- PRIDE: I am the expert!

• I survived and I am willing to pass on my experience
  

“Writing my story I wanted to show that I have a lot to say too, I have been through things... I have things to say, I don’t know how to say but I have seen and people don’t know… My problems, I solve alone, I don’t want people to feel sorry for me...it was hard but there are much…oh…much harder lives than mine. I don't need...and my sister is an angel to prove, I kept her innocent...I would not let anybody to touch her, I took care of her”. (Speech from a left brain student who is 18 years old)

• I manage a pretty tide schedule of parties
  

"I am a procrastinator, I am not goal oriented...when it is about school, you know?...I can change, ‘cause I manage a pretty tide schedule of parties and meetings (laugh). I am just not ready for school"

6 am to 6 pm
Schedule

6 pm to 6 am

Schedule

I5OO pub, Cactus and Club 10 are pubs

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FRIENDS: The person I am

A study group discusses a text book on how to focus on studying and not procrastinate

Student 1

If I follow what this book is saying, I will lose all my friends. I never miss a phone call, never… I spent a whole weekend with a friend before an exam on Monday, she knocked on my door. She was having a baby. Ah, it was an amazing! Yes…I am a procrastinator!

Student 2

I am a procrastinator too. People count on me, I always pick up the phone

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FRIENDS: The help I need

...

Student 1

I tried to meet you at school. Did you give up on graduating? Where have you been party girl?

Student 2

My sister had the baby and the aboriginal housing center got her a new place. About 300 for a full house in New Sudbury! So I had to get a new place for me

Student 1

But you moved last week…

Student 2

Oh… I went to the beach again

Student 1

Be aware that you can’t miss too much classes

Student 2

I told the teacher I was moving.

Student 1

Take care, he (the teacher) might kick you out

Student 2

I needed the ride. All my friends were going. Summer is almost over. The bus doesn’t go there, you know.

Student 1

Oh! The collective transportation in Canada is a shame for Canadians, a sin against environment. Most of the people drive cars, avoid giving rides because of insurance and when the city has a collective transportation...it is frustrating... stay 20 minutes to one hour at a bus stop! Better get a ride when you have one!

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FUTURE: Believe and live

Student 1
I lost my housing grant. But it is ok; I am working as a seller, a good job. Thanks Lord I finished my high school. I’m still thinking about further my education in college, though. But for now, I need to make some money to spoil my children. They had been very patient with me; I have given them hard life...I'm sorry I didn't attend your workshop. Getting together to write our own stories was a cool idea. Did it work?

Student 2
The library support was great and 9 people were registered and 8 finished it! The library has a list of people interested to attend another one! I made friends who gave me gifts on Christmas, recipes of Canadian food and recommendation letters for job. From our class, W2 participated (coming late everyday because of her work) and W3 could not attend the workshop full time but we wrote a story about the time she could talk to animals, like her aboriginal ancestors!

Student 1
Do you believe it?

Student 2
She believes and she was a child with a secret life. She says she would be called schizophrenic like many aboriginals in jail.

Student 1
She has the right to believe as I believe I’m going to find a good man now that my children are finishing high school! I’ve been widow for 8 years!

Student 2
Remember what the teacher said? Believe is the first step to make things happen! W2 believed her story was to be written. One day, she told a co-worker she was late to come to the workshop, and guess what? This co-worker’s family has just opened a small publishing company... their interest: teenager stories…and they are editing her story!

Student 1
Wow!... Do you know about our other classmates? I know five of us graduated high school and that W8 is healthier now and came back to study.

Student 2
Our teacher is teaching ESL on College. M1 got a good construction job, I guess he will take long to come back to graduate. I know it is a good company 'cause in the other class, a student (in his 20's) who works there told me he worked as an Egyptian slave but his paycheck was great...great enough to him write "I WON" as a special saying on his car plate...a brandy new black high wheels truck

Student 1
Yeah...M1 used to run between jobs, saying he needs money to have a girl.

Student 2
Yeah...it is sad that he got the girl he wanted and she moved away. She was aboriginal like him, I saw him drunk because he was celebrating and then because he was let alone. I saw him drunk three times! Our city (in North of Ontario) is challenging not only for immigrants. This is why it is still cheap to live here...W2 and W3 are working at the call center. They passed the training period and are making $10 or more an hour. But people are moving, M2 is living in British Columbia. M3 moved to Vancouver with his girlfriend ... Who are staying are the aboriginals and the moms. Mom W6 is living with her mom... I am trying to stay but I’ve recently applied for three jobs here. One was canceled, and two preferred young people (they are sponsored by governmental grants). Step by step, I have learned about grants for aboriginals, grants for youth as well the challenge of living in a bilingual city... I hope we will be in touch through email and phone!

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)