Author: kwetoday

Stigma Creates Stigma

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Stigma
noun ( pl. stigmas or esp. in sense 2 stigmata)
“a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person : the stigma of mental disorder | to be a nonreader carries a social stigma.”

Lately I have been doing a lot of reading and studying. The one word that always seems to creep itself into lectures, articles and textbooks is “stigma.”

People are always talking about stigma or stigmatizing attributes. I always read and hear about the “mental health stigma” or “the stigma of sex trade workers.” You know something though, for me, I don’t believe in stigma. I don’t believe in it because I would never want to be portrayed as the victim. I would never want people to see me as Ervin Goffman puts it, “discrediting” or “discreditable” according to social standards.

Stigma is something created by societal perceptions on what is to believed right and wrong, moral and immoral, honorable and dishonorable. But really, why would I want to declare that I suffer from a stigma. Sure, I may have suffered from anxiety or PTSD… but that does not mean I am to be discredited as a functioning individual.

I believe the concept of stigma just creates stigma; it is both the cause and the effect. Who has the right to say that those that experience mental illness suffer from something that is either discrediting or discreditable within society? Only individuals should be able to define who they are and should lay the foundations for how they wish to be seen by others. Society should not make those definitions or create those foundations.

Maybe I am wrong in all this. Maybe the concept of stigma portrays certain individuals as deserving help or deserving to be saved. Then again, who are we to define who deserves to be saved based on society’s standards of what is right and what is wrong? I believe that we should empower those that suffer from any so-called stigma. We shouldn’t define them as something that is not the societal norm.

Stigma, the use of this word should just disappear.

Updated January 29, 2012: Well, I just finished attending a workshop on how to reduce stigma and rebuild capacity. After attending this workshop, I have gained a new understanding. Even though as an individual, I do not like stigma and do not want to say “I have a stigma”, I must not deny those that say such thing exists. Stigma sort of creates that blatant in your face message that say “something is wrong” within society and when people who carry the stigma are made to feel a certain way (usually negative), then that needs to change. For the in-group, those with the stigma, it tells them “it’s not your fault” and for the out-group, those without the stigma, it tells them, “something needs to change.” We, as individuals and human beings, should not allow groups to exist in society to be made feel less than or inferior to other groups. We should all be free and equal to live amongst each other without fear and without fear of judgement. I hope this makes sense?!

Just be yourself

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This past weekend I had an interesting experience. Unrelated to politics but it was at a political event. The thing that happened was more of a realization and a sense of greater understanding of who I am and not to be afraid of being that person.

The experience goes a little bit like this: There was a panel discussion. Two individuals began the panel with their speeches and perspectives. After the 2 presentations, people were allowed to comment. I sat there debating with myself on two issues 1) Should I leave now to go the bathroom or wait until after? and 2) Should I ask the question I really want to ask?

It was kind of a hard decision to make because well I really wanted to go to the bathroom and I really wanted to ask the question. My question was, how do Aboriginal women fit into the whole concept of social cohesion? The 2 presentations talked about this concept of social cohesion. Social cohesion, according to the presentations, was related to environment, health, education, demographics, and solidarity. I kept hearing, youth, elders, and older women. I mean, those are all important. Really, they are. But what about young women, especially young, single women with children? Or what about single men?

Anyways, I asked a question relating to Aboriginal women relating to my lived experiences only because I know a lot of other females who have those same experiences. I was nervous not because I am scared to talk in public or ask questions. I was nervous because this was the first time I shared those experiences in a public domain. Some people think that when others share their experiences that they are calling out for attention. When I share my experiences, it has nothing to do with a cry for attention. I just want others to not be afraid of their own experiences because honestly, some experiences can be really scary and even more scary if you have to live with them on your own.

After I was done asking my question and sharing my experiences, I was more relieved. When I sat down, the woman sitting next to me shared with me she had experienced something similar and I could see the tears in her eyes. Then another woman walked up to me and said that she wanted to talk to me, she was doing work that helped women. Not too long after, another woman walked up to me and asked me what it was I was doing now and thanked me for sharing my story and asking the question. The best part of the experience was having Dr. Carolyn Bennett highlighting to the audience that we must remember that women may experience discrimination, but Aboriginal women may receive double, if not triple discrimination (being Aboriginal, being a woman, and maybe having a disability).

