End of Term Reflection

Personal difficulties for this term September-December are in relating the readings to the topics of the weeks lecture.   I'm having the most difficulty with relating these readings to real life situations.  The life I have led so far has a narrow self centered view point.  The politics of the communities off the reservation, I feel are un- related as the living on the reserve faces issues that are not related to non natives.  The issues are totally different and the structures of the government are not related. 

To further my learning for next semester, I feel that I need to explore how the issues can be changed to better suite the needs of the reservation.  Keeping an open mind to the new ooclo's experiences is one of the most important factors to keep in mind.  This can be difficult due to the fact that the cultures are so different and the dynamics are also different.  There is no long term connection to the ooclo’s in the Niagara area vs. participating within my own community where long term relationships are encouraged and expected.

To gain an enjoyable experience I hope to participate in oodles’ that are in my own community.  This will cut down on travel expenses as well as open doors that will lead to ongoing experiences with the organizations.  This will also offer an experience that will reconnect me with my community in a pro active opportunity.   

FORUM POSTINGS and META-REFLECTIONS

MY NIAGARA
Ojisda Aimy Anderson (oa11oo) (Oct 8, 2012 10:20 PM)

Hill, Implications of Highway Development in the Fruit Belt

I imagine Niagara as a place that has deep historic connection for the Iroquois people. I feel that this showcased and valued.   I see Niagara as land that belongs to Native people.  My Niagara not only acknowledges this fact but  Native people  are able to use the land and re-establish the connection to the land. I see Niagara as a place that is rich in history and every new person to the area will have the education to realinse who's land that they are inhabiting.   This  will re-establish the original inhabitants right to the land for everyone to know the truth

Meta-Reflection

My opinion on Niagara has not changed. My Niagara is beautiful and full of history.   I do see the land base of Niagara as having deep history and connection for the Iroquois people. As Aboriginal peoples we have a strong connection to the land. I am an Aboriginal person who dose not see the value in expanding the major highway that crosses the land in Niagara.  The common population of Niagara who is against the expansion of Niagara have an opportunity to stand with the Native peoples to protect and stop the expansion and exploitation of the land.  To make a step in a good direction, we need education on Native issues.  This is needing to happen in the main stream education level also, educating the main stream public will be another good place to  start to positive change.  Once the collective mind set has changed ,coming together on issues such as land claims and the highway expansion will be easier to deal with. With this increase of education brings with it an awareness and  shared appreciation for the land. 


FOOD SECURITY?????
Ojisda Aimy Anderson (oa11oo) (Nov 16, 2012 2:57 PM)

Can food charities bring about food security?  

Many families go hungry, this is a well-known fact.  Our relationship with food and how we attain our food really needs to be reanalysed.  It is my belief that we have disconnected ourselves from the land.  I am fortunate enough to live where a I can plant my own garden and do my own canning and preserving for the winter months.  Not to many people who live in the city have this opportunity.  I have been taught that we need to work for our food, this means many laborious hours in the garden during the summer months.  I also believe that  there needs to be more opportunities for gardening in the cities.  There can also be other small differences that can be done, edible landscaping is one.  This small change will not only provide foods but also change the mind set of where food is attained.  There needs to be a drastic change for families, the current system does not work, families do not need to go hungry.

Meta-Reflection
 It is my belief that food charities cannot bring about food security.  The current system in place dose not meet the demands of the needs of the people.  I now have a greater understanding of the meaning food security.  Food Security for me means that you know how and have the means to ant your own food and be self sufficient.  Food Security for the corporations mean that the corporations have the means to be profitable and successfully over the needs of the people.  This problem need to have a common goal of what it is meant to have food security.  Once a common goal can be set then we will be better equip to determine if we have accomplished our goals.  The key thing to keep in mind is how to avoid  the rich are getting richer and the hungry are getting hungrier. 

COMMON SENSE
Ojisda Aimy Anderson (oa11oo) (Nov 18, 2012 6:06 PM)

Video: Eat Real. Eat Local.

In response to the video, the numbers are astonishing!  The reality of where our food is grown and imported from tell us plain and clear where are priorities are when it comes to where we buy our food.  We need to reexamine the underlying morals that we are teaching our younger children.  Taking the time to buy produce from local farmers or even to grow your own in your back yard or balcony.  This has the ability to give the younger children the lesson of where food actually comes from and the work and time involved.  We as consumers need to break free from the easy consumerism, where no effort is given to grow your own food. 

If we are to look globally at what we are importing and exporting, the numbers just do not add up.  we need to come back to common sense way of thinking when it comes to our food.  There must be other solutions to maintain that  ever family have food security.  We need to ensure that no child is to go hungry.  It seems to me that common sense has lost to Milty million dollar corporation's.


