Fall 2007 titled “Song Girl” - John Howard Society of Manitoba

Fall 2007
Life Song by Russell Disbrowe
For many generations our dreams and songs were silent
They could not be heard and our voices were deathly quiet.
Today in the spirit of humility we sing out to every nation
To celebrate with us, our love and bond for all creation.
Together in one voice we will sing for the life of mother earth.
Our song in unity will rise and flow out into the soul of the universe
Ensuring the survival of mother earth and all humanity
The sacred breath of life depends on creation’s unity.
Children of future generations will flourish and thrive
As the universal heartbeat of mother earth beats on for life.
The harmony created by our song will echo into eternity
Creating oneness and balance with the universe, infinite and free…
This example of Ojibwe Woodland art
titled “Song Girl” was submitted by
Sidney Alexander Teerhuis-Moar
and painted in Headingley Correctional Centre.
Inside this issue is another painting
and an explanation.
If you would like to see your art in the Inside Scoop,
please send it to The John Howard Society at
583 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1Z7
Please let us know if you would like your name
printed with it or would like to stay anonymous.
Thanks!
Some people call it Caughlin art, others refer to it
as Ojibwe Woodland art. In any case, this style of
traditional aboriginal art is of the Ojibwe people
and those of the interlake region (Great Lakes area.)
“Song Girl” and “Newcomer” were painted at
Headingley Correctional Centre more than a year
ago, and was purchased by a private collector in
Winnipeg. “Song Girl” was featured in the
Canadian Mennonite University art show on
May 6, 2007. “Song Girl” features the
“nishanabee lips” that is the trademark of my
current paintings. (see the front cover)
“Newcomer” by Sidney Alexander Teerhuis-Moar
Over the years, other works of mine sold in Edmonton and Vancouver. A Japanese businessman hung one of
my paintings in his Tokyo office.
“Song Girl” is in fact a real person, whom I was acquainted with at Poundmakers, in Alberta. She inspired me
to use her as a muse in a lot of my paintings. “Song Girl at the Laundry” (painted in 2001) was given as a gift
to an Edmonton woman for her generosity.
Who inspired me to paint? And in the Ojibwe style? Naval Morriseau did. I met Naval in East Vancouver in
1993. I liked his style of work and use of colour and medium. I began to paint at the Native Education Centre
in Mount Pleasant (Vancouver), then sold my first painting to a faculty advisor.
Painting or any type of medium is an extension of one’s self expression. I encourage anyone to paint or sketch,
even write. We, as aboriginal people, have a rich and diverse culture we should all be proud of. We all have a
unique story to tell through our art work.
Chi Meegwetch
.
Sidney Alexander Teerhuis-Moar
For Art Lovers:
Preventing Artistic Burnout
Here are a few tips to prevent your creativity from being toasted:
- Take a day off from your art every week. When you come back to it you will be fresh again.
- Make sure that you have other interests that are not art-related to give your creative side a break.
- Change your media. Use markers, crayons, pencils, or anything you don’t normally use.
- When you don’t feel like painting or drawing, don’t. It will be there when you’re ready.
- Don’t punish yourself for not finishing or reaching your goals as quickly as you would like.
- Do more than one project at a time so that you can switch from one to another if you get bored.
- Don’t compare your art to other people’s. Art is subjective. Just because another artist is really
good doesn’t mean that your stuff is garbage; it’s just different!
No matter what, don’t ever give up on your art. Keep trying these tips until something clicks.
It may take time, but it is worth it.
.
Hi again, it’s Scoop time!
I am so happy to deliver this edition of The Inside Scoop to all of its readers.
This newsletter is put together with contributions from literacy students in the
John Howard Society’s Literacy Program in the Winnipeg Remand Centre, and
also with poems and stories that are sent in by readers from Headingley and
Stoney Mountain. If you are reading it for the first time, enjoy!
If you are a regular reader, thanks for being patient and picking up this copy!
It has been a great summer and I am looking forward to the rest of the year following suit.
This summer one of the literacy students won a national literacy award, and we are very happy for him (you
know who you are!) It’s a great sign that the community is willing to acknowledge that there are many people
who are using their time while incarcerated to work on their own growth and to prepare for the future. If you
are doing the same, then keep up the great work, it will pay off for you too one day! Perhaps you will find a
story or poem in here that will inspire you to keep going! Perhaps you will be inspired to send me your story to
share, I am always looking for stories and drawings to include in the next edition.