The greatest lesson I learned was that people shouldn’t be afraid to share their lived experiences, whether it is good or bad. Someone might learn from it or at least gain a different perspective based on the lived realities. But remember, people who judge people based on their lived experiences are those that are most uncomfortable with their own–don’t worry about them.

Mack’s Packs!

Aboriginal education, Ashoka, Changemakers Leave a comment

A bit of background information:

My sister is an elementary school teacher on an uncededed First Nation in Canada. An unceded First Nation means, one “that has not relinquished title to its land to the government by treaty or otherwise.” That means it does not receive monies from the government.

Anyways, my sister has decided to submit an idea called “Mack’s Packs” to the Ashoka Changemakers competition. I debating about submitting an idea that I had but decided to help support my sister. She is a hard working single First Nations woman. Most recently, she completed her masters in education from The University of Western Ontario (UWO) and last year gave birth to my first nephew. While attending UWO, Mackenzie was nominated for the Joan Pedersen Memorial Graduate Award, where her nomination reads,

Mackenzie’s thesis centres on classroom-based approaches and processes in Aboriginal education. Her nominator writes, “Mackenzie is looking for ways to enrich student learning and provide more culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy in the classroom and school. Working with Elders in her community, she has created and developed new materials and initiated new approaches to her own teaching based on the Ojibway language and traditions as understood in her locale. By honouring Mackenzie Sayers with the Joan Pedersen Memorial Graduate Award, the Faculty of Education would also be recognizing the importance of classroom-based research and classroom-based research in Aboriginal education.”

Read the full nomination HERE.

She has now come up with an idea that will help Aboriginal students, who are likely to come from single-parent households and/or low-income households. Briefly speaking her idea is comprised of the following,

Mack’s Packs is a program that gives deserving students school supplies at the beginning of the school year (September 2012) with a hope that it will continue throughout the years with the assistance of donations. This idea came to me as I am an educator and understand the importance of having students come prepared to class. Unfortunately, many students do not have the means to equip themselves with the basic necessities to do this. This program will work similar to a scholarship program where students will be invited to submit an essay on the importance of education alongside taking pride in our culture/history and who we are as a people.

I remember last September 2011 I brought home some extra supplies, like binders and paper, after my sister shared with me that her students could use the supplies. My sister also purchased some supplies for her own students at the beginning of the year with her own monies (a single, mother who teaches making a real difference). Thinking about this idea and the confidence that it can give to other young First Nation students really warms my heart.

If you are going to do anything while on the internet (and if you have facebook which makes it easier), you should vote for this (or at least consider any of the entries that interest you).

Again here is the link: Mack’s Packs!

Did all that really just happen?!

#ott12, Aboriginal women Leave a comment

They say everything in life happens for a reason. Last week was an eventful one, especially pertaining to Indigenous issues (it was almost an Indigenous issues overload) but I loved it!

Last week, I was able to attend the Liberal Biennial Convention. It was an amazing experience. I got to meet so many cool new people thanks to my friend Chad! I first met him at my university just randomly talking about policies and issues that were in the media at the time. He eventually convinced me to join the Liberal party. I am really glad that I did.

During the convention, it was all go-go-go. I will admit I even had a mini breakdown after the co-chairs of the APC and other exec, and myself had met with Dr. Carolyn Bennett. However, I was not alone in this. I had the support of the rest of the APC team (as well as some pointers from Dr. Bennett’s assistants). At the convention, there was almost no time to eat. I remember the first day I was sooooo hungry–my little nutrigrain bar and boiled egg didn’t hold over very long and it wasn’t until three in the afternoon did I sit down to have a full meal, and meals always included a time to discuss and meet with others. There was a lot of multitasking. I know that I am pretty good at multi-tasking or at least time management but this was a new experience for me: I had no idea what to expect!

The out-going president did a wonderful job by allowing us to introduce ourselves (I still have to find a French translator to translate my english bio for the Liberal party website–so if you read this and you can help me or know someone who can, let me know!). Hon. Paul Martin sat in the audience while we all introduced ourselves and even the amazing Cynthia C. Wesley-Esquixmaus was there!

