Nicole Kieley

Incredible events and projects to spark your creative and community spirit! Well done AAMP - for making art, fun and creativity apart of our Mount Pearl’s new normal this fall. #communitymatters #nlarts #artmatters

Every. Child. Matters. Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's own words... I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting just like I felt to be ...going to school! When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared. I was 13.8 years old and in grade 8 when my son Jeremy was born. Because my grandmother and mother both attended residential school for 10 years each, I never knew what a parent was supposed to be like. With the help of my aunt, Agness Jack, I was able to raise my son and have him know me as his mother. I went to a treatment centre for healing when I was 27 and have been on this healing journey since then. I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done! I am honored to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories. #orangeshirtdaynl #orangeshirtday #honorsurvivors Artist Credit: First Light shirt contest winner Dakota Dicker Story Source: www.orangeshirtday.org Helpful local resource: http://firstlightnl.ca

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." -Ruth Bader Ginsburg Let her record speak for itself...... Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007) Ginsburg wrote the dissent in the 5-4 case, which denied Lilly Ledbetter the right to sue her employer for gender-based pay discrimination because of the length of time that had passed since the violation. "Our precedent suggests, and lower courts have overwhelmingly held, that the unlawful practice is the current payment of salaries infected by gender-based (or race-based) discrimination a practice that occurs whenever a paycheck delivers less to a woman than to a similarly situated man." Gonzales v. Carhart (2007) Ginsburg wrote the dissent in the 5-4 case, which upheld a 2003 law passed by Congress outlawing a form of late-term abortion. The majority ruled that it was not an undue burden on abortion rights. "The act, and the court’s defense of it, cannot be understood as anything other than an effort to chip away at a right declared again and again by this court and with increasing comprehension of its centrality to women’s lives." Shelby County v. Holder (2013) Perhaps Ginsburg's most famous dissent criticized Chief Justice John Roberts' 5-4 ruling that struck down a key section of the Voting Rights Act, freeing mostly southern states from having to clear voting changes with the federal government. "Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet." Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores (2014) Ginsburg wrote the dissent in the 5-4 case, which determined that family-owned and other closely held companies cannot be forced to offer insurance coverage for certain birth control methods they equate with abortion. "Approving some religious claims while deeming others unworthy of accommodation could be perceived as favoring one religion over another, the very risk the Establishment Clause was designed to preclude. The court, I fear, has ventured into a minefield." News Source: Richard Wolf, USA Today Artist Credit: Karen Hallion's She Series.

You have a powerful voice, and we will honour your story. We're committed to doing everything we can to support your journey towards healing, recovery or your new normal, whatever that looks like. You are not alone. I’m proud to share Quadrangle NL’s message to survivors during Sexual Violence Awareness Week. Thank you to the many organizations who are raising awareness, speaking out and supporting our Quad community. #Listen #Believe #Support ... NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre The Journey Project - NL Violence Prevention Newfoundland and Labrador Labrador Friendship Centre First Light Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Violence Prevention - Avalon East Violence Prevention Labrador

I left Labrador this week feeling incredibly inspired by the wisdom, strength and resilience of so many indigenous women, feminist organizations and community minded leaders who are finding new ways to come together and support folks deeply and unfairly impacted by this pandemic. It is a true honour and privilege to work alongside and support Lisa Dempster in her fitting new role as Minister Resposible for the Status of Women. While there is so much to learn and needed, the c...onversations this week will truly help shape our path towards empowered and thriving communities. #RelationshipsFirst #CommunityMatters #StrongWomen Mokami Status of Women Council/Women's Centre Violence Prevention Labrador Violence Prevention Newfoundland and Labrador Labrador Friendship Centre Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair