#ontario educational association

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“SEE 'SIT-DOWN STRIKE' IN EDUCATION SYSTEM,” Toronto Star. April 10, 1942. Page 3. ---- Canada's High School Students "Half Asleep." Rev. J. G. Endicott Says ---- COMPARES CHINA ---- Canada's high school students look half asleep to Rev. James G. Endicott of Toronto, missionary and teacher, who was born in China and lived most of his life there. 

"In China the high school boys would tear you to pieces with questions if you went into their classroom," Mr. Endicott told delegates at the Ontario Educational association.

"It strikes me that a good deal of our education in the fat and complacent democracies is something in the nature of a sit-down strike," he declared. 

Mr. Endicott appealed for a better appreciation of China's people and China's problems. He said the peoples of Asia are not satisfied that the great western democracies are truly concerned with their fate.

A request that the department of education require all public school teachers to have medical examinations at regular intervals didn't receive unanimous endorsement from the public school department. D.. M. Davidson, of Ryerson school, Toronto, termed it "too expensive a means of detecting a very small number of cases of poor health among the teachers." 

Ross R. McKay of Hillsburg, was elected president of the public school department; past president, Miss Edna Moore, Toronto; vice-president, Miss Edna McCallum, London, Ont.; secretary, E. H. Stephenson, Toronto: treasurer, R. G. Elliott, Toronto. Charles Michael and Miss Lucy Dobson were named a special committee to draft a new constitution for the public school department.

"You can teach a dog new tricks," said Dr. E. A. Corbett, speaking at the trustees section on adult education as it is being extended in rural areas across Canada. "Your education never tops, and those old adages I quoted are now myths." 

He said 200,000 rural Canadians were now reached by the adult education program. "People who were being exploited are now looking after their own affairs," he said, citing Nova Scotia fishermen as an example. Following the war, there would have to be a planned economy. to bring in a better order and end such problems as unemployment. he declared.

[godbirdart]

june 21 is national indigenous peoples day up here in canada; a day focused on celebrating the arts and cultures of our indigenous neighbours and communities.

if you’re looking for ways to support, or generally further your education on indigenous history, here are a bunch of links to help you get started! please go further and look up events hosted by your local community specifically, as some may not be listed on the sites below.

remember that if you cannot attend events or monetarily support businesses - you can always boost indigenous artists and voices online too.

indigenous tourism; lists businesses, events, and other indigenous-owned / led programs for the respective province or territory

indigenous tourism canada [generalized resources, event listings etc]

yukon

northwest territories

nunavut

british columbia

alberta

saskatchewan

manitoba

ontario

quebec

newfoundland and labrador

new brunswick

nova scotia

prince edward island

art

bill reid gallery of the northwest coast

lattimer art gallery

native northwest [while NNW itself is not indigenous-owned, it is a good way to discover artists and purchase their work. some artists sell on other sites too, so look around]

strong nations [sells books by indigenous authors]

education and resources

two-spirited people of manitoba

alberta indigenous history timeline [pdf]

alberta indigenous history resources

british columba history timeline

list of first nations peoples [wikipedia; could be incomplete / inaccurate]

cbc indigenous [indigenous-focused news]

missing and murdered indigenous women and girls

national centre for truth and reconciliation

native land interactive map

orange shirt day

qikiqtani truth commission

lil’ red dress project

whose land interactive map

charities / support / donations

clan mothers healing billage & knowledge centre

first nations health authority

indian residential schools survivor society

indigenous peoples resilience fund

qajuqturvik food bank

niqinik nuatsivik nunavut food bank

nunavut food security coalition

reconciliation canada

urban native youth association

additional links are always appreciated

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Thomas Fountain Blue

Thomas Fountain Blue, the first African American to head a public library in the United States, was also a civic, educational, and religious leader. Blue was born in Farmville, Virginia, on March 6, 1866, to Noah Blue, a carpenter, and Henry Ann Crawley Blue. They were parents of two other children, Alice Blue and Charles Blue.

Blue enrolled in Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia, in 1885 and graduated in 1888. In 1894, he enrolled in Richmond Theological Seminary (now Virginia Union University) in Richmond, Virginia, finishing in 1898 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. One week later, when the United States declared war on Spain after the sinking of the USS Maine off the coast of Cuba, touching off the Spanish-American War, Blue joined the Sixth Virginia Volunteers battalion comprising African American soldiers and was stationed first in Camp Poland in Tennessee and later at Camp Haskell in Georgia.

In 1905, Blue was selected to lead the Western Branch Library of the Louisville Free Public Library on South 10th and Chestnut Street, the first Carnegie Library in the nation to serve African American patrons with an exclusively African American staff. The facility cost $31,024.31 to build and when completed had over 4,000 books and 53 periodicals.

In 1914, Blue opened Louisville’s second Carnegie Library for African Americans, the Eastern Branch Library. During World War I, Blue was drafted, left the branch, and was appointed the Education Secretary at Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville, one of sixteen national Army training camps created across the nation. Blue worked with Black troops who mostly had supporting and laboring roles in the United States.

After the war ended in 1918, Blue returned to Louisville, and a year later, in 1919, he was named head of the “Colored Department” for the city’s public library system and supervised eight African American assistants. The Colored Department was the first in the United States to have a staff which served multiple Black library branches.

In 1922, Blue was a presenter at the American Library Association Conference in Detroit, Michigan, where he gave a paper titled, “Training Class at the Western Colored Branch,” and led the subsequent discussion with the Negro Roundtable composed of other African American Library staffers from across the nation.

On June 18, 1925, Blue married Cornelia Phillips Johnson from Columbia, Tennessee, and they parented two children, Thomas Fountain Blue, Jr., and Charles Blue (named after his younger brother). Two years later, in 1927, Blue founded the Negro Library Conference and conducted its first meeting at Hampton Institute.

Later becoming a minister, Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue—who held membership in the American Library Association, the Special Committee of Colored Ministers of Louisville on Matters Interracial, and was a charter member of the Louisville Chapter of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History—died on November 10, 1935, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was 69.

At the 2003 joint conference of the American Library Association with the Canadian Library Association Annual Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Blue was posthumously honored when the organization passed a resolution recognizing his leadership in promoting professionalism among the staff of African American libraries across the United States. In 2022, a headstone honoring Blue and his wife, Cornelia Phillips Johnson, was placed at Eastern Cemetery in Louisville by the Frazier History Museum.

