Ladies Corner Magazine Summer Edition, Vol. 6

Fresh breads, meat, cheese and spreads - the perfect picnic always starts at our shops.

Grocery. Bakery. Deli. Café.

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EDMONTON | CALGARY | SHERWOOD PARK - OPENING SUMMER 2021

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FOUNDER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Tee Adeyemo info@lccmediafoundation.ca +1 (587) 974 9830

EDITORIAL RESIDENT EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Judith Pila

Dr. Florence Akindele

James Jarvis

Tayo Elnathan Mary Thomas Chelsea Vowel Pastor Bode Akindele Halima Hussein

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LADY TEE’S DESK

CHANGE

F

aith is a component of our mental health. When life changes drastically, as Christians, we have the certainty of a faith that never changes. As we witness our world evolving, as we heal from the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, we understand implicitly that the old order is passing, and a new world order is emerging.

Within this context, change can be difficult to embrace. Change can be empowering as well as unsettling. Change for us is printing 2,000 copies and distributing through over fifty different locations in Alberta and across Canada. This is exciting for us. For our team, it means bringing our best each time we interact with the magazine.

At Ladies Corner, we are prepared to do all we can to be at the forefront of that change and we are determined to take you along with us.

In this edition, we embrace life and hope. At every level. With you. We talk festivals, Indigenous life, female health, faith, leadership and more.

My message to you, wherever you are is, LIVE! Live your best life right now.

We honour the memories of the 215 souls discovered at a residential school in British Columbia. We hope that as a country we heal together. We pray that we can come away from every form of hate and intolerance, breaking the cycle of violence for generations to come.

We hear the voices of our Muslim and Indigenous communities. Canada is for us all and our unborn children.

Our special thanks to the Edmonton Community Foundation for sponsoring this edition.

To life and living!

Tee Adeyemo Founder/Editor-in-Chief Ladies Corner Magazine

LadiesCorner

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8. Being Indigenous in Canada – Chelsea Vowel 14. Personal Development with Emmanuel Oluwatosin 16. A Place of Faith with Pastor

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Bode Akindele – Dealing with Worry in Uncertain Times 18. Siba Khumalo - Excels at Community Leadership and Nursing

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21. International Author Feature – Dr. Modupe Oyetade 22. Musings from an Onlooker – with Tayo Elnathan 23. Metamorphosis – Poem by Halima

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24. Spring Cleaning with Mary Thomas 26. Fighting Food Insecurity – Mary Thomas 32. Elderly Care – Getting Your Affairs in Order with Andrea Cox

Canada

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33. Business Spotlight - Fay Bruney 34. The Story of Samira Hamana 36. Festivals this Summer: Edmonton’s Cariwest –

Samantha Alexander 39. Jennifer Duncan Sheds Light on Carifest Calgary 41. Ladies Corner Health with Dr. Florence Akindele

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43. Super Mom of 10 Kids Runs Two Businesses – Mrs Ayan Diamond 45. Amal Mohamud Gives a Voice to Disability Issues 46. Focus on Not for Profit –

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Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association 49. Sharon Ali Empowers Women in Edmonton 50. Mom’s Corner

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LadiesCorner

BEING INDIGENOUS IN CANADA

C

with Chelsea Vowel

Chelsea Vowel is Métis from manitow-sâkahikan (Lac Ste. Anne) Alberta, residing in amiskwacîwâskihikan (Edmonton). Mother to six girls, she has a B.Ed, an LLB, and a MA, and is a Cree language instructor at the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta Chelsea is a public intellectual, writer, and educator whose work intersects language, gender, Métis self-determination, and resurgence. Author of Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis & Inuit Issues in Canada, she and her co-host Molly Swain produce the Indigenous feminist sci-fi podcast Métis in Space, and cofounded the Métis in Space Land Trust.

She has been published in the Huffington Post, The National Post, and The Globe and Mail.

It is important that our magazine lends a voice to those who are doing important work in the community.

Chelsea is one of those people whose posts on her website and Twitter handles cause you to reflect upon how the content you are reading is changing your views and perceptions. It takes courage, post after post to be courageous and true to one’s core. This is the refreshing voice that Chelsea brings: a reminder that all voices are important, essential, and true. We feel very honoured to have had a chat with her.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am from the Métis community of Lac Ste. Anne, and grew up close to Lake Isle, west of Edmonton. My mom is Métis and my dad is Ukrainian and probably Irish. Growing up I was a metal head who loved fantasy and science fiction novels, and adored Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek the Next Generation. I wrote terrible stories and even worse poetry.

I am a first-generation University

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For the first time, social media allowed Indigenous peoples direct access to media outlets, and to the public, in a way that had not been possible before.

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student and had no guidance or people to help me through, so I made a lot of expensive mistakes. I knew early on that I wanted to be a teacher, and that I wanted to work with Indigenous youth. After I earned my Bachelor of Education, I began teaching in Inuvik, where I also had my first two daughters.

I have a bit of a love/hate relation­ ship with the academy. I keep coming back even though we do not always get along. I pursued a legal education

Canada

Spotlight LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

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LadiesCorner and worked in Aboriginal law for a bit before deciding it was not for me. I spent some time in Montréal where Métis in Space and Indigenous Writes were born, then concocted a plan to get my family back to my homelands.

That plan involved convincing my co-host, Molly Swain, to also endure another degree program, for which I am forever grateful. I am not sure I could have done it without frequenting her karaoke sessions and pep talks.

I just want to say that there is a special kind of joy in living within one’s traditional territory, and after being away a few times over the years, I will never take it for granted.

colonial institutions accoun­table for ongoing violence.

Given that Indigenous peoples throu­gh­­out the world are constantly “disappearing” in the colonial imagi­ nary, having our own voices is a power­ful reminder that we are not going anywhere.

How important is having a voice to one’s survival in Canada in 2021?

The Idle No More move­ ment really highlighted for me how having a voice, rather than having people speak for you, can change the narrative so much more quickly than any kind of state-sanctioned efforts. For the first time, social media allowed Indigenous peoples direct access to media outlets, and to the public, in a way that had not been possible before. We were able to push back against claims that used to go unanswered in forums, and grassroots people were organizing, educating, and agitating.

There is a lot of focus on how this benefited wider Canadian society and expanded an understanding of the issues Indigenous peoples face, but in my view, the more important ben­ efits were the relationships formed between Indigenous peoples across vast geographic spaces. Indi­­­ge­­nous youth, particularly LGBTQ2+ youth, were leading, and continue to lead, cultural resurgence efforts, rooting themselves in their specific Indige­ nous cultures while also holding

However, after living in Montréal for a number of years, in Haudenosaunee territory, I began to re-evaluate my acceptance of the label “Canadian,” because the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) so firmly and eloquently asserts their own sovereignty.

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Have you ever been asked if you were Canadian enough? How did you respond?

I am white looking, and on the Prairies at least, there is this assumption that Indigenous peoples all identify as Canadian, so this is not a question I am asked, I’m rarely othered.

However, after living in Montréal for a number of years, in Haudenosaunee territory, I began to re-evaluate my acceptance of the label “Canadian,” because the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) so firmly and eloquently asserts their own sovereignty.

There is a fair amount of Métis nationalist rhetoric that names us the “first Canadians” because we emerged as a unique people on the Plains, post-Contact.

Tell us about the importance of protecting and preserving Indigenous languages in Canada?

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It is vital to remember that the Métis, like other Indigenous peoples, never accepted Canadian sovereignty over us. General Middleton brought cannons and Gatling guns to Batoche to force the issue, hung our leaders, scattered our people, and brutally punished us and our nêhiyawak allies for generations. How did this make us Canadians? How could it?

I stopped identifying as Canadian over ten years ago. I am an otipêyi­ misiw-iyiniw (Métis person), and I am a part of the Métis Nation. I may have legal citizenship as a Can­adian, but I do not accept Cana­dian sovereignty.

Stating that does get me a fair amount of criti­cism, as you can imagine, and under­ standing this would take a much longer con­versation.

Tell us about the importance of protecting and preserving Indigenous languages in Canada?

As an educator, and one who is decidedly passionate about Indigenous languages, I feel very strongly about this issue. Protecting and preserving does not go far enough. These are languages, within which are embedded whole worldviews, that exist nowhere else in the world. Indigenous languages come from the land, quite literally, and when those languages are destroyed or suffer vocabulary shrinkage, we lose vital information about these lands that sustain all living beings.

The fact that Indigenous languages are still not prioritized on our own lands is unconscionable. Our lan­ guages are not dying, they have been deliberately brutalized for hun­dreds of years, stolen, and beaten out of children until very recently. All part of Canada’s nation-building efforts.

Restoration must be the goal, and that means pulling out all the legislative and financial stops to bring

Canada

our diverse Indigenous languages back to full health. Minimally our languages require Constitutional pro­­tec­­­­­tion equal to English and French. I am more ambitious. I beli­ eve all peoples living in these lands should learn an Indigenous lan­ guage, whichever is traditional to the territory one lives in. Anything less simply perpetuates the harm that continues to be done.

As parents, how do we pass on the culture to our children when in some cases we do not know the culture or there are repressive parts of the culture we would like to walk away from? I am not necessarily asking about Indigenous culture here.

There are entire genera­ tions of Indigenous people who have been violently disconnected from their communities and cultures. Cul­ tural disconnection is also expe­rienced by

people of many other backgrounds.

The totalizing nature of mainstream white, Anglo culture is incredibly difficult to counter. It is there in every aspect of our children’s lives, even inside our homes in the media they consume and the online interactions they have.

Even for children raised in culturally connected households, there is no guarantee that child will embrace their parent’s culture(s). As parents, we know that sometimes the knowledge we pass on does not bear fruit for a long time, and we may even experience our children rejecting their culture. I say this because our efforts are not in vain, âhkamêyimotân, we must persevere!

