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VOLUME NO. 14 - ISSUE 24
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The SARCAN location in Martensville joined others across the province in re-opening on June 15th. Many locations saw large line-ups as people waited to bring in their recycling that has been piling up since SARCAN closed to the public this past March.
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(Shanine Sealey/Martensville Messenger)
"Stay Sask Strong! We were a beautiful community before this and will continue to be one after this."
Page 2 - JUNE 18, 2020 - martensville messenger
SARCAN Once Again Open to the Public Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
SARCAN locations reopened across the province on Monday, June 15th and many locations saw line-ups as people waited with their bags of recycling. SARCAN closed their doors to the public this past March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many residents found it a challenge to store their recycling throughout the past couple of months, especially those in apartments and condos that do not have extra storage space available. “We typically bring our recycling in to SARCAN more regularly; however, with them being closed, we were struggling to find storage for the bags of cans and bottles that were collecting since March,” Martensville resident Stephanie Pawluk said. Like many local residents, Pawluk looked for creative solutions to storing their recycling. “We were putting bags in the back of our son’s truck for the meantime until we could take them in.” With SARCAN being closed, numerous local organizations, sports groups and service groups began doing bottle drives in order to raise money due to many fundraisers being cancelled because of COVID-19. In doing this, they could both bring in funds for their groups, as well as ease the storage burden on those with collections of recycling building.
“We saw that the Martensville & District Kinette Club was doing a bottle drive, so we got in contact with them to come and pick up our recycling. It has to be hard for these groups that rely on fundraising opportunities to continue to run their organization, so we were more than happy to help by donating what we could,” Pawluk added. Now that SARCAN is once again open, they are expecting longer than usual wait times due to physical distancing and limits on customer capacity within the depots. SARCAN also has the Drop & Go option available for those that wish to limit their contact. “We want to thank the residents of Saskatchewan for their patience during our closure, and for your continued patience with our teams of dedicated recyclers as we serve you during these busy summer months,” said Amy McNeil, Executive Director of SARC and SARCAN Recycling.
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MLA Report With Nancy Heppner Report from the Legislature Members of the Legislative Assembly are returning to the legislature after a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19. The 14-day sitting will allow our government to introduce and pass a provincial budget that invests in building a strong Saskatchewan while ensuring the document receives the legislative scrutiny that it deserves. K-12 Students Returning to Classrooms on September 1: Prekindergarten to Grade 12 students will be returning to the classroom in the upcoming school year, which is set to begin as early as September 1. This comes after an indefinite suspension of in-class learning was announced in response to COVID-19. While the classroom may look a little different, our priority is the health and safety of students, staff and caregivers. The Chief Medical Health Officer will continue providing advice and recommendations as the planning and implementation process takes place. I would like to congratulate all high school and post-secondary graduates in the Class of 2020. While this is certainly not how you imagined your year would end, I applaud your efforts to find innovative and safe ways to celebrate your achievements. Phase 3 Underway: Our province recently entered Phase 3 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan which has seen restaurants, gyms and other personal care services take measures to resume serving clients within the guidelines set forth by our health authorities. Beaches and Playgrounds: Included as part of Phase 3 is the re-opening of beaches and playgrounds. As the weather continues to improve, I am pleased that children and families will be able to enjoy our province’s many amenities in a cautious and responsible way. Gathering Sizes May Increase: While public gathering sizes have increased to 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors, it is important to remember to practice physical distancing of two meters between each person as any gathering increases the risk of spreading COVID-19. Visitation Guidelines: Saskatchewan’s success in flattening the COVID-19 curve is the result of a collective and concerted effort that has been difficult at times, especially when it means distancing ourselves from seniors and those in long term care centres. Recently, we announced expanded visitation guidelines for Saskatchewan Health Authority facilities to allow residents to safely visit and support their loved ones in care. Places of Worship: The number of people allowed in places of worship is increasing to one-third of the seating capacity of a facility to a maximum of 150 people – whichever is less. Although the number of people allowed inside places of worship is increasing, public health measures and guidelines in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan still need to be followed, including the need to maintain physical distancing. These guidelines apply to all worship services, including celebrations of life, weddings and outdoor ceremonies. Wage Supplements: Our government recently announced the expansion of the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement Program to include a larger number of workers who are helping our most vulnerable residents, including all of the workers in our long-term care facilities. These workers have provided tremendous physical and emotional support to our seniors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and it is important we recognize their great work. Eviction Protection for Businesses: Small businesses are a critical part of our economy and, as we settle into Phase 3 of our Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, it is important to ensure these businesses can continue to operate without the fear of being evicted. That is why we announced commercial eviction protection for tenants who have been impacted by the pandemic. While every provincial economy has taken a hit – and Saskatchewan is no exception –87% of workers in our province have been able to keep working through the pandemic and, as more businesses start to re-open, even more will be able to return to work. Getting Through This Together: Together, we have proven that we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and we can re-open safely. The latest Statistics Canada figures show Saskatchewan added 600 new jobs in May over April and has the second-lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 12.5%. As we continue to re-open our economy, I encourage everyone to be careful and cautious. I also encourage you to find local businesses in your community to support so that we all can get through these challenging times together. You can learn more about our Re-Open Saskatchewan plan online at Saskatchewan. ca/re-open.
