What Were You Wearing?

In response to sexualized violence in the Cowichan Valley, Warmland Women’s Support Services Society is hosting an art installation, “What Were You Wearing?” to address victim blaming and rape myths. The “What Were You Wearing?” Survivor Art Installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013. Created by Jen Brockmanand and Dr. Mary WyandtHiebert, the project was inspired by Dr. Mary Simmerling’s

Offering: •Drinks •Take Out •Frozen Meals to Go poem, What I Was Wearing.

The art installation will be on display Saturday, September 5th at Charles Hoey Park from 10:00-2:00 and will be well marked to regard social distancing when viewing the display. Warmland Women’s Support Services invites community members to learn about affirmative consent, address rape myths and become more than a bystander to sexualized violence. FB warmlandwomen kthomas@ warmlandwomen.org for details.

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was this: from the top a white t-shirt cotton short-sleeved and round at the neck

this was tucked into a jean skirt (also cotton) ending just above the knees and belted at the top

underneath all this was a white cotton bra and white underpants (though probably not a set)

on my feet white tennis shoes the kind one plays tennis in

and then finally silver earrings, and lip gloss.

this is what i was wearing that day that night that fourth of july in 1987.

you may be wondering why this matters or even how i remember every item in such detail

you see i have been asked this question many times it has been called to my mind many times this question this answer these details. but my answer much awaited much anticipated seems flat somehow given the rest of the details

of that night during which at some point i was raped.

and i wonder what answer what details would give comfort could give comfort to you my questioners

seeking comfort where there is alas no comfort to be found.

if only it were so simple if only we could end rape by simply changing clothes.

i remember also what he was wearing that night even though it’s true that no one has ever asked.

Warmland Women’s Support Services 331 St Julian Street, Downtown Duncan (250) 710-8177

Alistair MacGregor is the MP for CowichanMalahat-Langford and the federal NDP’s Critic for Agriculture and Agrifood, Rural Economic Development and deputy Justice

Last month, my parliamentary colleague and fellow New Democrat, MP Leah Gazan, tabled Motion M-46: Guaranteed Livable Income, which states that “the government should introduce legislation and work with provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous peoples to ensure that a guaranteed livable basic income […] replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit on an ongoing and permanent basis in a concerted effort to eradicate poverty and ensure the respect, dignity and security of all persons in respect of Canada’s domestic and international legal obligations.”

This kind of progressive policy change has been increasingly requested by Canadians from across the country, and my office alone has received numerous calls, letters, and emails in support of a Universal Basic Income. But what is a UBI, or a Guaranteed Livable Income, and what would it look like?

Pre-COVID-19, one in seven Canadians lived in poverty, a number that has increased greatly due to the pandemic. Over 8.5 millions Canadians have applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), and a transition to EI is expected in October. A Guaranteed Liveable Income would support these Canadians, as well as many others, in providing a set financial amount each month, without the bureaucratic hoops of programs such as EI. It would also reduce reliance on the current ‘welfare’ system, which often requires recipients to be effectively destitute before receiving support and penalizes smalllevel economic success by stopping payments if income levels rise slightly.

A Guaranteed Livable Income would end this system by providing a financial top-up to all Canadians, without the additional need to report to social assistance offices and spend hours navigating complex bureaucratic systems. Recipients of such an income would invest it back into local economies, and the implementation of a Guaranteed Liveable Income would create an estimated $1-2 billion in savings due to reduced crime and judicial costs, as well as an additional $8-17 billion in reduced healthcare costs.

A Guaranteed Livable Income would make an incredible difference in the lives of many. With it, families wouldn’t go in debt for unexpected expenses like vet bills or car repairs. Seniors would have their needs met after a lifetime of hard work. Students wouldn’t need to balance multiple jobs while in school, and could focus more on their studies. People wouldn’t stop working; they would instead work jobs that they care about, or spend less time at an office and more time in their communities. We have an opportunity to build a better nation, one in which none of our citizens’ struggles to meet their basic needs. Leah Gazan, myself, and millions of others see and support this vision, and we want to make it a reality. A Guaranteed Liveable Income is possible, and together, we can make it happen.

Alistair MacGregor, Member of Parliament 126 Ingram Street #101, Downtown Duncan

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40 Ingram Street Downtown Duncan (250) 597-3473 D eveloped by experienced educators and passionate artists, Warmland Dance will finally open their doors to offer an Independent Middle and High School option to Cowichan Valley families looking for quality, arts-infused education for their children.

Warmland Academy offers innovative, inquiry-based Visual Arts and Performing Arts programs for Cowichan Valley students grades 5-12. Students may select either 3-day/week Warmland Arts program in either Fall Registration Performing or Visual Arts, or combine both of their learning. into a 5 days/week program. The Performing Arts program, The academic curriculum, led by the school’s founder approached through an artful Leah Burley, will also include lens, is designed to provide practical voice, dance and students with a deeper acting training. Students will connection to and investment in have opportunities to plan their own learning. and showcase collaborative performances, give and “We are meeting a very real receive feedback and develop need for quality, affordable, a portfolio including audition flexible, alternative education reels, headshot photos and an options in the Valley for this impressive performing arts age group”, says Artistic resume. Director Leah Burley, M.Ed. The programs’ for-credit The Visual Arts program, courses will be carefully led by Sohee Hong from the outlined to meet BC Ministry Vancouver Film School, will of Education curriculum also include practical and requirements with the theoretical training in the areas experience and guidance of photography, film, directing, of the school’s Academic writing, multimedia art and Administrator, and sought-after design. Students will plan and educator, Colin Cameron. host community showings of their work, give and receive Students will earn credit in the feedback and develop a following curricular subject professional portfolio. areas: Science, Social Studies, English, Career Planning, For details or to register visit Applied Design/Technologies, www.warmlanddance.ca/dayand of course, the Arts. programs Students will also experience Warmland Dance First Nations understandings as 225 Canada Avenue an important and integral part Downtown Duncan