Marli Shepherd receives Volunteer Recognition Award
Kerrobert resident, Marli Shepherd was pleasantly surprised when she received a call from the Rivers West District for Sport, Culture & Recreation, informing her she is a recipient of a Volunteer Recognition Award for 2022. Marli was one of three recipients who were awarded the Over-All Volunteer of the Year Award. Celebration of the recipient’s outstanding achievements will be highlighted on the Rivers West website and on their social media throughout the year.
It’s obvious that Marli’s award is certainly well deserved, which is why Veronica Smith, who works alongside Marli at the Kerrobert Town Office, nominated Marli for the award. Marli thanked Veronica for nominating her, and also thanked all the other volunteers for their contributions.
As for Marli, her list of volunteerism is extensive. She is on the Wildlife Committee where she helps out with fundraising. “It was a common interest for me and the rest of my family; everyone in the family hunts,” Marli said. “The committee was struggling and needed help.”
Marli is also an arena representative on the Recreation Board, something she feels is important because “my kids do use a lot of the facilities in town”. She’s also a member on the local Library Board. “I can bring a different perspective since I have younger kids that use the library,” she explained.
She also helps out with the Double AA Wheat Kings and with her younger son’s hockey team. “I just make time for it. Without volunteers, a lot wouldn’t happen,” she said. She noted her commitment to the football committee is a big one, but everyone involved is like minded and likes to get the job done. Marli is one of the founding members of the Kerrobert Football Association, and a communication rep.
As an avid volunteer, Marli knows first-hand the vital role volunteers play in the community. “People need to take a look and volunteer for things to keep our community running strong,” she noted. “A lot of people will volunteer if you ask them, but things are different than they used to be. There’s so much travel involved with kids’ extra curricular activities, so it’s tough for people to make a commitment.”
Nevertheless, she encourages people to get involved, even if it’s in a minor capacity. Every little bit helps. “I encourage my kids to be a part of something,” she said. “They help me with a lot of my jobs. My family is super supportive; I couldn’t do it without them.”
Donna Johnston-Genest, Executive Director, Rivers West District For Sport, Culture & Recreation, said, ”Over the past year, our volunteers have gone above and beyond to keep Sport, Culture & Recreation alive and thriving in our district. Thank you does not cover the immense gratitude we feel towards these individuals, organizations, and communities. Congratulations on your most deserved recognition.”
JOAN JANZEN Your Southwest Media Group
Missing:
Randy Gottfried, Brian Gottfried
Matthew Thrun, Garret Walford
Saskatchewan Opening Doors to Ukrainians
The Government of Saskatchewan is opening its doors to those from Ukraine who are fleeing the brutal attacks instigated by the Putin regime.
“I spoke with my federal counterpart yesterday to advise that Saskatchewan will open our doors to an unlimited number of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, and we want to open those doors expeditiously,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.
In follow-up to correspondence over the past week, on March 1 Minister Harrison spoke with Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Saskatchewan’s desire to do its part to assist on the acute humanitarian situation and growing refugee crisis that has already seen nearly one million people leave Ukraine.
Christopher Brost, Kevin Sloboda
Austin Gleave, Adam Franko
resettlement in Saskatchewan.”
Neil Kennedy, Koby Reiber
The Government of Saskatchewan will provide funding for the coordination of community supports, including settlement services for Ukrainian families arriving in Saskatchewan. The government is also committed to ensuring we have the programs and services Ukrainian newcomers may need to gain the language, skills, and connections to successfully integrate into our communities and workforce.
Keagan Bazylinski , Kirk Meyer
Shane Bardick
“It’s time to pay our debt back to those generations of Ukrainian immigrants who helped build our province, giving refuge to their descendants who are being so viciously attacked by the Putin regime,” Harrison said. “Ukrainians will find a welcoming environment in our communities, including many residents with the same culture and language, which will assist in ensuring long-term success with
DODSLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
“The government will be working with community and service providers on these programs and services in the days ahead,” Harrison said. “We will also be working closely with the business community and employers who want to help Ukrainians by offering them employment.”
From left to right Fire Chief Vic Sittler, Shane Kruesel, Jarret Johnson, Deputy Chief Grant Sittler, Deputy Chief Grant Christison, Michael Bowden.
Missing:
The province will prioritize any applications received from Ukrainian citizens to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), which has facilitated the arrival of nearly 300 Ukrainian citizens over the last five years, with a much longer history of immigration from that country to this province. Ukrainian culture and traditions are deeply embedded in Saskatchewan, as approximately 15 per cent of our province’s residents trace all or part of their ancestry to Ukraine.
Steven McMillan, Caleb MacDonald, Cory Turk, Dean Ellis, Devon Lovenuk, Jordan Halter, Kaid Hoffman, Patrick McGrath, Ryan Neumeier, Trent Nienaber, Travis Kennon
Tyler Srigley, Ryan Webber
NOTICE
Dodsland and District Credit Union is seeking nominations for four (4) positions of Director of the Credit Union.
Members are welcome to nominate the candidate of their choice, from the membership, to serve a (3) three-year term and (1) one-year term.
Nomination deadline is 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Additional information, including qualifications and nomination forms, is available at the Dodsland and District Credit Union www.dodslandcreditunion.com
OYEN ECHO
Bromantics entertain at Macklin
JOAN JANZEN Your Southwest Media Group
Bromantics are a Saskatchwan sixpiece 1950’s tribute band. They performs timeless music from the 50’s and 60’s, and they’re performing at Macklin on Friday, March 11th. They bring back old tunes such as Twisting the Night Away and Splish Splash.
The original music they produce belongs to the same genre of music, that’s inspired by tunes from the 1950’s era. Those new songs will be released in the next few months. Although they’ve recorded a hand full of videos, the band primarily does live performances.
Their brass instruments combine with vintage guitar to create a nostalgic sound. Do you remember old style harmony accompanied by an occasional “doo-wop doo wop”? Then the Bromantics will bring entertainment you won’t want to miss.
This all-male group is energetic, lively, funny, with a great stage presentation. The band claims their primary goal
is to have fun and connect with their audience, which is obvious as the band has fun while on stage.
Memorable tunes are combined with modern trends, which people of all ages will enjoy. The group is definitely ready to entertain after having had to cancel and postpone shows during the pandemic. They realized how much they relied on those live performances during that quiet period.
Robert Haakenson, guitar player, said in an online interview “It was super tough.” They had just finished 17 shows and were on high momentum, when it all came to a sudden stop.
