Newletter, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Guyanese, Caribbean, Blacks

1. global eyes
volume 5 no. 3 Magazine
Celebrating
Women

2. Inside Global Eyes Star Columnists - in
GLOBAL service to the community
EYES
MAGAZINE
Global Eyes Magazine aims at promoting cultural diversity
with particular focus on Black and Caribbean cultural identities
to create greater understanding between these cultures and
the larger cultural communities.
Global Eyes Magazine is published four times a year by
Global Eyes Publishing , 671 Rathgar Avenue, Winnipeg,
Manitoba, R3L 1G6, Canada.
Neil Pitamber Lara Badmus, LLB
It is prepared under the direction of an Editorial Committee.
Subscription is available for $15.00 a year. Each issue will
be delivered to your door. Watch for these articles in the
Global Eyes Magazine welcomes news, letters, art and
next issue:
freelance articles of interest.
Payments can be made in either Canadian or American
Truth and Reconciliation
funds payable to Global Eyes Magazine Artist as an Intellectual
671 Rathgar Avenue Gloria Steinem in Brandon
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3L 1G6 Robin Dwarka
email: globaleyes@mts.net
Editor: Beatrice Watson Flight
Contributors: Neil Pitumbar, Caribbean Shield This captive bird
Robin Dwarka, Community Vibes longs to soar and heal her wounds
Lara Badmus, LLB ... to spread her wings
Buddy Small o’re the powdered blue skies
Carmen Nembhard ...sundrenched rainbows
Beatrice Watson a kaleidoscope of colors long forgotten
to guide her way to new beginnings
Publisher: Global Eyes Publishing and ease the pain of endings
Since 1990 She longs to soar
Subscription Form: beyond the mediocrity of today
and feel the expectation of tomorrow.
Name:
(Eleanor LaPlante)
Address: Eleanor is a receptionist at Lion’s Manor where
Postal Code: Ruthy lived and wanted to dedicate this poem to
Telephone: Ruthy.
GEM extends it to Senhit and her Caribbean
($___________) friend who were victims of a drunk driver.
Email:
Thank You.
2 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

3. Editorial - Take One
All across Canada women gather to Remembering Ruthy Charlot
celebrate Person’s Day to mark the
Ruthy burst into my life like a breath of fresh air and as soon
anniversary of the day women were as I caught a whiff of that air I knew I was hooked. She was
recognized as legal persons in the such a sweet, caring, intelligent and just a wonderful human
courts of law. Looking back it seems being. I have never met someone quite like her. She was full
ridiculous but such was the time. of energy, full of plans, optimism, warm, articulate, always with
Women got the vote albeit in stages. a big toothy smile, acute intelligence and just like that the Lord
They kept the fight up and keep on fighting for what is right called her back to post. She was gone like a whirlwind.
for women and the world. Daughter of Haitian parents Ruthy left a privileged life in Miami
In Winnipeg there are many women who have worked for and arrived in Manitoba with her suitcase. She was welcomed
and contributed to the betterment of our society. Many by friends in Selkirk, Karen Thomas’ family and others she met
women from the Black and Caribbean communities have out there. Having gone to her memorial which was sponsored
stepped up to the plate and made their mark in the continued by the University of Winnipeg’s Menno Simon’s college where
fight for women’s equality and human rights. Women like she taught a couple sessional courses in conflict resolution, I
heard almost everyone attest to the same effect Ruthy had on
Dr. June James, who saw the fruition of Harambee housing,
them as she had on me. Ruthy had a strong spiritual base and an
Dr. Beryle Jones who was instrumental of in helping many understanding that makes me feel she was prepared for whatever
organizations off the ground including IWAM and COBW, comes. She was an angel that dwelled amongst us and I feel
Norma Walker, who was the first black woman to run for a privileged that I got to know her.
provincial office, Diane Dwarka who has worked within the I spoke to Ruthy on the Thursday evening making plans for
Caribbean and larger community, CCOM and Legal Aid her to do a workshop on Tapping for the Congress of Black
Manitoba, Betty Hopkins who has worked tirelessly for Women on the Sunday 17th October. On the Friday 15th I
women’s equality through LEAF Manitoba. Thanks to LEAF went on Facebook to send her a message to let her know
intervention, Muslim women are allowed to wear their Niqab what time I will pick her up. I was shocked by the number of
in court, Leslie Spillett, a strong advocate for Aboriginal condolences I found on her page. Ruthy was gone at the tender
women’s rights and who has accomplished a lot for age of 37. This just goes to remind us that we have to be in the
Aboriginal women and society in general, Mary Scott who moment. We have to always live each day as if it were our last
has worked at the local and international level to provide a but enjoy each day as if it will last forever. In spite of the sadness
I felt, I was elated by all the profound statements people around
voice for women at these fora, Bose Agbayewa who has
the world were making about Ruthy that confirmed my feelings
made a valiant mark in theNigerian/African community, Lois that she was not an ordinary person. She was special. She did
Patterson has valiantly worked to provide better opportunities what she came to do. Life is like that. I encourage you to live
for youths in our community through annual scholarships and each day as if it were your last, do the things you need to do but
Monica Singh whose passion is with immigrant and refugee enjoy it as though it will last forever.
women. I think it is fitting to acknowledge the continuing “No one has the right to make you feel less than.” A community
work of women in our community who has left their mark member’s memory of Ruthy’s wisdom that changed her life. R.C.
and others are following in them. Behind all these women
are many ordinary women doing the grunge jobs to make it
happen. They are no less important. We thank these women
and grateful that they care enough to dedicate a chunk of
their time to service in the community
Quotable Quotes
If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep
walking, eventually you’ll make progress. Barack Obama
I bring the pretty and think life is too short for bad food. RC
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 3

4. Global Briefs
Former Chilean President, Michelle
Brazil has elected its
Bachelet, was recently appointed as the
first woman president,
Under-Secretary General for Gender
Dilma Rousseff in its
recent general elections.
Equality and the Empowerment of Women
The former Marxist for the United Nations by United Nations
guerrilla won by a Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
narrow margin in a run United Nations Secretary-General Ban
off vote by 56 percent Ki Moon recently appointed Ms.
against her centrist rival Michelle Bachelet, former President of
Jose Serra Chile, as the head of UN Women, the newly created UN
In a 25-minute victory Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women,
speech to jubilant
established on 2 July by the General Assembly. Ms. Bachelet
supporters in Brasilia, Youssef said that her first promise
was to “honour the women” of Brazil and that she hoped brings to this critical position a history of dynamic global
her win would allow “fathers and mothers to look their leadership, highly honed political skills and uncommon ability
daughters in the eyes and say, ‘Yes, a woman can.”’ to create consensus and focus among UN agencies and many
Known for her tough and serious demeanour, Youssef only partners in both the public and private sector.
betrayed emotion when she spoke about President Luis Ms. Bachelet served as the first female President of Chile
Ignacio Lula ad Silva, Brazil’s hugely popular leader the from 2006 to 2010. A long-time champion of women’s
last eight years who chose her as his party’s candidate to rights, Ms Bachelet advocated for gender equality and
succeed him and used all his political will to get her
women’s empowerment throughout her career. One of her
elected.
“The joy I feel with this victory today is mixed with the major successes was her decision to save billions of dollars in
emotion of his farewell. I know that a leader like Lula will revenues to spend on pension reform, which guaranteed a
never be away from his people,” she said, using the programme of social protections for women and children,
president’s nickname as her eyes welled with tears and despite the financial crisis. This included tripling the number
her voice cracked. “I will always be able to knock on his of free early child-care centres for low-income families and
door and I’m sure that it will always will be open.” the completion of some 3,500 child-care centres around the
country.
The Winnipeg Bajan Community Mourns the loss of the Prime Minister of Barbados - Hon David Thompson
The Barbadian and Caribbean community at large paid
their respects in various forms and com- of Barbadians,” she added.
munity events, observing silences to “We are deeply grateful for all your
mark the passing of the popular Prime considerations as we seek to reflect
Minister of Barbados The Hon. David as a family in mourning.”
Thompson at the age 48 of pancreatic
cancer. He leaves to mourn his wife Mara,
daughters Misha, Oya and Osa.
Mrs. Thompson thanked Barbadians for their support, as Community mourns the loss of two rising stars
she and her family mourn the loss of “the person who was Winnipeg community we mourn the loss of two young bright
central to all we did”. stars from the African and Sri Lankan communities at the hands
“Barbados has lost its loyal son and faithful servant before of a drunk 17 year old driver who drove her car into the one
he had the time to realise his lifetime dreams,” Mara Thompson carrying Senhit Yohanes and her friends.
said. Heartfelt condolences go out to Birikti Bahta
“We enjoyed and endured his public service experiences. and the Subramanian families for this tragic
He was always indebted to the people and the party for
loss. We wish the Ghanian youth a speedy
affording him the opportunity to see the mountain top. Our
recovery. May those who drink and drive learn
long vigil this year was lightened by the prayers and support from this terrible situation.
4 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