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martensville messenger - JUNE 18, 2020 - Page 3
Civic Services During the COVID-19 PandemicWhat you Should Know!
City Hall has reopened to the public; however with some guidelines currently in place. Continue to utilize online and contactless options when possible. Please do not visit City Hall if you are feeling unwell, experiencing flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is presumptive or tested positive for COVID-19. See more about the Reopening of City Hall on Martensville.ca. Current Status of Public Facilities as of June 10th: Martensville Athletic Pavilion - Closed City Hall- Open - June 10th Northridge Centre - Closed Heritage Centre - Closed Sports Centre - Closed Wheatland Regional Library (located in the Civic Centre) - Closed City Staff are available to work with the public via phone or email. Questions or inquiries can be directed to City Hall via phone (306-931-2166) or inquiry@martensville.ca during this time. Residents and Customers are requested to carry out transactions electronically such as online banking, preauthorized payments or TIPPS. Cheques may also be dropped off in the drop slot at City Hall. After Hour Water and Sewer Emergencies - should still be directed through the Emergency line at City Hall, (306) 931-2166, ext.1. Protective Services - There are no changes in duty or status to Protective Services such as the RCMP, Martensville Fire Department, and Ambulance Service. Water and Sewer - These services remain unimpacted and unchanged, including water quality testing. Meter reading will continue to take place under the Read/Estimate schedule; however, staff will not be doing reads of meters located inside of homes or occupied buildings. In these cases, estimates will be taken or reads can be provided into City Hall. In respect to water and sewer emergencies, city staff will not be able to enter resident homes at this time and private contractors should be considered. The City of Martensville will no longer charging interest on water and sewer accounts indefinitely to assist residents impacted by COVID -19 impacts. Water Meter Read/Estimate Schedule - Normally the Read/Estimate Schedule that takes place from October-April would be completed and the entire City would have water meter reads completed by City of Martensville Meter Readers. However due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Water Meter Read/Estimate schedule will extend into the foreseeable future. Garbage and Recycling - Services remain in place and on schedule with no anticipated service delays at this time. Organics collection has also commenced. Road Maintenance - will continue as required and is not expected to change at this time. Playgrounds and Sports Fields - Playgrounds opened June 12th. Sports Fields are also closed until at least June 30th. These areas may have signage and/or be taped or quartered off with tape or barricades. We ask that the public please remain out of these areas. Trails and passive park spaces remain open for use, but we continue to urge residents to incorporate safe practices. Utility and Property Tax Updates - The City has implemented a number of measures to assist property owners and businesses during the pandemic, currently in place: * Interest charges on utility bills will be suspended until November 1, 2020. * Water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment or overdue account status. * The deadline for property tax payments will be extended from July 31 to October 30, 2020. * All interest charges on property tax owing will be suspended until November 1, 2020. * Business license renewal notices will be delayed until normal operations resume - all expired business licenses will remain valid until further notice. Stay Informed! -The City of Martensville has created a dedicated webpage to provide information, updates and additional resources around the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is accessible through the homepage at Martensville.ca. Please continue to follow us, media sources and information from the Province of Saskatchewan for the most current information around updates or new measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
Still Plenty to Do!- Martensville Mood Boost Thanks for everyone taking part in the Martensville Mood Boost Activities! Our weekly theme from June 15 – 19 our theme is Wilderness Week, and from June 22-26 the them is Water Week! Wilderness week will feature an outdoor photo scavenger hunt. Find more details on the City of Martensville Facebook Page, and our Mood Boost Group page to see what’s coming up!