Tim Lynchuk, lead singer, said “We did one show in the summer of 2021 at Moose Jaw. It was a warm up. We didn’t get a lot of rehearsals in, but we have a lot of great guys in the band … great musicianship, great comaraderie.”
“We really enjoy what we do,” Robert said. And they’re hoping you’ll enjoy listening to them when they come to town.
Kerrobert Reddi Mart
Theentire world, including Russia, was watching the freedom convoys, when Putin declared war on Ukraine. I’ve listened to disheartened Russian civilians say the timing wasn’t coincidental, as media turned its attention towards Ukraine. The transition to focusing in that direction is understandable, yet Canadians can’t afford to completely avert our attention from what is taking place on the home front.
In a National Post article, Pierre Poilievre explained how Canada
OPINION
CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen
Getting back on the road
could be of assistance, but it wouldn’t happen immediately. While Europe is filling Putin’s war chest by buying Russian oil and gas, Canada has all the energy Europe needs.
An article in the Financial Post explained that Canada has no LNG export terminals on either coast, partly due to regulations that delay projects for years. However the good news, according to Poilievre, is the fast-tracking of proposed projects across our nation would liquefy and ship natural gas from the
east coast to Europe, so it could stand up to Putin, rather than fund him.
Meanwhile Julia and Max Belousov in the Ukraine have opened up their church to refugees, who are coming from all directions. The church is located in the heart of Ukraine. When they purchased the 72-year-old building, they had no idea they would be using the huge bomb shelter located underneath the building.
After air raid sirens go off, police patrolling the area are grateful to have a shelter to direct
people into. Julia and Max received word from a military officer expressing appreciation for what they were doing at the church. The officer said “Your help and prayers are the last line of our defence and the first line of our victory.”
Julia said, they give refugees and the police hot food, shelter and pray for them. “We do what we can.”
Meanwhile good will is evident in Canada in the most unlikely situations; a CBC crew van slid into a ditch in Ontario and was rescued by a truck driver participating in the Freedom Convoy. “A demonstrator wearing a ‘defund the CBC’ hat pulled us out knowing we were CBC journalists,” the CBC reporter said on social media. “He said he’d never leave anyone stuck like that.”
The leader of the Christian Heritage Party responded, saying, “Canada is in the ditch right now. We need to all work together to get back on
the road.”
Getting back on the road, also involves watching the sign posts along the way. Although the world has moved on to the next crisis, signs indicate Trudeau’s sudden rescinding of the Emergency Act may have been influenced by the Canadian Banking Association. After 210 bank accounts were frozen ($7.8 million), many Canadians withdrew funds from their accounts. Because of the recent freezing of accounts, Canadians may pose legitimate questions regarding the Canadian Banking Association’s long-time plans to introduce a Digital ID. Developed in conjunction with banks, telecommunications, law enforcement and government, it would have the power to store every Canadian’s identity.
Another sign post to take note of is Bill S-233, now in its second reading. If passed, a guaranteed livable basic income would be developed for
everyone in Canada over 17. This bill would magnify government intervention and control over personal finances, when most Canadians just want to work and earn a healthy living. Yes, Canada needs to help the people in Ukraine, but we cannot afford to become completely preoccupied, and slip off into a ditch on the home front. We really do need to work together, and make our voices heard. We need to be willing to lend a hand, pull someone out of the ditch because we’d never leave anyone stuck like that.
Pop89
Here we are again, poised at the edge of the desert, about to enter forty days in the wilderness of our spiritual lives. Or not. Many of us won’t be living an ascetic Lent after an ecstatic of Mardi Gras, nor belonged to a faith where we engage in a practice I like to call: “Giving over, Giving up, Giving away.” Easter, for the secular world, is about chocolate eggs and snuggly bunnies and time off work and school. For some, it is a chance to party on the beach or at the ski hill.
I’m filled with fond childhood memories of chocolate bunnies in Easter baskets. I’m aware that the egg and the bunny stories have essential roots in ancient Earth-based practices that celebrated the coming out of a wintry slumber, planting seeds and giving birth. I was also raised to observe Easter as the culminating moment in the Christian tradition, the most important of its spiritual seasons.
Born on Good Friday, I hold a special place for Easter in my heart. That doesn’t mean I haven’t struggled with the various ways it has been presented to and foisted upon me and my siblings and fellow schoolmates. However, for the most part, Easter has always been a time of Awe and Mystery to me partly because, growing up, meteorologically-speaking, Good Friday never failed to de-
Giving Over, Giving Up & Giving Away
liver storms of biblical proportions. And once even an earthquake.
On the Friday I was born, our town of Dawson Creek flooded. My father filmed my mom on the steps of the hospital with me wrapped in a pink baby blanket while the water rose and a garbage can floated in and out of view. And there was a story in my family that my grandmother saw a red cross in the sky on the Good Friday of 1945, and a month later, WWII ended. As Catholics, we relished Good Friday narratives involving shocks, revelations and conversions as much as we thrilled at stories of angels or Mary visitations.
But I’ve come to believe that Good Friday would never have the kind of impact it has if it didn’t have that 40-day lead-up, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Miracles happen to predisposed minds in the same way genius gets realized by trained and prepared minds. Lent prepares us.
When I say “come to believe,” I am talking about a life full of comings and goings. I had to leave the church in order to get a fresh perspective. I embarked on my own independent studies of world religions and spiritual practices. I practiced mediation and yoga, fell in love with Buddhism and Hinduism, went to sweat lodges, offered tobacco and smudged, and continue to in-
corporate most of those practices. I don’t believe in One True Religion. I believe in One Common Humanity.
My departure from church was not unique. Most of the folks I know from Catholic school days have not maintained their faith. Their reasons are myriad. Perhaps they never felt cherished. Maybe belonging to an elite club seemed hypocritical, counter to their soul’s cries and the cries of others. For them, religion demanded an unquestioning and fearful (not awe-inspiring) obedience to a punishing God who resembled a prison guard with a cattle prod, more than a loving and life-enhancing Presence.
I left the church. But I missed the poetry. And the discipline. And the shared witnessing that came with the rituals and the sacraments that marked life’s passages. So I started reading
By Madonna Hamel • madonnahamel@hotmail.com
the Mystics, seeking a language to describe my experience of the sacred “Isness” of everything in the world, to quote the 13th Century German mystic Meister Eckhart, whose writing I came across in The Covent Inn’s sitting room.
