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NWC podium |
Yesterday I was an early bird. I woke up at the god forsaken hour of 7 am then got ready to
attend a presentation at the Native Women’s Centre located at the top of
Hamilton Mountain.
Arriving at 9 am I was greeted by two
NWC facilitators whom I previously met.
Located
in an upscale neighborhood I’ve never visited the large building and was
impressed when told of its history.
While
waiting for the elder/teacher to show up, I asked may I take a few pictures of
the impressive native art on display and the large facility room.
Then I took the opportunity to ask one
facilitator a few questions.
In detail she
explained the support services available to native women in Hamilton from abusive
relationships to homelessness.
Another question I'm sure every man in town
would like to know.
Is NWC restricted to
women only!
The reply is no, men are
invited to programs too.
Then we had a
conversation about the food box program.
I mentioned years ago due to lack of funds NWC were going to close the food
program.
When I heard this I posted a
blog and sent an e-mail to Linda Ense Executive Director of NWC pleading not to
close the program which is so vital to the native community.
She
listened and replied back she will find a way to keep the food box program
active and thanked me for my interest and concern.
This was one of my proudest achievements.
When the NWC program was over a friend met me at the parking
lot and we stopped for lunch at Tracie’s Place a Karaoke bar near Fennell on
Upper James. My friend ordered the
burger patter and I ordered a western omelet & diet coke with a slice of
lime. The food was typical bar food. We were just finishing up lunch when a familiar
face walked in. It was Homeward Bound
staff member Yvonne Maracle and her coworkers.
The ladies were in cheerful conversation and laughter, so not to interrupt
their lunch time we quietly walked pass them toward the exit. I asked my friend to let me off at Walmart Superstore, purchased
a coffee maker and other items then headed home. You would think after all that I would be
totally exhausted and I was. I had to
rest up for the Indigenous tenant associate meeting scheduled for 6 pm. The meeting went well, at this time I’m not
going write in detail what was discussed.
The no show tenants will have to attend the next meeting to find
out. ;)
Tk
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