When I was sitting in the audience, there was an alteration between French and English. It made me sad because I wish I had taken the french courses in elementary and high school. In elementary and high school, I opted for Ojibwe classes. It made me sad to sit there and think of other Indigenous students who opt to talk their traditional language over French, would they want to one day go into politics and be faced to learn yet another language? Anyways, that’s a different topic saved for a different post (maybe). For a new personal goal, I am going to try to learn french. I know that I should take the time to learn my language but this is one of the decisions that many young Indigenous peoples face and that being, how to walk in both worlds.

Anyways, I think this is going to be a great opportunity to learn from and to gain some definitely useful experience. Since my initial posts regarding the convention and donations, I was able to converse with several individuals on Aboriginal women issues (and also learning about issues that other Aboriginal groups face). Like I said, this is going to be a great opportunity to learn from.

I will cherish this experience forever from the times that we were able to meet with the Hon. Paul Martin to discuss how we can help him or him help us or when Dr. Carolyn Bennett walked up to me and gave me a hug after I shared my personal story, and especially remember those who sat in on the APC biennial on the first day. But most importantly, the wonderful group of individuals who I met this weekend who are all a part of this experience for the next 2 years. When I sit here and think about, I still can’t believe it all happened.

Keep the momentum going!

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First things first, I want to thank all of those who have either shared the link or RT (re-tweet) the link on their twitter for my previous which I wrote the other day.

Secondly, I want to give a big thank you to those who have donated already.

Here is a bit of a recap:

The other day I wrote a post asking for help to attend a convention to help me complete the journey in this newly acclaimed roles as the VP-Women’s rep for the Aboriginal Peoples Commission and the Women’s Liberal Commission and to also meet, plan and discussion with the other executive members from the Aboriginal Peoples Commission and other Liberal Commissions. You can read that post HERE.

Again, here is an excerpt from yesterday’s post including the donation button:

On January 13-15, 2012, I am required to attend the Liberal Convention as a delegate and as the candidate for this position. The costs to attend this convention are somewhat high (well at least beyond my student budget). Such costs that are to be incurred by attending this convention are listed below:

• $130 Greyhound bus ticket (2-way London to Ottawa)
• $140/night for 4 nights (hotel to be shared with 3 other delegates in Ottawa)
• $50/day for 4 days (food//incidentals) = $200
• TOTAL: $470 (taxes not included)

I am asking for donations to help out with making this trip. This is by no means a support or a donation to the Liberal Party of Canada. This is an opportunity to help Indigenous women in Canada. I am a candidate that comes from a diverse background, filled with many lived experiences. I hope to create awareness at the federal level so that Indigenous women are no longer ignored in Canada.

Further, I know that many of you are celebrating the holidays and have just spent monies on Holiday/Christmas Cheer and asking for a donation may seem daunting right now. To help breakdown the above total, if just 4 organizations with 10 people donated $10.00, that could cover $400.00 with just $70.00 remaining. You are free to donate what you are able to donate (even if it is just $1.00).

To help make this donation process easier, I set up a paypal account. This is an easy and secure way to donate money. You can click the link below and send money that way (if you have a credit card/pay pal account/bank allows you to send money online–there are costs incurred on your behalf if you use a major credit card).

DONATIONS NOW CLOSED
THANK YOU/CHI-MIIGWETCH

 

Some of the items I would like to focus on during my term (2012-2014) are the increased rates of violence experienced by Aboriginal women. Aboriginal women experience violence higher than any other group within Canada. They are also more likely to die because of violent acts committed against them. Unfortunately, Aboriginal women also experience high rates of incarceration. These issues are of great importance for all of Canada, not just Indigenous people.

Please remember that monies received by you are not an endorsement or support for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Once again, Happy Holidays/ Happy New Year!

Thank you/Chi-Miigwetch
Naomi Sayers

Also, unless otherwise stated, your name/organization will be featured on my website http://www.kwetoday.com and given public recognition for your efforts (whether they shared the post or donated…every little bit counts). Note: no dollar amounts will be posted.

Be a part of this wonderful new journey with me!

