When Standing Against Oppression Gets You Labeled

When Standing Against Oppression Gets You Labeled a Terrorist

It’s happening again. In a move that echoes history’s darkest tactics, Donald Trump has been labeling Antifa groups as “terrorists”. On the surface, this sounds contradictory — after all, Antifa stands against fascism, racism, and authoritarianism. But history shows us that authoritarian leaders have always tried to flip the script, making those who fight injustice look like the villains. 😡

History’s Playbook

Authoritarian regimes often follow the same three-step strategy:

• Identify dissenters – anyone who challenges power.
• Label them as dangerous – “terrorists,” “subversives,” or “enemies of the state.”
• Use fear to justify control – mass arrests, surveillance, censorship, and violence.

Sound familiar? It’s happened many times before. 🕰️

Artists and Activists Who Were Persecuted

🎵 Pete Seeger (USA)

The legendary folk singer and activist was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for speaking out against injustice. His “crime”? Promoting civil rights and anti-war messages. 🎶

✊ Nelson Mandela (South Africa)

Labeled a terrorist by the apartheid government for standing against racial oppression. Mandela spent 27 years in prison — yet history remembers him as a hero. 🕊️

🎨 Frida Kahlo (Mexico)

Known for her unapologetic exploration of identity, politics, and social injustice. Her support for leftist causes put her under government scrutiny and criticism. 🌺

🎨 Diego Rivera (Mexico)

Famous for politically charged murals advocating workers’ rights and indigenous culture. His communist sympathies drew censorship and political backlash. 🖌️

🖌️ Ai Weiwei (China)

Contemporary artist and activist critical of government corruption and human rights abuses. Arrested and harassed multiple times, his work challenges authoritarian control. 🇨🇳

🖋️ Vaclav Havel (Czechoslovakia)

Playwright and dissident under communist rule. Imprisoned for writings that exposed oppression and promoted democracy. ✒️

Why Trump’s Labeling of Antifa Matters

By calling Antifa “terrorists”, Trump is using a well-worn authoritarian tactic:

• It creates fear around groups opposing injustice. 😨
• It delegitimizes dissent, making anyone standing up against far-right extremism seem dangerous. ⚠️
• It justifies surveillance and crackdowns on protests. 🚔

The Takeaway

Standing up against oppression should not make you a criminal. Labeling anti-fascists as “terrorists” is a political maneuver, not a reflection of reality. History teaches us that those who resist injustice are often criminalized first — only later to be remembered as heroes. 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

💬 Reflect: How can we protect dissenting voices today so that history doesn’t repeat its mistakes?

Lost Identity Without Paperwork? You’re Not Alone – A Message to the Disconnected and Dismissed

“Lost Identity Without Paperwork? You’re Not Alone – A Message to the Disconnected and Dismissed

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

I submitted everything I could to Indigenous Services Canada — baptism certificate, family history, names passed down. But no birth certificate claiming “Songhees,” no official death record either.
And their answer?
“You’re French.”
🥴😢

That’s how it is for so many of us.

We come from mixed roots, deep ties, and living stories — but if it’s not on colonial paper, they act like we don’t exist.

Let’s be honest: back then, paperwork didn’t exist.
Births happened at home, not in hospitals. People didn’t get official IDs. They were known by their family, their clan, their community. There was no “Métis” checkbox — that came later. Before that, we were called “half-breeds” or “mixed” or worse — labels made by colonizers to control.

And now, in 2025, they want us to digitize our bloodlines, prove our identities with forms and barcodes, while the systems they built erase the reality we lived.

Remember the treaties? Misunderstood, ignored, broken — not because our ancestors didn’t try, but because the values weren’t aligned. We spoke of respect, land, and future generations. They saw resources, profit, power.

Now we’re supposed to trust the same system that ignored Wampum belts and sacred agreements… to define who we are?

How many people are sitting alone right now, trying to explain their family story to a bureaucrat or fill out a form, only to be told:
“Sorry, you don’t qualify.”

If that’s you — I see you.

You are not lost. You are not invisible. You are not wrong.

You’re part of a bigger story. One where truth doesn’t need paper. One where our existence, our bloodlines, our roots — live beyond documents.

🪶 Keep telling your story.
🪶 Honour your truth.
🪶 And know: you are not alone.

