Latest news with #Healing
ABC News
01-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Noongar artist Denzel Coyne on how learning to carve wood helped him heal
Denzel Coyne shows his young daughter how to throw a kylie, or boomerang, he made from jarrah wood. A descendent of a Stolen Generation survivor, the Noongar man with connections to Menang and Goreng Country started learning to make traditional Indigenous artefacts for the first time as an adult. Once he had begun, there was no looking back. On Menang Country in Albany, Western Australia, Coyne spends his days carving, sanding and polishing everything from shields to spears. "It helps me escape my past traumas, it helps me heal." It's a sense of healing, through reclaiming culture, he wants to offer other descendants of Stolen Generation survivors, as well as people who have experienced similar struggles. For Coyne, those struggles began with deeply painful early years. "At a very young age, I lost my mother, tragically. Someone murdered her when I was seven years old," he said. "I struggled without having my mother there to nurture and show me love. "From there, my dad basically raised the four of us by himself; me and my siblings. "Dad was part of a Stolen Generation and unintendedly, a lot of the Stolen Generations traumatic events and life's challenges and stuff like that was sort of passed down in a lot of ways." His dad later went to prison, Coyne said, and he was moved to a house where he was abused. As an adult, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, doing several stints in jail. But when he became a father, his outlook began to change. "I think I needed a daughter to change my direction in life, really help me look at life in a whole new light." He was still in the grips of addiction, when Denzel said he was given an ultimatum. "Go to rehab, or I wouldn't be able to take my daughter home," he said. "That day was one of the hardest days of my life. I knew what I had to do." It was during the rehab program that an Aboriginal instructor began teaching Coyne, and the rest of the men's group, how to carve artefacts. "He wanted us to do some tactile learning, something that we can take away from that program, and to help uplift us when we're in a sad time," Coyne said. "Maybe if we didn't have that, I might not have stuck around, I just feel it was so important." On the other side of rehab, Coyne has started his own business, Born Wirn, and is carving out commissions for traditional artefacts. "It means tree spirit," he said. "I bring out the beauty and the grain of the wood and the grain represents the years of the wood, his spirit." Coyne is continuing to refine his skills, borrowing artefacts to study, and calling friends to share what knowledge they can. He strongly believes he is being guided by his ancestors as he learns. Coyne has also encouraged his partner, Noongar woman Penelope Williams, to take up the women's side of the business. For the most part, she was teaching herself. "He couldn't show me because it was woman side of things, but I think he trusted that I would be able to do it, so I got out there and then I started making them," Williams said. "I was in juvenile detention and that's where I learnt woodwork and wood burning, that has really helped me starting this. "When I first made my first one, I was so proud, I couldn't believe that I did it. "And the connection that I feel to my culture while making them, it's hard to describe, but I know making this stuff has helped heal my spirit." The process has prompted the couple to teach their hard-earned skills, holding workshops and talks with school groups and even at a hospital. "I think we could help lots of people, you know, just heal," Williams said. "We're giving them knowledge and culture that was taken." For Coyne, the work keeps him concentrated and connected. "I feel connected, spiritually, mentally," he said. "The whole process, it just gives me so much."