5. Regulars
Letter to my Daughter
My dear daughter,
Women’s history month celebrates women and girls many parts of the world going to school could be a matter
‘rights in the world. In Canada women and girls enjoy a of life and death.
reasonable degree of rights. However, rights are not Why am I telling you all this. It is to encourage you to be
static – they come and they go to the extent that people vigilant not only to protect rights of women and girls but
are vigilant. Only a few months ago, many young the rights of Canadians and peoples throughout the world.
people in Toronto were shocked out of their In Manitoba there are many role models for young girls
complaisance when hundred were corralled and locked to emulate. The women who are at the forefront of
up in jail for exercising their democratic rights. Rights contributing to community development and social justice
are not god-given; they are demanded and hard fought issues are many and they come from various social,
for by men and women. Because of that rights must cultural and religious backgrounds. They see a need and
always be guarded like a precious stone. they try to fill it for the betterment of those less fortunate.
Women have indeed come a long way from the If there is one thing to learn from all this is that community
dungeons of justice but there is still a lot more to be work is one of the most rewarding works and benefits all.
done. Fortunately for you living in Canada you are Indeed according to the greatest thinkers in the world,
assured a decent education, able to attend any school or being of service is mankind’s highest calling.
study to become whatever you want but for girls in Love, mom
Global Counsellor
Dear globalcounselor,
I am from the Caribbean of East Indian background. Imagine that. How can I convince her to get rid of the
My 18 year old grand daughter lives with me and she is baby and get on with her life? Her future is at stake!
different from the way I know. She goes out and Troubled granny
comes in whenever she likes and my son, her dad, says
nothing. It is as if he is helpless. She goes out to party, Dear troubled granny:
does not go to the Hindu Temple, in fact she ridicules Having an abortion is not like extracting a tooth. It is a
our religious beliefs as superstition. Last month she decision that a person has to make for herself. This is life
threw a bombshell on us by informing us she is altering. I think you have to respect that your
pregnant. The father is a refugee from some country in granddaughter knows what is best for her. She has to do
Africa I never heard of before Eritrea. My first instinct what she can live with. Imagine what it could be like for
was to encourage her to have an abortion and get on her in ten years time wants to have a child and could not
with her life. They cannot raise a child. He is still in conceive. She would blame you. Sometimes having a
school and she is doing some small time job that aint baby is the best thing to straighten up a wayward child.
paying no money to raise children. I am so fed up with Just let it be. All you need to do and all she needs from
this child. She has brought shame and disgrace on the you right now is your unconditional love. There is no
family. I want to disown her and I tell my son to put his shame in having a child. Having a child is a gift from
foot down and let her know he is her father. He said he God. When you change the way you look at things the
cannot do that and I should get used to living in Canada. things you look at change.
Quotable Quote
“Simply be open and present and you’ll fall into the arms of God. But resist even for a moment and
you will get caught in a needless tangle of your own making. When the heart opens, it is filled with
love. And its ability to give and receive is now longer based on anything external. Be willing.
Participate. Touch and be touched. Feel everything. Open your arms to life and let your heart be
touched, that is why you are here.” ~ Paul Ferrini
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 5

6. In Your Back Yard
Local Organization Brings Sports, Tutoring to the Community - Robin Dwarka
Community Vibes is partnering with St. John’s High understanding their school material. Eventually, CV
School to bring a new after hours concept to the St. Sports hopes to recruit tutors in all subject areas of the
John’s/Luxton neighbourhood. The CV Sports program Manitoba middle years and high school curriculum.
will include physical training, tutoring and mentoring and Special workshops during the year will teach youth
educational sessions on nutrition and sports psychology. valuable life skills to aid with their psychosocial
President of Community Vibes, Troy Osiname, says “this development and health. Osiname wants Community
is more than just a drop in for youth. This is a fresh new Vibes to use its “resources to give youth options that lead
way of looking at after school programming.” to positive change.”
Community Vibes created this program to address some This is an ambitious project. In addition to working
of the issues faced by these neighbourhoods such as gang with St. John’s High School, Community Vibes will be
involvement and crime and a lack of wholesome after partnering with a local grocery store to contribute some of
school activities for youth in the community. the refreshments for the youth while teaching them how to
The program hopes to provide a presence in the make good nutritional choices.
area to assist youth in structured activity and to allow The program is geared to all youth aged 13-17. The
them access to positive role models. The training is not program is slated to begin this October. The cost of the
only physical but will work to increase youths knowledge 8-month program is $150. For more information, check
related to nutrition and sport psychology as well. out Community Vibes website at
Education is another focal point of this program. CV www.communityvibes.ca.
Sports will bring in tutors who can assist youths in better
Congress of Black Women Celebrates Unity Dinner
The evening started off with fiddling by Emille Chartier a
young fiddler who had the crowd toe tapping followed by
Slava Ukrainian Contemporary Dancers under the
directorship of Laryssa Semchyshyn Congress of Black
Women, the Orlan Ukrainian folk ensemble and the Jamaican
Folk Ensemble followed by a sumptuous multicultural meal
of perogys, jerk chicken, portiere and rice pilaf plus ample
sides that made the Congress of Black Women 12th Annual
Unity Dinner something to write home about.
The Canada Inn Pembina Highway venue was pack to
capacity and DJ big John delivered the sounds to make the
evening worth dressing up and being out of the house.
Three deserving young women received scholarship
dollars to help further their education at the university level.
The recipients were: Natalie Reynolds,Trisha Davis,Esperance
Mugosa and Emem Ukpong
President Lisa Hackett gave a rousing welcome carefully
acknowledging all the organizations that are making a
difference in women’s lives here in Manitoba and all around
the world.
If you have been going to these events as long as I have,
you would notice one thing has changed people leave shortly
after supper and the formalities. There is a dire need for the
younger generation to be encouraged to attend formal
community events to fill the generation gap at these events.
6 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