Reaching out to others from your cultural background is especially important if you do not have the knowledge yourself to pass on to your children. Child-rearing is not meant to

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

happen in isolation, and I have found that for many people, parenthood sparks that desire to reclaim one’s cultural roots.

However, cultures are never frozen in time. If there are aspects of any culture that harm us, whether those things are a result of the influences of white supremacy and colonialization or not, we are not required to enforce those traditions. So many of our own Indigenous youth feel alienated from their ceremonies and cultural spaces because of rhetoric that reinforces the `oppressions they face, especially as LGBTQ2+ people. I do not need to know if these teachings are original or introduced. My priority is in asserting the humanity of all people, and we need to centre those among us who experience the most marginalization.

What is settler colonialism and how damaging has it been to us and our children in 2021?

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LadiesCorner Settler colonialism is the physical occupation of land as a method of asserting ownership over that land, and its resources (and even people).

Many people misunderstand this to be a historical event, something that happened a long time ago, and that no longer applies. Yet Canada continues to assert its existence, and its right to exploit lands and resources, even in those areas where no legal basis for this can even be interpreted to exist.

Canada is obviously not the only settler colonial nation state, and while there are some legal, geographic, and historical differences between each of these nations, there is much more in the way of similarities.

Settler colonialism implicates us all in various ways, but at its root, it creates a hierarchy within which some people are afforded more humanity than others. This tends to be couched in the language of “rights” rather than a baldly asserted hierarchy, but the outcome is the same. Some people “have the right” to (or if we are pretending today to be a meritocracy, some people “deserve”) the fundamentals of life, and others do not.

The last year and more has not changed this, it has merely high­ lighted the ways in which this hierar­ chy operates. When a society’s exis­ tence is based on genocide, chattel slavery, and theft, that rotten foundation contaminates and infiltrates everything it encounters.

You wrote recently about social media burnout, how are you feeling now? Do you see a future without isolation? That was a vulnerable piece, and I am happy you shared it.

Social media was a huge part of my

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life for well over a decade. I am a part of Generation X so I remember life pre-internet. I feel like I learned more online than in all my years of school, specifically from Black, Indigenous, and people of colour. I mean, until I was online, I had no idea there was any Black history to know here in Alberta, and that was in my 30s! In a noticeably big way, younger people have been my mentors as much as my Elders have been.

I will not say that nothing online is real. Some of the most enduring relationships I had were sparked online; it is how I met my partner, and his support has honestly made everything I do possible. My growing sense of alienation could potentially be me feeling like I am aging out of what social media can do for me, and what I can contribute in that way. The incredible isolation we have been living through made me more vulnerable to the kinds of nastiness I had become accustomed to ignoring, it began to impact my health severely and negatively. I had a nightmare last week, where I was trying to convince myself to get back on Twitter. I will not be doing that.

At this point in my life, I want to work more slowly, and more relationally, in person. I still have so, so much to learn. I have tuned out most social media for half a year now and weirdly, I do not miss it at all. This pandemic has brought home for me how important it is to have those personal connections close to home, not just across the country via the internet. I need to focus on the people I am building with, rather than on the opinions of people who are not in my life at all.

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

In many instances the police force disproportionately targets and kills Black and Indigenous people - when you reflect on the history and the present-day realities of Indigenous people, what changes would you like to see?

I want it to stop. Period. The Prairies has the largest proportion of Indigenous peoples incarcerated anywhere in Canada, and Black people are also vastly over-represented in these carceral institutions. Things are not getting better. In fact, you can check the stats and see that once the Residential School system was finally disbanded, incarceration rates of Indigenous men, women, and youth, skyrocketed.

Prior to the 1960s in Canada, Indigenous peoples only represented 1 – 2% of the federal prison population. Now that representation sits around 27%, while we are 5% of the population. It’s even worse on the Prairies! In Manitoba, Indigenous men make up 15% of the population, but 74% of the prison population! Black people represent 3.5% of the total population in Canada, and double that in incarceration rates.

It all starts with those interactions with police, and it is not a mystery.

We have study upon study, Auditor General’s report upon report, inquests, inquiries, even Royal Commissions pointing out how systemic racism plays out. We cannot pretend not to understand the situation and yet here we are, still trying to convince a wider society that being called racist is not, in fact, more horrible than experiencing racism.

It goes back to what I said earlier about the way in which some people are afforded more humanity than others. This is not a problem that is

impossible to solve. Instead, Canadian mainstream society is constantly re-affirming a decision to remain ignorant about the systemic issues at play and refusing to overhaul (or just scrap) things.

Can you share what you have learnt about the journeys of ancestors?

Every generation has had its struggles, its heartbreaks, its joys, its triumphs. Knowing my ancestors made time to fiddle and stage kitchen parties, even when we were being burned out of Road Allowances, reminds me to make time for jubilation.

I want to assert, as so many other Indigenous folks have done, that we are post-apocalyptic peoples.

Indigenous peoples, globally, and I want to be very explicit here and include Black people, have experienced multiple world-ending events. Yet we continue to exist, and yes sometimes, even thrive.

The strength of our ancestors, the profound love they have passed down to us through our languages, our ceremonies, our communities, whether we are connected or not, is our birthright. We don’t have to earn it, we don’t have to beg for it, it is ours.

In nêhiyawêwin, the Cree language that is spoken by nêhiyawak (Cree) and Métis alike in this territory, the word for “my ancestors” is nikihciâniskotâpânak. It’s also the exact same term for your descendants; it denotes a generational linkage rather than a linear progression. I am someone’s kihci-âniskotâpan: someone’s descendant, but also someone’s ancestor. Things might look somewhat different for me right now than they did for those that

came before, and those that have yet to come, but I guarantee you we have more in common than not.

What books are you reading now?

What books do we need to read to learn more about Indigenous culture?

I have found myself absolutely inhaling trashy thrillers, about two a week, since the pandemic began.

The stories are sordid and full of mostly white, middle class, messy people making terrible decisions, and honestly it makes me feel a little better about my own life and the relationships I have. The books have all blended together in my mind though, and if the Libby library app I use did not keep track of what I’ve already read, I’d easily re-read something without even noticing.

I am a huge wimp, and never wanted to read these books before because they scared me, but now I think I have a better understanding of why scary things (fictional or not) appeal to so many people. In a way it forces me to take stock of things and recognize they could be a lot worse.

Let my life be simple, please!

In terms of books to read to learn more about the vast diversity of Indigenous cultures, there are honestly so many now. Take your pick. Just make sure they are written

by Indigenous authors; no one needs to give cultural frauds any more oxygen. It does not have to be an academic publication; Indigenous authors have branched out into every genre you can think of. It is important to remember that we are hundreds of distinct cultures, and what you learn about a specific people will not necessarily help you when it comes to another people.

Is there a secret you to managing your time and family commitments?

I do not bring work home. What that means, now that I have literally been working in my home since March of 2020, is when I step outside of my office, I am trying to focus on my family. If I forget to do this, my youngest children remind me very quickly, because when I am done the workday, they immediately use me as furniture.

I had to learn this early on, when I was a single mom trying to make it through law school, and to be honest, things have not slowed down. I struggle a lot with my ADHD, and to remain functional, I have developed certain organizational habits.

Knowing I have a limited number of hours to get everything done that needs doing is a mighty motivator.

My little sweet alarm clocks ensure I do not get to make up sleep lost if I’m burning the midnight oil, and it only takes a few times stumbling around like a zombie all day to realize the worth of getting myself back on track every time I want to zone out. I have not perfected my techniques though; every deadline remains daunting.

Underneath it all is my belief that what makes life worthwhile is not how hard you worked on whatever project or deadline. It’s the relationships you build and maintain over your lifetime.

I sell my labour to support my family, but my life with my family is the whole point. If I do not leave this world a little better for generations to come, what was any of it worth?

LadiesCorner

Personal

R

Development

unning a successful busi­­ ness requires that the business owner com­­mits to personal deve­lop­ment.

As a business owner, your business cannot grow beyond your personal development level. So, as you work on your business, it is important that you work on yourself.

As you probably know, reading great business books is one of the most cost-effective methods to acquire relevant knowledge. The truth is that you may have to read some books several times. For some, you just need to read it once and the mes-

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by Emmanuel Oluwatosin

sage will stick forever. Another way to develop yourself is listening to podcasts. Listening to podcasts is a great way to learn something while you are doing something else. In this article, I will share some podcasts every business owner should have on his or her list.

Books to Have in Your Library 1. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” This is one of my best business books every entrepreneur should read. I have both the Kindle and Audible versions of the book. Ben Horow-

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

itz is considered an icon by many entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. The Hard Thing About Hard Things is based on Horowitz’s popular blog and provides strategies for navigating building and running a Startup. In this book, Ben Horowitz shares his best advice on how to fire employees, confront competitors, and most importantly, how to cultivate a CEO mentality.

2. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic not only for bu­si­ness owners, but for every professional

Canada

person. The book is about peoplee and that is the secret. Use the Dale Carnegie system to win friends, influence people, and connect with employees and team members in an authentic way.

3. “Deep Work” If you want to get the right things done, Deep Work by Cal Newport should be on your list. Deep Workshares research and a common-sense process that will inspire you to dig in and get stuff done. If you need to get and stay focused on achieving your goals, read Deep Work.

4. “This is Marketing” This Is Marketing is one of Seth Godin’s best books. You do not have to be a professional marketer to realize that marketing is key to the success of any business. In this book, Seth Godin addresses the colossal shift in marketing from pushing your message down the throats of unwilling customers to focusing your marketing efforts on “people like us”. This is a must-read for you.

5. “The Innovator’s Dilemma” In The Innovator’s Dilemma, Christensen focuses on showing you how to listen to customers so that you know where to invest your resources.

As you know, customers are king. The

success of your business depends on success. You can satisfy your customers’ needs. So, this is one of the top business books every entrepreneur should read.

6. “First, Break All the Rules” Being an exceptional business owner may require you to break some rules. Therefore, you need to read First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham. The book is based on an extensive research study by the Gallup Organization.