There have been some exciting changes here at J.H.S. this summer that I wanted to tell you about. We have
hired two new Reintegration Support Workers who you may meet one day soon, if not already.
Linda Campbell and Chris Prince are going into W.R.C., and H.C.C. to meet with clients who are making
plans for when they are released, and they are also running two programs in the community.
Anger Management and Respectful Fathering are programs run for those living back in the community.
If you are interested in getting on the waiting list or learning more information about how Chris or Linda can
help you out, feel free to phone 775-1514.
That’s all for now, I look forward to receiving anything you send in for the next edition!
Thanks,
Shauna Fay
Literacy Coordinator with The John Howard Society of Manitoba
583 Ellice Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3B 1Z7
775-1514 (extension 303)
Day Number Four Hundred and Ninety-Five
Old Masks
Lost, forgotten, given, taken,
Pushed aside, swept away, forsaken,
Raised above, left alone, knocked around,
Walked away from, taken to town.
These are a few things that have happened in my life,
Raising a child, having a wife.
How is a man supposed to succeed?
The odds were against me, it’s plain to see.
Who was there to take care of my needs?
All of my life I’ve heard as a child,
“He was such a bad kid, always up to no good.”
Can’t they see I had no choice,
Coming from my neighborhood?
Why is it always the young minds they waste?
Taken from our families without haste.
Things may not have worked out for the best.
Because of where I came from,
Does that mean I’m to be blamed
For all that I’ve done?
Some responsibility is to be shared, that’s all that I ask;
Admit our mistakes, take off those old masks.
Terry Brightman
I grew up a good little girl
Born to run
But my miserable life made
Committing crime seem like fun.
This day through a hole in the bullpen wall
I watch this year’s marathoners run by
As my chest is filled with anguish and grief
Yet for which I cannot bring myself to cry.
I watch a second-in-a-row
Half-marathon go down the drain
As I sit here
And drown in emotional pain.
Every day in my cell
I run on the spot
To make the best of my time
As I sit here and rot.
And I know that for being here
I am to blame
Yet my desire to live a good life
Burns in my heart like a bright flame.
I pray to God every day
To keep me out of trouble’s way
And I dream of the day I walk out
This prison’s front door
And I pray to God to fill my life with
Goodness, love, and more!
Dita K., W.R.C.
Untitled
Almost Free
Visions and dreams
A voice is heard
Suffering and pain (filling my head)
A slave to depression
Sadness is wearing me out
Panic overpowers me
It beats me but I do not feel pain
Failure, sorrow, death
Pain
From that dark place within
I groan, I cry out
Take what you want, take it all from me,
Locked up in jail, but my spirit is free.
Save the only life I have
The pain continues
I am not with them
Dezarae, Crystal, Daniel Jr.
My Children
What man can live and not die
A FATHER.
Writing on paper, just to let it out,
Because if I didn’t, I’d just want to shout.
Releasing it this way makes me feel good,
Not really a bad guy, just misunderstood.
Faulty wires, mixed up in the past,
Father died young and I grew up too fast.
People don’t like the way that I look,
All they see is a dumb long-haired crook.
Sometimes alone at night I pray,
That some day the good in me will shine brighter than day.
Daniel Delorme S.M.I.
Until that moment, I feel so alone,
Sitting in my cell, just wanting to go home.
Anonymous
Fight or Flight
No backing down, but we choose fight or flight,
But when in jail, running’s never right.
Named a coward and then it’s on,
Things you live with if you are a con.
If you lose at least you tried,
Then you should watch your back or your ass is fried.
Killing your spirit, because that’s what they do,
They can’t have your love, because that belongs to you.
People all around, but you feel so alone,
It will not get better until you’re finally home.
Pain is normal, it’s always in jail,
Just another day of a con’s tale.
Anonymous
A Convict’s Letter to His Son
- from Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul
Dear Son,
This is the hardest letter I have ever had to write. But I want you to hear the truth.
I am in prison because I broke the law. Your mother is not to blame for my being here. And you are
not to blame for my being here. It is entirely my own fault. I broke the law, and I must pay a penalty.
Because I am away from you both does not mean that I do not love you. There is nothing you could
have done to change what happened to me.