Feel free to share your story below or just know someone out here understands.
– Tina Winterlik / Zipolita

It Was Dark... But Then It Changed

🌤️ It Was Dark... But Then It Changed

By Zipolita – Tina Winterlik

It’s easy to feel like the world is falling apart. Sometimes it feels like we’re heading straight into disaster: war, poverty, inequality, climate collapse... and it’s hard to know where to find hope.

But history reminds us: we’ve been through darkness before. And somehow, some way... we came through it. Not perfectly. Not without pain. But we survived. We changed. We grew.

So today, I want to share some moments in history when things felt hopeless—until they weren’t.

🕯️ 1. The Black Plague → The Renaissance

In the 1300s, Europe lost over half its population to the Black Death. Entire towns were wiped out. People thought it was the end of the world. But from that deep loss came rebirth. Labour became more valued. New ideas emerged. And out of the ashes came art, science, and invention: the Renaissance.

🕊️ 2. World War II → Human Rights & Public Health

After the horrors of World War II—holocaust, nuclear bombs, and global grief—countries came together and created the United Nations. They drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Canada and other countries built public health systems and welfare programs. Out of the worst violence came new commitments to peace and dignity.

🌍 3. Apartheid → Mandela’s Dream

South Africa endured decades of brutal apartheid. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. But when he was released, he didn’t call for revenge—he led with love and truth. He became president. The country transitioned peacefully. It wasn’t perfect, but it was transformational.

🌈 4. Civil Rights in the U.S.

There was a time in the U.S. when Black Americans couldn’t vote, go to school with white kids, or even sit at the front of the bus. But people stood up: Rosa Parks. Dr. King. Fannie Lou Hamer. The Civil Rights Act passed. Laws changed. Minds opened. The struggle continues—but so does the hope.

❤️‍🩹 5. The AIDS Crisis → Activism & Treatment

In the 1980s, governments ignored the AIDS epidemic. LGBTQ+ people were dying, forgotten. But they organized. They protested. They cared for each other. Today, HIV is treatable. The movement helped transform healthcare, science, and LGBTQ+ rights forever.

🌱 6. The Ozone Hole → Global Repair

In the 1980s, scientists discovered a huge hole in the ozone layer. It was terrifying. But the world came together and banned the chemicals causing it. Now, the ozone is healing. A reminder that when we act together, nature responds.

---

💚 So What Does That Mean for Us?

We are living through dark times again. But darkness isn’t the end. It’s the part of the story before the turning point.

We can be the generation that:

• Chooses community over competition
• Demands climate action and real equality
• Shares wealth, art, stories, and dreams
• Raises kind, brave, thoughtful children

You might feel powerless. But you’re not. You can speak. Share. Create. Help. Plant something. Tell the truth. Rest. And begin again.

History teaches us one thing over and over:
It was dark. But then it changed.

Let’s be part of the change this time. 🌍

---

📝 By Zipolita
Follow me on Instagram: @zipolita
Blog: TinaWinterlik.blogspot.com

💬 Feel free to share this post, and tag me if it gives you hope too.

Stock Market Freefall: A Historic Economic Shift Unfolds Before Our Eyes

 Stock Market Freefall: A Historic Economic Shift Unfolds Before Our Eyes

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
April 5, 2025

Yesterday, the financial world shook as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 2,231 points, marking one of the steepest drops in recent history. The Nasdaq officially entered bear market territory, collapsing more than 20% from its recent high, and the S&P 500 fell by 6%, bringing its weekly losses to over 9%.

This is not just a blip on a chart—this is a defining moment. And it’s one I believe we need to witness, question, and remember.

The crash was sparked by escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, with China slapping retaliatory tariffs of 34% on U.S. goods, following similar moves by the U.S. government. The ripple effects were swift and severe. Blue-chip and tech stocks were hammered—Tesla, Nvidia, and Micron Technology each dropped between 7% to 13%.

The CBOE Volatility Index surged to 41, a clear indicator of market fear. Meanwhile, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell below 4%, as investors sought refuge in bonds. Oil and copper prices also plunged, showing the global impact of this economic storm.

Despite a seemingly positive March jobs report showing the creation of 228,000 new jobs, investor confidence was already eroding. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s decision to hold interest rates steady, with no immediate plans to cut them, did little to calm anxieties. Instead, it intensified fears that the Federal Reserve is out of touch with the volatility on the ground.