7. “Good to Great” If you are going to read just one book today, it should be Good to Great

by Jim Collins. In this book, you will find out why some companies succeed, and others do not. Although the book was published in 2001, the primary lesson in Good to Great has remained relevant over the years. Even though some of the companies listed were not able to sustain their greatness, you will still find the insights relevant.

8. “Positioning” First published in 1989, Positioning

by Al Ries and Jack Trout is a classic marketing book. Every business owner needs to learn how to position his brand in the mind of his. This book will help you to do just that. In this book, LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

you will find dozens of real-world cases and insightful analyses. Positioning is a must-read if you are looking for tips on breakthrough advertising.

9. “Built to Last” Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras is the result of a six-year research study about what qualities make visionary companies. The authors focused on 18 well known, well established, and healthy companies, and compared them to a counterpart in their niche or industry. The term Big Hairy Audacious Goal was coined by Jim Collins in Built to Last.

10. “Influence” When it comes to influence and persuasion, the one name that comes up most often is Robert Cialdini. His ground-breaking book, Influence is a book that gives you greater insight into the psychology behind persuasion and marketing. The insight in this book will help you grow personally and professionally, Robert Cialdini outlines the six principles of persuasion in a logical manner. So, go check them out.

Emmanuel Oluwatosin is a cofounder of Africaextended.com. He lives in Calgary with his wife and children

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A PLACE OF FAITH Dealing with Worry in Uncertain times

by Pastor Bode Akindele

W

orry — ­ simply described.

Worry means to be occupied with the problems of this life. The things that worry us are often obvious global problems.

To say that the whole world is charting through uncertain territories right now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic would be an accurate statement, and the attending anxiety is to be expected. Many individuals and families are faced with unusual situations that they do not know how to handle — ranging from health to finances, and marriage challenges.

The governments of the world are also currently perplexed due to the mutation of the corona virus, producing variants that keep challenging the effectiveness of the vaccines, which themselves are still under trial! Frequent lockdowns make business unpredictable, while global connectivity explains the agitation of leaders of various nations.

Dangers of Worry Statistics has shown that there are many people in the hospital because of stress that resulted from their worries about their families, health,

or businesses. Notice the following three things: •• Worry chokes your faith. What worry does is to make you lose that confidence and assurance — it makes you lose the hope of any possibilities coming out of negative situations that you are faced with! It suddenly seems like it is never possible to experience breakthrough in that difficult situation. Worry makes you give up your faith too soon. Heb. 11:1(NIV) says, ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’.

•• Worry prevents you from being a blessing to others.

•• Worry takes you away from the feet of Jesus. Consider the example of Martha in Luke 10:38 – 42.

Jesus said in verse 42, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things’ — instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus to build her faith like Mary chose to do.

No wonder when their brother Lazarus died, the responses of Mary to Jesus’s statements were more of faith than that of Martha (Jn. 11:17 – 44).

What does God say we should do?

God says clearly that we should not worry about anything. Rather, He says we should rejoice; and He went ahead to say it again, REJOICE! (Phil 4:4 – 7).

I know that it does not make sense to expect you to rejoice in the face of troubles and it might even be exceedingly difficult to do so. However, let us closely consider the instruction God gives us to follow in the face of potential worries: •• Rejoice in the Lord, always. Make this a foundation for your daily attitude, no matter what comes against you. Let the fact that you belong to the Lord anchor your soul even in turmoil.

•• Be careful about nothing — Do not be anxious about anything, no matter what it is.

•• Engage in prayer and supplication at all times and about everything.

•• Maintain the heart of thanksgiving while still in the situation.

•• God promises us (verse 7) that when we do these four things, His peace that passes all understanding will garrison our hearts.

Canada Consider the following points: •• If you do not spend time to pray about issues, and to pray aright, you will keep worrying!

•• If you do not understand God’s promises to you about those situations, you will worry!

•• If your trust is in yourself or another man, you will worry! See what God says in Jer. 17: 5-8, ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’

What then should we do?

•• Commit your ways into God’s hands and trust Him completely. Ps. 37:5-6 (NIV) says, ‘Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun’. I like it in Message version, ‘Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done’. You can trust that God means what He said in this verse. Matt 7:7 says in message version ‘Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask what you need’.

He will do all that is needed.

•• Meditate (positively think deeply) on His promises about your situations. Jn. 15:7 says, ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and

it shall be done for you’. When fear and confusions confront you, you need to remind yourself of God’s promises, and keep meditating on it. This way, your faith remains strong and unfailing.

•• Cultivate the habit of declaring God’s word about your situation.

II Cor. 4:13 says, ‘We are having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;’. We are to keep speaking what we believe about our situations, until we see the manifestation we desire.

•• Always deliberately give God all your worries when they show up.

I Peter 5:7 (GNT) says, ‘Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you’. Amplified version presents the same scripture more elaborately; ‘Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully’. See again in the amplified bible what the psalmist says about this in Ps. 55:22; ‘Cast your burden on the Lord (releasing the weight of it) and He will sustain you; He will never allow the (consistently) righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail)’. Beloved, you can believe God to be true to these scriptures.

•• Live one day at a time. Many times, what we worry about is futuristic, and most of the time it is because we cannot predict for sure how things will turn. Meanwhile, many of those negative assumptions we have do not even end up happening when that future comes! Rather, concern yourself with the issue of today; live one day at a time, and you LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

would have drastically reduced if not eliminated worry from your life. Let us consider what Matthew 6:34 says; ‘take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof’.

What would you do now?

You can trust God to see you through every situation, no matter how difficult. If the entire world would look unto God now, He will deliver us from every plague. That is why I would advise you to personally place your life, your total hope, on the Lord.

You can pray about your challenges now, yes, right now, and I am sure God is faithful, merciful, and just to answer you. Rom 10:13 says, ‘for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Jn. 6:37 (NIV) says, ‘… whoever comes to me I will never drive away.’ Instead of worrying about your troubles, go ahead and pray to God about them. That is the way.

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior many years ago, and so I usually have confidence to approach God as my father, for solutions, when different life issues confront me. You should do the same today. Jesus is waiting to receive you. Rom. 10:9-10 (NLT) says, ‘If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved’. I encourage you to take that step today, now, do as this scripture say and your new life in God begins.

If you prayed this prayer, or you have questions you need answers, feel free to email. God bless you. info@hogmonline.org

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LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

Canada

Leadership

Siba Khumalo

EXCELS

AT COMMUNIT Y LEADERSHIP & NURSING

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n the many times we have interacted with Ms. Khumalo, we have been treat­ ed with kindness and compas­sion.

Approachable, humble, and alwa­ ys available to help, we were pleased to have a chat with the Chairperson of Zim­ba­bwe Cultural Organisation of Alberta, Siba Khumalo, about what it takes to be a community leader.

Being a community leader is not an end, you must have a heart of service. This is how we describe Ms. Khumalo. She has a heart of gold spending her days in service of her community, advocating for our issues.

I strongly believe it takes a village to succeed and I just play my part by sharing and giving myself to the community.

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

My name is Sibangukuhle khumalo, I go by Siba. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. I came to Toronto, Canada in 2001, did my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at York University in Toronto in 2008. I moved to Edmonton in 2008. I work as a nurse and I have a foot care business. I am a community leader for the Zimbabwe Cultural Society of Alberta. I also recently joined the Africa Centre Board of Directors.

How do you combine nursing and your work with the Zimbabwean Multicultural community and the Africa Centre?

I care a lot about people, when I am not being a nurse caring for the sick, I am caring for the community. I strongly believe it takes a village to succeed and I just play my part by sharing and giving myself to the community.

At the Africa Centre, I bring experiences and concerns from my community since I am on ground and more connected to my communities.

What do our women tell you about access to meaningful work in Edmonton?

Women tell me opportunities are out there if you are willing to work hard and pursue your dreams wholeheartedly and relentlessly. I have had the pleasure to meet some women from our communities who are successful and hold very influential and powerful positions.

They are some too who also voiced some challenges in that, some jobs are not accessible to them due to various reasons.

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

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LadiesCorner Who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?

My mom is my greatest inspiration and all the hard-working mothers out there who keep working day and night to achieve their dreams. Since my mother is far away, I am grateful to the senior women in my community and other African communities that I interact with, who always support me and who are always there to guide me anytime I reach out to them.

Women often complain that it is hard to find leadership roles and opportunities in Edmonton, do you agree with this statement?

First and foremost, I think we are all leaders in our own ways, we are mothers, wives, sisters, girlfriends, aun­ ties and grandmothers, acade­ mics, professionals, and workers. Sec­ on­dly, I believe that if you really know yourself, believe in yourself and know what you want, the sky’s the limit.

Tell us about Africa Centre’s work with women in the community and the impact you see the African Centre making I know the Africa Centre has been working with women in the community, they have been holding women business networking events, women support groups for women to come together to share ideas and support one another. There are mental health networks for those struggling emotionally and mentally due to COVID. The Daycare programme run

by Africa Centre also helps those women who want to pursue their careers and jobs by providing a safe space for their kids. They are working with women to empower them socially, economically, and politically.

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What are the greatest challenges facing Black women today?

Black women face challenges such as micro aggressions, inclusions and are less supported in the workforce.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

One characteristic a leader should possess is integrity. My definition of this is having strong morals and ethical principles.

Why do you think Black women are underachieving nationally in Canada today?

I would not say they are under­ achieving.

It depends on what we are referring to. We have several people doing well professionally. We must remember as well that most of our Black Queens

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

are first generations immigrants. For a first immigrant individual, they are starting from scratch, the primary focus maybe survival, being able to support the immediate family, putting food on the table and sending the little money back home to help others. As a result, they tend to put their needs and dreams at the back burner and do shorter courses that will get them a job faster so they can support their loved ones. Others do not have the money to pursue university or college education. Some are busy taking care of their families and others prefer to let their spouses pursue education while they raise kids.

