Ecuadorian shaman speaks at Laurentian University

by Michael Erskine
SUDBURY---The small quiet man who entered the Conciencion Hall at the 
University of Sudbury to speak on the spiritual beliefs of his people 
did not seem particularly imposing, yet Juan Uyunkar is at the centre 
of a controversy which may have deep ramifications for the practice 
of traditional healing ceremonies by indigenous healers across Canada.
Mr. Uyunkar, his son Edgar, both traditional healers from the Shuar 
people of the Amazon basin region of Ecuador, and their interpreter 
Maria Ventura, a Canadian citizen, were charged with criminal 
negligence stemming from a ceremony held at Wikwemikong last October 
in which a respected Wikwemikong Elder, Jean (Jane) Maiangowi died of 
apparent tobacco poisoning.
The medicines used in the traditional ceremony were alleged to 
contain a controlled substance, and the traditional medicine 
practitioners and their interpreter have been charged with Criminal 
Negligence and Administering a Noxious Substance. The medicine men 
have also been charged with Possession of and Trafficking in a 
Controlled Substance, charges their supporters vehemently deny.
Mr. Uyunkar was not at the University of Sudbury to speak about the 
case in which he is involved however, his lawyers have advised him 
not to make any statements or answer questions about the charges or 
the events leading up to them. He is currently barred from practicing 
the ceremonies from which the charges stem by the terms of his bail.
Instead, the Shuar elder was invited to speak to Native Studies 
students and the general public about the 'Cosmovision of the Shuar 
People and Putukmai peoples' and the importance and current state of 
the practice of indigenous medicine.
Native Studies professor Sharon Corbiere-Johnson welcomed the 
assembled students and interested members of the public and opened 
the meeting with a prayer to the creator before introducing her guest.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to share as human beings from 
different traditions," she said. "The purpose of this meeting is to 
both create an awareness of the importance of indigenous medicine and 
to help to raise defense funds for Juan and Edgar. They are not able 
to work and, as they are not Canadian citizens, the are not eligible 
for welfare, so they have been supported mainly by their host Ida 
Embri."
Mr. Uyunkar was introduced, including his titles, as 'Arutum Kiap 
Juam Uyunkar Tutar,' an ushwin (medicine man, natural and spiritual 
leader), with 36 years of experience who was taught the secrets of 
his calling by the elders of his people, and initiated into this path 
by them as a youth.
Professor Corbiere-Johnson claimed Mr. Uyunkar had "cured thousands 
of people of illnesses ranging from psychological problems, to 
crushed bones, to breast cancer, and even to illnesses which modern 
medicine cannot cure. He works with the natural plant medicines that 
are the tradition of his nation, the Shuar, as well as with massage, 
energy techniques and other spiritual methods," she said.
Mr. Uyunkar has worked and given lectures in Columbia, Guatemala, 
Spain, Egypt, and the United States.
Mr. Uyunkar's 21 year-old son Edgar was at the lecture hall with his 
father, but he did not take part in the lecture. Edgar is also an 
experienced ushwin, using the same techniques and medicines as his 
father.
The perception of Mr. Uyunkar as a quiet retiring man was quickly 
dispelled as he began to speak about the spiritual beliefs of his 
people. In an animated lecture, efficiently and quickly translated by 
Cambrian College Native Child and Family student Sam Gomez, the Shuar 
spiritual leader described the underlying beliefs of his people. In 
addition to Mr. Gomez's translations, Mr. Uyunkar used a flip chart 
to draw detailed visual aids to help bring his lecture home to his 
audience.
Mr. Uynkar said the Shuar hold that the nature of man is dual, 
containing both positive and negative aspects, equal in part.
In the Shuar creation story, two gods, one of light and positive 
energy, called Uwinsut and one of dark and negative energy called 
Iwia, created the universe out of chaos, the argument of the gods. 
They entered into a contest to determine which of them was the 
ultimate founding creator, the resulting collision of egos created a 
large explosion, the original big bang from which a great light 
emerged. Unwinsut blew upon the fire and threw it with great force, 
filling the sky with points of light, he turned to Iwia and said 
look, this is what I can do. Iwia blew with all his might and 
extinguished the light. The contest continued, each in turn, Unwinsut 
creating light and fire and Iwia extinguishing the light and bringing 
back darkness until both realized they could never win and would 
remain equally powerful. Thus to everything there are two parts, the 
light and the dark.