July Council Meeting Dates
Please Note: The upcoming Council Schedule may be subject to change based around any potential new developments around the COVID-19 Pandemic. Anyone interested in attending is strongly encouraged to contact the City Clerk prior to planning to attend. Committee of the Whole- July 14th Regular Council Meeting- July 21st The Regular Council Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers. Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5PM. Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details. The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca
Organics/Green Bin Program and Pick-ups The City of Martensville offers a Green Bin program through Loraas Organics. This service is by subscription only. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact City Hall to sign up for this service. Pick up of the Green Bins has commenced with regular scheduled bi-weekly collection alternating between North/South Martensville and running from May until the end of October Pick-up take place on Tuesdays. The pick-up schedule can be viewed at Martensville.ca For information or to sign up for this program contact the Utility Clerk at City Hall
2020 Tax Notice Error- Penalties
The Notices for the 2020 Tax Notices were recently delivered to property owners, however there is an error in respect to the ‘Penalties on unpaid current taxes’. The 2020 Tax Notice should read, Penalties on unpaid current taxes will Commence November 1st at 1% per month. We apologize for confusion around this error. If there are questions about this, assessment, taxation or ways to pay your taxes, please contact City Hall or visit us on Martensville.ca.
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Page 4 - JUNE 18, 2020 - martensville messenger
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Council Discusses Request For Park to Be Renamed in Honour of Martensville Youth Who Lost Battle With Cancer in April Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
Molly Olivia Dunville was born on November 15, 2015 and lived in Martensville with her two older sisters Lily and Ella and their parents Kristin and Ian. Prior to Molly’s first birthday, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Throughout her life, Molly underwent numerous treatments to fight the cancer but sadly, the young girl lost her battle on April 17, 2020. During her short life Molly found much joy playing in the park across the street from her home on MacCormack Road. The park, located beside the Ranch House, became a place where Molly, along with her sisters, could go play and still be close to home. “She lived almost her whole life fighting cancer, which often led to her being tired or immunocompromised, limiting her options for play,” Molly’s father Ian Dunville noted in a request to the City of Martensville. The request received by the City was to have Molly’s name added to a list for the naming of civic property and development areas. The family submitted the request in hopes to have the park that Molly loved so much named ‘Molly’s Park’ in honour of their daughter. The Naming Committee reviewed the application to have the park renamed; however, felt that the request did not align with points within the policy. Discussion took place regarding Dallas Marten’s Park and Kelly’s BELOW: The park located next to the Ranch House on MacCormack Road was a place where Molly could often be found playing with her two sisters.
Building
Pond, which were both named in honour of Martensville residents that have passed away. Both of these examples were named prior to the policy being developed. Other examples included in the discussion included Andrea’s Park and the Kyle Syrenne Skatepark and both of these had fundraising committees attached to the projects. The request then went to Martensville City Council to review at the June 2, 2020 meeting, where much discussion took place regarding the matter. Several Council members believed that although the request did not line up with the policy, this was a special circumstance where the naming request for the park seemed fitting. It was decided that the item would be brought back to the June 16th Council meeting for further discussion. In the request submitted by Ian Dunville, he stated that, “This park was a place she (Molly) loved to go and was able to often, with her sisters. This park was home to a large amount of the joy in her life and much of the neighborhood is aware of who she was.” The request also noted that the family would like to have a tree, or multiple trees added to the park, along with a bench and possibly a picnic table, depending on space, in Molly’s honour. On Tuesday, June 16th, Council voted in favour of having the name Molly Dunville added to the Naming Master List. From here, Molly’s name can now be used to name parks and streets within Martensville.