Listen to your mother. You might think she is being too hard on you when she tells you what to do.
The reason we have rules is so you will know that some things you do can get you into trouble with
other people.
Rules are just like laws. They help us all keep the peace in our family and in our neighbourhood.
Rules and laws are good for everyone, not just for you. It would be a very bad world if everyone
decided for themselves which rules or laws they would obey.
Just because you don’t like a law is no reason to break it. Some laws may seem unfair but until they
are changed, you will have no choice but to obey them. Otherwise, when you get older you could end
up like me...in prison.
It would break my heart if you ever ended up like me, in a place like this. Prison is an ugly place. I do
not have the freedom to be with you and Mom. I cannot go to McDonalds for a hamburger with you
whenever I want. I cannot take you fishing like I used to. Prison guards watch me every moment of
the day and decide when I will eat... when I will sleep... when I will do everything that I take for
granted in the free world. There are some very mean people in here, and there are some very fine
people in here. I try to associate with the ones who are not violent and destructive.
It is hard being a man and facing the truth. But when you make a mistake, you are the only one who
can correct it. It is up to you to do everything that you can to undo any harm or pain you may have
caused.
When I talk with you like this it is because I love you, and I want to help you avoid the mistakes I have
made. A real man does not blame others for his own behaviour. A real man does not think that
everything in life is free. He understands that there is always a price to pay for every action. When
you break a rule or law, you not only hurt others but you hurt yourself. Don’t blame your mother or
me when you make a mistake. Be a man and learn from your own mistakes.
Someday I will return home to you and your mother. Until then I want you to know that I think of you
both a lot and love you both very much.
Obey your mother. Respect her and love her because she needs you now more than ever. Because
I failed is no reason for you to fail. Let my mistake be a way for you to learn as I have learned.
You have a good life ahead of you. Don’t waste any part of it as I have done.
Love, Dad
- Lou Torok
Artwork by Harper WRC
My Love is True
Love rules the world, you feel me? He don’t understand you like I do. No, he’ll never make
love to you like I do. ‘Cause I can show you ‘bout real love and I can promise: anything that
I do is just to satisfy you.
When it hurts I ease the pain, Girl. Caress your frame, get the worries out your brain, Girl.
Opposites attract, but we one in the same, Girl.
Your soul ain’t a toy, it ain’t a game, you ain’t dealing with a boy. So I can’t play with you.
I wanna lay with you, stay with you, pray with you, grow old and grey with you. In good
and bad times, we’ll always make it through ‘cause what we got is true, I can straight-lace
you, not just in appearance; stimulate your mind, strengthen your spirits, be the voice of
reason when you ain’t tryin to hear it. I’d rather show you it’s heartfelt; make your heart
melt, and prove to you you’re more important than anything else. When our eyes met – I
knew we’d be together. Ain’t no tellin’ what we could grow to let it be known, I told you
and I’m-a be there for whatever you go through.
My love is true!
Beats
(WRC)
Three Monkeys and Me
It was about to start, I was just a teen
My Treasure Found
I have traveled far through this world’s good grace,
I was bored of a small town, I needed a different scene.
lifting up thine eyes and seeking your sweet face.
So I packed my bags, and moved out west,
When we first met I knew of my precious find,
Everyone who had been there said I would like it best.
It did not take long, once I arrived on the B.C. shore,
with many sweet emotions filling my mind.
For you my darling I will always and forever care,
Monkey number one came knocking at my door.
with all my possessions, with you I will always share.
It happened so quickly, it would make your head spin,
Your most beautiful body, tender, soft, and so sweet,
I lost track of time, let the hard times begin.
Day after day, week after week,
to our warm bed, always we’ll make our retreat.
I long to touch your delicate soft belly,
All the drugs consumed, were turning me into a freak.
just to watch you giggle, like a bowl of jelly.
I am very proud to say, my drug addiction was short,
We will grow together as one, soon one day,
I knew in my heart, I had to abort.
in darkness our love, hopefully will never sway.
Alone in my cell, I will quietly whisper your name,
Even though I was older but I was still somewhat young,
hopefully when free, all will be more than just the same.
I was in my twenties, and looking for fun.
In future, separately we’ll be no more,
I had already moved back to the prairie,
for happiness abound shall be in store.
Here I met the girl I was to marry.