What do you do daily to build into other leaders?

I am in over fifteen leadership groups and Zoom meetings two to three times a week, where we support, brainstorm, share, organize and challenge each other on how to achieve excellence in everything we do and always keeping an open mind.

What should we do differently to rise in Edmonton?

We need to come together; know what products or services we provide and support each other.

When you are not working, what do you do to relax?

When I am not working, I like to watch TV, play soccer, and spend time with my family.

What books are you reading now?

The only books I am reading now, are textbooks for a program I am doing.

Siba Khumalo can be reached at the AfricaCentre.ca

Canada

International Author

Dr. Modupe Oyetade Dr. Modupe Oyetade is a dental surgeon and author of children’s books. She began writing at an early age.

She has been featured in Nigeria’s national media and on various social media platforms.

She spoke to LCCMedia recently.

Dr Modupe Oyetade is a consultant periodontist (Dental Surgeon), she loves to write children’s books.

Some of her books include, “Ivana and Friends”, “Ivana Goes to the Farm”, “Ivana Begins Again”, “Ivana Catches a Cold, “Wura Gets a Goat”, “The Lion, and the Duck”, to mention a few. Her books have been translated to Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa language, and are also included in the educational curriculum of schools.

She loves to write children books because children inspire her. She could not specifically say what got her into writing, but recounts that as a child, during holidays, she had a lot of blank pages left from old exercise books and she loved to fill it up with stories that she imagined.

As to what inspired her to write her latest book “Fresyne”, she said her inspiration came from her wondering what happened inside the big forests that she drove by, whenever she travelled to her hometown in Southern Nigeria. “Those thoughts captivated me and led me to writing about a baby abandoned in a forest” She said.

She described her creative process as the essence of life. “I like to create events in my mind and then write them up and see if they are nice to read. Creativity is the color of nature from the flowers that blossom to the color of the sea. Creativity is the fragrance we perceive when we see art LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

pictures. Creativity is the smile a baby gives after being well fed” explained Dr. Oyetade.

On the challenges of being an author in Nigeria – “There are many challenges of being an author in Nigeria.

Especially, because most of the children and youths prefer to use their phones connected to the internet and not read books. Another challenge is to get good editors and illustrators.

The good editors and illustrators are hard to come by. I appreciate all the people who have bought and read my books. They bring joy to my heart” she told Ladies Corner.

Read more about Dr. Modupe on: Instagram – drmodupe_author Twitter – drmodupeauthor Website – www.drmodupeauthor. com Her books are on Amazon and you can chat her up on WhatsApp number 08035527775 for her books.

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LadiesCorner

Tayo Elnathan

MUSINGS FROM AN ONLOOKER

•• Who would have thought that the pandemic would still be raging on a year on? Our hearts go out to India and Brazil who have been badly hit in recent weeks.

•• We are living in a post-apocalyptic world. My co-worker thinks that taking the vaccine will turn her into a Zombie. I am sure there is a medication to turn you right back to a human being, take the vaccine!

•• They put a man on the moon, and they cannot make just one vaccine to cure the coronavirus?

•• Why are there multiple vaccines “Is it safe to take all three just to make sure that all bases are covered?”

•• They have shut down the schools again in Alberta, and I am cursing the coronavirus - I do not want to homeschool again!

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•• Did I miss any announcement of a palliative or a bailout package?

•• I need to seriously address the issue of my ongoing weight gain? I hate having to work out. I am carrying on me the evidence of every lock down since 2020😊 •• Does everyone have a bottle of hand sanitizer in their car, in their purses, pockets, bedrooms, kitchen drawers, bathrooms, and on their person each time? I have gotten to the point where I am constantly sanitizing my hands. There is a jar of alcohol within 10 inches of me at all locations. Is this paranoia?

Tayo Elnathan is the Executive Director of LCCMedia Foundation.

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

Poem

Hey sis, There is a change coming, do you feel it?

A metamorphosis unlike any other It starts slow like the phases of a moon cycle Like the smoke that becomes a fire that lights every soul you touch The hairs on your beautiful golden skin stand at attention, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.

It is a wild beast of hope, dreams, ambition, and fearlessness that scratches from within begging to be let free.

Clawing from within you with the need to soar.

The need to soar above the clouds into the stars, into the infinite galaxy where your name was written as part of the legacy you hold.

A name that will be screamed from mountains, a name illuminated by light; your name was chosen because you come from a line of greatness.

A greatness held in every fiber of your ever-changing body.

The body that tells the whole story of your life It is a change that will explode as part of the everlasting universe.

So yeah sis, that change, that change you smell in the air, taste in every word, see in your reflection, hear in every whisper, and feel in the electricity in the air.

Is here now. Embrace it.

- Halima Hussein

Born in Edmonton, Halima started writing at 14yrs old and always finds inspiration in everything. She often pulls from her experience of life and culture.

In the last two years, Halima has become a podcaster, the creator of “What’s Your Hustle” – a podcast that explores people’s hustles, inspirations, and passions.

Her experience includes writing for blogs as well as the podcast interviews.

MUA – Cheryl-Ann Ramdin Instagram – @missramdini Photographer – Adrian Gariano Instagram – @adriano.gariano.photos Contact info: Halima Hussein Email – whatsyourhustlepodcast@ gmail.com Instagram – @whatsyourhustlepodcast

LadiesCorner

by Mary Thomas

Spring cleaning is not an innovation. Spring is generally thought of as the ideal time to cleanse, according to Ayurveda. While many of us may have attempted a ‘detox’, winter isn’t the best time for detox routines. The body needs nourishment and internalisation during winter, but as we enter the Kapha (the slush and mud) season, this is truly the ideal time to observe these detoxifying practices.

P

anchakarma involves ‘five actions’ and is the Ayurvedic cleansing and purifying program traditionally undertaken in order to detox and rejuvenate the body: Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti, and Raktamoskshana.

These techniques are not commonly practised in the west, and to make the process more accessible, realistic and enjoyable, a spring cleanse may consist of a mono diet of Kitchari, a three-day juicing cleanse, intermittent fasting, cutting out sugars and processed foods, refraining from snacking between meals, or simply reducing caffeine in order to allow the body to rid itself of toxin build up. It is advisable to seek advice from a qualified doctor or therapist if you are considering taking a fast or cleanse.

As the temperature shifts, you might begin to feel some shifts in your body:

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a desire for more exercise and time outside, and a craving for lighter meals rather than the dense soups, stews, and casseroles that nourish us in fall and winter. Now’s the time to replace heavy, oily, sour, and sweet foods with foods that are pungent, bitter, astringent, dry, and light.

Eating seasonally is the most intuitive diet you can practice. Start with foraging at garden centres, local farmers markets or joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. At the grocery store, look for what is on sale in the produce section—if you see pyramids of a particular fruit or vegetable, it is likely in seasonal abundance.

Eat Lean, Eat Green.

Every year, I get so excited when my town’s Farmers’ Market starts up in late spring. Things are very mellow with the pandemic, but I have got my potatoes, basil, amaranth, onions, garlic rooted and ready for planting. My body is so ready for bitter alkaline foods by this LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

point, and there is not much here.

Many people notice a natural but distinct shift in their cravings as winter gives way to spring. The arrival of the warmer weather often marks a decline in our desire for the heavy, substantive foods, so essential during the winter months. In fact, many notice an increasingly insistent preference for lighter fare. Your appetite may decrease, and you may find yourself craving fruit, fresh vegetables, and salads galore. This is your body’s way of telling you that it is time for some spring cleaning. Juice fasts with pomegranate or apple juice and mono diets are wonderfully supportive. This helps balance mucus production, regulate moisture levels, and serve to open the channels of elimination so critical for purification.

Spring is the time of year to eat lean.

All winter, we have been into rice, potatoes, stews, meats, and cheese. It is time to reset the digestion and cleanse

Canada

out the weight of the winter. In fact, spring and summer are the best seasons for eating vegetarian or vegan.

•• You can start your day with a light breakfast of fresh fruit or tea.

•• Lunches and dinners of light, cooked grains, steamed vegetables, and legumes are often perfect choices.

•• Drink room temperature, warm, or hot beverages. You might even consider sipping on some warm water with a dab of honey throughout the day.

•• Structure your diet around eating lots of fresh (but not necessarily raw) vegetables and a variety of legumes. These foods tend to be astringent and often somewhat bitter.

•• Many also benefit from eating lots of bitter greens, cabbage family vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), and spicy foods like green chilies.

•• Eaten in moderation, freshwater fish, tofu, and poached or hardboiled eggs are also appropriate during the spring season.

•• Favour vegetables and small legumes, like red lentils and mung beans.

•• Lay off meat, wheat, dairy, and sugar, which are all difficult to digest.

•• When choosing grains, swap out heavy wheat and oatmeal for lighter options like millet, quinoa, and barley.

•• Add lots of spices to your dishes, including black pepper, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin, and mustard seeds.

•• Get outside and forage for fiddleheads, ramps, dandelions, and nettles. Be sure to consult a foraging guide.

•• Eat green! Green everything. Your plate might reflect the fluorescent-green spring landscape.

Clean Green Soup Use whatever proportion and variety of green vegetables you prefer.

•• 4 cups of fresh broccoli crowns and stalks, chopped in 1-inch pieces.

•• 2 stalks fresh celery, chopped in 1-inch pieces.

•• 4 cups fresh spinach or other greens •• 2 cups water or homemade vegetable stock •• ½ teaspoon black pepper LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

•• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric •• Salt to taste •• Fresh lemon In a medium saucepan, combine water, vegetables, black pepper, and turmeric, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and cook for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft, but not too soft. Take pan off heat and blend mixture till smooth, using an immersion blender; you might need to add more hot water to achieve a thick but not gloppy consistency. Add salt to taste. Top with a fresh squeeze of lemon.

