CCIQ Press is proud to acknowledge the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
(Please scroll down for previous weeks.)
Week XIII
Over the month of June I’ve decided to acknowledge BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ humans whose contribution to the world could not go unnoticed. The first person that I’ve selected is Writer & Playwright, American Civil Rights Activist James Baldwin. Anther perfect example how intersectionality comes into play, Baldwin spoke of his culture & sexual orientation which back then was a VERY taboo subject. Love is ANYONE’s birthright.
i am me! you see BIZZAR! i see a human!
you see, regardless of the age
humans have fallen for their choice
individuals can not control
who they adore
moments of solace
spent in the arms
of the one you relish
should never be a crime
my body is gone
however, there is an endless
echo that resides
tragic to say life in some ways
has moved
in a rewind fashion
of motion
Week XI
Colonisation, Genocide, Stolen Culture In order to cohesively understand, one must first listen to the origin of racism and systemic discrimination with regards to colonization, and the impact on Indigenous communities. When colonization first occurred, stifling of Indigenous culture was commonly practised by the settlers. This concept prospered by mandating the First Nations: not take part in their ceremonies, wear traditional garments, or even speak their Native language. When one’s origin is not permitted to be shared and constantly silenced, that would tend to breed a resentment in anyone, and in turn take out the frustration on their families. Colonization, ruined the First Nations beyond compare for centuries after the fact, it was the genesis set into play that predestined the level of destruction which currently continues to haunt First Nation communities. The levels of intergenerational trauma within the Indigenous People’s is beyond extreme, and commonly transpired to substance abuse as a result of contending with personal and painful histories. Which would in turn lead to a legacy of family violence, as not just one individual is impacted in that scenario but the entire family. My first semester of Victimology found me in Diversity & Victimology: Indigenous Peoples, so much from that class is still seared into my mind. My teacher introduced our class to Monster by Dennis Saddleman; the words in this recording and expressions behind them say it all. This is authentic emotion as a direct result of the genocide that took place via the process of residential schools. The manner in which the residential school was written about in Saddleman’s poem is nothing short of raw brilliance. He transforms the residential school into a persona of its’ own. One that was relentless, filled with desire to terminate an entire culture and not only one generation but multiple generations as well. The trauma is so evident; how does one heal from something so traumatic? This is a manifestation of living breathing torture; not to mention how many children ran away from the residential schools and died before making it back home to the elements or even murdered by the caretaker of the residential schools. I would invite my readers to listen to the recording of Monster here – brace yourself and listen with a box of tissues. The message conveyed throughout this poem is one that would genuinely shame anyone that has any dealings with the residential school and its’ infinite legacy of abuse. HATE I can appreciate why a human who would desire to scribe a piece based on the abuse endured by children Cultural genocide propelled on The First Nations earth The pain brought forth by the residential school legacy is one that never should have occurred in the first place No human should have power over others greed and fear forced the Indigenous beings off of their land -- Who resided here for nearly 15,000 years prior to being kicked off Native lands nothing about this feels right I am not Indigenous to this land however am to another distant land the screams of the children can still be heard Listen to the wind which howls as it engulfs with love those who’ve disappeared You are not forgotten You will never be forgotten
Week XII
215 children’s bodies were discovered this past week at the site of a former “Kamploops Indian Residential School.” You can read all about here – that being said my poem this week is a continuation of last weeks! I DARE YOU! I double, triple, dare you to tell me that residential schools was not an act of GENOCIDE... Rewind a minute please please find genocide below as defined from he Oxford dictionary I received decades ago:
I don’t know your thoughts
however mine are cemented
in the fact that is it genocide
After that words
no longer take their shape
Week IX
For an open-minded individual there are a myriad of possible ways to not only educate ourselves but all society through first understanding the impact that the Residential Schools housed with regards to intergenerational trauma, cultural genocide, and forced assimilation. The Residential School system being a catalyst for First Nations trauma experienced as a method of severing familial ties, spiritual beliefs, and language. Our modern-day world affords us an endless amount of information. The Seven Sacred Teachings of: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth. Each teaching brings forth with it an integral component that allows the one learning about First Nations culture such a rich scope to appreciate.
Buffy Sainte-Marie has caused quite the rightful ruckus throughout the course of her life on behalf of protecting the First Nations. This woman still continues to fight for the rights of murdered and missing Indigenous Women. I know, I’ve brought up this subject on numerous occasions; because it is essential that the First Nations have everything that is owed to them. Buffy always spoke out about the atrocities that her people had to endure. The legacy of genocide made possible with the creation of Residential Schools can still be felt through the echoes of First Nations ancestors.
