Monday 8 October 2018

TAKING ACTION


The following blog has been written as part of my final assignment for SWK322: Indigenous People and Social Work Practice:

On Friday, September 7, 2018 I went with four other social work students to attend a patrol in the West End of Winnipeg that was organized by Bear Clan Patrol. Bear Clan Patrol aims to promote safety in communities with large Indigenous populations that have been seen to have high-risks of crime and drug use. The patrol that I went on walked down residential streets and back lanes looking for used needles that could be hazardous if discovered by pedestrians. The needles are primarily used for methamphetamine injections and some still have substances within them when discovered. Once collected, the needles found during patrols get disposed of in safe ways.

At the patrol were persons from all over Winnipeg coming from Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous backgrounds. Having persons from various circumstances shows how there is an understanding of the needs that at risk communities have and that different communities have an awareness of ways to be allies and create safety. By attending this event, my own understanding of the topic has been changed as prior to hearing about Bear Clan I was not aware that there was such a high amount of meth use in my community nor that used needles were so common to find in residential areas. Living in the West End I felt especially impacted by the prevalence of needles as the small patrol group collected over 120 needles and Bear Clan continues to find discarded needles each night patrols are conducted.

By attending a patrol organized by Bear Clan my own understanding of issues of crime and safety have been enhanced. In my previous research I focused on the high incarceration rates of Indigenous persons and though community safety was an issue within the literature, there was no mention of ways that community members can take actions of their own. Through volunteering at Bear Clan Patrol I have seen that there are positive ways of contributing to the health of high-risk communities that focus on the strengths of persons in peaceful ways rather than creating more tension among community members. When partaking in the patrol, members of the community expressed kindness and gratitude towards volunteers, even pointing out where they have seen needles themselves. Additionally, my understanding of how the history of colonialism and oppressive policies continue to impact Indigenous persons has been deepened. It is one thing to read about the long term effects of trauma but to actually see the effects in persons has given me greater empathy towards such issues and has increased my desires to continue being an ally to Indigenous persons.

To attend a Bear Clan Patrol all one has to do is show up as anyone eighteen and over can attend. Once one arrives to volunteer, sign up forms are provided and a brief time of instruction is given. The events are organized and run by volunteers that welcome newcomers with excitement. With the participation of volunteers, patrols are very successful as various streets get searched and greater amounts of needles are found with higher volunteer involvement.

Within the Truth and Reconciliation Common’s Calls to Action, two area of focus relevant to the actions that Bear Clan takes are Indigenous health and justice. In relation to these calls to action I have learned that there is a great need for improvements to be made for Indigenous persons and the communities that they live in. Though needles being left on streets may be seen as a small issue, the dangers that they can create are a cause for concern. Use of substances creates hazards within neighbourhoods that could lead persons towards being incarcerated and face health concerns that not only impact those that use but also persons that interact with users and those who come into contact with discarded needles. Though such issues cannot disappear overnight, there are ways that community members can take action and become allies to Indigenous persons that are as simple as giving a few hours that may just end up saving lives.

The West End Patrol meets at 5:30 at the University of Winnipeg in The Hive on Thursdays and Fridays to patrol from 6-9 pm. Other Winnipeg patrols are located in the North End and West Broadway. Learn more by emailing bearclanmb@hotmail.com

Friday 25 March 2016

A Poem

Hello everyone, its been along time since I last blogged but I'm back :)

So today was Good Friday and I felt that God was lending me to start writing again. I wrote a little poem this evening reflecting on a few of the things that Jesus can do for a person who is going through hard times. Hope you enjoy the few words I have to offer and find the comfort of Jesus through any troubles you might be facing at present.