As we move from the darkness of winter into the light of spring, honour your body and mind, by feeding it well, breathing fully, and moving in a way that feels good to you. Enjoy the new colours and sense of new beginnings, and as always – listen to your body, it is your best teacher!

For those suffering from food insecurity this spring, there are many agencies in town that are looking for you to support you through this difficult time. Mustard Seed, The Edmonton Food Bank and many churches have programs of their own to support minority communities.

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LadiesCorner

FOOD INSECURITY Fighting

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ore than 1 in 10 households in Alberta experience household food insecurity (a lack of money to buy enough healthy food). Before the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, nearly 4.5 million Canadians were already experiencing food insecurity. The number is rising everyday with shrinking income pots and greater demand. Within Edmonton, 13.8% of residents were food insecure in 2017-2018. In 2019, 63,323 people received a hamper from Edmonton’s Food Bank or one of its affiliates.

Indigenous and racialized people

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Tackling the ballooning food insecurity in our region – Mary Thomas

are also disproportionately impacted by food insecurity. Black households are 3.5 times more likely to be food insecure than white households, and almost half of all First Nations families are food insecure.

Of those who access food banks to meet their needs, the 2019 Hunger Count reported that 34% were children, 48% were single adult households, 18% were single parent households, and 57.4% were on social assistance or disability-related supports. Food security measures need to be responsive to needs of ethnic minorities as they are more likely to experience social isolation due to food insecurity.

One of my Black friends in the community said to me, “Your circumstances can suddenly change when you are unable to find work and doors LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

close on you for any kind of support.

I found myself desperate and short of food for a season in my life. I had to depend on family to send me money which was almost never enough to pay my rent and feed my children.

I remember skipping meals to save money. Using the car became a luxury I couldn’t afford.”

“The predicament of undocumented workers rings clear: they have no access to food support nor to the vaccines as they do not have healthcare coverage. My battle with food insecurity is just a glimpse the entire gamut of issues faced when you are let down by circumstances beyond your control. Food insecurity leads to problems like trafficking. You are offered meaningless work for little or no pay.

Some are offered the opportunity to sell their bodies in exchange for mon-

Canada

Lead Story

ey,” she sighed.

A high proportion of refugees and temporary foreign workers spend between 75 to 100 per cent of their income on housing with little going to other essential living costs like food.

In a nationwide survey last year, 81% stated that food insecurity compromised their physical health. Nearly two-thirds of these people explained that this was due to either a lack of food and/or an inability to access food that met their dietary needs. The other third connected their poor health to the stress and anxiety they experienced because of being food insecure.

Of those who discussed the specific ways in which their physical health was affected by food insecurity, 25% had trouble managing one or more chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. In addition to

struggling to afford the specific foods that might help their condition, many respondents noted that they also could not take their prescription medication when they were out of food.

Another survey participant noted that because their medicine isn’t covered, “I have to take money out of my food budget. I often have to decide to fix my health issues or feed myself.”

Many respondents noted a correlation between their food insecurity and a variety of health challenges, such as insomnia, headaches, eczema, hair loss and digestive issues. Of those who elaborated on how their food insecurity had impacted their physical health, 8% expressed that it had led to the development of one or more illnesses, such as anemia. “I have coronary artery disease and had bypass surgery.

I’m supposed to eat specific foods, but LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

that is not always possible due to money.”

Another common theme was feelings of fatigue and exhaustion due to lack of food. “I don’t have any energy anymore. You do not notice the slide until you are down. And when you are down, you try to get out, but you do not have the energy. I used to eat when I wanted, but now I eat when I can.”

Food insecurity had negatively affected the mental health of seventy-nine percent of the people surveyed. They said it made them stressed, anxious, and worried. This stress was often the result of needing to ration food, fear of running out and/ or not knowing if or how they would make it through the month.

40% of people who are food insecure struggle with anxiety and other mood

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LadiesCorner disorders. Food insecurity can make people feel frustrated, aggressive, desperate, or pessimistic. Finding themselves unable to provide for themselves or their loved ones in the way they wanted, as well as an acute awareness of what they lacked, exacerbated these feelings. Some explained that they did not think they could easily change their situation, and it made them feel hopeless. “We’re trying to not get depressed, but we’re running low. My wife and I argue, and we only have one room to live in. [She] gets inconsolable when she doesn’t eat.”

Many noted the stigma associated with food insecurity and appeared to have internalized the notion that their food situation made them inferior or “less than” those who had access to food. Some survey participants reported that not having access to food decreased their motivation and ability to concentrate. Several respondents added that thinking about a lack of food all the time made it difficult to focus their energy elsewhere. For others, food insecurity made it hard to sleep. “[I] can’t focus. I get kind of lethargic and do not think clearly. [I] can’t concentrate because I’m worried and hungry and don’t know where my next meal is going to come from.”

A few participants said the situation was so dire that they had contemplated suicide.

Finding and maintaining paid work was made more difficult because of food insecurity for 57% of our survey respondents. Respondents explained that food insecurity had affected their motivation, self-esteem, or confidence, making it difficult to find and secure a job. “[Food insecurity] creates anxiety, and it erodes motivation to contribute.” Nearly one-third of respondents explained that the time it took to meet their food needs and/or the general instability that comes with being food insecure interfered with their ability to find and keep work.

For some, this meant countless hours searching and waiting for emergency food. For others, it meant trying to deal with episodes of hunger caused by unpredictable access

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to food.

“Without food, I don’t have the mental or physical energy to go out to find a job or maintain a job. It’s hard to do a good job when you’re hungry.”

Several respondents noted that they could not afford the costs associated with employment, such as transportation, childcare and suitable clothing needed to meet dress codes. Accessing the training required to increase their employability was also out of reach for some. Paying for these expenses, they explained, would cut into their food budget, and eating had to come first.

“Going to work—how do you get there? Is there a dress code? Can you afford to buy what you need? Or do you buy food?”

You can lend a hand.

Within Edmonton, several new initiatives besides Edmonton Food Bank, Mustard Seed and religious organisations aim to address these concerns. Food hamper programs were set up by organizations such as the Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO) and the African Diaspora COVID-19 Response.

This response team was set up by the Africa Centre in collaboration with ten other groups within the African community providing food hampers to their members to gain better access to nutrition (which includes providing culturally relevant foods like injera and yucca powder).

They also help members to navigate government support programs, provide psychosocial and emotional support, as well as career support for those facing job loss.

In addition, the C5: Collaborative for Change (Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, Boyle Street Community Services, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre and Terra Centre for Teen Parents) set up a food hamper program in response to the pandemic, delivering food to 550 families—2,000 individuals every two weeks.

These measures are in addition to the ongoing services that existed before the pandemic. For example, the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op has a Grocery Run Program.

This program is designed to address food insecurity among immigrant and refugee communities (particularly perinatal, pregnant, and post-partum women) because of bar-

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

Canada

riers to transportation, language, or unfamiliarity with mainstream food products. The program has seen an increase from 100 to now 450 families accessing the program each week.

In an era when millions of Canadians experience food insecurity, diverting food waste—especially perfectly edible food that might end up in the dumpster of a grocery warehouse— is seen as a key measure to provide emergency relief for those in need.

In August 2020, the Government of Canada announced a $50 million investment through the Surplus Food Rescue Program to distribute food to vulnerable Canadians that would otherwise go to waste. This food surplus was one outcome of the pandemic that had forced the closure of restaurant and hospitality industries, leaving many producers without a key market for their food commodities. Not-forprofits like Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest would redistribute 12 million kilograms.

Locally, Edmonton’s Food Bank gleans 4.8 million pounds of food waste annually, equivalent to 60—

80% of its annual meals. Leftovers Edmonton also diverts food waste for emergency relief, and in 2019 rescued enough food to provide 164,000 meals to charity.

The reasons individuals and families experience food insecurity are complex, and include physical, economic, and social barriers. Within Canada, food insecurity is primarily linked to income or financial insecurity: unemployment, low-wage or precarious jobs, and social assistance rates that do not provide a livable income for recipients. Measures to provide immediate food relief for emergency situations are important and valuable work, but long-term policies to address income insecurity must also be part of the solution to tackle food security both during and beyond, a global pandemic. These measures include a sustainable living wage, universal basic income, housing support, changes to EI for low-income workers, vocational support programs and protection from sudden changes or shocks to income sources.

The Jasper Place Wellness Centre, Jasper Place High School, Trinity Unit-

LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

ed Church and the Wecan Food Basket Society of Alberta joined forces and formed WEFHA, and with the support of Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF), are aiming to increase access to healthy food for those living in Meadowlark and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Some agencies have seen a doubling or even tripling in demand for help. The Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative (MHBC), for example, was serving as many as 100 families prior to the pandemic but that has increased to more than 450 since last month.

Normally, Leftovers Edmonton visits businesses like grocery stores, bakeries, cafes, restaurants and takes any surplus food that would otherwise be thrown out. The food is then taken to organizations like the food bank where it is handed out to those in need. COBS Bakery donations help a lot of people. There are agencies close to you from whom you can access good food.

Reach out and ask for help. Help is available close to you.

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Elderly Care

Getting Your Affairs in Order

M

eet Andrea Cox a licen­ sed Funeral Pre-planning Consultant in Alberta and British Columbia. She was born and raised in Calgary,Alberta, and after working in staffing and recruitment for several years, her passion is now vested in helping others to understand the importance of getting their affairs in order before a crisis or death.

She does this through monthly webinars, information sessions and her show, Let us Talk, on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesdays at 7:00pm MST. On her show, she speaks with other professionals on the topics of death, debt and getting old. The goal is for families and adult children with aging parents to begin having the uncomfortable conversations and begin planning before a crisis or death.

Over the last six years, she has gained valuable experience with helping others understand the importance of getting their affairs in order.

As a licensed pre-planning consultant who is licensed in both AB and BC (she holds double licenses in Alberta, including one with the Alberta Funeral Board), she assists singles, couples, and adult children with aging parents

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Andrea Cox with putting a plan in place that will bring peace of mind to loved ones at the time of death.