Victimization: Indigenous Peoples
The plasma seeped into the earth
has resulted in crimson grass tips
ancestors’ bones coat
the earth’s layers
with each shattered treaty
and the appointment
of residential schools
There are those who deny
the genocide of the First Nations
who state this deplorable time
in Turtle Island’s history
is false
One question keeps its persistence
why?
WHY was this body of Earth’s
organic beings treated in an inhumane
manner – culture in itself
is remarkable?!
To be constantly stiffed
where is the equity?
where is the improved
quality of life?
where is the acknowledgement
of stolen Indigenous women?
Week X
Please note Week X brings with some changes. I started this BIPOC Women’s Exploration with Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw Founder of Intersectionality; that being said I am altering my project to be not only a permanent fixture of CCIQ Press but also one that will include anything and everything BIPOC. Once again, I began to think about the Theory of Intersectionality and how a true study must incorporate every single angle on the axis for it to be impactful. I am not being true to myself by limiting the scope that impacts and cross references a myriad of magnificent cultures. I want to thank Emma at DRCC for the appreciation of my vision.
Now, that being said this week my poem is going to be about the land of Palestine. Written from the perspective of the hot desert earth; the story of an anonymous girl who is an anomaly. One that is mixed with both Ancient Hebrew & Palestinian blood.
And the fountain in the garden waits...
Ancient civilizations merged together
love forged behind enemy lines
crimson ties that bind
sorrow for both
Damien: Do your parents know that you went out?
Amani: No! Of course they don’t know! Ya Allah,
are you out of your mind?
Damien: Well, last time we almost got caught
don’t you remember?
Amani: Yes, I remember! I thought my father
was not going to believe my lie.
Damien: I hate that we have to remain apart
like this – why can we just go somewhere and get married?
Amani: You know why – the minute we try to leave
my father is going to have the police out for a ransom on your head.
Damien: I love you, nothing else at this point should matter. Our days are numbered, they will
soon find out anyways.
A little girl born into a battle cry
pyres row upon row
Culture is blasted
people die, casualties
scatter upon ash riddled streets
genocide occurs everywhere
to stand as a biproduct
of love yet be pulled
in too many directions
there are 360 degrees
in a full circle – we should
afford humanity the right
to peace – end the plasma
river – the earth no longer
needs to absorb
Week VII
Facts about the Highway Of Tears
- 724 km is the length of the Yellowhead Highway 16 in British Columbia. Tragically this space now referred to as The Highway of Tears is where most First Nations women have vanished or discovered as murdered (Sabo, 2016, 2019).
- 12-16% of missing or murdered Indigenous Women; make up 4% of Canada’s population (Kameir, 2014).
- E-PANA defined: Spirit Goddess who tends to the souls before they are reincarnated or go to Heaven in Inuit the “E” portion comes from the Division of Criminal Operations requesting review of the murders on Highway 16 (Royal Canadian mounted Police in British Columbia, n.d.).
- Project E-PANA, which is the RCMP’s investigation into the murders that occurred on The Highway of Tears began in the fall of 2005 (Carrier Sekani Family Services, n.d).
In the Voice Of A Murdered Indigenous Woman
*content warning
I am unable to feel warm
the earth crusted to my skin
my hair is all tangled
I wish my mom was here
she would hate my onyx locks
being all matted and dirty
beautiful fuchsia nail polish
now scratched and bloody
I tried to fight off
this man who basically
took me as I walked
home from work
What's worse is that daylight
was at the point of a faded sun
I screamed -- no one heard me
Trapped and tied up in the trunk
of one of those old-fashioned
jeeps; with plastic zip bands
my hands and feet both bound
I am not safe, I want my soft
yellow and green floral comforter
to hide below
I am no longer able to feel my tears
they have dried to my face -- brittle drops
-- the moisture that was once
on my body has now diminished into
a pile of buried bones
positioned face down
I can never travel to the land
of where my ancestors
reside
Canada's Highway of Tears and the Women We Forgot: Rawiya Kameir
https://gawker.com/canadas-highway-of-tears-and-the-women-we-forgot-1579002464
Carrier Sekani Family Services https://www.highwayoftears.org/about-us/carrier-sekani-family-services
Highway of Tears By Don Sabo https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/highway-of-tears
Project E-PANA http://cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=1525#cont
Week VIII
Turtle Island; Why Indigenous World Views Matter
As a human being who has no Indigenous blood, I feel that Indigenous worldviews matter for a number of different reasons. For one the genesis story of Turtle Island is seared to the forefront on my brain as it clearly illustrates the desire for: love, peace, appreciation, and resilience. Take the muskrat for example who sacrificed his life in order to grasp some earth in his paws to assist with the concept of scope via a wider lens. The interconnectedness between not only the elemental components of: fire, water, air, earth but also the interaction with all creatures: flora, fauna and human. There is a certain type of environmental sensitivity that is practiced which honours and respects the land, culture, and community. Humanity benefits so much from Indigenous worldviews that validate the purpose of why these specific worldviews and ideologies matter so much. There are so many things we could learn from Indigenous Peoples such as: smudging and understanding the true purpose of a cleanse and how that purification doesn’t just impact the person who is smudging but also their environment and ancestors. To have the constant connectivity to not only the elements but also the ancestors who have come before makes these worldviews so essential. I must also add the oral tradition of sharing and teaching I feel solidifies the learning process as it is done in a manner that is conducive to facial expressions and understanding to those who sit and listen to all the elders have to offer. We live in a very ugly world, humanity has taken so much for granted and has stolen so many resources from the First Nations. However, they are still here!!! Speaks of immense resilience... To teach humanity about the importance of not only grounding, but also being open to sacred medicines that work and ceremonies used to open the soul.
