Prisons, Residential Schools, Homelessness -- We Must Never Give Up on People

I really don't know how to start this post. I have been messed up all day long. Lydia Bardak may be the most courageous and most compassionate person I have ever met. From the moment we walked down the street on the "worst" block of the city I was impressed. Lydia knew everyone's name and greeted them with dignity. She didn't see the drugs and other madness. Lydia saw real people, and they in return greeted her with smiles. I was amazed how well Lydia was able to embrace the different cultures.

For the last few days, everywhere I look, I see the "walking wounded" of a gorgeous people. Right outside my window people are passed out on the sidewalk. It's a scene you'd see in a big city, but does not seem to fit this little community of Yellowknife.

Lydia is the executive director of the John Howard Society of the Northwest Territories. She may be the most knowledgeable person I have met on how prisons, addictions, residential schools, child protective services, and homelessness all interrelate. Lydia believes, and so do I, that we can never give up on people. Her personal story, and courage to share it with us, is beyond imagination. I will tell you this, I have huge respect for Lydia, and her story will mess you up.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• John Howard Society
• homeless
• homelessness
• residential schools
• prisions
• yellowknife
• northwest teritories
• canada
• invisiblepeople.tv
• invisiblepeople

[cdw100]

Blah Blah Blah, money is paid, snowmobiles and liquor bought, time is up.

[mookixox]

@cdw100 Your argument that tribes 'demanded to have their children taken' doesn't matter, no one willingly signed up to have their children beaten for speaking their own language once they arrived, being subjected to rampant sexual abuses and even viral diseases. If I open a day care center and assault your children YOU have a right to recieve justified compensation wether or not you paid me to take your child into my care.

[westnblu]

@crogger321 My beef was directed 2 the church bashers not social workers who i agree do a gr8 job in often trying and difficult circumstances

[crogger321]

@westnblu don't forget about social workers and all the wonderful work they do beyond helping people get food stamps and welfare.

[Di0genesus]

@NGMonocrom

proves your intellect. Go worship at your Ayn Rand replaces Jesus church.

[westnblu]

B4 there was state welfare BIG MISTAKE most if not all welfare was done by churches so stop your ignorant church bashing and get an education b4 u post ignorant church bashing comments!! Churches probably saved many of your forefathers from starving!!

[NGMonocrom]

Church bashing + buzz words such as "social justice." Lovely . . . Unsubscribed.

[somewhatlongdong]

@VideoGuyNC There is no question that many religious groups do wonderful work. That said, I agree entirely that each organization needs oversight to stop this kind of thing.

[cdw100]

The residential schools question is a bit more complicated than listed. Monetary payments have been made, some Indian Tribes demanded their children be taken, and in the case of the United Church which ran some schools, they had over 7100 persons claim to have gone to their residential schools, and only 6700 ever registered. Others claim that whole groups of school children were murdered and buried without the government knowing. Yellowknife is a place where you dont want to be outside.

[mxlptlx]

You're a beautiful person, Lydia Bardak ... God Bless YOU!!