In 2014 I fled the world of distractions and diversions and entered the convent. The Convent Inn, that is. I was given a quiet, peaceful room in the Val Marie b&b to write and explore my burgeoning love of the desert mothers and fathers.
I loftily decided I would make the inn my monastery. And the surrounding territory of Southwest Saskatchewan, including Grasslands National Park, would become my desert.
The desert mothers and fathers were monks and nuns who lived in the Egyptian desert during the fourth and fifth centuries. They fled to the desert to escape the tempting conformity of the world. “Flee, be silent and pray,” came a voice from the heavens, according to one of the first fathers. “Pray, Fast and Give Alms,” say the present-day mothers and fathers when asked how to approach Lent.
To me, prayer is how I connect with something bigger than me and this all-consuming material world. I “give over” to a voice of spirit that is both beyond me and yet deep within. And I listen for answers by sitting in silence.
Fasting is not only about “giving up” coffee or chocolate, although those are enormous sacrifices for someone who realizes, in doing so, that she is hooked. Fasting is also “giving up” gossip, worry, rushing, multi-tasking, unnecessary shopping, mindless snacking, time-sucking video-watching etc. “Giving up” is connected to “giving over” because, once I cease my frenetic activities, the subtle and pertinent voice of spirit can begin to be heard. “Giving away” is what I do with the stuff I give up. For every nasty reort I give up, I give away a kind word. Instead of giving my unasked opinion, I can give praise in the form of a compliment regarding a job well done or a quality much appreciated. For every coffee I don’t drink, I can plop a coin in a collection box or light a votive candle. And every hour not spent in watching youtube I can give to volunteer work in my village.
We are made from dust, and we’re all gonna end up as dust; that’s what the Lenten ashes on the forehead are all about. Ash Wednesday’s central ritual is, for many of us, a memento mori, a reminder of death. Lent gives us a chance to give up the dead weight of a busy, distracted life to prepare us to give ourselves a fresh start, come Easter.
Close connection to Ukrainians brings war home
BY MURRAY MADRYK Political Columnist
You don’t likely know those people bravely defending their homeland against Russian invaders, yet they probably feel familiar to you.
It’s because you likely know, or may know some of their distant cousins.
They now farm next to you. They run the local Co-op. Their kids have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, dentists and politicians. A few of them even became journalists.
Our connection to Ukraine is undeniable. It is one reason why what’s now happening in Ukraine hits close to home for all of us.
There are those who argue that close ties shouldn’t be a reason — or at least, shouldn’t be the only reason — for our reaction.
A minority argue that the suffering we are seeing in Ukraine is no different than the suffering we’ve seen in the wartorn Middle East or in African nations.
Still, others argue that while we need to support Ukraine in whatever way we can because they are people suffer-
ing, we shouldn’t feel obligated to do so simply because they came to Canada in search of a better life. After all, a lot of pioneering settlers from Europe came for a better life.
Still, others argue that while we easily relate to the suffering of those in a white European nation, we go so far as to deny the suffering of indigenous people sent to residential schools as children where they suffered all forms of abuse.
Such criticisms are not without merit, but they miss the point.
Humans are tribal by nature. Really, it’s why we see invasions and wars like we now see in Ukraine.
Sadly, tribalism sometimes brings out the worst in humanity. At best, it often makes us overly protective of those we consider our own tribes and hesitant to accept those from the outside.
But another very human thing is not really understanding or taking the time to try and understand other the dynamics in which other people are now existing or have existed.
The first such dynamic is that what
is happening in Ukraine is a threat to all of us.
Since the last great war concluded almost 80 years ago, we’ve been forced to live with the understanding that we now have the technology to blow the planet apart.
Those Cold War fears of the Cuban missile crisis 60 years ago or the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan 40 years ago have largely subsided for the past three decades because of the demise of the Soviet Union.
But with Russian President Vladimir Putin reacting to potential Western intervention with threats of making intervening nations suffer as they have never suffered before, what’s now happening in Ukraine has quickly escalated into something different than regional conflicts between nations elsewhere in the world.
We all have an interest and responsibility to condemn what Putin is doing, which makes it extremely bizarre that there are those — even on the Prairies — still endorsing the Fox News/Donald Trump views in support of Putin that
resonate with a lot of U.S. Republicans.
Second, while we are likely more inclined to support Ukraine because of the contribution of Ukrainians to Canadian history, that doesn’t necessarily mean we understand their history.
Why “freedom” and “opposition to oppression” is associated with Ukrainians has a lot to do with a millennium-long history of warding off invaders and dictators from the Vikings to the Mongols to the Tartars to the Poles to the Austro-Hungarians to the Russian Czars to Russian Soviets to the Nazis to now Putin.
Such oppression is why so many Ukrainians fled to Canada, where many endured prejudices, including First World War internment camps.
Yet through it all, they become great contributors to our country while holding on to language and cultural ties to where they came from.
It is admirable. But far more admirable is the current Ukrainian resistance to tyranny.
Around 2004 or so, I helped clean out the old air cadet hall in North Battleford. I was the training officer and a reservist lieutenant in what has since been renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force. Our cadet squadron was moving to a new home, after over 60 years in a building meant to last the war.
The last big war.
The Second World War.
In cleaning it, I came across a yellow booklet called 11 Steps to Survival. It was printed in 1961, and the foreword was signed by Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker.
It wasn’t about surviving when your car hits the ditch, or flooding hits the Lower Mainland. It was how to survive a nuclear attack. And that included getting in a ditch, if bombs go off while you are in your car.
I kept it as something of a souvenir. This week, I pulled it out, handed it to my kids and wife (who was also a reservist officer), and told them to read it.
Last night our time, at about 5 a.m. Ukraine time, the world just took a hard reset back to 1983, and perhaps 1962, the two most dangerous points of the Cold War. In November, 1983, the Soviets thought a NATO war game called “Able Archer 1983” was a cover to launch a first strike. The night of Nov. 8, 1983, the So-
viet Union went to its highest war footing, with the leadership spending the night expecting to have to push the button.
Of course, we all know of the Cuban missile crisis in October, 1962. Well, last night, we just reset the clock.
History has not ended. There will be new dates to remember for future students. Today is one of them.
And that booklet, a relic from 61 years prior, became a lot more relevant to a family whose home is precisely 50.0 kilometres northwest of the closest Minuteman III nuclear missile silo, according to Google Earth. And for the next 200 kilometres in that general direction, the United States has one of its last remaining intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM fields). There are 150 remaining 1970s era missiles spread across three squadrons, each with five flights of 10 missiles. Each missile can potentially carry up to three nuclear warheads, and each of those can be up to 20 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb.
