. It was no better in the provinces. DAWN Ontario got some decent funding from their provincial government for awhile and they did some wonderful work, especially in the areas of health and sexuality. And then the provincial government changed from NDP to Conservative [in 1995] and that was the end of their funding. Quebec and Saskatchewan got some funding and so did a couple of other provinces, but it didn't last very long. Over time, the lack of resources began to take its toll on the women who were trying to do DAWN work everywhere. We are not a bunch of whiners and complainers but we do have disabilities and our individual needs require some care and attention, too. We weren't able to replace ourselves and get some new blood because we didn't get funded to hold annual general meetings or even regular meetings. We started to drop like flies. The lack of resources took its toll on the organization as well as the individual women, of course. DAWN Canada began to falter and fade. We were no longer "thriving." We simply weren't able to do the very necessary things that would have kept us healthy. I stayed on as Chair for far too long because the government doesn't fund annual general meetings. By the time we did manage to have an AGM in 1994, DAWN Canada was a mere shadow of its former proud and vigorous (lively) self. Part Two by Eileen O'Brien When I became Chairperson of DAWN Canada in 1994,1 knew that we had our work cut out for us if we were going to sustain it (keep it going) and strengthen our national organization. DAWN Canada was run solely (only) by volunteer labour, except for the researcher employed on any current project. We had been existing on only project funding since the beginning, and the organization was primarily (mainly) a research and policy (planning) advisory group. We did projects by and about women with disabilities and spoke about our findings to various government bodies, DAWN members and allies. We had affiliate groups as well across the country that we shared information with, but very little direct communication was possible (affordable) among the DAWN groups, members or supporters. Our research was brave and revolutionary: we hired only women with disabilities and we worked hard to keep our voice our own. Shirley Masuda, our senior researcher, fought consistently for this. The research principles she helped DAWN Canada develop have served as a model for other grassroots groups in both Canada and the United States. We wanted to keep control of that process of speaking in our own voices and doing our own research. We wanted our struggle for freedom to be our own. We joined our voice with the sound of the international disability movement's battle cry: Nothing about us without us! Maintaining a national group with no money meant we had to develop community development principals into most research projects. Action research with focus groups across the country became our way of ensuring a strongly representative voice. We tried increasingly to provide something concrete in the project itself that would improve things for our members, such as a self-help manual or kit which could be used by the groups or individual women. Another progressive research model was to train a woman who had strong skills and experience in a specific topic but lacked the necessary academic qualifications to be a researcher on her own. A DAWN Canada researcher who was qualified was paid to co-ordinate the project and oversee the methodology (process), and the DAWN woman-in-training took on the project. This team approach was very successful and we think it allowed for a very in- depth commitment to the subject matter. It also provided our community with another trained researcher. With little to no money, we communicated with our Board and affiliate (member) groups in most provinces and the Yukon through working together on projects, using our Board of Directors as the Advisory Committee (including on this project!). Our ability to communicate, however, was limited to project bulletins, questionnaires and advisory committee meetings. As a result of a very successful project on new reproductive technologies, we were able, not only to educate women on the very complex health and social costs of this technology, but also to send out a good batch of other information in the form of our newsletter, Thriving. Our newsletter brought us responses from all over the world. It helped us to increase our membership and open doors to stronger alliances (partnerships) with the women's movement as well as with women see DAWN next page Feature from DAWN previous page with disabilities in other cross-disability organizations. We were only funded to produce a few issues of Thriving and then were told that the government doesn't fund newsletters. DAWN Canada had begun to work on justice issues (legal cases) before 1994 and had participated in some pioneering coalitions in two very important cases which affected women with disabilities and other women. Both cases involved the rights of sexual assault victims. DAWN Canada's involvement in these legal cases opened the door for many more successful partnerships (alliances). We were building coalitions to intervene in cases involving discrimination under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We soon discovered that not only could we inform the courts and the lawyers and organizations we worked with about our issues, but we could again use this experience to develop our own community. We were able to learn about significant (important) Charter rights and their application (use, function) and to hear directly from specific women with disabilities who were affected by the decision. For the first time in history, we have had an important (significant) voice in the courts of Canada and we hope, in the future, to guarantee that a community development aspect for DAWN Canada exists in each of the cases we work on. This work was made possible by the strong commitment of the Court Challenges Program, funded by Canada's Department of Justice. It gives resources to grassroots groups such as ours. We have worked with other equality seeking groups and have learned that despite our broad differences, on the issue of discrimination we have much in common. We came to understand that a court case fighting for the rights to same-sex benefits, for example, has broad implications (consequences, things that might result) for people with disabilities and very specifically women with disabilities. Building coalitions: strange bedfellows Understanding the need to work together on these kinds of issues has meant a new kind of alliance (coalition) building— a new kind of inter-dependence (depending on each other) which we think is crucial (very important) in light of current government cutbacks and rising incidences of discrimination against the most vulnerable (unprotected, defenceless) in our society. w\\\\n\u\\\\\\\\\mm Massage Therapy Craniosacral Therapy 736-1910 315-2150 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC Judith tries to break the sound m barrier and be accepted by non-hearing impaired feminists. Working with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) has been a challenge in many regards. We have, I think, worked hard together to strengthen our common voice as people with disabilities on the issue of funding to disability groups and other issues related to social policy in Canada, such as transportation, et cetera. We continue to value this process of working together as important in our development as a culture and as a movement. As DAWN Canada, however, we find ourselves at odds with this very patriarchal (male, top-down, hierarchical) model of a group which is not used to the feminist process of consensus and coalition building. As a lobbying group, the CCD has been remarkable in its tireless negotiations for a place for people with disabilities on the government's agenda. However, as a grassroots movement, there is still much work to be done. The principle of hiring people with disabilities to do the research and to speak for ourselves is a basic premise (assumption) in the development of our community of women with disabilities. It is not understood or adhered to by the CCD. Discrimination against and ignorance of feminist principles is systemic (widespread) and I think we must continue to fight where it is necessary. Most women in the CCD are DAWN Canada members though, and are very supportive of our issues if they get on the agenda of the meeting. The fight, of course, is to get them there. We have a written agreement with the CCD to have DAWN Canada work on all issues directly related to women with disabilities. Without the necessary funding, we lack the resources to provide a gender analysis on CCD policies and position papers. The work continues on this level. I must say that I have learned to love and respect most of the people there and I think we have come a long way since the first meeting I attended. The evolution of DAWN Canada continues. Most regions have had funding cutbacks and we have seen many DAWN groups fold (die). Sometimes, there are direct funding cuts such as the cutting of program funding to women's centres and local DAWN affiliate groups by Status of Women Canada. As well, our research suggests that women are losing our will and ability to participate in society due to cutbacks to things like: □ home care, □ accessible transportation, □ disability aides, □ basic food and shelter allowances, □ hospital services, and Speaking Out For Safe and Respectful Health Care for Women COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCATES There are 10 Volunteer Advocates helping women in various communities of the Vancouver/Richmond Region. SPECIAL THANKS to our partners who provide safe space and support for the Advocates : so South Vancouver Neighbourhood House so Richmond Women's Resource Centre so UBC Women's Centre so South Asian Women's Centre so Downtown Eastside Senior Centre so Multi-Cultural Family Centre so The Centre so Women with Disabilities Health Action Group The Vancouver Women's Health Collective supports women in making their own decisions about their health care. (§ Visit the InfoCentre at #219-1675 W 8th Ave Call for Information & Hours 736-5262 □ declassification of many medications. Many of use are exhausted, frightened, angry and worse. This has hurt us and it erodes (grinds away) the gains we have painstakingly (with great hardships) made. We have, by sheer necessity, broadened our network through contact with individual women with disabilities wherever they find themselves fighting to survive. Some have become part of the network through various disability groups, others through women's groups, transition houses and other feminist projects. Still, others find us wherever someone has left a pamphlet, project report or newsletter. Many women with disabilities in other countries we've met through our contacts at conferences, Disabled People's International (DPI), the newsletter and our different projects have also become part of our ever-expanding network. There is a DAWN Trinidad and Tobago! Also, with the formation of our Girls and Young Women Committee, we have begun to make connections to the wonderful young women coming behind us. This year, for the first time, we have been given enough money to hire a Coordinator, Kathy Hawkins from our Newfoundland DAWN group, and we have much hope for the future. We are, I think, quite a rare breed. We have nothing to lose and we are fearless warrior women who are dedicated like no others. We are not going anywhere. There is no place to opt out. Freedom is like the air we breathe. We've acquired the habit and we are rather attached to the beautiful feeling that the fruits of our struggles bring us. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have been a part of DAWN Canada in these last few years and I can't wait until the next history installment! SEXUAL ASSAULT Published by the Montreal Health Press, a women's collective, producing quality books on health and sexuality for 30 The most up-to-date information on sexual assault: how to handle an assault, prevention, the social context. 1997 EDITION New information on: ♦ Pregnancy and STDs resulting from an assault ♦ Partner assault ♦ Dating violence I ♦ Abuse of people I with disabilities | No other resource offers the combination of personal and practical information, an understanding of why sexual assault happens and ways to work for positive changes. Women's Health Clinic Winnipeg, Manitoba Send $5.00 (cheque or money order) to: Montreal Health Press Inc. P.O. Box 1000 Station Place du Pare Montreal (Quebec) Canada H2W 2N1 Tel.: (514) 282-1171 Fax: (514) 282-0262 E-mail: mhpmontreal@msn.com JULY/AUGUST 1999 Feature DAWNing: How to Start and Maintain a Group The DisAbled Women's Network Canada's new resource manual, DAWNing, provides women with information on how to form their own local DAWN groups for support and companionship and to bring about change. DAWNing is full of encouragement and practical advice. Even if you don't think you want to start a group, it is a "must read" for any woman with a disability who has felt alone and powerless. Written in Plain Language by women who live and work with disabilities of all kinds, it could prove to be a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to improve her situation or geMo- know about other women with disabilities. In order to receive DAWNing, fill in the form below and enclose your cheque or money order. If you are a woman with a disability and/or cannot afford to pay the suggested cost, please send whatever you can to help cover postage. DAWNing is available in print, tape or diskette format. We urge you to donate a copy of DAWNing to the public access place of your choice — such as women's centres, public libraries, hospitals, adult education centres, community centres, etc. There are many women with disabilities out there who have nowhere to turn for support and information. Return this order form to: DAWN Canada P.O. Box 93558 Nelson Park RPO Vancouver, BC Canada V6E 4L7 Phone/Fax (604)873-1564 dawncan@yahoo.com I would like to order: □ Print □ Tape Diskette: QWord □ Word Perfect x $30.00 x $10.00 = x $10.00 = x $10.00 = Total $ Please send _ Name: _ copy(ies) of DAWNing to: Organization: Address: Province: City:_ Phone(Home):_ Fax: Postal Code:_ (Work): Email: DAWN does not have the resources to do any billing. If you are an organization or can afford to pay, please make sure you enclose a cheque or money order with your form. DAWN across Canada DAWN Canada PO Box 93558 Nelson Park RPO Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4L7 Tel/fax: (604) 873-1564 Email: dawncan ©yahoo.com Women on Wings PO Box 1073, RR#2 Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A5A5 Pacific DAWN 15-2132 Dundas Street Vancouver, British Columbia V5L1J6 DAWN Saskatchewan 2025 McTavish Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4T 3W8 DAWN Ontario PO Box 781, Stn B Sudbury, Ontario Tel/TTY: (705) 671-0825 Toll free (Ontario only): 1-800-561-4727 Fax: (705)671-0829 Email: dawn@tyenet.com Action des femmes handicappees Montreal 112-5795 Sir Walter Scott Cote St. Luc Montreal, Quebec H4W 2T7 DAWN PEI (Dance with DAWN) RR#2 Cornwall, Prince Edward Island C0A1H0 Nova Scotia Metro Area Women with Disabilities (MAUD) 212-2786 Agricola Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K4E1 Tel: (902) 453-0004 DAWN St. John's PO Box 23144 St John's, Newfoundland A1B4J9 JULY/AUGUST 1999 Feature y__ A 12-step plan to take back the nation The corporate take-over of Canada's economic and political agenda is forcing people to stand up for their rights. Dr. Jane Kelsey, an economist at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, has developed the following list of proposed tactics and strategies to resist the corporate agenda: 1. Be sceptical about fiscal and other "crises." Examine the real nature of the problem, who defines it as a crisis, and who stands to gain. Demand to know the range of possible solutions, and the costs and benefits of each to whom. If the answers are not forthcoming, burn the midnight oil to produce the answers yourself. 2. Don't cling to a political party that has converted to neo-con- servatism. Fighting to prevent a social democratic party's capture by right-wing zealots is important. But once the party has been taken over, maintaining solidarity on the outside while seeking change from within merely gives them more time. When the spirit of the party is dead, shed the old skin and create something new. 3. Take economics seriously. Neo-liberal economic fundamentalism pervades everything. There is no boundary between economic, social, environmental or other policies. Those who focus on narrow sectoral concerns will lose their battles and weaken the collective ability of the rest. Leaving economics to economists is fatal. 4. Expose the weakness of their theory. Neo-liberal theories are riddled with dubious assumptions and internal inconsistencies. Expose them as self-serving rationalizations which operate in the interest of the elites. 5. Expose the masterminds. Name the key corporate players behind the scenes, document their interlocking roles and allegiances, and expose the personal and corporate benefits they receive. 6. Maximize every obstacle. Federal systems of government, written constitutions, legal requirements and regulations, supranational institutions like the International Labour Organization and the United Nations, and strong local governments can provide barriers that slow down the pace of corporate take-over. 7. Maintain the concept of an efficient public service. Build support among client groups and the public which stress the need for public services and the risks of cutting or privatizing them. 8. Encourage community leaders to speak out. Public criticism from civic and church leaders, folk heroes and other prominent "names" makes corporate and political leaders uncomfortable. It also makes people think. 9. Avoid anti-intellectualism. A pool of academics and other intellectuals who can expose the fallacies and failures of the corporate agenda, and develop viable alternatives in partnerships with community and sectoral groups, is absolutely vital. They need to be supported when they come under attack, and challenged when they fail to speak out or are co-opted or seduced. 10. Develop alternative media outlets. Once the mainstream media are captured by the right, it is difficult for critics to enter the debate, and impossible to lead it. Alternative media and innovative strategies must be put in place. 11. Raise the levels of popular economic literacy. Convince people that economic policy affects everyone and that alternatives to the corporate agenda do exist. 12. Hold the line. The corporate take-over is not yet complete. Social programs have not yet been entirely dismantled. Unions have not yet been destroyed. Not all environmental protections have been eliminated. There is still time, through sustained and coordinated action, to hold the line. from PROVOCATION page 9 The defence of provocation at work The defence of provocation is based on the idea that the accused loses control and can't refrain from his desire to kill. In fact, what happens in the spousal femicide cases is that the accused loses control over his wife, girlfriend,ef cetera, and killing her is the way he tries to get control back. "It's ironic that we say defence of provocation shows compassion for loss of control," says Cote. "What it really shows is compassion for a man who takes extreme measures not to lose control." One of the politically disturbing things about this defence is that it is based on what is called an "objective test." How would an "ordinary person" have reacted given such circumstances? "[The verdict in the Stone case says] an ordinary person would have been so provoked by the behaviour of the victim that he would have been pushed to kill," says Cote. "This normalizes the violence." What is also worrisome is the scope of "wrongful acts" or "insults" accepted as being provocative. "In our case law, it's often situations of women leaving men, telling them they're unsatisfied with the relationship, or that they're bad lovers," says Cote. "I've seen other cases where women threaten to file criminal charges against men who abuse their kids and this is seen as provocation." Essentially, women breaking free from violent relationships or asserting their own autonomy—all of which threaten a man's control—are deemed to be provocative. The common law provocation defence What's even more worrisome is a more recent invention: the common law defence of provocation. [This defence was invoked in the Klassen case by the jury in convicting him of manslaughter, not murder.] Often in criminal law, says Cote, defence lawyers and judges invent new defences—they broaden the