Four years ago, after fully understanding the importance of starting to put a plan in place for her aging parents and starting to have the uncomfortable conversations with her family, she decided to add resources for seniors to her networking activities. This triggered more of an urgency after her mother had a medical scare. Not having an Enduring Power of Attorney or Personal Directive in place, in case she lost mental capacity, was a frightening reality. That scare was enough to get her parents, and other family members, to understand the importance of having their will and other legal documents in place.

Not having these in place and comparing the huge cost difference and emotional turmoil if a crisis occurs, helped to get these documents in place. She wants the same for others.

Andrea now has partnered with other professionals who can help seniors with their wills and other legal documents. They also help with housing, debt management, grief, and other resources. She considers herself resourceful and enjoys helpLadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

ing others to get the right information when it comes to seniors and their care.

Andrea assists her clients with: •• Pre-planning their final wishes.

•• Finding a pre-paid funeral/memorial service or cremation package that fits in their budget.

•• Referrals to a lawyer or a certified professional executor to set up Wills and other legal documents.

•• Referral to various providers of services and resources for seniors •• And much more.

Andrea is available for telephone conversation or a virtual tea/coffee chat.

Together she can put a plan in place today for you or another family member that will bring peace of mind to you/your family during that devastating time.

A plan today for a service in the future.

Telephone: 1-866-250-1825 or 403607-9298 Follow Her on Facebook: @GettingYourAffairsInOrder Instagram: @GettingYourAffairsInOrder

Canada

Business Spotlight

Calgary Caribbean Cuisine

Fay Bruney

F

ay Bruney owns a restaurant in Calgary. She can attest to the fact that every day she is able to keep her business open is a blessing to her workers who depend on the income to support their families. LCCMedia was in Calgary recently and we met Fay at her restaurant. We were warmly welcomed, and we enjoyed the conversation and indeed the food!

Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Fay Bruney. I was born in the Caribbean and moved to Toronto, Ontario as a pre-schooler at age 4.

Shortly after college, I moved out west with my husband with whom I share two beautiful children. After spending most of my adult life in the corporate world, I made a leap of faith to open my own business in 2014, with the support of my husband. I am currently the proud owner and operator of Simply Irie Caribbean Cuisine.

How did you get into the restaurant business?

The vision to open a Caribbean restaurant came mainly from missing some of our favourite foods that were so easily available to us growing up in Toronto and the desire to offer some of

those great flavours to the Calgary and surrounding areas. One of the ways I get to connect with my Caribbean roots is through food, so this was a win for all of us.

Has the pandemic affected you in any way?

Yes, the pandemic has and unfortunately affected the restaurant business. At Simply Irie, we are juggling new health and safety protocols and staff-cuts. We have had to temporarily lay-off staff members at this time but are looking forward to having them come back once pandemic measures are lifted. As a result of staff-cuts, our wait-times are little longer than usual at times so I would love the opportunity to apologize for this and thank everyone who has supported us during this time for their patience and consistent encouragement and support. I miss seeing my regular customers and welcoming new customers inside the dining area as well. Considering the ever-changing regulations, we have managed to build an outdoor patio and seating area for when patio-dining is allowed again. At this moment, we are currently only providing take-out and delivery services.

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What inspires you to carry on?

My inspiration is my family.

Everything I do, I do for them. I want to leave a legacy for my children. I want to show them that you can have a dream, work incredibly hard, and turn that dream into reality. As a Caribbean-Canadian business owner, I am very proud of how far I have come, and I am extremely motivated and inspired for the future of my restaurant.

Describe your menu?

The vibe of our upbeat cozy restaurant is predominantly a Caribbean flavour with a small selection of Western dishes. Our menu is composed of appetizers, soups, seafood, roti, Jamaican patties, Caribbean dishes, and desserts.

Where can we find you?

You can find us at our storefront location on 1510 6 St SW, Calgary.

On social media, you can find us on our website: simplyirie.ca Facebook: Simply Irie Caribbean Cuisine & Instagram: @simply.irie.

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THE STORY OF Samira Hamana We are delighted to have Samira Hamana on the cover of our Summer Edition. She has been a friend of Ladies Corner since 2019. We hope you will find Samira’s story inspiring and empowering.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Samira Hamana, I am a mother of three children (13, 9, 6). In my life I wear many hats. I am an author, certified life and business coach, HR professional, educator, and designer. I am a business case award-winning, nominated Muslimah of the year in 2019, and an Amazon influencer. I am continually active as well in my community and I am serving on several not-for-profit boards.

In 2009, I moved to Edmonton From Morocco. When I came to Canada, I had many plans and goals, one of them was to achieve my academic goals; however, language was a barrier. I had to start from scratch and all my academic achievement was thrown in the bins, because it was done in Arabic and French. I had to take upgrading classes and fortunately I got good grades that allowed me to attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management. I was so frightened that I would not be able to pass the courses due to my language constraints. How-

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ever, with a lot of great work and dedication and encouragement from my family, I ended up being in the Dean’s List six times and I received multiple awards and scholarships.

Why do you choose to be an author of children’s books?

I have always enjoyed writing in Arabic. I write stories, poems, and articles.

One day, I decided to write a poem in English, I posted it on Facebook and my friends and family loved it. Since then, I wanted to be a write in English. One day, I read a news article about a little girl who committed suicide in Calgary because of bullying and my heart sank.

As a mother of a bullied child and certified life coach I had to do something.

Then I found out the best way to reach and teach children is through storytelling, therefore I published my first children story book called “Challenging the Bully” which tackle bullying issues, and which can be found in Edmonton Libraries.

Did you publish other stories?

Yes, recently, I published two storybooks “Mom Loves Me More” and “The King of Gold”. Mom loves me more deals with the constant fight that children have when it comes to their mother’s love. Whereas, The King of Gold, helps children understand diverLadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

sity, skills, resources, and knowledge are more important than gold. In both stories, I try to use diversified characters so children can see themselves in these characters. I urge all authors to employ diversified characters in their stories, and I wish that parents and schools would purchase children’s books with diversified characters to increase acceptance.

What is your advice to newcomer women?

I know newcomer women face multiple obstacles to succeed in Canada.

My advice to them is to never give up your dreams and goals. No matter how big the obstacles may seem, with perseverance, dedication and support we can overcome them. Never let these obstacles hinder you from achieving your goals or dreams. Plan well, hire a life coach, it will make your life easier as her/she will provide you with tools that will help you to attain your goals.

Build a supportive community around you that will encourage you whenever you feel defied or exhausted. Reach out to successful women in your field and request their advice. We women are strong, and nothing can stop us from achieving our goals.

Email: hamana@ualberta.ca

Canada

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Edmonton’s Cariwest Samantha Alexander

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amantha Alexander is a second generation Edmontonian. She is a marketing professional, working with one of the top accounting and consulting firms in Canada. She is passionate about family, friends and enjoying her life to the fullest. Samantha became a part of the Cariwest community, when she was a little girl, about 37 years ago.

“Cariwest is a Caribbean festival that was born 37 years ago. The concept was founded here in Edmonton by immigrants from the West Indies, who saw a need to bring their familiar culture to the place that they now call home. Most Caribbean Islands have a carnival season that lasts for a week or two, but here in Edmonton, we put on a three-day festival that includes music, food and vibrant costumes,” said Samantha.

Samantha still actively participates in the parade; she also makes costumes for one of the participating bands. She took on a board position back in 2016 and has been there ever since. Her current role is VP and Director of Marketing.

On combining Cariwest and every other part of her life, she said: “I think about this, as more of how I integrate Caribbean culture into my everyday life, I would say it is with music. Music is a form of expression and creates a mood. The mood I feel when listening to soca is pure—get up and move. So, I tend to listen to it almost daily. My playlist for working out is soca music” She added.

Samantha thinks that the festival gives people of Caribbean descent and people who have travelled to Caribbean countries a place to come to and remember. She has met so many people who have travelled to CaribLadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

Canada bean countries (mostly Jamaica), and then they come back to Edmonton and find out that there is a festival that celebrates Caribbean culture. Cariwest is a place where people of Caribbean descent can still feel connected to their history and culture.

When we asked Samantha about how they ensure that inclusivity remains a part of Cariwest—she had this to say “This is a hard question only because it is not something that we had to think about. The culture of Caribbean people has always been inclusive.

Our festival is about enjoyment of life and having a good time. Some people may think that our festival is only for people of colour, but that is a perception only. If anyone has ever been to our festival, you can see the inclusiveness in the people that attend.”

On the biggest challenges they encounter every year and how they have overcome them, Samantha said that the biggest challenge every year is funding. “Whether it is through sponsorships or government/city grants, planning is always on a tight budget.

Over the past four years we have made more progress with sponsors who have partnered with us year over year, which is important from a sustainability perspective, which is one of our main pillars for success. The events over the past year during the pandemic, with Black Lives Matter, have created an overwhelming amount of government grants, specific to Blackled organizations which hopefully we will be able to successfully access” she explained.

Samantha went further to describe Cariwest as the most colourful, joyful, engaging parade in Edmonton. She thinks that the parade is an element that many people look forward to every year. “The parade is an expression of being free. The mood and tone over the course of the weekend is all

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uplifting and Cariwest will always be a festival that embodies this. It is important because happiness in one’s life should not be ignored. Our festival is infectious, you can come to the festival and feel like you can just get up and dance as if nobody is watching”, she said.

The food is not left out, she thinks being able to bring together all the Caribbean restaurants in the city into one central location makes the festival a must attend for the fantastic food.

Then there is the costume, which we just cannot get enough of. When we asked Samantha about the inspiration behind choreography and costumes, this is what she told us: “there is no choreography to the parade elements of our festival. While we do have entertainment that includes various dance groups, the participants in the parade that are in costumes are not dancers, in the sense of being trained, rehearsing, et cetera. You may see the different bands conducting what would appear to be a choreographed routine, but they are simply doing the dance that goes with that song. Think of the electric slide.”