Major financial analysts are now openly raising the specter of a global recession. JP Morgan estimates a 60% chance of a worldwide economic downturn in 2025.

As someone who has lived through the dot-com bubble, the 2008 crash, and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, this moment feels different. It's not just about money—it’s about systems, policies, and human priorities. What kind of world are we building when our economic stability can unravel overnight due to decisions made in boardrooms and political offices?

I believe it’s critical we document these moments—not just the headlines, but the questions they raise.

• What will this mean for everyday people already struggling with affordability?
• Will this be used as justification for job cuts, rent hikes, or more financial speculation?
• Or will this be a wake-up call?

We need accountability. We need vision. We need to remember.

Please feel free to share your thoughts below or on social media. Let’s keep this conversation going—because this isn’t just Wall Street’s crisis. It affects all of us.

With hope and awareness,
Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
#StockMarket2025 #BearMarket #FinancialCrisis #EconomicJustice #DocumentHistory #Zipolita #TinaWinterlik

Hudson's Bay Company

 The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) has a complex and often dark history in Canada, particularly in British Columbia. Founded in 1670 as a fur trading enterprise, HBC played a major role in colonization, Indigenous displacement, and economic expansion. While the company was once beloved for its department stores, its legacy is deeply tied to colonial exploitation.

HBC’s Colonial History in BC

Before British Columbia became a province in 1871, HBC controlled vast territories in the Pacific Northwest through its trading posts. Fort Vancouver (1825) and later Fort Langley (1827) were key in the fur trade, bringing European goods to Indigenous communities while extracting furs—mainly beaver pelts—for global markets. HBC essentially acted as a governing body in these regions, shaping early colonial policies and claiming lands without Indigenous consent.

Smallpox and Biological Warfare Allegations

One of the most controversial aspects of HBC’s history is the role it may have played in the spread of smallpox. Some historical accounts suggest that infected blankets were intentionally distributed to Indigenous communities as a form of biological warfare. While definitive proof linking HBC directly to this practice is debated, it is undeniable that European traders, settlers, and officials knowingly facilitated the spread of diseases that devastated Indigenous populations, with smallpox outbreaks in BC killing tens of thousands.

The Transition from Fur Trade to Retail Empire

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, HBC shifted from fur trading to retail, opening stores across Canada, including in Vancouver and Victoria. These department stores became iconic, selling everything from clothing to home goods. The signature multi-stripe wool blanket, which originated in the 18th century as part of the fur trade, became a beloved Canadian symbol—despite its controversial historical associations.

The Decline of HBC Stores

Over the last few decades, HBC’s retail business struggled due to changing consumer habits, competition from global brands, and economic downturns. Many flagship locations in Canada, including in Vancouver, have closed or are being repurposed. The downtown Vancouver store, a historic landmark, was sold to an Indigenous-led developer in 2022, marking a significant shift in land ownership.

HBC’s Legacy in BC Today

The closure of HBC stores marks the end of an era, yet the company’s legacy continues to spark debate. Some view HBC as a historical institution that shaped Canada’s economy, while others see it as a symbol of colonialism and Indigenous oppression. The renewed interest in HBC blankets—whether for nostalgia or criticism—reflects the ongoing conversation about reconciliation and Canada’s colonial past.

The Terrifying Reality of Neuralink: A Recipe for Disaster

As we stand on the brink of what many consider a technological revolution, the emergence of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) like Neuralink raises profound ethical and existential questions. Elon Musk’s vision of implanting brain chips may sound like something out of a dystopian science fiction movie, but the implications of this technology are alarmingly real and terrifying.

A Dangerous Precedent

The idea of enhancing human cognition through technology could lead to catastrophic consequences. With mass production and affordability touted as goals, the potential for misuse becomes staggering. Imagine a world where the rich can augment their intelligence and abilities, while the marginalized remain as they are—disenfranchised and disadvantaged. This is not a mere speculative concern; it reflects a disturbing reality in a society already grappling with inequality.

The Power of Control

Musk's fascination with powerful figures from history, including Adolf Hitler, raises red flags about his intentions. The ability to control thoughts and behaviors through brain implants could create a society where the elite hold even greater power over the masses. Such technology could easily be weaponized, turning individuals into instruments of violence or oppression. We must ask ourselves: who will have the power to control these devices, and for what purpose?