criminal law in very creative ways—in crimes of violence against women. The first time the common law defence of provocation was accepted was in 1994 in the Wade case, heard before the Ontario Court of Appeal. Wade's wife told him she was leaving him. That night, she went to sleep in her daughter's room. He later came in and attacked her. She managed to get away and run outside, but Wade caught up to her. He smashed her head on the sidewalk, killing her. In his defence, Wade argued he was so angry when she told him she was leaving him that he went into a rage. He didn't even think about what he was doing. As opposed to the Criminal Code (statutory) defence of provocation, the common law defence does not have an "objective test." All the accused has to do is prove he was so angry he didn't know what he was doing. The provocation can go to the very basic level of intent, says Cofe. To be found guilty of murder, you have to commit the homicide intentionally. The common law defence says provocation goes to the possibility of forming criminal intent—you get so angry you don't even contemplate the consequences of your actions; you just lash out. [No intent. No murder.] What must be done Shelagh Smith, who was Susan Klassen's best friend, says the defence of provocation, in the Criminal Code and common law, should be abolished. "It shouldn't be available in today's society," says Smith. "The justice system is supposed to hold people responsible. Provocation gives people an excuse." Smith adds that the category of self-defence needs to be expanded to recognize the situation many women who have killed or injured their intimate partners find themselves in. "There's a double standard. If a woman kills for fear of her life, that isn't seen as provocation; it doesn't fit with the patriarchal definition of provocation." The local newspaper in Whitehorse reported that after the Klassen verdict, the Victims Services and Family Violence Prevention Unit (FVPU), an agency of the Yukon government, received numerous calls from women. Some women said their partners used the verdict as a threat: "Five years is nothing." A spokesperson from the FVPU was also quoted as saying the agency had received a number of calls from men who had been court-ordered into its Anger Management Program. These men said that if they knew they'd only get five years, they wouldn't have taken the program. Brenda McDonald agrees that the provocation defence needs to go. She says Ralph Klassen used Bert Stone's case at his own sentencing hearing. Klassen's lawyer argued that Stone only got seven years for stabbing his wife 47 times, so his client should serve even less time, given his act wasn't as "brutal." Since then, Klassen's case has been used in other trials of men kill women, says McDonald. "He has helped other violent men get off." Last Fall, the federal Department of Justice put out a consultation paper on three issues: the defence of provocation, self-defence, and defence of property. Joanne Klineberg, counsel with Criminal Law Policy at the Department of Justice, says the impetus for the review was years of study and public interest. The goal is legislative change. Klineberg says the Department is still looking through the responses, and so far, there is no clear consensus on what to do. Andree Cote says most of the reforms proposed by the Justice Department would make the conditions for successfully claiming provocation less strict. The reasoning often suggested for broadening the defence of provocation is so that "battered women" who kill their husbands, but can't claim self-defence, can use it, says Cote. She finds this a very disturbing way of addressing the situation of battered women who kill. "[Battered women] rarely kill out of anger; they kill mostly to preserve their lives or the lives of their children," says Cote. "To say you're going to broaden the defence of provocation for battered women who kill is a cynical way of using the situation of battered women to effect a reform that would in fact benefit violent men." Cote says there is a whole lot for feminists to discuss concerning the defence of provocation and self-defence. She adds it is important that a feminist critique of the issues and of other criminal law matters be developed. It is critical particularly to counter the heavy-handed law-and-order solutions being promoted and accepted. Feminist anti-violence activists and legal scholars will be meeting in Ottawa in July to discuss the defence of provocation, self-defence, and minimum mandatory sentencing. The forum is hosted by the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societes, an organization that advocates on behalf of women in conflict with the law and that works on law reform. Kinesis will continue to follow the developing feminist analysis of legal issues related to violence against women. For more information, contact the National Association of Women and the Law at (613) 241-7570, or the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies at (613) 238-2422. For a copy of the Department of Justice's consultation paper, "Reforming Criminal Code Defences: Provocation, Self-Defence and Defence of Property," visit their website at: http:/ / Canada, justice.gc.ca/Consultations / Ancien_en.html. KINESIS JULY/AUGUST 1999 Womyn Warriors play ball on film: Getting to the Games by Nadine C. King WOMYN WARRIOR written and directed by Patrice Leung Golden Orchid Productions Vancouver, BC, 1999 Summer 1997. The question was posed: How can the Womyn Warriors get to Amsterdam for the Gay Games '98?[see Kinesis July/August 1997] Did 30,000 lesbians and a few good gay brothers donate a buck each to help the Warriors fulfill this dream? Who are the Warriors anyway? [Think softball. Think women of colour. Think the Mabel League, the lesbian softball league in Vancouver.] For those of you wondering, "Did they make it?," filmmaker Patrice Leung, a Warrior herself, answers that question and more in her new 48-minute video on the team. From Vancouver to Holland, the Womyn Warriors are a group of women negotiating with race, sexuality and competitiveness as they get out there and goddammit, Play balll In her documentary, Leung queries out loud: "What service do we as the Warriors provide to the community?" As a fan for six years, I'll pipe up to say the Warriors were an integral part of my coming out process. How so? Flashback to the Summer of 1993: six months after coming out as a lesbian, I'm branded as crazy because I'm not willing to give up my own virgin...views and kiss enough political as...egos. Caught between the political rock and a lousy Friday night bar space, somehow I heard about groups of lesbians playing ball. My strongest memory of that summer is the Mabel League tournament at 49th and Victoria, where I screamed myself hoarse cheering on the Warriors to a well- deserved victory. Everything I'd hoped to see in this new community of mine was on the field—their very presence was political! In a Local Majority sea [of whiteness,] the team was an island of mostly World Majority women pulling together with a commitment to highs, lows and a few fly balls in between. Ahh, but enough reminiscing! The team first got together in the early '90s. Over the years, they haven't always won, but I'll bet they have more "Most Sportspersonship" awards than any other team. This reputation for politeness is one their oft-chosen MVP, Karrie, scoffs at. "I don't think we're polite. We are mouthy and we're noisy." Yes, they have great team spirit but like any team, the Warriors are not immune to the trials and tribulations of bringing 20 women together into one groove. Leung's video touches on the difficulties within the team that brought on turbulent group weather and broke the first wave of cohesion. A few folks left, a few more joined, a few folks thought about leaving...but didn't. After the team refocused itself and brought in Lise Delvecchio as coach, they embarked on raising funds to get to the Gay Games '98. A VanCity donation, a Bowl-a- rama, an auction, and a food booth at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, were the big money-makers. Tons of fun for the Warriors' supporters, but it probably tested the team members' commitment, since the 30 grand they needed ain't pittance... Leung's video mixes interviews with core members of the Womyn Warriors, along with black and white clips from previous years. The team has always been predominantly women of East Asian descent. It's easy to be a Womyn Warriors fan. Even if you don't get the rules of the game, you can still admire women for their particular skills. To name a few: Trish, my favourite femme (that's with a capital F) on the team, who I've watched bloom into an excellent fielder. Paulina for her stealth as a base-stealer. Patrice for her ability to catch and hunt down base stealers. (If you've watched her play you know what I mean). Maggie for her shortstop skills, excellent hand-eye reflex and throwing arm. Cynthia for her big booming bat, and last but not least, Lily, the team's main pitcher over the years. Womyn Warrior zooms through clips of a few of the team members discussing their sense of self, Canada, how softball became Patrice Leung checking out the sights to play ball: the Womyn Warriors (and a few friends) in Amsterdam However, there were other brown women— Amanda, Mary-Lou, Heather, Corey and Sandi—women of Haida, Filipina and Afro- Caribbean heritage, to name a few. One has to smile with the two core players of European descent, Anne and Trish, who note the irony of being "invisible" on a team of colour to other ballplayers in the League. part of their life and racism, on and off the field. Occasionally, the imagery and the voice-overs are a bit confusing, especially if one doesn't know whose face to match to the words. I would have loved to have seen some more'round-the-table-after-the-game-sup- per scenes to give you the sense of camaraderie I know exists on the team. Still, there's plenty of chuckles! Leung has chosen some great shots of the women in action, and good editing helps move the film along for those of you who do not have the patience to watch a ball being tossed and whacked around repeatedly. The footage from Amsterdam gives a sense of the grandness of the Gay m Games'Commencement Ceremony ■ but sadly the video does not include any footage of the Warriors playing. i There's a few shots of their accom- ■ modations, a dinner-time close-up or I two, and