“The costumes!” continued Samantha, “this is my favourite element.” The creativity that comes out is amazing.

Leaders of the bands are often influenced by history and current events.

Some will take their cues from larger

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festivals like the one in Trinidad and adapt or change elements to make it their own. Some will come up with a theme of their own and then let the magic begin. You basically have free rein to create whatever you want!”

The biggest highlight for Samantha remains the progress they are making into mainstream Edmonton festival. “It may seem odd to think that a festival that has been around for 37 years, year after year without missing a beat has only seen growth (in terms of visibility) in the last five years. The City of Edmonton now considers us one of the core festivals in the city and with that comes a lot more support, insight, and collaboration, she told Ladies Corner.

On what to expect from Cariwest this year—“Our plan is to produce our festival in a hybrid format. There will be a virtual format for everyone to enjoy in the comfort of their homes, there will also be some elements that are in person, that adhere to the AHS protocols that are in place at that time.

I do not want to give too much away, as plans seem to change weekly, but what I will say is…. There will be a parade. There will be live entertainment.

There will be joy and happiness.”

Cariwest will be held from August 6th – 8th, 2021. www.cariwest.ca cariwest@shaw.ca

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Jennifer Duncan

Canada

Jennifer

Duncan Sheds Light on

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A

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L

G

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an you please tell us a little bit about yourself ?

I am the last of 10 children. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean. I now live in Calgary. I am a mother of two children, both of them were born here in Calgary. My daughter is a professional artist, professional dancer and dance teacher. My son is a student athlete at Ontario Tech University, he has just completed two years of forensic psychology.

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Y

I love communities. I lost my parents at a young age of 10. And it was that full community, where I had the outlet with the art. So, dance, drama and sport.

I got on to the Trinidad and Tobago national basketball team. Academics were important, but the arts and sports gave me a balance, kept me occupied, mentally.

I’m currently a social worker with the Alberta Children’s Services. I am one of those social workers that still do community initiatives that have to do with arts and sports. I had created an initial training about 19 years ago, LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

called Diversity Performing Arts Club of Calgary—an art and sports community that celebrates cultural diversity. I am also involved with a number of other community initiatives.

We understand that you are also a part of Carifest. How long have you been a part of the festival in Calgary, and how did it become your thing?

So, as I said earlier, I’ve always been a part of a community. With Diversity Performing Arts, having children with cultural dances, drama and all that. We always had the opportunity to perform at Caifest.

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LadiesCorner I started as a volunteer. I was a Casino Coordinator for Caribbean Community Council of Calgary, the group that organizes Carifest. I also volunteered in the festival parade. In 2017, Carifest was going through a change, and they had an election. That was when I became President.

What are your most memorable Carifest moments?

First, I see Carifest as a cultural preservation, Caribbean culture. We try to make Carifest a multicultural festival. Even though it is predominantly Caribbean, we invite other cultural groups as well, to be a part of the parade. We try to make it as inclusive as possible. For me, every moment counts.

Do you feel that Carifest influences the culture or the culture influences Carifest?

Carifest is preserving part of the Caribbean culture. I would simply say that the culture influences Carifest.

What sort of challenges do you face, and how do you overcome them as president of Carifest?

The biggest challenge is having to go through multiple processes to make sure that the festival goes well and also make sure that we are adhering to Health, provincial and city regulations.

What should we expect from Carifest in 2021?

Depending on how things are with the pandemic in August, we could consider a virtual festival.

Where can we find more information about Carifest?

More information can be found on www.carifest.com Photocredit: Jennifer Duncan

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A Member of Carifest Calgary

Canada

Health Corner Dr Florence Akindele

Uterine Fibroids When I was told to write an article about women’s health, my first thought was to write about the current trends, so I set out to do just that.

I found out that the new trend is the focus on technological advancements like different apps to monitor ovulation or calculate expected dates of delivery. What I have found though, in my over two decades of practicing obstetrics and gynaecology in four different countries is that women often want to be listened to and talked to rather than have machines answer their questions.

They want their obstetrics and gynaecologist to explain things in detail which is what I will attempt to do with this article, talking about fibroids.

What are they?

They are benign tumours of the smooth muscles of the uterus that very rarely turn into cancer and are more common in African women than

among the Caucasians. It is interesting how different connective tissue disorders occur amongst the two groups.

Africans tend to have hypertrophied scars, keloids and large uterine fibroids. I am amazed at how different the feel of performing repeat ceaseran sections is between the two groups, much more difficult because of dense scar formation among the Africans.

The Caucasian women commonly tend to have a higher incidence of prolapse from sagging of the pelvic muscles.

Fibroids come in various sizes and can be found in different locations in the uterus. These factors determine what kind of problem a woman with fibroids could present with. The most common presentation in my experience, are heavy menstrual bleeding, a pelvic or abdominal mass which may be quite big or a combination of both.

Sometimes a big fibroid will rest on the bladder and increase the frequency of passing urine and I have seen a case of LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

total blockage of the urethra by a fibroid uterus. Until the time of surgery, the woman had to have a catheter to drain her urine.

I remember another woman whom I had to deal with in my first year of residency. She had presented like she was nine months pregnant and bleeding heavily with clots. It was difficult for me then to figure out what it could be because the abdomen was so big.

When I presented her case to my senior registrar and he had suggested it could be a fibroid, I could not believe it until the time of surgery (those were days when ultrasound was not readily available, and we relied heavily on clinical judgement). It was a huge fibroid uterus, the biggest I have ever seen untill now.

The availability of ultrasound has afforded the opportunity to detect uterine fibroids even in women who have no symptoms and often this has caused needless anxiety for a lot of

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them. Fibroids are generally painless unless there is degeneration which most commonly occur during pregnancy. The pain can be bad and may warrant hospitalization just for pain control and rehydration.

Except at instances when the fibroid is located low in the uterus, blocking the possible passage of a baby, the presence of a fibroid is not an indication for caesarean section. It could however make the baby lie in an abnormal way (for example transverse lie or breech) and require caesarean section for safe delivery. It could also be a cause of excessive blood loss immediately after delivery which can be managed medically but may be an indication for the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) to save the life of the mother. Removal of just the fibroids with the intention of preserving the uterus (myomectomy) is not done when a woman is pregnant or has just delivered a baby because bleeding can be awfully bad and life threatening.

Can they cause infertility?

This is a million-dollar question which I was asked when I was preparing for my part one exam. It could, but very rarely would fibroids be the only cause of infertility and that is when two fibroids are located at the beginning of both Fallopian tubes causing tubal

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blockages on both sides. Fibroids are more often the cause of repeated miscarriages, again, that is if it is located right inside the uterus. The interesting thing though, is that quite a substantial number of women who undergo myomectomy get pregnant after the procedure.

Uterine artery embolization is a radiological procedure that is aimed at blocking the major arteries that feed the uterus. Once this is achieved, the fibroids tend to shrink and become less symptomatic. It is not a procedure for women who still want to have more babies.

Treatment There are medications that can shrink uterine fibroids, but they tend to have rebound effects. Once they are stopped, fibroids tend to grow rapidly so they are often used just before surgery to decrease the size and achieve less bleeding during the procedure.

Fibroids depend on estrogen for growth and multiplication therefore once a woman gets to menopause, they tend to stop growing, shrink, calcify, or go through a combination of these. Even if they were symptomatic before menopause, most of the symptoms would typically start to disappear when a woman is peri menopausal. Myomectomy is typically a more bloody and technically difficult procedure than hysterectomy and is usually indicated for symptomatic fibroids that are present in a woman who still desires to have babies. Hysterectomy may however be done in life threatening situations when the plan was to do just myomectomy.

Preventive measures There is a genetic disposition issue which makes uterine fibroids hardly preventable, but the general advice is that women should have babies at younger ages because it is a known fact that fibroids tend to grow bigger and/or multiply in uteruses that are not pregnant soon enough or often enough particularly amongst Africans.

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Dr. Florence Akindele has 30 years of experience as a doctor and 20 years as an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist. She also holds a master’s degree in public health and has worked in various aspects of women’s health in Nigeria, Swaziland, South Africa, and now Alberta, Canada.

She is a loving mother of four and grandmother of five. She continues to treat women at the Florence Women’s Health Services Clinic located in St. Paul, Alberta. She can be reached at florencewomensclinic@gmail.com

Canada

runs two businesses Super Mom of 10 kids

Ayan Diamond

O

ne of the things we love so much about connecting with women entrepreneurs is hearing all the stories of women who go through hurdles and yet strive to get to where they are. Ayan is a mom of 10 kids with an interesting story. We got the opportunity to interview her recently.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Ayan Diamond. I am a hardworking entrepreneur and a mom of 10 kids. I sell natural skin care products that are chemical free and unharmful.

How did you get into this business?

As a kid, I always loved the idea of

being a businesswoman. It was my dream to become successful and live my life to the fullest, because where I grew up, there was no chance for success whatsoever. So, I investigated how I could provide products that are not harmful for the skin, for all types of skin, and that was how I came across this business.

It was hard at first, because of the pandemic, but once we got used to staying isolated, we came to work with what we had. My company is in Toronto, Ontario but they made sure that products were delivered to me on time, and it was safe for people to buy and use.

ple, especially in our Black community, using chemical and whitening creams that are very harmful to the skin. I thought it was important to provide people with harmless creams that are free of chemicals—this inspired my brand.

Where can we find more details about your products?

I am opening a store soon where you can find all my products. For now, you can find me on Snapchat: baby_ayan Facebook: Ayan Diamond Phone: 587-778-7051

Why are you passionate about personal skin care?

My passion came from seeing peoLadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

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Ayan

Diamond

Ayan also runs an online business— Myopulence.

Myopulence was established in 2005 as a global wealth trade corporation.