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Hi Everyone,

First things first, Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas/Happy New Years! I am writing this letter after completing the first half of my second semester. I am also writing this letter to announce that I have been acclaimed as the Vice-President (Women’s Representative) for the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission for the Liberal Party of Canada at the Federal level. With this position, I am required to sit on two commissions, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission and the Liberal Women’s Commission. While sitting on both commissions, I act as a voice for Indigenous women in Canada. I will help draft any resolutions that are of concern to the state of Indigenous women in Canada.

Some of the items I would like to focus on during my term (2012-2014) are the increased rates of violence experienced by Aboriginal women. Aboriginal women experience violence higher than any other group within Canada. They are also more likely to die because of violent acts committed against them. Unfortunately, Aboriginal women also experience high rates of incarceration. During my studies at the university, I focus on issues that Aboriginal women face (just recently, I had an essay on Aboriginal women’s leadership published by Native Youth Sexual Health Network and Girls Action Foundation). I also had the opportunity to work with a research team that focused on pregnant Aboriginal women and gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). These issues are of great importance for all of Canada, not just Indigenous people. However, I need some help in making the initial part of this journey complete.

On January 13-15, 2012, I am required to attend the Liberal Convention as a delegate and as the candidate for this position. The costs to attend this convention are somewhat high (well at least beyond my student budget). Such costs that are to be incurred by attending this convention are listed below:

• $130 Greyhound bus ticket (2-way London to Ottawa)
• $140/night for 4 nights (hotel to be shared with 3 other delegates in Ottawa)
• $50/day for 4 days (food//incidentals) = $200
• TOTAL: $470 (taxes not included)

I am asking for donations to help out with making this trip. This is by no means a support or a donation to the Liberal Party of Canada. This is an opportunity to help Indigenous women in Canada. I am a candidate that comes from a diverse background, filled with many lived experiences. I hope to create awareness at the federal level so that Indigenous women are no longer ignored in Canada.

Further, I know that many of you are celebrating the holidays and have just spent monies on Holiday/Christmas Cheer and asking for a donation may seem daunting right now. To help breakdown the above total, if just 4 organizations with 10 people donated $10.00, that could cover $400.00 with just $70.00 remaining. You are free to donate what you are able to donate (even if it is just $1.00).

To help make this donation process easier, I set up a paypal account. This is an easy and secure way to donate money. You can click the link below and send money that way (if you have a credit card/pay pal account/bank allows you to send money online–there are costs incurred on your behalf if you use a major credit card).

DONATIONS NOW CLOSED
THANK YOU/CHI-MIIGWETCH

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this trip or about this role, please do not hesitate to contact me by email nls@kwetoday.com. For those that wish to speak over the phone, please email me your phone number and I can contact you (especially those who are worried about long-distance charges). Also if you wish to do a plain email money transfer which most major institutions allow with minimal charges, please let me know (email money transfers work the same way as a bank transfer except with an email address–it’s that simple and just as secure).

Please remember that monies received by you are not an endorsement or support for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Once again, Happy Holidays/ Happy New Year!

Thank you/Chi-Miigwetch
Naomi Sayers

Also, unless otherwise stated, your name/organization will be featured on my website http://www.kwetoday.com and given public recognition for your efforts.

Oh look, resolutions goals!

Goal Setting, resolutions View all 2 comments

It is that time year again: new years! You know what that means, resolutions!!!

Last year I didn’t set any new years resolutions. Okay well maybe there was one: don’t get arrested. I mean that is a pretty good NY resolution right? I stuck with it anyways. **pats self on back**

Enough with the sarcasm, I did, however, set some goals for myself. I believe there is so much pressure on creating these resolutions and starting over. Blech! I have tried to start over so many times. I always told myself, “Okay, next monday…next week…next month.” Then I finally woke up. I didn’t want to keep doing the same things and having the same experiences. I wasn’t really learning anything.

Sometimes some people ask me how do I do everything? That’s work part-time, go to school full-time, and volunteer outside of school in the greater community and with school activities. First, good time management skills. Second, I believe that anyone is capable of achieving anything they want to achieve. Last but not least, I set goals!

