Interviewer:
Patrick
Swan River, Manitoba
November 2000
Marcel Nabess © Linda Dawn Hammond, 2000
Patrick: How did you get started with People First?
Marcel: It goes back to 1989. Two very nice women from Winnipeg, Moira Graham and Audrey Aikens, came up to work in the institutions to do communications dynamics. After three or four years attending their lectures and sessions, I learned how to use a microphone and how to speak to groups in meetings. Then Pat Golding came up and introduced me to this local organization, People First, which helped people with developmental disabilities to get their voices heard. Then from there I met Larry Navid and Donna Smith, who introduced me to the provincial group. And from there we went to our first national AGM in Calgary, Alberta, and I've been from there I learned about People First of Canada movement, so I came over to this movement. It's been kind of back and forth, its been very different, and I've really enjoyed it.
Patrick: What do you see as the most important issues facing People First?
Marcel: We need to talk about how we can best strengthen our local chapters. Another issue is funding problems, and also how to make our voices stronger in government and the community as a whole. How to make our chapters stronger, how to get groups up and running well, how to get information back and forth between locals and nationals, and how to get funding for programs.
Also, HRDC [Human Resouces and Development Canada] funding is up for review - any reduction of 3-5% could have an impact on our programs - our ability to run AGMs, for instance.
Patrick: You are a People First member-at-large and the aboriginal representative - what does that mean? What responsibilities do you have?
Marcel: It means I go around and talk to different people in aboriginal communities. At this AGM I'm going to try to get documents translated into native languages, such as my language, Cree.
Patrick: What do you do in the native community?
Marcel: I try to work with people on reserves, and to get information to them. But people are sometimes just a touch prejudiced, a bit suspicious about what is going on. We try to do what is called a "gentle teaching" - we try not to step on anybody's feet. We do what we can and we do our best.
Patrick: What do you do when not working with People First?
Marcel: I work in a personal care home as a housekeeper. It's a very good job - I've been doing that for 15 years. Being able to do things like this, and like People First, is a huge benefit for me. Without those two women from Winnipeg, I would not be here.
Marcel Nabess© Linda Dawn Hammond, 2000
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