Business & Professional
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Due to Molly’s passing during the COVID-19 pandemic, no funeral was held, although a celebration of life is planned for the future. Donations in Molly’s name can be made to Small But Mighty SK (https:// p2p.onecause.com/smallbutmighty/kristindunville), Children’s Wish/Make a Wish or by donating blood in honour of Molly.
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ABOVE: Molly Olivia Dunville sadly lost her battle with cancer on April 17, 2020. (gofundme.com) BELOW: A rock at the entrance to the park Molly loved so much adorns her name.
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Computer Services
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Martensville Continues Communication With Province Regarding Re-Open Plan Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
As the province announces more phases of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, more businesses and public spaces are becoming available once again. Although some locations are opening, there are still restrictions in place to ensure the safety of everyone. Dillon Shewchuk, the Community Economic Development Manager for the City of Martensville was a key player in the creation of the ‘Warman & Martensville Regional Business Task Force’ that was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This group was created through a partnership between the City of Warman, City of Martensville and the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce as a support to businesses during this difficult time. Shewchuk noted that the Task Force is still in place; however have stepped back from some of the networking options that they had been providing throughout March and April due to many businesses re-opening. “So far, it seems to be going quite well and businesses are working within the parameters that are set out in front of them. One of the challenges that I have heard is regarding the added time, effort and cost involving additional PPE that is required at this time, but unfortunately, that is the way it is right now,” Shewchuk said. “There is the odd instance where businesses are remaining closed for the time being, or have delayed opening to ensure they have the appropriate plans in place and the proper level of comfort where they feel confident about opening, but overall, it seems to have been a positive experience for many of our local businesses. Hopefully we continue to trend the right way and some of these measures can be lifted in time.”
Along with businesses reopening, City Hall also re-opened to the public on June 10th. Following discussions with the province, and taking the appropriate precautions within the building, the City of Martensville believed that they could open confidently and safely for the public and staff. Certain measures have been taken, such as a shield and barrier in place between the public and front office staff, additional cleaning and sanitization and the encouragement of the public to utilize debit and credit rather than cash. “Although we are open to the public, we are asking that if people are able to do things online or over the phone, that they avoid coming in. We also have a drop box that can be used, but if push comes to shove and you need to do business at City Hall, we are able to help you,” said Shewchuk. At this time, City Council meetings continue to be held virtually, as the layout in Council Chambers makes it difficult to properly maintain physical distancing between Council and Administration, as well as the public. The City of Martensville continues to have open communication with the province and the ministries regarding the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. “We are keeping our eye on things and in respect to other facilities such as the Civic Centre, MAP and the Aquatic Centre, it is a bit of a challenge because we don’t have any dates yet, but hopefully, we continue trending in the right direction and we can look at opening some of these facilities up to the public again in the near future,” added Shewchuk.
martensville messenger - JUNE 18, 2020 - Page 5
Next Phase Of SHA Service Resumption Started June 16 As Saskatchewan continues to take steps to reopen the economy, the health system continues its methodical and cautious approach to resume everyday health services for the people of the province, with increases in surgical and medical imaging volumes and the addition of services at SHA-operated specialty clinics beginning Tuesday, June 16. Since service resumption began on May 19, more than 330 health services have now resumed, including harm reduction services, chronic disease management, therapy and rehabilitation services, well-baby checks, immunization services and home care. All areas met their targets related to surgical resumptions, including in Regina and Saskatoon which are now performing at 45 to 50 per cent of their pre-COVID-19 surgical capacity. In Phase Two, surgical capacity will increase over the next few weeks to 65-70 per cent provincially, with the inclusion of urgent, emergent and also some elective procedures. This will vary significantly by site, as some locations like Yorkton Regional Health Centre are already up to 75 per cent of regular volumes as of June 10. Medical imaging capacity will also continue to increase in Phase Two, targeting 90 per cent of pre-COVID-19 volumes across all services, including MRI and CT scans. Current service levels reached in Phase One for MRIs and CT scans are up to 83 per cent from approximately 50 per cent at the start of Phase One. In all service areas, including surgical programs and medical imaging, new required COVID-related precautions around physical distancing, cohorting staff, personal protective equipment usage, and Infection Prevention and Control necessitate gradual service resumption. “As we safely increase service levels, we are learning to do business in different ways that promote access to services for Saskatchewan residents while still ensuring safety and proper precautions against the spread of COVID-19,” SHA Chief Executive Officer Scott Livingstone said. “We know that this has meant some adjustments for patients and has resulted in longer