OCTOBER 1993 Interview with Dionne Brand...p. 20 CMPA $2.25 INSIDE NEWS Boycott over sex selection ads 3 SIS by Agnes Huang Iffl^l 0 Grant Street Women's groups put election issues forward 3 JKH^_/____ ;|lli]i'fl___R5S___[ f^_^1 Vancouver, BC V5L 2Y6 ! Tel: (604)255-5499 by Jackie Brown , J__« f*p|jl.' fep^M_flfflA 2_/ Fax:(604)255-5511 Transition houses, childcare moved to Women's Ministry 4 by Fatima Jaffer t M 11 \ /j Kinesis welcomes volunteers to work on Employment Standards under attack 5 all aspects of the paper. Our next Writers' Meeting isOct 5 for the by Sue Vohanka November issue at 7 pm at Kinesis. All women welcome even if you don't have experience. Kinesis is published ten times a year by FEATURES ^^__Ioli the Vancouver Status of Women. Its objectives are to be a non-sectarian feminist voice for women and to work Women at the Vienna Human Rights Conference 9 ry /1 'Mtyfu) \ ^-r* actively for social change, specifically combatting sexism, racism.classism, by Shelagh Day ' [ •$ iffl rr^ Ww. homophobia, ableism, and imperialism. Counting women's work in the census 10 / \i (!j§ b.jtf Views expressed in Kinesis are those of by Barbara Little ''rr=**\< the writer and do not necessarily reflect interview with Winnie Ng 14 Employment Standards Act attacked . VSW policy. All unsigned material is the responsibility of the Kinesis Editorial by Kristin Wong Board. EDITORIAL BOARD Shannon e. Ash, Lissa Geller, Fatima Jaffer, Anne Jew, Faith Jones COMMENTARY Sur Mehat, Kathleen Oliver, Gladys We PRODUCTION THIS ISSUE Three feminist views on the federal election 11 Winnifred Tovey, Faith Jones, Shannon by Judy Rebick, Dolores Fitzgerald and Shelagh Day e. Ash, Fatima Jaffer, Wendy Frost, Juline Macdonnell, Lisa Marr, Lori Motokado, Meegan Graham, Agnes Huang, Nikola De Marin, Mariam Bouchoutrouch, Frances Suski, Cat L'Hirondelle ARTS Advertising: Cynthia Low CirculatiomCat L'Hirondelle, Jennifer Johnstone, Tory Johnstone Review of Queer Collaborations 19 Distribution: Yee Jim by Larissa Lai Production Co-ordinator: Anne Jew Interview with Dionne Brand 20 Typesetter: Sur Mehat by Lynne Wanyeki, Nikola De Maria De Marin and Charmaine FRONT COVER Perkins Photo of Miche Review of Snakes and Ladders 22 by Fatima Jaf by Jill Mandrake Review of The Invitation 23 PRESS DA" by Tina Arsenault September 29,1993 Film festival previews 23 by Mariam Bouchoutrouch SUBSCRIPTIONS Review of A Child Is Not a Toy 24 by Karenza Wall or what you ca institutions/Gi $45 per year (+$3.1! VSW Membership (includes 1 Kinesis subscription): $30 per year (+$1.40 GST' REGULARS SUBMISSli Women and girls are well As Kinesis Goes to Press 2 submissions. We reserve Inside Kinesis 2 edit and submission does not guarantee publication. If possible, submissions Movement Matters 6 should be typed, double spaced and by Manisha Singh must be signed and include an address, What's News 7 telephone number and SASE. Kinesis by Lissa Geller does not accept poetry or fiction. Editorial guidelines are available upon Bulletin Board 25 IDIOTS request. compiled by Cynthia Low, Sur Mehat, and Lori Motokado No, not _.___«Kim!!!! _ «-__«*___fi____<<_r DEADLINES All submissions must be received in the month preceding publication. Note: Jul/ Writers—we need you! Aug and Dec/Jan are double issues. Features and reviews: 10th News: 15th Even if you Letters and Bulletin Board: 18th Display advertising have no experience (camera ready): 18th (design required): 16th call 255*5499. Kinesis is produced on a Warner Doppler PC using WordPerfect 5.1, PageMaker 4.0 and an NEC laser printer. Camera work by The Peak and Workshop with Winnifred Midtown Graphics. Printing by Web Press Graphics. Add paste-up, general layout Kinesis is indexed in the Canadian Women's Periodicals Index, and design to your roster of the Alternative Press Index and is a member of the Canadian Magazine PublishersAssociation skills this fall in the production room with a view at Kinesisl Call 254-8691
OCTOBER 1993 What is tha t gold thing you are wearing on your finger?--do you think it is right to flaunt your sexuality?" We figure we can ask other-than-politician types those questions too... Actually there were quite a number of fun lines last month...someone climbed up a building in Vancouver's West End late one night to correct a typo on a huge (expensive) billboard that had Kim Campbell's smiling face and "Putting Vancouver at the Centre of Things" on it. We think "Putting Vancouver at the Centre of Evil" was much more appropriate. Then the local media picked it up, now everyone in BC knows Vancouver Centre doesn't like Kim. They took the politically corrected poster down the next day; about 200 people in the streets booing. It was quite a month for a number of reasons, some not so fun. Israel and Palestine signed a peace treaty. Not once in the coverage (in Vancouver) have we seen mention of the history of the struggles of the indigenous peoples of the land, or of the fact that thousands and thousands of Palestinians have been killed, imprisoned, tortured, thrown into refugee It's getting so we're afraid to say the word "election!" Well, we say "election" a lot this camps, exiled, had homes burned down, tear-gassed, beaten, denied jobs, denied water, issue so what's two (20?) more times Have ever noticed how you get up one day and denied the right to grow olive trees... everyone's in a bad mood? So are you but you can't do anything to snap out of it. You go Black lesbian feminist poet Dionne Brand was in town last month [see page ...]. In her to sleep at night and figure you'll feel better in the morning-usually you do...but a month talk at the University of British Columbia, Brand told us about Audrey Smith, a tourist from passes, you aren't feeling better and you figure something's wrong. Well, something is Jamaica. Audrey Smith was standing at the corner of Dufferin and Queen when cops pulled wrong. There's nothing like an election to sour the mood...one more reminder of how the up and accused her of carrying drugs. They made Audrey Smith get into the cop car. She told state reinvents itself... them she didn't have any drugs on her; they could search her if they wanted. The cops made Globally, the women's movement has never been this strong or this organized. Yet Audrey Smith get out of the car and strip. Audrey Smith was strip-searched by two white we're living in a world that's increasingly right-wing. We cannot afford any more economic, male cops on the corner of Dufferin and Queen in front of all the passers-by. They didn't find social, political or physical assaults...we have to vote for the party that least tears us down. any drugs. The cops then got back in their car and drove away laughing, leaving Audrey No question. This federal election is critical because the issues are so urgent—we know it's standing naked on the corner of Queen and Spadina. important to stop the NAFTA, the backlash against women, peoples of colour, immigrants, the poor,...we need childcare, jobs, shelters, housing... Yet some women feel so little hope A week after Brand left town, Tlie Vancouver Sun printed a short piece on Audrey Smith. that the only act of resistance they believe left to them is to not vote. When we vote, it's 'cos Seems like the Toronto police leaked information about the investigation, and a top Jamaican we have to. No illusions, no disillusionment, now or after. Because we can't move a system diplomat in Canada, Margarietta St. Juste, is furious. The cops told the Toronto Star that that doesn't recognize we exist, we can't afford any illusions about options we don't, have Audrey Smith had stripped off her own clothes on the corner of Dufferin and Queen to never had We cannot afford to dwell on the bad days. We mustn't, can't stand still. "embarass or intimidate police. Yeah right. The day Brand told us the story of Audrey Smith, the local newspapers had reported the ... 'cos no matter what crawls out from under the rock after October 25th, the struggle will election to British parliament of a member of the "rights-f or-whites" neo-nazi National Party go on. What we do now is has to lead to making our resistance more possible! [see page 7). That day was also the first day of the trial of the man accused of the killing of Speaking of crawling, Kim Campbell made her first and only appearance in her riding Cheryl Joe, an Aboriginal woman from the Downtown Eastside. • of Vancouver Centre at the Walk for AIDS. Reports heard so far: Kim's staffers invited Liberal candidate Hedy Fry and NDPer Betty Baxter to walk the ("non-partisan") walk with As we go to press, the BC Supreme Court has granted the federal government one more Kim. Rumour has it Betty said: But I'm running and I don't think Kim can keep up; so Kim adjournment (delay) "to prepare their defense" against Little Sisters' lesbian and gay walked, Hedy walked and Betty ran; there was boos for Campbell and lots o' heckling... bookstore in Vancouver [see page 8]. A couple of last-minute notices as Kinesis goes to press: the Vancouver Status of A cartoon we saw the other day has this car with a sign on its bumper that reads: "Honk Women's/National Film Board's annual film series will take place in November. if you think they can be fooled again." A caricature of Kim stands beside it; she's honking her horn and smiling that smile... OK, maybe you had to be there... Oh, you can be there...on There's an ant-NAFTA panel/presentation of sorts on October 6 called "NAFTA: page 17. Nightmare on Your Street" billed as "scarier than Phantom; more misery than Les Miz; Two Thousand Terrifying Pages!!" at the Vogue Theatre on 918 Granville Street, 7 pm. Maude Hey we're one of them that thinks Campbell's not going to win.. .oh, one of those chain- Barlow from Council of Canadians and NDP MP Dave Barrett will be on hand to tell you all rumours., .someone at Kinesis spoke with someone in the NDP in Vancouver who spoke with about NAFTA. someone in the NDP in Ottawa who has a cousin in the Tory campaign who said the Tories are looking for another riding for Kim because they think she won't win in her Vancouver By the way, the Vancouver Status of Women wants all those women running around out Centre riding... there with keys to VSW to know they finally changed the deadbolt so your keys don't work anymore. By the way, if you can get a copy, read the NAC Voter's Guide- it lays out federal And finally, as we get closer to the time when the flats are taken to the printers., .our next election issues better than anything we've seen out there.. .available at VSW, 301 -1720 Grant... issue will go to press the morning after the elections (Campbell has no respect for feminist/ And read the election coverage on pages 11-17. Unfortunately we lost a chunk of party community publishing deadlines!) but a number of women have offered to watch the platforms and women's issue developments on a computer as we went to press...the results on TVs propped up in front of typewriters/computers so we'll have some post computer didn't seem to want to swallow the Tory Party line... .but the commentaries helped election reading for you in the next issue. get debate going around the production room... Speaking of the election coverage, Judy Rebick gives one of the fun-est lines we saw last And then again, there's always "As Kinesis Goes to Press".... month in an interview in Canadian Dimension. Says Rebick in a callout: "My activism has Oops. So much for that extro. Just heard there will be a Vancouver Centre All- wrecked my sex life." Can we..? Nah, we can't relate...! Uhm. Candidates Meeting on women's issues on October 12, 7:30 pm at the Robson Square Received some 'questions to ask your local candidate' drafted up by Vancouver's Media Centre, Judge Magill Theatre. Invited guests are: Betty Baxter (NDP), Hedy Frye December 9 Coalition, a lesbian and gay rights group: "When did you discover you are a (Liberals) and Kim Campbell. Word has it she might just show.. .[this updates the story on page heterosexual? Do you think heterosexuality is genetic? Can we assume you are gay/lesbian? 3]. ^THANKS
Our thanks to Vancouver Status of Women members who support us year 'round with memberships and donations. Our appreciation to the following supporters who became members, renewed their memberships or donated to VSW in August and September: Shiela Austin • Cathy Bannick • Janet Calder • Lorraine Cameron • Margioe Cogill • Cathie Cookson • Barbara Curran • LC Davidson-Hall • Holly Devor • Nancy Duff • Karlene Faith • Mary Frey • Margaret Fulton • Lissa Geller • Tanya de Haan • Mamie Hancock • Hospital Employees Union • B Karmazyn • Lorraine Kuchinka • Barbara Lebrasseur • Martine Levesque • Judy Lightwater • Alyson Martin • Norma- Jean Having arrived full steam into a sur staff and anyone interested in discussing McLaren • Patty Moore • Chantal Phillips • Tracy Potter • Neil Power • Nora Randall prisingly warm fall we've got equally great Kinesis get together and talkaboutit, suggest • Nadine Rehnby • Catherine Revell • Norma Roberts • Claire Robillard • AdrianneRoss news about as certainf uture issue.. .but you're changes, ways we can work better together, • Roberta Sciarretta • Lisa Snider • Sheilah Thompson • Janet Vesterback • Christine just going to have to wait to read about that. etcetera. Waymark Hooked yet? We're hiring a distribution / Now for that great: the Dec/Jan We would also like to say thanks to those who have responded to our recent appeal and marketing person to design a new market double issue will have an 8-12 page insert by whose support is so vital in this time of government cutbacks: ing program for Kinesis. She'll start on Octo and about Aboriginal women's issues to be E.J. Hallman • Leah Minuk • MacPherson Motors • Pat Tracy ber 1 and we're all pretty excited about the edited by Viola Thomas, a long time com munity activist and former editor of Abo On September 21st, VSW held another successful Annual General Meeting and took the prospects. riginal Justice Bulletin which came out of opportunity to thank some special volunteers with a gift of our new volunteer T-shirts! For New writers this issue are Barbara Lit Legal Services Society, Native Programs their hard work and dedication, VSW staff and members recognized: tle, Tina Arsenault and Judy Rebick, all of Division. Carol Bast • Christine Cosby • Agnes Huang • Faith Jones • Cat L'Hirondelle • Alex Maas whom make a smash entrance. New volun • Shamsah Mohamed • Leslie Muir • Kathleen Oliver • Jennifer Russell • Frances Suski teers drawn in by the mysteries of proof As always we welcome new or (old) • Gladys We • Sally White reading and the wonders of compiling Bul volunteers withopenarms. Without the fan letin Board are Jill Mandrake, Lori Motokado tastic critical input, the long hours spent on and Meegan Graham. It's great to have you the computer, over pages of proofreading, all aboard. Also thanks to Stacy from The in the washroom trying to get the was off Peak for going out of her way and dropping your hands (psst, we have a new secret come to the next off those PMTs. weapon in that category—vinyl gloves!!!!), The Kinesis Retreat was cancelled, we're and /or watching the sunset and /or sunrise writers' meeting crushed to say, because of bad timing. Many with us in a dazed stupor, we would be lost of you just couldn't attend and you know, of (or have killed each other by now.) If you course, that it wouldn't be the same without have any interest in participating in the inde October 5 @ 7 pm you. So, we're rescheduling! We're planning scribable production process, please leave a for some time in the spring and will let you message for Anne at 255-5499. know well in advance. The retreat, for those See you again next month and enjoy #301-1720 Grant Street who aren't quite sure what exactly it is, is a jumping into those piles of autumn leaves. couple of days when volunteers, writers, We know we will! OCTOBER 1993 NEWS South Asian women protest sex selection ads: Newspapers boycotted
by Agnes Huang vertising in the newspapers until they agree to stop running Dr. Stephens' ad and pub South Asian women in Vancouver are lish a statement saying they will stop run leading the protest against the targeting of ning the ad permanently. their community by an American doctor BCCAC's Thompson applauded South marketing sex selection services. Asian women as the first coalition of wom The Coalition of South Asian Women's en's organizations to target federal candi Organizations Against Sex Selection organ dates on an issue "that will give a very clear ized a boycott of four South Asian newspa indication of what they think about wom pers who refused to remove the ads of Dr. en's equality and women's reproductive John Stephens. rights." The Coalition groups include: India The BC campaign offices of the New Mahila (Women's) Association (IMA), Democratic Party, Liberals, and Conserva SAWAN (the South Asian Women's Action tives all stated they were against sex selec Network), Samanta, Vancouver Sath Liter tion and that they would urge party candi ary & Cultural Society, and Punjabi Wom dates to consider the issues and participate en's Association. in the boycott. The Coalition had tried repeatedly to While all parties have said they are persuade the editors of The Link, Indo-Cana strongly against sex selection as a "service," dian Times, Sangharsh, and Hem Jyoti to stop the Coalition has only received a written Surjeet Kalsey, Samanta; Bal Dhaliwal, Punjabi Women's Association; publishing the ads permanently before initi statement from the NDP. ating the boycott action. Chris Rahim, VSW (back row, l-r); Radhika Bhagat, SAWAN; Raminder Dosanjh says the Coalition wants the "Several members of the Coalition Dosanjh, IMA and Harji Sangra, Vancouver Sath (front row, l-r) at press candidates "to take a stand on an ethical phoned the newspapers; we sent them a conference basis and send a strong message that they letter and followed it up with another phone Stephens has also used South Asian newspa first step on a slippery slope towards the will not do business with those who know call, but they ignored our concerns," says pers in Toronto to target the community commercializa tion of medical techniques tha t ingly and opportunistically continue to ad Harji Sangra of Vancouver Sath. there. in fact remove women's choice," says vertise female foeticide for their own finan Stephens uses ultrasound scanning to The Coalition says Stephens is racist Thompson. cial gain." determine the sex of the foetus as early as 12 and sexist in his deliberate targeting of the Like the Coalition groups, BCCAC sees Meanwhile, following the widespread weeks into pregnancy at his clinics in Blaine, South Asian community. "He's going on a sex selection as an issue of women's repro media coverage, the four South Asian news Washingtonand Buffalo, New York. He also very strong stereotype that this community ductive rights. papers used their pages to restate their re provides medical information on abortion at wants the service," says Radhika Bhagat of The organization is among a number of fusal to pull the ads and to criticize the his clinics. SAWAN. feminist and anti-racist groups who support position of the Coalition. On September 15, Although Stephens denies it, the Coali "He is further entrenching the stere the Coalition's boycott. Other groups in the editor of The Link wrote a vicious attack tion says he is perpetuating discrimination otype that it is only the South Asian commu clude: National Action Committee on the on the Coalition and individual members. against women and promoting female foeti nity using these services." Status of Women, Vancouver Status of He accused the Coalition of damaging the cide. "Sex selection means son selection in a The practice of sex selection is not inher Women, Canadian Association of Sexual image of Indo-Canadian women. male dominated society where women con ent in South Asian cultures, says Raminder Assault Centres, and BC Organization to The Indo-Canadian Times also issued a tinue to be devalued. The preference for Dosanjh of IMA. "Up until the time these ads Fight Racism. press statement dismissing the Coalition for male children is a universal phenomenon," came out (in 1990), we had never heard of On September 13, the Coalition and the pulling a media stunt and for having done says Sangra. these practices going on in the community. supporting groups held a press conference nothing to educate the community about the This is not the first time Stephens has These ads have actually created and per to launch the boycott and pressure federal issues. The Coalition has responded with targeted South Asian women in Vancouver. petuated that need." political parties to respond with their posi letters to the editors of each paper, which In 1990, similar ads appeared in The Link and Joy Thompson of the BC Coalition for tions on the boycott. The Coalition's de have not been published. Indo-Canadian Times. After protests from Abortion Clinics (BCCAC) agrees. "The mands are that political parties, local candi See SEX SELECTION on page 9 women, the newspapers pulled the ads. profiteering from sex selection clinics is the dates, individuals and businesses stop ad
Federal election '93: Women's groups gear up by Jackie Brown ture of Canada's social programs, women's violence against women, anti-NAFTA and PC Prime Minister Kim Campbell (the in employment and poverty, a national child others," says Chris Rahim of the Vancouver cumbent), Betty Baxter of the NDP and the The writ has been dropped and the care program, and violence against women, Status of Women and the NAC BC caucus. Liberal Party's Hedy Fry. So far Campbell federal election campaign is on. With the key election issues. The caucus is stressing the importance has declined all invitations to attend all- implementation of NAFTA and the erosion Activities include compiling and dis of issues of unemployment, health care, candidates meetings. of social programs at stake, local women's tributing fact sheets, speaking engagements, employment standards, immigration and Besides their work with NAC, the group groups, anti-poverty organizations and other attending public and all candidates meet domestic workers'rightsamongothers, adds Women to WomenGlobal Strategies is spon social change groups are calling this a cru ings and a series of guerilla theatre skits Rahim, noting for example, the recent trans soring additional strategy workshops fo cial election. featuring "Everywoman" that focus on vari fer of immigration applications and process cusing on women and the economy. The "Women cannot afford another Tory ous election issues. "Everywoman" made ing to the Public Security portfolio. Both she first took place during the NAC regional government and the Liberals are no better. her first appearance at recent Take Back the and NAC's Hill say the transfer represents a meeting in September and another, planned The single most important issue in this elec Night marches across the country. Future new defining of immigration as a "threat to for sometime in October, will deal with tion has to be to stop the North American plans for Everywoman in Vancouver in public order" rather than a benefit to Cana women's unpaid work. Free Trade Agreement and to stop the 'kill clude a performance at Simon Fraser Uni dian society. "That meeting will feature Carol Lees, the deficit a t any cost' hysteria tha t the Tories versity in October. "We've also written letters to various who refused to fill out her census form are generating," says Miche Hill of the Na "We want to remind people of what's women of colour and First Nations women's because it does not recognize women's un tional Action Committee on the Status of been happening during the last eight years groups in BC to update them on our activi paid work," says Lynn Bueckert of Women Women. NAC is a coalition of more than 500 of Tory government and get them thinking ties, and share strategies on organizing to Women. (See related stories, p. 13). She women's groups across the country. about what kind of country they want," says around the election," says Rahim. says the workshops are designed to provide Hill says raising awareness of these and Hill. "Our goal is to make sure women make The NAC BC committee is also helping information and questions for women to other dangers of the "neo-conservative" an informed decision about the candidates, with the distribution of post cards that ask put to the candidates during the election and agenda will be at the heart of women's or their parties and their records." NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin, Conserva tor any politician in the future. ganizing in the election. The women of color caucus of the NAC tive Leader Kim Campbell and Liberal leader "Our goal is to defeat the neo-conserva In the Vancouver area, representatives regional election committee will attempt to Jean Chretien to agree to a national, televised tive agenda, come up with alternatives, and from a number of women's groups and integrate an anti-racist agenda throughout debate on women's issues. The idea is to get politicians to listen to what we want. union women's committees have joined with the organization around the elections. have as many people as possible sign and Education around women's economic pri NAC BC representatives to establish a re "We are ensuring that the specific con mail the cards (no postage required). orities goes well beyond the election." gional election committee. Much of the com cerns of women of colour, First Nations, In Vancouver, the committee is pushing See WOMEN & THE ELECTION page 8 mittee's work will tie into NAC's national immigrant and refugee women are on the for an all-candidates meeting on women's strategy, which is to make NAFTA, the fu table for NAC's campaigns on child care, issues between Vancouver Centre candidates
OCTOBER 1993 NEWS