A Disgusting Recipe for Disaster

The troubling track record of figures like Donald Trump, who has shown disdain for marginalized communities, further complicates this scenario. The combination of cutting-edge technology in the hands of those who harbor harmful ideologies creates a recipe for disaster. The potential for discrimination, abuse, and a deepening divide in society is immense.

The Responsibility of Computer Scientists

To the computer scientists and technologists working on these projects, I implore you to consider the broader implications of your work. You are standing on the precipice of what could be likened to inventing the atomic bomb—the potential for both incredible benefit and catastrophic destruction. The future of humanity hangs in the balance, and it is your responsibility to engage in deep, critical conversations about the ethical ramifications of your creations.

A Call to Action

We must not be lulled into complacency by the allure of technological advancement. The time has come to critically examine the moral implications of brain-computer interfaces and advocate for strict regulations that prioritize human dignity and rights. Let’s engage in an open dialogue about these technologies and work collectively to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of history.

In conclusion, the prospect of brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink should be met with caution and skepticism. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to demand accountability, transparency, and ethical considerations in the development of technologies that have the potential to redefine what it means to be human.

Reflections on O Canada and Canada Day: A Personal Journey

 As someone who graduated in 1980, my relationship with O Canada and Canada Day has evolved significantly over the years. Back then, Canada Day was still called Dominion Day, and the celebrations were nowhere near the scale we see today. I remember tuning in to the televised events, asking myself what all the fuss was about. It felt distant, more like a formality than a true celebration.

In 1980, when O Canada officially became our national anthem, it marked a pivotal moment in Canadian identity. The anthem has undergone changes, including the shift to more inclusive lyrics, reflecting the evolving values of our society. Yet, despite these changes, I never really felt the same sense of patriotism that many associate with national pride, especially in comparison to the United States. When I see flags hung everywhere, I often find myself questioning the fervour behind it all.

Fast forward to recent years, and my perspective on Canada Day has shifted a bit—especially as I navigated the complexities of raising a child in a world that felt increasingly divided. The COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges, and the Freedom Convoy left me feeling disturbed by the discord it unveiled in our society. During these tumultuous times, celebrating Canada Day became a more personal affair.

I remember taking my child to Granville Island for Canada Day festivities. Despite our financial struggles, we managed to enjoy the spirit of the day. I still recall the vibrant atmosphere, with creative performers and colourful displays. One standout memory is a local artist making fun red and white balloon hats for kids. Although we didn’t end up with one, watching my child try it on for a photo captured a moment of joy amid the chaos of the world outside.

While my approach to Canada Day has never been about overt patriotism, I’ve come to appreciate the community aspect of the celebrations—the chance to connect, reflect, and share experiences with others. For me, it’s not about grand displays of national pride but rather the simple joys and connections that make us feel a sense of belonging.

As we continue to navigate our ever-changing world, I hope to foster a sense of community and understanding in my child—one that embraces the complexities of our identity while celebrating the moments that bring us together.

Tank Man, Tesla, and the Dystopia We’re Living In

 Tank Man, Tesla, and the Dystopia We’re Living In

I remember where I was when the world witnessed an act of defiance that would be etched into history forever. It was 1989, and I was in Mexico, visiting a friend—an American, wealthy, living a life far removed from the struggles of the world. We sat there, watching in shock as the footage played on TV: a lone man, carrying two shopping bags, standing in front of a line of tanks in Tiananmen Square.

It was surreal. How could one person face such immense power with nothing but their body and their will? We struggled to grasp it then, and I still struggle with it now. The image of Tank Man is burned into my mind, a symbol of resistance against an unstoppable machine.

The Echoes of the Past in the Present

Recently, I saw a drawing that shook me—a modern version of that same scene, but instead of tanks, there were Teslas. A lone figure standing in their way. It was haunting, a reminder that history doesn’t repeat, but it certainly rhymes.

Today, as I walked the streets, one of those bulky, ugly, tank-like cars drove by—the kind designed to look intimidating, built for a future that feels more like a sci-fi dystopia than reality. And in that moment, I felt it. That same unease. That same creeping realization that maybe we’re living in a time just as pivotal as 1989. Maybe we are standing on the edge of something.

Are We Sleepwalking Into Dystopia?