In our past would belong the telling of nasty lies,
We made a life as one, and planned on things to do,
so our future togetherness would be our wonderful prize.
This was not to be, thanks to monkey number two.
Forever will I love you, we’ll never be apart,
It started with a couple on the occasional weekend,
for you’ve found a permanent place in my heart.
Then it was every day “Just to meet a friend”
I began to drink more and more,
Now my wife is upset, threatening to go out the door.
I knew I had to quit, and without a frown,
It was hard at first, but I put the bottle down.
Now I am in my fifties, sober and drug free,
Who should come along but monkey number three.
Here I am, sitting in a prison, my life in a shamble,
All because the monkey wanted me to gamble.
Since incarcerated, my thinking has become clear.
It is said “Bad luck strikes in three”
I pray to God, that monkeys are finished with me.
Tom Jorgenson, S.M.I.
Fabian Twohearts
Four men (a black man, an
Asian man, a white man and a
Native man) take a stroll down
to the bridge. The Asian man
comes up with this really great
idea and says, “I’m going to do
this for my people,” and he
jumps off the bridge. The black
man sees the Asian man and
says, “I want to do this for my
people.” He jumps off the
bridge. The Native man
watches them do this and says,
“I’m going to do this for my
people!”
He then grabs the white man
and throws him off the bridge.
A man was praying one day and
God answered him. He asked
God three questions. The first
was, “How long is a million
years to you?” God answered,
“A second.” The second
question he asked was, “How
much is a million dollars for
you?” God answered, “A
penny.” Then the man said, “If
a million dollars is a penny for
you, can you spare me one or
two pennies?” God answered
him, “OK, but it’ll take me a
second.”
--jokes submitted by
Stewart Meekis, W.R.C.
Three men rob a Seven-11 and run
outside to see a cruiser pulling up.
They duck into an alley, where there
are three bags. All three jump in to
hide from the cops. When the cops
come running around the corner, the
three men are gone and they only see
three bags. One cop goes up and
kicks the first bag. The man inside
starts barking and the cop backs off.
The second cop steps up to kick the
second bag. The man inside starts
meowing like a cat. That cop jumps
back and says, “We’d better leave
those ones alone. Let’s see what’s in
the third one.” The first cop kicks it,
and nothing, not a sound. The
cop kicks it again harder and the man
shouts out, “Potato!”
SUDOKU
Here’s how to Sudoku!
Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be
reached logically without guessing.
Enter numbers from 1 to 9 into the spaces.
Every row (side to side) must contain one of
each number. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 in any order.
So must every column (up and down),
And so must every 3x3 box or square.
Good Luck!
What strikes me most about Tammy Fae-Mesner
Tribute to Tammy-Fae
(Baker) was her zest for life, her love for her children and
her deepest convictions for the Lord Jesus Christ.
She came from a poor family, and belonged to the
She helped build “Kevin House” at Heritage U.S.A., a
Assemblies of God Churches. (Jimmy Swaggart, Patty
home for mentally disabled children, along with her
Thompson, Amy Semple McPhearson, the late Jerry
friend Evelyne Carter. She did not discriminate; she
Falwell and Jim Baker are all evangelical Assemblies of
loved everyone equally.
God members.)
She never stopped believing, even during the demise of
Tammy-Fae met Jim Baker at Bible College and they
PTL, and the betrayal of Amy Courtese to Jim Baker and
soon began a relationship that would eventually lead
Heritage U.S.A. contractor Roe Mesner. Tammy made
them to the building of the PTL Ministry (Praise The Lord
international headlines when she sang, along with PTL
Club.)
supporters, outside the courthouse during Jim’s trial.
The early years were trying times for Tammy. They
After Jim’s conviction, (which sent Tammy-Sue out of the
started out as traveling evangelists, living in a trailer, and
courtroom in tears) Tammy Fae would later divorce
as guests in other ministers’ homes. They lost all their
Baker and marry Roe Mesner. She even wrote her own
belongings in a tornado. At one sermon the congregation
autobiography, “I Gotta Be Me.”
saw Tammy’s tears, and were so moved by her
My condolences go out to Tammy-Sue and Jamie-
testimony, they poured out their hearts and wallets to
Charles for the loss of their dear mother. The former
Jim and Tammy.