The company provides home business opportunities to sell products in the health and beauty sector. “The most important thing that got me to join this business, was that I had struggled with sleep and pain. Once I started using products from this company, I saw my health getting better, I felt great again” Ayan told Ladies Corner.

Myopulence global does not only provide health and beauty products, but fashion is also a category. This bu­ si­ness has been greatly beneficial to Ayan, that it has helped her to pay off

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some of her debts.

Ayan is on her way to the top and is grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey. “My special thanks to Ifrah Sucid Hassan, a lifestyle advisor, I always look up to. Thank you to Saada Ahmed Hassan, who introduced me to this amazing company” said Ayan.

Not forgetting her 10 kids—we asked Ayan how she has been able to balance her children and businesses, she simply told us that her children give her strength, they are the reason she works hard to provide them with everything they need in life and make sure that they do not lack.

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Amal Mohamud

Canada

GIVES A VOICE TO DISABILITY ISSUES

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Amal Mohamud is a first generation Somali Canadian, who is breaking barriers through her media work in Canada. Amal has worked with OMNI Alberta and AMI Accessible Media as an independent producer.

She began her career volunteering for Shaw TV Edmonton’s community program in 2015. She has a passion for story telling and she enjoys covering stories from diverse communities.

In recent years, Amal has developed her skills in writing, producing, directing, and has quickly become a voice of her generation, winning three community awards for highlighting the stories

of marginalized communities and underrepresented voices in Canada.

She recently had a chat with LCCMedia about her upcoming documentary on AMI, about how disability affects lives in Alberta. Accessible Media Inc. is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs, and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Their vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection, and portrayal.

Can you tell us about the project you have been working on?

I have written, produced and directed an episode for AMI Accessible LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

media for their show called “Our community”. The episode talks about an organization called Easter Seals Alberta and how the organization is doing a virtual camp program for people with disabilities and how that is impacting lives.

What did you learn at the end of the project that you did not know at the start of it?

We can all agree that, having diverse perspectives in the media is important. During this project, it was an eye-opening experience to hear different experiences and opinions.

Where can we find details about of the documentary? The project, called Our Community will air on June 17 on AMI.

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Celestina Akinkunmi

Manager of CIWA’s Settlement and Integration Department

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Canada

CALGARY IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

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algary Immigrant Women Association (CIWA) supports immigrants and refugee women, girls, and their families. They are a not-for-profit organisation established in 1982 as a registered charity. They are a culturally diverse settlement agency that recognises, responds to, and focuses on the unique concerns and needs of immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families. They offer more than 50 programs and services for immigrant women and their families. They host programs and services in over 90 community locations. Clients fleeing family violence have access to emergency housing support, certified interpreters and translators who offer services in 37 languages. Over 230 businesses and employers collaborate with CIWA to support access to employment for immigrant women. We sat with Celestina Akinkunmi, the manager of CIWA’s Settlement and Integration Department recently.

Can you introduce yourself and what you do at CIWA? My name is Celestina Akinkunmi. I am the manager of CIWA’s Settlement and Integration Department.

Food security is treated as a major priority at CIWA. We source for funding that help us address the immediate food needs of immigrant women and their families.

What programs do you offer?

At CIWA, we have over 50 programs that cater to the basic, financial, employment, language and family needs of immigrant women and their families.

Food insecurity is a prevalent problem for new immigrants - how do you tackle this at CIWA? Food security is treated as a major priority at CIWA. We source for funding that help us address the immediate food needs of immigrant women and their families. We offer direct supports through grocery cards and emergency food hampers as well indirect support through referrals to community organizations.

We hear from women immigrants that they struggle to find meaningful work—do you hear this? How often does CIWA get her clients meaningful work?

Our employment training programs LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

at CIWA all have placement/employment outcomes, and these are always met or exceeded. The employment market is quite unstable as we all know, and therefore, our career counsellors help clients identify transferable skills that can they use to enter the job market. CIWA’s pre-employment skills program offers clients supports that can help them integrate into the job market. Career counsellors in the program work with clients to customize their resumés, offer them interview tips and strategies. Clients also have access to computer training ranging from beginner to advanced levels in Microsoft Office and other software to ensure that women have the necessary skills to succeed in the labour market. We provide our clients the opportunity to network with potential employers by hosting 12 networking breakfasts per year and we follow up regularly to ascertain positive employability and employment outcomes for all our clients.

Your work impacts families and communities—tell us some good stories.

Our clients have always presented with some amazing stories about the impact CIWA has had on their lives. I will share two examples with you:

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LadiesCorner Maggie (not her real name) came to CIWA to speak with her counsellor. She had just recently been through a traumatic separation and had a 7-monthold baby. She could not afford to pay her next month’s rent, with only $47.00 in her bank account, she was very desperate for help. A needs assessment was conducted by a settlement counsellor, and Maggie was provided with the following services to address her immediate needs: grocery cards to purchase food, referral to food bank, diapers, and dry food from CIWA pantry, rental subsidy from CIWA’s Find Me a Home program to cover one month’s rent, referral to a partner organization that provided the second month’s rent.

To address her employment needs she connected to a career counsellor who worked with her on her resumé and provided her the necessary supports.

By the sixth month of accessing services at CIWA, Maggie gained employment as a legal clerk through an employer who attended the networking breakfast.

Ally originally from Kazakhstan, had two bachelor’s degrees in Foreign Languages & Environmental Science from her home country. She had 20 years work experience in administration, as an environment officer and as a bookkeeper in Kazakhstan and Israel. She reached out to a career counsellor at CIWA to seek support in enhancing her job search readiness skills and networking, as well as to obtain support with her resumé, interview skills and increasing her networking circle. Aly attended employment workshops on career planning, job search strategies and labour market trends, resumé writing and participated in mock interview sessions. After three months of connecting with CIWA, she got employed as an administrative assistant at a property management company.

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How important are the services you offer to the community?

The services we offer are extremely important to the community. We cater to women of all language and education backgrounds. We provide services to over 15,000 clients annually.

We have a strong community focus and ensure that we are bridging the gap to services/supports for immigrant women one woman at a time. Women connected to agency supports have been better served, especially during the current pandemic, than those lacking this connection. When the

Food needs must be addressed, and clients come to the agency only when their situation is absolutely dire and this could be as a result of various factors such as shame, cultural views etc. connection is with a mid-to-large front-facing agency such as CIWA, services are offered quickly and even at the stage when women did not yet think to seek out support. Thousands of clients were called in the early weeks of the pandemic to ensure restrictions were understood, basic needs met, and employment training opportunities offered.

What are some of the challenges you have experienced and how did you overcome them?

Clients present a variety of barriers which mainly includes language, transportation, and childcare. We continue working on removing these barriers to participation by ensuring that LadiesCorner.ca – Summer 2021

we provide services with first language support either through CIWA staff or volunteer translators and interpreters.

We also provide transportation supports to clients via taxi vouchers and bus tickets. Childcare is provided onsite (pre-pandemic) to clients accessing services with children 0-6 years.

One of our biggest learning in the past year is that newcomers cannot successfully integrate without bridging the IT challenges that a lot of them present with. A unique solution to addressing the scarce resources has been to work with women’s own digital hardware asset, their smartphone.

More than 100 women have received training to use their own smartphone to receive training on MS Teams. Like other agencies, CIWA quickly learned that computer hardware needs must be met if women in the home are to progress. To date over 200 laptop loans have been executed.

Food needs must be addressed, and clients come to the agency only when their situation is absolutely dire and this could be as a result of various factors such as shame, cultural views etc.

We continue to provide basic needs support, financial and other emergency support regardless of immigration status for immigrant women and their families. These provisions also include reliable childcare, career coaching and mentoring and mental-health support to minimize the long-term negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for immigrant women.

Where can we go to find more information about CIWA? To learn more about CIWA, visit www.ciwa-online.com. To engage and stay updated, follow CIWA on social media:

SharonAli

EMPOWERS WOMEN IN EDMONTON

S

haron Ali is an award-winning artist who has displayed her many talents within several platforms including media, pageants, interviews, social events and much more.

Her goal is to encourage, inspire, and promote others to live life to the fullest and not let obstacles get in the way.

She believes self-love and self-respect is critical in living a happy, healthy, and prosperous life.

In 2016, Sharon participated in Mrs. and Ms. Canada Beauty Pageant 2016 where she was selected as one of the finalists. She was awarded with the best hair category.

In 2017, Sharon was recognized for her talent and awarded with a plaque for her performing arts from Fiji Muslim Sports League at their Annual Banquet Awards Night.

In 2018, Sharon was delegated as the Goodwill Ambassador for Canada

to represent Canada in the Ms. Commonwealth International 2018/2019 Pageant that was held in the United Kingdom. She was crowned first runner–up representing Canada at the Ms. Commonwealth International Woman Empowerment 2018/2019 Pageant competition. It was a great honour for her to represent her country.

In 2018, Sharon also received a participation award for her performance at Miss Noble Canada 2018 beauty pageant. In 2019, Sharon received the Performing Arts Award from MLA Rod Loyola and MLA Christina Gray for her exceptional performance in and around the city.

In 2019, Sharon received a Trophy and a Medallion Award for her participation with the Society for Social Rehabilitation Services. (SSRS) in Canada. This society helps the elderly and orphans by giving them accommodations, education, and food.

In 2020, Sharon was once again awar­ded with a certificate of appreciation and outstanding work with Swar Taal Music Society of Edmonton. She is currently on the Board of Directors as Director of Social Media and Marketing.

Sharon is currently the host/anchor for “Through the Eyes of a Woman” ladies talk show where she speaks to a variety of women at different stages of their lives about their life’s journey, accomplishments, goals, ambitions, and much more.

Sharon is deeply passionate concerning women empowerment. She believes that empowering women can change the world. She believes that promoting a woman’s sense of worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others plays a critical role in women empowerment.

By Tayo ElNathan

LadiesCorner

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