"I view [the ministry's new responsibil existing childcare and challenged the then- Transition houses, childcare moved to ity for transition houses] as an opportunity Social Credit government to establish new to look at a real policy review," says Priddy. innitatives to create, develop, and fund a Women's Equality Ministry: "When [the transition house sector] is better system. In April 1992, the NDP's new under Social Services, they're seen...as an innitatives in childcare saw the creation of emergency housing/shelter issue, whereas an Inter-Ministerial Child Care Coordinat it is an issue of violence against women. I've ing Committee, involving nine ministries, made a commitment that we will ask femi with a Child Care Development Branch at nist organizations to sit down and talk about the Ministry of Women's Equality in the BC Cabinet the issues of [policies and] funding. But I central role. haven't thought about what that [consulta While Inter-Ministerial involvement and tion] would look like yet." coordination between ministries like Abo Lakeman cautions that an immediate riginal affairs, licensing, training, and mu danger is that the changes will set up an nicipal affairs will continue, Ashmore says arbitrary division between women's centres that the extent to which the Ministry of and transition houses on the one hand, and Social Services mandate was focused around shuffle rape crisis centres on the other. The Attorney income assistance limited a broader view of the role of childcare for all families to ad (BC&YATH). Smith says responsibility for General's ministry will continue to adminis by Fatima Jaffer dress issues of economic stability. transition houses has been the Ministry of ter funding and policy for sexual assault centres like Women Against Violence Against Changes to the Ministry of Women's Social Services' for as long as she can re Being under Women's Equality is "the Women (WAVAW), and for members of the Equality in last month's mid-term cabinet member. difference that will make the difference," Association of Specialised Victim Assault shuffle in the BC government could lead to says Ashmore, "because it means broader Prevention Centres (SVAPs). better services for BC women, according to perspectives on childcare will be possible." transition house workers and childcare ad "Why are sexual assault centres not get Women's Equality minister Priddy says vocates. ting consistent money from the Ministry of the transfer of childcare programs to Wom The responsibility for child daycare pro Women's Equality? It isn't logical," asks en's Equality will allow for a comprehensive grams and transition houses, safehomes and "I view [the ministry's Lakeman. review of childcare dollars. second-stage housing has been shifted from Workers at WAVAW had not heard of "Social Services doesn't exactly deliver the Ministry of Social Services to the Wom new responsibility for the changes and were unable to comment. programs. They largely deal with subsidy en's Equality. The Ministry also has a new The Association of SVAPs could not be issues. Because we already have the respon deputy minister, Suzanne Veit. Former transition houses] as an reached for a response. However, women's sibility to coordinate childcare policy in the Women's Equality deputy minister, Sheila organizations in the past have criticized the government, this is a logical move. But it Wynn, is now Deputy Minister of Social opportunity to look at a placing of sexual assault centres under the doesn't make any sense if people think all Services. Attorney General's portfolio because it ties we're going to do is go out there and pick it issues of violence against women too closely up out of social services. Other changes include the creation of a real policy review." with their law-and-order agenda. new job-creation ministry called Employ "This is not about anyone losing their ment and Training headed by former fi -Penny Priddy Says Lakeman: "Rape crisis centres also jobs, not about reduction in service at all, this nance minister Glen Clark; the reassignment need the protection of politicians who un is not some kind of way to say can we cut of former health minister Elizabeth Cull to derstand violence against women and the corners...this is a way to say, can we have a the Ministry of Finance; and the removal of connections between transition houses and policy review." Joan Smallwood from her Social Services rape crisis centres." Priddy says policy under review will portfolio. Priddy could not say why rape crisis include regular childcare policy, the young The new Minister of Social Services is "And up to this point, transition houses centres were not transferred to her ministry parent program, special needs childcare, and Joy McPhail, a former BC Federation of La have been contracted on a regional and area but, "with [certain women] now in the com some bridging to employment programs. bour official. McPhail will be responsible for basis...There's going to be a tremendous munity justice branch of the Attorney Gen Among questions on the Ministry's what premier Mike Harcourt recently called amount of change and development." eral's ministry...there is more of a focus on agenda are "how do we make sure existing a crackdown on "welfare cheats and dead- Lee Lakeman of Rape Relief and Transi community justice and issues that affect childcare resources are getting to people beats," something Smallwood had been re tion Houses says the changes "hopefully women's lives and I expect we will have a who need them, how do we make sure luctant to do as Social Services minister. mean that the provincial government is un closer working relationship around similar they're happening in the most respectful "I think it's utterly appalling that derstanding transition houses as agents of issues...for sexual assault centres than we've way, [and] is there a way of making it easier Harcourt has no understanding of poverty. women's equality and that our job is not just had in the past." for families..."Future options for delivery of So now he's got Joy [McPhail] to do his dirty to hide women but to fight for women's subsidy programs for single moms on wel work for him," says Pam Fleming of End equality." Childcare programs fare could include a mail-in system, for ex "The powerful integration of both policy Legislated Poverty. The fact that women's centres and tran ample. and funding innitatives for childcare within The Vancouver Status of Women's Miche sition houses are now both under Women's Ashmore says he expects families cur Women's Equality ministry will probably Hill calls Harcourt's comments "a page out Equality should mean that transition houses rently involved in the subsidy program will make innovation of child care services more of the SocCred Party's book. will be treated "as feminist institutions. That have to go through the transition. "But noth effective," says Peter Ashmore of the West will open an avenue for us to get paid for our ing has changed so far." "It's pretty clear the NDP are prepared Coast Daycare Association. to abandon any semblance of being a Social work in public education, community or The transition of both childcare and Democratic party in order to gain support in ganizing and advocacy," says Lakeman. Ashmore says the changes, which bring transition house services from Social Serv the poor-bashing climate we now have in Penny Priddy, who stays on as minister the major parts of the childcare funding ices to Women's Equality is expected to be this country. of the two-year-old Ministry of Women's streams—Social Services' subsidies and Wom done by April next year, and is to be planned "It will be interesting to see how far Equality, says the ministry's budget has not en's Equality's special needs—together will in consultations with the ministries, child right he's prepared to go." increased, and the ministry has been told not allow child care workers to look at provid care and transition house workers. to expect a bigger budget next year. But, she ing subsidies "in a different model." The BC&YATH has already met with Transition houses says, there will be no job losses or funding "It's pretty consistent with the major representatives from both ministries. Says The changes are "a bit sudden so we're cutbacks and services will not be disrupted thrust of the BC Task Force on Childcare," Smith: "It will be a gradual takeover. We'll stunned," says Greta Smith of the BC and during the transition of services between says Ashmore. The 1991 BC report, Showing be part of the transition team. It's not like Yukon Association of Transition Houses ministries. We Care, offered a comprehensive look at everyone's contracts will suddenly end." The radical feminist magazine
Issue 23 Spring 1992 SEX SELECTION from page 3 v£> * Hail Mary Robinsonl "They just don't get what we're talking sufficient economic power to censor," says As Kinesis goes to press, the New Demo • Childcare: The forgotten about," says Bhagat. "They're looking at the Dosanjh. cratic Party has issued a statement that they 4__-. demand issue as if it's just about sex selection. We're "To 'censor' advertising of a technology would continue the boycott until the news * Anita Hill speaks out looking at it in its context of violence against that perpetuates female foeticide is not papers clearly state in an editorial their in tf\ * Southall Black Sisters women, and the inequality of women." censorhip at all. It is the same as using tention to permanently withdraw these ad * Fat Lesbian in art South Asian women organizing against economic sanctions to pressure the newspa vertisements. —"A formidable feminist magazine - sex selection have been very active getting pers to stop the ad." E3 not for the faint-hearted." The Atthe recent Take Back the Night march Guardian the information out about the issues, says A week following the press conference, in Vancouver, the Coalition gathered over •E Dosanjh. "The fight against these practices is all three political parties received written 600 signatures in support of the boycott. Subs for one year (3 issues): on all fronts. We have been doing aware "assurances" from The Link and The Indo- Coalition members say they will keep up Airmail: N&S America ....£13 ness-raising programs within the commu Canadian Times that they would not run their boycott of the newspapers. Australasia £14 nity, through articles, interviews on televi Stephens' ad. The Conservatives and Liber The Coalition is organizing a march and Institutions £30 sion and radio, leafletting, and open talk als say that is enough for them to lift the rally, Saturday, October 2, at 2 pm, starting at shows." boycott. 1 >r your free sample copy send to the parking lot of Langara Campus at Ontario F< Trouble & Strife (free) at the address The IMA has been organizing in the The Coalition has not been informed by and 49th and proceeding through the Punjabi below. Vancouver South Asian community for 20 the newspapers about their decision to not market on Main St. For more information, call Distributed to all good US bookshops by Inland Hook Company. Tel: (201) years [see Kinesis, Mar/93.] run the ad. The Coalition says the "assur VSW, 255-5511, or India Mahila Association, 467-4257 The four South Asian newspapers are ances" are not enough because they are not 321-7225. accompanied by a public statement that the calling the boycott a form of censorship. But Agnes Huang has been following the John newspapers will stop running the ad perma Troubl e and Strife, PO Box 8, Diss, the Coalition rejects that position. "We don't Stephens/sex selection issue for Kinesis nently. Norfolk, UK 1P22 3XG have legal or social power, nor do we have over the last couple of years.
OCTOBER 1993 NEWS
Employment Standards Review: Minimum wage attacked
by Sue Vohanka According to Cenen Bagon of the DWCR, the Employment Standards Act should es- *' Wages and welfare rates need to in tablish a central registry for domestic work crease so people can live in dignity instead of ers, and a tripartite committee (representing poverty, and minimum standards must ap domestic workers, employers and govern ply to all workers, without the exceptions ment) to set and enforce standards within that now exclude many working women the domestic service sector. and other poor people. Bagon says these changes are needed so That's part of the message End Legis domestic workers can effectively bargain for lated Poverty (a coalition of groups fighting better conditions. [For more on DWCR's poverty) delivered to the provincial govern sectoral bargaining proposals, see Kinesis, Sep/ ment-appointed committee now reviewing 93.] BC's Employment Standards Act. The DWA brief includes 26 stories of "Minimum rates are so low that we individual domestic workers. The horren have people across the country working full- dous conditions in which these women live time and in deep poverty," says Patricia Chauncey, a community organizer for ELP. ELP wants the provincial government to raise the minimum wage to $9.05 an hour. "How can these "We want that done as soon as possible," Chauncey told Kinesis. committee members, ELP is also concerned about work-for- welfare programs, which are now being used who are all white in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. "We're talk ing about work camps when we're talking Canadians-represent or work for welfare," she says. Employers, the federal government, almost every provin understand the situation cial government, and large business associa tions are all supporting work-for-welfare of domestics and farm schemes, says Chauncey. Here in BC, the Fraser Institute, the Reform Party and the workers?" Conservative Party are all pushing work for welfare. -Crisanta Sampang "We're talking about a huge pool of people forced to work without any labour standards at all," Chauncey says. "Every L%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%X%%%%%X%%X body loses when you have work for welfare. It's a form of slavery," she adds. What can you do about it? and work are powerful reasons why the law "The close tie between welfare issues The Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers' Rights (DWCR) is needs to change. and labour legislation is really obvious." asking the women's community to come out and support organizations addressing the "These women have shared similar ELP wants government to concentrate employment standards review committee this month. problems, which included long working days, no days off, no statutory holidays, on job development instead of employment "We want people to be there to support the recommendations," says Cenen Bagon, a irregular or non-payment of salaries, inad training programs. "There isn't enough fo representative of DWCR. cus on creating permanent decent jobs," she equate room and board, sexual, verbal and WCR and other organizations are also asking people to write down their own experi physical forms of harassment, threats of de says. "Job training does nothing without job ences and send them in to the review committee. development." portation and confiscation of passport," the "We urge low-income people to send their ideas to the group," says Pat Chauncey, a brief says. At the review committee's first public community organizer for End Legislated Poverty. Up to 5,000 domestic workers-most of hearing in Vancouver on August 30, anti- "What people need to do is counter the absolutebullshit we're hearing from employers," poverty groups, labour and domestic work them women of colour from the Philippines says Mary Rowles, director of legislation and research for the BC Federation of Labour. ers were extremely concerned by thenumber and the Caribbean-are currently living and She encourages individual workers to write letters about their own experiences and of business groups making presentations. working in their employers' homes in BC. send them to: Commissioner Mark Thompson, Employment Standards Review, Parliament After the provincial government ap The business groups appearing at the Buildings, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4. (October 7 is the deadline for written submissions.) committee's hearings are calling for a more pointed a seven-member panel in April to competitive environment. "Competitive review BC employment standards legisla means some people win and some people "Welfare rates, being as low as they are, by Sue Vohanka tion, representatives of domestics and farm lose very badly," says Chauncey. She points do force low-income women and women on workers expressed deep concern about the out that the Coalition of BC Businesses, which welfare into the sex trade," she adds. "Chil Organizations representing domestic committee's make-up. represents more than 50,000 small businesses, dren in this province are working in the sex workers want provincial labour laws to stop "How can these committee members, is calling for a "flexible" minimum wage. trade." discriminating against one of the most ex who are all white Canadians, and perhaps As Chauncey asks: "What's a flexible According to Mary Rowles of the BC ploited groups of working women. have never experienced being in the lowest minimum wage, when current minimum Federation of Labour, the review commit The groups are making detailed recom rung of the labour ladder, represent or un wage laws are so inadequate that people are tee's approach (conducting public hearings mendations for changes to BC employment derstand the situation of domestics and farm going hungry working full-time, not able to in 13 BC cities) leaves a lot to be desired. standards legislation, during a series of pub workers?" asked Crisanta Sampang of the pay their rents working full-time? Flexibility "The whole process is screwed," says lic hearings that began August 30 and is West Coast Domestic Workers Association, in this kind of situation means people will Rowles. "There's a flaw in the whole idea of ending October 7. in a letter to labour minister Moe Sihota. suffer." In their presentation, ELP says it is community consultation in this. If you're a Domestic workers want the law to pro "It is normal for them to omit the people concerned about part-time workers, and all worker who's not a member of an organiza vide: who are powerless," says farm workers' the groups of workers who are now ex tion, it's hopelessly intimidating." the same hourly minimum wage and representative Charan Gill. cluded from basic parts of BC's Employ It's hard for unorganized workers to overtime pay for domestics as other BC work In late June, Sihota introduced legisla ment Standards Act, and the young people come forward and publicly criticize their ers; tion to make domestic workers and other who work for a legislated lower minimum employers, she points out. the right to claim unpaid wages be previously excluded workers (in banking, wage. When an employer fires a worker for yond the six-month limits in the law now, financial services, medical and dental offices "We have a lot of concern for people speaking out, the only recourse for unorgan and to receive interest on all monies wrongly and insurance) eligible for workers' com who're doing piecework and homework," ized workers is usually the Employment withheld by employers; pensation coverage if they are injured on the Chauncey says. "Children are working in Standards Act-which fails to protect the basic (and clearly written) information job. this country, and that's something we have rights of precisely those workers who most about employment standards, in the lan "This is a significant change in public to consider," she adds. "We also know the need a little help from the law. guage of the worker; and policy—one we're quite proud of," Sihota situation of domestic workers across this Chauncey says the review committee is a progressive system of penalties for told reporters at the time. province is disastrous, and very dangerous getting lots of information from community employers who break the law. According to domestic workers and for those women." groups and organizations representing Many other changes are proposed in the advocates for their rights, this is one long- ELP is also concerned about employ workers about the changes that are needed. detailed briefs prepared by the West Coast awaited step in the right direction. And, they ment standards for people working in the "We're concerned this information be Domestic Workers Association (DWA), pre say, they are determined to ensure it is only sex trade, includingexotic dancers and mod used by the government, not shelved," she sented August 30, and the Vancouver Com one step of many to come in the months els. "We want that to be considered a s says. "We want government to analyse very mittee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers ahead. issue," Chauncey says. carefully the information that's coming in." Rights (DWCR), presented September 29.
OCTOBER 1993 MOVEMENT MATTERS
that have been specifically asked for by refu The objective of the group "is to create a To enable them to continue broadcast listings information gee women. support network via a safe and confidential ing, tax-deductible donations are being re Both groups need funds so they can forum, in which to explore the issues and quested. Send cheques to: The Origina 1 Wom Movement Matters is designed to be continue their work and help meet some of challenges of being a survivor." en's Network, Box 232, Winnipeg, MB, R3C a network of news, updates and infor the basic needs of women in former Yugo Meetings are held weekly on Tuesday OJ8. mation of special interest to the wom slavia. and Wednesday evenings from 7-9:30 pm. en's movement. Donations can be sent to: Women's Aid For location and further information, call: Submissions to Movement Matters for Peace, 476 Manchester Road East, Little Steve Cox at 323-0114, Pat Gusway at 736- Writings of women should be no more than 500 words, Hulton, Manchester M28 6NS or call Wom 3956, Garett Martell at 951-3566, or Norm typed, double spaced and may be en's Aid for Peace at 061-799-7066 for more Currie at 736-9651. with disabilities edited for length. Deadline is the 18th information. of the month preceding publication. The September issue of Transition, a New WomenSpeak magazine produced by the BC Coalition of by Manisha Singh Aid for lesbians in People with Disabilities, focuses on Aborigi institute nal People with Disabilities. Articles include former Yugoslavia "Cultural Perspectives on Disability" by WomenSpeak, a new women's institute Jennie R. Joe and Dorothy Miller, "Healing Catalogue of Black Lesbians in Montreal, Canada, Paris, at Douglas College, is trying to create a Our Spirit" by Frederick Haineault and "Re France and other countries are currently forum for women's expression in Vancou shaping the National Strategy" by Doreen women in film responding to an international call for soli ver—a meeting place. They want feedback Demas. darity from lesbians in former Yugoslavia. from women regarding the idea of this insti The Summer issue of Canadian Woman The women's program at the National tute. Studies (Volume 13, Number 4), focuses on Film Board has produced a new catalogue: As allies of lesbians in former Yugosla Women and Disability. This issue looks at Studio D's Black on Screen: Images of Black via, they are encouraging lesbians around For more information, you can respond the history of the disabled women's move Canadians 1950's-1990's,a directory of works the world to send books, money, informa through writing, by audio-visual, clip, fax, ment, features personal testimony, articles, by Black and non-Black filmmakers, their tion and office supplies so lesbians in former telegram or any other medium. reviews and poetry from a diverse group of distributors and rental/sales information. Yugoslavia can continue to meet and organ They are also inviting people to attend ize. their Inaugural Gala, a mixed media event women. The stated purpose of the catalogue is to For more information write to: Action celebrating women's voices, on October 29 Copies of both publications are avail provide a framework and historical context PolitiqueLesbienne,a/sd'AHLA,C.P.1721, atDouglasCollegeTheatrefrom7-10pm.To able for reference at the Vancouver Status of in which to view the growing body of work Succursale Place Du Pare, Montreal, Que reserve tickets ($10), call 527-5472. Women's ResourceCentreat#301-1720Grant by Black Canadians. The idea for the project bec, H2W 2R7. For a copy of their booklet or more Street, Vancouver. resulted from marketing strategies for a Stu information write: WomenSpeak Institute To order your own copy of Transition, dio Drelease, Sisters in the Struggle, by Dionne c/o Douglas College, Box 2503, New write: Transition Publication Society, c/o Brand and Ginny Stikeman in 1991. Artists show Westminister, BC, V3L 5B2 or call 527-5335, BCCPD, 204-456 W Broadway, Vancouver, The decision to include works by non- then press 4 WSI. BC, V5Y 1R3. Black filmmakers was taken in an attempt to their studios The summer issue of Canadian Woman build a historical context for Black practi Studies, is available at: 212 Founders Col lege, York University, 4700 Keele Street, tioners, as a record of how people within The Arts in Action Society has organ Women filmmakers North York, Ontario M3J 1P3. This issue is Black communities were seen by others, es ized a project called "Work In Progress: pecially non-Black filmmakers, and about available on audio cassettes for vision-im Vancouver Artists and Their Studios." This wanted how Black communities were constructed paired readers. This issue is also available on project will involve up to 150 artists who will on film during certain periods of time. a computer disc for the use of those deaf- open their studios to the public, two-three The Women's Resource Centre of New Works by women mentioned in the cata blind readers who have access to a computer days a week during the month of April, York is looking for independent films to be logue include: Black Mother Black Daughter, wkh a braille printer. 1994. shown at the second annual non-competi directed by Sylvia Hamilton and Claire tive Women's Film Festival in March, 1994 in Prieto, a tribute to Black women who strug The open-studio event takes place in the New York. They are looking for 16mm films gled for over 200 years to create and main City of Vancouver with an emphasis on the or "3/4" videos by women about women, tain home and community in Nova Scotia; DowntownEastside, Commercial Driveand Resource centre two tapes per entry, no rough cuts or works From Nevis To..., directed by Christene Mount Pleasant areas. It's billed as an op in progress. for Asian women Browne, a docu-drama that looks at a West portunity for artists to promote their work Indian woman's arrival in Canada; Older and share their creation processes with the Tapes may be sent with name, address, The Asian TaskForce Against Domestic Stronger Wiser, by Claire Prieto and Dionne public, who in turn may gain insight into the phone number and length of film on the tape Violence (ATFADV) based in Boston has Brand, in which five Black women talk about artistic activities of their community. cartridge and a self-addressed stamped en recently launched the Asian Shelter and Ad their lives in rural and urban Canada be For more information or to participate, velope (no entry fee) to: The Women's Re vocacy Project (ASAP). tween 1920 and 1950; Sisters In the Struggle, contact: Arts in Action Society, "Work in source Centre of New York Inc, Film Festival by Dionne Brand and Ginny Stikeman, fea Progress," 2213 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC, '94, Dept H23, 2315 Broadway, Suite 306, ASAP intends to provide emergency turing the insights and testimonies of Black V5T 2X3, or call 872-0318. New York, NY, 10024. shelter services and a transitional housing women who are active in community, femi program, offering culturally appropriate nist and labour organizations; There's No services for intervention and prevention. Place Like Home, by Janine Fuller, "a wry Services include multilingual staff, counsel feminist postcript to the International Year Support group for Not Vanishing \n ling for victims on the legal ramifications of of Shelter for the Homeless, where single parents of survivors danger of vanishing separation from their spouse/sponsor, and mothers, Aboriginal women, Black women, English as a Second Language classes. and low-income women describe their ex The New York based Sakhi, a South periences with the housing crisis and tell Partners in Healing is a self-help sup NofVan/s/!/«g,theonlyAboriginalwom- Asian organization, is also planning to start storiesof racism, abuse andslum landlords." port group for partnersof survivors of sexual en's radio show in Canada, may vanish from a similar shelter for South Asian women to The catalogue also includes a descrip abuse. Partners in Healing is free and open Manitoba's radio waves due to lack of funds. address the fact that women of color are tion of works in progress. If you live in to any partner of any gender or sexual orien At present, it costs $1,000 per month to buy currently alienated in existing culturally Vancouver, Black on Screen is available for tation. airtime and they are out of funds. unfamiliar shelters. reference or to (legally) photocopy at The Sakhi is not yet a shelter but a "major Vancouver Status of Women, #302-1720 resource centre" for women. Like ASAP, Grant St. For your own copy, write: Studio ±>s . ., - . they hope to setup their shelter in upcoming D—Marketing, National Film Board of •V5j months. Canada, P^3 Box 6100, Station A, Montreal, idiai For more information or to send dona Quebec, H3C 3H5. I m i Magazines tions write: the Asian Task Force Against ( every one ma?v*m Domestic Violence, Box 73, Boston, Ma, S33 > i i 02120; or call (617) 739-6696. For informa SSupportinu g women tion about Sakhi, write: Box 1428, Cathedral i0 r Station, New York, NY1 0025; or call (212) of former Yiugoslavi a 1(IW , m plll l IUI ions to choose from! 866-6591.