After the confrontation, there was a peace, and the two became one 
body with two parts.
The stars, the planets, earth were made at this time, formed from the 
confrontation between the two gods. It was in this time that the 
people of the sky or the star, the Yaa Shuar, were created. When the 
rainy season came, the Yaa Shuar died, and their spirits went up into 
the sky and formed the stars.
The Atsut Shuar were then made, a people who could fly, when the 
floods came, these people were able to escape destruction. They flew 
into the sky and now inhabit the blue and the asidio planet. They 
live there to this day, and it is these people who are called UFOs 
when they visit earth.
The creator then wanted to make another species which could live upon 
the earth, he made the plants, animals, and trees, and each of these 
were animated, they could move around, the animals could talk. 
Unfortunately, the creatures he created took advantage of their 
powers, flew off and disobeyed Unwinsut, so he punished them. He sent 
floods, took away their powers and left them as normal plants and 
animals upon the earth.
As each of the phases of creation passed, so to did millions of 
years. Unwinsut decided to create man, an image which like himself 
would be made up of two parts, both positive and negative forces. 
Humans, animals and plants have these energies, both positive and 
negative.
Humans have two bodies, a spiritual body and a physical body, and 
each has a cyclical existence. As the body is conceived, grows old 
and dies, it returns to the earth to be consumed and recycled through 
the physical cycle, eventually becoming part once again with man.
The spirit also follows a cyclical path. The spirit rise, following 
either the path of light, becoming a pure positive energy which can 
then move into the presence of Unwinsut, its impurities burned off in 
the pure light of creation, or it can follow a dark path, the 
negative energy, becoming one with the darkness and complete absence 
of light, each path has 10 stages. Each time the spirit rises up it 
can decide to return once more to the world.
Humans exist in both the spirit and the physical world 
simultaneously. Scientists refuse to see the spirit world because 
they rely upon the five senses, the spirit also has five senses and 
it uses them to experience the spirit world.
When the conquest came, Europeans thought the Shuar were savages 
because they lived in the jungle, they were wrong. The jungle lives 
in the Shuar.
The Shuar believe that man must walk a middle path, being not too 
good, nor at the same time too evil, to maintain that balance which 
makes them unique.
For the Shuar, there is no life or death, it is all part of the same 
cycle. Vulgarly we speak of death, death does not exist.
At 50 years of age a man is mature, at 70 he is strong, ready for 
anything, between the age of 70 and 90, he begins his journey down 
the path to becoming a child again, he can no longer act like a man 
of 50 anymore.
There cannot be a spiritual death, nor can there be a physical death, 
each state has its own cycle, never-ending
In the Shuar world, there are 10 steps or levels to being. Why 10? 
Because there are five spiritual senses and five physical senses. 
When the body is separated into its spiritual and physical parts, the 
spirit is stained by its existence in the physical world, it must 
pass through the 10 stages to be purified, at the 10th stage the body 
is so bright it cannot be viewed by the physical body. At this stage 
the spirit can decide whether it will move on or return to the earth.
In the view of the Shuar people, it is ego which makes us afraid to 
die. Do not be afraid of death, explained Mr. Uyunkar, it is just a 
new form of birth into a new form.
Each of us is a god in the Shuar perspective, and to use drugs, abuse 
the body is to not respect that divinity which is each of us.
Mr. Uyunkar said this was the view of the Shuar people of the upper 
Amazon basin. It is not the only view of life, simply one way of 
viewing it. He said it was important to respect each persons view, to 
respect each other and live a good life.

SDHU budget increase controversial

by Cheryl Waugh and Tom Sasvari
MINDEMOYA --- The Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) is calling 
on the Sudbury and District Health Unit (SDHU) board of directors to 
review its controversial decision to increase its operating budget by 
$2.27 million, a 30 per cent increase.
Besides the fact of the astronomical increase for budget-tight local 
municipalities, municipal leaders and councillors weren't pleased 
about how the SDHU vote was conducted. Although there are 14 members 
on the board of directors, only nine directors voted on the budget 
increase. Apparently, all 14 of the directors were originally at the 
meeting that the budget increase was presented, but the item was not 
added to the agenda until after five members of the board had left. 
With only nine members left in attendance, the vote for the budget 
increase passed in a 5-4 vote.