Time management is a good skill to have. Not just for yourself but for life in general. I mean, I got so many things accomplished within the last year just because I utilized these skills to their greatest possible advantage. Here are some things I accomplished last year (not just resume accomplishment but also personal accomplishments):

– Won 3 scholarships, 1 essay writing award
– Volunteered with London Brain Injury Association, London and Region Food Bank, Toronto’s Second Harvest, The University of Western Ontario’s University Student Council Mental Health Commissioner during mental health awareness week, a children’s literacy program… just to name a few
– Started running again (also lost 20lbs)
– Started two amazing employment opportunities (one of which I still work at)
– Spoke at a youth conference (my long term goal is to do more of this)
– Started this blog with registering the domain http://www.kwetoday.com 🙂
– Gained an interest in politics and motivated to do more work for Indigenous peoples, specifically Indigenous women in Canada
– Met some amazing people, especially the women I have met, all of who live in London ON.

I honestly don’t think I could have done half of what I done without time management. I also don’t think that I could not have done the other half without the belief that I could accomplish anything I want to.

Coming to school was a choice. Volunteering was a choice. Starting to run again was a choice. I am sure you are starting to see a pattern here: choice. Earlier this week, someone asked me how I would describe myself? I simply stated, “resilient” (which is simple enough because the conversation was about resiliency and domestic violence). Later in the conversation, the person then again asked me what does resiliency mean to me? I just said, “resiliency is having a choice and making one.” There were 2 ways my life could have gone if I didn’t go back to school. Bad or really bad. I didn’t want either. I wanted to live a better life.

I believed that I could make a choice. Trust me when I say this,

If you really want something to happen in your life, you will do whatever it takes to make that happen.

I really wanted a better life. I am not perfect and some angel now. I do still make mistakes but I know that I am a better person than I was last year, and the year before, and so on. That is the ultimate personal accomplishment. Time management and personal belief, along with having choices and making choices, has gotten me here today. Yet, that is not all that has helped me. What also helped me was goal setting.

I wanted a better life. What does that even mean? What is a better life for me? I know what it is not: it is not what or how I was previously living my life (The key here to goal setting is figuring out what does having what you want mean to you on your own terms?) My definition of a better life may not be the same as someone else’s definition. I stopped comparing myself to others. A major thought process that happened within my own self went something like this, “Oh I am almost 25 and not even in university and don’t have a car and don’t have this…” Blah blah blah. The pattern? I always looked at what others had and what others did instead of worrying about what I had. Thus, I began to put my own interests on the “back burner.” By defining what I wanted on my own terms, I set the framework for a better life for me and only me, and most importantly, on my own terms.

Another trick to goal setting? Break down a big goal into smaller goals. In the end, it may seem like a lot of work but if you accomplish a bunch of little goals that are apart of your ultimate bigger goal… you WILL feel better about yourself 🙂 Trust me, this works. So you want better grades? Okay, great, break it down: you want to study math for 60 minutes a week or you want to review your study notes a week before the test or you want to have a final draft done well in advance to get the help that you need to get that better grade. Sometimes this seems easier than it appears, but remember, make an action plan to make your goal happen in steps. How does that saying go? Rome wasn’t built in a day. With all that being said, sometimes life happens and goals get interrupted. Let life happen. Don’t beat yourself up for messing up your goal for one or two week. Just remember, life happens and you won’t know where it may take you… it may take you places you never thought possible.

Just remember, life is supposed to be fun. As many people like to say, live, laugh, learn 😉 So, go live life, learn and learn to laugh (especially at yourself)!

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee

Genocide, Wounded Knee Leave a comment

Sorry didn’t this post earlier.

Today I remember as a young person at one point in elementary school, I attempted to read my mom’s 300 some page book titled “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.” Like many of her other books, including Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto, I made up more than much of what was on the pages. Little did I know that the story I was pretending to read was a true story about ONE of the massive killings committed against North America’s Indigenous peoples. I never knew about this incident until high school when I asked my mom to use her book for a book report. She said sure but my teacher said no (my teacher also said no to my second pick that recalled the author’s residential school experiences).  I never learned about this event in school, and what I know I read/taught myself (which isn’t very much).

So today I remember an act of genocide committed against North America’s Indigenous Peoples in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Remembering Wounded Knee.

ORNGE you glad I didn’t say Attawapiskat Banana.