Women active in the Peace movement end me Ihe new 1993 CMPA catalogue. 1 enclose my cheque in England have formed two groups in an Dr $5 (GST, postage and handling are co KARATE for WOMEN attempt to provide concrete support for m women in former Yugoslavia. YWCA - 580 Burrard One of the groups focuses on lobbying Mon., Tues., Thurs. 7 pm. againstrapeandotherwarcrimes.Theother, Women's Aid For Peace, supports peace AA BEGINNERS GROUP September 16 groups in Former Yugoslavia, taking aid to
where it is most needed. They have already 2 Slewarl Street i Postal Code Toronto. Canada ESS 734-9816 made a number of trips in their trusty trucks, M5V1H6 Faith and Hysteria. They only take supplies )
KINESIS OCTOBER 1993 WHAT'S NEWS by Lissa Geller Housing grants ministration to publicly distance themselves fered Chinese-Canadians seeking redress a from the defamatory actions and remarks of ceremony with an admission of guilt on the anti-lesbian the male professors. part of the government, but no financial In a press release dated August 27, the compensation. The BC provincial government's guide members point out that "such a gesture on Prime Minister Kim Campbell's re Welfare program lines on homeowner's grants currently be Strong's part would convince us of the ad sponse has been even more insulting, ac ing mailed to property owners in BC explic ministration's genuine commitment to ad cording to Wong. She sent a form letter to improved itly violate the province's ownhuman rights dressing systemic discrimination and end Wong, thanking him for his "encouraging code which prohibits discrimination on the ing the retaliation we now endure for raising words" and asking him to support the To Pressure from BC anti-poverty advo grounds of sexual orientation. issues of equity." ries' re-election bid. cates has forced the provincial government There was no response. However, since Wong is calling Campbell's response to improve their volunteer program. The guidelines define spouse as being a then, UVic has appointed an external review "small comfort" for the people forced to The government has lowered the hours member of the opposite sex and do not allow commission to investigate the working and endure the racist policies of the government, required for women on social assistance to for any conjugal relationship between two learning environment for women and men and urges the Tories to make good on the be eligible for benefits from 40 to 10 volun women or two men. This means that if a in the department. The terms of reference of promise contained in the letter of "building teer hours per month. Previously, people on woman owns a house and dies, her lesbian this commission will be developed in con an even brighter future for all Canadians" by social assistance could recieve $100 a month partner, regardless of the length of their junction with the male professors. redressing the wrong. for volunteering in non-profit organizations relationship, would not be entitled to apply While Committee members are also to gain job experience but they had to work for a homeowner's grant because they did being asked for input on the terms of refer at least 40 hours per month. This made it not have a recognized "conjugal" relation ence, they have chosen not to comply given difficult for many, particularly single moth ship. the lack of neutrality on the part of the UVic Women's Health ers or women with small children. Despite pressure from various commu president and the administration. Bureau established As well, there is no time limit on the nities and the fact that the guidelines are in Says Dorothy Smith, spokesperson for number of months you can work so women violation of both provincial and federal acts, the members: "Until the retaliation against can volunteer for as many months as they the tax office has not yet updated nor us for reporting systemic discrimination is The federal department of Health and are able to. amended the guidelines. recognized and remedied, there can be no Welfare has recently established a Women's The community volunteer program was meaningful and sincere inquiry into improv Bureau to focus directly on health issues as first set up under the NDP government and ing the environment for women students they affect women. is geared mainly towards people not ready Chilly climate and staff." Coming so soon after the silicon breast for full-time employment or training, and implant scandal, and recent mainstream for single parents. chillier media stories about inadequate funding for Initially, the Ministry of Social Services, breast cancer and AIDS research for women, which oversees the program, required non Chinese-Canadians the establishment of the Bureau is being seen profit groups to have a criminal record check The Chilly Climate Committee of the demand redress as an attempt to shore up the Tories' fading of staff and volunteers before they could University of Victoria's Political Science de re-election bid with women voters. partment is facing continued harassment accept volunteers on the program. Non-profit Approximately 4,000 members of the The new Women's Health Bureau was and retaliation from the UVic administra organizations refused and the Ministry had BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses crea ted in August and will be responsible for tion and the eight male, tenured staff who to cancel the requirement. and Descendants are using this federal elec the activities of the department as they relate opposed dialogue on sexism in the PoliSci Anyone interested in registering for the tion to highlight the racist policies of past to women. It will focus on health issues of department. program should contact their MSS worker, Canadian governments with respect to Chi particular concern to women and examine or for more information, contact End Legis And despite the objections of Chilly nese people. the differential impacts of health programs lated Poverty at 879-1209. Climate Committee members, UVic staff and and policies on women. students from across the country, the Ad The Coalition is requesting that the fed The bureau also intends to provide pub ministration has decided to appoint an "ex eral government pay about $23 million in lic education and advocacy work, and will ternal, independent" commission to investi redress for the racist head tax policy which liaise with women's groups and other or gate complaints of sexism and sexual har was in effect from 1885 to 1923 in Canada [see ganizations concerned aboutwomen's health. assment. story, page 14.] It is unclear if the bureau intends to make The Chilly Climate Committee made its The racist policy imposed a $500 head money available to existing groups or sim preliminary report in March. It found that tax, the equivalent of three years wages, on ply spend its budget internally. there is a lack of female professors, feminist all Chinese people seeking to immigrate to analysis in the classroom, high levels of Canada. Many people who emigrated were harassment and intimidation faced by fe forced to borrow the money and work it off male students in the department, and an as indentured servants for as long as five Sexist judge overall "chilly climate" experienced by fe years in order to stay in Canada. keeps job male students in Political Science. The head tax was repealed in 1923 but Since March, the committee members, was replaced by the Chinese Immigration Women's groups are outraged follow including Somer Brodribb, the only tenured (Exclusion) Act, which barred entry into ing the findings of a five-man four-woman woman professor in the department, have Canada for Chinese people, until it was judicial council in Manitoba that sexist atti faced continued threats and intimidation by repealed in 1947. tudes and behaviour do not constitute in the male tenured professors. This retaliation Victor Wong, a spokesperson for the competence in a judge. Bed & Breakfast has been felt by students in classrooms and group, says that the $23 million would be by Brodribb when her tenure request was used to pay back those who were forced to A Manitoba judge who admitted to under consideration by the Administration. pay the Head Tax and their descendants. making sexist comments in his courtroom In response to the harassment, the mem The remainder of the money would be used but claimed it was all part of his "gruff A bers of the Committee launched a class ac to establish a community trust fund to help exterior" has received a reprimand from the tion suit against the male professors with the seniors and promote racial harmony in Judicial Council of Manitoba and will be BC Ombudsman and the Human Rights Canada. allowed to continue on the bench. Memorable Council. As well, the members asked UVic After waiting nine years for a response, The mild rebuke was given after the president, David Strong, and the UVic Ad former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of- judge tried unsuccessfully to stop the in Escape quiry by taking the Council to court. The Council stopped short of suspend ing Judge Frank Allen, saying that, while his Centre Yourself Subscribe to Volume 4 of CllY/Et comments were inappropriate, they did not in the comfort and tranquility constitute incompetence. of Canada's beautiful, natural A QuGAtefthf j)
OCTOBER 1993 KINESIS WHAT'S NEWS Postering legal... Clayoquot bands Feds delay MPs just well, maybe seek injunction Little Sister's case say no
A low-budget means of communica First Nations people in the Clayoquot As Kinesis goes topress, we have just heard Certain Liberal and Progressive Con tion and public dialogue has been upheld as area of Vancouver Island have stepped up that the court granted the Attorney General's servative members of parliament will stifle a constitutional right by the Supreme Court their fight to stop logging in Clayoquot Ministry one more adjournment. The case is deba te on the Tories' controversia 1 drug pa t- of Canada but it is unclear how far the ruling Sound. indefinitely delayed. ent law during the upcoming elections, ac goes in actually protecting that right. cording to a confidential document leaked The Clayoquot band have been joined Little Sister's Bookstore has lambasted to the New Democratic Party last month. Postering on telephone poles and other by the Ahousat and Hesquiat bands in ask the federal government for attempting to public property has been illegal in many ing the BC Supreme Court for an injunction drain the resources of the bookstore by drag The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers As communities, including Vancouver, forsome that would stop logging, similar to an in ging out a case involving Canada Customs sociation of Canada (PMAC) document out time. Now a similar law has been struck junction used to stop logging on Meares seizure of lesbian an-" gay periodicals and lines an election strategy to stifle debate on down in the Supreme Court and, some say, Island, in the centre of Clayoquot Sound. books as they cross the border. the law that allows drug companies to pat it may pave the way for greater freedom of Band chiefs have held meetings to dis The federal Attorney General's office ent drugs for up to 20 years, preventing the expression among groups who cannot af cuss which areas of the Sound to pinpoint in requested an adjournment on a trial set to manufacture of cheaper generic drugs, driv ford higher priced advertising. their court applications which, if allowed, begin early October on the grounds that they ing up the price of drugs and making them The Supreme Court ruled that a civic would stop the logging until outstanding need more time to prepare their case. a scarce commodity. law in Peterborough, Ontario, outlawing land claims are settled with federal and pro But spokesperson Janine Fuller pointed The memo was leaked to the NDP Mem postering in public places infringes on Cana vincial governments. out that the case has dragged on for over ber of Parliament for Surrey North Jim dians' rights to freedom of expression. In a The bands, all of whom have outstand three years and has been subjected to two Karpoff. Karpoff says PMAC identifies sev unanimous decision, the court said that ing land claims in the area, have been fight previous postponements. She notes that, "if eral Liberal and Conservative MPs who can "while the legislative goals are important, ing for land recognition with the federal the government thinks that they can ma be counted on as allies. they do not warrant the complete denial of government since 1982 and are not expect- nipulate our resolve to continue this case by NDP Leader Audrey MacLaughlin access to a historically and politically signifi inga quick solution to the outstanding claims. delaying it yet again, they are mistaken." blasted the Liberals and Tories and declared cant form of expression." Until recently, the province refused to The landmark case, which has the sup that a "conspiracy of silence" existed to keep But the decision stopped short of any even admit the First Nations people had port of the BC Civil Liberties Association, Bill C-91 from becoming an election issue. sweeping comments about freedom of legitimate claims but the bands have taken PEN International, the worldwide organiza She said PMAC and other "multinational speech. One Justice noted that it would be their fight to the newly formed BC Treaty tion of writers, and other groups, involves drug companies and their political friends in difficult to support total bans on postering Commission. The Commission, formed last the seizure of books and periodicals with Ottawa don't want you to know there are and demonstrating in public places. year, has not yet established dates to begin lesbian and gay themes which Canada Cus choices." As a result, lawyers for the Attorney talks. toms seized without appeal or compensa Federal figures show that the Liberals General in Ontario are predicting that the The Friends of Clayoquot Sound say tion in 1990. received $47,000 from drug companies in judgement will be interpreted narrowly and they have been encouraged by this develop Little Sisters and the BC Civil Liberties 1992, while the Conservatives received will not have the far reaching affects had the ment, particularly since their blockade Association is asking the court to take away $67,000. Supreme Court declared all anti-postering is facing increasing harassment from Canada Customs' arbitrary power to detain The implications on the elections proc laws an infringement. MacMillan Bloedel and International Forest books and magazines at the border irrespec ess are staggering according to Karpoff. It is also unclear how the ruling will Products who have licenses to log the area. tive of whether the material can be legally "It shows the international drug com affect regulations that have been put in place The Friends' spokesperson Valerie declared obscene. panies are interfering in a democratic elec that restrict the size and colour of posters, Langer has said the group will offer to help Fuller concludes that foot dragging will tion to stifle discussion." the timing of protests or the number of raise money with the bands to pay legal not stop the bookstore's determination to demonstrators. The ruling said that civic expenses in their bid to stop the destruction fight the case. "We've had tremendous sup bylaws could restrict all of these variables of Clayoquot Sound. port from communities across North and even impose a fee for users of the poles. America in putting this case together. There's Racist cops a lot of anger out there at the government's target youth inability to resolve this case in a court of law. This inability is facilitating the government's continued power to tell us which books we There has been a protest in Florida by can read...We have a right to see this situa anti-racism groups and mothers of the Black youth who were dragged in for questioning Says long time Vancouver childcare ac tion resolved." WOMEN &THE ELECTION from page 3 following the killing of a British tourist in tivist Penny Coates, also working with Cam Tallahassee in August. Cenen Bagon of the Vancouver Domes paign '93: "We're basically putting forward tic Workers and Caregivers Association says the same goals and demands as we've al Police in Monticello, a town just north her group's pre-election activities include ways had. High quality, affordable, accessi British elect of Tallahassee, rounded up Black teenagers circulation of a petition (initiated by the ble child care that is culturally responsible, Neo-Nazi with criminal records, and questioned and Toronto Organization for Domestic Work addresses special needs, meets women's dif held them for extended periods following ers Rights) to all party leaders outlining ferent working arrangements and has a va The election of a member of the ultra the death of the tourist from West Yorkshire, changes the Association wants to see to im riety of licensed programs." right-wing racist British National Party to England. migration policies for domestic workers. Campaign '93 is proposing a three-year British parliament should come as no sur Police claimed they were simply re At End Legislated Poverty, activities plan, beginning with an immediate lifting of prise to "shocked" Members of Parliament, sponding to a description of the youth in will include making sure low-income peo the ceiling on the Canada Assistance Plan to say Anti-Nazi League activists. volved in the murder. ple are registered to vote, attending as many give provinces access to more funding, the The anti-racist Rainbow Coalition have all candidates meetings as possible to put an reinstatement of the $60 million promised Theanti-racistorganization says the tacit accused the police of overt racism in their anti-poverty agenda on the table, and com for Aboriginal childcare, establishment of a "soft" racism of two of Britain's major politi investigations. Says Rainbow Coalition piling a one-page fact sheet on NAFTA and federal capital program for childcare, exten cal parties, the Liberal Democrats and the spokesperson Reece Joyner: "Tney have to other employment and poverty issues of sion of initial program funding to include Labour Party, is equal evidence of the rise in follow through on leads but not go door-to- importance to low-income people. "We'll research and innovative pilot programs, and legally sanctioned racist activity against peo door harassing everyone" he said. distribute as many as possible to people in a detailed strategy from each of the parties ple of colour in Great Britain. "Just because there may be a young the Downtown Eastside [section of Vancou showing how they will move into a compre "The door [to the election of neo-Nazi person in your household,, does that makes ver] especially," says ELP organizer Linda hensive child care system. Derek Beackon] was opened up by the local you automatically suspect?" Marcott, adding that the sheets will include "We're planning strategy meetings politicians for the two main parties," by suggested questions for anyone attending around all-candidates meetings and we're praying on racist fears in the East London an all candidates meeting. encouraging people to phone candidates in riding known as Millwall, and playing a On the childcare front, Campaign Child their riding and ask for a copy of their par "soft racist card" to municipal voters, says care '93 is calling for a national childcare ty's childcare policy," says Coates. Anti-Nazi LeaguespokespersonRahulPatel. program. Campaign Childcare is a compo "We expect this to create quite a bit of Beackon, who ran on a platform of nent of and has been endorsed by First Call, momentum because the Progressive Con "rights for whites" and campaigned against a national child advocacy organization com servatives don't have a childcare policy pa what he claimed was "preferential treat mitted to the implementation of the United per. It will really put the pressure on. A few ment" of people of colour, squeaked in by Nations Convention on the Rights of the thousand calls like that from around the seven votes to defeat the Labour Party candi Child. Organizations involved in Campaign province would be great." date in the local government by-elections of '93 are the Childcare Advocacy Association Women interested in working with the an East London community. of Canada, NAC, the Canadian Labour Con NAC Election Committee should call Miche In response to Anti-Nazi League de gress, the National Organization of Immi at255-5511 for information on thenext meet mands, Liberal Democratic Party leader grant and Visible Minority Women, the Child ing. Meetings are open to all women. Volun Paddy Ashdown has announced an inquiry Poverty Action Group, the Native Women's teers are needed. into his party's activities during the Association of Canada and the Assembly of Jackie Brown is a Vancouver-based free byelection and has vowed to crack down on First Nations. lance writer. racism in the party. The East London area has been the site of 53 reported attacks on people of colour by white gangs this year.
OCTOBER 1993 FEATURE Vienna Conference on Human Rights: Downstairs at the UN
by Shelagh Day 1989 Oum Ali divorced. This made her a plastered with notices of meetings, and the trial, to security of the person) and downplay pariah. The law in Algeria does not protect hallways were filled with photographs of or neglect the economic and social rights to divorced women or their children. In her women, children and men from all parts of food, shelter, housing, jobs, and health care. Women's Rights Are Human Rights neighborhood, the men declared that she the world, maimed, tortured, and massa Again in Vienna, women were very Women took an important step forward was evil; they accused her of immorality and cred. clear on this issue. The connection between in Vienna in June at the Second World Con Bosnian women told of being raped for violations of economic and social rights and ference on Human Rights. Since 1948 when hours by Serbian soldiers, and Bosnian violations of civil and political rights is tan the Universal Declaration of Human Rights women and men pleaded for support and gible in women's lives. Women who do not was first proclaimed and other international help. Asian women discussed the horrors of have enough to eat, do not vote; and women human rights instruments began to be de widespread trafficking in women and sex who are economically at risk are vulnerable veloped, human rights have been defined by tourism. African women and men described to every form of social and physical coer men and for men. They have been under the devastating impact of the policies of the cion. stood to address those violations of civil and International Monetary Fund and the World In particular, women demanded: political rights which male-designed and Bank on the availability of food and health •the establishment of an International male-led governments commit when they care in their countries. Lesbians and gay Criminal Court to enforce international pro are challenged by other men. The murder, men described death squad assassinations hibition against human rights violations; torture, and coercion of women have, on the in Brazil and Mexico as a result of policies of •the appointment of a Special other hand, been understood to be private "social cleansing." Death by stoning in Iran Rapporteur (a UN special investigator) on matters—aspects of family life, religion, or and coerced electro-shock treatment in Rus violence against women; culture—and therefore not human rights sia, China, and Taiwan. •the inclusion of violations of wom issues. Indigenous peoples documented en's human rights in the mandate and work In Vienna, women smashed through a exterminations, plundering, degradation, of all UN agencies, committees; wall of silence to bring our issues into the and environmental destruction. On the NGO •the ratification of the Convention on center of the international human rights floor, there was much pain, and an urgent the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimina agenda. This was accomplished in a number demand for change. tion Against Women by states, and the with of ways. Too little of this penetrated to the offi drawal or reservations which are obstacles In preparation for the Conference, cial level. Upstairs, the official delegates were to effective implimentation; women in 124 countries organized a global well-dressed, well-fed and protected by •the adoption of an optional protocol petition with more than one half million heavily armed police with dogs. Upstairs under the Women's Convention establish names that was presented to the World Con the pictures were pretty, the atmosphere ing an individual and group complaints pro ference in Vienna. The petition called for the prostitution, though she was only guilty of serene, the halls quiet. Human rights were cedure; inclusion of women in all aspects of the the "crime" of having no husband. sanitized. There seemed to be only diplo •the adoption of stronger measures proceedings and deliberations of the Con At three o'clock one morning, Oum matic arguments about terminology. against sexual exploitation and trafficking ference, and specifically demanded recogni Ali's house was stoned. She tried to get help In this building, there were two differ in women as a violation of human rights; tion of violence against women as a human from her neighbors and from the village ent worlds. The upstairs world creates the •the adoption of international and na rights violation. police, but no one would protect her. Her downstairs world and maintains the gulf tional measures to recognize persecution Then, during those first two days in older children fled from the house, but while through indifference, at best, and, at worst, based on sex as a basis for refugee status, and Vienna, women from non-governmental she was trying to get help, the village men through concerted effort. better measures to protect women political organizations (NGOs) from around the broke in, set the beds on fire and burned her Given this gulf, and the official decision prisoners, refugee women, exiled women, world met in a working group and, building three-year-old child to death. to shut the NGOs out of the drafting com internally-displaced and migrant women; on recommendations from regional meet These are only two of the 33 stories that mittee, where the crucial work of formulat • the adoption by states of goals and ings held in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, we heard. A doctor from the Sudan testified ing the Conference Declaration was going timetables to secure equal representation for drew together 18 recommendations to about the history and practice of genital on, the task for women was to have as much women at all levels of decision-making; and present to the attending governments. mutilation and the lasting physical and psy impact on the upstairs as possible through • the adoption by the UN of procedures These recommeda tions drew on the chological damage it does. Two women from pre-arranged events like the Tribunal and to expand the access of NGOs with expertise wide variety of women's experiences but Puerto Rico described being persecuted by through hallway lobbying. in the field of women's human rights to all focused on specific, practical demands which police because of being "communist femi The Global Tribunal, even though it UN structures and activities. could transform the UN human rights sys nists." A woman from Kenya described wife- went on downstairs, did affect the atmos tem and widen the understanding of human battering, rape, and genital mutilation, and phere upstairs. It captured the interest of the The official responses and the rights violations. an increase in incest with very young chil media because it was direct, real and horri future dren because of the AIDS epidemic. Chil fying evidence of what is happening to Not surprisingly, the official Declara The Global Tribunal dren, she said, are considered "AIDS-free womenaround theworld. Though they were tion from the Second World Conference on Women also organized a Global Tribu zones." upstairs in their own cocoon, governments Human Rights did not incorporate all of nal which brought 33 women from 24 coun A woman from Latin America described learned about the women's evidence through these demands. However, the Declaration tries to testify about political persecution, the vulnerability of women who are immi the news. And the women who lobbied includes a special section on women and a viola tionsofwomen'ssocio-economic rights, grants, migrant workers, or living without carried the stories upstairs with women's number of helpful recommendations. It: human rights abuses in the family, and war documentation. Because these women have demands. •recognizes that violence against crimes against women. no economic or social security, they are tar women, in bo th the public and priva te sphere, This testimony was anguishing to listen gets of every form of sexual coercion and Women's demands is a human rights abuse; to. For example, Bok Dong Kim of Korea, a abuse—from rape to beingused as the sexual At the Conference there were two im •calls on the Human Rights Commis soft-spoken woman of great dignity, now in initiators for the sons of their employers. portant themes: the universality of human sion to appoint a Special Rapporteur on her seventies, described being taken when Repeatedly, the women who testified rights and the indivisibility of those rights. Violence Against Women and endorses the she was in her teens by Japanese soldiers and made a connection between violations of These concepts have been a part of the dis call for a complaint mechanism under the forced to become a "comfort woman" for the civil and political rights. Women who are cussion onhuman rights since the time when Women's Convention; duration of World War II. economically threatened, they said, who international rights documents began to be •urges universal ratification of the She was raped initially by doctors who cannot feed and house themselves and their developed. Currently, however, some gov Women's Convention by the year 2000 and said that they had to examine her for any children, are more vulnerable to sexual abuse, ernments assert that human rights must be the removal of existing reservations; disease. She was forced then to move with coercion, terrorism, torture, and death. interpreted differently in different societies •calls for states to eradicate any con the soldiers from front to front and to pro to reflect their particular religions, tradi flicts which may arise between the rights of vide sexual services. On Saturday nights, Upstairs, Downstairs at the Vienna tions, and culture. In Vienna, women's re women and the "harmful effects of certain she said there were lines of men all day and Conference sponses to this assertion was a unified and traditional or customary practices, cultural all night. They came into the small room Though the impact of it was felt up resounding "No." Women from many dif prejudices and religious extremism"; which she shared with other "comfort stairs, it is important to point out that this ferent cultures and groups argued in reply •urges all UN agencies to specifically women," raped, and left. The women were Global Tribunal went on downstairs at the that religion, tradition, and culture are used address violations of women's human rights. exhausted, terrorized and left to deal with Vienna Conference, where the NGOs were to justify the subordination of women, to rob It is clear that this was a breakthrough the damage of being abused. meeting, and was attended principally by women of human rights protection. The right event for women on the international scene. Bok Dong Kim was subsequently un women. not to be tortured, killed, mutilated, or sexu But there is so much more to be done. It is of able to have children, and at the Tribunal, so In fact, the organization of the Confer ally coerced cannot be dependent on culture primary importance to build links among many years later, she wept because of this ence as a whole could not have been more or religion; it must be universal. women around the world so that we can loss. symbolic. The Austria Centre in Vienna has Also, some governments, including fight together against all forms of human Khalida Messaoudi came from Algeria two levels. The top level was where the Canada's, do not embrace with conviction rights abuses. to tell the story of Oum Ali. Oum Ali, who official UN conference took place. The base the indivisibility of civil and political rights On to Beijing and the Fourth World was too afraid to come herself, lives in a ment was the people's level. and economic, social and cultural rights. Conference on Women in September 1985! small town where religious fundamental Downstairs at the NGO Forum, the room They are inclined to emphasize civil and Shelagh Day attended the UN Conference ism dominated social and political life. In was full of impassioned talk, the walls were political rights (the rights to vote, to a fair on Human Rights in Vienna.