a nice piece of commentary j about "where the girls are," as they ! watch a parade on the canal. Enough proof right there for the ; sponsors that the team hadn't run off ' with the money to laze on the beach I in Canci m. It must have been Amster- ; dam—where else in the world could i you watch lesbian-esque pornogra- I phy in a nice family style restaurant?! Like any trip, the most important ; part is "getting there," and the film | does a fairly good job of document- ! ing that process. Womyn Warrior will be a part of i this year's Out On Screen queer film Is? j and video festival in Vancouver The ° ! video is scheduled to be screened at 5 I the Emily Carr Institute of Art and a i Design, on Friday, the 13th of August. tJ ! If bad luck's already struck and you know you can't make it, the fi- §. j nal Mabel League tournament is the I last weekend in July. Location? Right where I first discovered the Warriors: Gordon Park at 49th and Victoria! Pack a lunch, pray for no rain and be there! Nadine C. King was named #1 Warriors fan in '93. She'd love to compete for the title this year, however, she's taking her sassy mouth'd self to the Michigan Women's Festival that week to play...with other dykes o'culah. let Kinesis take you oat to the ball fame JULY/AUGUST 1999 Arts Women in sports - a flashback: For the love of the game The Edmonton Grads in action, and in the locker room by Jackie Brown Last November, when we were putting together the 25th anniversary supplement for our December/January 1999 issue, we came across this review. It had been published in Kinesis 10 years earlier in our November 1988 issue. As summertime approaches, we're feeling in a particularly sporty mood [see also page 21,] so we thought we'd re-print Jackie Brown's review o/Shooting Stars, a film about a team of women basketball players, the Edmonton Grads. We feel it's important to recognize the unrecognized accomplishments of women in all aspects of life, including sports [and science, see page 19.] So here it is... For 25 years, they were the team to beat. In Canada, they won every western and national basketball championship and lost only once at the provincial level. Against US competitors, they won the Canada/US Underwood Championship so many times, they were permanently awarded the series trophy in 1940. And they went undefeated at four Olympics—winning all 27 exhibition contests against the best players in the world. They even won seven out of nine exhibition matches played against men's teams. They were the Edmonton Grads, a women's amateur basketball team that lost only 20 out of 522 games for an incredible 96.2 percent average. From 1915 to 1940,38 players—all graduates from Edmonton Commercial High School—made up the various teams, setting records that remain unbroken today. Under the guidance of Percy Page, the team's only coach and a rather stuffy sort who preached the virtues of being ladylike both on and off the court, the Grads were models of consistency and fair play. There were no fancy manoeuvres, trick shots or spectacular slam dunks; just half a dozen plays practised to perfection. Opposing teams were treated with respect. So much so, that during a particularly close game against arch rivals the Tulsa Stenos, a Grad silenced the rambunctious crowd trying to rattle a Steno player about to attempt a foul shot. The Grads were, indeed, amazing. But their accomplishments become all the more phenomenal considering they did everything on their own. Unlike so many of today's "amateurs" who train and tour with the help of corporate sponsors or government aid, the Grads worked full-time and held practices and games at night. Tours coincided with vaca tions, and the team relied on ticket sales to pay travelling and other expenses. Not that there weren't any perks. After winning the first Underwood Challenge in 1923, for example, ecstatic Edmonton merchants gave the team medals and gifts (Coach Page got a brand new Chevy) and the women did travel first- class most of the time. They were also the darlings of Edmonton society and barely a day went without a mention in the social pages. But for the Grads, fame and fortune were secondary. Playing the game they loved was enough. That, and forging friendships which have endured for decades, have been their greatest rewards. In 1940, the team played its last game in front of a standing room-only crowd of 6,000 appreciative Edmontonians. They won, of course. In 1973 and 1974 respectively, the team was inducted into the Edmonton and Alberta Halls of Fame. Coach Page made it to the Canadian Hall of Fame in 1971. Today, the Grads are enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to a new National Film Board film called Shooting Stars, which chronicles the team's rise to international fame. Hopefully, it will help set the record straight in a few areas. Great though they were, the Grad's achievements drifted into obscurity. After all, who pays much attention to Canadian athletes, let alone a women's basketball team that played in Edmonton over 40 years ago? Consequently, some members of the sporting world are making false claims. Case in point: a US university basketball team was recently labelled a record-breaker for winning 61 games in a row. The Grads, however, won 147 consecutive games. One record book also states that a professional male player's 56 foul shots in a row is the all time high. But Grad forward Margaret McBurney sunk 61 in a row during a 1931 exhibition game. The lack of recognition doesn't surprise McBurney (now Margaret I Vasheresse) who says the attitude is typical of the States. "They even claimed they invented basketball but it was Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian, who invented it," said Vasheresse in a recent interview. Now 79 and living in New Westminster (she came to Vancouver in 1929), Vasheresse is one of several ex-Grads featured in Shooting Stars. Although she modestly tries to play down the current publicity, with a little encouragement, her obvious pride in the team's achievements comes through. Says Vasheresse: "They were some of my best memories. It was good times and wonderful fellowship." Asked to compare the sports scene then and now, Vasheresse says today's athletes are under too much pressure to win at all costs. Money, she adds, is the culprit. "We wanted to win but Mr. Page always said we were ladies first and basketball players second. There wasn't that urgency to beat someone badly or be rough. We played for the love of the game..." Shooting Stars was produced in 1987. It was directed by Allan Stein and distributed through the National Film Board. For copies, contact the National Film Board at 1-800-267- 7710, or ask your local library. Jackie Brown was a long-time regular contributor to Kinesis. Capturing news about women since 1974 scribe For more information, call (604) 255-5499 or e-mail us at: kinesis@web.net JULY/AUGUST 1999 Arts Lesbians in the kitchen: Erotic eating by Shannon e. Ash THE LESBIAN EROTIC COOKBOOK by Ffiona Morgan Daughters of the Moon Publishing Novato, California, 1998 Lesbians and food; lesbians in the kitchen. What associations come up? □ Fleeing the kitchen as a limited, "feminine" domain? O Recognizing the historic importance of the kitchen as a central meeting place, the hearth? □ Lesbians on the cutting edge of vegetarian, organically-grown food? □ Stereotypes: the vegetarian activist, the fast-food eating working class dyke,ef cetera! D Embracing the kitchen as a place of essential work that can be exciting, sensual...sexy? I've been interested in cooking for a long time and frequently peruse cookbooks. Finally, here is a cookbook where two important aspects of my life come together. Yes, The Lesbian Erotic Cookbook is actually a cookbook focussing on food. There is sexually explicit writing, but it acts as an accompaniment to a main course of recipes. Ffiona Morgan writes in the preface: "Good food is a celebration of life, and I like to celebrate in any way that I can...nourishing our bodies is a way to love ourselves..." Is there a lesbian cuisine? If there is, it's rather eclectic. The cookbook has a mix of North American standards and different Americanized ethnic styles (Chinese, South Asian, Jewish, Italian, Mexican). There are plenty of basic recipes and a few "gourmet" ones as well. For the dyke who's kitchen-shy there's an introduction to cooking and cooking terms, and plenty of easy-to-make recipes. There's also an introduction to bread-baking and a number of bread recipes. Most recipes are vegetarian or vegan, with a few chicken and seafood ones thrown in. The recipes were assembled by Morgan over many years, and some are credited to specific people. Woven around the recipes, there is a regular smattering of erotic prose pieces from a variety of authors, including Morgan herself. The most well-known are food-themed excerpts from Dorothy Allison's work. The pieces that work the best are those where the role of food (especially as part of sex play) is prominent. 