Attawapiskat, Canadian Government, ORNGE Leave a comment

Here is a bit of background information:

The highest paid public servant earned $500,000 as reported in 2010; however more recently, with an access to information request, thestar.com reports that he in fact earned $1.8 million.

In my opinion, that is quite a bit for a public servant. But I guess given the services provided/overseeing, it might make a bit of sense.

What did this public servant do exactly? Well he was the head of the ORNGE Ambulance service. This is an air ambulance service that has “13 dedicated bases staffed 24/7.”

This service uses up $150 million in tax payers monies. Yet, there still seems to be some controversy over the accountability of these services. I mean, all services should be held accountable that are funding by tax payers’ monies. You can read a bit about the ORNGE in the Toronto Star here.

Accountability? Wasn’t it Minister of Indian Affairs Mr. Duncan that said,

“Our government believes First Nations, like all Canadians, deserve transparency and accountability from their elected officials…”

And, what…

This was said in speaking of a new bill called “Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations” to force individual First Nations

“…to publicize financial information on their own website or the website of a Tribal council/partner organization. The bill also requires that the audited financial statements and schedule of remuneration that First Nations are already required to submit to the federal government be published on the website of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Those statements include expenses and salaries of chiefs and councillors and detail how money was spent every year.

There was a big uproar over the Attawapiskat issue in major media outlets regarding the $90 million that was sent over five years to “help” with the 3rd world living conditions. People asked questions like “where did this money go to?” or “what happened to the money?” Our own PM Harper didn’t even flinch when he got wind of what was happening on this First Nation (which is not uncommon to many other First Nations). Nope, he declared the First Nation to be put under forced third party management and forced an audit of the community’s financial statement. Implicitly telling First Nations peoples that you are unable and incapable of running your own community. First Nations do what they can with what they were/are given. Many communities, like Attawapiskat, are just getting by… However, you can read Chelsea Vowel’s healthy breakdown of how that $90 million over 5 years article on the huffingtonpost.com titled, “Attawapiskat: You Want to Be Shown the Money? Here it Is.”

I mean, why wouldn’t anyone ask what happened to the $150 million/year in tax payer money? Why wouldn’t this audit be excessively regurgitated in the major media outlets just as much as the Attawapiskat audit? And where did the CEO go to after his $1.5 million income was announced go to?

It’s too bad that the same transparency and accountability that is forced upon First Nations is not forced upon services such as these.

London Occupy Movement

#ldnont, London Occupy Movement, London ON, Occupy Canada, Occupy Wall Street Leave a comment

Recently there was an event on income disparity in London ON. I chose not to go for 2 reasons:

  1. I had final exams
  2. I did not see any use in going to listen to people in suits speak on income disparity

Sure the work that is being done to raise awareness on income disparity is awesome. However, I can empathize with the last sentence of the article that I read today talking about the event highlighting income disparity.

The article reads, “Some also carried placard saying the Citizens Panel does not represent them.” Read the rest of the article HERE.

It was a nice event to have presenter’s in their suits and ties talking about income disparity. That is not the only thing I am upset about this event. It is because I saw an entire group of people within this city once supported and praised within the news but as soon as their fired died out and where was the support? That group being the occupy group of protesters (in the beginning anyways). Perhaps events like these are a way to keep that fire alive.

Keep in mind that when we speak of income disparity or social injustices, we must remember the intersection of race, gender, and class. Not just research reports and research findings.

Just as Bridget Todd says, “These attempts to bring race into the conversations taking place at various occupations are integral, as racial injustice and economic injustice go hand in hand.” To not talk about those intersecting factors is to forget about the main causes. Really, we can force all the tax breaks in the world on corporations but nothing will explain away discrimination, racism, etc.

To put it a bit in perspective, there is often a presentation of the example of non-Aboriginal researchers claim to help Aboriginal peoples when they “study” them. I am not saying that this is related to Aboriginal people or Indigenous issues but it is just to equate to another example to sort of put it in perspective. I am not speaking on behalf of the London Occupy Movement but in terms of my own interpretation of it. Perhaps it is ignorant or a bit blind sided. It is like those with the resources are the ones who are the knights in shining armour. If we just continue to talk about people who face social injustices/income disparity without really talking TO THEM then what good is the work that is being done?

At the end of it all, I am excited about the other events that follow this one. Check them out HERE.