Those silos are situated in an wide arc surrounding one of the last remaining nuclear missile and bomber bases, Minot Air Force Base. Whereas there used to be B-52 bases by the dozen across the entire continental United States, now there are only two. Minot, 200 kilometres from Estevan, is one of them. If a nuclear war were to occur, at least 10 per cent of Russia’s remaining nuclear stockpiles would be expended on western North Dakota. Southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba would be a heavily radiated fallout dead zone for decades.
As scary as that is, it is precisely because nuclear stockpiles have been reduced by over 95 per cent compared to their Cold War heights, that today’s war of Russia against Ukraine is possible. The United States peaked at around 31,000 nuclear warheads in the mid1960s. The Soviet Union hit 40,000 in the late 1980s. Under the New START Treaty, signed in 2010 and renewed in 2021, the Americans and Russians are now limited to just 1,550 warheads apiece, with just 700 missiles and bombers each.
And because the delivery systems are so much more accurate now, bombs are smaller than the multi-megaton city-flatteners they once were. All of a sudden, fewer, smaller, more accurate bombs has become less safe than tens of thousands of big bombs which would have eradicated most life on earth.
Putin bets no one will use nukes
Certainly, Russian President-For-Life Vladimir Putin has made the calculation that no matter what he does right now in Ukraine, or what he might do afterwards, no one will use the nuclear trump card. And even if they did, it wouldn’t be nearly as bad as our collective Cold War fears would imply. After all, the arms reduction treaties initiated by Ronald Reagan after the Able Archer 83 scare have resulted in most
of the nukes being dismantled. Now, for the first time since the early 1950s, a nuclear war could even be something akin to winnable, or at least survivable.
In his assault on Ukraine, Putin has affirmed he doesn’t think this will go nuclear. So if it stays conventional, he’s going to run the table.
And his initial moves, from what I’ve seen on Thursday morning, are precisely what I had predicted. The Red Army is performing a massive pincers movement, sweeping down from Belarus and northwest from Crimea. There may have also been an amphibious assault on Ukraine’s only major port, Odessa, which would cut them off from the world’s sea lanes. Those pincers are going to close in Western Ukraine and take three quarters of the nation, perhaps in a few days. And from there, it’s a short distance to Poland, which, if they had any sense, should be mobilizing their entire military right now.
Former Warsaw Pact member Poland has been the most enthusiastic new member of NATO since it joined. Now you know why. And if Poland, or Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia are attacked, we are treaty-bound to respond.
And I have a daughter whose military age, and a son who will be in a few years. And the military is no longer a boys-only club.
Hard men, weak men
Author G. Michael Hopf came up with a proverb that goes like this:
Hard times create strong men.
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
Weak men create hard times.
For the last decade, specifically, we have been living in that last phrase. We have become weak, not just in Canada, but across the Western World.
Our naval-gazing society has been more concerned about issues of gender, climate change and every other liberal cause under the sun, and forgotten about what really matters. Putin has not.
A prime example is the two most recent officers we’ve appointed as Chief of Defence Staff, our top general of the Canadian Armed Forces. In each of their inaugural speeches as CDS they have spoken about how their primary concern was addressing sexual harassment in our military. Their focus wasn’t readiness, or Russia, or China. It was #MeToo. Now, sexual harassment may be bad, but war is a lot worse.
And war is now upon us.
And that same military has dithered for literally decades on buying a new fighter plane. We still have not made a decision, even though the Harper government had made what, in reality, turned out to be the only choice, and the right choice, in 2009. So now, when we might actually be going to war, the Australians and Brits have new F-35s, but we have 40-year old CF-18As, supplemented by Australia’s flea market leftover F-18As.
Similarly, our navy has been a mess. Our entire destroyer force has rusted out and had to be retired. Our national shipbuilding strategy has yet to deliver one new surface combatant. Our new arctic patrol vessels are essentially unarmed. We had to lease a merchant tanker to have just one mobile fuel station for our navy. And our submarines have hardly spent any time at sea since we bought them second-hand from the UK. Our soldiers carry pistols that were made for and during the Second World War. We’ve totally forgot how to procure pretty much anything for our military over the last 30 years.
The only successes we have had in military procurement has been when the chips were down for our extremely limited involvement in Afghanistan. A war in Europe will make Afghanistan look like a tea party.
I wish I could say Canada was the only case like this, but it’s really been all of Western society. Nearly every government, every military, has become soft. Our prime minister is the shining example. Biden is the same. Instead of his nation’s energy security being his primary consideration, the first thing he did as president was cancel Keystone XL. Then, less than a year later, he was begging the world (including Russia) to increase oil production. I wonder if, later this week, he might be regretting that choice, as that pipeline would have been half-built by now.
I listened to a podcast this week interviewing the commanding general of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command, Gen. Mark “Grace” Kelly. He pointed out that as a young pilot, he would get 18 flight hours of training per month. Now, American pilots are getting nine hours a month. Thirty years ago, the USAF had 8,000 fighters which were on average eight years old. Now, they have around 2,000 fighter planes that average 28 years old.
As I said, Putin has noticed. The West has collectively become soft. Weak. And COVID-19 made us even softer over the last two years. And so now, he has chosen to strike.
Ukraine will fall
The reality is Ukraine will likely fall within days, and no one will send troops to help. I anticipate an insurgency that will bleed them white, like Afghanistan did to both the Soviets and NATO, and Iraq did to the U.S.
But before that happens, what will Putin do next? He could consolidate his win, and stand put. Or he could move against Poland before they fully mobilize, cutting off the all-but-helpless Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. And then NATO will have to decide if they will sacrifice New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, and, as mentioned above, half of North Dakota for Warsaw and Vilnius. Most Americans don’t even know Vilnius exists, never mind could place it on a map. They certainly wouldn’t trade their lives for it in a nuclear holocaust.
If you think it can’t happen, Germany took the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Luxemburg, Norway and France in a few weeks in 1940.
So if Russia does follow Hitler’s example and capture a number of weak, small states in a matter of days, we could be in for a long, conventional war, at a time when Canada is nearly toothless. Nearly all of NATO is in the same boat.
Our response
And even if that doesn’t happen, should Europe ever trust Putin again, for anything? Just wait until he starts turning off pipelines, and central Europeans start freezing to death.
