Posts by OrphanCrow

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

TS: Still burning up as a result of this article!!

Me too.

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

SSS: You're a true guardian of the underdog...

Thx, just as long as I don't get called a guardian of doctrine! Lol!

Petraglyph: Details for:
Aklavik – Moose Kerr School
Their website was not available yesterday.
Note there there is no email address!

You might have better luck with this website:

http://www.nwtta.nt.ca/en/

I sent an message to the email address on the contact page of the Northern Teachers' Assoc.

If anyone is interested in the content of my email, please pm me. I covered the following: Royal Commission/child abuse, disfellowshipping, political neutrality. What I didn't mention was the WTS stance on education. So...for anyone interested in following up with anything further, that may be a place to start.

I couldn't find a specific email address for Velma illasiak, but I did find a TED talk that she delivered. The audio is bad, but her talk is interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwd2py3j0mI

And a CBC article that was published just a few days ago:

Gwich'in educators in N.W.T., bring culture and history to high school course

(full article at link)

Students learn about respected elders, land claims, settlement patterns and family structures
Gwich'in educators in the N.W.T., have developed a high school course for students that hopes to reclaim the aboriginal group's culture after the legacy of residential schools.
"I think it's a reclamation of identity of who we are as a people and how we instill that in our youth," said Velma Illasiak, principal at Aklavik's Moose Kerr School.
The course was developed by the Gwich'in Tribal Council, its teachers, elders and cultural researchers after they met in 2014.
It's taught in English and compliments Gwich'in language classes that students take throughout the Beaufort-Delta region.
The course covers a range of topics about Gwich'in culture and history. Students learn about land claims, geographical settlement patterns, family structures and stories of respected elders.

Let's hope that JW literature isn't being introduced in these schools. What a horrible education that would be.

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

Petraglyph: I wonder too how happy WT would be knowing monies are being spent on transport rather than being sent to them.

Actually, the money spent by JWs on transportation costs will likely be listed as "donations" to the WTS. The WTS will be able to claim that money (that was "donated" to them) as "charitable activity". Essential for retaining their tax status.

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

Petraglyph: So somehow I don't think they will be getting regular visits or shipments if it's costing WT anything. And the JWs themselves won't be able to afford to keep travelling at those prices.
It did cross my mind to wonder if WT wasn't getting some sort of kick back for this whilst the JWs paid their own way?

I have no doubts that this little enterprise of supplying "literacy aids" to Northern communities will not cost the WTS anything. I, too, am of the opinion that there are "kick backs" of some kind happening. It wouldn't surprise me if government agencies will be picking up the tab for the cost of supply and shipping literature to those remote areas.

Who do you think will be paying for this? : ". . . We are considering ordering a copy of both volumes of the bookQuestions Young People Ask—Answers That Work for each teenager in the school . . . "

Any WT funds that are directed towards "charitable" activities in the North will certainly hold the WTS in good standing on their tax returns. And, all those thousands of dollars that the Org is bragging that certain JWs spent on airfare would be tax exemptable for those individuals who could afford to take the time off work and pay for their own airfare at the exorbitant rates that Northern travel requires.

Those participating in this outreach campaign cared for their own travel expenses including, in some cases, airline tickets that cost several thousands of dollars per person.

It is too bad that those JWs who could afford to travel in the North didn't use their funds in a way that would have provided affordable or free food to those communities that have to pay double (and more) for their groceries than the rest of Canada does.

A food hamper would benefit Northern people way more than religious literature produced by the WTS.

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

From the Nunavut Government website, Department of Education:

http://www.gov.nu.ca/education

Vision
Our vision is to have more well-educated and self-reliant Nunavummiut. We aim for our high school graduation rates to be on par with the rest of Canada and for the majority of Nunavut youth to graduate from high school, college or university, and with the same level of skills, knowledge and abilities as graduates from anywhere in Canada.
We foresee more Nunavummiut employed as skilled professionals and tradespersons working in the public sector, the mining and fishing industry and the smaller business sectors such as the arts and tourism here in Nunavut.
We want to have more bilingual Inuktut speaking teachers who will help increase bilingualism in our students. Bilingual education contributes to the preservation, use and promotion of Inuktut and helps to ensure that Nunavummiut can be served in all our official languages.

Mandate
We have been mandated by the Honourable Paul Quassa Minister of Education to create a healthy, strong, and flourishing Nunavut. Education is the key to that success. We are committed to taking actions that will lead to real and visible progress for Nunavummiut by providing quality education and training opportunities. Our goal is the development of self-reliance and we are working to provide a vibrant learning environment that encourages academic success, guided by Inuit cultures and values.

The JWs are entering into the local educational systems of Northern Canadian communities under the guise of increasing bilingualism. What the Northen communities don't realize is that the aims of the WTS are completely contrary to the mandate of the Nunavut educational system. The JWs present themselves as an "educational" institution yet I would doubt that the communities are aware of the anti-education stance that is encouraged by the WTS.

Contact page for the Nunavut government for anyone who would like to voice their concerns about this critical issue:

http://www.gov.nu.ca/contact-us

Maybe a letter writing campaign, including a link to the JW published article, and supporting evidence that the WTS is against any education outside of their "Bible education", could be valuable.

