More than just a haircut in Timmins
A recent event put on by the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Timmins served several purposes.
The centre saw a modest turnout to its first '$5 haircut' event Monday afternoon.
The goal, according to the centre's executive director Tristan Lebrun, was to give people access to affordable haircuts while supporting an important service for Indigenous elders offered by the Timmins Native Friendship Centre.
"They pick (elders) up and they bring them to their appointments," Lebrun explained.
"Gas prices have gone up ... (and) for a lot of Indigenous organizations, our funding never increases. This is just my way of giving back to the community and, hopefully, giving them the gas money they need to get around."
At least eight people came out for a trim, Lebrun said, with many giving more than the minimum $5 donation.
A cut at a trimmed cost
Margaret Okimaw, 62, said she jumped at the opportunity to get her hair cut and styled at a low cost.
In addition to supporting an important shuttle service, she said she appreciated being able to get an affordable hair-do since it can otherwise be expensive and inaccessible.
"It really helps those that really can't afford a hairstylist or to (pay for) a taxi or bus to go to a hairstylist," Okimaw said.
"It really means a lot to us."
Empowering Indigenous hair
Lebrun said that part of the goal of the haircut event was to empower Indigenous people to take back control of their hair since past trauma can make some insecure about their hair or getting it cut.
Many residential school survivors may have had their hair cut against their will, he explained, and youth today can be bullied for their traditional hairstyles—like males, who traditionally grow out their hair as a symbol of strength.
This resonated for Okimaw as well.
"Kids didn't have a choice, it killed them when their hair was cut or shaved off," Okimaw said about treatment at Canada's residential schools.
"That means their strength is taken away, it's something the Creator gave them."
Acknowledging that history, Lebrun said the event gave young people and elders the opportunity to come together and show that they have autonomy over their hair.
"A lot of elders nowadays still keep their hair short because of residential school and to other traditional people, such as myself, you can ... get those healthy ends going again," said Lebrun.
"It was just to show unity amongst us all that we're not scared of it, even to this day. That fear doesn't live in us."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.