7. Shining Examples
Troy Osiname - Community Champion - Robin Dwarka
Many ethnic communities are trying to
find ways to engage youth and get them the divide and get more youth and young professionals
involved in the community. One person involved in the Caribbean and African communities and by
who is trying to get youth involved is doing so, “energize communities and create positive action,
Troy Osiname. He and the organization activity and leadership.”
he founded, Community Vibes, is firing Troy exhibits that same energy he is looking for in
things up and creating new interest for others. Within a year, Community Vibes has gone from the
youth in the Caribbean and African germ of an idea to a fully functioning organization propelled
communities in Winnipeg. by a small group of relatively young professionals. Troy
Troy Osiname was born and raised in feels that “anyone who has a love for helping people and
Winnipeg and, though he is of Jamaican gifts they’d like to display can do that here. This is a
and Nigerian heritage, he considers movement - a collective that applies creativity to creative
himself a “real Westerner. I’m West Indian, West African and opportunity.” The key to Community Vibes’ success is
born in the west.” He is a deeply spiritual person and a skilled partnerships with local groups. According to Troy
conversationalist. Troy’s seven-year old daughter is one of the “partnerships are what makes Community Vibes so
many reasons he is getting more involved with community life – intriguing... We welcome it. Both grassroots and corporate.
to make a life for her that is rich with all of the wonderful cultures I believe it’s important for any organization to build on
that make Winnipeg a unique place. relationships. It’s what keeps ventures fresh and exciting.”
Through observations he made growing up in the Central Events such as the Black History Month production,
Park neighbourhood and in East Kildonan, Troy became aware Through My Father’s Eyes, and the Help Haiti fundraiser
that the natural energy that young people have was missing from to assist victims of the earthquake share that vision.
the community. “I realized that there is a real need for young Troy hopes that the first old-fashion cookout at
people in all areas and aspects of life... church, community Central Park will become the flag ship annual event for
activisim, government and professions”. Community Vibes. Its mandate is to shine a light on a
One of the reasons for the lack of youth being active in neighbourhood diverse and rich in culture and expression.
the community is that their needs and that of their immigrant “It’s awesome to see Asian, African and Aboriginal peoples
parents are different. Many immigrants had to make sacrifices all making up one community. It’s multiculturism at its finest
when they came to Canada to make a better life for themselves - the very thing that makes Manitoba”, say Troy.
and their families often because their foreign earned credentials What’s on the horizon? Community Vibes is set to
were not recognized here. Many Canadian born young people launch its after school program this October at St. John’s
don’t have those challenges or the same needs to come together, High School and plans are already under way for the 2011
for example, language. Yet, some of the existing community Black History Month production. For more information or
organizations seem focused on goals, rituals and structures that to get involved with Community Vibes visit their website at
are important to first generation Canadians but don’t really speak www.communityvibes.ca or contact Troy at
to the generations that come after them. Troy is hoping to bridge communityvibes@gmail.com.
Nigerian Association of Manitoba Celebrates Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary
T he Nigerian Association of
Manitoba, Inc. celebrated Nigeria’s
50th Anniversary of Independence
with a banquet and dance at the
Winnipeg Convention Centre on
Saturday October 23, 2010.
The Nigerian community showed
off their traditional dress and Nigerian community members show off their cultural attires
Minister Andrew Swan highlife dances.
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 7

8. Cricket in the Juggle - Kamta Roy Singh
An Interview with Kamta Roy Singh, Captain of Lions Cricket Club, President always take a positive mind into it. I never do community work
of the Guyanese Association of Manitoba, for personal gains. Twenty years ago Lions was just a group of
Community Leader, and Entrepreneur guys getting together with their families to play cricket and now it’s
Neil: There are many questions I feel teaching youths about our and sharing this passion with the larger
compelled to ask but let’s begin with community.
your community involvement: N: The Guyanese Association of Manitoba, Inc. of which you are
Roy: I am involved with the Guyanese currently its president, and the Guyanese Cultural Organization of
Association of Manitoba, Inc., Lions Winnipeg, Inc. put on a successful joint Independence Day
Sports Club, WIICCOM, the India Celebration in 2008. There are those who would like to see these
School of Dance and Maple two organizations become one, what do you say to that?
Community Centre. Then there is my R: The idea behind it was to unite the two organizations as one.
business community involvement However because of Guyana’s political history brought here by
through Tim Horton’s. which allows me some members of both, it created a severe challenge. But the joint
to do a lot of volunteer work especially event was a huge step towards the dream of making it one
with children. I am always willing to organization. We have to take baby steps. One of the positives
assist wherever I can. In the past I have assisted that came out of that event is the strong relationship we have
organizations such as GCO, the Pakistani Association with developed. My idea was to have the same joint celebration every
the recent flooding, fundraising for Haiti, the Caribbean and 2 years - if we do that that’s one way of uniting and seeing what
greater community at large. the people are doing. We made a profit of $3000 that was split
N: Have you found ways to incorporate Tim Horton’s, a equally between the two organizations. One of the privileges was
Canadian business entity, into your mode of operation? to bring the high comminiser of Guyana, the honourable Rajnarine
R: Definitely. As an entrepreneur the community benefits Singh, to witness the event.
from my ownership through sponsorships, employment N: Does it bother you that there appears to be a decline in cultural
opportunities, the Tim Horton’s Children camp, as well as consciousness in the generations coming up?
sponsoring Timbits Soccer and Timbits Hockey. Also as an R: Yes, it bothers me a lot. It’s one of the better reasons we need to unite
entrepreneur I have some input in recommending community as one.
centers that could send six children to Tim’s Camp. We N: Do you think there are enough qualities between the GCO and GAM
rotate the selection every year. that will always warrant two organizations?
N: You have been a driving force to institutionalize cricket R: In a sense, you can say yes. There are some differences between
into the mainstream phys-ed. the Indo and Afro Guyanese cultures. However, the passion, the
R: We started a grassroots cricket program for GAM in the dream of one people under on flag, one umbrella is reason enough
year 1999. The interest in the sport has kept on growing. to unite in spite of that.
With co-operation from Burton Cummings Community Centre N: Speaking of Folklorama it seems that GAM no longer exercises
we were able to open that pitch in 2007. Being an executive an active role in the Indo-Tropical Paradise Pavilion. Why is that?
member of Maples Community centre I was instrumental in R: I believe in unity and I prefer that all organizations, associations,
doing the same for Elwick. We transformed Elwick an temples, such as GAM, T&T, should all be united together to be
abandoned to a functioning community centre that is open part of Folklorama.
seven days a week and serves as a drop-in centre for N: Why is GAM not a part of the Council of Caribbean
children. The hockey rink is restored and the cricket ground Organizations of Manitoba, Inc.?
is being used by 18 middle schools from the Maples area - R: That particular issue predates my run as President, but I will say
and it’s going to be bigger and better. that we should be involved one way or the other with CCOM.
N: What ultimately motivates Kamta Roy Singh?
N: Alright - I understand that you also pen articles for the Indo-
R: Giving back to the community. I have reached a stage in
Canadian Telegram - what is the nature of the content, and why do
my life where I am able to give back; where I am able to do
you believe it needs to be expressed?
something for the community and make a difference to
benefit today’s and future generations. R: The nature of the content was a life history about why I came
N: How do you manage to keep cricket in the juggle of your to Canada and how I got started as an immigrant, became an
hectic schedule? entrepreneur and have been successful. I think the reason they did
R: Cricket is a sport that’s in my blood. It helps me to be this story is because there are only few individuals who have been
who I am. It helps me to make new friends, be competitive, able to achieve that kind of success in such a short period of time.
strive to be better, but as a sport it also keeps you fit. I find Eventually the story became very motivational to many immigrants
time because I love the game, I love the sport and it makes in Manitoba, whereas CBC radio and television did an interview to
a difference in my life. I must say though, anything I do I cont’d on p9
8 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

