News Voodoo or hoodoo Natural Health and Healing . Alternatives Open House by Arthur Hanks Iternative health care is growing in public con- sciousness; the ongoing trials at the Vancouver General Hospital represent another step in its increasing legitimacy. Mean- while, Douglas College has been quietly promoting alternative medicines for several years through its Continuing Education department. Tuesday night, February 4, the Natural Healing Program held its winter Open House. Dozens of people gathered outside the fourth floor theatre, thronging around tables offering information on a variety of services and practices: aromatherapy, ear coning, acupuncture, qi jong, reiki, We have one bedroom homes (starting at 707 sq.ft.) in the Ascot that are the perfect choice for the first time home buyer, and are priced to sell. Innovative floorplans in the beautiful setting of the completed master planned community...Lakeside in Coquitlam. Don t be late,, vivit the sales office to see the best —— palue on the market today! herbalism, astrology and wellness among them. Instructors were talking to the public, hoping to boost enrollment for their courses and the profiles of their disciplines; the public, on the other hand, was treated to a smorgasbord of intriguing alternatives. Many people have wondered how much of this stuff is fakery and how much is the modern equivalent of snake oil. Others seem to have suspended their critical faculties and devoted themselves (and their wallets) to dubious diets and schemes. I was at the Open House for over an hour, and found time to speak with a few people. I didn’t find snake oil; what I did find was a collection of sincere and dedicated individu- als, committed to offering the public their skills and expertise. If anything, there was too much choice. One of my first stops was with Louise Demorest, an acupunctur- ist. Eyeing the small knives splayed on the table, I asked “Does it hurt.” Demorest reassured me, “T aim for the muscle, and there is minimal to no pain involved.” According to Demorest, the BC College of Acupuncturists is making a move to organize and regulate themselves. Licensing may begin sometime in 1997. “This is necessary to serve and protect the public.” Demorest, trained in Japan and practicing out of Richmond, is enjoying the widen- ing popularity of acupuncture. Bruce Wilson and Stephen Linn were also on hand, touting their workshop: Cleaning Up Your Life. Wilson doubles as the health columnist for The Georgia Straight; Linn is a therapist with Vancou- ver’s Empowering People. They presented a unique vision of the connections between mind and body. In their upcoming workshop, Wilson will address the physical issues of detoxification, teaching herbal, fasting and dietary knowl- edge; Linn will handle the psycho- logical issues. This is the first year continued on page 11 Sales office open daily 12:00 - 5:00 * 3085 Primrose Lane * 464-7722 Prosecution concludes against Tse’ Peten Defenders Gustafsen Lake Trial by Doug Whitlow n February 5, 1997, the prosecution announced that its portion of the trial of the Tse’Peten Defenders which began on July 8, 1996 would conclude on the 11th of this month. It was also announced that the defense team would begin on the 19th of February. To the eighteen men and women on trial for various crimes (includ- ing attempted murder and posses- sion of restricted weapons), this trial must have felt like an eternity. They have been forced to sit in their chairs surrounded by armed guards and bulletproof glass month after month. In that time they have also been forced to listen to almost one hundred police, soldiers, and civilians describing how they have been upholding Canadian Law in trying to evict these people from disputed land with the use of excessive deadly force backed up by armoured personnel carriers, aircraft and automatic weapons. Poe 4 Now it is the Tse’Peten Defend- ers turn to take the witness stand and attempt to refute the allega- tions of being terrorists, thugs and scum made by the British Colum- bia Attorney Generals Office, the Canadian Government, and the RCMP. This is how these men and women, both native and non- native alike, have been described under oath by the members of the above named organizations. February 19, 1997 will become a date long remembered by every- one in attendance in Courtroom no. 7 as the defense team and their clients begin the task of regaining the respect lost by the damning testimony of the Government witnesses and misinformed media personnel. The court has learned from Sgt. Peter Montague of the RCMP Media relations branch that whenever false or incorrect information was given to the scores of reporters camped out near the standoff scene, no attempt was ever undertaken to correct that information. In this way the media personnel them- selves became part of the battle plan of the Government Forces attempting to end the occupation of Lot 411 at Gustafsen Lake. Too bad they don’t make one for your heart. Are you leaving the most important part of your body exposed? Just because they say its safe doesn't mean sex can't be dangerous emotionally. While you're saying “I love you,” your partner may be thinking “I love it.” Because love, sex and relationships are so central to our lives, were offering a great booklet on these important topics. Just call 1-800-236-9238 for your free copy. ad Real love. Don’t settle for anything less. 1-800-236-9238 Paid ad by Campus Crusade for Christ February 10 1997 The Other Press