Back then, it was the Chinese government’s iron fist, crushing a movement, silencing dissent. Today, it feels different—but just as insidious. Our world is being reshaped by technology, corporate power, and surveillance, all wrapped up in the illusion of progress.

Tank Man stood in front of something physical—massive machines of war, symbols of oppression. But what do we stand against now? It’s not just tanks in the streets; it’s algorithms controlling our news, corporations mining our data, billionaires shaping policies, militarized police forces rolling through neighborhoods in vehicles designed for war zones. The enemy is harder to see, but the battle is just as real.

A Call to Awareness

I don’t know if we’re on the brink of war, but I know this: the world is shifting. We need to pay attention. We need to remember Tank Man—not just as a historical moment, but as a reminder that one person can stand up, even when it seems impossible.

What will resistance look like in this new era? Who will be our Tank Man? Or maybe the question is—are we brave enough to be them ourselves.

Remember...People Died and are Dying For Your Rights...

Updated!
I think we've grown up thinking we had all these rights and forgetting how many people died for them. Especially today for example it's Remembrance Day in Canada.

 I'm not talking just wars, I am talking the Civil Rights Movements in the 60's and the Women's Rights and many many people who have stood up for injustices and I just know that in my 30's when I got out of college...as a mature student...I worked 11 years...got hurt, got screwed over by WCB, then went to school, huge debt, screwed again and I was like "what" I thought I had all these rights? and then to have a child and living through a system that is meant to keep people weak and insecure...but not knowing that and thinking it was me...we just grew up believing in a dream and taking it for granted..we were taught that and we teach our kids...so when the reality bites us in the ass, we are like wtf. It confuses people.

That's why things like Standing Rock are so important, people are waking up...but Standing up and Standing Together is scary, isn't convenient or fun, and we really are at a crossroads in time...maybe we've been here a lot in the past..like in Europe, Egypt, Rome...Ancient times..we've just forgotten..or it was all erased, burned..like the Mayan codecs in Mexico.

With everything that has just happened and is happening in the US, it's important to realize what is happening worldwide. 

The knowledge has been revealed- the Apocalypse occurred or as the actual word means "disclosure of knowledge" has occurred. -An apocalypse (Ancient Greek: ἀποκάλυψις apokálypsis, from ἀπό and καλύπτω meaning "uncovering"), translated literally from Greek, is 'through the concealed', meaning a disclosure of knowledge, i.e., a lifting of the veil or revelation. In religious contexts it is usually a disclosure of something hidden, “a vision of heavenly secrets that can make sense of earthly realities"

And the whole war thing is difficult, no one wants to support war, I sure don't want to endorse war but I do want to support and send love to people who died trying to bring justice and rights to people when they were being and are being oppressed.

That's what Remembrance day is for me. That's what I want to Remember. 

Here's a couple of my posts from previous years.

https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2012/11/remembrance-day-2012-remember.html
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2015/11/why-wear-poppy-remembrance-day-1111.html

Other important links
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/suffrage/ 
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/11/the-fall-of-wall-of-shame-heroes-1989.html 

So in light of what is happening in the US we must watch for signs and be forgiving. Raging against your neighbour will never bring peace. http://katu.com/news/local/protests-set-to-continue-thursday-meeting-point-set-downtown

But taking on the system might http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/after_trump_victory_oregonians.html

And forgiveness is huge. We must remember to forgive, but not forget.
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/11/forgiveness-signs-and-double-rainbows.html 




 https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/11/forgiveness-signs-and-double-rainbows.html

 

And watch for signs, we have many signs but people discount them and we suffer for that



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350753/Did-blind-Bulgarian-clairvoyant-predict-rise-ISIS-Nostradamus-Balkans-died-20-years-ago-said-great-Muslim-war-2016.html 

And Teach your children love, kindness, respect. Teach them we are all equal, that no one is more important than another. Teach them to have a voice and to unite and protect each other against the injustices of the world. It's the only way we will have peace. 

I had to come in and update this. With the news of the BCTF win in the Supreme court I ask that we remember the Residential School Survivors for their strength and resilience to survive a war that was waged on children for the entire history of Canada. Please keep them in your hearts and prayers today.  For the First Nations who fought in the war but upon their return had to give up their status.