9. Kamta continued from p8
tell the same story. The Canadian Immigration Dept. did an make a difference in my life. So in retrospect when he was ill,
interview and an article in the Canadian Immigrant newspaper I was ill myself because he was a friend.
that was published nationally, and presently the CBC Public N: You have achieved and done a lot but you remain one of the
Immigration Relation Dept is doing a 5 hour interview to be humblest persons I know. How do you maintain that humility?
taped to show immigrants how they can be successful in life. I R: I guess it’s a genetic thing,
have also gone to schools and universities and given interviews N: Anything you would like to say to Global Eyes readers?
about my experiences. R: I came to know about the magazine three years when it
N: Your father was recently diagnosed with cancer and is published an article about the GAM and GCO Independence
fighting valiantly through it. How has that affected you? Day event. Since then I have
R: First of all, it was a very difficult time no doubt about it. It been reading Global Eyes. It’s
was challenging but because of his illness we realize that no matter the only magazine that covers
how many difficulties you have, you can come out of it. He had any program or any issue or any
proven that no matter how down you are you can rise to the news within the general
occasion. As the eldest son we have always been like two friends. Caribbean community.
But more so he is a living example of what life is - I have lived N: And that - is a sentiment, I
and I have see that he is always been a very strong community am sure Buddy will agree with.
leader, always very motivational to anyone, particularly elders and Roy Kamta Singh, ACAM Rep H. Irving., the Hon. Rajnarine Singh, Former
youth and those are values that I learned from him - that even GCO Pres. Winston Johnson, Caribbean Shield Owner Peter Pitamber
Nollywood - Africa’s Answer to Hollywood
Former Winnipegger, Femi Agabyewa, Director of Production,
Real Livin Films has just completed another film “Shakara” a successful feature film God’s own country which he wrote
hilarious romantic short comedy about a young Nigerian couple and directed. God’s Own Country also has the distinction of
attempting to get married against being the first African film to release a mixtape/soundtrack
their parents’ wishes which is very featuring US-based artists alongside Africa-based artists. Mr.
different from his first feature film Agbayewa is currently in development on several projects
God’s Own Country. The latter including a feature film set in Sub-Saharan Africa that he will
was about African immigrants write and direct. The film will also be shot on location in Sub-
trying to succeed in America Saharan Africa in 2010.
against all odds. Graduate of a BA and MA degree from Concordia
Born in Ibadan Nigeria, Femi University in Communications Agbayewa says this new film
grew up in Winnipeg and is the son is very much like the Hollywood movie My Big Fat Greek
of Bose Agbayewa a respected Wedding.”Not everything about Africans has to be Hotel
member of the community who heads a department at Victoria Hospital. Rwanda or Blood Diamond or even God’s Own Country.
Femi Agbayewa’s film odyssey began in 2000 with the There are a billion stories that Nollywood USA can tell,” he
autobiographical short Pieces of a Man followed by his highly states.
New Member of the Manitoba Arts Council
Congratulations to Yisa Akinbolaji, who has recently been The Manitoba Arts Council is an arm’s-length agency
appointed Board member of the Manitoba Arts Council. of the Province of Manitoba, estab-
An artist himself, Yisa professional background is that of lished in 1965 “to promote the study,
an arts teacher. He recently completed his Masters of Fine enjoyment, production and perform-
Arts Degree from the University of North Dakota. ance of works in the arts.” The Council
Yisa is often described as the African Picasso. He has makes awards to professional arts
exhibited his works widely in Canada and the United organizations and individuals in all art
States. Yisa has received numerous awards from his home forms including arts education, literary
country Nigeria where he has been asked to paint the arts, performing arts, and visual arts.
portraits of important political figures. The Council uses a peer assessment
Yisa will bring an immigrant sensibility along with a strong process in making awards. The main
professional perspective to his role on the council. criterion used to assess application is
artistic excellence.
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 9

10. HEALTHWISE
Just 10 Mango Chicken Diets are a dime a A serving of meat should fit in
Ingredients the palm of your hands. A
4 boneless, skinless chicken 2 tbsp lemon juice dozen and they all do the
Directions same thing, make you serving of cheeze should be
breasts (about 1 lb total)
For coating: The first step is to make lose weight and then you the size of 2 dice.
1/4 cup lemon juice the olive coating. Make double your losses the A serving of fat; A serving of
1/4 cup olive oil a mixture of whole next time around. dessert should be smaller than
2 cups of whole-wheat bread wheat bread crumbs and Anyway, though I am the palm of your hand;
crumbs black and green olives not a big fan of diets,
1/2 cup chopped, seedless, with a pinch of garlic here is a neat one from
powder. Pound the 5 Rules To Weight Loss
green and black olives Dr. Oz developed by a
chicken and flatten it. dietitian Dr. Bovena 1. Cut out the sugary sodas
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (for
top of chicken just before Dip it in a combined Brock who did not look 2. You won’t eat past 8:00
going into oven) mixture of olive oil and as though she was P.M.
1 dash garlic powder lemon juice. Spread the starving. It’s called the 3. Move 10 minutes a day
1 dash coarsely-ground sea coating on the chicken Just 10 Diet. 4. Track your weight daily
salt to taste breast. Bake for 20-25 On this diet you eat 4
minutes at 400 ° F. Add
5. You will not eat snacks
Fresh herbs for garnish (curly servings of protein; 3
mango salsa garnish. serving complex carbo-
larger than your fist
parsley, sage, rosemary-any or
combined) Serve with 1 cup of hydrate, s 3 serving of
Mango salsa: whole wheat couscous, fats and unlimited
1/4 cup chopped red onion cooked in low-sodium, vegetables. You get a
1/4 cup chopped cucumber fat-free chicken broth, serving of dessert every
1/2-1 cup chopped ripe mango and grilled asparagus. other day.
Double Double Birthday greetings for the Twins
Happy 2nd Birthday to Kenny Daodu and her twin sister
Taiwo Olajumoke Oladele who travelled from London
England to celebrate this birthday. Their birthday was
celebrated at the Immanuel Church and was part of the
Thanksgiving service. After the service the party retreated
to the lower floor for a traditional Nigerian meal, singing
the birthday song and cutting the cake. It was a truly
delightful event of laughter, papparazi and fun. Bernadette
Ferreira surprised the twin by launching into the birthday
song specially dedicated to twins which are often sung by
community elders. The song touched Kenny and Taiwo
especially because it was sung by a sister from the Birthday Twins
Caribbean. The song was beautiful and could have been Kenny Daodu and sister Pastor Deborah Olukoju
Taiwo O. Oladele prays for the Twins
sung better by a native Nigerian and that brought the party
to a fitting end.
Kenny and Taiwo pose with some of their friends
10 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