OCTOBER 1993 FEATURE
_ Women's work and the census: But who's counting?
by Barbara Little work outside the home is not counted in the census? Unfortunately, Mr. Fellegi seems The "masters of mankind" in economist unable tounderstan d that, by not including Adam Smith's day were the merchants and the unwaged domestic work of women manufacturers. The masters of humankind (which by his own department's estimate is in 1993 are the transnational corporations around 37percent of the total working hours and their institutions. Historically, and to of all Canadians) the "planning and deliv day, the goals are the same-to supply the ery" of programs and services and so on are needs of the "masters." Nowhere, in the past based on incorrect data and many Canadian or present economic constructs, are the needs women who are home managers do not and productive contributions of woman receive benefits in any way proportional to kind a part of the equation. Men work. their needs or their contribution in produc Women do things. The things that women ing Canada's wealth. do have never been valued or recognized as work that should be counted and included in productivity. Women's unwaged work This historic lack of recognition of the in the home and unwaged work of women was most forcibly brought to our attention during Canada's community has been last census in June 1991. Our census does not count this work. It specifically discounts it. kept invisible by not Far from being able to include her many hours of unwaged work in her home and counting it in the community, a homemaker and/or volun teer was required to tick off a box "never census... worked in lifetime" or face prosecution by not complying with the law to complete the census. Because home managers' numbers are According to the thinking of Statistics not counted and their labour not valued, Canada bureaucrats and their international they lack benefits such as financial compen counterparts, work, value, and productivity Of course, what we are doing, all of the Why is it vital that women's unwaged sation, pensions, workers' compensation, are defined by their relationship to the mar above, economically speaking, is not work, work be counted in the census? The Cana regulated working conditions and fair treat ketplace. In other words, "work" is given a for we are not paid. I might point out here dian Census is an official legal document of ment. "value" and considered "productive" only though, that the bureaucrats who attend the country. The questions included in the Women's unwaged work in the home when it is done in the marketplace and in these conferences are working-they are paid. census must be approved by government and community has been kept invisible by exchange for money. This is the man-made Many people at StatsCan have been very cabinet. The census is used in dealing with not counting it in the census and not valuing construct accepted by governments and their helpful. Most of them acknowledge that the other countries internationally as the docu it in the national accounts (Gross Domestic bureaucracies. It is no longer applicable to things women do in their own homes, such ment of reference respecting the status of Product.) For too long this work has been today-certainly no longer acceptable to to as meal preparation, caring for children, Canada. deemed by the masters of hu-mankind as day's women and men. The unwaged work laundering, cleaning house, nursing family The ramifications of the inclusion of being "natural" to women. This is a myth of women is a gender issue and a power members, teaching cultural and moral val women's unwaged work in the census are perpetuated to serve the "masters" needs. issue. It is fundamental. ues, driving children to music lessons, lis wide and far reaching. They affect a 11 of us in The things women do are skills learned and For two years now women have been tening to teenagers' laments, et cetera, et one way or another. When women's condi acquired. We must make this work visible working seperately and collectively, in any cetera, et cetera, is important work. But they tion are factored in, the status of Canada and therefore valued. Women know that way we can, for change in the Canadian are at a loss as to how to count this unwaged changes dramatically. As Canada's Chief what we do is work and vital to our society census. We require the inclusion of unwaged work and what to compare it with in the Statistician wrote in a letter to one woman and that it must be counted as such. work for women and volunteers in the sec market sector in order to assign it a value. who did refuse to complete the 1991 census To be apart of the impetus for change, please tion "Work." To this end, we have been in This is the crux-the economic system "The data from the 1991 Census of join us. Write to: Pamela White, Manager, 1996 contact personally and through correspond which rules our lives requires all activities to Canada are important to the proper delivery Census Content Determination Project, Statis ence with representatives of StatsCan, and be related toth e exchange of money, even of many legislated programs including Fed tics Canada, 4-B7,Jean Talon Building, Tunney's have attended provincial, national and in though the system is out of date and the eral and Provincial transfer payments which Pasture, Ottawa, KlA 0T6 or Telephone (613) ternational conferences addressing the is people at StatsCan are trying to work with are based on Census counts. Data from the 951-6994, Fax (613) 951-9300 and tell her that sue. We haveorganized and spoken at work blinkers on. census are also used to plan and deliver you require your unwaged work to be counted in shops and seminars and been interviewed Isn't it ironic that if a woman does any many regional and local programs includ the next and subsequent censuses. Make this an on the radio and TV. of the aforementioned jobs outside her home ing health care, services for the elderly, election issue by asking candidates for Parlia We aim to raise womens' awareness of for someone else and for money (minimal), schools, police, fire and other important com ment to demand a change in the census. the value of their unpaid work, to open eyes then economically speaking, she works, she munity based services..." Barbara Little is a Home Manager and co- and tochang e definitions. In the process, our is productive, she is (marginally, at least) How can we have "proper delivery" of founder with Marie Abbott of the Who own eyes have been opened even wider and valuable, and her work will be counted in programs and services when the work of 44 Owns Women's Work? Campaign. our anger has become a stimulus to carry on. the census? percent of Canadian women who do not
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With two women lead Campbell's record Her history as a Minister in the Mulroney ers, both of whom consider government gave us a preview of what to themselves feminists, why expect and her performance on the hustings rounds out the story. As Minister of Justice, aren't feminists celebrating? Campbell, despite being personally pro-choice, tried mightily to recriminalize abortion, sup In fact, there has been as little, maybe ported the cancellation of the Court Chal even less discussion of women's issues in lenges Programme, and did little to achieve this election campaign as in" others. This her promises of a more inclusive justice sys campaign is business as usual with the boys tem. And yet, she included women's groups (and the few girls) in the back rooms and in in a breakthrough consultation on the Rape theeditorial rooms setting the agenda based Law and defended the law in feminist terms. on partisan politics and right wing ideol The interesting thing about Campbell is ogy. The major difference in this campaign that she can talk the talk, but when it comes to is not the gender of the leaders but the the walk, she is running as fas t as she can to the emergence of the Bloc Quebecois and the extreme right of the economic/political spec Reform Party as major forces, and the col trum. Campbell is certainly no fascist right lapse of the NDP vote. winger. On social issues, she talks as if she is Nevertheless, Campbell is appealing a liberal feminist, but her heart is in right-wing to many women voters, especially, it would economic policy that inevitably leads to the seem from the polls, young women. Unlike same social policies proposed by the fascist Margaret Thatcher, she presents herself as a right—massive cuts to welfare, unemploy woman and talks in positive terms about ment insurance, medicare, education, pen being the first female Prime Minister and a sion, and cutbacks in immigration. The social role model for young women. Her bafflegab inequality produced by such policies inevita about the politics of inclusion and "the new bly leads to an increase in racism and backlash politics" have been exposed rather quickly against feminism. This explains why she is so as empty rhetoric. Yet, perhaps many young reluctant to detail her plans for changes to women are thinking of voting for Campbell social programs. While on one or two issues because they believe that all the parties are the same so they might as well vote for a like judicial reform that do not run against this right wing agenda, she may take a woman to be Prime Minister. feminist line, on the vast majority of issues of concern to women, Kim Campbell will After the Mulroney era and the terrible betrayals by Ontario's NDP government, be as bad, if not worse, than Brian Mulroney. it is difficult to dispute the argument that whatever they promise, governments, The neo-conservative agenda embraced by Campbell promotes a society where whatever their political stripe, will carry out the sameneo-conservative agenda. And the role of government is to promote private profit through free trade, the elimination while even I get a little thrill when I see the pronoun "she" in reference to the Prime of universal social programs, and reduction of the labour costs (through high Minister, we should be clear that the election of Kim Campbell as Prime Minister (a unemployment and reduction of social benefits like pay equity, labour standards, possibility that is looking pretty remote at the moment) will be catastrophic for etcetera.) In other words, the neo-conservative agenda seeks to return to the pre-New women's equality in this country. Deal days of unfettered capitalism where the market place rules, and working women Kim Campbell maybe a feminist in some vague sentimental way. Ihave no doubt and men are persuaded that their misery and poverty must be endured to get us to a that she believes that women are equal to men and should be equally in positions of prosperous future. The Tories have had considerable success in convincing the power. But her feminism sees women's equality in the context of massive social political elite of the need to slash the deficit at almost any cost. But they are still having inequality. Inevitably that means a few white upper middle class women in positions trouble convincing the voters. Tory strategists figured that putting a fresh female face of power with the majority of women sinking further and further into poverty and with a smart mouth and a sense of humour on these discredited policies would desperation. Her ideology is true blue conservative, much more conservative, I convince Canadians to swallow the bitter pill. would argue, than Brian Mulroney's. If we had any doubts about that, her single- The strength of the women's movement and other equality-seeking movements minded obsession with the deficit during the election campaign should put them to is a big part of the problem in selling the neo-conservative agenda. Free market forces rest. inevitably lead to inequality. The women's movement has focused so strongly on Rebick continued on next page.. OCTOBER 1993 ..Rebick from from previous page seeking government action, in pay equity, employment equity, labour standards, etcetera, precisely to force employers to implement measures to increase equality in the work place. Without government intervention, women and other disadvantaged groups in society would be much further behind than we are today. So the Conservatives elect a woman as leader to address the concerns of women's equality hoping that women won't notice that her policies will privilege those who already have privilege, mostly white men. With a womanPM, it ishard to argue that women's voicesare not being heard and easier to marginalize an increasingly radical women's movement. Those feminists who believed that putting more women in positions of power, whether in Cabinet or in the boardrooms, would lead to more equality for women find themselves in a quandary. They are attracted by Campbell's talk but feel uneasy about the company she keeps and her policies. Some of these women are already falling into the trap of the political elite. The "NAC doesn't speak for me" campaign during the referendum was a signal that some women, who have been active in the women's movement historically, are prepared to identify their interests with women in power and use their feminist credentials to attack the women's movement. But many other women are feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the backlash against feminism that is being promoted by the good feminist/bad feminist dichotomy.
Who is elected matters As to the argument that it doesn't matter who is elected. I certainly have no illusions that the Liberals have a strong With a commitment to women's equality. But the Liberals are campaigning on job creation and maintenance of social programs. The Tories are campaigning on deficit reduction. Fighting for progressive policies will be easier with a Liberal government woman PM, than with a Tory government. However angry we are with provincial NDP governments, the current prospect of their losing official party status is terrifying to me. The NDP inopposition has always beenastrongdefender of women's rights. With few NDP MPs in Parliament the strength of the women's movement in lobbying on our issues will be severely it is...easier diminished. While it is hard to see how this election will resolve anything, there is no question that a Tory majority or a Tory to marginalize minority with the Reform Party holding the balance of power will set back the cause of women's equality even further. It is essential that women overcome our cynicism and fight as hard as we can to force the political leaders and candidates to talk about women's issues and to answer our questions. an increasingly NAC has produced a voters' guide that provides detailed information on issues of concern to women, as well as questions for candidates. We also have a series of fact sheets on the issues as well as an economic statement that begins to outline alternatives to the slash and burn Tory economic agenda. We are also negotiating for a national leaders' debate radical women's on women's issues. Whatever the outcome of this election, the women's movement should be mobilizing to ensure that movement. women's issues are addressed. Post-election 1993: Do we celebrate? In the post-election period, I believe that the strategy of the women's movement has to be four-pronged. First, we must maintain the direction we have set in focusing on the needs of the most oppressed women. Women will never achieve equality unless all women achieve equality. Equality for a few women achieved on the backs of more disadvan taged women will drive all women backwards. We must continue our struggle for universal child care, for government support to end violence against women, for reproductive rights, against racism, against systemic discrimination in the workplace, and the health sphere, however strong the backlash. »_ Secondly, the women's movement has to take on the neo- § conservative agenda head on and develop alternatives. Feminists g have to formulate our own economic strategies, based on feminist >. principles of social equality and sharing of wealth and power but •c taking into account the current realities of international capitalism. g This is no easy task. The entire political spectrum has shifted to the '1 economic right and anyone who argues a more progressive posi- '| tion risks marginalization. Women's groups have usually shied _! away from economic debates, leaving them to others on the left, like g the trade union movement. We have tended to focus on economic _ measures like pay equity and employment equity within broader •£ economic frameworks. But pay equity and employment equity will s have little impact when all wages are being driven down and the 5, economy is being restructured to increase part-time work. Almost half of all women in the work force today are working part-time. Two-thirds of these would prefer full-time work if they could get it, or if they had thechildcare they needed. The women's movement has to put a lot more energy into developing a feminist economic strategy internationally and nationally. During the election campaign, NAC will be producing an economic statement that attempts to begin this process. No doubt, NAC's views on economic strategy will be of little interest to the media, just as our views on the constitution were initially of little interest. But in the same way as we did on the Constitution—by building a democratic discussion inside the women's movement and with our allies, to produce clear policy direction—we should be able to break through the gender barrier in economic debates. Thirdly, we should be focusing more attention on electoral and democratic reform. Whatever success the right may be having in promoting deficit hysteria, the credibility of political institutions has never been lower. There is a tremendous opportunity to propose radical reform of political institutions to ensure that they are more democratic, more accountable and more representative. The experience of the women's movement over the last ten years in developing a more representative movement can help inform this discussion. At its last AGM, NAC adopted a position in favour of proportional representation in the House of Commons and established a Task Force on electoral reform. Feminist academics have devoted considerable energy to these issues but, so far, they have been a primarily peripheral concern of the women's movement. We have to break down the patriarchal power structures of the state if we are ever to see a real representation of women in politics. Applyingourunderstandingin anti-racist work, that sharing power means not only representationbutalso restructuring, should help to inform the discussion of proposals for more democratic and representative political institutions.
Finally, we have to build an international perspective and an international women's movement. Feminists doing international work have remarked that the issues of women in different parts of the world are becoming increasingly similar. The drive to push back wages, working conditions and social programs impacts on women globally and thus the solution is ultimately global in nature. There has always been a division of labour among feminists in Canada between those doing international work and those focusing on national issues. We must unite these two groups and the NAC should be putting a much higher emphasis on international work. The 1995 Bejing United Nations World Conference on Women gives us an excellent framework to accelerate this work. NAC's next AGM will focus on an international theme and, if funding is available, we hope to bring feminist leaders from around the world to fully participate in the discussions. NAC President Sunera Thobani and other NAC executive members will be travelling to other countries in the next few years, to meet and discuss with feminists, particularly indeveloping countries. The greater participation of immigrant women in mainstream women's organizations should also help to lead this process. In many ways, I believe that Kim Campbell's election as leader of the Tories is symbolic of the limits of liberal feminism. If we are not willing to fight for changes to the patriarchal system itself, this wave of the women's movement, like those previous, will be driven back and equality will once again have to wait for future generations. The rise of feminism internationally, the strength and unity of the women's movement, and the coming of age of a whole generation of women who grew up believing in their own equality puts us in a wonderfully strong position to face the challenges of the future, where the Kim Campbells of the world will be historical blips on the road to equality. Judy Rebick sits on the executive of NAC as former president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women.
KINESIS OCTOBER 1993 Commentary by Dolores Fitzgerald
It's election time. Earnest and under standing yet haunted-looking candidates loom from our television screens wearily conceding that the voters are a surly, suspi cious and bitter lot. It's a tough time to be a politician. It's an even tougher time to be a voter, especially if you are a feminist voter. There are six major parties in this year's high stakes election campaign: the Progressive Conservatives, The New Democratic Party, The Liberals, the Reform Party, The National Party and the Bloc Quebecois. Even with six parties, for many of us there is a pervasive sense that there is no real choice. Voters greet the notion that political parties will stand by their commitments with outright disbelief, if not absolute scorn. It seems that people have lost the capacity to believe that politics can "make a difference" in their lives. The Kim Campbell-led Conservatives have thus far won the battle to determine the focus of the election campaign. The deficit is a made-in-Tory-land election crusade that has dominated Canadian consciousness for the past several years. Every party, presents a platform aimed at eliminating the deficit: something the Conservatives, despite their supposed superior grasp of market economics and their avowed intentions, have utterly failed to do after nine years in office. The Tories have refined their approach in this campaign: they are refusing to even say how they will eliminate the deficit. It's a "Trust the Tories" platform. The New Democratic Party and the Liberals are trying furiously to undercut the Tory's economic credibility on deficit reduction and shift the electorate's focus to the Conservatives' perceived weaknesses: the GST, Tory unwillingness to promise immediate action on unemploy ment and the public's fears about cuts to social programs. Both the NDP and the Liberals are promising to move on job creation, to protect social programs and expand childcare funding. Both have produced detailed plans on how they will reduce the deficit while investing in jobs, infrastructure, training and education. The NDP are also waging a lonely battle to bring the North American Free Trade Agreement— the deal that would make Canada, the United States and Mexico into a single trading bloc—to the voters' attention. While this may arise from a commitment to NDP principles, their free trade focus is also a strategy aimed at distinguishing the NDP from the Liberals, their real competition in this, and every, election. The Liberals have promised to re-negotiate the deal; the NDP say they will not support free trade under any circumstances. The NDP hopes their free trade stance will gain votes in Ontario where free trade has devastated the manufacturing sector and resulted in record unemployment. Over the entire campaign looms the question of what effect the Reform Party, the National Party and the Bloc Quebecois will have on the issues, the voters, the "mainstream" parties' support, and, finally, the make-up of Canada's next Parliament. Benefiting enormously from the election's overwhelming focus on the deficit, the Reform Party's threat to cut into the Conservative vote is building day by day. Should Reform succeed in winning seats, a s recent polls indicate is increasingly likely in the West and even Ontario, the spectre of a minority government dependent on Reform support arises. A Reform-controlled minority government will shift this country so far to the right, it will make Kim Campbell look compassion ate. Reform's increased popularity also presents a direct challenge to NDP hopes of holding the balance of power should a minority government be the election result. The Bloc Quebecois is set to do major damage to the Conservatives' prospects of forming a government. If current public opinion in Quebec holds, Lucien Bouchard's Bloc Quebecois' left- leaning sovereigntist party could take up to 40 seats, likely dooming the Conservatives to a return to the Opposition benches. Bouchard has convinced francophone voters that the separatist Bloc can best represent Quebec's interests in a federal system. His party will not cooperate with any federal party should a minority government scenario be in the cards. Mel Hurtig's National Party, the newest entry in Canada's fractured body politic, is running on a platform of increasing corporate taxes and scrapping the GST and the Canada-US Free Trade agreement. At this point the party has nominated candidates in only 88 of the country's 295 ridings. Although it appears the National Party will have a minimal influence on the election, it will draw some votes from disaffected NDP and Liberal supporters.
Feminists and the NDP Given all of the above, what are the options for feminist voters? Many feminists are used to believing in certain electoral truisms: that the NDP will best represent women's interests; that a vote for a Liberal is a vote for a conservative; and that the Conservatives are a political calamity for women. Yet, in this campaign, feminists are struggling with an increased cynicism about the political process. Many find this scepticism stretches to include NDP promises. Feminist voters' new suspicion of the NDP parallels the attitudes of other traditional NDP supporters: trade unionists, teachers, environmentalists and community activists. A Reform-controlled This is particularly true for voters in the three provinces ruled by NDP governments: British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Between them, these provinces returned 38 of the 43 NDP members in the 1988 federal election making NDP 1993 electoral success extraordinarily dependent minority government on voters from these provinces. Yet, these three governments have so alienated confirmed NDP voters, one almost wonders whether sinister neo-conservative moles have succeeded in penetrating every social democratic government in the country. will shift this country In BC, the touchstone issue for the disenchanted is the government's decision to allow logging in Clayoquot Sound, which is the largest single tract of ancient temperate rainforest still intact on Vancouver Island and a focal point for protesters all summer long. The NDP has also lost popularity so far to the right, in the education and health sectors. For example, a move to bring in legislation curtailing school strikes has resulted in a drop in teacher support, a traditionally strong NDP constituency. Saskatchewan and Ontario, both of which are only slowly recovering from severe recessions, it will make have made deficit reduction policies their top priority, to the despair of trade union and other workers who are the victims of persistent high unemployment. Ontario Premier Bob Rae's efforts to work with public sector unions on a social contract to determine how services and jobs would Kim Campbell be cut to lower the provincial deficit were spectacularly unsuccessful. The Ontario NDP and labour have suffered the most profound split in the party's history over the Social Contract legislation. The three provincial NDP governments have been a major disappointment to progressive look compassionate. voters. They have retreated on principle and on policy and, to add insult to injury, their election to government has left feminists and the left with no progressive parliamentary opposition. Many activists believe they have had a fresh and bitter experience of the innate corruptness of political power. In what is shaping up to be the toughest NDP election fight since the 1958 Progressive Conservative landslide victory that almost saw the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF)—the NDP's predecessor—wiped out, many NDP supporters have withdrawn to the sidelines. While they may yet vote NDP, they can not bring themselves to volunteer for the party Fitzgeraldcontinued on page 16..