The Crier by Emily Reeve
What does one do when one is down?
Does one wear a frown or a thorny crown?
Can one brake the chains and shake off the dust;
And ashes of life gone to rust?
How does one over come such despair?
To where does one give all their cares?
Does one cast all sorrows in one way?
Or keep them inside for where to stay?
Can one be safe from trials?
Even though they increase in ever growing piles?
If one opens their heart and lets in the light;
Will the fight end that was once in their sight?
If one looks up and cries to the sky;
Will one be restored and all troubles die?
No, if one calls aimlessly about nothing will be done;
With no direction the battle can not be won!
There is but one place to give all pains;
And that is in he who has three names!
Through spirit's wind and fire he grants one's desire;
Of freedom and peace to one once a crier!
He gives joy and takes all fears;
He wipes one's every tear!
So what does one do when one is down?
Does one wear a frown or go to he who once wore a thorny crown?

If you have any prayer requests please feel free to comment.

Tuesday 1 July 2014

The God We Sing About

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians, and an early 4th of July to you Americans as well. These days to celebrate our countries are very import and to most mark the true start of summer. Whether you go out to see fireworks, have celebration meals with family/friends, or just stay at home to watch it all on TV we will most likely hear, and sing our National Anthems. 


In the Canadian anthem we have this line "God keep our land glorious and free!" What does that even mean? Who is this God that we are asking to keep our land awesome? Why do we sing this line when about 33% of Canadians do not believe in God? The 33% sing this line without even thinking about what that means, why do they ask the Lord to help there land when they don't ever ask him anything else, when they don't believe that he is even there. It's like praying without thinking.
 The same goes for the American anthem in the forth verse it says "Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: "In God is our trust"" about 29% of people in the US are not Christians so the same issue stands here. Americans are claiming that they want everyone to praise God and that they trust in him alone, how ever this is not case. Again people are singing without thinking about what they are saying, why?
Our Countries where built on the principles of the bible back in a time when all the leaders were God fearing men, the times have changed. Should we just change the lyrics? I don't think so, I believe that the world needs to be more educated in the bible and should hear more about the God of Abraham, it's time that we as disciples should tell others about God. He needs to be relevant today just as he was when these songs were written. God never changes and still cares about our nations, so it is time that our nations start to care about him right back. Why not go and spread the good news of God, hey you could even use the anthems as sag ways to get the conversation going. Just go out there and spread the love, it's time that believers tell the world about he that has saved us!

Wednesday 4 June 2014

Awesome Links: Colton Dixon - More of You

New Song out today by Colton Dixon (one of the coolest Christian singers ever!) I have been a fan since he was on American Idol, also doesn't hurt that he is handsome!  If you don't already have his first album, get it on iTunes it's awesome!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-messenger/id716220966
Anyway here's his new song More of You that will be on his new album coming on August 19th. Enjoy :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAdv-NQMhoE

Monday 19 May 2014

Sin and Salvation

Sin, the world is full of it. The prince of darkness rules over the people of the earth and makes them do what pleases him and that is Sin. He made the dark path that leads to disappear, like a broken record it stays clinching on to your barely beating heart on repeat, ever since the days of Adam and Eve. We all sin by many different ways against the goodness of the King of Heaven and his son the Prince of Peace. The only way to escape the prince of darkness is to turn  away towards the Prince of Peace. The one that died on the cross for you and rose again he did it all for the salvation of human kind including you, and me.
To turn away from the Devil (prince of darkness) is a little hard to do if you are set in the world's ways, but once you do your life will never be the same. Once you except Jesus (the prince of Peace) in to your heart your eyes become open, you become a child of God (the King). You'll be royalty and have the power through God to change the world for the better. The light will shin within you glowing to the rest of the world even those enslaved in darkness can see it's beauty if they look. Jesus came to set the captive free and wants you to come and follow him to unconditional love that lasts forever. Everything in the world will fade away but this love will away be there for you, it's here to stay.
Romans 8:1-2 says "so there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." When you become a child of God there's no turning back because his spirit stay with you no matter where you go. Freedom is the truth of the cross, you will never have to go back to that cage again, your chains are gone, your forever in his care. Isn't that just so fantastic?
Romans 5:21 says "So just as sin ruled over all the people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ or Lord." Once you become a Christian your in the world but not of it, your true home is in Heaven with Christ. Once you are a believer you should want to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immortality, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an isolated, worshiping the things of this world." (Colossians 3:5) Jesus fills the void in your heart that others full with things like these. Keep the new nature, don't go back to the human's evil ways for God wants you to be pure and a truthfully good person. Stop letting the devil be your ruler, stop letting him fill your mind with lies, make the change to believing in the one true King and know that only through Jesus you are truly saved. Become born again in your new life with the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Friday 16 May 2014