And for everyone who has stood up and fought against the Social Injustices of the world, let's remember them especially The Survivor's Totem Pole - Pigeon Park- DTES A Survivor's Totem Pole raised by communities struggling for justice and dignity in the Downtown Eastside since colonization, it honours First Nations, LGBTQ, Japanese, Chinese and South Asian survivors of racism and injustice. On Nov 5 2016, a historic moment in time occurred. Here are some of the interviews and photos and videos I created to document this, so that it can live on and never be forgotten.  https://mylangaratrccarvingjourney.blogspot.ca/2016/11/the-survivors-totem-pole-pigeon-park.html

And for all the Teachers with kind hearts and souls, who truly care about children, let us remember all the hard work they have done and the sacrifices they have made.


Teachers Federation of BC Wins in Supreme Court!!!
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/11/teachers-federation-of-bc-wins-in.html

And for our parents, let us remember the lessons we learned and the lessons we have taught...
 

The Fall of the Wall of Shame, Heroes, 1989 & more

"Un 9 de noviembre pero de 1989 se derribó el Muro de Berlín, que dividía a Alemania en dos países"





I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day

We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes

We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day











I can't embed this but you should watch

The Berlin Wall Falls 1989 NBC Coverage Pt1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK1MwhEDjHg


The Berlin Wall Falls 1989 NBC Coverage Pt2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-9_uQx6IsQ






Interesting facts about 1989
(things to recall and teach your kids)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989


January 24 – Florida executes Ted Bundy by electric chair for the murders of young women.

February 14

• Union Carbide agrees to pay US$470 million to the Indian government for damages in the 1984 Bhopal disaster.

• March 13
  • A geomagnetic storm causes the collapse of the Hydro-Québec power grid. Six million people are left without power for 9 hours. Some areas in the northeastern U.S. and in Sweden also lose power, and aurorae are seen as far as Texas.
  • Tim Berners-Lee produces the proposal document that will become the blueprint for the World Wide Web.^[7]

• May 1
  • Andrés Rodríguez, who had seized power and declared himself President of Paraguay during a military coup in February, wins a landslide election in a general election marked by charges of fraud.
  • Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World opens to the public for the first time.

June 5 – An unknown Chinese protestor, "Tank Man", stands in front of a column of military tanks on Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, temporarily halting them, an incident which achieves iconic status internationally through images taken by Western photographers.

• July 5
  • President of South Africa P. W. Botha meets the imprisoned Nelson Mandela face to face for the first time.
  • The television show Seinfeld premieres.

August 23

• Singing Revolution: Two million indigenous people of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian SSRs join hands to demand freedom and independence from Soviet occupation, forming an uninterrupted 600 km human chain called the Baltic Way.
• Hungary removes border restrictions with Austria.

August 25 – Voyager 2 passes the planet Neptune and its moon Triton.

October 5 – The Dalai Lama wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

October 13

• Friday the 13th mini-crash: The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunges 190.58 points, or 6.91 percent, to close at 2,569.26, most likely after the junk bond market collapses.

November 9

• Cold War and Fall of the Berlin Wall: Günter Schabowski accidentally states in a live broadcast press conference that new rules for traveling from East Germany to West Germany will be put in effect "immediately". East Germany opens checkpoints in the Berlin Wall, allowing its citizens to travel freely to West Germany for the first time in decades (November 17 celebrates Germans tearing the wall down).

 November – First commercial dial-up Internet connection in North America is made, by The World STD.^[20]

• November – The first Walmart store in the Northeastern United States, a Sam's Club, is opened in Delran, New Jersey.^[21]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall

 From Wikipedia
The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989.^[1] Constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany), starting on 13 August 1961, the Wall completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin until government officials opened it in November 1989.^[2] Its demolition officially began on 13 June 1990 and was completed in 1992.^[3] The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls,^[4] which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that the Wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that had marked East Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period.

The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the "Anti-Fascist Protective Wall" (German: Antifaschistischer Schutzwall) by GDR authorities, implying that the NATO countries and West Germany in particular were considered equal to "fascists"^[5] by GDR propaganda. The West Berlin city government sometimes referred to it as the "Wall of Shame"—a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt—while condemning the Wall's restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the separate and much longer Inner German border (IGB), which demarcated the border between East and West Germany, it came to symbolize a physical marker of the "Iron Curtain" that separated Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.

What's Going on United States?

Beautiful Video! Celebrating Diversity!!