11. Moving in the diversity direction - Two history-making wins
Congratulations to Derek Dabee (r) and Devi Sharma for stepping up into the public arena
to work on behalf of Winnipeggers in the area of their choice.
Dabee a long time community activist fighting for the rights of the underdog won a seat on
the Seven Oaks School Division’s Ward 2 Board of Trustees. Dabee, originally from
Guyana is the first Caribbean person to be elected as a school trustee.
Devi Sharma, publisher of Indo-Canadian Telegram, and the first staff to work with the
Manitoba Ethnocultural Advocacy and Advisory council succeeded her
former boss Councillor Mike O’Shaughnessy by winning the City Council
position in Old Kildonan.
Sharma worked well with a cross section of the cultural community as MEAAC
Staffer and did a great job. Devi is believed to be the first Indo-Canadian to join
City Council.
We wish Dabee and Sharma success in their new endeavour and like every
other politician we have to hold them accountable to fulfil their mandate in their
respective
Nigeria Canada Congress Organization of Manitoba Celebrates Independence
NICCOM celebrated Nigeria’s 50th and the Department of Labour and Immigration.
Independence Anniversary at the Best Dr. Sunday Olukoju, NICCOM President also
Western Hotel with plenty of food, drinks and launched his book “Hope on the Horizon: From
entertainment. The organization honoured two Celebration of Stupidity to Celebration of
immigrant serving agencies and one Excellence”, as well as the dedication of a debut
government department for doing a fantastic documentary titled “The 50 Golden Voices.”
job with helping immigrants to settle and
integrate into the Canadian society. The
organizations honoured were: Success Skills
Centre, Employment Projects of Winnipeg
Can’t find a salon to do
justice to your hair?
Look no more! Beatrice Watson, presented the award to Success Skills Staff poses
Ms Marilyn Brick, MLA, St. Norbert for with Sunday Olukoju
the Department of Immigration
Les Touche Salon
will send you satisfied everytime
4-555 Balmoral Ave
Hours: Mon. - Sat.
9 a.m - 7:00 p.m.
Phone: 947-5830
Lisa Hackett, presented award to
Deborah Olukoju chats up some of the
Monica Fiest for success Skills Centre
guests
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 11

12. D’bi Young Storyteller Extraordinaire Mesmerizes Audience at FemFest
D’bi Young one of the head acts at Sarsvati 2010 Femfest, delivered a
skilfully engaging performance of “She” the first in a labyrinth trilogy
which critically comments on the womben’s status today through a gender
lens of exploitation and expectation.
Originally from Jamaica, Young came to Canada in 1993 and has been a
force in Canadian Theatre ever since. Founder and artistic director of
anitafrika dub theatre in Toronto Young has appeared in many plays
and television shows. She won the best actress award for her
performance as Staceyann in Da Kink in my Hair
In She Young started off with the character of a young girl with dreams
of being a dancer, dreams her mother who worked as a domestic in
Canada told her she could have. Young was awesome in this role. She
somersaulted stealthily happy in her world of dreams.
Young seamlessly morphed from one character to the other. Her only prop a roll of white
paper which she intermittently scribbled on. The three female characters in “She” were true
to real life characters you would meet in the Caribbean context. The stories were real.
Young vowed to speak truth no matter how horrible it may be. She acts truth and the
audience cannot escape it in all its rhythms.
Young is an engaging, charismatic performer. You are drawn in by this tiny, larger than
life wombman as she claims the space on the stage as her own. She speaks to her
audience like old friends. How can you not be engage when her smile is a mile wide open. I wanted more. This work is
worth making time to see.
Winnipeggers are Shining all over Canada
Congratulations to the Watson sisters and Garfield Williams
It seems that this is the providence has smiled on them. Their
hard work has paid some dividends.
Maiko “Sweet Vibration” won her a Western Canada Music
Award for the best Urban Album of the Year, in Kelowna BC.
Bahia was cast as Beneatha the self-confident but
vulnerable 20-year-old student and most educated of the
Younger family, in Lorraine Hansberry’s classic Ä raisin
in the sun” which is currently being staged by Soulpepper
Theatre Company at the Young Performing Arts Centre.
The play whose title was taken from a line in one of
Langston Hugh’s poems “Harlem“ 1951
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?” The play tells the story of a
black family who lived in Chicago southside who wanted L to r Charles Officer ( Walter, son), Abena Malika (Walter’s wife),
a better life. The family dynamics began when the Allison sealy Smith (Lena - Walter & Beneatha’s mother) Bahia
Patriarch for the family died and accidentally and all his Watson (Beneatha, Lena’s daughter)
family had was the $10,000 insurance money to forge Maiko Watson
ahead with the dream. There were severe competing
interests in how best to spend the money. Through their
struggles, the three generation of black American family
discover, love, dignity and courage to do the right thing in
spite of the racial injustice they faced. It is a strong,
seasoned cast. Directed by Weyni Mengesha, the play featured
Alison Sealy Smith, Charles Officer, Abena Malika, Kofi
Payton, Bahia Watson, Awaovieyi Agie, Barbara Barnes-
Hopkins, Dion Johnstone, Matthew Kabwe, Diego Matamoros.
The original cast featured Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee and Garfield Williams flanked by his
has become a classic. It was the first play by black playwright to brother (l) and good friend (r)
Cont’d on p13
12 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

13. Journey of Slavery by Lynnette Joseph Bani
ph
Lynette Joseph Bani’s personal 12- world. Members of this family are
year quest for answers about her referred to as Africans of the Diaspora.
ancestry has culminated into the book Investigation on the characters of
Journey of Slavery. scripture will lead to the ancient cities
Bani’s core research came from of Mesopotamia/Middle East, and
one of the oldest books on the planet reveal that the early Bible Patriarchs
- the Holy Bible. from Mesopotamia, many of their
This book tells the story of a family descendants are found in remote
that began in ancient Mesopotamia villages of African nations and linked
about 5000 BCE, whose descendants to Africans of the Western Diaspora
are scattered to several nations, some of whom reside in Lynette Joseph-Bani was born in
the Americas. The Biblical Journey of Slavery takes the Guyana South America, she migrated to Canada
1962.
reader through thousands of years to show who were this
family and their current dilemma of identity in the Western
Keeping you in the Mix
Sunday, December 12 at 1:00 p.m. – CBW Annual CBW 2nd Annual Cultural Awareness Workshop
Kwanzaa Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Place: Wolseley Family Place,691 Wolseley Ave Viscount Gort Hotel
( north side across from the Misericordia Health Centre) 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Phone: 788-8052 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 pm
Traditional observances, food, fun and fellowship Fee: $60.00 or (students and seniors* $30)
Children especially welcome Lunch and refreshments/breaks included
Please call 775- 4378 before Dec. 1st, 2010, with your Please register on or before January 30th, 2011, by
name and the number of people attending emailing us at: cobw@mymts.net. The workshop is for
those who wish to understand Black culture.
November 19 - 1:00 p.m. Open House of Men’s Re-
source Centre - program of Laurel Centre
200-321 McDermot Avenue. You are also invited to
celebrate International Men’s Day. 2nd Floor
RSVP 415-6797. Forks
Market,
Weyni Mengesha,
Director -
Bahia, Kofi, Maiko A Raisin in the Sun
be featured on Broadway, the first to be director by a black
person and the first play that delved into the lives of Blacks
during that era. With the current cast, the play is as fresh as they
get and moves you all the way to a place deep inside.
Congratulations to Garfield Williams, GRAND ANALOG
who for the second time in a row won a Western Canada Music
Award for the best Rep/Hip Hop Album of the Year for
Metropolis is Burning
Beatrice with cast members of Raisin in the Sun
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 13

