There comes a point when the burden of truth must be revealed and shared. The same old lie must be exposed for what it is and the record must be made straight. Not just for me, but for countless others who by their innocence were betrayed. I understand this. The trust and care that I should’ve received was paramount. Both Norval and his pimp in Gabe Vadas had total duty to take care of that. They did not. They crossed the line and Norval sexually assaulted me. I believe that shitbag Gabe Vadas had orchestrated the whole thing. When it gets to testifying I’ll be able to go into precise detail. Unlike Vadas and Morrisseau, I have been sober from alcohol and hard drugs for 27 years now. I used to witness Gabe giving drinks to Morrisseau in the van when I used to visit. I also tried to help Gabe after these events when one morning he called me in Vancouver and had asked me to help him when he relapsed on crack cocaine. In AA we have a saying that when anyone anywhere reaches out for the hand of AA, I want my hand to be there. For that I am responsible.
Imagine that? Believing so much in the miracle of recovery that I even put that bit between my teeth and went and carried the message to him. I even took him through some step work but he never ended up following through. After this he would talk with me randomly but was incoherent most of the time. I’ve always believed that Gabe suffers from dual diagnosis. Both addiction and mental health problems. There were times when he would discredit my experiences with him and Norval and would ramble on that he was like Jesus. That he had the same powers and such. That he too, like his sexual mentor in Norval Morrisseau was a sex shaman of some sort. Really weird and creepy shit to be honest. Because I believe so much in the power of the 12 steps, I guess I had always hoped that there could’ve been another way to amend these wrongs. But it never happened. I’ve waited for years now and nothing. It’s embarrassing for them really. I’m a pretty reasonable person. But still? Nothing.
So I’ve chosen to take matters into the realms of colonial Canadian law. It’s a huge risk for me because as many of you know, I am a 60’s scoop survivor and I simply don’t have enough trust for the system. I don’t feel comfortable about it but it’s a necessary part of this journey. Working with one of the greatest souls I know in Dallas Thompson has given me plenty of insight. He is a true hero and no doubt stepped up and put himself on the line. He did so in some of the most difficult circumstances I have ever seen. So I can honestly say that in working with him and the 4 other survivors gave me great confidence that I too can walk through these doors.
Another who has given me incredible insight and daily living experience and knowledge about how children ought to be viewed and protected is my 7 year old son, Sagein Wisdom. Through raising him with love, trust, confidence and understanding, this has given me incredible know how. I mean think about it, if anyone had ever done something like that to him which was done to me, what do you think I would do?
Exactly.
I learned that through being his father and by conducting myself with the upmost love and respect for my child that the same rules that apply to him, apply to me. That no one, absolutely fuckin no one has the right to cross the line and sexually touch me when I never asked for that. I never wanted that. It was absolutely repulsive. For the great Norval Morrisseau and his little pigpen pimp in Vadas to cross those lines. Why take such a gamble? Why destroy my true appreciation and respect? Why sabotage me like that? Why destroy my affection in a good and healthy way like that and contaminate my pure and honest intentions? Why fuck me up like that? Why degrade me in such a way? It’s fuckin despicable in every sense of the word.