Overnight, European nations are realizing they can no longer rely on Russia, for anything, for at least 10 years, maybe longer.
Let me be clear on this: Russia’s principal exports are oil and gas. Last year it produced 10.5 million barrels per day on average, over 10 per cent of the global market, and much of that was bought by Europe.
You do not give someone money which they will then use to build the tanks to invade and conquer you, or your allies.
The rest of the world has to replace that oil, and freeze Russia out of the market.
We, Canada, must step up and support our European allies. We can’t accomplish much with our military, but we can with our resources. We need to keep the lights on in Europe, not just now, but perhaps for the next generation. Even when the shooting stops, this will not be over.
That means we need to build multiple liquified natural gas plants, and the pipelines to support them,
right now. Quebec’s concept of pipelines being “socially unacceptable” just went out the window. That means that this week Trudeau should be calling up Energie Saguenay and telling them, “Start construction now.” To hell with what Quebec says. He should tell Pieridae Energy it should build the Nova Scotia Goldboro LNG facility. And, perhaps most painfully for him, Trudeau should order TC Energy to build Energy East, today, and get Irving Oil building their export terminal.
We might even need to build a pipeline to Churchill. And the Tech Frontier oilsands project, cancelled last year, should go ahead, too, to provide additional barrels to fill those pipelines. Every drilling rig in Saskatchewan and Alberta should start punching holes now.
It also means Saskatchewan needs to replace all of Belarus’ potash. They are our major competitor, and they have been complicit with allowing Russia to attack via their land. Some reports have mentioned the involvement of Belorussian troops. Anticipate crippling sanctions to be applied to Belarus, as well. We need to build the rail cars and export facilities, on the east coast, to handle the export of our potash to the Atlantic. Perhaps some capacity at Thunder Bay and the St. Lawrence Seaway could be used to that end.
President Joe Biden should similarly get Keystone XL built, now, surely a bitter pill for him.
These are things we can do. We must do. The time of governing our society with pixie dust has come to an end. Can’tada needs to end. Decisions need to be made, and action needs to be expedited. We need to start living in the real world, where the weak get trampled, and the decisive survive.
It’s time for the West, and Canada to grow up again. Putin has given us no choice.
Brian Zinchuk is owner and editor of Pipeline Online. His grandfather and great-grandparents left the Polish controlled area of Ukraine in 1930, two years before Stalin decided Ukrainians didn’t need to eat, and millions died. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@pipelineonline.ca. Article used with permission.
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RM of Mariposa No. 350 RATEPAYERS MEETING & SUPPER
Tuesday, March 29 at Prairieland Community Centre, Kerrobert Cocktails @ 5 PM • Supper @ 6 PM
We are incredibly excited to announce that supper will be followed by amazing entertainment by the wonderful Comedian, Cory Mack!
The R.M. of Mariposa No. 350 wil be holding a ratepayers supper and meeting on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The roast beef supper will be catered by Jan Taylor of Unity, SK. Cocktails will begin at 5 p.m. with the supper to follow at 6 p.m. The event is being held at the Prairieland Community Centre in Kerrobert.
We will not be sending out letters, so you must let the office know if you wish to attend. Tickets will be $10.00 and can be paid at the door that evening.
Supper will be followed by some amazing entertainment by the wonderful comedian, Cory Mack.
Cory Mack is a comedian, writer and farmer’s daughter, originally from Saskatchewan. Performance highlights over the last 31 years include: entertaining audiences across the prairies, starring in her own Comedy Now special and being featured on CBC Radio’s The Debaters and Laugh Out Loud. Cory has performed at the Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival in Montreal, the Hubcap Comedy Festival in Moncton, NB and at the Comedi-Ha Fest in Quebec City in “the Big 45” English-speaking series.
NOTICE
KINDERSLEY COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM INC.
Annual General Meeting to be held at the ESTON-SNIPE LAKE FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
615 Main Street, Eston
Monday, March 14, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. KERROBERT & KINDERSLEY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM INC. 801 - 9th Street West, Kindersley KINDERSLEY COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM 801 - 9th Street West, Kindersley Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME!
Kindersley Legion Branch #57 seeking information about fallen soldiers
JOAN JANZEN
Your Southwest Media Group
The Kindersley Legion Branch No. 57 needs your help. Jeannie Bylow, President, said the Legion is in the process of creating permanent plaques which will be displayed in the Legion. “We have a list of WWI and WWII fallen soldiers from our area, and would like to get more information on these people, and hopefully photos. We are hoping to make up plaques for these individuals, but only have limited information about them,” Jeannie said.
The Legion is seeking family or friends in the area who may have information and photos to share about these individuals. If anyone has information to submit, they can contact the Legion at Kindersleylegionbranch57@ gmail.com or Jeannie Bylow at ledtwo@live.ca
The following is a list of fallen soldiers from the Kindersley area, which require additional information.
2-Sergeant: Brammer, Robert Neil, 1943-07-21
2-Private: Litowski, Nick, 1944-06-15
2-Private: Greenway, William, 1943-01-21
2-Private: Schnack, Theodore, 1917-07-25
2-Private: Potter, Claude, 1921-02-26
2-Private: Payne, William, 1918-08-18
2-Private: Milne, David, 1918-10-16
2-Corpora: McElwee, Charles, 1918-09-02
2-Lieutenant: MacRae, Malcolm, 1918-09-29
2-Private: Lawrence, Reginald Charles Frogley, 1917-11-14
2-Private: Keirstead, Ervine Don, 1918-08-09
2-Private: Haugen, Anton, 1917-11-06
2-Private: Gunter, David Clinton, 1917-08-21
2-Private: Camp, Harry Edward, 1917-04-12
2-Private: Baynes, Ernest, 1918-08-10
2-Private: Ball, George, 1917-02-21
2-Lieutenant: Baker, William Alton, 1919-02-17
2-Private: Adshade, Weldon, 1917-04-09
1-Private: Flynn, Douglas Wellwood, 1943-07-26
Jeannie also invited anyone who is interested to attend a Legion members award night on March 26th. It is open to the public and tickets can be purchased in advance. “We are hoping people will come out to see what we are about and celebrate our members who are being awarded that night,” Jeannie said.
OUTREACH SERVICES
We now have established Satellite Offices in two surrounding communities. On Tuesday, there is a counsellor in Kerrobert and on Wednesday, there is a counsellor in Eston
Please call 306-463-6655 to make an appointment.