14. CARICON ARTS AND CRAFTS PROMOTES CARIBBEAN CULTURE
CARICOM Arts and Crafts Inc. held creations, baking, and equally, scholarships and other means
its 2nd Annual Fundraising Tea in of offering assistance for educational opportunities. And then,
September, 2010 at the Caribbean there’s the underlying desire to get our youth to value their
Cultural Centre. The event attracted a fair cultural heritage, their roots with all the
number of people from within and outside unique aspects of our background and
of the Caribbean community. upbringing. We want them to enjoy our
There were delicious goodies and great ethnic dishes without turning up
snacks, entertainment and lots of their noses and then making a bee line
networking and fun. off to the Golden Arches to satisfy their
Jamaica Honorary Consul, Carmen appetites.
Nembhard was the guestspeaker. She “In short, Caricom Arts & Crafts
encouraged participants to continue to wishes to overcome obstacles by
support events such as this. providing opportunities to revive and
“I congratulate the players of Caricom refocus interest in the cultural part of our
Arts and Crafts Inc. in pursuing a very important goal. It is heritage regardless of whether we have
the goal to rejuvenate and maintain the cultural background roots in the Caribbean or not.
of all of us whether we’re from the Caribbean or not. To do “Let’s expand our present crafts and bake sale until Caricom
this requires providing a teaching medium for Youth and all Arts & Crafts Inc. will become a household name that
the way up to the Elders to create various arts & crafts such everyone knows and supports”.
as singing & President of Caricom Arts and Crafts, Mary Barzey said
dance, music, she hopes to ecourage more cultural engagement next year.
poetry in dialect
form, knitting,
crocheting,
e m b r o i d e r y,
basketry, doll
m a k i n g ,
sketching,
drawing, painting,
jewellery
Troy Osiname, Peter Koroma and Kwabena Osei-Bonsu
George Hickes Charming guests
Bake sale table
MLA for Point Douglas
Constituency Office:
957 Main Street
Phone: (204) 944-8379
Room 244
Legislative Building
Phone: (204) 945-4323
Residence phone: (204) 255-4325
Mohamed Ismath, President, Folklorama pours tea
14 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

15. WARRIORS BEHIND THE TRUMPET - Neil
The style of commentary/editorial writing allows one a great that they are not acting for the prominence and monetary
range of license, and as I am not one much for research I do advantages, that the road they are trying to commute is not a
not aim to expose or isolate any person or thing, strive for labour of the ‘job’ but a time-kill, rather an outcome that is
accuracy, or believe that I am above a retraction if I have so deeply desired that only its completion will bring them a
offended anyone. true sense of satisfaction? Why can it not be a bit of both
The mention of names is strictly for anecdotal purposes worlds, and be free from criticism?
and I do not consider my articles to be an overall academic Is it too naive to believe that when we are honest enough
study of Winnipeg, the Caribbean culture within it, or am I about our intentions, we stand a better chance of success? I
giving personal credence to the theories I inject into those can only imagine how many friendships would have remained
subjects: I am cursed or blessed, maybe, with a good memory, trusted and true, would not have led to failed marriages,
as particular as to the scent and touch of a summer afternoon estrangement and ill-fated partnerships; how many
if it had meant anything to me. I want to thank Beatrice opportunities would have been fulfilled without the sacrifice
Watson for granting me this opportunity, send my best wishes of heart and home, had it not been for the beam in our
to Mrs. Lara Badmus for answering the call, and encourage neighbour’s eye - which even the tool of time has been unable
all of you, once again, to activate subscriptions so that we to remove; how many functions could have met their financial
may give volume to our voice: to the graduating and the mature, target had they not been tempted, like fresh meat, to an angry
the new and the faithful, siren, how few closets and jewellery boxes would have
Global Eyes is a powerful recording of our history - so collected such layers of dust that, like tree rings, one could
tune in and turn it up loud. As Fidel Castro once said of have made a good average of their age - had reproach and
Marxism, ‘It was like being lost in the forest and finding a jealousy been more inhibitive and less exhibitive in our
compass’, I think many of us should feel something similar churches and socials?
toward this same publication. If we had learned a way to slow down the flashpoint of
Lara is very generous to share from her wealth of our tempers, to relax our accusatory finger, to squint our
experience, and I hope we can show her our unequivocal eyes but a little less on the cutting edge side, to flex our
support. It raises an interesting question to me though, that muscles in a less offensive mode! I know we have some
when someone makes a conscious decision to do something people in this community who can keep their tongues coiled,
that is in complement of this community, whether it is for the and others who are as easy to set off as a trip switch. Bottom-
sake of serving or being of service to those members - why line: if we are going to spend so much of our youth, our time,
is it, generally, expected that they must do so freely, that they and our resources educating, re-educating, edifying, re-
must not be ‘in it’ for personal gain, that they must be edifying, editing, re-editing and prostrating ourselves almost
dogmatically aligned with the concepts of the selfless likes of to a flaw, we should be allowed the freedom to earn as much.
Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Our Black community has professionals in every kind of
Mandela?; why should they, in turn, run with the pretense profession; they are the products of their own devices, but
the benefit of all; they are the instruments of health and
emancipation; so let us make it our duty, then, as a social
Seniors Contributions Recognized entity that when they set themselves to perform, they are
Congrats to the followng seniors were recognized for their performing to our audience; that they do not have to strain to
contribution to co munity development: hear the sounds of our praises and applause; that they do not
play merely to the heft of their own breath. We can give
Jerry Sampson, Elma Victor, Inez them that; we can empower them without powering down;
Hayley, Louis Ifill, Salome Scott we can let them have their private lives and the accruements
Williams, Courtney Hoyte, of their toil; knowing that, for any time you hear the horn,
Victoria Graham, Vashti Greaves, they will be standing on guard for ‘we’.
Grasita Jones, Neville Dwyer,
Charles Malcolm, Titus Premdas, ZIZI - the continuing saga
Brenda Parker, Eslyn Glasgow,
Leonard Sampson, Cybil Belton, Leyroy was unsually prompt in picking up Zizi from
Joe Paul, Clifford Alexander, Caribbean Spice. Her cousin Brenda teased him about
keeping Canadian time when it suits him and when it
Cora Sally Williams and Rostant doesn’t he resorts to Caribbean time which is usually
Ras Rico John. about half hour to one hour late.
Some of the participants who attended cont’d on p16
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 15

16. “That’s a sure way to fail.
You think it, it happens. You
have to think like a winner. It’s
all up there” he tapped her
head.
“Yeah, yeah I know that but it
hard to stay focused”
“Just keep trying to see
yourself bowling over those drug
heads. You have the advantage
of being sober”, he grimaced “I
believe in you Zizi. This is a job
made for you. You are a natural
detective girl, don’t you know
that.”
“Thanks”
“Remember back home, who
is it that always talked the fowl
thief out of hiding or dead on
right when a guy is cheating on
his girl and with whom. You
have a knack for these things.
You used to always be spying on
somebody, poking your nose
where it doesn’t belong. That’s
who you are Zi”
Zizi laughed out loud. “You
make me sound like a horrible
person”
“It came out that way? Sorry,
didn’t mean that, wink, wink”
Donned in a cut off tight fighting
straight bottomed blue jeans,
hair flayed all over her head like
a bad hair day afro, Zizi sprinted
out her apartment. She felt like
a loser even though she was just
acting. She headed for Portage
place. She carefully placed a
cigarette behind her ear and
held it between the tip and
groove. She has fake tattoos
visibly of the macabre variety all
over her arms. Looking tough
and like someone on a mission,
Zizi scoped out the place. She
zizi cont’d from p15
is conscious that she is being
Zizi was amused. She was grateful that Leyroy was early because she watched by a security guard but
wanted to go over all her stuff for work, her first undercover assignment. She her job was not to make trouble,
left money with Brenda to cover the cost of the lunch for the three of them but to work within the rules and
including the take out for Leyroy. regulations of the mall. In the
Zizi told Leyroy she would prefer to go home rather than the movies which distance was Leyroy sitting by
they had planned to do because she was feeling a bit nervous and maybe talking himself and sipping a cup of
it through with him might be more useful. He was happy to oblige. coffee. He had her back and
“What’s going on with you?” asked Leyroy
“Nothing. I had a great time but I was nervous. I kept thinking about work. Zizi felt her confidence surged.
I am nervous like hell, afraid I would do something stupid and would be found
out as soon as I open my mouth”
16 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

