"the gathering"

I seem to be getting the hang of this, so I must tell you now, some of the things I am working on, actively, and who I am working with. This way, I can from this point on, continue to add to this wonderful project. I am forgetting to add so many events, and meetings, and dates which I hope as I remember, I will certainly add. So many people have made such positive remarks of support for this project. I can only hope to be as successful as the Aboriginal women, who make up these affected groups in BC, deserve.

The gathering will be held on March 20th, 2006 - the First Day of Spring. The spring equinox is symbolic of change, rebirth, renewal - hope for the future.

I do not have a venue established yet. Money of course will be an issue, since, well, I don't have any. Hardy har har.

I have though, established my first guest of honor to speak at this event. Which is none other than the Queens' representative for British Columbia, The Honourable Iona Campagnolo. I visited her office on November 18th, 2005, which was quite nice. She was very impressive to sit and talk with, since she seemed to be very on the ball on so many issues. Impressive!

I have talked to a great many people on this subject. What started as an awareness project, has evolved into what it is. This gathering, I would like to promote, is an opportunity to not only balance what is going on here in BC, but more importantly, give the affected families an opportunity to openly acknowledge their loved ones, to remove the shame brought on through the horrible stories constantly reinforced through the "drugged out whore" stories and statements.

I have made presentations at the First Nations Summit, displayed the doll project at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, have worked with Don
Wright from Amnesty International - who supports this project, have made an informal presentation to National Chief Phil Fontaine, established a working relationship with Lilian George, President, United Native Nations, established working relationship with Mark Weintraub, President, Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region, established a working group including my good friend Jen Sanke (masters of law student - good stuff Jen), Lara Condello (professor of Criminology at IIG All Nations Institute), Dan Smith - Chief Negotiator at Hamatla Treaty Society, Darren Fryer - wonderful friend who coined the name "Aboriginal Angel Doll" (he's so creative!), Sunni Hunt - cultural liason with Aboriginal Mother's Center, and other women who will join as we go along, conducted my first Community Forum (very nice), am working with elder "Old Hands" - who has created a new song specifically for this event which he will get on disk for my next community forum in January, I have come to sit on two boards - Aboriginal Mother's Center, and Options for Sexual Health, this project has been promoted in the most recent magazine - Bloodlines - through Red Road (very beautiful piece), Vancouver Sun article from June 22, 2005 (with a nice pic), Vancouver province, and the June issue of Shared Vision magazine, have also had a television interview for June 5th, 2005 from City TV.

An upcoming event - Cliff Alteo Jr will interview me, when we meet up at the First Nations Summit Nov 30.

I also have one other radio interview for CKNW, which has been put on hold, due to my schedule as I am in the middle of finals.........wish me luck on my finals.....

G