OCTOBER 1993 KINESIS Wong: Going back to the Head Tax, what is your official stance on it? I understand that the Chinese Canadian National Council has been doing a lot of work since 1984, lobbying the government on all levels for compensation and an apology [for the imposition of the head tax (1885-1923) and the Chinese Exclusion Act (1923-1947) which prevented any Chinese immigration to Canada for a quarter of a century.] How do you feel about this issue, especially in this interview for Kinesis, a Vancouver-based feminist newspaper with a lot of Chinese readers. Ng: My position is that, aside from the official apology, basically what the Tory government and [former Winnie Ng prime minister] Brian Mulroney offered the people this summer is an insult. He offfered us an apology, [but refused to pay compensation for the $23million in Head Tax the government collected from Chinese immigrants.] That's missing the point. It says we could be bought [as labour for buildingCanadian railroads] and that's it. We're asking for compensation, both individually and as a community. And [the government] continues to say, "Well, these are people who wanted to come, they came willingly. No one forced them to Politician/Activist pay." You have to look at it in a broader perspective. The Chinese were the only ones who have had a tax imposed [to emigrate in Canada.] At the same time, [the government] was using the money they collected from the Head Tax to encourage Europeans to come into Canada to settle, and to give them crown land and Kristin Wong: You have a solid reputation with the union/labour movement, as well as free transportation. So it's not just an immigration issue. It's important for the federal government to set the Interview the women's and anti-racist communities. Your commitment is recognized by those you record straight so future generations won't repeat that again. advocate on behalf of, and I, as a young Chinese-Canadian woman, believe in your Election time is a good time to be a whole lot more creative about issues like this. Yet the Tory grassroots approach to tackling issues of justice and equality. But working in federal Government is taking advantage of the fact that, because we're in a recessionary time, people may not dare by Kristin Wong government is an entirely different arena. What strategies have you developed to keep your to raise the issue of compensation. We have to join hands with the Italian and Ukrainian communities [who grassroots perspective intact, knowing that, if elected as a Member of Parliament, you will are also seeking redress,] to make sure this issue doesn't get sidelined. be working within a huge bureaucracy that may not be compatible with your regular Wong: How do you feel about the increasing numbers of women running for government, in particular, working style? for federal seats? Winnie Ng: That's a good question because it's one I wrestled with a lot before I made Ng: It's important to have more women representation. Women constitute 52 percent of our Canadian the decision to run. Part of the way I have been able to stay grounded for all these years is population and our representation is only about 13 percent. I think women also treat politics differently. And through my contact with "real people"—workers in the community and people I have by having more women run, we also have the opportunity to make different choices: you don't need Kim worked long and hard with on anti-racism issues. Campbell-type women... The more I'm out in the mainstream—organizing, linking up, doing the networking— Wong: ...or the Margaret Thatchers... the more I feel the need to be grounded with my own community. My main reference group Ng: ...yes, who don't have that feminist vision. I believe it's important to encourage more women from has been primarily Chinese working women, workers, and immigrant women workers. different political ideologies and approaches to run. [An election] can be run differently and bring different When the NDP government was elected in Ontario, I was recruited as part of the political choices, so that it's not simply about being "a woman" that will be on a candidate's agenda, but about what staff. I worked as the executive assistant and senior policy advisor to the minister of that means, and how that [reflects] on her politics and approach. citizenship. That, in a way, has provided me with some insight on how the system works. [I learnt that] we need advocates, people educating and lobbying outside the system and, at the same time, we need people who share similar visions to be inside, making some of those policy changes. One word in the legislation can make a lot of difference. I recognize it will be a long, much layered process. I constantly, like right now in the campaign, remind myself why I wanted to do this, whom I'm going to be there for. I'm very clear. In my nomination speech, I said being an elected representative is like being a community advocate: you use that position and those resources to keep people informed, to get them more involved in the process, and also to provide leadership—particularly in these ...bein is like being a community advocate: you recessionary times, when it's so much easier to say, "I don't care." I would much rather be a good member of parliament in terms of constituency work, in terms of advocating for the interests of people in the riding [than sit in on sessions and use that position and those resources to keep people informed, to get them committees in Ottawa.] Winnie Ng I also face a lot of hope to be a different type of leader and I'm looking forward to a different way of doing things, a whole lot more consensus building. I'm rooted in the more involved in the process, and also to provide leadership... community and the labour movement so if I'm being sidelined, I won't sit there quietly. is a long-time Wong: If elected as a member of parliament, not only will you be the only Chinese- Canadian woman in the House of Commons, you will be the first Chinese-Canadian woman Wong: What do you think of feminism and the role the women's movement has played in issues of human ever elected in federal politics. Does knowing that place additonal pressure on you? rights, immigration, and the national deficit? Women are saying, "We're not just going to talk about immigrants, anti-racist, feminist, Ng: Yes. [Laughs] It's driving me to work harder. I know there are a lot of expectations, refugees, domestic violence." Does feminism actually play a role in national deficit reducing? that a lot of people [think] it's time the dial turned. But while I'm honoured to be, as you put Ng: I would hope so. When you hear Kim Campbell say her number one priority is to cut the deficit, and at it, the first Chinese-Canadian woman running for the House of Commons, I'm also angry the same time say [she's] not going to raise taxes or create new jobs, the only other alternative [to pay of f the deficit] union/labour activist and saddened it's taken our community 130 years [to get there.] It had better not be the same is by cutting spending. When you cut spending, most of the time it's the "soft" programs that are cut: health care for my daughter. programs, or the child care programs which the Tory government reneged on in 1992. And particularly in Rosemary Brown [a Black woman recently appointed as Ontario Human Rights recessionary times, it is women and children who suffer the most. This is a feminist perspective on poverty, yet living in Toronto. Commissioner] said: Our lives have been made a bit more meaningful by women who it hasn't been brought to the forefront. walked those corridors before us. Well, we will continue to keep the doors open and I think The economy and the deficit have always been approached from a very monolithic type of definition—that it will be easier for the others to come in. the deficit is only about figures. Yet you also have the human cost, the human deficit side. When you consider She is also Wong: Here comes the "token" question: Often, certain "visible minority" persons are a child growing up, being propped in front of the TV all the time, or when you consider a child growing up with selected by politicians and mainstream media to be the official spokespeople for their hunger, what is the long term cost in terms of a deficit in that regard? respective communities. Do you see yourself being put in the position to serve the national Women have not really been included at the table [nor] have been part of the decison-making process. The the New Democratic Chinese constituency as well as your Trinity-Spadina riding? way our national economy and our gross national product have been calculated are very much male- Ng: It would be presumptuous of me to say I can speak on behalf of the whole Chinese- dominated. Women's work at home, for example, has never been counted as valuable. [Another example is] the Canadian community. No one can do that. There is diversity within the Chinese community. environment: when there's an oil spill, the clean-up cost is counted as productive labour. But when the Party candidate My representation will be there for those who are more progressive. Hopefully, I will be able environment is clean, that's not counted as anything. It's the same thing with women. to present an alternate vision, one that wants a whole lot more in terms of where we're going. Look at the garment industry: why do we keep saying that making a simple piece of fabric into a suit is a low- But I'm finding that, even as a candidate, I'm asked to make comments on immigration value job? When we're talking about high-value, it's always about high-tech [jobs.] Yet turning a piece of fabric for the and refugee policies while other candidates probably aren't being asked. It happens even into a garment is also a very complicated process. That job is being undervalued and it's because normally, this within the party. is work women do, and women are not always included as part of mainstream economics. So if more women I do have sensitivity for these issues. For example the Head Tax issue is one I feel are involved with politics, then we will keep bringing up issues such as pay equity and value of women's work. Trinity-Spadina riding passionate about. [The Chinese community has been seeking redress from the Tory govern Wong: Speaking of pay equity, all of the three provinces that have NDP governments—Saskatchewan, British ment since 1984 for the Head Tax, or entry tax, imposed on Chinese immigrants to Canada Columbia and Ontario—have not yet adequately addressed issues of pay equity, even though there are strong between 1885 and 1923.] women's voices suchas yours in the NDP caucus lobbying from within. Many women are concerned about this— in Ontario On the other hand, it's also incumbent upon other politicians to learn. I don't mind being in fact, the NDP has lost considerable support from women's communities over lack of action on these issues. the advocate, but I work to influence and to broaden the circle so other people don't have to Another issue has been that of lesbian and gay rights, around the lack of laws on same-sex spousal benefits, be from a minority background to be comfortable and competent in speaking on the issues. particularly in Ontario. __ in the upcoming I also recognize how many additional barriers we, as "minority" candidates, face in a Ng: I'm not going to defend the goverment there. There are different types of politicians. I believe strongly campaign, in overcoming and trying to gain support. I tip my hat to Chinese-Canadian that, much as we have a political vision, elected representatives also need to have the political will and the courage candidates of all political stripes. It's not easy. We can prepare ourselves psychologically for to carry that vision through. ~" —. federal elections. all sorts of comments, but when racist comments are made, it hurts. That's the additional Idon'tblame people forbeing cynical: thereare so many conformists.ajtound.rm hoping that, in this [federal] hurdle, aside from the politics. election, people will select candidates more carefully, more closely, and ultimately get down to questions of trust Wong: It occurs to me that when non-"visible minority" politicians and candidates and how to make elected representatives more accountable. In Ontario, the women's community and the labour She spoke with address issues of racism, it could be seen as more valid than when you do, that you, as a movement all had the illusion that, "Oh, once we've got our NDP government, things are going to be different," Chinese-Canadian woman, could be seen as being a "special interest" group. without doing all it takes to keep the goverment in check. Ng: Yes. And I don't want to be typecast to become the only one who can speak on Wong: How will you use political office to bring about social change and justice, espcially for those who have Kinesis in Toronto minority issues, because then it becomes like a broken record. It doesn't do justice to what historically been marginalized and people whoare historically disadvantaged, such as women, lesbians and gays, I can offer. I come out from a labour background. I'm just as confident and comfortable and people with disabilities? speaking on labour or free trade [as racism.] Ng: As I said earlier, my sense of running in this election is that we [need] like-minded people who share the last month. Whatever the issues are, I'd like the perspectives of minorities and of women to be same vision to be in the House of Commons. Women, especially women of colour, have to be clear as to why we included as part of the mainstream, not seen as sidestreams or whatever-streams. They are want to be there and to know who we are there'for. In a way, it's trying to redefine power on our own terms and all political issues, they are all First People's issues. Workers of colour and immigrant women I hope, with my years of experience in working with the different groups, to be able to articulate, not just the workers are the most hard hit by Free Trade and the job situation. These are not monolithic concerns but the interests of peoples in these groups. By the way, I don't see all these groups as "special interest workers' issues, but one that brings in different perspectives. groups," because if we add the numbers together, we are the majority. I believe that having more people like ourselves at the table helps to open up the circle. I've said in speeches that we're not here to take over, we just want to take our place. Kristin Wong is a community activist in Toronto. Thanks to Mariam Bouchoutrouch, Lisa Marr and Meegan Graham for their transcribing services. OCTOBER 1993 OCTOBER 1993 ..Fitzgerald from page 13
during this year's campaign. In a tight election race, it is the election day volunteers and their ability to pull out the vote that ultimately decides who goes to Ottawa.
What does the NDP stand for? Current polls predict that the NDP, which held 43 seats at the election call, is at a historic low in public support and will be lucky to return even five MPs. Even Leader Audrey McLaughlin's Yukon seat is no longer considered a safe bet. And, in an early election campaign comment, McLaughlin seemed to acknowledge the party's losses as inevitable when she outlined the major condition the NDP would demand from the Liberals—termination of free trade agreements—in return for supporting a Liberal minority government. The NDP's battle for voters, and for survival, is not with the Tories. To prevent electoral disaster, the NDP must achieve victory over the Liberals, the classic foe their less committed supporters turn to when a vote for the NDP is perceived as a "wasted vote." A dramatic example of this phenomenon was reflected in the NDP's showing in the recent Alberta provincia 1 election. In that contest, Alberta voters, dreading the possibility of a Ralph Klein Progressive Conservative government, turned overwhelmingly to the Liberals with the result that the NDP dropped from being Alberta's official opposition party with 16 seats to not electing a single member. It is mainly these dynamics—the acute alienation of many of the NDP's strongest supporters and the potential defection to the Liberals of the party's less committed supporters—that makes this election such a threat to the future of the NDP. We dream The NDP is also suffering from another major problem: voters say they are having a hard time determining exactly what the party stands for. While the NDP argues this is due to the media's superficial leader-focused campaign coverage and says that voters eventually will get their about having message, it's hard to pick the NDP out of the pack since the party has also bought into the election's deficit reduction theme. While the NDP is distinguished from other parties by their "no cuts to social programs" pledge, the party has not been able to make the future of social programs a key a real opposition, election issue. In this campaign, NDP insiders are quoted in the mainstream press as nervously hoping, at best, to elect 12 members of parliament, thereby protecting their status as an official party in the an opposition in House of Commons. Taking fewer than 12 seats means the party would lose funding for research budgets, staff, etc. Taking less than 12 seats would launch the NDP on a perilous and, perhaps, a hopeless journey back to political respectability and influence. the streets. This federal election campaign is a tremendously high stakes encounter for Canadians. Conservative economic ideology has captured the political agenda to a degree that is almost unprecedented in Canadian history. Should the Progressive Conservatives' return to power with a majority mandate, they would be free to cap their nine-year restructuring of Canadian society by moving on their remaining agenda items, chiefly the dismantlement of social programs. The Tories have adamantly refused to reveal any policy on the future of social programs. Commentators from across the political spectrum agree, however, that Tory promises to eliminate the deficit in five years can only be accomplished by massive cuts in unemployment benefits, old age pensions and welfare pro grams, and further cuts to social service and education transfer payments to the provinces. A majority Liberal government will likely lead Canada down the same path. While the Liberal platform sounds more humane, in fact leader Jean Chretien is equally adept at avoiding discussion of policy detail. His pledge to eliminate the GST comes with no alternative aimed at replacing GST revenue. His promise to re-negotiate free trade has been undermined by American reaction; they say they will not re-negotiate. We can see the seeds of a Liberal turnaround. In keeping with Liberal tradition, their excuse will be they "... had no option." A minority government is the best that can be hoped for in terms of blocking a continued right-wing economic agenda, but even that scenario is fraught with peril for "ordinary Canadi ans." If the Reform Party should hold the balance of power in a minority parliament, our economic and social landscape will be clearcut: a slash and burn spectacle on a national scale.
Where do we stand? In this election, the task is clear. We need to stand against the brave, new, all-Canadian, globally-competitive, high-tech, restraint-driven, program-cutting society that neo-conservative economic doctrine has made so frighteningly pervasive. We need to counter the harsh "deficit reduction at any price" theme that has so captured an angry and disillusioned electorate. This theme's corollary for individual Canadians, "we-can-take-care-of-ourselves-Jack-cut-back-those-taxes," denotes a silent sanction of our country becoming an abundant land for the prosperous and a hopeless one for the impoverished. We need to change the theme and send a message to the powers that be, that we are still vitally committed to the essential Canadian values that dedicate us to taking care of one another. And so we come to appraise the NDP, the party feminists have always considered the progressive alternative, the real parliamentary opposition. While we know the other electoral "options" are frightening, can we count on the NDP? We consider the failures and betrayals of NDP provincial governments and we know there is no way we can excuse them. We speculate on why the NDP is unwilling to articulate a genuine alternative vision for Canada. We wonder whether we are prepared to continue trusting that they represent their allies. Fear of the disappearance of the NDP as a social democratic political alternative NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin chatting with the wells up. What is the cost of cutting the party loose? What would be the price of Vancouver Lesbian Centre's Monica Chappie at a saying, in the 1970s words of American feminist Robin Morgan, "Goodbye to all recent meeting with lesbian, gay and bisexual that...?" community groups in Vancouver We think about what's at stake. What are the prospects for the "have not" provinces, the devastated regions, the wasted no-work towns and the people watching their future disappear? We dream about having a real opposition, an opposition in the streets. A mid-campaign direct mail fund-raising appeal arrives in some mailboxes. The NDP appeal, looking for the precise emotional button to push, zeros in on fear. Its outer envelope asks potential donors whether the can "Imagine a Parliament without New Democrats to Speak for Us." At this point in the election campaign, it is entirely imaginable. What seems far more unimaginable to long time feminist NDP voters is how incessantly another question intrudes. Can we still believe voting for the NDP will "make a difference?" If you can believe, vote NDP and work on an NDP campaign. Dolores Fitzgerald returns as a writer for Kinesis after a long, long absence.
OCTOBER 1993 Commentary by Shelagh Day Kim Campbell's longest held and most high profile Cabinet position was as Minister of Jus tice. Examining her record in that portfolio pro vides helpful insights into who she is and how she works. When assessing her as a politician, it is important to look at her words, her actions, and what "fit" there is between the two.
Women cannot forget that Kim Campbell's first action as Minister of Justice was to introduce and passionately defend a bill to recriminalize abortion [see Kinesis, Dec/Jan 89J even though she proclaims herself pro-choice. To justify this evident contradiction, she argued that recriminalizing abortion was necessary because otherwise the provinces would be free to restrict access to abortion. Her argument is nonsense. Making abortion a crime once more would do nothing to stop provinces from trying to restrict access to abortion services. But the passionate inside-out logic which Campbell used in this case is characteristic of her. Repeatedly, she attempts to put a progressive face on regressive initiatives. There are many examples of this lack of fit between what Campbell says and does. Like the two Ministers of Justice before her, she promised to amend the Canadian Human Rights Campbell's willingness Act to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities and to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination [see Kinesis, May/92.] But the amendments Campbell introduced were not an improvement to our human to make any argument rights, but a retrenchment of those rights. The proposed amendments did not strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities, they weakened them. Though she did propose to add sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination, she limited the protection so that at all in defence employers could continue to refuse employment benefits to lesbians and gay men. The amendments also undermined many other existing rights, including the right to equal pay for work of equal value and the right to challenge discriminatory immigration of her actions policies. In addition, the amendments failed to respond effectively to a long-standing demand from Aboriginal women that the Canadian Human Rights Act be made to apply to the Indian Act so that women living on reserves could have greater protection from makes her seem like discrimination. It is little wonder that women's and other equality-seeking groups quickly decided to say "thanks, but no thanks" to Campbell's amendments. the shell game artist Campbell also vigorously defended cancellation of the Court Challenges Program, and was openly hostile to those who drew attention to the cancellation's devastating impact on access to justice for women and members of other disadvantaged groups [see Kinesis, Oct/92. ] at the carnival The Court Challenges Program provided funding to allow disadvantaged groups to pursue court challenges under the equality rights provision of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. At the same time, more quietly, she tried to signal that she was not responsible for the whose hands cancellation, or had not known about it beforehand, or was out of the Cabinet room when it happened. Again, she seemed to want it all ways: to treat the Program as a hostile force in her role as Minister of Justice and be a loyal defender of the decision to cancel it, and yet to signal can move so quickly to her critics that she might personally be more liberal on the matter. (Because of her record on this question, her pre-election announcement that she will reinstate some version of the Court Challenge Program should be viewed with extreme caution. There is good reason to that we lose sight fear that any new version will be a much weakened and constrained program.) Perhaps Campbell's logic has been most twisted and her dishonesty as a politician has been most blatant on the issue of rights for lesbians and gay men. While repeatedly declaring of which shell herself sympathetic to the cause of lesbians and gay men, she introduced amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act which, as noted already, hurt rather than helped. She also directed her officials in Justice to fight every legal challenge to homophobic government covers the pea. policies brought by lesbians and gay men. Even before the amendments were introduced, she defended the continuing lack of protection for lesbians and gay men on the grounds that lesbians and gay men are protected by the Charter. She then defended the cancellation of the Court Challenges Program on the grounds that the Canadian Human Rights Act could effectively deal with the problems Canadians have with equality, so access to the Charter was not necessary. But that leaves lesbians with no protection under the Human Rights Act and no access to the Charter! Campbell's willingness to make any argument at all in defence of her actions makes her seem like the shell game artist at the carnival whose hands can move so quickly that we lose sight of which shell covers the pea. As a politician, Campbell must hope that, if she makes enough deft twists and turns in logic, we will be unable to detect the emptiness of what she offers us. Then there was the new rape law. These are the bad parts of the record: what about the rape shield law? This was the one occasion when Kim Campbell responded to the demands of women who met with her in January 1992 to outline their responses to the proposed new law [see Kinesis, Feb/92.] Of course, it is women who deserve the credit for shaping the improvements to the law but Campbell deserves credit for having listened to women's demands. Given this, what do we have as a record: an attempt to recriminalize abortion (defeated in the Senate); gun control legislation that does not control Mark Lepine's gun (passed); proposed human rights amendments that are a harm not a help (they did not get second reading—a new government will have to decide to pass, reject or shelve the amendments), cancellation of the Court Challenges Program (reintroduction of which is a recent election promise), opposition to aboriginal women being at the Constitutional Table (still being fought by the Native Women's Association of Canada in court), little change to show from the much-touted Symposium on Women, Law and Administration of Justice, a list of regressive positions taken in the courts on equality rights cases, and the amended sexual assault law. From this, women can conclude that Kim Campbell is an unreliable ally for women at best, and in the main, likely to be a threat to the equality gains we have made. We have seen that her words and her actions often do not match, and that her positions are regressive, though she likes to play, like a trickster, at sounding progressive. Shelagh Day is a lawyer a me of the vice presidents of the National Action Committe on the Status of Women. OCTOBER 1993 WOMEN IN PRINT The 1993 Vancouver International BOOKS&OTHER MEDIA
3566 West 4th Avenue Vancouver BCV6R1N8 Canada Uriters (81 Readers) Voice 604 732-4128 Fax 604 752-4129 Festival
VANCOUVER Guest Authors of special interest to Kinesis Readers: WOMEN'S BOOKSTORE Margaret Atwood 3.15 CAMBIE Sr. One of Canada's most celebrated authors will be here to read from her electrifying new VANCOUVER, B.C novel The Robber Bride and participate in several other Festival evenis. /lONDAY-SATURDAY El: (604) 684.0*523 T. Begley & Olga Broumas Ms. Begley and Ms. Broumas are the authors of Prayerfields, a book-length 1988 W 4th & Maple poem on the healing light that accompanies recovery from childhood incest. Vancouver, B.C. They will be participating in two Festival events, including V6J 1M5 the Annual Poetry Bash. 733-3511 Shary Flenniken Best known for her Trots and Bonnie comic strip in the National Lampoon. Ms. Flenniken joins the Festival for three events on cartoon art, including a discussion of the world of cartoon erotica.
Joy Harjo A member of the Muscogee tribe, Ms. Harjo has written several books of poetry, including the award-winning In Mad Love and War. She gives poetry readings and plays saxaphone with her band, Poetic Justice, which will be accompanying her at the Festival's Literary Cabaret sponsored by Canada Post.
0OOKS Dorianne Laux An accomplished American poet whose work frequently ^^ appears in reviews like Agni, The American Poetry Review and Yellow Silk, Ms. Brook's Books Laux will take part in four Festi events, including the Annual & Tunes Poetry Bash. on Saltspring Island, Ganges, BC Dacia Maraini Also dealing in used tapes & CDs Long associated with Will pay cash for gay/lesbian, feminism, Ms. Maraini's feminist, gardening, nautical, art, motto, lo sono mia - I am literature & trades mine - has become a rallying cry for Italian women. Monday-Saturday 10:30-4:30 537-9874 Ms. Maraini will take part in four Festival events.
Jane Rule F PRESS™ Jane Rule is a prophet, observer and chronicler of our age. The author of The Desert of the Heart and Memory Board will join Timothy Findley on Wednesday, Oct. 20 8:30pm at Performance Works-for "An Out and Out Conversation". ^^ ' £ £ J {Si Vm women's printshop • worker-owned • since 1970^^M Carol Shields • union shop »-.*^SB>« CWA Local 226 ^^ A Winnipeg resident, Ms. Shields is the acclaimed author of The Stone Diaries, the story of a woman who drifts through •— 253-1224 3 the chapters of childhood, marriage, motherhood, widowhood and old age, accompanied always by the gnawing ^^^^ 1 Let our experience help you make 1 ^"^ uncertainty of an orphan. Ms. Shields takes part in three Festival events.
^^B "COOPERATIVES AND UNIONS WORKING TQC-vru™" • Karen Tei Yamashita Ms. Tei Yamashita left her native Los Angeles to spend nine years in Brazil, retracing the path of a group of Japanese immigrants and raising a family of her own. Her first novel was the award-winning Through the Arc of the Rain Forest and her new novel is the acclaimed Brazil-Mam. Ms. Tei Yamashita takes part in three Festival events.
Eleanor Wachtel The host of CBC Radio's Writers & Company, Ms. Wachtel is the author of Language in Her Eye (1990) and co-author of A Feminist Guide to the Canadian Constitution (1992). She joins this year's Festival to moderate "An Out and Out Conversation" between Jane Rule and Timothy Findley and to conduct an on-stage interview with acclaimed author Vikram Seth. October 20 - 24, 1993 Tickets By Phone: 687-1644
Tickets are available at Amber Books, Blackberry Books, Duthie Books, The Granville Book Company, Manhattan Books, Octopus Books and UBC Bookstore. For further information call 681-6330. Festival Programs are now available at all Greater Vancouver bookstores, libraries and Community Centres.