LUSELAND
March
March
March
April
www.westcentralcrisis.ca
Sports with Bruce Penton
Brier features rare ‘grudge’ match
if ever, has a game at the Brier involving New Brunswick been must-see TV. But if you follow curling and are a dedicated viewer, it’s likely that last Saturday night’s battle in Lethbridge between James Gratton of New Brunswick and Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton, in the field representing Team Canada as defending champion, was one you wouldn’t want to have missed.
In a sport known for its preand post-game handshakes, its extreme sportsmanship and overall gentlemanly approach, usually followed by post-game mingling with the opposition over cool refreshments, this particular curling game had ‘grudge match’ written all over it.
Last December, you might recall, Bottcher’s long-time third, Darren Moulding, was basically fired from the team, after great success, including three Alberta titles and one Canadian championship. Reasons for his departure were vague, but it seems it was a matter of bad chemistry involving team personnel, not to mention concerns about how the business side of the team — money, baby, the root of all evil — was handled. The cut came with
all the class of a clique of high school girls shunning one of their classmates.
To say there were hard feelings from the Moulding camp, harder than the granite used for curling stones, is an understatement. Bottcher tried to frame the split as a mutual decision, which Moulding immediately called “BS.” He said he was especially hurt about not being able to curl in his home-province Brier.
It didn’t take long, however, for Moulding to land on his feet and regain an opportunity to curl in the Lethbridge Brier. Gratton, who last year led the Brier standings in the early stages of the week, winning four of his first five games, juggled his team’s lineup to create an opening at third. It didn’t take Moulding long to accept the invitation from Gratton, who has represented New Brunswick 14 times. Gratton finished 4-4 last year, just missing the playoffs, and was 3-4 the year before, one win out of the playoffs. Perhaps the addition of Moulding will be enough to push the rink over the top this year.
Regardless, Moulding really only cared about winning one game — the one vs. Bottcher.
As for post-game drinks? Not likely.
• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “A cargo ship packed with luxury cars caught fire and was aimlessly adrift in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Sort of the nautical equivalent of the L.A. Lakers.”
• Boyce Garrison on The San Diego Union-Tribune, after country singer Trace Adkins was chosen to perform the national anthem before the Daytona 500: “Snoop Dogg must have been unavailable.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Commissioner Roger Goodell, when confronted about the NFL’s apparent systemic racism in not hiring black head coaches, said ‘we have to
do a better job’ and ‘we believe in diversity. Translation: Tsk, tsk.”
• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: “Los Angeles held a Super Bowl victory parade for the Rams. Highlight: Brief diversion from nightmare that is the Lakers season.”
• Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated, on long-winded and bombastic basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale’s recent throat surgery: “Dickie V has been instructed not to speak, which is like telling Joey Chestnut not to eat.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com, after Medina Spirit was disqualified as last year’s Kentucky Derby winner due to a doping violation: “So two of the last three horses who crossed the Kentucky Derby finish line first have now been disqualified. It’s enough to make you long for the purity of pro wrestling.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “(Phil) Mickelson was trying to use the Super Golf League as leverage against the PGA to get what, … more caviar in the players’ tent?”
• RJ Currie again, on numerology: “Yesterday’s date was 2022-02-22. That’s the big-
gest load of number two since Novak Djokovic tried to BS his way into the Aussie Open.”
• Dwight Perry again: “The next time ‘Do you believe in miracles?!’ — coined by Al Michaels 42 years ago — will next be uttered when: a) the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl b) baseball owners come out the winners in the players strike c) the Russians go an entire Olympics without testing positive.”
• David Whitley of the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, on MLB not testing players for steroids for the first time in 20 years: “In totally unrelated news, Barry Bonds announced he is stepping out of retirement and will bat cleanup for the Giants this season.”
• Jack Finarelli of sportscurmudgeon.com, on the stalled baseball talks: “Neither side is worthy of praise or support. If you ‘take sides’ here, you are merely selecting the tallest of the Seven Dwarfs.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Due to their success on the field and general wealth in Cleveland, Browns raising season ticket prices for fourth straight year.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Newspaper in Education Week promotes the role newspapers can play in community classrooms. The event takes place annually during the first week of March. Here are some ways teachers and students can participate.
• Report on an event. Host a pretend news event such as a demonstration, political rally or news conference. Teachers can role-play as participants, and students can act as journalists who interview them and then write an article.
• Write an editorial. Teachers can assign students to write an opinion piece about a matter that’s important to them. It can be a global issue such as climate change or a local problem such as the condition of a nearby playground.
• Create a comic strip. Teachers can ask students to create a comic strip that tells a story. The story can be anecdotal or about a news event.
• Design an ad. Teachers can get students to create a print ad for a local business of their choice. They can draw an image and include key information about an imagined sale or promotion.
At the end of the week, teachers and students can assemble their articles, editorials, comic strips and ads to create an edition of their own classroom newspaper. They can name the paper, write headlines and design the layout.
DID YOU KNOW?
The idea of using newspapers as a teaching tool in the classroom is more than 200 years old. In 1795, the Portland Eastern Herald in Maine published an editorial advocating schools and newspapers work together to teach children about current events.
4 benefits of students reading newspapers
Newspaper in Education Week is an annual event that encourages schools to use newspapers in their classrooms. Here are four ways students can benefit from this practice.
1. IT FOSTERS LITERACY SKILLS
Journalists write newspaper articles using simple sentences and easy-tounderstand language. This makes it possible for most students to read the news without difficulty and allows them to become engaged readers.
2. IT ENHANCES VOCABULARY
When students read the news, they may encounter words they don’t understand. A teacher can help them comprehend new vocabulary and put it in context for them.
3. IT PROVIDES A RESOURCE FOR PROJECTS Newspapers are an invaluable research tool for writing papers and essays. They can also provide students with topic ideas for upcoming projects.
4. IT TEACHES THEM ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS Newspapers cover global issues and local news. Learning about important topics and events can encourage students to become involved in their community.
Newspapers are a powerful learning tool, and placing them in every classroom is a great idea. To bring newspapers into your school, reach out to the news outlets in your community.
The Eagle
Sure-Fire Streaming The
BY JORDAN PARKER https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
was no reason.
Available On Netflix
This Roman epic is an intense piece of historical action, and I missed it when it was released 10 years ago for one silly reason.
Because of the romantic comedies Channing Tatum acted in prior to his role in The Eagle, I assumed he couldn’t act, and had no intention of watching him struggle through a dramatic role.
