Interview with Ena Greyeyes

Ena Greyeyes is a Canadian Aboriginal Artist. She is a Cree and while she was a child she attended a Residential School in Saskatchewan. Now, Ena Greyeyes lives in North Hatley, Québec and she have told her story at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She is open to speak about her life with people and this is why she answered to our questions.

What is more important to you: being an Elder or being an artist?

Being an Elder. My life as an Elder has brought me to a place of serenity.

How does your experience at residential schools impact your life today?

I am still afraid of the dark.[…] It took me a lifetime to actually believe that I was also deserving of success. Because, as children, we knew what to do with failure. That was dummed into us. Success, not.

How is your relationship with your sister affected by your mutual history in residential schools?

We still get along pretty well.

How do your paintings reveal your past?

At first, I had difficulty mixing the right colours for my art. I could not see them nor feel them, and it seemed to me that a shadow lingered over my work. I had to work through the many layers of shadows that came from my on, I slosly began to discover the beauty of colour in my art.

What How long did it take you to connect to and understand the power of forgiveness?

It took me many years. I became sick with cancer and it is when I realised that my past was getting me sick and that I had to do something. I contacted Elder and worked on myself and now I forgive people from my past.

By Audrey Rivard

Wide Protests in Hong Kong as Chinese National Day Arrives

Some may recall the 1989 revolution that occurred in China. For most of them, the picture of a young man facing a tank is the only thing they might remember.  For other they have memorized the request of democracy in the society by the protesters. At that moment the movement was mostly held by students.

On this last week of September 2014 peaceful protests are befalling in the streets of Hong Kong. Demonstrators are asking Beijing to change its mind about a new law established for the 2017 elections in Hong Kong. This decree would give Beijing to right to choose the potential politicians of Hong Kong. After that, there would be real elections but are these elections if an institution decides first what is “good” for the citizens?

Unhappily for these demonstrators, the chief executive Mr. Leung does not want to meet leaders of these protests. He claims in a blog post that “The impact on the value of Hong Kong’s international image is becoming greater and greater”. On Sunday pepper spray and tear gas were spread on protesters.

This wave of protests is a gathering of students and older people. Among them, some are law students, flight attendant, bankers, architects, housewives and children with their parents according to The Globe and Mail. Demonstrators are sleeping in the streets at night to continue to monopolize the attention on their movement.  

Also, a large volunteer action is in place. It goes from first aid help and water, food and umbrella distribution. The “Umbrella Revolution” is getting organized for October 1^st Chinese National Day.

 

This wide group demands Beijing to respond. For the moment, the movement is expanding. On September 30, 3,5 kilometers of streets were completely full by those peaceful protesters.

By: Audrey Rivard, October 1^st 2014