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

truthseeker: On second thought, I am in a bit of a quandary(got to love that British spelling) about what to do about this? The more attention and emails they get from "Down South" the more chance they might feel a little flattered. The Inuit Elders are to a large degree just like our politicians. They like attention and the perceived money it might bring.

You have a valid point, Truthseeker.

This is an issue that has disturbed me for quite some time and I have considered what would be the best course of action and I am still thinking about it.

The issues that I think have the biggest negative impact on isolated (and not so isolated) Aboriginal communities in Canada are: 1) child abuse; 2) shunning; 3) the destruction of traditional practices; 4) the suppression of political involvement.

I think that the issue that needs to be emphasized the most with the Aboriginal leaders and communities is the JW prohibition of political activities. Government policy making is critical to the healing and advancement of these communities that have already been damaged so much by past government colonial practices and the Aboriginal leaders are well aware of the need to be actively involved in the political structure of our country.

Some research into the Aboriginal organizations that are concerned with the preservation of their culture would be a good place to start a raising awareness campaign about the harmful effects of yet another institution, this time the WTS, that exploits Aboriginal people for financial gain and political positioning.

I will work on this and see what I can come up with.

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

I can't help myself. I had to send another email to the mayor, Mr. Iyaituk.

This is part of the (third!) email that I sent:

"I am well aware of the issues that Northern communities face and I believe that it is critical that the Northern communities have a voice in political affairs.
The Jehovah's Witnesses do not allow their members to be involved in any sort of local or other type of governance, even prohibiting their members from voting in elections or serving their country in the military.
This JW practice, of isolating communities from the electoral practice that our country grants as a right to all citizens, is NOT one that will serve your community well. In fact, long term exposure to this religion will only serve to further isolate your community and sever your population from critical government decisions that have an impact on Northern issues."

37

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

by OrphanCrow in

this article was published by the wts on their website.. i find this jw practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing.

the last thing that canadian aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.. http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/.

officials in remote northern canada thank jehovahs witnesses for special bible education campaign.

OrphanCrow

This article was published by the WTS on their website.

I find this JW practice of targeting vulnerable populations to be so disturbing. The last thing that Canadian Aboriginal communities need is yet another institution that victimizes their members.

http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/canada/inuit-bible-education-northern-canada/

Officials in Remote Northern Canada Thank Jehovah’s Witnesses for Special Bible Education Campaign

TORONTO—About 150 Jehovah’s Witnesses participated in a special Bible education campaign, organized by the branch office of the Witnesses in Canada, in September and October of 2014. Arrangements were made to visit 35 remote communities throughout the country.
The Witnesses were organized into groups and assigned to visit towns and villages that extended from Aklavik, Northwest Territories, in the west to Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, in the east, a region spanning over 3,300 kilometers ( 2,000 miles). Those participating in this outreach campaign cared for their own travel expenses including, in some cases, airline tickets that cost several thousands of dollars per person.
Prior to the campaign, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses approved translation of the video Why Study the Bible? into Inuktitut. This Inuit language is spoken by about 35,000 people in Canada and is recognized as an official language in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Ms. Velma Illasiak, a school principal in Aklavik, commented about the visit of the Witnesses: “The students really enjoyed the materials that you presented and are thinking about [them] . . . We are considering ordering a copy of both volumes of the book Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work for each teenager in the school . . . Thank you for your time at our school and in our community.”
After speaking with the Witnesses and watching the video Why Study the Bible?, Mr. Peter Iyaituk, the mayor of the northern Quebec town of Ivujivik, spent two hours touring the visitors around the community in his vehicle. He also drove them to the airport on the day of their departure and thanked them for their visit.
Matthieu Rozon, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Canada, states: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are happy to offer free Bible education to everyone. Those who participated in this campaign felt it was well worth their time and effort.”
During the two-month expedition, the Witnesses distributed over 37,000 pieces of literature. Almost 600 individuals requested follow-up visits from the Witnesses to continue their Bible discussions.

I was so disturbed by this report that I have emailed the mayor, Mr. Peter Iyaituk, and expressed my concerns. I included information about the Royal Commission in Australia and also an article about the harmful effects of the JW shunning practices that will damage families and disrupt traditional values of their community.

I hope that Mr. Iyaituk takes the time to read the articles I sent him.

I have not been able to confirm my suspicions...but, I have this niggling thought that the JW campaigns into remote areas, and their translation efforts, are being subsidized or sponsored in some way by government agencies. Or, at the very least, these campaigns are being used for political and/or tax exemption clout. Something just isn't sitting right with me...

29

Uh, wow. I think I might become vegan.

by marmot in

i am a dyed in the wool carnivore.

i suffer from cheese addiction.

lobsters are mercilessly boiled alive.. but after watching this new documentary called cowspiracy on netflix, all that may change.

OrphanCrow

180

What is the most bizarre counsel you received as a JW, from a JW?

by Funchback in

there were many addressed to me.

for example, i once had a sister tell me i was gambling because i liked playing skill crane (the machine where you have to try to pick up prizes like stuffed animals) at the arcade.

i then fired back a her: "you saw the r-rated movie 'backdraft.

OrphanCrow

I was counseled for wearing a dress that showed my knees. I was told that it was distracting to the men who were on the stage.

I was 12 years old.