Manitoulin representative Ivan Edwards voted in favour of the budget 
increase, while Art Hinds, also a Manitoulin representative, has 
resigned his position on the board over the controversy, as well as 
for other reasons. (See page 3 for a story on Mr. Hinds resignation.)
"I have concerns with the irregularities in the way the board 
conducted their business at this meeting," said Mary Nelder, reeve of 
Central Manitoulin. "The fact that this should have been considered 
in front of a full complement of board members but wasn't even placed 
on the agenda at the start of the meeting, or that board members did 
not have the opportunity to review the budget before the meeting, has 
to be a concern." She added that any board should rethink a vote when 
a vote passes with less than half of the members voting for it.
(In the case of the SDHU, only five of 14 members voted for the 
increase, four voted against it, while another five members were 
absent and couldn't vote.)
The SDHU has increased its operating budget in order to bring the 
health unit into compliance, as soon as possible, with Section 7(1) 
of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, which determines 
mandatory health programs and services. The SDHU does not  comply 
with Ministry guidelines in several critical areas, including child 
health, chronic disease prevention, early detection of cancer, food 
safety, infection control, and reproductive health. Adding to the 
problem is the fact the SDHU health outcomes are below the provincial 
average in such areas as heart disease, cancer and birth rates.
"Compliance has improved since 1998 because the board has taken 
concrete measures to improve compliance," said Gerry McIntaggart, 
chair of the SDHU board of directors, during a recent meeting with 
mayors and reeves in the Manitoulin, LaCloche, and Espanola area. 
"Staff has been re-deployed, efficiencies have been realized, and the 
operating budget has been enhanced."
He added that the only option left to improve the SDHU's compliance 
with ministry regulations is to increase both the operating budget 
and staff levels.
Penny Sutcliffe, the SDHU's Medical Officer of Health, noted that Dr. 
Colin D'Cunha, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, expects the 
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to begin assessing boards of 
health for compliance by 2002-2003.
"If we don't comply, the Ministry can fine us to a maximum of $25,000 
a day. This is the way the law works. It is our job to fulfill our 
mandate, and follow the decisions made by the board," said Dr. 
Sutcliffe at the same meeting.
At last week's MMA meeting, Ms. Nelder said she agrees that the 
health unit should bring their health programs up to 100 percent 
compliance, but she objects to this being done in one year. She noted 
that other health units are now faced with budget increases of 20 
percent and up, but not 30 percent as the SDHU health unit board is 
calling for.
"One of the things that sounds out of place to me is that the 
regulations were there several years ago, and the board chose to 
overlook them," said Ken Ferguson, Mayor of the town of Northeastern 
Manitoulin and the Islands. "Now that they are being threatened with 
an audit that would reveal their lack of compliance, all of a sudden 
they want everything done now."
"I understand Dr. Sutcliffe takes the responsibilities of the health 
unit very seriously, and it is important that they comply with 
regulations," added Ms. Nelder. "The area has done quite badly in 
many health care indicators, but I object to this knee jerk reaction 
of the board. Obviously, it is important to bring the health unit 
care into compliance, but I object to this being done, with the costs 
involved, in one year. The threat of fines that has been made for 
those that don't comply is unfair."
Hugh Moggy, reeve of Assiginack, said after the recent mayors and 
reeves meeting with Mr. McIntaggart and Dr. Sutcliffe, that he didn't 
understand why everything has to be made up in one year. "We 
understand the health unit is not in compliance, but they have until 
2003-2004 to comply, why do we have to pay all the costs in one year? 
Do we really need to pay the increase of over $2 million in one year? 
Why can't we pay half this year and half next? Even 15 per cent is a 
big hike," noted Mr. Moggy.
Complicating matters further is the recent report on the Walkerton 
Inquiry by Justice D.R. O'Connor. In part one of the report, Justice 
O'Connor recommends random assessment of health units to ensure their 
compliance with the Mandatory Health Programs and Service Guidelines 
of the Public Health Branch. The ministry has indicated that those 
random assessments will begin this year.
Mr. Ferguson pointed out that the Greater City of Sudbury 
representatives are also not happy with the SDHU budget, and they 
will be sending a letter to the Minister of Health that will ask him 
if he will guarantee his share of the funds for the 2002 SDHU budget.