OCTOBER 1993 ARTS Review: Curator Andrea Fatona's Queer Collaborations
by Larissa Lai priate? How does the fact that the current we creating a language of complacency, one staff are women of colour change that his that allows us to reclaim these images yet not QUEER COLLABORATIONS tory? Or should these discussions take place move beyond to a language of resistance— Basic Inquiry Studio, Vancouver only in the "safe" havens of the living rooms of inscription, not reinscription? August 13-27 of women of colour? On the opposite side of the gallery are The problem with asking these ques portraits taken by Marina Dodis. The sub Queer Collaborations was curated with tions is that it doesn't get us anywhere unless jects were: Gae, Kelly, Jackie & Mia, Brenda, the intention of opening up dialogue around one can begin to answer them, however Cynthia, Di and Meegan. While Stewart's the issues and problems of artistic cross- imperfectly, and make the choice to act. work made extensive use of props, Dodis' cultural collaboration. The same concerns might be raised with used none at all. Each subject was shot against Andrea Fatona, a Black lesbian curator, regard to the curation of the show. On the a stark white background. Thus, she ex culled the work of two white lesbian artists left hand side of the gallery were photo plained during the discussion group, how who take photographs of white lesbians and graphs taken by Vancouver lesbian feminist each subject comes across is entirely de lesbians of colour. Her strategy, to fore photographer Susan Stewart, best known pendent upon the subject's own actions. Or ground the racial and sexual identities of for her work with the Kiss and Tell Collec is it? herself, the artists and their subjects/col tive. The subject/collaborators were: Helga, While Stewart's work could have been laborators, is innovative. It challenges us to Shanti, Miss Taree, Iris Fabiola and River about the interrogation of racial signifiers, look beyond the artwork as precious objects Sui. Dodis' is more about their absence. In Dodis' in themselves. In Queer Collabora tions, Fatona Stewart's name is emblazoned on the photographs, the clothes are the only makes the context in which the artworks wall in large white letters in relief. During a "props." Still the danger is of a whitewash appear the focus of the exhibition. The Black discussion group in August, a week after the looming close—a whitewash that conceals Helga lesbian curator becomes the creative driving show opened, Stewart explained her proc the fact that how the subject presents herself force—the curator becomes the "artist." ess. Recognizing the power imbalance which to the camera has everything to do with the Fatona selected works from Stewart's The issues that Fatona is challenging us is intrinsic to the relationship between the presence of the camera. solo show to be launched at the Or Gallery in to address include those of neo-colonialism, photographer and the photographed, she The combination of voyeurism and sys October, entitled Lowers and Warriors. ownership, anthropology, the gaze of the actively sought ways to relinquish as much temic racism can be a lethal cocktail. In her "That was the show the photographs viewer,consumer and critic,and much more. of that power as possible: each subject/ review of the show in Angles, a gay and were taken for," explains collaborator/sub Because of the inherent racist power collaborator was to decide on the way she lesbian newspaper in Vancouver, Laiwan ject River Sui. "For me it was a game about dynamics within the mainstream Canadian would like to be photographed, provide her suggests: "There is a danger that these pho fantasy. Four years ago, I would have cho art world, it is not often that a Black lesbian own props and costumes, and direct the tographers are unintentionally tapping into sen to be as un-Chinese as possible. Now curator is in the position of curating the shoot as much as possible. the white legacy of anthropology/ethnogra [my Chinese identity] is empowering. It's works of white lesbian artists. What can this Stewart's portion of the show included phy in their work and that the practice of not that any of us [women of colour] didn't mean in terms of how the images on display an audiotape that viewers could listen to photography alone is highly problematic." know better [in choosing to be photographed are read? It is not often, either, that white while they looked at the works. The listener One viewer, who asked not to be iden as wedid]. That's whatreality is for usat this artists photograph women of colour with hears the subjects, the artist and the curator tified, was concerned that the images point. These images are part of our process the intention to seriously interrogate their talk about their lives, the choices they have reinscribe racial stereotypes; the fact that the of coming home. own racism. What can this mean in terms of made with regard to how they represented participants and the photographers consid "But the process would have been more how the images are read? themselves, and the process of creating im ered questions of race and representation comfortable if Susan [Stewart] had been a One of Fatona's goals in assembling this ages. when creating the works is all the more woman of colour," Sui adds. exhibition was to raise questions, and to In all of these images, the subject/col disheartening because the visible result is no Cynthia Low, who worked with pho provoke discussion: What is the responsibil laborators use material props that seem to be different than had they not considered the tographer Marina Dodis says, "I saw [Dodis] ity of the photographer in relation to her racial signifiers: fans, veils, traditional cloth issue at all. as a vehicle for me to be documented. She subject? ing, masks, switchblades, and steel piping Another viewer, Shani Mootoo, sug was facilitating something that I enjoyed Can the power imbalance between the that is highly reminiscent of bamboo. On a gests that the intention of the photographer doing," she says. Low adds that she did photographer and the photographed be dis second look, the viewer has to ask questions might not count for much in real terms, as wonder, however, why Fatona was making mantled or at least minimized? as to whether these props are "authentic," or long as the act of looking remains the do yet more space for white lesbian artists. Are the photographers and subject/col whether they are being reclaimed from a main of white people. Viewer Kathy March says, "I'm afraid laborators accountable to their communi white Western iconography of the so-called The advertising of the show was trou of judging [women of colour] and the choices ties? "East." But, what is authentic anyway, when bling in that only the two white lesbian they make. [These choices are] not as simple And what is their responsibility to the we too have grown up with mainstream photographers are named, while the curator as right and wrong." communities in which they place their work Western iconographies? (Can we really call and the subject/collaborators are not. Per Stewart admits she would have made to be viewed? What is the responsibility of them "white" anymore?) Many of us have haps inadvertently, the emphasis was placed very different work had she been producing the woman of colour subject/collaborators learned to identify with Hollywood ways of (again) on the process of the white artists. It it specifically for Queer Collaborations. to her communities, when she chooses to seeing ourselves, albeit with much ambiva was unfortunate that most of the subject/ But, says viewer Susanda Yee, "It's im work with white women? lence. Is it possible to reclaim those signifiers collaborators were unable to attend the dis portant to begin at the beginning, meaning How can the woman of colour collabo without reinscribing a racist perception of cussion group. Three were present, and you have to have an anti-racist agenda in the rator be true to herself—her self perception, ourselves? And reinscribe for whom? Or are spoke briefly about the process. forefront of your mind from the very start of her fantasies and her desires—when work any project. It may change the whole method ing with a white photographer? Can she do or even the entire premise of the show." thiswithoutreconstitutingracistperceptions Mootoo says she respects Stewart as a of herself and other women of colour? How lesbian artist who is strongly invested in the can the white lesbian photographer be true white lesbian and lesbian of colour commu to her subject? nities. But she suggests that white women And how can women of colour critique are not and cannot be as concerned or em one another's work and political choices bedded in anti-racist politics as women of without undermining one another, or offer- colour because there is less at stake for them ingone another as canon fodder for the racist directly. right? "If the camera is such an oppressive Fatona's work is empowering in that it tool, then I'm tempted to say: Don't use it," allows these questions to be asked on her she says. own terms, in a context in which she, as a Curator Fatona says that her primary Black lesbian, has constructed. intention in assembling Queer Collaborations Many of the viewers with whom I spoke, was to stimulate dialogue. In this, the show expressed a deep concern about the dangers has been successful. All the women who of publicly criticizing the show: Whose in took part in the show and who spoke about terests would it serve? Does the empower it were courageous. There is no comfortable ment of being able to publicly discuss and or safe territory. Fatona's work sets a prec critique the concept outweigh the danger of edent for shows in the future, where the the dialogue being appropriated to serve the contexts may be different, but could be care interests of racist reactionaries? Yet not to fully considered. Rather than the show be raise questions is to defeat the purpose of the ing a forum in which artists can place their show. work, it creates a forum in which dialogue And where should these questions be can take place. raised? Is Kinesis, a feminist newspaper with Larissa Lai is a Vancouver writer and cultural roots in a white feminist movement, appro worker.
OCTOBER 1993 ARTS
Interview with Dionne Brand: Owning the language
by Lynne Wanyeki, Nikola Maria De less of humankind we are as women and as in your writing, of coming to your own Black working women, and I did the three Marin and Charmaine Perkins people of colour. The British education, for voice, pushed you to work now? films. That's been my activism for that pe example, is an incredibly wide-ranging one. Brand: Well, in the late 70s, I worked riod. Dionne Brand spoke with Kinesis in Van It went to India, to Africa, to East Asia. It's with mixed groups of men and women. I miss the actual [organizing], and it's couver last month. Part two of this interview massive and we all learned the same things. What happened to me from the 70s to the 80s something that I'm going to go back to be will appear in the next issue o/Kinesis. I've made friends from all over the world is that I began to work increasingly with cause I don't see how I can not do that kind Lynne Wanyeki: You describe yourself and we've compared notes on primary women only—with women of colour and of work. But there's also a time to do creative and your work as a Black lesbian feminist. texts—we learned the same damn things. immigrant women. kinds of things—I think you need to do that What does that naming mean to you? We know the same songs, we've drunk the After I'd done that for about 10 years, I too to nurture yourself and also to do what Dionne Brand: That naming is a declara same condensed milk. Our colonization was walked into a room with men one day and you say you want to do, like build the place tion. It's important to me to say something really thorough. was shocked: "Oh shit, this is what this used you want to live in. Otherwise you have no about the intersection of those things with a What we try to do inside of those con to be." You know what I mean? I had been so vision of what it is [going to be.] The films world that's quite opposite to them. texts is to take ourselves back—at a deeply and the books are bits of my vision of how So, "Black" [distinguishes me] from poetic level, to love ourselves back into exist it's going to be someday, somehow. "white" and white ruling structures and ence. So what's inside the parameters [is not Nikola Maria De Marin: How do you white rule, the awful destructiveness we've just] resistance to that patriarchal project validate creativity as a form of activism? had on the planet since European colonial and that woman-hating project, but also just Brand: We have to be cautious about ism. "Black" also distinguishes me as being drawing ourselves back, grafting ourselves that. I've been extremely cautious, some part of the movement of the 60s and 70s, and back, and loving ourselves into a presence. times too cautious. I'vealways had the strug distinguishing ourselves from our oppres Wanyeki: In a lot of your stories, poetry gle about actual activism—actual organiz sors. and films, the recurrent theme is document ing of people in various arenas against rac ing Black women's lives, especially, Black ism and writing. I thought it was either one working women's lives. Could you talk about or the other, because the act of writing seems that? so passive. With the everyday attacks that Brand: It's that same project of loving you come under as a people, you feel you "Lesbian" distinguishes ourselves into existence. In all media, we do have to be out there: I have to go in those not have a presence, or our presence is sub rooms, I have to do something, I have to go me from those who ject to whatever the white characters in them on the street and I have to go in front of the make heterosexuality need. That's true of documentary and fea South African Embassy. You know. ture films, novelsas well asnon-fiction works. But I think also, on some level, it's a kind compulsory—but more I want to write, film, talk about us as the of false dichotomy. It's necessary to do [crea subjects of our own lives, as the speakers in tive] work too, but it's possible to find your our own discourses, as the centre of things. self alienated from a community [doing that]. than that, [those who] In my poetry, for example, I'm trying to Brand speaking at UBC I don't want to propose being a writer as prohibit the loving of perfect that woman's voice—not a woman's some elevated act of activism, because it voice, because that's too massive—but that much in women's collectives and things like isn't. There is that tendency, simply because women. woman's voice that I am. I'm trying to make that. Then I finally go back into a room with writing is seen as intellectual activity and, in that voice the centre of the talk. men in the community and see all the pos this society, intellectual activity takes hierar I come out of a Black culture where male turing and the delay, and the not getting chical power over actual activity, the real voices dominate, they are the ones supposed anything done... I guess feminists have their and the physical. to be expert in the discourse, expert on all own kind of delay—everybody has to agree, But that link has to be kept because, subjects. Early in my writing, in the struggle nobody candecide—but in groups with men, without that community, you ain't doing "Lesbian" distinguishes me from those for Black liberation I felt myself a part of and they want to decide, they do little dances shit anyway. Who are you talking to anyway who makeheterosexuality compulsory—but felt was necessary for my own life, I dealt about who's going to decide between the if you're not speaking to, through, from and more than that, [those who] prohibit the largely with what you can describe as Black men at the table. And women look with against it? loving of women. We live in a very woman- subject—genderless Black subject, which is, resignation, they sigh but they are tolerant I don't want my role as a writer to be hating culture and, at a fundamental level, after all, male Black subject. It's a subject that and kind and motherly to them. And I somehow elevated above what I would have that's what patriarchy means. The notion of really doesn't see women or the interactions thought, I can't do this. But that was the role been if I worked counselling a woman at the loving women is anathema to the woman- between Black men and Black women as of the women in that mixed organizing immigrant women's centre. It's the same hating culture we belong to. And we're [not subject, and doesn't see agency in black group. And it took so long, [but] you didn't kind of work. only] talking about sexual love, we're also women, orexamine male subjectas the voice get fulfilled out of it: you got sidelined out of talking about a political love for that group [of Black subject]. it. of people which finds themselves so put- But as I became a feminist, I became So I began increasingly in the 80s to upon. increasingly uncomfortable with that con work only with women, like the immigrant And, "feminist," distinguishes me from struction of Black male subject. I didn't re women's centre and the International Wom tha t line again. Everything within the sphere ally know in the beginning where I was en's Day committees and then, in the late, that I declare, speaks directly and clearly to going to head with it. [I knew only] that it late 80s, with a group called the Black Wom whatl disagree with and directly and clearly wasn't my voice. And not just that, I knew en's Collective in Toronto. We began to or I want to write, film, talk to what I want to make. I want to make a that something wasn't being said because it ganize in the Black community as feminists. place where women are not hated, I want to didn't think itself important enough. We would go into mixed spaces and make about us as the subjects make a place where Black people are not Interestingly enough, when I look back points, we would go into white feminist hated, and I want to make a place where at some of that work, it is very cautious spaces and do that, and we would also try to of our own lives, as the people are not hated. "Black lesbian femi about the roles designated for women and make a space of our own. nist" is a declarative statement for those the roles designated for sexuality. I realize I We didn't shirk the notion of being speakers in our own inside those parameters and for those out actually say in poems that I don't want feminist or the title of being feminist. We did side of it who seek to try to destroy that anything inside of me that hates me. There several years of good organizing, including discourses, as the notion. are lines that show that I was questioning or forming other kinds of women's organiza Wanyeki: What would you say the not prepared to give all that ground. tions. Likeone where the youngblack woman centre of things. meaning is inside the parameters [of the I think I've started in No Language Is got shot by a cop. We and some other women Black lesbian feminist community]? Neutral to speak from that woman's voice. of colour spearheaded a group called Women Brand: I think part of that whole Euro One not so good book of mine, Primitive Against Racism and Police Violence. That is pean colonial project was not only the eco Offensive, [on] the passage and movement of still going, and we're not even in it. nomic and brutish conquest of place but the enslaved Black people from Africa to the What we were trying to do was to sug So finally, I've understood that there attempt to try to conquer the minds and Caribbean, tries to do an account through an gest to all of those communities that they isn't really a struggle between writing and spirits of those peoples it encountered—You old woman's voice. I think that's what started didn't own the space, tha t we were not going activism if the project is the same. I just don't can't do one without the other because to be [it for] me. I don't think it was a very good to tolerate the ways in which they'd tried to want to fall into the trap of starting to believe continually brutish takes a lot of time, en book, but perhaps that was because I was split up our sexuality from our gender from that my work was much more important ergy and money. So, they had to take a hold working out how that voice would sound. our race, that we were going to act and be than any kind of organizing outside the of those people'sminds and turn them against In No Language Is Neutral, I'm hoping activists in any of those spheres. House of Parliament. And not to fall into the themselves...a self-hate against themselves. [that voice] begins to sound like a woman In the 90s, I haven't done much commu trap also means not to have white people co- All the school systems we have gone to, who thinks and knows that she can be the nity organizing because I've been employed opt you into falling into that trap. all the educative processes which they quickly speaker for a Black subject as legitimately as full-time, I'm not [living] in Toronto, and Wanyeki: I'd like to go back to the act of instituted, have been about our destruction. any male subject can. [I've been] making the film and so on. I've naming. In Vancouver, we use the terms We've sat in classrooms and just got de Wanyeki: In termsof activistwork, where done more creative work. I wrote No Lan "women of colour" and "First Nations stroyed, about who we are and how much has the process that you were talking about guage Is Neutral, and the oral histories of women" to denote our respective struggles
OCTOBER 1993 ARTS
and communities. But in Toronto, I notice Brand: Rough! Really rough! It's been room, working space, whether it's within I like women. That I love women because of the naming mainly seems to be "Black hard for a lot of Black lesbians in Toronto your body, and a different sense of identity, their substantiveness—as substantive as the women" and "women of colour." Could who've been part of the anti-racist move how to even feel comfortable or safe being earth. I don't want to run the risk of getting you talk a bit about the history of those ment who, upon coming out, have faced an you—so [home] is not just a physical space ridiculous about "earth mothery" or any particular terms and communities? incredible amount of homophobia and iso but a psychic space. Could you expand more thing. [Laughter]. I ain't talking about that. Brand: I think there are problems with lation. For a lot of us who came out first, who on your work and what home means for I'm [talking about] learning sensuality that [naming] but I can only talk about how were active in the movement, and suddenly you? from the curve of the land or the wash of the I and other Black women in Toronto named had the movement disappear on us, it was ocean. That's what I had recognized—that ourselves. It goes back to what I said earlier like having family leave. that same kind of sensuality was women, about coming out of that [Black] movement I certainly felt a sense of loss until I was in women also. What I saw, what I [of the 50s and 60s]. We come out of a very realized that, maybe it wasn't necessary to confirmed there [was] that my lesbian sen activist community...Black community or be around the people who did that. And, as suality was somehow fundamental and con ganizing grew out of Black communities' the years went by, [we began] to develop a nected with all the things I had seen and apprehension of how the State was going to notion of Black struggle that was inclusive of loved seeing. deal with us and our own knowledge of our lesbians and gays, to realize that there is no But you're not allowed to draw those history of enslavement and soon. Weorgan- such thing as an undifferentiated black strug conclusions or to draw those two things ized for our own safety and survival. Black gle—there are black conservatives who I together. Yet that's where I feel safe and must differentiate myself from too. comfortable—suddenly owning that lan And yes, we still get isolated because of guage, owning my seeing, owning my eye homophobia. Many of us are artists, writers, sight, owning what I see. That for me was The term "women of painters or musicians—we're supposed to also like owning up to the fact that you see keep our community alive, to record and something that makes you desire and you colour" entered the sing it. The sad part about the homophobia acknowledge that desire in ways that you is that a lot of young people won't get to read hadn't been allowed to before. discourse in the 80s us, hear us sing or see us paint because of the There's a line in No Language Is Neutral homophobia. Younger people don't have Brand pondering an audience that talks about the narrator's sister. She's from the States and was much of a way out if what they face is sitting on a beach drinking a beer. And that question an attempt to shape a American or Canadian television or the new sitting on that beach drinking that beer was Black exploita tion movies from Hollywood. almost a protest to the fact that places like And then there's us. We get sidelined. At Brand: You are referring to the first poem the night and certain street corners belong to politic that was inclusive some point, they've got to find those of us in No Language Is Neutral, "Hard Against the men. And that they were drinking that beer who, I think, have a broader vision of how Soul." It's a poem about recognition of a as protest against that illegal ownership of of all women who we can move forward. lesbian sensuality, about how early that rec even the night. And that they sat in the suffered from racism. It Perkins: In No Language Is Neutral, the ognition was, yet you get taught not to rec darkness drinking this beer and trying to feel body and identity is tied to experiences with ognize that, so you don't. is a term of coalition land, what you think of as home and making Iremember going back to Trinidad about a home. Then, in your talk at UBC [see box], five or six years ago and seeing something I more than a term of you talked about home as never a comfort had always kept with me, which was the Safety isn't even in your able place, as nothing you know in the past: ocean and the land behind, and suddenly identification. always a "coming to." I was also thinking of feeling a real...we were driving up a place room, with each other. home, as so many of us do—feeling "home called Maracas and driving across to a place activism goes back in the Toronto commu less" or countryless and yes, there is no called Blanchicheuse and...Just the wash of You can't even pretend nity a long time, because we encountered going back. You talk about [home as] living the ocean and it occurred to me: that's why structures of the State—like the police, im that space is safe migration—that kept our activism high. Other communities of colour do not seem to because it isn't. There have had the kind of confrontations that [we have had] historically with those structures. are ways we have to That's where our naming comes from. "Water more than flour" But the term "Black" is not created in figure out about how to exclusion of the term "woman of colour" or by Charmaine Perkins other terms. The term "women of colour" fight for that space, and entered the discourse in the 80s from the Dionne Brand, a Toronto-based Black lesbian, feminist activist, writer, poet, filmmaker States and was an attempt to shape a politic and academic, was at the University of British Columbia last month to give the first in the those ways are not that was inclusive of all women who suf "President's Lecture Series in Lesbian and Gay Studies." fered from racism. It is a term of coalition When academic vice-president and provost, Dan Birch, introduced the lecture series, individual ways. more than a term of identification. When I urging that lesbians, gays and peoples of colour be recognized for their contributions to the say "women of colour," I say women who academic community, he said he believed a Euro-centric, liberal education can be enriched are Chinese, South Asian, of African ances through cultural diversity, and that "we" are impoverished when we practice exclusion. I try, PhiUipina, Malaysian, et cetera who share wondered just who this "we" was. AU of my work is looking for that feel a commonality of how white power struc But Brand's presence in this sanctified white-ruling class institution of knowledge and ing of safety and trying to live in a place tures deal with us and a need to organize as learning was quite significant for lesbians and straight women of colour. Rarely do we have without fear, without fear of men. I think women of colour against [those structures]. the opportunity to be so empowered in this space—one that constantly reminds us "we" do that's really crucial for women. I don't know When First Nations women and Black not belong. Historically, indeed, the university in the West has functioned as a site of if we can do enough Take Back the Night women insist upon a specific naming, we reminder for people of colour of our very "inferiority," through our colonial legacy and our marches to fight that. The patriarchy choreo- have to respect that. Many First Nations absence in intellectual proceedings. graphs where women can show up, where claims in this country are not settled, we Brand's was also an atypical talk as she presented her work in a multi-media format they can exist, the physical spaces they can have 500 years of white people saying "well, which included selections from an upcoming novel, a talk, and a clip from her upcoming exist in and even the temporal spaces they they're not ready," and shit like that. film, Long Time Comin'. can exist in, like evening, night, places get I understand not wanting to get lost in a Brand explains that, in her writing, she is "trying to find a place to live as a Black woman ting dark, things like that. coalition because a coalition is not a home, and as a Black lesbian woman since in real life, there aren't those places necessarily." In fact, The work is always bound up in trying it's a room where you come to negotiate all she says, she often fears for her and other Black womens' bodies in this racist, woman-hating to find one's central voice, or one's voice as kinds of things. We come with some society. a central subject, and also in trying to find commonality or another, but we come to Brand has published several books of poetry, including her most recent, No Language Is safety, places of safety. I don't know tha t that struggle and negotiate those things. A coali Neutral, and Sans Souci and other short stories. Other works include Rivers Have Sources Trees will happen unless it happens for all women. tion is not where you lose your specific Have Roots: Speaking of Racism, and two of her essays can be found in the recently published It's like [the American lesbian feminist poet] identity. We shouldn't have to in order to collection of essays Returning the Gaze: Essays on Racism, Feminism, and Politics edited by Adrienne Rich says: "two women sleeping belong to the coalition. That's what colonial Himani Bannerji. together have more than their sleep to de ism has given us: a debate about identity, Drawing onher Caribbean upbringing, Dionne frequently recollects certain phrases that fend." And it's true. Safety isn't even in your how to identify ourselves, what to name come to her when this language and culture—standardized, technologically- based systems room, with each other. You can't even pre ourselves because they named us things that that lack a highly descriptive and emotive range—fail her. tend that space is safe because it isn't. There were offensive and they wanted to homog "Water more than flour," a phrase signifying the dismal state of the pot in the kitchen are ways we have to figure out about how to enize—they homogenized all of us into the and of physical and spiritual realities, formed the centre of her talk. Brand tells us that for her, fight for that space, and those ways are not oppressed and themselves into the oppres this phrase sums up "the condition of being a black woman in the Americas." individual ways. sors. But it's a good debate because it means "Water more than flour" indicates the tough times or what she refers to as "the thinness Lynne Wanyeki is a Kenyan-born lesbian we'll end up knowing what our politics are. of life's possibilities." Brand argues that, if things are improving, why is it that every public feminist of Gikuyu-Scottish ancestry, who Charmaine Perkins: When working in and private gathering with men, white people, and straights become war zones. She explains works in community media. Nikola Maria De Black women's collectives or women of col that, for women of colour and women who love women, there is no room to live in our Marin is a mixed-race, mixed-blood, Black our coalitions because of certain women's bodies, which are constantly being erased in this sexist, racist, and heterosexist Carib lesbian-identified bisexual woman of commonalities of, let's say, racism, have you world. For these reasons, she works towards creating a "Black woman's country." Her Trinidadian-Venezualan ancestry. Charmaine experienced difficulties negotiating a les writings are a step towards mapping this as yet undiscovered frontier. Perkins is a Trinidad-born, mixed-raced, bian identity or politic? What's your experi Long Time Comin' will be launched by the National Film Board—Studio D i i Vancouver later lesbian-positive straight woman, a student at ence been? this month or early in November. SFU, and works at a feminist print shop.