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Smith_Goes_to_Washington
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/06/california-world-is-watching-vote.html

Justin Trudeau Visits Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask

"We had a good, respectful, and productive conversation," Trudeau said. "I think it's critically important that politicians take the time to listen. I don't want to pretend that any of us have the answers to the challenges facing Indigenous peoples in Canada. But what I will tell you is that as a country, we can build those answers."

Edmund Bellegarde, tribal chairman and president at File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, said actions speak louder than words.

"The very action of the prime minister coming here meeting with our leaders and our elders. He didn't talk. He listened. "This is action. This is a respect. This is history in the making."

'This is history in the making': Sask. First Nations leaders meet with Justin Trudeau
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/justin-trudeau-fort-quappelle-saskatchewan-1.3553655?cmp=abfb

They had @JustinTrudeau making guitars in a very small music room for the last few minutes. Now he's arrived at gym. pic.twitter.com/KC8e9Ipe1D

— Jen Quesnel (@jenkew) April 27, 2016

In case you're following along with @JustinTrudeau's visit to Saskatoon today, here's what that song sounded like. pic.twitter.com/tUmmpEAjiT

— Jen Quesnel (@jenkew) April 27, 2016

No new announcement by @JustinTrudeau but a First Nations leader called the meeting "historic" & a sign of respect. pic.twitter.com/z9FI5J3Qd4

— Adam Hunter (@AHiddyCBC) April 27, 2016

The Prime Minister has arrived in Sask.

Follow @AHiddyCBC for the latest! Find more here: https://t.co/4aJd0jXgyu pic.twitter.com/A5XShIydSg

— Peter Mills (@TweeterMillsCBC) April 27, 2016

.@JustinTrudeau makes his way to meet with First Nations leaders - someone yells "I love you Justin." pic.twitter.com/sXxzdjwr0c

— Adam Hunter (@AHiddyCBC) April 27, 2016

Here's @JustinTrudeau arriving. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/rXe0vnCjU9

— Adam Hunter (@AHiddyCBC) April 26, 2016

LET'S TRY AGAIN! 2014-2020 Let's Go!!

 FOUR YEARS  may have passed but LET'S TRY AGAIN!
The old goal was 2010-2014 well let's try 2016-2020...Ready, Set, Four years. Goooooooooo!!


Back in 2011 I was really excited when I saw this video by Four Years. Go- A Campaign To Change the Course of History. I got so inspired. I really believed if we got everyone on board we could do it. But we faced great challenges. For one, we basically had a dictator running the country and plunging us right into climate change with Tarsands, Pipelines, Mining and Fracking.

I was so I start my own project #SaveMyCoast to raise awareness. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7DkmnZa_KM

 

But now we have Justin and I just pray we can turn things around. It won't be easy but we must try.

I created these blogposts the other day and I recommend you check them out.

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/03/grassroots-rock-candy-revolution.html
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/03/a-lot-of-good-this-will-do-me.html
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/03/al-gore-on-climate-change-were-going-to.html

But be sure to watch this video and the ones below, great info to be shared. 



Do you ever think "What can I do, I am just one person?"


If you look on this page there are some great videos
http://www.fouryearsgo.org/solutions/

I'm going to post a bunch below.

The Truth about Canada- TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL!!

It's really sad and unnerving for many to know that the land we were raised on and the stories we were told in school, were not as we believed. There was a lot missing. Now the truth is out how will it change us, the people of Canada, how will it change Canada! Because we need BIG changes.

It sounds to me that so much work was done and is being done to help the survivors of the Residential schools and their families and children, but only time can heal many of these wounds.

Unfortunately, I am afraid that the people not directly affected will turn away. Everyone is so occupied with their own lives, work and climate issues ....so many issues....WILL CANADIANS LISTEN AND LEARN?  I pray they will. I have fears that the info will be stored and forgotten.

Like many of my dear things that are in storage, I want to get them and have them and enjoy them but I don't have the space or the money. With all this delicate personally deeply emotional and touching, gut wrenching material I pray it's well taken care of, and what is needed it taken and used and practiced so that atrocities like this never happen again.

I send love and light to everyone that worked on the project, all the survivors and their families. I am so sorry this happened to you. I am so angry that people could do such sick horrible things to children and families.

All those poor mothers and father who lost their children. I would die!! What would you do?