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/4 cup rice, soy or cow's milk Almond slivers Serves 4 2 bananas, frozen without peel 1 package firm silken-style tofu 6 tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla, or to taste Optional: walnuts or pecans; 6 Tbsp crumbled cookie In advance, freeze the bananas (without peels) and refrigerate the package of tofu. In a blender or food processor, add all the ingredients until they are creamy and smooth, then pour the custard into a bowl or individual serving cups. Sprinkle them with almond, pecan or walnut slivers, or crumbled cookie, and sprinkle your love with tofu kisses. Refrigerate or serve immediately. There are a couple of pagan ritual ones which I found not quite as engaging. (Morgan practises pagan/Goddess religion, so there is a dose of that sensibility throughout the book). The quality of the writing varies from fair to funny, good and, well, erotic. There are also lots of, dare I say, "yummy" photos of women and food. The women are in various states of dress and undress, eating, munching, smooching, et cetera. The erotic theme continues throughout the book. Morgan has given "naughty" names to many of the recipes. A few examples: Creamy for You Tofu Custard, Oil Over You Undressing, Undulating Eggplant Parmesan, Make Me Sweat Manicotti, Kootchie Kugel... (You get the idea.) The book is divided into breakfasts (I find breakfast to be the most challenging meal; it's hard to make something both interesting and palatable in the morning), bread and sandwiches, soups and sauces, salads and "undressings," the "main squeeze" (entrees), and separate sections for rice and pasta, tofu, chicken and seafood dishes. The tofu section is a great bonus—I haven't found many recipes that focus on tofu itself, short of looking in a tofu cookbook. I got some new recipes to use, instead of just adding some tofu cubes to a stirfry The final section, of course, is dessert. It's quite extensive and includes a recipe for a chocolate body paint "living sundae"—the perfect recipe for an erotic cookbook. There are also (suggestive) categories: "quicky" "easy" and "leisurely." This allows one the choice of getting a meal ready in a hurry, but also the option of a more extensive cooking experience. Don't let the words "gourmet recipes for the innovative cook" on the title page put you off. The Lesbian Erotic Cookbook is actually a good introduction for those who rarely venture into the kitchen. Some recipes are very simple; others are more complex. There are also basics like bread, pizza sauce, pancakes, et cetera. Morgan adds a lot of personal commentary to the recipes, which is fun and interesting but sometimes a little odd—like when she refers to vegetables as "little girls." (Huh?) When she describes a sexual fantasy involving a Chinese woman cook- by Linda Buonocore Makes 2-3 cups 1 large tangy apple> SUCh as a Granny Smith, peeled and cored 1 cup sunflower seeds, soaked a few hours and drained 1 cup filtered water; more, if needed Optional: 2-3 tbsp honey, or to taste wl^! TT° Pi6CeS- PUt im° the b'ender With sunflower ^ed and water, to b,end ,nto stiff peaks. Add honey for sweetener to taste Use as a toppmg for fruit, cakes, etc. This can also be prepared without the sweet- ener to spread on sandwiches, vegetables and crackers ing a stirfry, it seems out of place, given there is no reference to anyone else's ethnicity in the book (except her Welsh grandparents). The book's square shape helps it stay open fairly well. The layout is attractive, with purple ink printing on the creamy (ha ha) pages. The photos are not all of equal quality, but overall add much to the book, and there is other artwork/drawings in the margins. It should be noted that the book's photos are also predominantly (but not exclusively) of white women. Being a determined researcher (and procrastinating book reviewer), I determined to test some of these recipes myself. Herewith my comments on the following recipes: G-spot Breakfast Pudding: I am not usually a pudding fan, but this cornmeal- based recipe won me over. It's not too sweet and solidifies nicely for a good cold snack as well. Go Down Omelette: I admit it; I cheated. I didn't separate the egg white and add it later to make a fluffier omelette. However, with the spinach, avocado, onion and mushroom filling, it is def'nitely filling and pleasing, even without the added fluffiness. The cookbook commentary notes that this is good for when "you have had an active night and need some intense protein for breakfast; besides, you are starving... you know what I mean." Say Yes Again Szechuan Peanut Pasta Salad: A good cold summertime meal: noodles with peanut sauce, fresh herbs and veggies. I would add a touch less sesame oil; it's a little strong (or maybe my sesame oil was a little strong). Bad Girl Tofu: Even my partner/girlfriend, who hates to cook, got into making this recipe. It's basically breaded tofu slices sauteed with a little tomato and melted cheese on top.Yummm... and so easy. Two-Finger Tofu: This tofu recipe is a little more involved. It's tofu in a spicy (but tame) peanut molasses banana sauce. Very different. I actually made this twice (which tells you how long I've been intending to review this book). The first time it was absolutely delicious; the second, mediocre. The quality of the bananas (perfect ripeness is best) and the timing of the cooking seem to make a big difference. Road to Ecstasy Applesauce Bread: I took this to my religious community's coffee time, and everyone loved it. The applesauce makes it sooo moist. Secret Fantasy Sunflower Creme Sauce: This is a healthy alternative to whipped cream (but not as fluffy), among other things. In my opinion, though, it's an acquired taste. For the diehard vegan. But if you're not, give it a try anyway. Boinkin Brownies: Wow! Really moist, dense tofu brownies. A small piece goes a long way. Definite seal of approval. Alas, I still haven't tried the Apple Brown's Nipples—no leftover cornbread. There are a number of vegetable recipes—I just didn't try them—and, yes, there is a lentil stew. Also, there are a great amount of cake and especially pie recipes, but no muffins! Are muffins a Canadian thing? Well, it is an American cookbook. There are a few recipes that call for a particular brand of ingredient not readily available in Canada. As a note of irony, the book was printed in Canada. Apparently Morgan/Daughters of the Moon had trouble getting a publisher in the US to do it. My review copy made it past Canada Customs, though I did get charged for inspection. Maybe they got some new recipe ideas out of it. Publisher contact information: Daughters of the Moon, Box 2829, Novato, California, 94945 USA; tel/fax: (415) 898-0496; website: www.daughtersofthemoon.com. Shannon e. Ash lives in Victoria and is looking forward to eating lots of veggies out of her garden, as long as she can keep her cat away from the peas. Pd j t C 1 n 1 ' D 7~1 Bring this exotic bread to a bathtub surrounded by flowers, where she waits for you. You crawl into the tub to join her, bearing the warm delicious slices. In between washing each other, you nibble on this delicious accompaniment to your evening of delight. Makes 2 loaves 1 cup butter, margarine or alternative spread 2 cup applesauce 1 1/2 cups sugar [note: I used a little less] 2 tsp vanilla 4 cups flour, sifted 4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup nuts 2 cups raisins 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1 1/4 tsp allspice; 1 tsp nutmeg; 1 tsp cloves Oil and flour 2 loaf pans. Melt butter, then add applesauce & vanilla. Sift flour & baking soda, sugar, and mix in spices & salt. Add raisins & nuts. Add applesauce mixture and mix well. Pour into loaf pans and bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees. JULY/AUGUST 1999 KINESIS Letters dear re ade rs Kinesis loves receiving mail. Please get your letter to us by the 18th of the month. If you can, keep the length to about 500 words. (If you go way over, we might edit for space.) Hope to hear from you very soon. Kinesis MM* /i-fipj'ruti'u>/t /irfrirl0<s nl0/i<30 Dump provocation defense I am asking all women to take up their pens in a stand of solidarity at the travesty of the outcome of Bert Stone's appeal from the Supreme Court of Canada on May 27, 1999 [see this issue page 6.J The Supreme Court upheld the four-year sentence Stone received in 1995 for killing his wife by stabbing her 47 times. I am appalled at the nine judges' decision, but at the same time I am not surprised because they had to base their decision on the circumstantial evidence presented at the trial. My question is: is there no way of opening up the case and having a re-trial based on pertinent evidence that was not allowed into the courtroom at trial? Such as calling forth the following people: her counsellor, Leone Konings of the Kelowna Family Centre who had counselled Donna after Stone assaulted her months earlier, the man who on October 17, 1993 heard Donna scream as she was on the hood of Stone's Sunbird in the A&W parking lot in Winfield...and who saw Stone hit Donna several times on the head and face, or the Kelowna RCMP who had been called into the incident and who also had a file on previous threats made to Donna by her husband. If these people had been allowed to take the stand, they would have shown that Stone's statement to the jury that "he never struck his wife or became angry at her before he killed her" [The Kelowna Daily Courier, October 24, 1995) was a lie. I believe that the outcome of the trial would have been different given the above information. As Debra Linger of Kelowna states: "How long are we going to offer the offender protection while the victims (wives and children) are forced into lives of hardship, poverty and fear?" We as Canadian citizens must take a stand against violence through our courts showing that we do not tolerate violence. Laws must be changed to ensure that the victim(s) are heard, and in cases where they cannot speak out for themselves, that they are heard through those who represented them in our community and who have valuable information to share regarding the case at hand. I find it hard to believe that one judge gets to determine what is admissible evidence and what is not. I believe that a panel made up of an odd number of judges should make the decision as to what is admissible and what is not. Also, I believe that a serious look is needed into the use of provocation when applied to cases of violence. For example, in the Stone case, it was argued that he was provoked into committing the crime by his wife's verbal attack on him about his sexual performance. I really have to question if this is grounds to murder someone. If it is, our society is in a very sorry state. As Paula Kleiman of Oyama states: "Can we even begin to imagine the fear and sense of hopelessness this sentence must instill in victims of abuse?" This is a question we as a society must really look at and decide what needs to be done in order to ensure the safety of all. - (kreetinas, 'ñ†i\ere in Uew Zealand, I aw en'yOyinA receiving wy wOnthly Kinesis, Ct rewinder 0^ howe, and all the Issues ft0'lnft 0"> Here. I observe Hoc He style oL youmallsw is very wuch \pcussed on He horrors and injustices inherent in WOwenS lives. I do not Wish 10 w'mlwlse He validity o^ "tellma if like if \4* yet a\jrer an hour or so 4pent with Kinesis, I cowe amy with wy head reeling Iron He sheer impact 0^ negative In^orwatlon. I have a health related disability and aw a finale wother 0J a child with a disability. I aw all too aware ol the Invisible, yet palpable, oppression it Is possible \pr we tin experience m the context 0^ "our culture." I would like to see wore articles a^lrmlna women, -haxfin, His Is not to minimise He injustices, or to provide a solt and LluLLy alternative reality. I have a heallna, whole-body response to positive Indorsation. Reading In detail 0J obstacles overcome o\fen provides we with strategy useful In my own ll^e. Keadlna 0^ battles won by my sisters m conscience rewinds we that I also have a strong and powerlul role to play. I cowe away strengthened. I see the role the alternative media plays to be twofold. trlrst, to provide Information not readily available Hrouah He brainwashed, mainstream channels. f\nd second, to develop a style that ultimately aims to ewpower its readers. 