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/thomas-fountain-blue-1866-1935/

[wyrmguardsecrets]

Hi! Someone who works in the non-profit/charity sector!

At least in Canada, a lot of our non-profits have been suffering from inflation. For example, food bank operating costs have gone up by 25% while we’re seeing less food being put out due to shrink-flation.

I do strongly suggest reaching out to charities and non-profits because we need them more now than ever! My local food bank has almost doubled in attendees in less than a year (400 originally, now 1000).

Ontarian Non-Profits 2 Checkout:

• Hamilton Regional Indian Centre

An indigenous outreach I strongly support. They focus on our cultural healing, prenatal care, supporting Canadian Indigenous families and so so so so much more!

A lot of events are run through them as well if you’ve ever wanted to partake in pieces of Indigenous culture.

• Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario

Our country’s leading charity in Alzheimer’s education and the leads for trying to find a cure. Old people get neglected a lot and especially old people with this illness.

They support and fund activities for them as well, which is important for stimulating the mind!

• Knight’s Table

Traditional food bank, focuses in mostly on non-perishables. I’ve used this organization in the past and they made sure me and my family were looked after.

1/3 Kids are food bank users.

• Regeneration

Traditional food bank that also serves hot and fresh foods. Provides a clothing closet for homeless and underprivileged as well, paired with a station to gussy up for job interviews. Think of it as a food bank with DLC.

• Rainbow Railroad

LGBTQ+ foundation that focuses on bringing queer folk who’ve been victimized in their home countries here to Canada for asylum. There’s too many countries that fund and support violence against LGBTQ+ people. Rainbow Railroad aids in the immigration process and helps people of our community from around the world.

Conversion therapy and similar methods are still widely accepted and encouraged in certain parts of the world.

• CAMH (Canadian Association of Mental Health)

Mental health non-profit focused on providing humane and healing treatment to Canadians FREE of cost. They run psychiatric facilities both stay overnight and drop in. They also host a 24/7 Crisis Hotline for those in dire states. Furthermore, they run free mental health programs such as DBT, CBT, Talk-Therapy, Group Therapy, Addictions counseling and so much more.

CAMH received a lot of funding cuts back when COVID hit, paired with a huge influx of people needing to use their services. Still they continue to provide these services, though now with wait times due to funding.

I encourage you to research charities within your area and donate either money, supplies or funds to them! There’s a huge need for it. Thank you to everyone who has supported non-profits so far. I can promise you they use every cent.

.

[coochiequeens]

The school that lets a teacher were giant fake breasts for “gender identity” is rejecting a teacher dress code. But will they still harass girls for dress code violations like if a bra strap is exposed?

Top administrators at a controversial school board in Ontario have released an information report rejecting the possibility of implementing staff dress code. The report comes just weeks after widespread backlash over one of their transgender teachers donning large fake breasts in front of students.

On November 9, the Halton District School Board (HDSB) held a Board of Trustees meeting to address routine school operations. During the meeting, a special report was presented in which assessment was made of human rights and legal considerations for a dress code enforcement among HDSB staff. 

The report was related to a September 21 school board motion requesting the Director of Education investigate whether it would be possible to implement a workplace dress code The motion had been proposed following international backlash over Kayla Lemieux, a teacher at Oakville Trafalgar High School. 

Images and videos of Lemieux wearing what appeared to be a massive prosthetic bust, complete with protruding nipples, had gone viral on social media in September. Lemieux was seen donning the inappropriate gear while instructing classes. 

According to students at Oakville Trafalgar, Lemieux had reportedly begun identifying as transgender in 2021. While Lemieux’s intentions have been the subject of debate, a YouTube video of a tech class uploaded by Lemieux demonstrated he had been presenting himself in this way since at least May — months prior to any widespread public knowledge.

Reduxx was first to confirm the origin and identity of the viral media, and the subsequent backlash resulted in Oakville Trafalgar becoming a hotspot for international media coverage and local protests as many noted Lemieux’s prosthetic breasts were inappropriate for a school setting.

Shortly after news of Lemieux’s appearance began to spread, the Halton District School Board issued a hasty email to the families of students at Oakville Trafalgar which appeared to defend Lemieux.

“We are aware of discussion on social media and in the media regarding Oakville Trafalgar High School. We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to our community that we are committed to establishing and maintaining a safe, caring, inclusive, equitable and welcoming learning and working environment for all students and staff,” the email read, then deferring to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

“We strive to promote a positive learning environment in schools consistent with the values of the HDSB and to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff and the community, regardless of race, age, ability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, socioeconomic circumstances or body type/size.”

Some noted that students at HDSB schools were subject to a dress code which explicitly forbade the display of genitals and nipples, and that it appeared Lemieux was being given special privileges due to his “gender expression.”

At the time, Canadian journalist Jon Kay noted that Lemieux’s attire was most commonly associated with a type of computer-generated animated pornography from Japan known as bakunyū, or, “exploding milk/breasts.”

Following sustained outrage, the Halton District School Board unanimously passed a motion on September 21 requesting a review into whether it would be possible to implement a workplace dress code.

On November 8, the information report associated with the review was completed and submitted to the Board of Trustees, and presented at the Board meeting the next day.

In the report, the HDSB Superintendent of Human Resources, Sari Taha, and Director of Education, Curtis Ennis, wrote that the implementation of an enforceable dress code with respect to employee professionalism would “expose the Board to considerable liability.”

Taha and Ennis provided an analysis of the labor law and human rights code considerations if the Board were to establish a staff dress code, placing special emphasis on gender identity.

” … it is important to recognize the impact that dress code policies can have on members of the transgender community. Most notably, it is important for employers to make allowances to ensure that these employees are able to express themselves in accordance with their lived gender.”

It continues: “Even if a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group of employees on the basis of their Code protected grounds.” 

The report concludes by dismissing the possibility of a dress code as having any impact on the professionalism of staff, writing: “… we note that if the employer desires to foster a culture of professionalism, respect, equity and inclusion, a truly reasonable and non-discriminatory dress code or grooming standards would most likely fail to yield the intended results.”

During the November 9 School Board meeting, Taha, who had co-authored the report, firmly rejected the implementation of a dress code, citing an undue burden on “women and persons of the other identity community.”

Following Taha’s presentation of the report, HDSB Trustee Tanya Rocha clarified with Tara that implementing a dress code policy for staff would “fail” and be a step backwards.

