A Message to Our Community

As we wake up today to the results of the election we are disheartened but not broken. Though, none of us can know the challenges that will face us in the days and months to come, we must resist the urge to withdraw into fear and despair. We must resist the urge to run away.

17 April 2019

As we wake up today to the results of the election we are disheartened but not broken. Though, none of us can know the challenges that will face us in the days and months to come, we must resist the urge to withdraw into fear and despair. We must resist the urge to run away. We must remember that those of us who are most vulnerable to the negative impacts of the regressive changes we have been threatened with are the members of our community who cannot run away. These are the people who may not have financial resources to spare or the social supports to make leaving a viable option. These are the people who cannot walk the streets inconspicuously and the people who need our support the most. Those of us who have these options need to resist the urge to escape or avoid, and instead use our privileges to support our community as a whole.
At this time of uncertainty, remember that the citizens do not report to government, rather government reports to us. Democracy has always been and will always be done by the will of the people. We must never forget that are voices can never be silenced and we can always affect change. We do still have allies in government. And we are fighters. We are survivors and we will continue to fight to keep the gains we have made towards an existence of thriving rather than simply surviving.
If you are struggling, please ask for help. If you don't have someone to talk to, you can reach out to Corey Wyness, C.H.E.W Project Coordinator, at 780-263-2221. You can also call the distress line at 780-482-HELP (4357). If you're outside of the greater Edmonton region, call the Rural Distress Line at 1-800-232-7288.
iSMSS Team,