OCTOBER 1993 21 ARTS
We, like Marianne Faithfull and what's left Review: Snakes and Ladders: of her professional voice, are miraculously still around. An encouraging thought. The best story in Snakes and Ladders is probably "Michigan," the long and in-depth SNMg?LADDERS story of an encounter at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. It's written as though you are there with the character, Brooding trying to put the brakes on a rapidly acceler ating romance: '"You have to learn to take your time,'" my friend had said, and I reheard her advice filtering through the raucous cries of the crows as I beat my way through the ever- and analytic narrowing trail and swatted at the black flies that travelled in flying formation alongside by Jill Mandrake It sounds as though she is trying to use my head..." an Oscar Wilde strategy—"Always forgive The story works because such close at SNAKES AND LADDERS your enemies: nothing annoys them so tention is paid to the external details and the By Kathryn Ann much"—and is not very good at it. Later, the environment as a whole, you can't help but Impertinent Press, Ottawa, 1993 Ex sends an ingratiating card to the new . feel involved. If all ten stories had been couple, who unfortunately stand on such i written this way, the collection would leave Kathryn Ann's first collection of stories shaky ground, this intrusive voice from the you breathless. is intense, brooding and analytic, like her past is too much for them. Some of the other stories, such as "The protagonists whom we follow through a In "Relationship in F# Regardless," the Woman With the Missing Pieces," and to a series of lesbian relationships—mostof which central character Jan has trouble relating to lesser extent "Home," offer too much intro are doomed and pensive, but fascinating to Yvonne, a woman much younger than she. spection and too little sense of place. At best, read about nonetheless. For Jan, it's almost like trying to interest these fragments sound like some of the philo The title-story, "Snakes and Ladders," someone hooked on electronic swill and sophical digressions in Evelyn Lau's Runa revolves around three nameless women— video glitter in a board game like Snakes and happened to her in the intervening years way: Diary of a Street Kid, when we know two are in a relationship together; the third is Ladders. In other words, this pair is divided before the suicidal 'Ballad of Lucy Jordan,' Kathryn Ann made it past the runaway stage. the om inous Ex-lover, whom the two women by a time warp. It seems if Jan could only the choir-girl purity now hoarse and spiced At worst, no one ever buys the film rights to meet by chance in the park one evening. Ms. raise her blood sugar level, she and Yvonne with cigarette smoke and whiskey fumes." this type of story (too much talk, not enough Ex comes up to the narrator and takes the would get along fine. But surprisingly, they It dawned on me while reading this, action). lead: have the singer Marianne Faithfull in com Marianne Faithfull is a perfect example of Even considering her most rambling "'Haven't seen you around for awhile,' mon: Jan remembers her as part of the 60s what happened to a lot of 60s women, fa inner discourse, Kathryn Ann's writing is she said, thrusting out her hand and shaking British "invasion;" Yvonne is familiar with mous or otherwise. We thought we learned obviously re-worked and pared down to a mine with an exaggerated up and down Faithfull because of her famous 80s come everything we needed tokno w in choir prac careful finish. Read her, she's one of our motion before she inserted her thumbs into back: tice, but was anyone prepared for the late 60s better new authors. herwaistband and teetered backonher heels, "[Jan] thought about the bell-like clarity licence toself-destruct ? If we were addictive Jill Mandrake co-produces Sister DJ on appraising us with a benevolent grin. 'How's of Marianne Faithfull's voice during those personalities to begin with, we were ill- Vancouver Cooperative Radio and occasionally everyone tonight?'." early days, and considered what might have fated, like the tone of some of these stories. writes book reviews for Kinesis.
New from Creative Publishers... Western Canada's A 'Woman 'sMmanac 1994: Voices from MCantic Canada Lesbian & Gay Marian Frances White M&fim* / BookS. Bookstore A Woman's Almanac 1994: Voices Marian Frances White, a fifth W^ Art Emporium from Atlantic Canada, attempts to fur generation Newfoundlander, was Open Daily 1 Oam to 11 pm ther unearth born at home in Carbonear, 1954. She makes her living by editing and research. Her Pat Califia first major book, Not A Still Life: The Reading at the Shaggy Horse Art and Writing of Rae Perlin, was 818 Richards Street released under CREATIVE PUBLISHERS' Wednesday, October 13th at 10:00pm literary imprint, KILLICK PRESS, in Cover $5 and Up 1991. The Finest Kind, a compen dium of biographies from six years of A benefit for Little Sister's Defense Fund A Woman's Almanacwas released by CREATIVE PUBLISHERS in 1992. Marian makes her home in St. 1221 Thurlow(at Davie), Vancouver, B.C. similar interests. It celebrates women's honed ability to observe. John's, Newfoundland, and is Tel:(604)669-1753 or Fax:(604)685-0252 In its twelve profiles, women are also currently developing a film script— asking questions, rather than just The Untold Story—about the 1920s sharing answers to their own par Suffrage Movement, and has also ticular dilemma. written a young adult history of Newfoundland and Labrador for Co-op Radio While this almanac serves as a use the Discover Canada series, to be COOP ful agenda book, it is much more CFRO 102.7 FIX/I released by Grolier Limited in than this. Along with the biographies, October, 1993. Listener Powered! it provides astrological information, This is the eighth edition of the phases of the moon, and a A Woman's Almanac. It is available Co m m u n ity-Based! plethora of useful and interesting in most major bookstores. trivia. Where women have a voice ISBN 1-895387-30-2 160 pages, 5x8 $11.95 Monday, 8-9pm: Womenvisions P.O. Box 8660 Creative Publishers St. John's, Newfoundland For women about women by women. Health, politics, law, spirituality, arts, A1B3T7 sexuality and alternative ideologies. Tel (709) 722-8500 - Fax. (709) 722-2228 Thursday, 8:30-9:30pm: The Lesbian Show Thurday, 9:30-10:30pm: OBAA By women of colour for women of colour. Local community news and events, interviews and music not heard in the mainstream. Friday, 8-1 Opm: Rubymusic 12 years on the air, Rubymusic features the best in music by women—old, new, lost and found. For a free listener's guide call 684-8494 Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm
22 OCTOBER 1993 ARTS Review: The Invitation; A life of our own
by Tina Arsenault read about these connections between the women and their fates without being lured THE INVITATION: A NOVEL FOR into theirsearch for awakening. Baskin draws YOUNG ADULTS the connections in an evocative and clear by Cyndy Baskin Trie way, in a way that one can't miss under Sister Vision Press, Toronto, 1993 standing the feelings each woman experi ences. Born of dream is womyn The reader follows the young friends as Whose pain is deep, whose strength they become entangled in their own lives, relies almost lost. Yet we understand that one is On showing herself—internal inferno ^w/tatwev always lost when beginning a journey; isn't Hot and hostile; frozen and fearful knowledge the purpose of travel? This girkhild who dreams and cries Younger adults may enjoy this book for Finally, screams and dies. A novel for young adults a look at addictions through the eyes of Whose blood flows in Time peers. One probably has to let oneself lean Past-She IS now. toward the gentle/pain-filled aspects of life to appreciate it. As one of the Bruce The Invitation is writer Cyndy Baskin's Springsteen songs the friends listen to puts first novel. Baskin was born in Dalhousie, New Brunswick and moved to a small On tario town at the age of six. She is Metis of Everyone needs a place to rest Mi-Kmaq and Irish descent. Everybody wants to have a home The Invitation is the story of the friend Don't make no difference what nobody says ship of three young women, Karen, Nancy Ain't nobody likes to be alone. and Michelle, one Aboriginal, one Metis and one Anglo-Saxon—grappling with the strug o The three young women decipher their gles that derive from growing up in alco §> own codes and invent new ones with the holic families: fear, selfless responsibility, ™ help of traditional Aboriginal teachings. That isolation, unaware self-abuse. Pieces of their g is the beauty of self exploration and healing. stories are told inalternatingchapters, named ° They make us all keep seeking. The outcome for the woman they are about. •° is (unknowingly) created. This quest leads to Karen is an Ojibway single mother, left £ an answer—a more fulfilled, stronger, more vulnerable and hurt after growing up know 2 sensitive life of our own. ing how to help everyone but herself. Nancy, « In The Invitation, Baskin reveals her a Metis English student, grew up in a family 8 knack for writing completely understand whose members rarely expressed emotions. able material for youth. Every passage is She is leftfeelingunfulfilled. Michelle spends clear. I think this book can be very helpful for her time travelling, never settling, always a young person beginning to question their running in an attempt to deny and lose her formative years. Baskin's intentions seem to pain. lean strongly towards creating accessible The three girls go through school to writing for younger women who a re or want gether as the best of friends, listening to to understand more about adult children of popular music, hanging out, getting drunk. alcoholics. When their school years are over, each goes I finished this book glad I had read it, her own way. thinking that sometimes it's not enough to Each of the women sees the other two as edly working towards having a successful tween disillusionment and acceptance—re know the facts—or maybe too many facts— living much better lives: for instance, Karen, career. All hold on to their memories of each lationships in which each woman confronts but everyone needs stories; inviting some bringing up her daughter on her own, feels other, until the day comes when they have herself, then begins to move and change. one into one's own story, or placing oneself a restriction on her freedom. Meanwhile, the chance to be together again. Karen, Nancy and Michelle invent their own into the other's. Isn't that learning? Michelle has left the small town, and is It is refreshing to find a book devoted independencebyrecreating family discourse. Tina Arsenault is a young Metis woman and a supposedly living a more exciting life and entirely to friendship among women, espe In The Invitation, characters talk and illumi first-time writer for Kinesis. Nancy is furthering her education, suppos- cially friendship based on the tension be nate one another. It is almost impossible to Film fest previews by Mariam Bouchoutrouch the return of her errant father. Whenhedoes Speak Up! It's So Dark (Sweden) Moffatt's (Nice Coloured Girls, Night Cries: A return, it is as a Suzanne Osten (The Mozart Brothers) directs Rural Tragedy) three supernatural stories Here's a brief preview of films by and this film about a Jewish psychiatrist, still unfold against stylized settings. about women to be shown at the 1993 Van From Around the World haunted by memories of WWII, who tries to Bread and Roses (New Zealand) In couver International Film Festival. Five Women Directors A varied collec treat and understand a young, racist Gaylene Preston's film we follow the life of tion of work by women including ThankGod skinhead. Sonja Davies (Genevieve Picot, Proof) Canadian Features and I'm a Lesbian by Dionne Brand and Lee Pui The Hair Opera (Japan) Yuri Obitani's through WWII and wartime society to politi Documentaries Ming and Me, Mom and Mona by Mina Shum debut about a young filmmaker obsessed cal activism. Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance as well as films by Pat Barker and E. Jane with a woman who collects and exhibits her Crush (NewZealand) Acarcrashbrings A documentary, by Native filmmaker Alanis Thompson. lovers' pubic hair. three different women together. By Antipo Obomsawin, on the resistance at Oka in Bhaji on the Beach (Great Britain) Di It was a Wonderful Life (USA) Michele dean filmmaker Alison McLean. 1990 features actual footage as well as inter rector Gurinder Chadha makes her feature Ohayon looks at the underlying reasons why Other films by women which will be views. debut with this story of several middle-class six formerly affluent women of differing shown are Deux Actrices (Canada by Blockade Nettie Wild (A Rustling of Asian women from Birmingham on a day ages and ethnicities have slipped through Micheline Lanctot), Crush (New Zealand by Leaves) returns with thisaccountoftheclashes trip to the seaside resort of Blackpool. America's safety net to become part of the Alison Maclean), For Fu n (China /Hong Kong between Gitksan Native land claims innorth- Only Death Comes for Sure (Georgia/ hidden homeless. Jodie Foster narrates. by Ning Ying), The Shark's Son (France by ern BC and the interests of the province's Russia) Marina Tsurtsumia directs this film The Piano (Australia) The latest film Agnes Merlet), Child Murders (Hungary by 5 industry. about the conditions of those who live under from Jane Campion (Sweetie, Angel at My Ildiko Szabo), The Great Pumpkin (Italy by Ley Lines Local filmmaker Patricia totalitarian rule past and present in a small Table) is a "neo-gothic" romance about a Francesca Archibugi), The Ballad of Little Jo Gruben's documentary begins as an explo isolated village in Russia. mute woman, who travels to New Zealand (USA by Suzy Amis), Household Saints (USA ration into her family's past and history and The Long Silence (Italy/France) in the 1800s, with a child and piano in tow, by Nancy Savoca), and Something Within Me becomes a meditation on the fascination of Margarethe von Trotta's drama focuses on to marry a man she's never met and ends up (USA by Emma Joan Morris). learning where we come from. the wife of a judge in Rome, who continues falling in love with someone else. Mariam Bouchoutrouch is a volunteer writer Le Sexe des Etoiles Paule Baillargeon her husbands's investigations after he is as Bedevil (Australia) "In the air. On the for Kinesis. directs this tale of a young girl who longs for sassinated. ground. Devil magic all around." Tracy
OCTOBER 1993 ARTS
Review: A Child is Not a Toy; Read the children by Karenza Wall Read the few pages of statistics. Take people live in boxes"—Julie, child, page 70. Read their shame: "Being poor is no the time towor k out the implications. Feel an The drawing by Daisy, age ten. money to buy things like your friends have. A CHILD IS NOT A TOY arctic chill flow through you and settle. Read about the lack of stimulation and Living in poor surroundings, scavenging by Sheila Baxter Read the stories of adults who grew up educational opportunities. The caring, un through garbage...not much food...not much New Star Books, 1993 in poverty, the commonality of their experi trained, uneducated cruelty of teachers and fruit. Poor kids feel embarrassed...sad and ences and feelings. other children. frustrated...If you are poor, you can In A Child is Not a Toy, Sheila Baxter Walk with Baxter through the pages of shoplift...if you have to," says Graham, age follows the format set out in her earlier the journal written while she gathered mate 13. books, No Way to Live and Under the Via rial for the book. Walk and feel with her as Read why they think they are poor: duct—interviews with the people most con she experiences frustration, sorrow, hope "...it's the way the world is," says Paul, age cerned. As she describes it, "There is no "When you're full you lessness, pain and anger. 16; "We are poor because the government ending. No literary patterns, no attempts to "Welfare Mulroney," writes Baxter. "His tookall our money, because he is greedy...We entertain." can learn better." money comes from the kitty, from the tax don't have much money to buy clothes, to To me and many, Baxter, whocelebra ted payer, as does the money for all the other get groceries.. .We feel sad," says Robin, age her 60th birthday last month, is a writer, -Samantha, 11 government services and employees." Yes, eight. worker, feminist, free-thinker, fighter, histo yes, yes! Read their solutions: "If I was the boss rian, humanist, humanitarian, activist and Use the bookand, as Baxter says, "...pass of everything, I would make it so that there truthsayer. Baxter is a historiogragher in the it on." Take to heart her ideas, suggestions, was no such thing as money," says Veronica, court of the poor and chronicler of the stories solutions and please: "Please, please, read age 11; "...let the rich people see how it feels of the damned. Baxter is woman; warm. ers of this book, take some action...Get to be poor. I'd move all the rich people onto Truth is stranger than fiction—a cliche. angry...sadness too often leads to feelings of the street, and all the poor people into the "Truths sometimes hurt, but burying them Read the child advocates and youth hopelessness. Get angry and get active." A rich houses...," says Patty, age 11; "I'd help is worse," says Baxter. The truths in A Child workers, the social workers and educators rallying cry! all the poor people if I was a queen," says Is Not A Toy are...bone wrenching, gut cur brave enough to speak out; the commonality But most of all, read the children. Read Jane, age seven. "If I had money, I would dling, blood twisting? The book is an indict of their experiences and feelings. their pain: "If you're poor, you're sad," says give some to the poor," says Eileen, age 6. ment of legalized exploitation and abuse of Read about the lack of food, not just Tyler, age 13. "Poor is not ha ppy," sa ys Alex, Read the children: read their suffering, children by government, corporations, busi nutritious food: any food. And its effect on age five. their abandonment, their anger, fear and ness in general, the criminal justice system— children: "When you're full you can learn Read their sorrow: "Not good to be frustration. Read over and over again the all the closed, uncaring, greedy and mean- better," says 11-year-old Samantha. poor. Not fun," says Jennifer, aged nine. fear, anger, hopelessness, the sorrow and minded individuals and state institutions Read about the lack of proper medical Read their depression: "...when you're shame. Read the book and listen to the voices who, in any way, shape or form, perpetuate care. "Death from infectious disease is 2.5 poor, you cry and cry," says Annie, aged of the abandoned, exploited, non-recycla and actively or passively encourage these times higher [for the poor]." four; "At night, I would cry as well, because ble, non-refundable, throw away children. systems. Ah, these are words—inadequate Read about the lack of housing. Look at I would be hungry for food," says Chris, age Karenza Wall is a childcare worker and a at best. Read the book. the drawings. Page 53, page 65. "The poor 12. volunteer with End Legislated Poverty. The 12th Annual WOMEN IN FILM VANCOUVER FROM DOWN-UNDER Bedevil (Australia) "In the air. On the ground. Devil magic all around." Iracey Moffatf s (Nice Coloured Girls, Night Cries: A Rural Iragedy) three supernatural stories unfold against amazingly stylized settings — "hyper-realism tinged with surrealism" — and utilize a hip, jazzy score.
The Piano (Australia) Jane Campion became the first woman to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes with this stunning neo-gothic romance. A mute woman (Holly Hunter, Best Actress at Cannes), child and piano in tow, travels to New FILM Zealand in the 1850s to marry a man she's never met. Co- stars Sam Neill and Harvey Keitel.
250 Films from 40 countries Bread and Roses (Newlealand) Gaylene Preston's film offers many of the fine pleasures found in Jane Campion's An OCTOBER 1 -17 Angel at My Table. Genevieve Picot (Proof) is Sonja Davies whose life we follow from pre-WWII through the many vicissitudes of wartime society and on to political activism. A B.C. Tel Film Festival Hotline compelling, beautifully realized tribute to a generation of New Zealand women.
685-8352 Crush (Newlealond) About three women- a Yank femme fatale, a Kiwi jouralist, and a teenaged girl- and the car crash (noon-9pm) that brings them together and forces them into a competition rife with sexual tension and ironic humour. A unique, VANCOUVER CENTRE CINEMAS sometimes-shocking film from yet another great Antipodean RIDGE woman filmmaker, Alison Maclean. PACIFIC CINEMATHEQUE HOLLYWOOD Features and Documentaries from CANADA from AROUND THE WORLD CAPRICE DEUX ACTRKES AAicheline Lanctot FOR FUN (China/Hong Kong) Ning Ying BLOCKADE Nettie Wild THE SHARK'S SON (France) Agnes Merlet Pacific Cinematheque cash-outlet KANEHSATAKE: 270 YEARS OF RESISTANCE Alanis ONLY DEATH COMES FOR SURE (Georgia/Russia) (12-7 p.m.) Obomsawin Marina Tsurtsumia LEY LINES Patricia Gruben BHAJI ON THE BEACH (Great Britain) Gurinder Chadha Charge-by-phone THE PERFECT MAN Wendy Hill-Tout CHILD MURDERS (Hungary) lldiko Szabo LE SEXE DES ETOILES Paule B THE GREAT PUMPKIN (Italy) Francesco Archibugi 685-8297 THE LONG SILENCE (Italy) Margarethe Von Trotta THE HAIR OPERA (Japan) Yuri Obitani (12-7p.m.) Programmed under FIVE WOMEN DIRECTORS: SPEAK UP! IT'S SO DARK (Sweden) Suzanne Osten The Vancouver Sun Guide BEAUTY AND THE YEAST/MY LEFT CYST Marilyn Monroe THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO (USA) Suzy Amis available at participating THANK GOD I'M A LESBIAN Dionne Brand & Lee Pui Ming HOUSEHOLD SAINTS (USA) Nancy Savoca IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE (USA) Michele Ohayon theatres, libraries and usual ME, MOM AND MONA Mina Shum LETTER FROM FRANCIS E. Jane Thompson SOMETHING WITHIN ME (USA) Emma Joan Morris outlets.