waits and extra steps at times. We continue to express our gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding about the need to take these extra safety measures.” Virtual care appointments continue to be offered where possible, with some faceto-face services being offered, where needed. Since initiating expanded virtual care options, as a result of the pandemic in March, 122,000 appointments have been delivered through this option, enabling greater access to care for Saskatchewan residents while helping health care providers fight the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the month of June, further service resumptions will continue at SHA operated specialty clinics, including such services as sleep disorder testing, cardiac stress testing, eye centre testing and operations, and additional cast clinics, with service levels varying by location and program. Although June 16 is when many of these services may start, a critical part of SHA’s process is that every service re-introduced must undergo a rigourous process to confirm readiness and safety, including steps to ensure all appropriate COVID-related precautions are in place. “As we increase the amount of people in our facilities, we need to be extra vigilant and monitor the impact on our health system,” Livingstone said. “In order to resume services while also continuing to support COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and other strategies to combat the virus, we need to move slowly and cautiously through this process.” All services are listed on the Saskatchewan Health Authority website, with new services being added each day at www.saskhealthauthority.ca/service-alerts. Read the SHA’s full service resumption plan (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/ government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-andguidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/pandemic-planning) released May 5, 2020. LEFT: Martensville City Hall re-opened to the public on Wednesday, June 10th after closing their doors in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they are open, residents are encouraged to only visit City Hall when necessary, and utilize online tools if possible.
HEARD ANY GOOD NEWS LATELY? Submit your stories to The Martensville Messenger news@martensvillemessenger.ca
Page 6 - JUNE 18, 2020 - martensville messenger
Provincial Politics with
Murray Mandryk
Sask. COVID-19 Caution Not Shared
In Alberta last week, residents saw the re-opening of movie theatres, community centres, team sports, swimming pools, VLTs, casinos and bingo halls. In this province, such things will not be re-opened until Stage Four of Premier Scott Moe’s five-stage Re-Open Saskatchewan. At the time of the writing of this column, we don’t know when that stage will happen. Moe did implement last week Stage 3 of his re-opening plan that included restaurants and bars (to half capacity), gyms and fitness centres (with proper social distancing requirements), places of worship (with restrictions on things like singing), tattoo parlours and personal care facilities like eyelash and nail care salons. We are also seeing permissible public gatherings increase to 30 from 15, but with caveats in which Chief Medical Health Officer Saquib Shahab has urged people maintain proper social distancing. As of last Friday, Alberta residents were allowed indoor gatherings of as many as 50 for weddings, funerals and birthday parties and as many as 100 if held outdoors. There is now no limit in Alberta for worship gatherings, or restaurants, bars, casinos and bingo halls. Saskatchewan may have been the first province in the country to announce on April 23 its re-open plan, but we certainly haven’t been the most aggressive. It wasn’t until last week that Moe permitted the use of beaches, playground structures and sport fields (without organized league play) to the list of open facilities. Yet in Alberta, they are allowing league play on a regional basis. We also learned last week K-12 schools in Saskatchewan will be allowed to re-open on September 1, but schools in Quebec were already allowed to be open in that province this month. Quebec has seen 53,185 confirmed COVID-10 cases and 5,029 deaths that represent 53 per cent and 63 per cent of the Canadian totals, respectively. Were Quebec a separate nation, it would have the 16th most COVID-19 deaths in the world. Alberta has 7,229 cases and 151 deaths - miniscule by Quebec standard, but massive compared with Saskatchewan in which there has been only 656 known COVID-19 cases and only 13 deaths. At 4.4 million people, Alberta has four times the population of Saskatchewan but 11 times the number of known COVID-19 cases and deaths. Such inconsistencies are but a few of the things frustrating people who can’t understand the variation in rules. One of the things many have been vocal about is the recent large gatherings to support the Black Lives Matter, anti-racism movement that clearly do no subscribe to social-distancing guidelines or crowd limits. There are elements of politics in such criticisms especially after the much-despised-by-conservatives Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a knee at one such rally. Nevertheless, Moe had a point when he suggested the novel coronavirus knows nothing about the validity of the cause of the gathering. Adding to the difficulty of comprehending all this is Saskatchewan’s seeming success in its fight to flatten the curve. While there were two additional deaths, recent results suggest an average of less than one new case per day. That compares very favourably with numbers in Quebec and Alberta that are going down on a daily basis but nowhere near the zero cases that we seem close to achieving in Saskatchewan. So couldn’t we be at least be a little more bold in this province than we have been? Well, there’s actually a pretty good argument that we could be a little bolder in this province. Unfortunately, we will only be able to determine who is actually right through trial and error. Can provinces like Alberta get away with a slightly more aggressive re-opening approach or do we need Saskatchewan’s more guarded approach to avoid a major outbreak and rise in the death toll? Only time will tell.
