Monday, September 29, 2008

I have had an interesting journey making the first Men’s Banner shown in a previous post. It is an example banner. One I bring with me everywhere when I talk to groups or march in rallies. My next few of posts will be of my experience making the first banner in 2008.

From left to right
Sid Rashid (UMSU Vice President)
Thane Carr (My older brother and UMASA member)
Brock Campbell (UMASA Co-President)
Clayton Thomas (UMASA Co-Event’s Coordinator)
Jonny Sopotiuk (UMSU President)

Monday, September 29 was the official day I started the banner. I set up in the hallway of University Centre at the University of Manitoba. I had asked several students from different organizations on campus to be the first to have their hands on the banner.

Later on in the day Mitch Tripple (UMSU Vice President) placed his hand on the banner.

I was very optimistic about this project. I thought the banner would be covered quickly and that I would need another one before the Christmas break.
To me asking men to promise not to commit an act of violence seemed a simple request. That anyone would want to lend a hand.

The Beginning

The Men's Banner is a project I started thinking about in 2007. It is a project directed at men to make the commitment not to use their hands for violence against women. I hope to bring a Men’s Banner to university campuses across Canada. This blog is to document how that ambition goes.
I started this in reaction to the missing and murdered Aboriginal Women in Canada. I hope to bring attention to this horrific subject as well as make a positive contribution in my community.

(Re-posting everything due to the change of my url)

Dignity Revolution Syria

Most of my posts relate to violence against women or the aboriginal peoples of North America. But, I’m against the oppression of all people and violent acts of any kind. I believe combating violence against women is working toward a peaceful world for everyone.   

Tonight I had the opportunity to sit and listen to what is happening in Syria.  Truthfully I did not know much about Syria beyond what I’ve seen in the news.  As a metis woman I’m all too familiar with matters concerning indigenous people represented incorrectly, partially or not at all in the media. The lecture I attended was led by Canadian Syrians, asking for support from the Winnipeg community. I feel it is important to share what I learned and continue to learn more on what’s going on.    

This video is of a flash mob event that happened at The University of Manitoba.

I cried watching this, a lot of the people in this video are my friends and I could not imagine a world without them. It’s frightening and heartbreaking to comprehend not only the loss of life happening but the pain experienced. 

What they are asking for us to do:

Pray for Assad’s end and the revolution triumph. If you don’t pray, wish well for them.

Tell your family members and friends about the Syrian struggle.

Donate for refugees and support relief efforts.

Call your MP and demand an immediate Canadian action to protect the Syrian people.

Call Stephen Harper to expel Assad’s ambassador to Ottawa. 

For more information contact  www.facebooks.com/WinnipegSyrians 

UMSU Council Men 2010

The University of Manitoba Student Union Council. After a brief presentation of the Men's Banner Project a few men made the promise to be non-violent and to stand against the violence they witness.