Thunderbird House Winnipeg Manitoba Needs some Champions.

Thunderbird House is a multi-use facility located in the City of Winnipeg’s Point Douglas District. It has over 8,000 square feet of conference room space. There is access to a Ceremony grounds for Sweat Lodge Teachings. Thunderbird House is a high valued resource for the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population. Servicing the community for Spiritual guidance and support, Thunderbird House is exemplary.  Financial stability has eluded Thunderbird House. As a non-government funded not for profit charitable organization of Religious entity status, it would seem that financial support would be forthcoming by the public. Thunderbird House has not had success in attracting financial aid. It may due to many factors, one being that marketability has been lacking. Thunderbird House is searching for ways to overcome their financial weakness.

The one common thread that all Creatures have is their sense of Identity. Identity is extremely important as to who we are and how we function. We also know that we do not live in isolation. Thunderbird House has an identity that is based on inclusion, pride, humility, history and opportunity. Thunderbird House and the greater population are about to embark on a journey of inclusion and opportunity.

Thunderbird House is more than an iconic landmark facility in the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is more than a symbol of Aboriginal heritage and enduring Spirit. It is a home; a home that includes everyone. Just like the four directions of the Earth, and the four entrance ways at Thunderbird House, there are more ways to enter into the lives of others. Thunderbird House is seeking others to enter their Home and enter into their journey.

Thunderbird House is unique in that it is more than a facility for Spiritual guidance of Aboriginal people. It is a portal to a common goal; Good Life – Mino Pimatiziwin. Thunderbird House and its supporters have the opportunity to enrich lives. The enrichment of life has a compound effect for the betterment of the larger community.

In order to accomplish the common goal, Thunderbird House needs Champions. Thunderbird House needs Champions to support the ideals of Good Life, healthy living, financial stability and unwavering commitment.

Thunderbird House is a majestic building, designed by noted Architect Douglas Cardinal. It is a haven of support and guidance for the non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal community. Providing spiritual guidance, community inclusion, and building community capacity by supporting individuals.  Thunderbird House can only live if it receives help. Building networks, and financial partnerships will provide Thunderbird House with the means to continue to capacity build in the community. Individuals that recognize their potential achieve greater success and practice higher citizenship behavior.

The Aboriginal population needs support. Thunderbird House, along with its colleagues and Helpers are going to provide that support. The Aboriginal population is in a crisis. That crisis is manifested in the market of public services accessed voluntarily and involuntarily by the Aboriginal population.  That access is not ideal for Aboriginal people in some cases. Where can the change begin to stop the over participation by Aboriginal people in the unemployment line, the correctional facility, the child care agency, the welfare line, the health clinics, and the morgue?

It can stop with you, with us.  The identity crisis of the Aboriginal population is a major hurdle to overcome. By instilling knowledge of history, of Spiritual beliefs, of pride, of perseverance and of discipline, the Aboriginal population will prosper. Having a good picture of oneself is one step, an important step, in becoming a stronger individual. Knowing that you are part of a larger community that sees itself in a good and positive manner, is the foundation to a healthier self. Having a strong sense of identity is key in stopping recidivism in the corrections. It helps with being a better parent, business member, a trust worthy colleague, a person you can count on, and a productive member of our society.

Financial supporting Thunderbird House is a plus for the community. The benefits will out way the costs.

There are no “magic bullets” to address all the issues currently faced by the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population. Having a support mechanism such as the people involved with Thunderbird House is a good start. With your help it will be an on-going mechanism of support. 

Thunderbird House

Thunderbird House

"Something is wrong when a pretty little white girl runs into a Black man's arms"

The Coolest Dude on the Planet.


Charles Ramsey, you can't get enough of this gentleman. You know why? 

Because he is a breath of fresh air. No pretense. Just a regular guy telling you how it is.

In the near future, people will look at his faults and bring them out for the public, but you know what?

Forget that, this guy did a good thing. He told the world what took place, and he told in a way that was honest.  A reflection of how he talks and acts daily.

"EveryDAY!.. Bro, not a CLUE! that that girl was in that house..."

"I knew something was wrong when a little pretty  white girl runs into a Blackman's arms..."  "Dead giveaway"...


________________
Amended post:  What did I tell ya?  Someone decided to post Ramsey's criminal record.  Couldn't see him in the spot light for 15 minutes. Oh well. that's the nature of people. We are our past no matter how we try to make amends.  We will throw it in your face to make sure you never grow.  We will make sure to keep you in the past. Truth is, we can't change the past. We can however, make a better day right now. That is all we can do. Charles Ramsey, you old criminal you, you are still a cool dude (right now anyway).

http://www.christianpost.com/news/unflappable-hero-charles-ramsey-says-past-domestic-violence-arrests-made-him-a-better-man-today-95642/

Winnipeg University Powwows celebrate Indian graduates.