“All other institutions are removing dress codes and there really is no need for one here… and if we even tried, it would not pass all of the litmus tests you mentioned,” Rocha said.

To another trustee, Taha stated: “Inherently, dress codes are adversely impacting women and other groups, disproportionately.”

The Halton District School Board has received ample criticism for their handling of the situation with Lemieux. Despite widespread outrage, Board members have explicitly refused to comment on the appropriateness of Lemieux’s attire, and have defended his right to wear the prosthetic breasts on multiple occasions.

The sole statement HDSB has made in relation to the Lemieux situation was on September 20, when the Board clarified that the name “Stephen Hanna” had been incorrectly circulated as being associated with the individual in the photos and videos. 

HSDB also declined to confirm the identity of the individual as being Kayla Lemieux, but Reduxx had verified that name through Oakville Trafalgar’s own staff directory and associated G-suite profiles.

Since September, HDSB has refused repeated requests to provide Reduxx with Lemieux’s Ontario College of Teachers registration number, which is intended to be public information.

Lemieux is reportedly still wearing the prosthetic breasts on a day-to-day basis.

By Anna Slatz Anna is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Reduxx, with a journalistic focus on covering crime, child predators, and women's rights. She lives in Canada, enjoys Opera, and kvetches in her spare time.

[survivingcapitalism]

By not showcasing wins when and where they’re happening, labour is missing a chance to inspire workers to fight for what they deserve. [...] At present, 4,700 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are on strike across 30 port terminals in British Columbia. These workers voted 99.24 per cent in favour of strike action and hit the picket line July 1. ILWU has a strong tradition of labour militancy, up and down the Western ports of North America. Should the union win its current demands around wages and protections against automation, job loss and outsourcing, it’s no stretch to say this will shape the direction of work in the industry heretofore.   At the time of writing, the federal labour minister, Seamus O’Regan, has asked a federal mediator for a recommended settlement to give a “forceful nudge” to push the union and the employers’ association over the finish line. While not the heavy-handed approach seen from this government in past labour disputes, the spectre of back-to-work legislation nevertheless looms. The supply and confidence agreement with the federal NDP renders the legislative hammer more politically sensitive than would be the case under a Trudeau majority government, but, with Liberals in power, it’s never out of reach. In Ontario, more than 3,700 workers at Metro Inc. across the Greater Toronto Area recently delivered 100 per cent support for a strike. These Unifor members could soon be on the picket line if their wage demands aren’t met. Then, of course, there were the historic strikes by more than 155,00 Public Service Alliance of Canada members and 55,000 CUPE Ontario education workers. Although neither strike resulted in awe-inspiring wage gains, in both cases the unions nevertheless won above-average pay raises. More importantly, they inspired workers across the country to ask for more, just as employers feared they would. And asking for more appears to be exactly what many union members are doing. Recent data from both Ontario and B.C. suggest that a number of unions are pushing for major wage gains at the bargaining table and, surprisingly, pulling it off.

[scotianostra]

Scottish writer, Sheila Burnford was born on May 11th 1918.

Sheila was born and educated in Edinburgh then Harrogate College in Yorkshire, England.

She was one of the first women in Scotland to receive her Aviation Certificate. During the Second World War she worked as an ambulance attendant and driver. Sheila married David Burnford, a surgeon in the Royal Navy, and in 1948 the Burnford family emigrated to Canada, settling at Port Arthur in western Ontario.

Sheila loved the great outdoors, particularly walking and hunting. She became friends with local artist Susan Ross. The two shared an interest in the lives of indigenous people and they inspired each other in creative endeavours.

Both Sheila and Susan were members of the Port Arthur Puppetry Club. It was during her time with the Club that Sheila began writing – scripts at first and then articles describing life in Northwestern Ontario for English magazines and newspapers such as Punch and the Glasgow Herald.

Sheila was a great animal lover, although she always said she had a practical view of them. After the death of her Bullterrier, Bill (who had kept her company during the Blitz in the Second World War), she decided to write a book, in part to memorialize him.

That book became The Incredible Journey.

The animals in the book were based on the personalities of her own animals. In addition to Bill, she had a Siamese cat (Simon) and a Golden Labrador (Raimie). She researched incidents similar to the ones in the book and used the area around her home and cottage (Loon Lake) to describe the terrain.

The book was an international bestseller and was eventually translated into more than 17 languages. It would win a number of awards, including the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children.

In 1963 the Walt Disney adaptation of the film was released. The premiere of the film was held in Port Arthur with over 10,000 people lining the streets for the parade preceding the showing. Actors from the film and the film’s director, Fletcher Markle, attended the premiere. Although the book was based in Northwestern Ontario, it was actually filmed in the Toronto area.

In 1964, Sheila published her second book, The Fields of Noon, a collection of essays on life in Northwestern Ontario. It included a number of essays that had previously been published in English periodicals.

In the late 1960s, Sheila and Susan Ross spent a great deal of time visiting native reserves in Northwestern Ontario. Both women had long held interest in native life and found the opportunity to actually learn about native life to be irresistible. While there, Susan Ross drew sketches of the people and Sheila observed. As a result of these visits, Sheila published Without Reserve, using some of Susan Ross’s drawings as illustrations.

Sheila and Susan next travelled up to Pond Inlet and experienced the life of the Inuit, including travelling by dog sled to see the narwhal. From this experience came One Woman’s Arctic. This book also included illustrations by Susan Ross.

The Incredible Journey was acclaimed as a children’s book, even though Sheila herself did not think of it as a children’s book. In 1973, she published an actual children’s book, Mr. Noah and the Second Flood. The story focused on the impact of consumerism and waste on the planet.

Sheila’s last book, Bel Ria: Dog of War, was the story of a little dog caught up in the horrors of the Second World War. In writing the book, she drew upon her own experiences in the Blitz and used research to maintain authenticity.

In 1984 Sheila Burnford died of lung cancer. She had moved back to the UK to live with her second husband, Dr. J.D. Loughborough.

In 2017, a documentary of her life, Long Walk Home: The Incredible Journey of Sheila Burnford, was released by Sheba Films.

