Guest Speaker - From the Gambling Floor to the Frontline: An Insiders Perspective - Monday, May 9th, 11am, Dana Porter Library 329

[Sherilee Diebold-Cooze]

>From the Gambling Floor to the Frontline: An Insiders Perspective<http://problemgambling.uwaterloo.ca/events/>
Monday, 09 May 2011 11:00 AM @ Dana Porter Library 329
Light lunch to follow at noon in the same room.

Sheila Wahsquonaikezhik MES

The gaming/gambling industry in Ontario has evolved over the past 17 years from an idea that was presented as an alluring "new" economic venture filled with the promise of flash and excitement to the consumer to one that has lead to the "crash and burn" of many. Unravelling the layers of how gaming/gambling is presented is significant in forming a critical understanding and analysis how gambling lends itself to some people getting addicted to this kind of activity. I wish to address 4 questions during the course of this presentation to be a springboard of ongoing discussion. The first question being, the environmental conditions under which individuals make decisions, develop and chart their own personal course; secondly, impact of the individual on environments; thirdly, the environmental context of social decision making; and lastly understanding the power of environments.
I will present from a place of situated knowledge, locating myself as a former casino table games employee, speaking from first hand experience. Furthermore, I will share the moment of transition whereby I made the decision to "walk a different path" and work with people who have struggled with gambling addiction. Presenting through narrative I hope to communicate the essence and power of the gaming environment and some of the many challenges we face with the gaming industry in responding or not responding to the risks of gambling.

Bio

Ahneen, my name is Sheila Wahsquonaikezhik and I am a member of the Batchewana Band of Ojibways. I have a background in addictions and hold a diploma in addiction counselling (1985) I also have a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University. My field of study at York being Education and my area of concentration being Cultural Reclamation and Environmental Experiential Learning. I have had the opportunity of working in many different areas which include, an urban detox centre, Native Womens Resource Centre, urban aboriginal drug and alcohol treatment centre, outdoor ed. with "at risk" aboriginal youth from across Canada and 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations (ASO) to name a few. In 1996, I left the social service sector and began what was to be a one year break from the "helping" profession and began working in the gaming industry in Ontario (yup, casinos, not meat). Well, that 1 year turned into 14 years later and what a journey it was. Last year I left the gaming industry and currenty work at the RGRC in the Rama Hub. I am currently serving as an advisory committee member for YGAP Simcoe Muskoka and feel great doing so.
My area of interest is in re:locating gambing outside its current framework (disguise) and un-masking the myticism surrounding the gaming industry. How the language we use in explaining gambling continues to perpetuate the power held by the industry. I am also interested in a more practical sense of re:searching how historical trauma/trauma, gambling and "personal relative deprivation" are linked within the aboriginal communities and how we might move forward in developing a critical understanding of these intricacies in order to effectively manage compulsive gambing as a public health issue and re:define gambling within its authentic cultural context.

If you have any questions contact Kevin Harrigan at kevinh at uwaterloo.ca<mailto:kevinh at uwaterloo.ca>.
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