Well this month in Winnipeg Manitoba there have been three Powwows that have taken place. Last night was the Powwow at the University of Manitoba. The night before that was a Powwow at the Red River Community College. And a few weeks before that was the Powwow at the University of Winnipeg.

I like that. It is a chance for people to see the successes of Aboriginal youth and Mature students.

It is a remarkable thing having so many excelling. Formal education is a great thing to have in today's society. I still think traditional skills are as important to Indian people. Hopefully we can balance the two. I think that many are.

Patricia Ningewance Nadeau

Elder John Kent

Rocky

Powwow Jamming

Chi-Beep

Spirit Sands

Veterans

Dancer

Pam Spence

Take my Picture

Beautiful Babie

Just Proud & Great

Winnipeg AIM

Nepinak Family

Met a Messenger from God Today.

"What if God was one of us?"

Interesting day for me. I wasn't feeling too good. That happens. So I figured I would go over to Thunderbird House.  Just felt like seeing anyone that might make a difference in my day. Anyway, at the house there was this old white gentleman getting to the doorway just ahead of me. So he went in and I followed. He was directed to the office to see Sasha, the Director of Thunderbird House. I took a pit stop and went go pee. When I finished, I went over to the office to see Sasha, the old man was standing there talking to her. I didn't want to intrude, but I went see anyways. I'm noisy like that or as some say a "paachack" (not really a good word, you know like Homer Simpson when he barges into a room pushing people out of the way and says out of my way I got here late", like that). Oh yeah, the old man said something about the big "chief" and so I asked which Reserve? The old man looked at me and said "I am a messenger". "You won't want to talk to me as I am a messenger from God". Yoohoo (Yoho is something the old people say in the Reserve when they are listening to someone, by the tone of the yoho, it is either and interesting story or someone telling a bullshit story). Sasha was very polite and took his phone number and she would pass on his number.

I did tell the old man I would listen to him. So we went into the Elder's room (a room for the Elder's that use the room at Thunderbird House, really its a small room with a small couch in it, nice, comfy). He sat on the couch and I sat in a folding chair. We sat and he told me his story.

His brother had passed away some time ago. I guess his brother was 70. Anyway, his brother came to visit him one night. The old man, Tony is his name, asked his brother how he was doing. His brother said he was "fine and I am here". Tony said his brother came to him and was about 25 years old. He said that was the age that his brother chose to come see him as. Tony said, "you see, people think our loved ones go to hell or somewhere, or that they are beneath the ground, but that's not it". "They are everywhere, they are here and they are fine". "Creator, God or whatever people call him (Tony used the male reference in speaking about God) is here. You see, God made everything, even himself. So if he made everything, he is everywhere, in you and in me. So what does God look like? He looks like you!  He looks like me. He looks like all of us. God made everything. So he made dogs (animals, trees, other things)  to beautify the Earth. How does a dog know he is a dog?  How do you know who you are? That is the important thing. You must know who you are."  " People have choice".  "They can believe or not believe. "  "I want to help that Indian girl". "I want her to know her daughter is here and she is fine". "She is not up on that hill".  Tony was referring to Tanya Nepinak. Tanya went missing and is believed murdered and her remains are up in the land fill of the City of Winnipeg. A brief and small search did not find her. It was a gesture search by the police and government. Promise of finding her was not good. So a small area was looked at.

Tony asked me if I would tell people what he said, and I said yes. He said I made him very happy. Actually Tony me feel different, not happy but more reflective of the days.  I was feeling sad and he put things in a new perspective. Tony said "if God Creator made everything and made you, than you are part of God, so when you pray, how you going to pray? You just talk, after all God is right there with you". "That Pope, those priests are not any closer to God than you are". Tony told me stories of people that come see him. People that have passed on. He told stories of what went on and how they looked. That each of them could chose a time of how they looked but did not go past the age of when they died. Tony an old guy also said about Gay people, God doesn't be bothered about that.

It was interesting. If he didn't talk about being a messenger of God or seeing dead people, how would his message have been taken?

I have no reason not to believe him. What did he gain by coming over to the North End of Winnipeg and tell his story?

You know there is a cop out answer I could give, "I believe that he believes what he says is true."  Now what the heck does that mean? I means I don't have the guts to say whether or not I think he's crazy.

So I don't have any reason to think he is crazy. He sees dead people.  I wish I could (well not all of them and not if they're all decaying and stuff like in the movie, American Werewolf in London.)