[handweavers]

Is the textile program you're in associated with an arts institute or anything? I just joined the bachelor of visual art program at my art school and I'd love to get into textile arts but the textile department looks pretty dead and I'm not sure how much I'm gonna be able to do. Where do I sign up to do weaving full time

i mean my program is taught through an arts university, ie. my school has a thriving textile department and my degree is centred around it. if you're looking for a university program that specializes in textiles and weaving there are many in the US and several in canada that i can point you toward. I know of some good textile programs in australia and europe as well but i'm most familiar with canada and to a lesser extent east coast usa

but there are arts institutions and schools that are not degree-granting but still teach textiles as a craft. usually referred to as centres for craft or craft education, school of craft, etc. if you're in the US some major (non degree) craft schools with textile departments are penland, haystack, arrowmont, I believe there's a folk school in NC, and there's a heritage weaving school in vermont called marshfield. you can also look into weaver's guilds in your area, most regions have one and they're usually super helpful and welcoming and you could find someone experienced who is open to teaching you through that.

in canada most schools like this are embedded within colleges or universities, ex. new brunswick college of art and design. the only one in ontario that teaches non degree granting classes in textile craft is the haliburton school of art and design afaik but even that is affiliated with fleming college (you might also be able to find stuff through sheridan trafalgar but i'm not sure). but we also have the ontario guild of handweavers and spinners as well as local weaver's guilds, and likewise across most provinces.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"PROMINENT IN ACTIVITIES OF ONTARIO EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION," Toronto Globe. April 19, 1933. Page 9. ---- Some of the principal officers who direct the activities of the Ontario Educational Association, now meeting in Toronto, are shown in the above group. From left to right, they are: M. A. Campbell, Milton, Secretary of the Trustees' Association; Samuel Farmer, Port Perry, Editor of the Canadian School Journal; A. E. Bryson, Toronto, General Secretary; Malcolm MacBeth Milverton, retiring President; D. A. Norris, Toronto, incoming President; R. M. Speirs, Toronto, Treasurer; Samuel Nethercott, Woodstock, Auditor; and H. R. Corbett, Proton, President of the Trustees' Association.

[skogjeger]

White Sage | Salvia Apiana ❁ཻུ۪۪ ━ 

‧₊˚.  : · •.  * • ˚   . · * ✶   : · •  *   ˚ ✵

In this discussion, we will delve into the fascinating aspects of white sage: its unique properties, natural habitat, and the reasons behind its one-day endangered status and revered significance. The following information is intended purely for educational purposes and is derived from extensive research, including diverse perspectives on the utilization of this herb in various practices. If anything sounds off or sounds incorrect, do not be afraid to let me know, however, please be respectful when pointing something out.

𖤣𖥧˚ Family

"White Sage is a member of the mint family (family Lamiaceae), which includes aromatic herbs or shrubs (rarely trees or vines), usually with stems square in cross-section, four-sided.There are about 200 genera and 3,200 species, distributed nearly worldwide. The Mediterranean region, the chief area of diversity, produces many spices and flavorings, such as various mints, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, and basil. Catnip and lavender are in the mint family." - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

𖤣𖥧˚ Appearance

White sage is a tall, woody shrub that can reach heights of several feet. This sprawling plant typically measures around 3-4 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width. Its distinguishing feature is its long, slender leaves that have a silvery-white colour, which is why it is called white sage. The plant produces small, white or pale lavender flowers on tall spikes during the blooming season.

𖤣𖥧˚ Native Habitat

White sage is native to the southwestern United States and northern Baja, Mexico. It may also be found along the lower edges and in openings of chaparral and oak woodlands. White sage can even be found in Canada under specific conditions. In Canada, white sage can be grown as a perennial herb in regions with similar climates to its native habitats, such as parts of British Columbia or southern Ontario. 

White sage is adapted to a Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It thrives in areas with long, dry periods and requires plenty of sunlight. The plant is well-suited to sandy or rocky soils and can tolerate drought conditions. It is often found growing in arid or semi-arid regions with low to moderate rainfall. 

𖤣𖥧˚ Planet/Sign Associations for Sage

This pertains to sage in a general sense, rather than specifically referring to white sage.

Planet: Jupiter

Sign(s): Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini, Cancer, Scorpio

𖤣𖥧˚ Properties and Benefits of White Sage

Insect Repellent: The aromatic compounds found in white sage have natural insect-repellent properties. Rubbing or burning dried sage leaves or using white sage essential oils can help repel mosquitoes, flies, and other pests.

Respiratory Support: White sage is often used to address respiratory issues such as colds, coughs, sore throats, and congestion. It is believed to have expectorant properties, helping to loosen mucus and alleviate respiratory discomfort.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: White sage is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. It may be used topically or in the form of a poultice to soothe skin irritations, insect bites, and minor wounds.

Digestive Aid: White sage has been used to support digestion and relieve gastrointestinal discomfort. It is sometimes consumed as a tea to promote digestive health.

Calming and Relaxing Effects: The aroma of burning white sage is often considered to have a calming and relaxing effect. It is sometimes used for stress reduction and relaxation.

𖤣𖥧˚ Warnings and Precautions

Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to white sage. If you have known allergies to plants in the Lamiaceae family (such as mint, basil, or oregano), it is advisable to exercise caution when using or being exposed to white sage.

Smoke Inhalation: Burning white sage releases smoke, which can be irritating to the respiratory system, particularly for individuals with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Ensure proper ventilation when cleansing or using white sage smoke and be mindful of the amount and duration of exposure.

Pregnancy and Nursing: The safety of using white sage during pregnancy or while breastfeeding has not been extensively studied. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using white sage in these circumstances.

Skin Sensitivity: Applying white sage directly to the skin may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. It is recommended to perform a patch test on a small area of skin before applying it more extensively. Discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur.

𖤣𖥧˚ Why White Sage Is At Risk

White sage is primarily at risk due to habitat loss, over-harvesting, and unsustainable collection practices. Native bees heavily rely on white sage as a vital source of sustenance. However, the act of extracting seeds from sage plants by poachers not only disrupts the delicate balance but also leads to a decline in the population of indigenous bee species within the Golden State. The overwhelming majority of white sage items available for purchase have been obtained through poaching. Which means it is not ethically sourced. While white sage isn't endangered, it is in danger of becoming endangered. It's not so much that it is "scarce" but rather it will become so in the future.

Other factors on why white sage is at risk or a bullet-point list to hit major points (a TL;DR):

Unsustainable Collection Practices: Some harvesting practices of white sage involve uprooting the entire plant, which prevents it from regenerating and can lead to population decline. Additionally, unethical or unsustainable collection methods, such as illegal harvesting or removing plants from protected areas, further contribute to the risk of white sage.