Turtle Cove’s Island
Fear response
of the lack of knowledge
with regards to uncertain futures
a body of people
who occupy the pure elegance
of the GREAT Mother Earth
In her hands she holds
the ideologies of protectors
sentries born in order
to sacrifice for the good
a microcosm the efficiency
to thrive – to observe
that each life held
is immense yes, however,
means nothing
absent of the macro purpose
that awaits our micro beings
all elements course through
the crimson blood of The Indigenous People
choices are made everyday
What may be right for one
may not necessarily be best for everyone
a mentality which is part of the problem
Turtle Island, occupies a plethora
of Indigenous tribes
each one of them
has a valid story
that must be
heard
please listen with all your
senses, which includes
true light riddled
intuition
Week V
As someone of Palestinian descent my teita used to always ululate, the sound she would make would be so immensely loud and booming. It reminded me of the First Nations chants; which still move me to tears every time I hear them. The first time that I heard the consistent drum beat from First Nations ceremonies I wanted more. The sound would absorb into my entire being -- I stand motionless to ensure that I miss nothing. It is how I feel when I listen to Uuliniq Susan Aglukark when O Siem was first released in 1995. The impact of that song pursues a message of love and unity. Something that the First Nations of Canada were truly not afforded. The lyrics adhere to my frontal lobe "O Siem we are all family..."I remember, how thrilled I was to be an audience member at the Juno's that year to watch Susan win for: Best New Solo Artist and Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording. Even as I write this, I still feel the goosebumps radiate throughout my body.
It makes me wonder why this ideology has not been adopted and fostered by the greater society. We house the proclivity between us to rise to be there as an ally for a desperately underserved body of people, who reside all across Canada some of which are under water boiling advisories. In fact currently there are "54 long-term advisories in effect as of March 31, 2021 (Government of Canada, 2021)" Our earth is one large dysfunctional family however, no one sees that. All they see are how individuals do things differently and fear it. In 2021 the time for unity should prevail.
There is a kind of anger the surrounds the globe!
For how many millennia
has the planet been engulfed
in flames?
The level of inequity
is deplorable --
why fight?
Why fight it at all?
injustice occurs everywhere
at the hands of greed and inequality
gender and race bias takes over
a manipulation tactic
that should never
exist --
to never come to fruition!
-- when did society
simply surrender to its authority?
Did it always?
In secondary school
plenty of poems were written
with regards to immense
dominion
over civilisation
I do not subscribe
to the one size fits all perspective
there is purpose
Human beings should not be classified
as garden variety cookie cutters!
Is that what people want?
To be normal? To blend
the shades of diluted hues?
If strength is not maintained
in anything saturated --
inconsistencies
will spread
through the bowels
of humanity
The choices are numerous
however, the only one for me
stands with those
who feel compelled
to go to war
for a simple
yet valuable concept
FREEDOM!
Ending long-term drinking water advisories. (2021, March 31). Government of Canada. https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1506514143353/1533317130660
Week VI
There is something about the quality of a good song that can genuinely bring me to my knees. As someone who relishes the concept of music, impeccable song writing skills are never overlooked through my boring brown optics. This week I have selected Singer/Songwriter, Breakthrough Artist of the 2017 Juno’s Ruth B. As someone who gravitates towards anything and everything fantasy related – Lost Boy struck a chord with me from the first time I heard the simplicity of Ruth B’s voice as she accompanies herself on the piano. I relished Once Upon a Time as well, which inspired her song Lost Boy; it is incredible how art always feeds more art and throughout the various media genres throughout artistic impressions.
