...
Anglican Journal, October 2005 - Mission possible
Mission possible
Orientation program prepares Canadian volunteers for realities of life overseas
MARITES N.
SISONSTAFF WRITER
Winnipeg
Raven Thundersky steps forward from the pews of St.
Matthew’s Anglican Church to light a candle.
Pausing in the dim, flickering light, she glances down at the photo in her hand.
It is her sister, Malvina, who died 10 years ago at the age of 35.
In her late sister’s arms is Ms.
Thundersky’s niece, who lost her mother because of asbestos poisoning in government reserve housing decades ago.
Since then, the deadly insulation fibre has claimed the lives of Ms.
Thundersky’s mother and three sisters.
One sister died of cancer just days before the Anglican-hosted vigil.
Her father and brother are ill, and Ms.
Thundersky is uncertain of her own fate.
All this could have been averted, she said, had the government and mining companies come clean to the public about the dangers of asbestos.
Today, Canada is a leading exporter of asbestos in the world, despite bans in many countries.
Ms.
Thundersky, recently named a Canadian Hero by Time Magazine, told Anglican Journal that her struggle for justice has strengthened her faith.
“For a long time, I was just so devastated,” she revealed.
“I never wanted to believe we would all die from this poison.
I was at a point in my life when I didn’t know where to turn.
It shook up ...
Read more...