He does anything but that here, and admirably plays a Roman soldier who tries to find new purpose in Roman-controlled Britain following an honourable discharge due to wounds sustained in battle.
His Marcus attempts to find his lost legion’s golden emblem and restore honour to his family’s legacy. He brings slave Esca with him on the perilous journey.
Tatum is exemplary, as is Jamie Bell. They’re joined by Donald Sutherland in a supporting turn, and the whole affair has an unexpected polish.
It’s a fantastic epic you won’t be able to take your eyes off of.
3 From Hell
Available On Netflix
If you were a fan of the brutal, insane The Devil’s Rejects, this is the conclusion to that defiant, insane horror trilogy.
The Firefly family – who spent House Of 1,000 Corpses and Devil’s Rejects on a murderous rampage – escape from prison and go on another chaotic run.
Made media sensations (think Natural Born Killers), they deal with infamy as they carry out another series of crimes.
Writer-director Rob Zombie is a visually-visceral director who never compromises his vision. But I’ll be honest, you have to like your themes dark and your gore heavy to step into this messed up world.
Sheri Moon Zombie – the director’s wife – joins Bill Moseley and Sid Haig as they reprise their villainous roles here. Of particular note is seeing Haig as Captain Spaulding one last time, as he passed away before the film was released.
It’s a thrill-ride, but definitely not an easy watch. Gorehounds, though, will rejoice.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Available On Prime Video
I have to be honest about how I feel here – If you don’t like E.T., you’re absolutely, unequivocally wrong.
Everyone has a memory of the first time they watched E.T. -- much like they do Jurassic Park or The Lion King – and it’s stuck with them. I remember being terrified of this movie, even though logically there
Kerrobert HandiBus
The Kerrobert Handibus operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for those who are in need of transportation and have a disability (temporary or permanent). The HandiBus operates within Kerrobert and within 200 km from the corporate limits of the Town of Kerrobert. It will also make a monthly scheduled trip to a community, for no less than six people, upon availability of a driver. The rates are $6/passenger for in town trips. Please call the Town office for more information at 834-2361.
What four-year-old me feared, 31-year-old me finds unforgettable. It follows troubled Elliott, whose life is changed when he needs to help an alien return to his home world.
Steven Spielberg is one of the directors who has defined a generation, and this is one of his absolute best works.
Henry Thomas – currently making a name for himself again with Netflix shows – stars, and the world also got introduced to Drew Barrymore.
Nominated for nine Oscars in 1983, winner of four, E.T. Is a certified classic in every way.
The Breakfast Club
Available On Netflix
I will always adore this movie, the perfect portrait of teen angst and insecurity.
When five high schoolers from completely different walks of life are stuck in Saturday detention together, they figure out they have more in common than they ever thought imaginable.
Writer-director John Hughes was the master of the coming-of-age film, and this is one of his crowning achievements.
The cast is absolutely wonderful, and they will always be remembered for these roles. Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Michael Hall all bring so much life to the proceedings.
Add in Paul Gleason as our villainous, crotchety principal, and this ensemble really makes this one.
A classic for all, it’s one of those movies I can’t say “no” to if I see it in TV.
Safe House
Available On Prime Video
Can you ever really skip a Denzel Washington movie?
Safe House isn’t his best, but it’s a well-acted, really interesting action movie that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
It follows a young CIA agent trying to prove himself. He’s given an assignment to take care of a fugitive in a safe house. But when the building is attacked, he must take to the streets and protect the man, even when his prisoner may be his biggest adversary.
Washington and Ryan Reynolds make one heck of a team, and they’re joined by Robert Patrick, Brendan Gleeson and Vera Farmiga.
It’s a taut, intense thriller that I turn to when I need a decent way to kill a few hours.
Important Phone Numbers
West Central Crisis Center – 1-306-463-6655
West Central Crisis after hours
1-306-463-1860 (24 hour line)
Kerrobert Food Bank - 306-834-2376
Kerrobert KidSport – 306-834-2344
Recreation on call phone – 306 -834-8355
Kerrobert Memorial Arena
or 834-2344
TENDERS CLEANING POSITION
The Major Recreation Board Inc. is accepting tenders for the position of a casual cleaner for the Major Centennial Hall in Major, Sask.
This position will be based on the hall rental and event schedule. Position would consist of doing a hall pre-inspection for rentals to ensure hall is up to rental standards, and would consist of a deep clean after each event and rental.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Vacuuming, sweeping and mopping
• Cleaning bathrooms, kitchen and bar
• Trash removal
• Shoveling snow from doorway in winter
• Shampooing carpets as needed
Candidates must have reliable transportation, and be comfortable with winter driving. Candidate must be physically able to move tables and chairs and work with minimal supervision.
All supplies and cleaning products will be provided and event schedule will be given with a minimum of 1 week notice.
Cleaning teams are also welcome to submit tenders. Please submit hourly rate.
Schedule of hours would be provided for cleaning as per event.
Contact for more information regards to schedule of cleaning. Please submit your tender of application with bid to: majorrecboard@gmail.com before March 31, 2022.
For more details feel free to email or contact Bailey Kemery at 403-700-7145 via phone or text.
CARDS OF THANKS
The family of Maureen Jackson would like to thank everyone for your thoughtful words, hugs, cards, food and flowers. To the Kindersley Funeral Home, Fr. John, Arleen Peat and the CWL; thank you
for helping us through and bringing us comfort during this difficult time. - Wally Jackson and Families
The family of Diane Krogstad would like to thank family, friends and the community for your kind words, cards, thoughts, prayers,
FOR SALE BY TENDER
R.M. of Oakdale No. 320 SW 20-33-24 W3rd
148 Cultivated Acres, Approx. 5000 Annual Oil Revenue $163,500 Total Assessment Tenders close March 17, 2022
Refer to: www.edgerealty.ca for tender details
love, flowers and meat trays. Thank you to the doctors and staff at the Kindersley Hospital for your kindness and caring. Thank you to Kindersley Funeral Home for your caring and guidance during this difficult time. Thank you to the doctors and staff on the 6300 ward at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. - The Krogstad Family
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FOREFRONT INSUR-
ANCE is hiring external brokers and processors/data entry positions. Broker partnership opportunities for the right candidates. Call / email Michael 403-501-8013 / mhollinda@excelrisk.ca
KERROBERT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(events subject to change)
• March 14 – Recreation Board Annual Meeting
• March 15 - Kerrobert Minor Ball Registrations due
• March 21 – Credit Union Annual Supper
• March 25 & 26 - Ice Dawgs Rec Hockey Tournament
• April 9 – Spring Market
• April 11 – 14 – Kerrobert Music Festival
Oyen Optometry
• April 23 – Wildlife Supper (tentative)
• May 1 – Siebens School of Dance
• June 3 - Pool Opening
• June 30 – KCS Graduation Ceremony
• July 9-10 - Kerrobert Rodeo
• Nov. 3 – 5 – Prairieland Players Dinner Theater
Or call Brad Edgerton 306-463-7357 Kindersley, Sask.