Meta-Reflection

To further clarify my reflection, I do strongly feel that we are or are the people who are in charge and are the ones lacking in common sense.  We need to be responsible and teach our children where and how to grow our food.  Giveing the children a foundation of respect for the food that they eat, will be transfered into there relationship to there food.  this can be seen in where they buy there food if they choose to.  I also belive that this will boost the consoumers voice and influence the food industry.  this influence will then have an influence on the regulatations of the imoprtation and exportation of the food we eat.   

common sence is only benifical if we precieve the same out comes.  common sence for the plublic is not the samecommon sence for the people hiding behind the muilty million dollar corporations.  With this in mind a simple this of common sence has underlying motovations.  what i see is that we as the people are motovated  for the welfare of the people and the motovation of the corporations is to generte financial security.
food security then becomes a profitable bissinuess.   
I have also gained abroader perspective on what is meant by food security.  I now see having the financial frame work in place that will economically and physically fill the empty bellies 50 or 100 years from now as food security.   

Climate Change Action Planning Workshop

United Way of St. Catharine’s and District Office 80 King Street, Unit 3, St. Catharine’s

Tuesday October 23, 2012

Observe/describe

This event is the second of 3 workshops that are being offered to the residence of St. Catharine’s.  The  purpose of these three workshops is to bring the community together to discuss and come up with unique ideas the city of St. Catharine’s can do to eliminate emissions, and adapt to the climate changes in the environment and create a healthier Niagara.  This evening consisted of four main target areas for discussion, where the participants were broken down into the four areas of; local food, energy, transportation and outreach.  Since this is the second focus group that has taken place there were individuals that have taken on the responsibility of seeing these issues to the next level of development.  Referred to as developmental mild stones.  This project has a set dead line of the end of December.  There was not much to contribute to most if not all of the work had been done from the workshop previous. 

The topic of Local food was the group that I chose to participate in.  This groups topic is something that I have some knowledge in and felt confident in my participation.  There were times in the evening during my participation that I felt out of place.  I’m sure that this was not true and I am excited to hear of any feedback in regards to the participation in the focus group.

                Analyze/examine

This focus group covered many issues that are being faced by my own community on local food.  I was fortunate enough to meet Jane, she is the driving force behind climate change Niagara.  Listening in on the discussions between Jane and a represented for united way, was the ground works of developing a grass roots organization into a broader market.  I learned many of the obstacles are  similar to my home community.  From this conversation are many different areas to peruse.  For example, will Allen is a leading technology when it comes to  spin farming in urban agriculture.  It was determined that it is a lack of knowledge that prevents people from eating well.  There are many partnerships with brock that are existing and that can be developed.    

During this workshop my energy and attention was drawn to how this discussion and conversations could work in my own community.  I also contributed to the conversations with information and experiences that were similar to the topic of discussion.  There were often times through the evening that I felt like I had the skills or meet what the focus group was asking for.   Jane is a wonderful woman that I hope to meet again in the future.

                Evaluate/articulate

                I introduced myself as a brock student and nothing else.  In reflection I needed to introduce myself first with my background and credentials then as a brock student.  In doing this I am able to be up front with the group about my interests experiences and validate myself to the group

                In conclusion I am excited about Jane’s endeavors with gardening within the city of St. Catharine’s and her passion for it.  Most defiantly I could see myself participating in one of her projects.  Her vision and passion for gardening and the importance of local food is something that I can identify with and share a passion for.

                As for where the city is going and the measures they are willing to take do not sit well with myself.  The comments made towards the end of the evening were discouraging and turned me off from the next step in the process.  The next step was to create a mission statement and goals.  It is with this process that my residency became a factor as I do not live in the Niagara region. 

My passion is surrounded for a passion of creating a vibrant healthier environment that is full of healthy eco-systems and on about the bottom line of a years end physical budget that is also trying to reduce greenhouse emissions by the minimal margins by a set year.  I have no interest in this.  The ideal objective would to have an emphasis on clean drinkable water fr9m the many lakes and streams and fresh water in the area and the province.    

I have learned that is dose n0t matter if you live in the city or in the country or on the reservation we all are faced with similar situations when it comes to gardening and local food market.   We all need  funding from an outside source in order to stay op3rational.  I also have learned that there are families who are in need of alternatives for food due to financial situations.  The poor economy is another driving force for families to depend on locally grown produce. 

                There are also very important environmental factors when it comes t0 community gardening.  It was shared among the group[ that location is one 0f the key fact0rs.  The issue of soil contamination and the lack of nutrients in the soil were also mentioned.  The contaminates in the soil need to be properly returned to a natural state.  This is an importance of the need for proper education with the correct information.