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Experiences and Views on Racism Written By: Lincoln Tatem - Vancouver, BC
Strap in. This is going to be a long one. I have many friends of all races, and many have been kind enough to think of me in this season and ask me how I’m doing. Here’s is the truth: I have not been well. On Monday evening I felt very close to losing it. You see, I’m a soft-spoken individual typically – part of that is native to me, and part of that is an affectation to deliberately come off as less threatening. I don’t talk much about racism; rarely would I be the one to bring it up. But make no mistake! I have experienced racism – racism at the hands of strangers and friends, racism at the hands of pastors and colleagues, and yes, racism at the hands of police. Actually, let me help you out further here and tell you, with some confidence, that every black person you know, whether or not they are inclined to share their stories with you, has experienced racism. I grew up in a suburb of Toronto that was very predominantly white. My parents made an effort to see to it that we were connected in some measure to black communities through church and family friends, but my day-to-day life was spent surrounded by people for whom I was the only person of colour they knew. I remember the first time I heard the N-word. I was about six years old playing tag on the jungle gym at school, and accidentally bumped into a kid about two years older. I didn’t know what it meant, but I could tell by the way he derisively spat the word at me – as though it represented everything base, and loathsome, and foul – that it was a terrible thing. So bad, in fact, that I was too scared to ask my parents about it; I looked it up. I cried. Since the time I entered my teens, I’m pretty sure that there has never been a 12-month period that passed without having been addressed that way – either yelled drunkenly across a parking lot, as a curse in traffic, or a barely-heard hiss from someone as they walked past. I used to practice what I would do next time it happened, but every time it occurred, it hit me like a shell between the eyes, and I said nothing. By the way, I’m talking only about the intentional malicious use of the epithet. That is apart from the what I would call the “friendly fire” – people who grinningly look at me as they get to certain parts of their recitation of hip-hop lyrics, or who think that our relationship is such that it is okay for them to jokingly refer to me as “my nigga”. I’ve been the “black friend” that “made it OK” for people to tell racist jokes. Sometimes I just don’t have the emotional energy to explain why these things are wrong. Then there is the incredulity and the back-handed compliments either explicitly or implicitly referencing my race whenever I inadvertently upend people’s prejudices and expectations. “You don’t like football?!?” “You certainly speak/write well for someone who…” “You also like classical music?!?” “It’s so nice to see a young black man helping out in the community when so many…” Umm… thank you? There are the countless micro-aggressions to which people of colour are subjected – things that we might not even otherwise notice were we not conditioned and accustomed to being treated by some people as second-class citizens and objects suspicion and scorn. One of the very few times in my life I was ever in a hospital was due to a racial incident. I was 19 years old, walking home to my dormitory late at night, about four kilometres from campus, when a guy in a truck raced past, yelled the N-word at me, and threw a beer bottle out the window which hit me square in the head. After lying on the ground alone for a few minutes, I was able to get up and make my way back to campus, and my roommate drove me to the hospital. The swelling went down, and after keeping me for a couple of hours to make sure I was alright, they released me with the understanding that my roommate would wake me periodically through the night. And I’ve been stopped for “fitting the description” – ones that seemed oddly vague. Another time, at around 1:00am, I was followed by a police car for a considerable distance, eventually pulled over for “changing lanes over a solid white line”, and wound up with my hands on the hood while the officer went through my car with a flashlight as he cussed me out. Finding nothing, he eventually let me go. How do I know that he had been following me for some time? Because for me, like most black men, a clean conscience is not enough to stop my breath from catching anytime a police car comes up behind me. As I’ve said, unlike many black people, I grew up in a largely white suburb. While I would not presume to tell urban blacks about their experience, I believe there is one significant thing of which perhaps they do not have first-hand experience. I grew up around enough white people to know that the majority of white people genuinely want good for