Dr. J. Hagens O.D.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The adventurous Aries won’t be disappointed with taking on a new challenge, despite some initial misgivings. Look for this move to open other opportunities down the line.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Let that beautiful Bovine smile not only put you at ease, but also show that you’re ready, willing and more than able to confound the naysayers around you. A new admirer has important news.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Be careful how you handle a relationship that you’re hoping to save. You already have the facts on your side. Avoid weakening your position by embellishing it with unnecessary dramatics.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Taking definitive stands isn’t easy for the often-wavering Moon Child. But you not only need to stay with your decision, but also to reassure others it was the right thing to do.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) As a proud Lion, you’re right to be upset about those who might be lying about you to others. But the best revenge is proving them wrong by succeeding at what you set out to do.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22). Caution is still advised before making a financial commitment to a “promising” project. Look for the facts behind the fluff. Devote the weekend to loved ones.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A Taurus offers comfort and advice as you deal with an upsetting event. Use this as a learning experience that will help you avoid similar problems in the future.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A romantic situation creates some chaos for single Scorpions. But it’s well worth the effort to work things out. A trusted friend can offer some helpful advice.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Expect to make new friends as your social circle expands. Also, remember to tell that family member how proud you are of his or her achievements.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19). New ventures continue to be favored. And with your self-confidence rising all the time, you’ll want to see how well you can do with a new challenge. So, go to it.
1. MOVIES: Which 2000 animated movie’s tagline is “Escape or Die Frying”?
2. HISTORY: When was the Peace Corps established?
3. LANGUAGE: What does it mean in British English to be “knackered”?
4. AD SLOGANS: Which company featured this 1985 ad campaign: “It’s everywhere you want to be”?
5. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Which animal has the longest tongue in relation to its body size?
6. LITERATURE: Which 20th-century novel begins with the line, “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen”?
7. MUSIC: Which country music songwriter, singer and activist once sold Bibles for a living?
8. ANATOMY: What is the common name for the coccyx in human anatomy?
9. FOOD & DRINK: Which restaurant chain is known for its “Grand Slam” breakfast?
10. U.S. STATES: In which U.S. state was the first official World Fair held?
© 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) This is a good time for the usually serious-minded Aquarian to let loose and enjoy some fun times. Expect to get good news about a workplace issue.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Changed plans might upset some people, but your needs should be respected. Offer explanations when necessary. But don’t let yourself be talked into changing your decisions.
YOU BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for bringing people together. You would make a fine judge or counselor.
Trivia Test Answerst
1. “Chicken Run”; 2. 1961; 3. Tired; 4. Visa; 5. Chameleon; 6. “1984”;
7. Willie Nelson; 8. Tailbone; 9. Denny’s; 10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1876)
Business & Professional Directory
Why gender equality is important
As of 2014, 143 countries guaranteed equality between men and women in their constitutions. However, legalizing gender equality doesn’t necessarily mean that in practice women have the same opportunities as men.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and is the perfect time to highlight how gender equality benefits everybody.
MULTIPLE INEQUALITIES
In many places, women have fewer employment opportunities than men and are denied fair access to health care and education. In fact, on average, women still earn 24 per cent less than men.
Every day, nearly 37,000 girls under 18 are forced into marriage, jeopardizing their education. In 2020, 32 million girls were unable to attend primary school.
SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
A lack of education means that young women aren’t equipped with the skills needed to compete on an equal footing with men. However, giving women greater economic empowerment significantly increases economic growth.
AN ESSENTIAL BALANCE
Gender equality is a fundamental right. In fact, advancing gender equality is critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and wellbeing of girls and boys.
According to the United Nations, women have a critical role to play in the organization’s sustainable development goals. Consequently, women’s equality isn’t only a goal, it’s a solution.
Find out how you can make a difference by visiting un.org or investigating initiatives in your community.
How to celebrate International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day takes place every year on March 8. On this day, many organizations and companies around the world celebrate the role of women in society. Here are five ways you can mark this special occasion.
1. REFLECT ON THE HISTORY OF FEMINISM
Take a moment to remember all the people who fought for societal change and helped advance women’s rights throughout history.
2. BRAINSTORM WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
Consider ways to help combat feminist issues like violence against women and gender inequality in the workplace. Ask your friends and family to help you come up with things you can do to make a lasting difference.
3. HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OTHERS
Mark the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Celebrate the important steps that have been taken to create a more fair and just society.
4. CHAMPION GENDER EQUALITY
There are many ways you can make a difference for women. You can wear a purple ribbon,
participate in feminist rallies or take action to fight for gender equality.
5. CHALLENGE DECISION MAKERS
Call on elected officials and other influential people to join the fight for gender equality and take action to advance women’s rights.
In addition, you can look for initiatives in your community that promote the role of women in society and contribute to the feminist struggle.
The theme chosen for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022, is Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.
6 women who made history
Throughout history, countless women authors, scientists, artists, activists and philosophers have accomplished amazing feats and changed the world for the better. To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, here’s a brief look at six inspiring women.
1. Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) famously refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Alabama in 1955. This action triggered a major turning point in the fight against racial segregation.
2. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 – 1928) was a militant champion of women’s suffrage in Britain and had a huge impact on women gaining the right to vote.
3. Simone de Beauvoir (1908 – 1986) was a French philosopher and writer. Her work
has inspired many feminist movements and continues to empower women from all walks of life.
4. Simone Veil (1927 – 2017) was elected as France’s Minister of Health in 1974 and fought hard to pass a law permitting voluntary termination of pregnancies.
5. Wangari Maathai (1940 – 2011) was a political and environmental activist. She was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to democracy, peace and sustainable development.
6. Malala Yousafzai (1997 – present) is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history and has advocated for girls’ education in Pakistan since she was 11.
This International Women’s Day, take time to learn more about these and other remarkable achievements made by women.