How would you feel if this happened to you?


This is the best question...because what would you do, knowing your child is imprisoned somewhere, learning things that you see as no value...and truthfully they weren't because as we all see, the invaders basically brought and developed skills to wipe out all the humans on the earth if we are not careful and make changes.

For what ever dark ignorant reasons that it happened, WE AS CANADIANS must teach our children about this very dark time in history, teach our children this is the real Canada and teach our children empathy, so that this never ever happens again and also so that they can continue to help other and themselves as it will be many many generations before healing can happen in any significant way.

And thus it is so very very important that this info is protected and organized and cared for in the manner it deserves. I pray that in the future some crazy maniac, like we just had as a PM, doesn't decide it's taking up to much space and delete....like the libraries he was destroying.

Terabytes of testimony: Digital database of residential school stories opens to the public

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/opportunities-for-reconciliation-pop-up-in-unexpected-places-1.3294030/terabytes-of-testimony-digital-database-of-residential-school-stories-opens-to-the-public-1.3296657?cmp=abfb

 From the article linked here:
"You can't help but be moved when you hear elders cry. You can't help but be moved when you see parents and children try to fight their way through healing and reconciliation and coming to terms with some of the stuff that happened right inside their family."

Residential School survivor Lorna Standingready (L) is comforted during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada closing ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. (Blair Gable/Reuters)

(Ry Moran )He says doing this work has shaken him to the core and and made him reflect on his country's true history.

"I do believe that the country that we think we have or that we've been told we have — at least via the text books and the general Canadian narrative — really isn't the country that has actually existed," he said, calling the collection 'sobering.'

Ry Moran is the director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. (Ry Moran)

 Read more about this on this link below.
Related Links:

Residential Schools- Cultural Genocide and Assimilation

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2015/06/residential-schools-cultural-genocide.html 


I am sharing this song because I think the message is so powerful.  

"Teach Your Children"

You, who are on the road must have a code that you can live by.
And so become yourself because the past is just a good bye.
Teach your children well, their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

And you, of the tender years can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth, they seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well, their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix,the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

 

William- Prince of Wales

Tweet
Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2011

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com 

So here we go Are you ready to get up at 3am to watch William get married.

Many of us have watched him grow up. We read the stories of how Diana took William and Harry them to McDonalds and let them pay so they could have "normal life experiences."

Diana loved her boys dearly and well we know she's watching now, smiling, as she sees her son marry a lovely woman.

From the sounds of it, Kate and William are as down to earth as possible considering the Royal lifestyle that William has grown up in and to which Kate will now have to deal with. 

I like Kate, I think it's cool she graduated with honors in Art History and there were rumors said she wanted to pursue photography.  I sure hope she will be happy with William.

She's older than Diana, so that will hopefully make her more settled and the fact that this should marriage is just between her and William and there's no third party lurking in the background, hopefully it will be a happy marriage.

All relationships are tough and I can't imagine one with all the rules these guys have to contend with. But William seems like a level headed down to earth guy and considering Diana was his mom, I think he's pretty cool. 

Hopefully he doesn't take after his dad too much, and now with the rulebook put on the back burner and things loosened up, there won't be any weirdness that surrounded Charles and Diana's wedding.

William and Kate's Wedding really is the Cinderella Story, but more of a Cinderella 2, where Kate is educated and knows what she wants and can hold her own.

I hope they have a really happy life.  I'm looking forward to the wedding. It's going to be exciting.

Especially because of Social Media, so we will see a ton of Youtube Videos, we are really going to see some great photos and videos. Yayy! Bring it on! See you later this morning.

From Wikipedia:

Prince William of Wales KG FRS (born William Arthur Philip Louis on 21 June 1982) is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, and third eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

He was educated at four schools in the United Kingdom and obtained a degree from the University of St Andrews. He spent parts of a gap year in Chile, Belize, and countries in Africa.  

In Autumn 2010, he completed his generic and special-to-type helicopter training and he is now at RAF Valley on No. 22 Squadron performing co-pilot duties on the Sea King search and rescue helicopter. 

On 16 November 2010 it was announced by Clarence House that Prince William and his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton were going to marry, and it was subsequently confirmed that the wedding ceremony would take place at 11 am on 29 April 2011 in Westminster Abbey, London.

Read More on Wikipedia