17. The Story of Successful Barbadian Canadians (Part II)
by Dr. Keith Sandiford
The second Barbadian wave occurred towards the end of gradually established a host of Associations, a dozen or so
the nineteenth century, in the midst of a protracted and in Toronto alone. Two of them arose in London and
disastrous slump in the sugar market, when several Montreal and one each in Calgary, Edmonton,
men (mainly black) came to Sydney, Nova Scotia, Hamilton, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Naturally, they
in the hope of finding jobs in the mines. Their agreed to establish a national umbrella, the NCBAC,
descendants are still making contributions to the which was formalized in 1984. Its Annual Conferences
development of that province, and one of them, the provide opportunities for the strengthening of social
Hon Calvin Ruck, who died in 2004, was actually networks and its workshops yield invaluable
elevated to the national senate after a life of vigorous information on a variety of important subjects.
activism in the political and social fields. A third Agreeing, in a moment of singular weakness, to help
Barbadian exodus to Canada took place after the outbreak the High Commission compile a directory of Barbadian-
of the First World War when several white ones joined the Canadian skills, I have come to understand more fully the
Canadian army and became military officers. There was a magnitude of our contribution to the development of Canada.
fourth exodus, during the Second World War, when many I have discovered that there is no field or discipline in which
young men wanted to support the Allied effort by serving in Canadian life has not profited from significant Barbadian
the Canadian Armed Forces. Two examples that come input. A group of us is currently producing a book on this
readily to mind are Frederick Adams who remained in the very subject. So far, we have ferreted out information on
army after the war and became a Chief Warrant Officer and individuals who have served Canada and its provinces in a
Owen Rowe, who spent the rest of his life in Montreal remarkably wide range of professions and vocations, as
persuading the federal authorities to recognize Canada’s debt varied as actuarial science, banking, medicine, entomology,
to the Caribbean soldiers who had fought so valiantly on behalf dietetics, bio-medical technology, journalism and law. The
of their adopted country. number of Barbadian-Canadian doctors, nurses and
But the Fifth Great Migration was by far the most teachers who are now working in this country is almost
important of all of these Barbadian movements both in terms incredible.
of actual numbers and in terms of impact. It followed the Our Biographical Dictionary will eventually feature
liberalization of Canada’s immigration policies from 1955 such varied professionals as an archbishop, a film critic, an
onwards. For the next twenty years, hundreds of Barbadians insurance executive, a metrologist, a swimming coach, an
immigrated to Canada, and it is useful to remember that artistic director, numerous writers in many genres, four
several Caribbean activists, including such Barbadians as outstanding ice-hockey players of Barbadian extraction, a
Donald Moore and Edsworth Searles, played no small part champion jockey who has established a host of records at
in persuading the Canadian government to revise its previous the Woodbine Race Track in Ontario, a Commonwealth
programme which had limited the number of immigrants from champion wrestler, a world champion bodybuilder, a
non-white Commonwealth countries. Canadian checkers (draughts) champion, a Canadian
In 1955, when Canada faced a severe shortage of champion decathlete, a number of cricketers who have
domestics and nurses, the federal government agreed to a represented their respective provinces as well as Canada in
scheme which allowed young women from Commonwealth international competition and an award-winning quilter of
countries to come to work in the homes of the wealthy and no mean distinction.
to study in Canadian Schools of Nursing to fill these voids. Of major significance here is the willingness of
By the early 1960s, as a result, there was a growing number professionals in almost every discipline to participate most
of young Barbadian immigrants, the majority of them based actively in community service. This commitment to
in such urban centres as Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and volunteerism is evident all across Canada. Most of the
Vancouver. The peak of this influx occurred during the 1970s Barbadian Associations have become involved in charitable
when the Immigration Laws were finally revised. So many causes which often prove more beneficial to the wider public
Barbadians arrived that they spilled over in such other cities than to the Barbadians themselves. Countless individuals of
as Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, London (Ontario), Regina, Barbadian extraction have recently been recipients of sundry
Saskatoon and Winnipeg. awards, accolades and distinctions in recognition of their
The Barbadian immigrants, with their love of animated keen desire to support the disadvantaged. Barbadians have
debate, democratic structures and Anglo-Saxon parliaments, also been traditionally famous for their commitment to their
cont’d on p20
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 17

18. Gaffin wid Buddy
I couldn’t believe meself de adda day when ah stood andastan what using and crassing boundaries an all
up to me frien an defended a battyman. We wus dat. Just because he is a goodlooking dude, he no pisa
raised to mek fun and to dehumanize man to man meat, he wuz highly offended and feeling real bad and
relationship. No, in fact we pretend dat it is a white mix up with dis sexual abuse. See we can have a
man ting and doesn’t happen at all wid be black change a hart, man we gat to evalve wid de times and
people. Yeah we bury we egg in de san like de guana respect. It’s like defending a person’s right to speak even
and tink nobady would know. Livin in Canada which if you don’t agree wid he. That’s intelligence man. In de
embrace all kindda difference and promoting human rights ole days slapping woman’s behind at wuk or play was jus
an all, I feel I ent gat no right to discriminate against kiddin around try it in Canada and you can be up a creek
nobady. De ting is if I want people to respect me and my witout a paddle. Women seh dey no pisa meat and
blackness and me culture and everyting who am I to tek demand respect and rights as a human being. Now we
away somebody else’s rights. That ent right man. I am look at women like a dag who had he bone drag out he
confident in meself and like Pierre Trudeau we gat no mout, watching crass eye but gat to humble heself. We can
bisness in people’s bedrooms. see nah touch and we gat to watch how we see, star a
Well taking bout sex, what kind a man is our guy Alex woman down and boy she gat you wid sexual
Chapman who refuses a lil bit som’ting? Back home we’d initimidation. Just keep yuh eyes down man if you can’t
call him an aantyman. We tink a man neva back down look neutral. That’s jus de way it is dis side of de fence.
fram free sex but dis guy Chapman is evolved, he It’s another Women’s Rights Event. How many times a
year we celebrate women’s rights. It’s time men start
celebrating someting odda dan de numba a women de
knack up an get away wit it.
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- are you experiencing relationship challenges?
- are you ready for a life changing experience?
- do you want to have the committed love
relationship that you long for?
Join Relationship and Life Coach, Delia
Veronica Joseph, for this dynamic workshop that
will help you:
- increase self love and self esteem
- gain additional insight and perspective
- release barriers and blockages that show up
in the form of toxic thoughts and people
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When: November 20, 2010 9am - 12noon
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Why: This is your life - register today!
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Cost: available to you for $87 or pre-pay by
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18 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010