Death and Life

Two days ago my pastor past away. He got very sick from something rare and then died in a hospital. Even though every member of the church prayed continuously he still went to be with the Lord though we didn't want him to go. In away though God did answer our prayers and cry outs for he did get better than he has ever been. I am sure that he is having a wonderful time up in heaven with God and all the believers who passed before him. but of course I am still very sad about the whole thing. I am especially sad for his wife and how awful this time must be for her, to have the love of your life die must be a terrible thing. I heard form one of the leaders at church that even though our pastor was in the hospital he was still full of life, hope and laughter. He had many hopes for the church and had many visions for where it is going. I don't know what is going to happen nor why God toke him home, but I do know that this is not the end of my church. God has a reason for everything, even though it's not clear in the time being what his reasons are we can never loss hope even though things like this happen everyday.
Death is just an other part of life it has to happen eventually, though we don't know when, you could die tomorrow, in 20 years, or even on your 100th birthday. My question for you today is what are you doing to leave your mark on the world? What you do everyday effects those around you whether if it's positive or negative what you do for people stays with them. You will be remembered by your words just as much by your actions. So what is your mark going to be? How do you want to be remembered? I know that its hard to think about but hey you only live life once right? For most people in the world death is a scary topic, but if you are a believer than when you die it's not the end of your life it's only the beginning of your forever in heaven. Philippians 3:20-21 says "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Proof that the Bible is True

As a follow up to my post on Sunday I would like to give you some more advice on the topic of talking to others about Christianity. Some people you speak to may be interested in knowing some real facts that you can share to back up your statements. Here are some things that you could tell them about if they want to know some interesting facts about things that happened in the Bible.
1. Chariot Wheels found at the bottom of the Red Sea
Remember the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea that killed Pharaoh's men, chariots, and horses but let Moses and the Israelites walk freely from Egypt? (if not it's found in Exodus 14) Well a vast amount of chariot remains have been found in the bottom of the Red Sea. It is very possible that these are the remains of the chariots that belonged to Pharaoh.  What else could explain how they could have possibly have ended up in the middle of a sea?
2. The Circle of the Earth and The Vast Number of Stars 
In Isaiah 40:22 he writes "God sits above the circle of the earth..." How did Isaiah know that the world was actually a globe if not by a Devine revelation? Back then everyone thought that the world was flat, but right there in the writings of this profit was the truth all along. Then in Jeremiah 33:22 he writes that "As the stars of the sky cannot be counted..." this is also proof of the turth in the Bible because science has shown us exactly that.
3. The Shroud of Turin
A length of linen cloth bearing the image of a man who appears to have suffered a crucifixion. There is no consensus yet on exactly how the image was created, however it is believed by many  to be the burial shroud of Jesus.
4. All the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled
One of the large amounts of prophecies involving Jesus that I found to be very interesting was when Jesus cries out on the cross "My God, My God why have you forsaken me!" (Mathew 27). He is actually telling people to turn to Psalm  22 because back then there were no numbers in the bible, people just remembered how all the chapters started. In Psalm 22:16 David writes "Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet." by saying this he is referring to the crucifixion of Jesus. Crucifixion was only invented around 550-485 B.C. where as the Psalms were written approximately 1040 to 1000 BC when crucifixion wasn't even around. I just find that so cool.
There are many more examples but this is just to give to some good ideas, hope this helped <3

The Shroud of Turin


If you have any more examples please comment below I would love to read them :D