I learned this when Jane listed the needs of her organization as well when she shared the obstacles that her organization was being faced with.  It is when I was listening to her story that I see similarities in my own community.  I also was able to hear how her organization has helped the native community and the Niagara region. 

I learned the importance of having dedicated people who can help the organization.  The structures of a not for profit organization were also discussed.  With this type of information I am able to look at the organization within my family in entirely different light.  I have also learned that there are employment opportunities within the environmental field.  There is also a great need for qualified volunteers in not for profit organizations. 

The understanding of the importance of qualified volunteers comes from listening to Jane discuss the needs and wants f her organization to the represented of the united way.  This leering is important because it shows healthy ways of communication between organizations.  This also shows the importance of networking and going the extra mile for what you are passionate about.

In light of this learning I have realized that my support for my communities garden has not been where it could be.   I am looking forward to the spring weather were it signifies the begging of a new year for gardening.  Hunger is something that we all can work towards defeating.  Community gardening is a tool that everyone has the ability to use to defeat hunger.

The Niagara region is rich fertile farm land.  The produce grown in the area is well known for the grapes that are used in the wines.  The fruit trees  are also well known.    This re\flection is revenant to a number of different articles that are from our required readings.  The articles that I found to be of interest is the discussions on the expansion of the 400 series highway that would open up the highway from Niagara falls to the city of Toronto.  There seems to be some miss information between the land and the people who live in the area and tourism.  The many directions and perspectives of all three involved need to sit down together and strengthen out there priorities and motivations.  With the completion of the 400 series highway the efforts of people in the community’s well as the city of St. Catharine’s innatives of the entire climate action plan to go to waste.  All of the efforts for this focus group may be undermined by the highway.

St. Catharine’s Museum and Ontario Lacrosse Hall Of Fame

SOCI 2F60 Foundations for Community Engagement

October 9, 2012

On September 25, 2012,  I sent the afternoon at the St. Catharine’s Museum and Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.   I was welcomed by a friendly outgoing worker at the gift shop.  Who invited me to tour the museum without charge. 

            My afternoon was quite relaxing and informative.  I was able to read and take in the information at my own pace.  As I took in the information provided by the museum I quickly became frustrated and angry towards the exhibits.  The lack of recognition towards the Iroquois people quickly became the source of my anger and disappointment.  Each exhibit show cased the glory and accomplishments of the early settlers and did not give recognition to the Iroquois of their inherent rights to the land and the role and involvement to the war.   

            Towards the end of my afternoon at the museum I quietly and respectfully watched others take in the museum.   I observed two older East Indian looking men and what seemed to be there wives Walk through the museum. They pointed to museum pieces and talked in a language other than English.  I also seen  more older men and women who were taking in the museum.  I observed a majority of them off loading from the tour bus.  There were also two male oriental men talking in the native language. 

While on the observation deck I observed a cool breeze on a sunny day.  Fortunately there were no boats going through the canal.  Without the boats the waters were calm and the waters were high in the channel.  The peaceful environment of the sun and the breeze created a clam relaxing feeling within myself.  This was disturbed by the canal.  The cannel created a unwanted feeling within myself. I was unable to truly connect with the land by the man made harnessing of the water.  The cannel reminded me of what man has done to create the destruction of a natural environment for  financial gain.   On this day I seen how the natural environment is compromised to generate financial prosperity.   

            The overall experience was quite interesting.  I was able to see firsthand the value and impact of having a museum with exhibits in operation. This is a place where the young, old and different cultural backgrounds can see for then selves  the events  that have happened on the land over the different time periods.  For myself this also shows how bias you can portray history.

            I have learned that, many people from different walks of life come to the St. Catharine’s Museum.  There are people who know absolutely nothing about the area, and are new to the country.  It is very interesting that during this day a majority of the people who are taking in the museum were older or spoke little to no English.  I learned this by observation the people during my afternoon at the museum.  I tried to talk to the East Indian Women and the Chinese men and there was no response.  This significant language barrier is key to understanding who visits the museum on a daily basis.  Knowing who your primary audience is beneficial when you rely on people to take in the exhibits at the museum. 

            I also learned that the Iroquois involvement in the settling of the area of present day St. Catharine’s is not represented in the museum.  However there is definite acknowledgement of the Iroquois in the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.  This was shown by the specific exhibits giving an accurate description of the Iroquois connection to the game of Lacrosse.  This is important to me because I am a woman of Iroquois ancestry, the Iroquois are my people.  I would like to see more exhibits that show case the game of lacrosse.  There are many more pictures and trophies that need to be showcased in the hall of fame. 