19. Breathe Neil Pitamber Take Your Kids to Work Day but focusing on young
And I remember every word you ever said people who have not participated because their parents
Yeah, and I remember every word are unemployed or in insecure employment. We are
Just as clean as the lipstick you left smeared upon my lips partnering with the Toronto Board of Trade, YMCA
Yeah, I remember every word of it and several private and public sector organizations to
As I spend another sleepless night in the drab again create work experience and mentorship opportunities
In the textured clasp of something near for a group of 10 -15 youth from marginalized and at-
Redundant sheeted echoes risk neighbourhoods in Peel Region and Toronto. This
Another shapeless night drags on and on again includes providing mentorship and internship/work
But I know the end is near experience and access to corporate and public sector
And I remember every word you ever said leaders. Participants will attend five “Introduction to
Yeah, and I remember every word Careers” sessions at KPMG, Cisco Systems, the
Just as sparse as the skin-deep you left stained upon my lips YMCA corporate office and a public sector
Yeah, I remember every word of it organization. They will also participate in a mentorship,
internship or work experience during the summer of
As I spend another helpless night in the drab again 2011.”
In the lecherous clasp of something near As a part of the Region’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
Persistent rabid babble Committee, Adaoma hopes to leverage the skills learned
Another restless night drags on and on again through the DiverseCity program, in her current role.
But I know the end is near “The program will provide me with new skills to help
For I can hear it breathing tackle complex issues such as poverty in our community
and methods of collaborating successfully with our
partners and other stakeholders,” said Adaoma.
Former Winnipegger Shines in Toronto When asked what motivates her dedication to the
Congratulations to Adaoma Patterson, DiverseCity program as well as volunteering in the
Poverty Reduction Specialist in Human community, Adaoma explains, “The driving factor is
Services, on her selection as one of 27 knowing I can help others to overcome obstacles and
participants in the 2010 DiverseCity improve their lives. With this in mind, the time and effort
Fellowship program. The program is part spent are extremely rewarding.”
of DiverseCity: The Greater Toronto Reflecting on the past year, Adaoma says, “I enjoy
Leadership Project, which aims to my work and love being involved in the community. I
accelerate prosperity in the region by am blessed beyond measure and have opportunities
changing the face of leadership. that many in the world will never have.”
Adaoma was selected because of her outstanding
leadership skills, professional experience and city-building
potential. She will participate in an intensive, one-year CCOM Honours Seniors and Youths
leadership program designed to help participants create and
implement solutions to improve their communities. Several seniors of Caribbean Heritage were honoured recently
An initiative of the Toronto City Summit Alliance and at the Council of Caribbean Organiza-
Maytree Foundation, the Fellows are committed to tion’s 3rd Annual Seniors Appreciation
developing into better leaders and practicing collective and Scholarship Awards banquet, which
leadership to address issues critical to the future health and recognized the contributions seniors
wealth of the Toronto region. have made to the community life.
“My colleagues in the 2010 Fellows program are extremely The CCOM, Grenadian Association and
intelligent, passionate and committed individuals from the Caricom Arts& Crafts, Barbados Association and Black Edu-
private, public and non-profit sectors. I am honoured to be cators Assoc. of MB. jointly presented scholarships to three
part of such a dedicated group,” comments Adaoma. university students - Trisha Davis, Rebecca Akong and
“Despite our differences of experiences, geography, Kelsey Howard.
ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, I’m always learning Mr. Clayton Stewart, Lawyer with Legal Aid Manitoba, was
how much we have in common. The program has challenged the guestspeaker. He encouraged youths to have a plan and to
us to answer the question, how can we, in spite of surround themselves with those who can help them achieve
differences, come together to make the GTA a better their goal. Kyra Geisbrecht , Caribbean dancers and two High-
region.”
land dancers entertained the audience.
“As part of our commitment to city building, we are Pix: Margaret Strachan, Mavis McLaren and Cherryln Thompson
working in teams to create projects that will have a lasting
cont’d on p22
impact. My team’s project is Inspire, a program similar to
Global Eyes Magazine October 2010 19

20. Barbadian cont’d from p16
Christian heritage. Most of the ones who immigrated to Canada
A CALL FOR PEACE - Neil
have joined a local church, sung in its choir, taught its children Have you ever heard of string theory? The opening argument
in Sunday school and performed various other tasks in its of level three string theory alleges that, for every choice we
support. make an alternative reality, or bubble, breaks away, created
And it is not only the Barbadian-Canadian community to express the other choice - suggesting that there are worlds
and public leaders who are subscribing to Canada’s growth out there to facilitate every imaginable outcome, every
and prosperity. There are literally hundreds of Bajan foot imaginable ‘you’. It doesn’t sound too catholic, I know, but it is
soldiers, working as orderlies, nursing aids and unit assistants possible apparently, and we have a situation here within our own
doing as much as the doctors and registered nurses to make small cavity of Canadian subculture that resembles and exhibits
Canadian hospitals respectable. There are also dozens of Bajan that specific action so much, that it seems to substantiate the
bus drivers, clerks, garment workers, policemen, seamstresses, claim of this theory.
security guards, teaching assistants and others who have been Are you here for ACAM or for JAM? Do you speak on
toiling valiantly in the Canadian vineyard, albeit in the shadows behalf of GCO or GAM? Do you represent the interests of the
of Canadian sociology. T&T Society or the Indo-Caribbean? Do you lend your support
Only one conclusion is possible. Barbadian immigrants to Bajan Night or An Evening of Ah We Kind Ah Food or the
and their Canadian-born offspring have made an incalculable Grenadian Annual Banquet? Do you serve on the Dominican
contribution to the development of modern Canada. Without board? Do you offer your voice to CCOM or Wiccom?
this enormous input, Canada would have been much the poorer. It is no secret that every one of these tributaries of citizenry
Barbadians at home and around the world can take much pride trickles back to a single source much like string theory, yet no
in the performance of their unofficial ambassadors in this country. one can say what has caused their evolution. I am reminded
of a quote by Samuel Johnson, ‘Worth seeing? Yes; but not
worth going to see’. I think this is how many of us feel when
we hear the word ‘unity’. Though the Mighty Sparrow finally
conceded that federating may not have been the solution to
our disunity since only a committed few attempted to
shepherd the idea across the Caribbean Sea, we don’t know
that it would not have worked. I can also dispel any doubt,
too, that our youth have little interest in rearing a combined
cultural movement. If I am wrong then Community Vibes,
Inc., The Black History Month Committee, and A Kid At
Heart Foundation will all have taken their places in a rally,
where the relay will probably be abandoned before the
batons have exchanged hands.
Caribbean Shield also remains non-partisan - it does beg
the question, though, where we would separate our
allegiances. Well, if the Caribbean was an Ocean liner, every
lifeboat might represent an island and thinking of that song by
Gypsy, ‘Captain, the ship is sinking, Captain, the seas are
rough, we gas tank almost empty, no electricity, we oil
pressure reading low - do we abandon ship? Or do we stay
on it? And perish slow, we don’t know, we don’t know,
Captain you tell we what to do...’, I might just have to tip my
head to the individual legacies of Wade Williams, Winston
Johnson, Kamta Singh, Johnny Irving, Lennox Henry, Ray
Victor, Vere Harvey, Dennis Cupid, Fitzroy Smith, Marsden
Edwards and Beatrice Watson; for where June Jordan has
written, ‘It is a shame that this country has done its least for
those who have loved it the most,’ I will replace the word
‘country’ with the word ‘culture’; to one who knows that oil-
down and pepperpot and metagee and waters of every kind
continued on p22
20 Global Eyes Magazine October 2010