I too am a messenger, just not able to talk to the big Chief. Or maybe I do talk to him/her, its just that I don't hear too good.

Miikawaadizi: A new Granddaughter arrives.

Well our oldest girl had a baby this April. It is her first child. It gives us great hope and happiness. So happy for our girl. We don't want her to be alone.

Miikawaadizi is one of our new granddaughter's  names. She is going to be one more of our gifts.


I am thankful, grateful to have the opportunity to be granpa.  I won't use Mishoom as that was my grandfather and I remember him as Mishoom.

Miikawaadizi - She is beautiful

Precious Life. Boston Marathon.

Our world has again been disrupted with fear, anger, hurt and sadness. At the Boston Marathon yesterday, two bombs exploded. An eight year old boy was killed. There were others killed and many many injured.
I think if you really want someone to hate you, explode a bomb, kill people and injure many. That is what I think. Can anyone defend killing random people. I guess it happens all the time all over the world. I get that.

I guess we see it as far away. The world is small these days. We are affected. We cannot bury our heads in the sand. Life is precious no matter where it is. It is precious for the little boy who was killed in a bomb explosion? What did he do to be killed? Nothing. That's the thing isn't it. What does anyone do to get killed like that?  Drone bombs, car bombs, shellings, you name it, it happens almost daily, in a world far away. But it's not far away.

Life is precious. Who's is more precious? That is what it seems to come down to. People are dying all over for many different reasons. Whether or not those reasons are valid. I don't believe there can be justification or validity in those actions.



In the midst of death there is life. Life is precious. I will still hold on to the belief that we can be kind to each other. Its just hard right now not to embrace the anger, hurt and sadness of it all.

Comforting that precious life 

Rehtaeh Parsons: a cry for help that went unheard.

Another child lost. And why?
Because society is cruel sometimes.
The Father said that his daughter was disappointed to death.
She was attacked, sexual assaulted, video taped, and harassed.
What did the police do?
What did the Justice do?
What did the community do?
Her Peers?

The Parents did what they could, trying to seek help and remedy. That couldn't come. Rehtaeh tried to get help.

The accused?  Not sure, tormented her?
Other students?  Not sure, tormented her?
Who knows?

Rahtaeh knew.

What could she do?

Sadly Rehtaeh is one of many.  We must stop and listen. Not only listen but act.

Rehtaeh Parsons

 Could a little bit of kindness have saved her?  I don't know?

What we do know is that being mean, cruel and  hurtful is real.

And it is ugly.

I did not know Rehtaeh Parsons. I cry for you Rehtaeh Parsons. I cry for your family. I cry. 

 ________________________

News - articles. 




“My daughter wasn’t bullied to death, she was disappointed to death,” he wrote. “For the love of god do something.”

"Friends and family who gathered for the funeral of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons remembered the young woman’s kind heart Saturday in a service that also drew attention to the wider issues of bullying and sexual violence.
Parsons, 17, hanged herself after enduring what her family says was months of bullying after allegedly being raped and photographed by four boys in 2011. She died in hospital last weekend after being taken off life support.
Since then, her story has gained international attention, placing the spotlight on larger problems affecting youth."



"Those who loved Parsons, who was taken off life-support last Sunday after hanging herself three days earlier, spoke of their despair, anger, indescribable grief. But others talked of the good, too, that has come in the days since her suicide, which followed months of depression over an alleged rape and subsequent social shunning. "

Rev. Morrell called for efforts to battle sexual abuse and cyberbullying.

“How can our society create a safe haven for young girls? Why do young men feel that young girls are but objects for their sexual fantasies and pleasure? Why do teenagers avoid seeking help when they are depressed and suicidal? How can our schools deal with physical and now cyber bullying?” he asked.

“The world lost a beautiful girl,” she said. “We should be ashamed.”

Parsons’ story, now known to so many around the world, is about justice denied, about caring too late, about cruelty.

On April 4, Parsons hanged herself with a belt in the bathroom of her family home. She had locked herself in the bathroom, threatening suicide, after she had a fight with someone on the phone. Nothing serious, Leah said, but enough to anger her.

A friend identified as Jenna — one of three singled out by Leah Parsons for having been there for her daughter — had been over and talking to Parsons through the door. But Parsons had stopped talking.

Leah broke in, feeling the weight of Parsons’ body as she opened the door. She had to cut her daughter down with scissors.

“We would much prefer to see someone in jail than their only punishment to be shame.”

As for the teens alleged to have sexually assaulted Parsons, they bragged as they sent out the photo, students said.

Said student Kelsey Patterson: “They don’t think they did anything wrong.”