Overharvesting: White sage has gained popularity in recent years for its use in smudging rituals, leading to increased demand.

Climate Change: Climate change, with its associated effects like temperature increases, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe droughts, poses a threat to the survival of white sage.

Lack of Natural Regeneration: White sage has limited natural regeneration capabilities. Its seeds have low germination rates, and the plant relies heavily on specific conditions for successful establishment. With habitat degradation and disturbance, the opportunities for the natural regeneration of white sage are diminished.

Rather than purchasing commercialized white sage, cultivating your own or receiving it as a gift from someone known for ethically sourcing it is the optimal approach to many aspects of this matter. It can be a proactive approach and one that benefits many.

𖤣𖥧˚ What You Can Do to Protect or Preserve White Sage

Cultivate Responsibly: If you have the means and space, consider growing white sage in your garden or on your property. This can help reduce the need for wild harvesting. Ensure you obtain seeds or cuttings from reputable sources to ensure genetic diversity and authenticity.

Spread Awareness: Share your knowledge about white sage and the need for sustainable practices with others. Encourage respectful and responsible approaches to its use and cultivation.

Support Indigenous Communities: Purchase white sage from Indigenous-owned businesses or directly from Indigenous communities that cultivate and sell it sustainably. This supports their traditional practices and livelihoods while ensuring the responsible management of white sage.

Seek Alternatives: Explore alternatives to white sage for spiritual practices and cleansing. There are several other plants, such as rosemary, cedar, eucalyptus, mugwort, green sage, purple sage, lavender, pine, and desert sage that can be used as substitutes.

𖤣𖥧˚ Spiritual and Traditional Significance

The profound spiritual and ancestral meaning of white sage holds great significance in various indigenous cultures, particularly within Native American traditions. Although this herb is not exclusive to indigenous communities, it is the ritualistic practice surrounding it that holds paramount importance.

While smoke cleansing is a practice found across cultures with different plants and herbs, the term "smudging" specifically refers to the Indigenous tradition and should be approached with respect and understanding. To ensure cultural sensitivity and avoid appropriation, it is advisable to educate oneself on how native communities perform this ritual, explore alternative practices, or, if uncertain, simply refrain from incorporating it. In the realm of closed practices, initiation or invitation becomes a vital component, accompanied by a rich tapestry of diverse ceremonies and customs that differ among various tribal communities.

Here are some of the spiritual and traditional practices associated with the use of white sage:

Smudging: The act of smudging is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of numerous First Nations, the Indigenous and Native American peoples. This ancient practice entails the sacred burning of various medicinal plants obtained from the Earth, such as sweetgrass, sage, tobacco and cedar. By partaking in a smudge, individuals engage in a purifying ritual aimed at dispelling negativity, alleviating anxieties, and transcending any lingering gloom or emotional distress. Ultimately, the purpose is to restore well-being and empower oneself to thrive.

Cleansing Rituals: White sage is often used in various cleansing rituals to purify individuals, living spaces, ceremonial tools, and sacred objects. This can be done by waving the smoke over the body or around the area or object being cleansed, with the intention of removing stagnant or negative energies.

Prayer and Meditation: White sage is sometimes used in prayer and meditation practices to create a sacred and purified space. Burning white sage can be accompanied by prayers, affirmations, or specific intentions, fostering a focused and spiritually receptive state of mind.

Source(s) & Article(s) ❁ཻུ۪۪ ━

‧₊˚.  : · •.  * • ˚   . · * ✶   : · •  *   ˚ ✵

Nature Collective's article on White Sage:

Flowers by the Sea's article on White Sage:

National Library of Medicine's article on White Sage:

WebMD's article on sage (not just white sage):

The Canadian Encyclopedia's page on "smudging":

MilkBath's article on smoke cleansing in different parts of the world:

Ya-Native's article on what smudging is and the practices:

Here's a YouTube video where Revolutionary Mystic talks about issues and what to do in terms of supporting Indigenous folks:

For some reason it says "age-restricted" so if that appears for you, here's the hyperlink: 10 Things Non-Native American folks need to hear (especially spiritual white folks)

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Alvin Childress

Alvin Childress (September 15, 1907 – April 19, 1986) was an American actor, who is best known for playing the cabdriver Amos Jones in the 1950s television comedy series Amos 'n' Andy.

Alvin Childress was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He was educated at Rust College, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. When he initially entered college, Childress intended to become a doctor, enrolling in typical pre-med courses. He had no thoughts of becoming involved in acting, but became involved in theater outside of classes. Childress and Rex Ingram in the Federal Theatre Project production of Haiti (1938)

Childress's first wife was the former Alice Herndon, who established herself as a successful writer and actress under the name of Alice Childress (1916–1994); the couple was married from 1934 to 1957 and had a daughter, Jean Rosa. From 1961 to 1973, Childress worked as an unemployment interviewer for the Los Angeles Department of Personnel and in the Civil Service Commission of Los Angeles County.

Childress moved to New York City and became an actor with Harlem's Lafayette Players, a troupe of stock players associated with the Lafayette Theatre. Soon, he was engaged as an actor in the Federal Theater Project, the American Negro Theater, and in all-black race film productions such as Keep Punching (1939). His greatest success on the stage was his performance as Noah in the popular drama, Anna Lucasta, which ran for 957 performances. He also worked at Teachers College of Columbia University. Childress also operated his own radio and record store in New York City. When he learned about casting for the Amos 'n' Andy television series, Childress decided to audition for a role. He was hired a year before the show went on the air.

In 1951, he was cast as the level-headed, hard-working and honest Amos Jones in the popular television series, The Amos 'n' Andy Show, which ran for two years on CBS. Childress originally tried out for the role of The Kingfish, but Charles Correll and Freeman Gosden cast him as Amos. Since he had been hired a year before the show began, Gosden and Correll turned the search for an actor to play "The Kingfish" over to Childress. In a 1979 interview, Childress shared information about some of the candidates. Cab Calloway was considered but found wanting by Gosden because of his straight hair. Childress said there were many famous men, with and without actual acting experience, who wanted to play the role. Eventually, old-time vaudeville comedian Tim Moore was cast as the Kingfish.