"Traditionally, the Ministry of Health doesn't indicate they will pay 
their share of health unit budgets until December. It's a concern of 
Sudbury, and they have said they will not fund more than the actual 
costs of the board's budget until then," said Ms. Nelder.
Joanne Lewis, reeve of Barrie Island, questioned whether the MMA 
should conduct a non-confidence vote over the SDHU board of directors.
Meanwhile, Baldwin Township, as well as Sables-Spanish River, and 
Nairn-Hyman have all agreed to send a letter to the health unit's 
board of directors requesting that the board review the budget 
increase with a full complement of board members, and that the board 
members receive an information package about the budget increase 
before the meeting.
"And those municipalities have agreed they will not pay the costs of 
the budget until this is done by the health unit board," explained 
Ms. Nelder.
This information was passed on to the MMA by the LaCloche Foothills 
Association, who are interested in whether the Manitoulin 
municipalities want to take the same type of stand.
"We did a little number crunching for Central Manitoulin township," 
said Ms. Nelder.  "Even though the health unit says they have held 
the line on the budget since 1998, in fact, for our township, the 
costs almost doubled between 1999 and 2001. With this current 
increase, they almost triple," she said.
She pointed out Dr. Sutcliffe has said the province will pick up 50 
percent of the costs, and municipalities will get 25 percent paid 
through Community Reinvestment Funding (CRF).
"So, she has made the point there will be only a small percentage 
increase on our budgets. But an increase of 3.7 percent on our 
municipal tax bill (for Central Manitoulin) would be substantial," 
commented Ms. Nelder.
"This is a substantial increase, of about $14,000 for our 
municipality of Central Manitoulin," said Derek Stephens.
As part of the operating budget increase, the SDHU is increasing 
staff by 35.8 employees. "What this will actually mean is that there 
will be an increase of 50-60 bodies, who will be housed in the same 
space they have now. Some of the staff members will not all be in 
Sudbury, some will be in outlying health unit offices, but really the 
big question is whether they need to add 35.8 staff in one year. I 
will guarantee they will be asking for an increase in office space in 
Sudbury again next year," said Ms. Nelder, suggesting this will also 
mean a further budget increase again next year.
Mr. Stephens suggested the MMA could follow the route taken by the 
three LaCloche area municipalities in not paying their share of costs 
until action is taken.
But Mr. Ferguson was against that idea. "It will end up costing us 
more if we don't uphold our share of the costs right now, they will 
extract it from us in another way," he said. However, Mr. Ferguson 
did add that he wants the SDHU to justify its costs to member 
municipalities.
The SDHU budget still must be submitted to the Ministry of Health for 
approval. The ministry pays for 50 per cent of the public health 
unit's budget with member municipalities picking up the rest.

Manitoulin has a wealth of healthstyle choices

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is the first in a series of four that 
will explore alternate life and health style choices that are 
available on Manitoulin Island.
by Jane Hubbard
MANITOULIN--With spring in the air, this is the time of year that 
inspires many people to think about getting in shape. There are 
numerous conventional ways to improve physical health but there are 
also many alternate choices for improving well being that may not be 
so familiar.
Manitoulin Island is host to a surprisingly wide spectrum of 
complementary health style and lifestyle practitioners. This 
community offers Yoga, Pilates, meditation and modern dance in a 
holistic approach designed to enhance the health of body, mind and 
spirit.
One of these people is Lise Smulders, who recently opened The Yoga 
Studio at 17 Water Street in Little Current. The name doesn't tell 
the whole story, as the Yoga Studio is not limited to just yoga. 
Meditation and the Pilates method of exercise are offered as well as 
a variety of yoga classes.
Yoga originated in India over 5000 years ago as an ancient system of 
conditioning exercises, personal development and relaxation for the 
body, mind and spirit. Yoga exercises also strengthen the nervous 
system to relieve stress and anxiety.
Ms. Smulders offers yoga sessions designed for all levels of physical 
ability. She leads classes in Asthanga Yoga which is a fast-paced 
vigorous yoga practice designed to build strength flexibility and 
stamina. The traditional Hatha yoga class is slower-paced with 
relaxations between postures. The emphasis in this style is on 
breathing properly in conjunction with the movements.
Sunrise yoga is a class that begins bright and early at 6:15 on 
Wednesday mornings. It combines a series of energizing postures with 
the flowing continuity of Sun Salutations (a yoga posture that 
coordinates a series of movements and breathing technique). 
