Strong Sisters provides ongoing access to community and legal resources and education on rights and responsibilities (regarding Criminal Law, Prison Law, Family Law and Health legislation) to women at Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert. The Strong Sisters Coordinator makes weekly trips to Pine Grove and works with women on both an individual and group basis.
Women learn dispute resolution and communication skills, enabling them to problem solve and access needed services from government and nongovernmental organizations. The women also receive leadership and peer mentor opportunities. Lastly, the women acquire skills and develop relationships that will enable them to be full and active participants in their communities.
“Thank you so much for helping me with my case. You’re my only support”
(A woman incarcerated at Pine Grove Correctional Centre)
Winners of the Strong Sister art/poetry contest:
Art:
Alicia Poorman and Joeleen Ladoucer
Candice Turner- Almightyvoice
Candice Turner- Almightyvoice
Christina Zemluk
Roxanne Villebrun- image and poetry
Poetry:
Is this real
Am I in jail? Or am I in a mental hospital trying to cope making myself believe that I will be free that I did have a life. Did I have a life or did I make it up in my own head, sitting and day-dreaming about a life that did not and never happened fantasizing about family and friend that are not real but all made up am I really in jail for my drug and alcohol problem or am I in a mental hospital for murdering people because I didn’t have my drugs maybe I do have family and friends and maybe I am in jail what do you know maybe its you thats in the mental hospital and you make me up and think I’m in the hospital with you.
-Cheryl Desnomie
Doris Banahene
Why did they throw water a way whereby I was thirsty I needed something to drink and its also not eligible to carry it on the airplane
Is it how they treated a human being whereby you can not harass even an animal but they can harass a poor woman like me because of I travel to their country – Canada
So I wish God should give us understanding to be treating everyone good not Canadians alone needs to be treating in a nice way everyone does
Strong Woman
Live suffered in silence and enacted the physical, sexual, emotional abuse for too long.
It’s time to be a Strong Woman and start healing. The origin of the pain “What keeps me abusing my bodie and spirit?” With poverty, crime and dysfunctional situations
I’ve been there, “that baby girl”, first walking into jail or the drug scene. Feeling like your lost and confused. The fear inside; I’ve mistaking it for false pride. I’ve taken my beatings and done my share of bullying. Just to gain false respect and street credibility.
It’s time to quiet down and listen to that authentic person inside
That strong woman who’s willing to look at the true enemie.
The enemie inside myself. For they say quiet waters run deep.
I’ve ran away time after time Trina escape and bandage up all those feelings of abandonment, hopelessness, addiction and pain.
It’s time to slowly but surely be that Strong Woman and stand up and change my mentality.
No matter how many times I fall, I’ll never lose faith. For a Strong Woman I am.
Strong Woman. Keep getting up no matter what!!
-Melodie Muskego
A Strong Sister Looks Like:
Serene, sentimentalist and salutany
Tall, talented and tidy
Regal, righteous and romanticist
Organized, opulent and optimist
Neat, neutral and neighbourly
Genuine, garrulous and graceful
Womanly, witty and wise
Obsequious, observant and objective
Majestic, munificent and mature
Articulate, awesome and arbitrator
Nurturing, negotiator and noble
-Niki Good
A STRONG WOMAN
You can look into a strong women’s eyes,
And you’ll see no lies,
A strong women will walk for miles,
With big warm smiles,
A strong women will pray up to the sky,
When she sees you cry.
A strong women will carry all burdens,
And wish you no hurtings.
-Velma Gamble, B-K-A “LEG
For more information, please contact the Strong Sisters Coordinator at (306) 934-4606, ext. 2 or strongsisters@elizabethfrysask.org.
