Bobbi Nahwegahbow was an active member of Psychiatric Survivor, Mad Pride, Women’s and Native rights communities in the city of Toronto. Psychiatric Survivor Archives Toronto, The Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery Project, Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, The Native Centre, The Friendly Spike Theatre Band, St. Francis Table, Toronto Rape Crisis Center, are but a few of the organizations which benefited from this energetic, passionate and righteous human being who was dedicated to equality rights for everyone.
Although Bobbi Nahwegahbow passed on November 4th, 2007 her tenacious example will always be remembered by the people she worked with.
In memory of Bobbi Nahwegahbow, The Mad Pride Organizing Committee has established a $250.00 award in her name, to be presented during Mad Pride Toronto celebrations in July 2010.

The committee requests suggestions from the community in the spirit of who best exemplifies the work which Bobbi so actively nourished. These nominations should be made in the form of a simple statement not more than one page in length, which highlights the person or group’s contributions to our community. Please send to either friendlyspike@primus.ca or Friendly Spike Theatre Band, #210, 2466 Dundas Street West, Toronto M6P 1W9
Suggestions will be reviewed and decided on by the Mad Pride Organizing Committee.

Deadline April 30th 2010

University of Alberta Women’s Centre Collective has put out a call for submissions from people who identify with feminism and have lived experiences of a psychiatric diagnosis.

Their upcoming anthology, Feminists Navigate Mental Health (working title), will explore the complexities of navigating mental health and how a feminist identity may (or may not) shape those experiences.

Submissions are welcomed in the form of personal short stories.

The submissions received will shape the outcome of the book. The final manuscript will be submitted to relevant Canadian independent publishers. They are looking for contributions that explore the relationship between feminist identity and experiences, thoughts, and feelings related to mental health.

Possible themes may include (but are not limited to):

* Coping – what works and what doesn´t
* Any positive aspects of your mental health that are commonly considered deficits
* Treatment preferences and past experiences
* Medication
* Personal/lived understandings of your diagnosis (acceptance or rejection)
* Stigma/tension around mental health issues in the feminist community
* Feminism and well-being/strength/empowerment
* Feminism and distress

Guidelines:

* Remember to take care of yourself while writing about topics that may be distressing;
* Good writing skills are great, but not mandatory! We will work with you to edit your piece;
* Submissions should be saved in .doc or .rtf, size 12 font, Arial or Times New Roman, and double spaced;
* 500 to 3000 words
* Include contact information and a brief biography;
* Only email submissions will be accepted;
* Submission deadline is June 1st, 2010.

Comments, concerns, questions and submissions should be directed to:
fnmhsubmissions@gmail.com