Travel back in time? What the hell for?
I’ve never been in search
for the fountain of youth
and don’t think I ever will be
Unlike some my youth was most unpleasant
it took a lot of energy to simply
remain alive
What I seek
is the sage wisdom of age
to be able to comprehend
there are things in life
that must occur
for resilience
to emancipate
itself from the confines
of shackles that bound
a spirit that simply
desired to fly into the infinite
strata – to discover
far off worlds
through the scope
of an imagination
that has always
felt a sense of a stifled echo
a fear that control
essentially must always
be exhibited
loss of creative maniacal
structure adheres
to the verity
of self
Week III
First Nation’s history in Canada does not paint of picture of equity; it is one that infused pure blood into all the rivers of Turtle Island and every single treaty broken. Treaties like the Two Row Wampum Gä•sweñta’ which established that the First Nations and the early European settlers came to an understanding that each go their own way and none of the two shall interfere with each other’s lives, business, or community affairs to govern as two separate entities. Two Row Wampum Gä•sweñta’ is one of the many treaties that did not do what it promised – EVERY SINGLE TREATY WAS BROKEN and not in favour of the First Nations. If this breaks my heart and fills me with PURE RAGE -- I can only imagine how the First Nations of Turtle Island sense all of this unwarranted devastation.
For this week, the individual that I have selected Anishinaabe Artist Rebecca Belmore; I’ve written about Rebecca Belmore numerous times over the years. The work that is created recognises humanity with a fine-tuned level of intrinsic awareness worthy of exploration. My favourite aspect from the work I’ve watched – is the incorporation of not only environmental elements also included are powerful cultural elements steeped in statement. Rebecca takes all the pain, injustice, and ignorance to be the architect to something truly advocacy based.
How A Parchment Can Be Rendered Null & Void
When promises are written upon a parchment
it is an oath between all parties involved
to render into the abyss of desolation
each tree afforded by Mother Earth
should be used to chronicle
various artisanal expressions
of verity and honour
for words to be written on a biproduct
f a forest, a part of nature should reflect
an small amount of respect
lies have no business
being written on an authentic
document which dishonours
the treaties from the days of old
it ought to have an ounce of respect
those who have suffered on the basis
of proper acknowledgement
of humanity
More specifically the First Nations
of Turtle Island who bring
with them such a rich appreciation
for culture and maintenance
of sacred customs
Week IV
Whenever I think of the legacy that Nina Simone has left our world; I am completely overwhelmed with such a sense of joy, and appreciation. This is a woman that used her voice to leave a long-lasting impression; this post is going to be a little different. As Nina Simone is a Singer/Songwriter this week’s presentation will be a video of my favourite song by Nina Simone with an accompanying piece by me! I feel it would honestly be a disservice to share my thoughts in this instance; the legacy that was left by this beautiful soul speaks beyond any intro that I could potentially scribe.
Birthright
I’ve always been fascinated
with the space in between
especially when it comes
to eight and quarter notes
as they travel so quickly
across unaware keys
they communicate
a symbiotic dialogue
that reigns the ugly truth
stitched into visible elegance
decades after the revolutionary
would be devastated to witness
the state of our world
freedom still does not exist
in life there must be a dash
of tenacity if we are to truly
survive – there is a quality
in relation to a bold essence
that only desires to stand
why not rise?
why not ask life
for all the impossible
qualities that are heavily
marinated in equity
clearly individuals know
bigotry and ignorance
does not lead to a path
that will bloom
at the feet of those
who deny the truth
one that should
forever
not be ignored
Week I
As a placement student at the Durham Rape Crisis Centre; I am afforded certain opportunities that I genuinely want to take advantage of. Our world houses a myriad of subjects with relation to women that I would relish a poetic study of; BIPOC women more specifically, and enough content for a layer cake extended latter to the moon. As with everything in my life, it always comes back to poetry for me. I find the language to allow for more lush imagery that regular articles do not tend to support. This 52-week study will begin today March 11, 2021 and will end March 10, 2022; the purpose of this journey is to highlight the unsung BIPOC women who continue to inspire me.
“Intersectionality is the concept that all oppression is linked. More explicitly, the Oxford Dictionary defines intersectionality as “the interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage”. Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression, and we must consider everything and anything that can marginalise people – gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. First coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw back in 1989, intersectionality was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2015 with its importance increasingly being recognised in the world of women’s rights (Taylor, 2019).”