Shortly after the television show had ended, plans to turn it into a vaudeville act were announced in 1953, with Childress, Williams and Moore playing the same roles as they had in the television series. It is not known if there were any performances. In 1956, after the television show was no longer in production, Childress and some of his fellow cast members: Tim Moore, Spencer Williams, and Lillian Randolph along with her choir, began a tour of the US as "The TV Stars of Amos 'n' Andy". The tour was halted by CBS as the network considered this an infringement of their rights to the program and its cast of characters. Despite the threats which ended the 1956 tour, Childress, along with Moore, Williams and Johnny Lee were able to perform one night in 1957 in Windsor, Ontario, apparently without legal action. When he tried for work as an actor, Childress found none as he was typecast as Amos Jones. For a short time, Childress found himself parking cars for an upscale Beverly Hills restaurant.

Childress also appeared in roles on the television series Perry Mason, Sanford and Son, Good Times and The Jeffersons and in the films Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) and The Day of the Locust (1975). When Childress appeared as a minister in a 1972 episode of Sanford and Son, he was reunited with two former cast members: Lillian Randolph of Amos 'n' Andy in the role of Aunt Hazel and Lance Taylor, Jr. of Anna Lucasta, with the role of Uncle Edgar.

Childress suffered from diabetes and other ailments. He died at age 78 on April 19, 1986, in Inglewood, California. He was buried at National Memorial Harmony Park in Landover, Maryland.

[saintmeghanmarkle]

What charity work and public service makes Prince Harry's life at risk and needing security? by u/Negative_Difference4

What charity work and public service makes Prince Harry's life at risk and needing security? This post is related to this snippet from this post (https://ift.tt/vwl4oCm SaintMeghanMarkle/comments/1b24rkz/harold_is_a_lying_liar_who_lies_the_judgment/)​https://ift.tt/cp3x0GC is associated with Invictus Games (foundation international games for war veterans and those serving in the defence forces) and WellChild awards (charity to help support children with long term illness).He is on the board of African Parks and was the President of the Foundation. The foundation lost its charitable status and operates without any oversight. https://ift.tt/OUqCZGV. It also has recently been embroiled in barbaric rape and abuse of the local Baka tribe in The Congo.He is the co-founder of Sentebale (charity to help the orphans of Lesotho). This is the charity where Harry held the 10 month old Keke (rape and torture victim) and vowed to look after her but he never did.He is the patron of Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund (Aims to lift children out of poverty through education. Funds are directed to projects in south-east region of Uganda.) But he hasn't been as involved with itHe is a Honary life member of Royal Ontario Museum and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.​These are the causes linked to his time with the Royal Family and I haven't look into Archewell endeavours as it is private foundation. So which one of these causes could cause a risk to his life, which would need the UK government to intervene and provide security including during the time he is in the US?​One thing that bugs me with this point and his constant need to connect himself to Princess Diana ... Diana was working with the following causes:AIDS and HIV CharitiesThe Plight Against LandminesHomelessness and PovertyThe Leprosy MissionCancer TrustsI don't know if people were alive during this era ... but her causes were insane ... no white, rich celeb would go anywhere near these types of causes esp AIDS/HIV in 1987. I never heard of AIDs before that, we didn't have google back then or even a computer at home! (And yes there were other royals already involved in this stuff like Princess Margaret support in the 80s and Princess Anne in 1988). The level of coverage Diana gave to this cause to dispel the myths was insane. Same with Leprosy ... there was so much stigma to even touch someone with leprosy esp growing up in India. The landmines cause in Angola ... well the world went crazy. Everyone told her that royals shouldn't be getting involved with political issues. This was in 1997, she died soon after. The conspiracy theories rolled on. Such a shame that Diana rejected her RPO security and only had a personal protection bodyguard. One wonders what could have been if she wasn't so paranoid about life and took the security. (BTW, the bodyguard survived the crash and is still working ... because he wore a seatbelt! How many times have we seen Harry, Meghan and the kids not wearing seatbelts?)How does Harry's work compare to Diana's charity work in the 80/90s? post link: https://ift.tt/vxQu9jd author: Negative_Difference4 submitted: February 29, 2024 at 11:20AM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

[ofwendyz]

Wendy, Son. 🦢

⃝웬디

GENERAL INFORMATION

BIRTH NAME: Shon Seung-wan

HANGUL: 손승완

NICKNAME(S): Olaf

BIRTH DATE: February 21, 1994 (age 29)

BIRTH PLACE: Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, South Korea

HEIGHT: 160.3 cm (5 ft 3 in)[1]

WEIGHT: 46 kg (101 lb)

BLOOD TYPE: O

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡⋆ | ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

OCCUPATION

JOB: Singer, Songwriter, Actress

POSITION: Main Vocalist

COLOR: Blue

YEARS ACTIVE: 2014–present

AGENCY: SM Entertainment

ASSOCIATED ACTS: Red Velvet, SM Rookies

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡⋆ | ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Do everything to your best ability with a positive mindset.

-WENDY

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡⋆ | ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Shon Seung-wan (Hangul:손승완; born February 21, 1994), better known as Wendy (Hangul: 웬디), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress. She is the main vocalist of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet.

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡⋆ | ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Wendy was born as Shon Seung-wan in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, South Korea. Her family consists of her parents, an affluent couple whose names haven't been revealed to the public, and her sister, Son Seung-hee, who is three years Wendy's senior. Wendy spent most of her childhood years in Cheongju, South Korea.

Wendy aspired to become a singer from the age of six and throughout her life trained to fulfill this goal. She also learned to play the saxophone, piano, flute, and guitar.

At the age of 12, Wendy and her sister moved to live in Canada, and later the USA. Whilst living in North America, Wendy began using the name Wendy Shon and learned to speak English, as well as some French and Spanish. For her education in these countries, she attended Shattuck St Mary's School in Minnesota, USA, and Richmond Hill High School in Ontario, Canada.

After graduating high school in 2012, she moved to South Korea to establish a professional singing career. Prior to this in 2010, she auditioned for the "Koreaboo: Cube Entertainment Global Auditions 2011" with an online audition and was picked from over 5,000 videos by Koreaboo and Cube Entertainment to continue to the final round in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. G.NA personally picked the 15 finalists with Koreaboo to open for her first solo showcase, held in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In 2012, she auditioned at the SM Global Audition in Canada and was recognized for her musicality, being able to play several instruments, as well as having strong vocal skills.