'thank you, friar Cook Chrlstchurch, Mew t-ealand In an article in The Daily Courier on June 10, 1999 called "Bert Stone's model for murder," a Vancouver Island man sentenced to life in prison for killing his estranged wife cited the Stone case in appealing his second-degree murder conviction." For the sake of justice, I am asking you to pick up your pen and write a letter to the following people, so our voices will be heard loud and clear that, as women, we want changes made to the judicial system to ensure that sentencing of domestic violence will no longer result in a mere slap on the wrist. Prime Minister Jean Chretien House of Commons PO Box 1103 Ottawa, Ontario KIA0A6 Ujjal Dosanjh Attorney General of BC Room 232, Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 Justice Minister Anne McLellan 284 Wellington St Ottawa, Ontario K1A0H8 Chief Justice Allan McEachern BC Court of Appeal 800 Smithe St Vancouver, BC V6Z2E1 Premier Glen Clark Room 156, West Annex Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8W9E1 Sue Hammell Minister of Women's Equality Room 342, Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 Chief Justice Bryan Williams BC Supreme Court 800 Smithe St Vancouver, BC V6Z2E1 I want to thank everyone who takes part in this letter campaign from the bottom of my heart. I am hoping that together we will make a difference by having those in power act on our behalf to pursue the changes needed within our judicial system to ensure that this type of travesty never happens again. Rosemary O'Neal Kelowna, British Columbia 20 KINESIS JULY/AUGUST 1999 Bulletin Board read this Bulletin Board listings have a maximum of 50 words. Groups, organizations and individuals eligible for free space in the Bulletin Board must be, or have, non-profit objectives. Other free notices will be items of general public interest and will appear at the discretion of Kinesis. Classifieds are $8 (+$0.56 GST) for the first 50 words or portion thereof, $4 (+$0.28 GST) for each additional 25 words or portion thereof and must be prepaid. Deadline for all submissions is the 18th of the month preceding publication. Note: Kinesis is published ten times a year. Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan are double issues. All submissions should include a contact name and telephone number for any clarification that may be required. Listings will not be accepted over the telephone. Kinesis encourages readers to research the goods and services advertised in Bulletin Board. Kinesis cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided or the safety and effectiveness of the services and products listed. Send submissions to Kinesis, #309- 877 E. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 3Y1, fax: (604) 255-7508, or email: kinesis@web.net. For more information call (604) 255-5499. INVOLVEMENT WANNA GET INVOLVED? With Kinesis? We want to get involved with you too. Help plan our next issue. All women interested in what goes into Kinesis— whether it's news, features or arts—are invited to our Story Meetings held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm at our office, 309-877 E. Hastings St. The next meetings are on Aug 3 and Sep 7. For more information or if you can't make the meeting but still want to find out how to contribute to the content of Kinesis, give Agnes a call at (604) 255-5499. New and experienced writers welcome. Childcare and travel subsidies available. INQUIRING MINDS WANTTO KNOW! Do you ever wonder how the pages of text in the newspaper you're holding get lined up so neatly? Want to know what the fastest way to get wax off your hands is? How about all the cool things you can do with a scanner? Does thinking about the right dot pattern keep you up at night? Or do visions of rubylith enter into your dreams? If so, then you definitely need to come down and help put Kinesis together. Just drop by during our next production dates and help us design and lay out Canada's national feminist newspaper, and all your questions will be answered. We'll be in production for our September 1999 issue from August 17-22. Come and join us. No experience is necessary. Training and support will be provided. If this notice intrigues you, call us at (604) 255-5499. Childcare and travel subsidies available. FEMINIST FUNDRAISERS WANTED VSW is seeking enthusiastic, energetic and creative women to join the Finance and Fundraising Committee. If you enjoy raising money for a great cause, organizing events, or just want to have fun, call Audrey at (604) 255-6554 today! JULY/AUGUST 1999 INVOLVEMENT VSW IS LOOKING FOR YOU! If you want to learn to do referral and peer counselling work, at VSW we are offering a great opportunity to women interested in volunteer work during the day. Come answer the phone lines, talk to women who drop in, and help connect them with the community resources they need. For more information call Shana at (604) 255-6554. Childcare and travel subsidies available. VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER Are you a volunteer at VSW or Kinesis? If yes, please feel free to make contributions to our new monthly "Volunteer Newsletter." The newsletter is for us—for all VSW/ Kinesis volunteers—a great place for updates on committee work, gossip, recipes, things for sale/barter, a calendar of events, and whatever else volunteers want to put in. There's a box at #309-877 E. Hastings St just waiting for your submissions. If you want more info call (604) 255- 6554. KINESIS MARKETING GANG Interested in being on the hottest new committee at VSW? Then check out the Kinesis Marketing Gang. We're looking for women who have experience or are interested in advertising and marketing. The Marketing Gang works as a collective to strategize on innovative ways to promote and raise the profile of Kinesis. The gang meets monthly. Training and support will be provided by Kinesis marketing coordinator Jenn Lo. Call her at (604) 255-5499. EVENTS EVENTS KOOTENAY WOMEN'S FESTIVAL The West Kootenay Women's Association will be holding their 25th Women's Festival from Aug 6-8 at the Vallican Whole Community Centre near Nelson, BC. The annual fundraiser will include events such as: the band Maud, a literary salon, workshops, a potluck, et cetera. Women are asked to bring their memorabilia, as this may be the last festival. Cost is on a sliding scale $50-$90. Camping available. For more info call (250) 352-9916 or email: wkwomyn @ netidea.com. FAT OPPRESSION DISCUSSION Calling all lesbians, bi-women, dykes, bi- dykes, queer women. A discussion group focusing on fat oppression, troubled eating and body and food issues will be having its first meeting on Wed July 14 at 7pm at the Vancouver Status of Women, 309-877 E. Hastings St. PRISONERS'JUSTICE DAY The Prisoners' Justice Day Committee in Vancouver is organizing Rock Against Prisons, a benefit concert that will take place on Fri Aug 6 at 8pm at the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St. Donations at the door, with proceeds going to local prisoner support groups. This is an all ages event and will be followed by a Prisoners' Justice Day Memorial Rally on Sun Aug 8 from 11am-1pm outside the Vancouver Pre-trial Centre, 275 E. Cordova St. Kids activities on site. Rain or shine. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE The fifth annual Community Development Institute (CDI) will take place from Jul 25- 30 in Chilliwack, BC. Join hundreds of community builders, leaders and activists from around the province for this "community education festival." The CDI will be held at the University College of the Fraser Valley, located approximately 100km east of Vancouver. For a program calendar with a complete list of workshops, registration, bursary procedures, and accommodation information, visit the Institute's website at www.scrn.org/cdi; email: cdi@sparc.bc.ca or call (604) 718-7755. MICHIGAN WOMYN'S FEST The Michigan Womyn's Music Festival will be held Aug 10-15. The annual event attracts 5-8,000 women for a week-long event that includes 40 performances, 200 workshops, a Film Festival, Crafts Faire, and 650 secluded acres for camping. Some of the artists scheduled to appear include Suzanne Westenhoefer, Dar Williams, The Drumsong Orchestra with Ubaka Hill, Marga Gomez and Tribe 8. Full week tickets are $260-310 sliding scale (before Jul 17) and $290-340 (after Jul 17). Includes all activities, meals, concerts, dances, workshops, film festival, camping and childcare. For more info call (616) 757- 4766; fax (616) 757-3414; or write WWTMC, Box 22 Walhalla, Ml, 49458. Or visit their website at: www.michfest.com. KINFSLS ii Duties: full-timel Editdf'1 The Kinesis Editor is a full-time staff person who supervises the production of a 20-28 page newspaper, 10 times a year. With the volunteer Kinesis Editorial Board, the Editor will: • actively solicit articles; write articles; edit and copy edit; and make decisions regarding final copy in accordance with Kinesis editorial policies; • maintain and expand Kinesis' contact with women's groups, other political and social justice organizations, individuals and news/information resources which may be a source of stories; • keep abreast of current issues, debates and news relevant to a feminist newspaper; • actively recruit and assist in the training of volunteer writers; • conduct the day-to-day administrative work associated with publishing a newspaper, along with the VSW Administrator and the Subscription Services Coordinator; • work closely with the Kinesis Production Coordinator and Designer and Marketing Coordinator to fulfill the newspaper's goals and work in their respective areas; • facilitate monthly Story meetings and Editorial Board meetings. The Editor also sits on the Kinesis Marketing Gang, which meets monthly; • assist with VSW activities where feasible, and attend weekly VSW staff meetings and monthly Coordinating Collective meetings. Qualifications: The successful applicant will have: • an ability to work effectively and