            From this experience at the Museum I will take a new look at the city of St. Catharine’s.  This experience gives myself a strong foundation of information to grow my knowledge on. I know have a totally different perspective to my second O.O.C.L.O.'S.  I feel that I need a O.O.C.L.O. that has a people driven with interaction other than a self-guided tour. I did however feel that I took in tons of information that I did not know before.  I have heard stories about the underground rail road but this was the first opportunity to actually see pictures in person.

           

Managed Migration and the Temporary Labor Fix

“Neah” Aimy Anderson

Seminar # 12

SOCI2F60

REFLECTION #3

Managed Migration and the Temporary Labor Fix

Description

My third OOCLO’S was a lecture that took place at Sankey Chambers, Brock University, on Friday, November 16, at 3:00-5:00pm.  The presenter was Christina Gabriel from Carleton University she was presenting on “Managed Migration and the Temporary Labor Fix”.

During this lecture I observed a wide variety of people in attendance. There was an elderly couple, a man that was dressed in dirty worn clothes, additionally in attendance were other students from Brock university, plus I noticed  people who were dresses in suites and ties. 

A great deal of information was said in regards to; the farmers, their migrant workers and their rights, the Seasonal Agriculture Workers Program, Global migration and the Global Labor Market. 

The question and answer portion of the lecture was slow to start.  The ice was broken by the facilitator of the lecture when he asked a question, others joined in by continuing to ask other questions.  As the gentleman with worn and dirty clothes spoke up to ask his question, an under the breath comment was made by a man in a suite to another man in a suite.  This comment was juvenile referring that his comment was surprisingly an intellectual and relevant question.  When I heard this comment by the man in the suite I was quickly with drawn and silent to ask a question of my own, fearful of asking an unintelligent question.  The elderly lady also spoke up during the questioning.  Her question really put things into perspective and the room broke out in laughter.  With this ladies comment I felt at ease and would have liked to talk with her further.  Unfortunately as quickly as the people in attendance gathered, they dispersed.  

Ms. Gabriel’s lecture described in detail of who really tends to the farmer’s fields.  The facts about the “Global Labor Market” was discussed.  Also within this lecture the rights of the “Migrant Workers” was discussed in great detail.  The gaps in the “Migrant Workers Program” was pointed out and the changes were also mentioned as part of the lecture.

Examination

In examination of the “Food Security” dilemma and the Hellman’s You Tube video and my participation in “Managed Migration and the Temporary Labor Fix” OOCLO, the complexity of the situation can become simple if we are to ask the right questions and take responsibility to rectify the situation.  The politics the surround the food industry needs to be kept accountable to the general public. This does not seem to be happening, the common people are getting pushed aside for the betterment of the poorer people of another country who are willing to work for less money and poorer living conditions. 

This week’s readings discussed the concept “Food Charity” and “Food Security”.  This article reflected how the population is becoming more and more dependent on food banks and that we need to do more to support this growing need to feed the people in the local communities.

Reflecting With this reading and this Managed Migration and the Temporary Labor Fix, I have learned that there is more to the issue of “Migrant Field Workers” working at jobs that I was once employed in.  It is disappointing to realize why there are no longer the opportunities to work in the farmer’s fields as I once did or as my mother and grandmother did.  There is no longer the self-sufficiency and self-gratification of working off the land.    

Articulation

I have also learned that there is more of a complex situation that the “Migrant Workers” find themselves in.  I was unaware that the working conditions “Migrant Workers” work in are lower standards and wages are lower.  Jobs that could be sought by local individuals are no longer available.   I gain knowledge of this when the statically information on “Migrant Workers” did not match the government sponsored YouTube videos on hunger and the food banks. 

What I found to be enlightening and an eye opener is, it is cheaper to hire migrant workers under the “Seasonal Agriculture Workers Program” than it is to hire local people who are from the area to tend to the fields of the local farmers.  The cost of living has become increasingly high, to the point that we have many families that go hungry.  Those that are going hungry do not have the means to grow their own food or at the least the ability to work in the Agricultural field.  I have learned that the miss match of the Migrant Labor Market and the unemployment rate that ultimately leads to the need of food banks are in desperate need improvement. 

In conclusion, their seems to be an ongoing conflict between the corporations who are driven by financial gain and common people of communities who go hungry.  This conflict between the two could possibly be resolved if the gaps between then could be bridged with a healthy resolution.  There is no financial gain in charity and there is no charity to be made to million dollar corporations.

Reference

Tarasuk, (2009).  Journal of Hunger & Poverty, Food Charity: When Doing Our Best Is Not Enough.

Eat Real. Eat Local.

Food bank use skyrockets by 26% since 2008

Hunger Count 2010