KINESIS OCTOBER 1993 BULLETIN BOARD ad this] EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS WANNA GET INVOLVED? MYRNA KOSTASH Bulletin Board listings have a reception at this Women In View 1994 With Kinesis'? We want to get involved with Myrna Kostash, feminist writer, and sec maximum of 50 words. Groups, fundraiser. Sat, Oct 16 at 8pm at VECC, you, too. Help plan our next issue. Come to ond-generation Ukrainian Canadian will read organizations and individuals eligible 1895 Venables St. Tickets $20 for Students, the Writers' meeting on Tues, Oct 5 at 7 pm from her new book Bloodlines: A Journey for free space in the Bulletin Board Seniors and Underemployed, $30 General at our office, 301-1720 Grant St, Vancou into Eastern Europe, at Octopus Books, must be, or have, non-profit Admission. ver. If you can't make the meeting, call 255- 1146 Commercial Dr, Tues, Oct 5 at 8pm. objectives. 5499. No experience is necessary, all women For more info, call Barbara Pulling at 254- MARGO KANE Other free notices will be items of welcome. 7191. Women in View presents Margo Kane, a general public interest and will appear multi-disciplinary performer of Saulteaux/ at the discretion of Kinesis. VSW WANTS YOU! HALLOWE'EN HOOPLA Cree/Blackfoot ancestry, speaking at Classifieds are $8 (+$0.56 GST) Want to get more involved, but not sure Friends in the Valley, a Gay and Lesbian Josephine's, 1716 Charles St, Fri, Oct 22 at forthe first 50 words or portion thereof, where to begin? Join us—become a volun Social Group are holding a dance in 7:30pm. Tickets $5 WIV members, $8 $4 (+$0.28 GST) for each additional teer at Vancouver Status of Women. VSW Abbotsford on Sat, Oct23from 8pmto 1 am. others. For reservations call 685-6684. 25 words or portion thereof and must volunteers plan events, lead groups, raise Wear a costume, come as you are! For be prepaid. funds, answer the phone lines and help to directions, tickets and more info call 1-854- RELATIONSHIPS connect women with the community re 5127 after 6pm. Deadline for all submissions is A talk and discussion led by counsellors sources they need, organize the library and the 18th of the month preceding from the Lesbian and Gay Counselling Serv other exciting tasks! Come to committee WANNA DANCE publication. Note: Kinesis is published ices of Vancouver at Josephine's, 1716 meetings; Finance/Fundraising, Mon, Oct Wanna Dance in New York at the Gay ten times a year. Jul/Aug and Dec/ Charles St, Thurs, Oct 21 at 7:30pm. Door 18, 5:30 pm; Publicity, Wed, Oct 20, 5:30 Games, are having a fundraiser to send a Jan are double issues. at 7 pm. Free. pm; Programming, Thurs, Oct 21,5:30 pm. group of dancers to The Big Apple for the All submissions should include a The next volunteer orientation and potluck Gay Games 1994, the Lotus, 455 Abbott St, WOMEN'S OPEN STAGE contact name and telephone number will be on Wed.Oct 20, 7 pm at VSW, 301 - Sun, Oct 24 at 7pm. For more info, call A popular monthly event for wimmin, by for any clarification that may be 1720 Grant St. For more info, call Jennifer at Dorothy at 251-3541. wimmin at Josephine's, 1716 Charles St, required. 255-5511. Sun, Oct 24 at 8pm. Sliding scale $2-$5. Listings will not be accepted over SAFER SEX AND PIZZA There's still time to sign up! This is your the telephone. DANCE BRIGADE Co-sponsored by VLC and Safe Company. opportunity to perform in front of an appre Dance Brigade, formerly The Wallflower A great video, discussion and free pizza at ciative, supportive audience. Door: 7:15 pm. Kinesis encourages readers to Order, amulticulturalfeministdancetroupe, VLC, 876 Commercial Dr, Wed, Oct 6 at research the goods and services presents, On the Edge of the World: Good 7pm. MONICA GRANT advertised in Bulletin Board. Kinesis bye Columbus, a performance about the Monica Grant, a lesbian comedian and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the last five centuries of American history, atthe HEALING CIRCLE singer, performs at Josephine's, 1716 information provided or the safety Museum of Anthropology at UBC, 6393 NW Healing Circle for two-spirited First Nations Charles St, for a night of laughter andf riends, and effectiveness of the services and Marine Dr, Mon, Oct 4 at 7pm. Tickets $12 and mixed heritage women starts at the Wed, Oct 27 at 8pm. Tickets $4-$8. Pre products listed. and $16 at Josephines, Little Sisters and at VLC, 876 Commercial Dr, Thurs, Oct 7 at sented by Sounds and Furies. For more info, Send submissions to Bulletin the MOA or charge-by-phone 280-4444. 7pm. For more info, call 254-8458. call 253-7189. Board, Kinesis, #301-1720 Grant For more info, call 822-5087. Street, Vancouver, BC,V5L2Y6. For MICHELLE GEORGE SPIRAL DANCE & RITUAL more information call 255-5499. PAT CALIFIA Michelle George, an internationally ac Celebrate Samhain (Halloween), the Lesbian writer Pat Califia will read at a claimed actress will be speaking at Witches' New Year, in a ritual at the WISE benefit for Little Sister's Defense Fund to be Josephine's, 1716 Charles St, Sat, Oct 2 at Club, Sun, Oct 31. Net proceeds to be held at the Shaggy Horse, Wed, Oct 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets $5 WIV members, $8 oth shared among Women Supporting Women 10pm. Cost is $5 and up. ers. For reservations call 685-6684. in ex-Yugoslavia and the Sappho and BC Witchcamps financial assistance funds. This JAMIE ANDERSON is a lesbian/gay/woman positive space. Tick Jamie Anderson, a lesbian performer, singer, ets available at Josephine's $8-$15. For ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? songwriter from Tuscon, Arizona is in con more info, call Pat at 253-7189. Childcare cert at Josephine's, 1716 Charles St, Thurs, Pre-registration date is Mon, Oct 25, call Oct 7 at 8pm. Tickets are $4-$8. For more Sue at 255-5409. To celebrate the Certificate Program in Women's Studies at Simon info, call 253-7189. Fraser University, the Women's Studies Department and the ELLEN BASS Labour Program in Continuing Studies are sponsoring an evening VLC HALLOWE'EN DANCE Ellen Bass is the author of The Courage to Throw on your fantasy (or grab her) and Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child of fun and diversion on "The Body". dance the night away atthe Capri Hall, 3925 Sexual Abuse. This intensive one day train Fraser St, Fri, Oct 29 at 8pm. Register for ing will provide a basic, nonclinical overview childcare by Oct 22. Tickets $4-$6. of issues related to working with adult survi Finding the Body Andrea Lebowitz, Associate Professor, vors. Ellen explores creativity in the healing English CO-OP RADIO BENEFIT process, working with diverse populations, dealing with intensefeelings, safe touch, the Who dunnit? Who wrote it? Who reads it? We'll investigate Co-op Radio presents a Benefit Dinner and Auction at Isadora's Restaurant on Mon, importance of language, and writing as a women and the mystery novel; seek clues for why so many Oct 4 at 6pm featuring live Latin music with healing tool. Jan 26, Vancouver, 1-800- women write and read them, and deduce what role feminism has Hugo Guzman, door prizes and an art auc 561-5789. to play in the plot. tion. Tickets $25 members /$30 non- members. For tickets and more info, call HEALING FROM 4 DIRECTIONS 684-8494, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Come and experience four healing ap Building the Body Marilyn MacDonald, Assistant proaches; Trager, Shiatsu, Dance Therapy Professor, Women's Studies DEE DANIELS and Couselling. Demonstrations and mini- Treat yourself tothe dazzling jazz, blues and sessions presented in open house style. A once over lightly of women's experience in sport. gospel vocals of Dee Daniels and a dessert Children welcome. No charge, Sun, Oct 17, Centre for Research in Women's Studies and Gender Relations Decorating the Body Mary Lynn Stewart, Professor, History and the School of Social Work, University of BC are co-sponsoring & Women's Studies No padding on this illustrated history of women's fashion and POVERTY: cosmetics through the ages. FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES CONFERENCE November 18-20th, 1993 WHERE: Harbour Centre Campus Simon Fraser University Thursday, November 18th-International House, 1783 West Mall 515 West Hastings Street 6:00 pm-Oxfam Feast or Famine Fundraising Dinner Room 1400-1410 (Segal Centre) Guest speaker from the Caribbean Friday, November 19th-Graduate Student Centre, 6371 Crescent Road WHEN: Wednesday, October 20, 1993 9:00-4:00pm-Workshops with End Legislated Poverty, the Aboriginal Women's Council, the Coalition of People with Disabilities and the Affiliation of 7:30-9:30 p.m. Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC 5:00-7:00 pm-"Celebration of Women's Contribution" For further information call: Saturday, November 28th-Social Work Building Women's Studies Dept. 291 3333 or 9:00-5:30 pm Concurrent Paper, Panel and Workshop Sessions Labour Program, Continuing Studies 291 4177 Fees: Full $75 Student $20 Un/Underemployed $15 More information on the conference can be obtained by calling 822-9171, fax 822-9169 or address: 1896 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
OCTOBER 1993 BULLETIN BOARD EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS 1-5pm, 3261 Heather St. (at W 16th). Tel counselling and support to adoptees, adop nology and media artists. Time Codes: Re of town tickets contact Jenny at 474-6085. ephone 251-5409. tive parents, and birthparents. Workshops cent Takes in Feminist Video, curated by $30 for Dinner and Dance. $12 for dance this fall: Living With the Decision of Relin Nancy Shaw Oct 29 at 9 pm. Examines the ticket only. SFU WOMEN FOR 25 YEARS quishing, Sept 25, Pre & Post Reunion relationship of feminism and video since Women at Simon Fraser University first Basics for Birthparents, Oct 2, Adoptees in 1990. At Video In is located at 1965 Main St WOMENSPEAK INAUGURAL GALA organized a Women's Caucus in Sept '68. Relationships, Oct 16, Post Reunion Family between 3rd and 4th Ave. For more info call A mixed media event celebrating women's Thousands of women kept that activist tra Changes for Adoptees, Nov 6 and Post 872-8337. many voices. Join Ann Mortifee and others dition alive. Join us in celebrating "25 Years Reunion Family Changes for Birthparents, on Friday, Oct 29, in the Douglas College of Women's Activism at SFU." Mon, Oct 4, Nov 20, all atthe New Westminster Public AIDS CONFERENCE Theatre from 7-10 pm and launch the noon-4pm, Main Hall -A gathering of wom Library. Pre-registration is necessary. For HIV in Canada Today, the 7th annual AIDS WomenSpeak Institute. To reserve call 527- en's resouce groups. Tues, Oct 5, 2:30- more infocall 530-2160. Conference, at the Hotel Vancouver takes 5472. Tickets $10. 6:30pm, Halpern Centre-Reflections on the place Oct 23-26. Sponsored by UBC, Min past 25 years and thoughts for the future. FREE LEGAL ADVICE istry of Health, BC Centre for Excellence in PLANNING YOUR WILL Refreshments. For more info, call SFU UBC law students offer free legal advice to HIV/AIDS and St. Paul's Hospital. Program A free law class sponsored by the People's Women's Centre at 291-3670. those who cannot afford a lawyer. The pro information: 822-2626. Law School at the Trout Lake Community gram will hold 20 neighbourhood clinics Centre, 3350 Victoria Dr. Wednesday Oct BOOK LAUNCH throughout the Lower Mainland including a EMPOWERING FARM WOMEN 13,7-9pm. To pre-register please call 876- All are welcome to Vancouver author J A specialized clinic for women. Get advice on Beyond the Barriers: Empowering farm 9285. Wheelchair accessible. Hamilton's book launch of Steam-Cleaning small claims actions, landlord-tenant dis women to step beyond the barriers to meet Love. Hamilton will read from this biting, putes, welfare, UIC claims and appeals, the challenges of the 21 st century! The 6th IMMIGRATION LAW funny and randy new collection of poetry Workers' Compensation, wills, employer- National Farm Women's Conference atthe The People's Law School will hold afree law about women loving women on Thurs, Oct employee relations and criminal matters. Delta Pacific Hotel Nov 11-13. Contact Linde class on Immigration Law at the Marpole- 28, 8pm at Dr. Vigari Gallery, 1407 Com Also offered is a low-cost Do-Your-Own- Cherry, Provincial Director: phone 856-6363 Oakridge Community Centre, 990 W 59th mercial Drive. Little Sisters will host the Divorce program for those seeking uncon (Mt. Lehman, BC). Ave (at Oak) Tues, Oct 19, 7:30-9:30 pm. reading. Hamilton was shortlisted in '92 for tested divorces. For further information re Topre-registerpleasecall327-8371. Wheel the Vancity Book Awards for July Nights and garding clinic times and locations, call 822- TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES chair accessible. Other Stories. 5791. The Eleventh Biennial National Congress of Black Women Conference—Taking Care of LANDLORD AND TENANT LAW THE FOUR FOLD WAY LEGAL CLINIC FOR WOMEN Ourselves, Nov 12-14, at the International Free law Class sponsored by the People's Nancy Fechan M.A. MFCC will present "The Battered Women's Support Services and Inn. Focus on women's health issues. For Law School, at the Douglas Park Commu Four-Fold Way" Workshop for women Nov the UBC Law Students Legal Advice Pro more info contact Norma Walker at (204) nity Centre, 801 W 22 Ave, Tues, Oct 19, 4 & 5. Based on the teachings of Basque gram are co-sponsoring a series of free 775-4378. 7:30-9:30 pm.Topre-registercall 876-3371. Anthropologist Angeles Arrien Phd, the legal clinics for women to be held onTues Wheelchair accessible. workshop explores indigenous wisdoms, evenings, 6:30-8:30, Oct 12 & 26 and Nov MEDIA, VIOLENCE AND CHILDREN cross-cultural values and experimental 9. For more info call the Law Students Legal Media, Toys, Violence, and Children: Defin WELFARE RIGHTS & GAIN practicies from ancient and modern ways of Advice Program at 822-5791. ing Solutions That Teach Pro-social Who can receive Guaranteed Available In living. The goal is to reconnect with nature, Behavior, a practical full-day workshop with come for Need (GAIN)? If you are receiving yourselves, relationships, your community. OTHER/WISE Sandra Campbell, Canada's foremost ex GAIN, are you receiving all that you are Bring a journal, drums and rattles if you have Other/wise is a visual investigation around pert on media violence and children, Nov entitled to? How do you appeal? Find out them. Cost $80. Registration c/o Marsha the discourses of lesbian and gay subjectiv 16. At the Fantasyland Hotel & Resort, the answers to these questions at the free Ablowitz 261 -8953, or 872-8441. ity by three artists: Nancy Duff, Daniel Edmonton, Alta. Phone: 1 -800-561 -5789or law class sponsored by the People's Law Ellingsen, and Suzo Hickey. At Basic In (403) 675-6468. The event repeats in Cal School, atthe Carnegie Centre, 401 Main St LESBIANS WITH DISABILITIES quiry Studio, #5-901 Main Street, Oct 8-29. gary on Nov 19. (at Hastings) Wed, Oct 20,2-4 pm. To pre This workshop discusses what it's like to be Gallery hours are: Tues to Fri, from 2-5 pm, register call 665-3013. a lesbian with disabilities, and will give an or by appointment. For more info call 681 - POVERTY understanding of different disabilities. Fa 2855. The Centre for Research in Women's Stud NAFTA DISCUSSIONS cilitated by Shirley Masuda. Oct 17, Time ies and Gender Relations will host their Oct 6, at 7:30 pm, Maude Barlow, George and place TBA. For more infocall 251 -1491. FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL second annual conference Nov 18-20. The Watts, Bob White and Dave Barrett will The 4th Annual Women's Film and Video theme is Poverty: Feminist Perspectives. speak aboutthe North American Free Trade LITTLE SISTERS DEFENSE FUND Festial in St. Johns, Newfoundland takes Sponsored by the UBC School of Social Agreement at the Vogue Theatre, 918 Theatre performances from Vancouver's place Oct 14-17. For entries: (709) 772- Work, this conference brings together anti- Granville St, Vancouver, BC. new gay and lesbian theatre group will take 0359 or Fax: 772-4808. poverty and community groups with re place atthe Firehall Arts Centre, 280 Cordova searchers to investigate feminist perspec RACY SEXY on Mon, Oct 4 at 8pm. Tickets are sliding PERSON'S DAY BREAKFAST tives poverty. For more infocall UBC: 822- A series of intercultural art events exploring scale and are available at the door. West Coast LEAF invites you to join in 9173. provocative issues of race, culture and sexu celebrating the 64th anniversary of the Per ality. Performances include film and video MENOPAUSE WORKSHOP son at their 7th Annual Person's Day Break ANTI-RACISM CONFERENCE screenings, readings, and exhibitions by The YWCA will be offering an eight week fast Fri Oct 15, 7-9 am at the Hyatt Re Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism, a Vision over 12 artists from across Canada from support and information group for women gency. Child care and corporate tables are forthe Future: Equality, Equity, and Empow Nov24-Dec 11. For more information con who are approaching menopause. This group available. Tickets $45. For tickets/table erment, Nov 25-27, atthe Hotel Vancouver. tact Emiko Morita at 682-5760 or Fax: 687- will provide an opportunity to share experi reservations, call 684-8772. Sponsored by the Canadian Council for 6260. ences and feelings. Vancouver YWCA, 580 Multicultural and Intercultural Education, Burrard St., Oct 6-Nov 24, 7-9pm. Cost: FIRST NATIONS CONFERENCE provincial affiliates andfederal government. $125. For more info call 683-2531. First Nations Education Conference in Port Contact Sam Fillipoff at 731-8121. Alberni, Oct 15-16. Jointly sponsored by ILW PLANNING COMMITTEE School District #70, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal COASTAL CHANTS Meetings for the planning committee for Council, and the Alberni Teachers' Associa Songs of the earth and sky, bones & blues, barbara findlay International Lesbian Week will be held on tion. For further info and registration con home and heart. Sylvi and Wendy Solloway, B.A. M.A. LIB Oct 3 & 17, at 7pm, at the Alma Blackwell tacting Donna Brett, 723-3565 or Fax: 723- Oct 15,8:30 at LaQuena, 1111 Commercial Bldg., 1656 Adanac St. Childcare subsidies 0318. Dr. Tickets $4-6. For more info call 251- may be available if registered by Sept 30, 6626. is delighted to announce call 255-9266. Wheelchair accessible. For VIDEO IN that she is now practising law more info call 254-8458(VLC) or 684- Mainstreet Inc: Sculptingthe Deficient Flesh, LESBIAN DINNER & DANCE GALA with the law firm of 5307(PFAME). a show curated by Karen Knights, opens Sat, Oct 23, at the Crystal Gardens, 713 Oct 15, 9 pm. Videos which expose the Douglas St, Victoria, BC. Entertainment by WOMEN IN SPORT deficiency of human flesh and its potential Saltsprings Dancewave Productions, and Smith and Hughes 321-1525 Robson St. The Political Economy of Sport: Crossing forpleasure. Mainstreet Mythopeoia, curated San Francisco singer/comic Monica Grant, Vancouver Divides, Discovering Intersections. The by Karen Knights, Oct 16,9 pm. Videos of performing after the dinner at 11 pm. Doors phone 683-4176 annual conference for the North American Main Street artists. Techne, curated by Sara open at 6 pm, dinner at 7 pm. Dance ticket Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) Diamond, Oct 21, 8 pm & Oct 23, 9 pm. holders admitted at 9:30 pm. Tickets at in Ottawa, Ont, Nov 3-6. A forum to discuss Examines the relationship between tech- Everywomen's Bookstore, Victoria. For out Smith and Hughes offer a full range of the changes needed in sport to eliminate legal sendees to the lesbian, gay and gender-based discrimination, harassment, bisexual communities of Vancouver. and oppression of young girls and women. Initial consultations are without charge. Contact Genevieve Rail, Asst. Professor, University of Ottawa, 125 University Dr.,
Ottawa, Ont, K1N 6N5. BC VSL2T5 .&' (604)253-3142
smoke freecappuccin o bar # light vegetarian meals Making a Postive Impression ADOPTEES WORKSHOPS (§k art&crafts $ gifts & music it pool table | for Our Community Since 1984! The Forget Me Not Family Society is a non profit society formed to address the various Open Tuesday -» Sunday issues and concerns of post adoption, and Womyn's Open Stage QX. (604) 980-4235 provide education, consultation and peer yiinday, October 24 ^ • Women Owned & Operated. Book your Special Event with Us
26 OCTOBER 1993 BULLETIN BOARD GROUPS SUBMISSIONS VALLEY TALK story to do with the trees, the issues, the Friends in the Valley, a gay/lesbian social/ people. Preferable maximum length 2500 support group, welcomes you to take part in words, deadline Nov 20. For more info, call our dances, video nights, gym nights, etc. 247-7464 or 247-9752, or fax 247-7464. Also a 12-step coming out/recovering group. For info, call 1 -854-5127 after 6 pm please. HARASSMENT Submissions for a handbookto help people NEW GROUPS AT VLC who are encountering harassment deal with Drop in to ACOA Wed evenings at 7pm or on it in a positive manner. Looking for other Thurs at 7pm for a First Nations Women women who have developed skills for get Healing Circle. A Women of Colour support ting around harassers or methods of emo group starts Fri, Oct 22 and will continue tionally dealing with the stress. Please send every 2nd and 4th Fri of the month. At VLC, submissions to: Tesseract Publications, RR 876 Commercial Dr. Week of Oct 18. 8- 1 Box 27, Fairview, SD 57027-9719, or call week facilitated support group for lesbians (605) 987-5070. in violent relationships. Call 254-8458 to put your name on the list. Total confidentiality SINISTER WISDOM assured. Week of Oct 25. 8-week group for Sinister Wisdom #53-By and about old les lesbian partners of survivors. Call 254-8458 bians/dykes. The over-60 guest editors for more info. invite submissions of all kinds of writing and art from lesbians born before 1935. For SUBMISSIONS guidelines write SW, POB 3252, Berkeley, Press Gang Publishers and Rungh Cultural Society invite you CA 94703 of call (415) 585-0666. Deadline to celebrate the launching of Out on Main Street (Press Gang)by WOMEN AND WORDS is Feb 1. West Coast Women and Words are looking Shani Mootoo(above) and The Holder of the World (Harper for women to participate in an open reading, BASIC INQUIRY Collins)by Bharati Mukherjee at 8 pm on Tues, Nov 16 at the New Voices. To participate call 872-8014 The Spectacular State: Fascism and the Heritage Hail, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC. More informa and leave name and intent. Max 5 minutes Modern Imagination. A series of lectures, reading time, any genre. First 10 to call will tion about tickets, etc. will be upcoming in the next issue of performances, art presentations, exhibitions Kinesis. read at our Emergency AGM, Mon, Oct 18, andfilmandvideoscreeningthat will present 7:30 pm, Pitt Gallery, 317 W Hastings St. critical artistic and academic perspectives on various facets of fascist aesthetics and MENSTRUATION politics reflected in contemporary cultural CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS Submissions sought for an anthology of practices. For submission info, contact CACSW Counselling creates a safe space to heal menstruation stories, fiction, reflection, po Basic Inquiry at #5- 901 Main St, Vancouver, The Canadian Advisory Council on the Sta from the past and increase your self-es etry and art work about women's personal BC, V6A 2V8 or send e-mail to: pinet sfu »ca. tus of Women has recently opened a new teem. For more information and my bro experiences with menstruation. Deadline Western Region office in Vancouver located chure call Carol Vialogos 731-0758. First Apr 30. Send submissions to: Paula ASIAN LESBIANS AND BISEXUALS at #403-900 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, session is free. Wansbrough and Kathy O'Grady, Dept. of An anthology of writing and artwork by Asian V6C 1E5. We welcome you to make use of Religion and Culture, Wilfrid Laurier Univer Lesbians and Bisexual Women to be pub our Resource Centre; we also distribute our HOUSEMATE(S) WANTED sity, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ont, lished by Sister Vision Press about sexual publications on Canadian women's issues At Sky Ranch women's land, near Burns N2L 3C5. ity, activism, racism, homophobia, relation- free of charge. For further information, to Lake. Very remote. Very beautiful. Room ships-in short, our lives. Send submissions request a publication order form or if you available in old farmhouse, short-term or HUMAN RIGHTS and SASE to Sister Vision Press, PO Box would like to drop by our office, please call long-term. Rent 10-15% of income. Contact BC Human Rights Coalition is looking for 217. Sta E. Toronto. Ont, M6H 4E2. Dead 666-0664 or fax 666-0667. We look forward Judith at 694-3738. C4, Site 20, RR2, Burns submissions for a province-wide confer line: Oct 1. to serving the women's community of Van Lake, BC. Pets, children welcome. Work ence, Mar 18-19, on the issue of Human couver and the western region. exchange negotiable. Seeking new mem Rights and Multiculturalism: Towards An LEARNING NETWORKS bers. Integrated Policy. Submissions may be Learning Networks is a Winnipeg based WOMEN POSITIVE LITERACY oral or typewritten. For more info, call group concerned about the incidence and A new poster documenting a woman-posi HELP WANTED Carolyn Jerome at 689-8474. impact of childhood sexual abuse. We are tive literacy project co-ordinated by the Ca Local women's centre seeks full-time looking for submissions to participate in a nadian Congress for Learning Opportuni fundraiser. Must possess afeminist/women WITNESS TO WILDERNESS 1994 Conference, Sorrow & Strength: The ties for Women is being distributed to inter positive philosophy. Knowledge of fund- The Clayoquot Sound Anthology. Writing in Process. For more info, call (204) 786- ested groups. The poster—Discovering the raising. An ability to work collectively and any genre, journal entry, essay, poem, song, 1971. Deadline: Nov 30. Strength of our Voices—highlights woman- has experience coordinating volunteers. positive activities organized by 12 literacy Starting date is Nov. Resumes to: 2420 programs from across the country. Further Maryhill Rd., Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 3B1. DR. PAULETTE ROSCOE documentation of the project, including a Closing date Oct 15. NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN IMIIIIIMIIIIIMI book outlining preliminary research, detailed HOMEOPATHY descriptions of the programs and activities, LEZZIE SMUT and written materials produced by the women COUNSELLING San gam Grant R.P.c. Lezzie Smut (a new women's sex maga participants are also available. Anyone in zine) needs you! Send us your photos, DETOXIFICATION REGISTERED PR0FFESSI0HAL COUNSELLOR terested in receiving copies of the poster or writings, fan mail, gripe mail—or send us documentation order forms should contact HYCROFT MEDICAL CENTER Private Practitioner, your number if you want to model, take CCLOW at 47 Main St, Toronto.Ont, M4E 108-3195 GRANVILLE ST. Workshop + Group Therapist photos, or otherwise help out. Deadline for VANCOUVER, B.C. V6H 3K2 2V6, Tel: (416) 699-1909, fax: (416) 699- next issue (Nov) is Oct 15. PO Box 364, 731-4183 phone (604) 253-5007 2145. 1027 Davie St, Vancouver, BC, V6E 4L2, or when the music changes se dees the da ace... drop stuff off at the Bookmantel. VILLA DE HERMANAS ATRICIA DUBBERLEY • Healing Issues Beautiful, spacious LF owned guesthouse THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE ol Dysfunctional on long, secluded beach in the Dominican Counselling and therapy to alter repetetive Families and Abuse Republic. Tropical gardens, pool, large pri patterns in relationships, feelings of sad SFU 9?i,f vate guestrooms, sumptuous meals, mas ness, anger, isolation and low self-worth; • Enhancing sages. Room rates: $330 single; $440 dou while including the social context in which Relationships and Sell-Esteem ble per week. Call ourTorontof riend, Susan, this occurs, ie., classism, sexism and racism WOMEN'S at (416)463-6138 between 9am & 10pm. as well as issues around adoption and fos -2515 Burrard Street • Individual, Couples. tering. Free initial consultation. Sangam Vancouver, B.C. Family and Group AFFORDABLE COUNSELLING Grant 253-5007. V6J 3J6 Therapy CENTRE Are you feeling confused, stuck or hurt? Tired of repeating those old patterns? Ex AUDITION CALL WOMEN WORKING ploring your past alone can be difficult. Audition call for lesbian/feminist, theatre/ TOGETHER video production premiering in Women in Affordable therapy for View. Need 4 males and 5 females including women working on issues femaletoplayage15, andfemale6-8. Video of self esteem, abuse, experience an asset but not a must. Shoot depression and personal • Library • Lounge ferjet? ing end of Oct. Call for audition 298-2924 ASAP. growth in a supportive • Resource Office environment. • Outreach Programs •cyanic landscaping Darlene Gage • Counsellor . "HIM* house repairs AQ 2003, Simon Fraser University, *1-lWSV«stWSlwe TCCleUKl rp 254-375S Burnaby, V5A1S6 291-3670 Vanconyer,BC VVf ZH4 ADS 255*5499
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