Restorative yoga teaches relaxation and fundamental breathing 
techniques. It is designed to release tightness in the body and 
encourage mobility and flexibility. It is excellent for sufferers of 
fatigue, neck and back pain.
Gentle yoga with its softer movements, deep breathing and long 
stretches is ideal for those with limited mobility.
Ms. Smulders plans on adding to the Studio's curriculum in the near 
future. "We will be bringing in guest speakers from time to time and 
also plan to offer workshops for those who are involved in teaching. 
Eventually, I would like to introduce a children's yoga class," said 
Ms. Smulders.
In celebration of Earth Day 2002, Ms. Smulders has organized a 
fundraiser and art exhibit at the Yoga Studio on April 21. 
Participants will get pledges and then repeat as many Sun Salutations 
as they are able. The monies raised will be divided between yoga 
research and a local charity. Area artists will be contributing their 
works for display.  For additional information on the Yoga Studio 
call: 368-3165.
Ruth van Vierzen is a Kundalini yoga practitioner who offers classes 
in both Kagawong and in Mindemoya.
Like other forms of yoga, Kundalini is also beneficial for achieving 
a balance between the body, mind and spirit.
Kundalini yoga utilizes a series of postures called Kriyas that are 
designed to gently encourage movement and flexibility and at the same 
time, increase awareness.
The awareness can be about a certain area of the body or simply about 
breathing properly. Ms. van Vierzen mentioned that she has people in 
her classes at all levels of physical condition and a few students 
with asthma. "Yoga is excellent for people with asthma as it is a 
gentle exercise that helps to increase lung capacity. It really is 
never too late to begin practicing yoga," she said.
Ms. van Vierzen discovered yoga while at university. She was looking 
for an inexpensive, efficient way to exercise when a friend's mother 
lent her a book on yoga. She has been an avid yoga practitioner ever 
since. For more information, call Ruth at 377-4955.
Pilates is a mind-body exercise technique developed in the 1920s by 
physical trainer Joseph Pilates to help him overcomehis own set of 
physical difficulties. It has evolved from being used primarily by 
dancers to overcome injuries to being recognized on a wider scale as 
a method of exercise, and a physical therapy that can benefit anyone.
Daniela Pagliaro is a certified Pilates Matwork instructor who 
teaches classes at the Yoga Studio on Wednesday mornings and also 
teaches in Kagawong and Espanola. The Pilates Method (pronounced 
Pi-LAH-teez) of body conditioning promotes physical harmony and 
balance for people of all ages and physical conditions while 
providing a refreshing and energizing workout.
Pilates is beneficial in many ways. It can help realign bones to 
improve posture and increases overall flexibility. It strengthens the 
abdominal and the lower back stabilizer muscles. Pilates can also 
reduce tension by strengthening the torso and muscles surrounding the 
spine.
Ms. Pagliaro first heard of the Pilates Method while she was a 
professional dancer with the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre. She 
began to use Pilates for herself and found it to be an excellent way 
to keep conditioned. She then decided to teach Pilates to others.
Pilates is a gentle way to exercise that is surprisingly effective. 
"So many people have come to equate exercise with hurting," said Ms. 
Pagliaro. "The Pilates philosophy is that exercise should not hurt," 
she emphasizes.
Ms. Pagliaro is also the founder of Co-motion dance works and gives 
classes in modern dance and movement for both children and adults in 
Sheguiandah, Kagawong and Espanola.
Her classes teach the fundamentals of modern dance, but also offer 
her students a chance to get out and get physical. "It is very 
important for people to move, especially children. If we can teach 
them to be uninhibited about their bodies when they are young, 
they'll carry that with them for the rest of their lives," she said.
"I am not out to produce technically perfect dancers," said Ms. 
Pagliaro. The dance classes encourage participants to improvise and 
collaborate. She has seen very quiet shy children benefit immensely 
from her dance classes. The opportunity to try something new and 
different and to express themselves often imbues the student with a 
sense of self-confidence. Students learn skills from dance class that 
translate into life skills.
Phone 368-0853 for more information on Pilates or Co-Motion dance programs.
However you choose to condition your body, whether it is through more 
conventional methods or by one of the techniques mentioned above, now 
is the time to get moving! Don't forget that it is important to check 
with a physician before embarking on any exercise routine.