For the first week, I have selected the Theory of Intersectionality Founder; Kimberlé Crenshaw who also happens to be an: American Lawyer, Civil Rights Advocate, prominent Philosopher of critical race theory, and a full-time professor at UCLA Law School. Kindly note my preceding list of all the various facets of Kimberlé’s life, how they all tie in so nicely with the theory she tenderly cultivated. Theory of Intersectionality allows us to view humans from more than one lens, no cookie cutter components all organic fabrications of our makeup. Perspective makes this theory important; this knowledge allows us as human beings to understand that we are truly multilayered beings; which is equally true in a clinical environment with clients. As a Social Service Worker and future Behavioural Scientists; I appreciate this theory on a myriad of levels. Not only does it focus on the individual traits that create a human; also their mannerisms and habits. Think about this way, start with a macro point, there are many humans on this earth, each being has characteristics that overlap on top of themselves individually, and tie that into the micro dissection of a human’s essence.
As a woman, I am a: wife, mother, Lebanese born Palestinian, student, poet/writer, first language as French with a bit of Arabic; all of these individually are plain Jane. However, if we bring them together not only do you have a complete human; moreover, there are various perspectives of thought according to those roles. Each one requires study; as a multidimensional being. There are of course other things that require consideration: age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion/faith or spirituality/philosophy, physical appearance, height, weight, disorders, addictions, and caste. Crenshaw’s Theory of Intersectionality puts a name to something so simple; that houses the potential to make a huge difference in someone’s post-trauma recovery life. To be considered a full human being by workers in all Medical and Mental Health fields allows for a genuine study; in order to gain a better understanding with regard to potential courses of treatments and post-trauma-safety-plans. How well would we be able to empower our clients; a one-dimensional linear view does not condone a course of action that is authentically conducive to a better life.
It’s brilliant really; a big picture down to the small micro detail that could make the big difference between truly helping another human being and possibly re-victimising them. The Theory of Intersectionality should be studied by all students in all caregiver roles as this knowledge is incredibly important.
Pinwheel Sunburst
Is saying I am worthless?
various factors identify
the tattered edges that bind
our intimate tapestries
a cross on a page
two simple lines
intersect
now for the whimsy
another cross placed
on the previous
and shifted 45 degrees
multiply by a Googleplex
it’s there look
can you see it?
a pinwheel, magnificent
windmill that cycles
with each of Luna’s phases
now, imagine all the arms
out stretched
each extended appendage
into the abyss of
sky
ocean
or earth
roots have the capacity
to house wings – individually
all feather points
around the circumference
not only a different hue
also characteristic
millions
and millions
of traits
await
any terrain
References
Taylor, B. (2020, October 15). Intersectionality 101: what is it and why is it important? Womankind Worldwide. https://www.womankind.org.uk/intersectionality-101-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/
Week II
The REDress Project was established as a direct result of the missing or murdered Indigenous women of Canada. This installation is one that has travelled throughout North America to showcase and add visibility to the Indigenous women who’ve had their lives terminated before their time. The reason that these dresses are placed in very open public places is to raise the awareness of the mass numbers of Indigenous women who have been massacred as a result of violence against women. To provide an infinite voice to those whispers who’ve been bound tight with wire thread (Black, 2020).
Roots-Highway-Cry
why is there a dress on my branch?
my roots have started to tingle
i can feel the agony
of their representation
although these branches
are above ground the ache
below is a startling reality
embers burn through the splash
of crimson that elegantly
hangs on my branch
a string of plasma induced
hues for a necklace of humiliation
the fabric brushes against
my trunk and my roots
stretch through the land
in communication with other trees
to comprehend the definition
of why it is genuinely necessary
to acknowledge all the murdered
Indigenous women
whose disappearances
have been ignored
this loud battle cry
can be heard right
through to the tip
of the last centimetre
as they stretch below
our glorious terra firma
the levels of compassion
rise with mother nature’s
claim on this earth
made for women
annihilated and diminished
by society
i’ll never forget
i will always rise
regardless of those
why attempt to bury
my shell
a spirit to haunt
forever
References
Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.ca/sites/amnesty/files/iwfa_submission_amnesty_international_february_2014_-_final.pdf
“Newsworthy” Victims? Exploring differences in Canadian local press coverage of missing/murdered Aboriginal and White women By: Kristen Gilchrist
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14680777.2010.514110
About the REDress project By: Jamie Black https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/