collectively with volunteers and paid workers; • an ability to interpret Kinesis' editorial policy and translate it into a tangible product each month; • excellent editorial, writing and copy editing skills, with an ability to work under deadline pressure; • an ability to initiate and maintain contact with local communities, as well as provincial, national and international contacts; • a broad-based knowledge of women's issues and women's groups in British Columbia and across Canada, with a particular awareness of the struggles of women of colour, Aboriginal women and working class women; • familiarity with advocacy journalism in general, and feminist journalism in ' particular; • computer skills relevant to Kinesis' administration and production. (Kinesis uses IBM-compatible software: WordPerfect, PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, Netscape Communicator.) The Editor requires a working knowledge of WordPerfect, and some knowledge of PageMaker is helpful but not required; • knowledge of publication design and production; and • organizational skills, especially regarding production flow and volunteer training. Medical/dental; seven weeks vacation annually (after 1st year) There will be a one-month training period. Deadline for Applications: Monday. August 16.1999 Please send applications to: Kinesis Hiring Committee, #309- 877 E. Hastings St, Vancouver, BC.V6A3Y1; fax: (604) 255-7508 For more information, call (604) 255-5499. kInesis Bulletin Board EVENTS GROUPS GROUPS SUBMISSIONS CHILDREN & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE The BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses is hosting an International Conference on Children Exposed to Domestic Violence in Vancouver Oct 27-29. The focus of the conference is on integrating research, policy, and practice. Among the conference presenters will be Helen Dempster of the Society and local counsellor Val Oglov, with other presenters from across Canada and the US. To register, or for more info, call (604) 669-6943 or email: hdempst@istar.ca. BAMBINO'S ANNIVERSARY PARTY Bambino's Family Cooperative in Victoria, BC is holding a party on Sat Jul 17 to celebrate its first anniversary. Bambino's, started and maintained by single moms, runs a thrift store, cafe, and resource centre and library. The festivities will take place from 10am-4pm at Bambino's, 607 Vancouver St (at Fairfield). There will be music, prizes, face-painting, food and more. It's free and open to the public. For more info call (250) 995-8499. LILITH SERIES Vancouver based visual artist Lilian Broca will be showing a number of pieces from her Lilith Series as part of a major group exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver until Jul 12. The Gallery is located at 885 W. Georgia. Broca's preoccupation with the legendary figure Lilith goes back to an exhibition of paintings and drawings of goddesses in 1993. Since then, through extensive research in both Hebrew and English, Broca has put together the different versions of the Lilith legend. GROUPS NAC YOUNG WOMEN'S CAUCUS The National Action Committee on the Status of Women presents the Young Women's Caucus for women between the ages of 16 and 30. The Caucus is committed to providing a space where young women's voices are validated, celebrated and honoured. Join our struggle. For more info contact Rachel at (416) 755-9605, email: thedivas@pathcom.com; or contact Kelly at (905) 525-0629, email: hwetl- pr@interlynx.net. SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT A 10-week support group will be starting on Aug 5 from 7-9pm at the Surrey Women's Centre for survivors of sexual assault. The group will be a supportive, confidential place to talk about feelings. We will explore issues which arise from the assault such as fear, anger, trust, and sexuality. The group is free. Childcare and transportation subsidies are available. If you want to be part of the group and/or make a referral call the Rape and Assault Crisis Program at the Surrey Women's Centre at (604) 589-8373. WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH Lesbian, bisexual and queer-identified women are invited to participate in a focus group discussion aimed at exploring women's strategies for maintaining health in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The group is part of the Women's Health Research Project, an innovative, community-based project sponsored jointly by Positive Women's Network and AIDS Vancouver, Women's Program. Both HIV+ and HIV- women are invited to the first meeting, Tues Jul 20, 6-8pm at Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Dr. If interested call (604) 828-5403. Honoraria and childcare subsidies provided. WHAT AREYOU HUNGRY FOR? An 8-week support group in Vancouver for individuals struggling with issues around food, weight and body image has two upcoming sessions starting on Jul 8 and Aug 2, both from 6:30-8:30pm. The focus will be on the process of self-awareness, self-acceptance and the development of healthy coping skills.You don't need to struggle alone. Contact Jacqui or Karen for brochures, a free consultation or for more info at (604) 255-0505. ALLIES TO FIRST NATIONS WOMEN "Allies to First Nations Women," a subcommittee of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women-BC region, has been re-activated. The subcommittee works in solidarity with Aboriginal women, particularly in the areas of research, proposal writing and organizing. Any woman wishing to join is welcome. For more info call Donna at (604) 254-0812. CUSTODY AND ACCESS SUPPORT Battered Women's Support Services in Vancouver offers a free once a week drop- in support group to share information, problem solve, strategize and support on custody issues for women who are involved in custody and access issues as a result of separating from an abusive relationship. Call (604) 687-1867 for more info. SHAKTI Shakti (meaning "strength") is a self-help group in Vancouver for South Asian women who have experienced the psychiatric system. The group meets every 1 st and 3rd Saturday of the month 1-3pm at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Dr. Join the group for outings, discoveries, peer support, relaxing massage. Participation is free. For more info call Helen (604) 733-5570 (for English) or (604) 682-3269 box 8144 (for Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu). MENOPAUSE AWARENESS GROUP The Surrey Women's Centre has a Menopause Awareness Group which meets the 4th Monday of each month for informal discussions around menopause issues. The group starts at 7:30pm and will be held at the centre. For location or more info call Janet or Sharon at (604) 589-1868. BUILDING BLOCKS Building Blocks Vancouver offers information and support for Spanish-speaking, Vietnamese and Aboriginal women living in the Grandview Woodland area expecting their first baby or with newborns under three-months old. The program has a great team of Home Visitors to assist women. For more info call Mosaic at (604) 254-9626 or the Vancouver Aboriginal Family and Child Services at (604) 251-4844, local 311. WOMEN ABUSE SUPPORT GROUP A support group in Vancouver for women abused by women is available for lesbians, dykes and bisexual women through Battered Women's Support Services. Emotional support, legal information and advocacy, safety planning, and referrals are offered. The group is free and confidential and onsite childcare is available. For more info call Sarah or April at (604) 687- 1867. BWSS DROP-IN GROUPS Battered Women's Support Services in Vancouver is offering support groups for women who are in or who have been in an abusive relationship. Women can drop-in to just one session or come to as many as they like. Offered two times a week. In these groups, women meet to talk about issues related to abuse and healing that are relevant to them. Pre-registration is not needed. For more info call (604) 687-1867. COMPULSIVE EATING SUPPORT A drop-in support group for women with issues of compulsive eating is held twice a month at the Eating Disorder Resource Centre of BC, St. Paul's Hospital, Room 2C-213, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver. Drop-in times are 7:30-9pm every 1 st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Facilitated by Colleen Hyland and Cynthia Johnston. For more info call (604) 631-5313. RAPE RELIEF VOLUNTEERS Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter needs women who are interested in volunteering for their 24-hour crisis line and transition house for women and children. Volunteer training sessions are held Tuesday evenings. For more info and a training interview call (604) 872-8212. SATRANG If you are into drama, theatre sports, etc. and feel strongly about issues affecting South Asian women, come and check out the South Asian Theatre & Networking Group. Satrang is about enthusiasm and having fun with your creativity in a positive scene. Meetings are every Monday from 3:30-5pm at the South Asian Women's Centre at 8163 Main Street, Vancouver. For more info call Anu at (604) 592-0013 or Sonia at (604) 325-6637. OUT ON SCREEN VOLUNTEERS The 11th annual Out on Screen Queer Film and Video Festival in Vancouver is looking for volunteers. Volunteers are needed now and during the festival in a variety of areas and get to see great films in exchange. The festival runs from Aug 5- 15. For more info call (604) 844-1615 or email: volunteer@outonscreen.com. BI-WOMEN'S GET-TOGETHER A bisexual women's get-together in Vancouver is being held once a month for conversation, munchies, laughs and the occasional bi-related movie. For more info and to get on the email list, call (604) 734- 9407 or email Liane at angelbum @ netcom.ca. PRIDELINE The Centre's Prideline offers information, referrals, and peer support to Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered and Bisexual people 7 days a week from 7-1 Opm. In the Lower Mainland call (604) 684-6869. Elsewhere in BC call 1-800-566-1170. TAKE BACK THE NIGHT This year's Take Back The Night march and rally in Vancouver will be taking place on Sep 25, and will be organized by Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter. Volunteers are needed for safety. For more info contact (604) 872-8212. ART SHOW SPACE The Vancouver Women's Health Collective has opened its space to women artists. Shows will run for 4-6 weeks under contract guidelines. The Collective will host an opening, and provide some advertising as well as hanging materials. For details, leave a message for Christine Campbell or Tamara Flick-Parker at (604) 736-4234. ACTIVISM AND GLOBALIZATION Submissions are being sought for Women's Community Activism and Globalization: Linking the Local and Global for Social Change, an edited collection on women's community activism. This collection seeks to make visible the links between women's community-based organizing and global, political and economic forces. Original studies and first person accounts of women's community organizing that are explicitly or self-consciously dealing with global processes affecting the lives of women and their communities in rural and urban locations around the world are of interest. Submissions from community activists as well as academics and development workers are welcome. For more info or to submit a proposal, contact Nancy Naples by phone at (949) 824-5749 or by email: mnaples@uci.edu. Deadline for proposals is Aug 15. Deadline for completed papers is Dec 31. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Abstracts are being sought for a conference on women's health. Building Bridges: Creating an Integrated Approach to Women's Health that will take place from Apr 29-May 1, 2000 in Victoria, BC. The goal of the conference is to encourage an integration of social determinants and biomedical approaches to women's health and enable health practitioners, community groups, researchers, policy makers and health educators to engage in productive dialogue about ways to bring different perspectives together to create a new, more holistic approach to understanding women's health. For more info contact Anne Speer of the Women's Health Bureau, BC Ministry of Health, by phone at (250) 952-2237 or by email: anne.speer@moh.hnet.bc.ca. Or call Pamela Gole at (604) 806-5322 or email: pgole@ha.bc.ca. Deadline for submissions is Aug 3. HEALTH NETWORK The Canadian Women's Health Network invites submissions for its quarterly newsletter, Network. If you'd like to contribute or want to suggest a topic we should cover, please contact the editor at news@cwhn.ca. Or contact her at CWHN Network, 203-419 Graham Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0M3, or visit the CWHN website at www.cwhn.ca. Paula Clancy, b.a. Certified General Accountant Auditing Accounting Financial Planning Income Tax Services for Organizations Small Businesses and Individuals Tel: (604)215-1720 Fax:(604)215-1750 pclancy @bc.sympatico.ca LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES in: labour and employment law human rights civil litigation public interest advocacy MUNRO 'Ģ PARFITT LAWYERS Melinda Munro and Clea Parfitt 401-825 granville street Vancouver, b.c.v6z1k9 689-7778 (tel) 689-5572 (fax) quality legal services woman friendly atmosphere JULY/AUGUST 1999 Bulletin Board SUBMISSIONS GAY & LESBIAN FAMILIES A Safer World, a National Film Board documentary/animation project, is looking for a diverse array of out gay couples and their families to share their photos or be photographed. For more info or to submit, call Chris at (604) 255-0057. SOUTH ASIAN QUEERS Are you a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered South Asian whose politics and work extend beyond your sense of sexual identity? San Francisco-based Trikone—a community publication for queers of South Asian heritage—will be focusing one of its forthcoming issues on our relationships to, and work around, concerns which may not specifically be considered queer issues per se, such as: human rights, feminism, peace activism, ability, immigration, class ef cetera. Submissions of experiential narratives, interviews, poetry, essays, artwork and photography are welcome. Length of submissons should be 500-1000 words. For more info regarding this and other future projects, email guest editors Anuja Mendiratta at anuja@yorku.ca or Mark Haslam at mhaslam@yorku.ca. Deadline is Aug 1. CLASSIFIEDS SAPPHO LESBIAN WITCH CAMP "Witches in the New Mellennium, Womyn as Seers, Prophetesses, Wise Women", Sept 6-10. Workshops, rituals, swimming, canoeing, womyn's community. Facilitators: Jade, Reformed Congregation of the Goddess co-founder, educator, author; Ruth Barrett, Dianic priestess, ritualist and recording artist. $275-$450 sliding scale. Sounds & Furies. Also: Tues Jul 20, 8pm, Havana's Roy Bailey, UK political folk singer with Euphoniously Feminist Non-Performing Quintet; Wed Jul 21, 8:30pm, Purple Onion: FRUIT, rocking band from Australia;.Sept 4, 8pm, Havana's, Sue McGowan, Sharon Costello, Jade, an evening of poetry and song, May 2000, Women's Journey to Cornell with Cornish writer/research Cheryl Straffon. For more info call (604) 253-7189, fax (604)253-2191 or by email path@lynx.bc.ca 6TH ANNUAL WOMEN'S WINTER ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIRE Heritage Hall, Nov 20-21 and 27-28. For application info, call Sounds & Furies at (604)253-7189. SPINSTERVALE 3. Work exchanger(s) wanted at Spinstervale, $ on Vancouver Island. Three hours a day for cabin and food. Opportunity exists in salad J business for local farmer's market. Apprentice also needed to care for goats. Or, rent • cosy cabins for $7.50 night/person. Contact Box 429, Coombs, BC. V0R 1M0; call (250) >. 248-8809 or e-mail: sunshine©macn.bc.ca I WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE I Women Educating in Self-defense Training * (WEST) teaches Wenlido. In Basic classes, ft* you learn how to make the most of mental, ft physical and verbal skills to get away from g assault situations. Continuing training builds on basic techniques to improve physical and mental strength. By women, for women. For info, call 876-6390. MENOPAUSE AND YOU Wondering how menopause will affect you and your disability? Can't eat dairy for calcium because you're allergic? Can't walk for bone and heart health because you have a broken back? Your memory is already bad enough because of the medi?.iions? Pacific DAWN is asking women with disabilities in BC for some answers. Find out more about our research and call (604) 875-2280 ext. 4. CLASSIFIEDS CITYVIEW CO-OP Cityview housing Co-op is accepting applications for its waitlist for one, two and three bedroom suites ($565, $696, $795 per month and refundable share purchase). Carpets, blinds, appliances, parking and laundry room. Children and small pets welcome. Participation required. Please send a business size SASE to Membership Committee, Cityview Housing Co-op, 108- 1885 E. Pender St, Vancouver, BC, V5L 1W6. ROOM FOR RENT Sunny room in lesbian shared house available Jul 1 or Aug 1. Rent is $385 + half hydro. Cottage-feel in the city. House in Mt. Pleasant, with garden, porch, fireplace, washer and dryer. (Sorry no big pets, but you can bring your piano or instrument.) Good transit access. Are you non-smoking, looking for a long-term home, like to have a chat with your roommate or occasional shared meal, and do not mind morning yoga and tai chi in the garden? Give us a call at (604) 874-5822. CRIAW RESEARCH GRANTS The Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women will be offering 10 research grants of $2,500 in the coming year. Priority is given to research carried out by women's groups and independent researchers. For an application please call us at (613) 563-0681 or visit our web site at www3.sympatico.ca/criaw. Deadline for applying is Aug 31,1999. m Penman Island B.C. Private self-contained accommodation opeaeefnl olakefront property oboatina, ooutdoor cooking facility ohomecooked breakfasts toll free: 1.877.560.TUTU en-tine: <mars.ark.com/-jero/bk4/tuts.html >- M fX O Q. Q. O LU >- o _l Q. LU Program Coordinator Primary Responsibilities: <=* organize and carry out education programs such as discussion evenings or public events on issues of importance to women. °* organize Popular Education training groups for women and train the volunteer facilitators. <=* keep up-to-date on political events of importance to women and share the media work such as writing press releases and doing interviews. <=» work with VSW staff and volunteer committees to develop issues. «► act as a liaison to other women's and community groups. <& participate in lobbying efforts at all governmental levels, in meetings and presentations, and in preparing written briefs. °* work with other staff and grant workers to develop community resources and projects. «► share the daily phone shifts, correspondence, public assistance and inquiries. °^ participate in weekly staff and monthly Coordinating Collective meetings. °^ contribute to the development of the resource centre. °^ share in the training of volunteers. <=s> facilitate the Programming Committee and co-facilitate the Volunteer Development Committee. Qualifications: <=» knowledge of women's issues and familiarity with women's social services and community organizations. °* experience leading groups and knowledge of Popular Education. «> skill in planning and coordinating programs and events. °& ability to prepare and deliver information to the public, media and government. °» knowledge and willingness to work as part of a collective as well as ability to work alone. °& strong public speaking and organizational skills. °» knowledge of Word Perfect and internet programs an asset. Salary: $33,700 Start Date: September 16,1999 Full-time: 40 hours per week Benefits: al; seven weeks vacation annually (after 1 st year) strongly encouraged to apply. Affirmative action principles will be in effect for this hiring. Deadline for Application: Monday, August 16,1999 Send to : Vancouver Status of Women Program Coordinator Hiring Committee, #309-877 E. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6A3Y1 Fax to: (604)255-7508 L. Vancouver Status of Women is a non-profit feminist organization which undertakes public education, advocacy & service work.' JULY/AUGUST 1999 KINESIS LIB1Z8 LIBRARY PROCESSING CTR - SERIALS 2206 EAST MALL. U.B.C. VANCOUVER BC V6T 1Z8 map* !i9BBS^!' 1. Postal WmM Postal c 'a*L..
Preceding title: Vancouver Status of Women. Newsletter. Date of publication: 1974-2001. Frequency: Monthly.
Periodicals
Newspapers
HQ1101.V24 N49
English
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Vancouver : Vancouver Status of Women
Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from the Digitization Centre: digitization.centre@ubc.ca
Original Format: University of British Columbia. Library. Rare Books and Special Collections. HQ1101.V24 N49
Women--Social and moral questions
Feminism--Periodicals
Text