black folks – a reality that I find both extremely comforting and deeply perplexing. I still live in a neighborhood with lots of white people, and the majority of my friends are white, including a couple of excellent police officers. My wife is white, and my children are half white. Can it really be that a relatively small percentage of racist and willfully ignorant people are enough to give people of colour so markedly a different experience of life in North America? It would seem so. However, it would also seem that the murder of George Floyd has been a touchpoint – a spark that has lit a powder keg of rage in the black community, yes, but also a catalyst for the involvement of white allies too. The video footage, together with the recent footage and stories of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Christian Cooper, have persuaded many that the stories told by the black people they love are perhaps not exaggerated, maybe not just in our heads. I know that for some white people, all of this rage may seem to have come from nowhere, but I can assure you that it has not. Will Smith, a few years back, said, “Racism is not getting worse. It’s getting filmed.” Prejudice and racism have been a steady background hum in my life for as long as I can remember. Don’t be shocked or hurt if you consider yourself a close friend and yet haven’t heard all of these stories. It’s not your fault. I just don’t talk about them a lot. We just don’t talk about them a lot. It takes a great deal of energy to recount these things (indeed this is far from an exhaustive list of my run-ins with racism), and many of us have experiences of having reached deep into the well for strength to tell our stories only to be met with rationalization, condescension, or outright skepticism. “Are you sure that’s what they said? Tell me exactly what they said.” “Really?”. “Maybe what he meant was…” “You might be reading a little too much into this…” People are angry. I am angry. Indeed, as I said before, on Monday evening I was in a very bad place. I have since spent a few days in fasting and prayer, and am in a much better place now. I am still angry, but I am at least the right type of angry, and am consequently better able to articulate what type of angry that is. I am angry at racism. I am saddened by how toxic it is – both for the damage it does to the people of colour who get the heavy blunt end of it, and for the damage it does to racists who, in holding, entertaining, or acting on racist ideals are robbed of a piece of their own humanity. I am hurt by white people who dismiss or diminish the idea that racism is a pervasive problem in the United Stated or in Canada. While I recognize that this may not be your intent, when you deny this issue, you are saying of me and the vast majority of people of colour that we are either deluded or that we are liars. Neither of those things are okay with me. When you ignore the preponderance of black people’s experience and simply cherry pick quotes from Candace Owens, or Ben Carson, or some person off the street to proof yourself against accusation and suggest that things aren’t so bad, you are not listening to the voices of black people. You are using the voices of black people. There is a marked difference. I am disappointed in white friends who were quick to condemn rioting, and yet have been silent as the tomb about the many recent and quite public murders of black and indigenous people at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect them. I’m not suggesting that rioting and looting are good or helpful. They are crimes – few people would dispute that – and I hope that those who perpetrate such crimes (blacks, white supremacist agitators, and anti-fascist agents of chaos alike) are punished appropriately for using legitimate protest so selfishly (shootings and beatings, by the way, are not punishments which, to my mind, come under the heading of appropriate). What I am saying is that murder is a more serious crime than theft. What I am saying is that if law enforcement had responded with a tithe of the speed or energy to the murderers of George Floyd as they have indiscriminately to protesters – violent, agitated, and peaceful alike – we wouldn’t be having these problems at all. Oh, and a side note for these folks: please stop using Civil Rights and MLK quotes and images out of context; it is both ignorant and infuriating. I am appalled and offended by leaders who would cynically use bibles and church buildings to try to make points that are antithetical to the teachings of Christ. Here, I’ll take a moment aside with a few of my white evangelical brothers and sisters who might otherwise be frowning at tweens who use “OMG” in their texting, and rather invite them to reflect on what the third commandment might really mean when we are told to not take the Lord’s name in vain. And I am furious with an unjust policing system – one that lacks accountability and is