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡⋆ | ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Career

2014: Pre-debut activities

She trained for less than two years before she was introduced as a member of SM Entertainment's pre-debut trainees team SM Rookies on March 14, 2014

As part of SM Rookies, Wendy released the song "Because I Love You" for the soundtrack of the Mnet drama Mimi, which was one of the soundtracks of the Mnet drama series, Mimi, which labelmate Changmin starred in, appearing in the music video as well. A clip of Wendy singing a cover of Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" was released on SM Entertainment's official YouTube channel.

2014–2019: Debut with Red Velvet, stage accident

In late-July 2014, Wendy was assigned to represent the color blue and chosen to be the main vocalist of Red Velvet, which debuted on August 1, 2014 with the single "Happiness".

Wendy collaborated with rapper Yuk Ji-dam for the song "Return", one of the OSTs of KBS2's drama Who Are You: School 2015. The song was released on June 8, 2015 and debuted at #31 on the Gaon Singles Chart. She released another song "Let You Know" for the soundtrack of the JTBC drama D-Day on October 16. On January 9, 2016, she became a panelist on We Got Married. On King of Mask Singer (episode 43 aired on January 24, 2016), she participated as a contestant with the stage name "Space Beauty Maetel". Wendy released a collaboration single with Eric Nam titled "Spring Love" on March 4, 2016, as part of SM Entertainment's SM Station project.

On December 25, 2019, Wendy fell from a raised stage while rehearsing for a performance on the year-end show SBS Gayo Daejeon. She fell approximately 2.5 meters (8.2ft) and received multiple injuries, including a broken wrist, fractured pelvis, a cracked cheekbone, and other unspecified facial and bodily injuries. Wendy was subsequently on hiatus for over a year while she recovered.

2021: Return to activities, Wendy's Youngstreet, GOT the beat

On January 1, 2021, Wendy's health hiatus official ended and she returned to idol activities.

On July 12, 2021, Wendy became the DJ host for SBS Power FM's radio show Wendy's Youngstreet, adopting the DJ name "WanD". The show ran for almost two years, until July 2, 2023.

On December 27, 2021, Wendy was revealed alongside Seulgi as one of the members of GOT the beat, the first unit of the project group Girls On Top.[2] The unit debuted on January 3, 2022 with the digital single "Step Back".

2023: First musical role

On June 19, 2023, Wendy confirmed that she had been cast in the role of "I" in the musical Rebecca. She performed from August 19–November 19, 2023.

Filmography

Since her debut, Wendy has appeared on the variety shows, We Got Married, King of Masked Singer, Trick and True, Raid the Convenience Store and Battle Trip. She made a cameo in the series, Descendants of the Sun and made an appearance in the documentary, SMTown: The Stage.

[cremefraiiiche]

Exploring Gender Fluidity and Aesthetics in Kabuki Theater and Oiran Culture

Torii Kiyomasu I's print depicts two individuals, an Oiran and what looks to be her client, in an amorous exchange. The courtesan is draped in a finely printed kimono that swirls around them, while her counterpart is draped in a long flowing kimono with flowers and other decorative patterns. The illustration of the kabuki theater within Torii’s work presents the modern day viewer with a history of prostitution that does not fit so nicely within a Western heteronormative structure. We are placed in this intimate space, the theater itself, to envision a relationship between courtesan and her client, which was more so reflective of male prostitution than experiences with the Oiran herself.

The Oiran were courtesans in Edo-period Japan who cultivated their femininity and sexuality alongside their education to attract clients. In the quarters of the courtesan, male social dominance was subverted in favor of feminine intellectual and aesthetic expression. The Kabuki theater was a common form of entertainment within the red-light district of Edo, and men often played female roles in productions. Kabuki actors also served as souvenirs, which allowed viewers to idolize actors through an easily reproducible image and engender the ability to travel with the emotive experience of the Kabuki theater and the clandestine environment of Yoshiwara. The physical presentation of the Oiran and the wakashu, or “apprentice actors who stayed ‘in the shadows’ and functioned chiefly as sex workers,” met within the medium of kabuki. The kagema, or kabuki actors trained to play women roles, often utilized the stage as a means to replicate and perfect one’s feminine impression.

Torii Kiyomasu I (Japanese, active 1696–1716),  Kabuki Actors Nakamura Gentaro and Ikushima Shingoro,  ca. 1710, 20 3/4 x 12 5/8 in. (52.7 x 32.1 cm), Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Edo period. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

The figures of the wakashu and the kagema within the Yoshiwara are symbolic of a larger consideration of gender that rejected a stable consideration of sexual expression and desire. The ability to engage femininity both theatrically and socially alludes to the permissive space of the kabuki theater and the Yoshiwara as one of continual aesthetic experimentation and development. The erasure of distinction between the oiran or the onnagata (or kagema at large) seems to favor sexual fluidity in favor of strict binarisms that take root within the Yoshiwara district.

In conclusion, the kabuki actors who portrayed Oiran illuminates a deeper conversation about gender relations during the Edo period and their associated performances. Through the illustration of the kabuki theater within Torii’s work, we are invited to visually delight in the presence of the courtesan as if she were a real woman, despite an implicit understanding that she is not. The coalescence of the theater and prostitution is an important one, as it is where the physical presentation of the Oiran and the wakashu meet within the medium of kabuki. Ultimately, the ability to engage femininity both theatrically and socially alludes to the permissive space of the kabuki theater and the Yoshiwara as one of continual aesthetic experimentation and development.

Bibliography:

Harris, Frederick. Ukiyo-e: The Art of the Japanese Print. Tuttle, 2011. 

Mostow, Joshua S. “Wakashu as a Third Gender and Gender Ambiguity Through the Edo Period.” In A Third Gender: Beautiful Youths in Japanese Edo-Period Prints and Paintings (1600-1868), 19-39. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum, 2016. 

Jackson, Reginald. “Translation Fantasies and False Flags: Desiring and Misreading Queerness in Premodern Japan.” In A Proximate Remove: Queering Intimacy and Loss in The Tale of Genji, 1-30. Oakland: University of California Press, 2021.

[quintessbrit]

The Prince of Wales Patronages, Charities and Affiliations

(Page 2 of 2, showing 21-39)

Royal Ontario Museum - Honorary Life Members

Scotland, Royal Naval Command - Commodore-in-Chief

The Royal Navy's operations in Scotland

St John's College, Cambridge - Honorary Fellow

Submarines, Royal Naval Command - Commodore-in-Chief

The Royal Navy's submarine operations

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts - President

Supports the art of the moving image by rewarding excellence and inspiring practitioners.