televangelist will be sadly missed by all those she has
As Jim and Tammy appeared more often on Christian
touched over the years.
television, she became well known for her over-use of
In her last interview to Larry King, Tammy Fae said
make up and her many wigs. They had their own kids
she’d like best to be remembered for her eyelashes.
show, and Tammy introduced puppets such as Ally
My fondest memory of Tammy Fay Mesner (Baker) is
Aligator and the smart talking Suzie Moppet.
her singing “Eye of the Sparrow” during a PTL
Tammy wanted a large family, however Jim wouldn’t
broadcast.
hear of it. Soon she gave birth to a baby girl, and named
her Tammy-Sue, (Suzie Moppet came to life.) A few
By Sidney Alexander Teerhuis-Moar
years later Jamie-Charles was born (he would later
follow in his father’s footsteps with his own ministry.)
During the pinnacle of PTL, and Heritage U.S.A, Tammy
Is there anyone who has made an impression on you?
had her own segment called “Tammy’s Tea Party,” with
Do you want to share what makes them so special?
guests such as Richard Simmons and John Denver.
She was well received worldwide since PTL was
broadcasted in over 148 countries.
Put your thoughts down on paper and
send them into the Inside Scoop!
STREET CORNER SEX - by G. Herron S.M.I.
Street corner sex pushers of flesh
Tin can cars that stop and stare
Long shapely legs and tight fitting jeans
Sawed off skirts a buyer’s dream
Cherry lips which kiss the night
Make up eyes the wings of flight
Center stage they must act upon
There one minute next they’re gone
Tricks performed but no rabbit from a hat
To walk with faceless strangers back to their flat
Changes never made at the drop of a dime
Lost in cracks the spaces of time
A young child the victim of prey
This vicious circle of concrete gray
Promises made for the sweetness of motion
A syringe of faith this magic potion
As I sit and wonder and look within
At what once was and could have been
I sense their sadness with a tender look
The closing chapter of a forgotten book.
Winnipeg’s Take Back the Night was held September 20, 2007.
The march originally started in Belgium in 1976 to draw attention
to violence against women and is now a worldwide event.
This year men and women walked from The Manitoba Legislative
Building to Maryland and Wolseley to raise awareness about
violence against women and our unsafe streets.
Pre-Release Us
Pre release us, Let us go,
Cause we don’t like it here no more.
To keep us here, will be a crime,
So release us and give us no more
time.
I have learned my lesson well,
So release us from our cell.
No more cheques will I write,
So release us and let us go home
tonight.
No more crack will I smoke,
‘Cause doing drugs is not a joke.
Every single time we have a toke,
We watch our lives go up in smoke.
No more should I drink,
Cause we’ll just end up in the clink.
No more should I fight,
‘Cause we know it isn’t right.
No more trouble will I cause,
We will abide by all the laws.
No more money will we steal,
Tell the judge we’ll take the deal.
So release us and
give us no more time.
Wendy Forrest &
Geraldine Halcrow
W.R.C.
Our Father
There is only one who is almighty,
only he can set me free,
only he possesses the power,
to set me free from these chains,
only he possesses the power,
to release me of the devil’s games.
It is only he that will suffer
with me these wicked pains,
only he, at my request, will
pureth the blood in my veins,
only he will clear me from
these emotional strains.
Only he will sorrow through tears
when my sadness rains,
only he who my soul I give,
my soul he claims.
Magic is the illusion of the magician, you must shut your eyes
in order to see. We are inclined to believe what we do not
know, for we’ve been deceived by mysterious means before.
With each new charm and spell do we question make… that
thou amongst the squander of reason must go… Distraction
and unfocused awareness contribute to the art of illusion, when
he swears what he does is made of truth, we do believe him,
though we know he lies.
Artwork and prose by Fabian Twohearts
Show Off Your Talents!
Send your artwork, stories, jokes, poetry, and opinions to:
The John Howard Society’s INSIDE SCOOP
583 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1Z7
or see Shauna , JHS Literacy Coordinator, in WRC
It is only he who bled,
then died in our names,
only he who gifted us with the
ability to praise,
only he whose will explains,
my hands to raise.
Only he who is truth and
who never blames,
only he who forgives and
loves through any phase.
It is only he whom I trust,
that will open the gates.
He is our father in the heavens,
who awaits our place.
Amen.
Anonymous W.R.C.