particularly rough on black, brown, and indigenous people. I see the officers that march and shout and dance with protesters; I see the ones who take the knee. I see you. My assumption is that you are sincere. I see you, and I bless you, and I thank you for your sacrifice and bravery. But my problem was never with you in the first place. Indeed – though I am aware that this destructive sentiment exists – I don’t personally know anyone who thinks that all police are bad. Nor, for that matter, is my biggest problem with bad cops – those who, whether due to hatred and suspicion of minorities, unconscious prejudices, or simple incompetence, are unfit for police work. Though it is doubtful that Derek Chauvin will be receiving a birthday card from me this year, my primary issue is not even with him, or the police using tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters, or the officer that needlessly pulled me over, cussed me out, and so grossly abused his power on that cold, wet night in a Vancouver suburb. What makes me furious is a system that willfully and consistently fails to hold such people to account, and offers so little recourse to victims. What makes me furious is a police culture that seems to be more about protecting its own than it is about protecting the rest of us. What makes me furious is the deep suspicion that, were it not for video footage being made public and the ensuing outcry, Derek Chauvin and his accomplices would still be walking free, even as Breonna Taylor’s killers are still walking free. I am furious. But I am also hopeful. I find hope in the strength and resilience of my black brothers and sisters, and the solidarity demonstrated by other visible minorities. I find hope in white brothers and sisters willing to spend their voice and their privilege on justice, and others who demonstrate the wisdom and humility to just be still, listen, and learn. I find hope in the life and person of Jesus which show me that love is stronger than hate, that death must give way to life, and that there is no evil that cannot be redeemed. I am angry, but I do not despair.
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Celebrating Canada Day in Martensville Submitted by Kristee Lynn Adrian of the Martensville Information & Vistor Centre
ABOVE & BELOW: Once again the Martensville Information and Visitor Centre will be offering an animated movie for the annual ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ which is a huge highlight of the Canada Day celebrations. Submitted.
This year is Canada’s 153rd birthday, and we are excited to celebrate with you!! Check out the 12th annual Canada Day celebrations online and in person right here in Martensville!! Make sure to visit our Canada Day in Martensville Facebook Page as we lead up to the event; you have a chance to win prizes, https://www.facebook.com/ CanadaDayInMartensville/. We are busy planning a great day!! There will be lots of great FREE activities for all ages. The day kicks off in the afternoon, starting with a virtual Community Showcase. Activities start with crafts, games, scavenger hunt, guest speakers and so much more. To add to this, we are working on a special drive thru treat pick up for the first 200 people. Watch for details coming soon. The feature event of Canada Day in Martensville is the fireworks display and the Cinema Under the Stars – a GIANT 3 storey inflatable movie screen. Once again, the Martensville Information and Visitor Centre is working hard to get a brand NEW animated movie, one that is so new that it’s still in theatres and won’t be available on video yet. There is a twist to this year’s celebration as the events will be drive – in style. Pack your vehicles and join the fun!! A BBQ and concession will be on site with burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, pop, juice and other snacks to enjoy. Glow sticks will also be available throughout the evening. All proceeds support the programs and projects at the Martensville Information and Visitor Centre. Please watch for a more detailed list of events to come. Our Centre is minding COVID – 19 protocol and procedures and asks the same of the public. Keep in mind social distancing and sanitation restrictions in place. We are always looking for volunteers to help with planning this event and to help throughout the day. You can sign up for volunteer opportunities online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BAFA82FA2FF2canada5. For further information please call the Martensville Information & Visitor Centre @ 306-242-0362 or email us at martensvilleinfo@sasktel.net. You can also check out our social media pages: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/274523920591178/ https://www.facebook.com/CanadaDayInMartensville/ https://www.facebook.com/MartensvilleInformationVisitorCentre/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1l1q5kby69job&utm_content=11hgoko Twitter: https://twitter.com/MvilleInfo