The British Sub-Aqua Club - President

The UK's leading dive club and the sport's National Governing Body, providing an internationally-recognised diver training and development programme via a network of clubs and centres across the country and overseas.

The Football Association - President

Governing body for English football.

The Foundation of the College of St. George - Vice-President

Society for supporters of St George's Chapel, Windsor, and descendants of former holders of the Order of the Garter.

The Hurlingham Polo Association - Membership

Governing body of polo in the UK, Ireland and other countries throughout the world.

The Passage - Patron

The Passage's vision is of a society where street homelessness no longer exists and where everyone has a place to call home.

They offer resources and solutions to help people to prevent or end their homelessness for good, including routes to employment, benefits and stable accommodation.

The Passage runs a resource centre in Victoria, four residential and resettlement projects, outreach and health services, homelessness prevention schemes and a modern slavery referral programme.

The Royal Aero Club - Honorary Member

Promotion of recreational air sports and has a charity that awards bursaries for young people to participate in air sports

The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales - Founder Patron

Charitable Foundation

The Royal Household Football Sports and Social Club - President

Sports club for Royal Household employees.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust - President

London hospital dedicated to cancer treatment and research.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh - Honorary Fellowship

Educational charity seeking the advancement of learning and useful knowledge.

The Royal Society of Medicine - Honorary Fellow

Provides continuing medical education for doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons.

Tusk Trust - Royal Patron

An African conservation charity, based in UK.

Tuvalu Order of Merit - Membership

HMTQ approved the nomination

United for Wildlife - President

United for Wildlife was created by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Led by The Duke of Cambridge, our campaign unites the world's leading wildlife charities under a common purpose: to create a global movement for change.

Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust - Patron

To support those players and their families who have been severely injured whilst playing rugby football in Wales

Information from royal.uk - websites added when possible

[justforbooks]

Peter Robinson was the creator of the immensely popular Inspector Alan Banks crime series, set in Yorkshire – the books sold almost 9m copies in 19 languages and spawned a successful television series (DCI Banks, 2010-16) starring Stephen Tompkinson as Banks.

Robinson, who has died aged 72 after a brief illness, first introduced Banks and the fictional Yorkshire town of Eastvale to the crime-reading world in 1987 with Gallows View. The gruff Yorkshire cop, complex as the best crime cops are expected to be, but with a belief in fairness and justice, was an immediate success, with Gallows View shortlisted for the best first novel award in Canada and for the UK Crimewriters’ Association’s John Creasey award.

Although he had not necessarily intended to write a series, Robinson went on to produce a Banks novel a year – as well as award-winning short stories. He was regularly nominated for and frequently won awards in Canada, the US, France, the UK and Sweden.

A native of Yorkshire, Robinson lived for most of his life in Toronto. He once said he started the Inspector Banks series because he was homesick in his early days in Canada.

He was born in Castleford, West Yorkshire, to Clifford Robinson, a rent collector, and Miriam (nee Jarvis), a cleaner, and grew up in Armley, a working-class suburb of Leeds (also home to fellow writers Alan Bennett and Barbara Taylor Bradford). It is not too much of a stretch to assume that aspects of Inspector Banks’s adolescence in the 1960s, as described in Close to Home (2003), the 14th novel in the series, mirrored Robinson’s own.

He described in one interview how he spent the lively summer of 1965 “with his ear glued to his transistor radio and his eyes on the passing girls”. He went to Leeds University to study English literature. While there he wrote poetry and gave public readings around Yorkshire.

In 1974 he moved to Canada, to take an MA in English and creative writing at the University of Windsor, Ontario. One of his tutors was the prolific and highly esteemed American author Joyce Carol Oates, who taught him, among other things, to take his writing seriously.

He then moved to Toronto, to York University, to take a PhD in English. There he organised various poetry events and helped set up a small press with friends, whose publications included a volume of his own poems. He settled in the city after meeting his future wife, Sheila Halladay, a lawyer, there.

Although he continued to write poetry occasionally throughout his life (some of which he placed in one or two of his novels, attributed to various characters) he once explained that things he would previously have put in his poems he now put in his prose.

In each Banks novel Robinson explored the character of the policeman a little more, but always keeping him grounded in his sense of decency and justice. Robinson was teaching at different colleges from time to time during this period – including a year as writer in residence at his old university, Windsor.

In 1990 he published a stand-alone novel, Caedmon’s Song, a psychological thriller in which two young women in different parts of England find their paths crossing in an alarming way.

In 2000 he made a step-change with the 10th Banks novel, In a Dry Season, which had a more complex (and haunting) plot, set around secrets long hidden in a village flooded to create a reservoir and revealed when the reservoir dries up. Oddly, his fellow Yorkshireman Reginald Hill, creator of that bluff northern detective Andy Dalziel and his university-educated sidekick, Peter Pascoe, had the same idea of using a flooded village and dried-up reservoir in On Beulah Height, published around the same time.

Hill won the US Barry award for On Beulah Height in 1999 and Robinson the same award for In a Dry Season the year after. In addition it won the Anthony award in the US and the Martin Beck award in Sweden. In 2002 Robinson was awarded the Dagger in the Library by the UK Crime Writers’ Association for most popular author of that year, voted for by libraries.

He claimed it got harder as time went on to maintain the high standard he had established for himself in the series, but it was not noticeable in his output. Banks went on through divorce, further success in his career and no let-up in the complexity and sometimes brutality of the cases he investigated.

Robinson visited the UK regularly – he and Sheila had a cottage in Richmond, North Yorkshire – and he was a well-known and welcome presence at crime fiction festivals around the world.

In 2009 the University of Leeds awarded him an honorary doctorate. He and his wife later endowed the Peter Robinson scholarship at Leeds to help students from less advantaged backgrounds study English – preferably students with an interest in creative writing.

The first episodes of the Inspector Banks TV adaptation came along in 2010, with Tompkinson well received playing the title character. It ran for five series.

Robinson had completed another Banks novel before he died. Standing in the Shadows is due to be published next year.

Sheila survives him.

🔔 Peter Robinson, writer, born 17 March 1950; died 4 October 2022

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com