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Thembisa DJ rises in SA music scene while empowering Ivory Park youth
Thembisa-born DJ and music producer Itumeleng Maesela (28), known professionally as DeltaM_RSA, is making waves in the SA music scene while giving back to his roots. Raised in Ivory Park, his love for music began early and has grown into a career built on passion, talent and purpose. Maesela's parents first noticed his gift when he was three years old. He spent hours listening to the radio and famously created his own drum set using his mother's pots and pans. ALSO READ: Thembisa artist moves up in the world of entertainment What started as childhood entertainment for his family soon became a journey into music performance and production. His talent became more apparent when he sat in front of a piano for the first time and played by ear. Always eager for a new challenge, he taught himself to play several instruments, including the guitar and drums, over the years. Despite his musical brilliance, school life at Reitumetse High School proved difficult. 'I found it hard to concentrate in class. All I could hear, see, and feel was music,' Maesela said. During that time, he met Mocara_SA, who introduced him to the amapiano genre. ALSO READ: Local youngster aims to make waves in entertainment DeltaM_RSA had focused on deep house music up to that point, but the encounter changed his direction. 'Mocara_SA needed a DJ for his performances and asked me to join him. That's when I fell in love with DJing,' said Maesela. His fascination with the craft deepened after attending his first formal dance. Instead of joining those on the dancefloor, he stood by the DJ, watching his every move and asking questions. Inspired, he began mixing and recording his own songs, selling them to classmates at school. In 2022, he released his debut amapiano EP, Dala Ngizula, which included one supporting hip-hop track. The following year, he dropped his amapiano album, King of Mozambique, and in 2024, he showcased his versatility with a house/afro-tech EP titled Rise of an African. Most recently, he released a single, Healing. As his love for studio work grew, Maesela founded his own record label, DeepTrick, working with other upcoming artists like Pantsu28GP, Mocara_SA, Primo ZA, NashDK, Somriri, Ceebee and Mak Mc. ALSO READ: Same Love Entertainment to host second annual pride festival Today, he DJs under the DeepTrick label and has performed at major festivals across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. He currently performs at Newscafe, one of Pretoria's hottest nightclubs, and was recently a resident DJ on Soweto FM for a month. In addition to his professional success, Maesela is paying it forward by launching a performing group that teaches underprivileged children DJing and music production skills. Through this initiative, he hopes to inspire the next generation to dream big and use music as a means of expression and empowerment. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
KwaMhlushwa hip-hop artist receives feedback on soothing EP
A hip-hop musician, born into a musical environment, aims to heal hearts through his new EP. Prince Khoza, widely known by his stage name, Don Pressure, released his EP, titled Healing, five months ago. The EP has four songs and he said he worked on it for three years with the aim of releasing a full album. Unforeseen circumstances led him to release this project as an EP instead. 'I have received great feedback from listeners who say this EP has helped them deal with life's challenges. I am grateful that my story of healing is helping other people,' Khoza said. He was exposed to hip hop at a young age, as it was frequently listened to by many of his relatives, but his passion for music is largely drawn from the church. ALSO READ: Young Masoyi man empowers youth with resources to boost academics 'I am a pastor's child and the church environment provided me with exposure to a variety of musical instruments. I played drums at church and I still enjoy being a drummer,' said Khoza. In 2024, he collaborated with an American rapper, TorchMics, on a song titled 'USSA'. Khoza said the concept of the song was based on the commonalities between the United States and South Africa. The song was released late November last year. 'We painted vivid pictures of our respective countries and why we believe these are among the best countries in the world,' he said. ALSO READ: Rugby player jetting off to Italy to realise his dreams Khoza strives to reach international stages and to collaborate with renowned artists and producers. He also hopes to be able to give back to his community and invest in the dreams of young talent. His EP is available on all digital music platforms. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Springfield kicks off Black Maternal Health Week with 3rd annual celebration at City Hall
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Massachusetts state and local officials filled city hall with deep emotions as they talked about their connection to supporting Black mothers, birthing people and families. If they don't say something, they told 22News, it doesn't help anyone. They're hoping others do the same. This year, communities across the U.S are Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy. That's the 2025 theme for celebrating Black Maternal Health Week. 'It is such a critical time, especially in our country right now, where we all need to collectively come together to advocate for the most vulnerable in our communities,' said Shenell Ford, Springfield Mayoral Aid. Studies show that black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues compared to white women. Therefore Massachusetts officials are applying their voices. 'We looked at 10 years of public testimonies from black and brown women and folks in the healthcare industry and found out one of the real sticking points was midwives. In Massachusetts not like many other states, you had to be a licensed nurse in order to be a midwife. We worked on that eight to ten years, we finally got the policy changed, 'Rep. Bud Williams, (d) 11th Hampden. The 2024 maternal health bill allowed midwives to get trained through midwifery schools and apprenticeships. It also expanded access to more birth centers, doula services, and an established Board of Registration in Midwifery. Right now, 2 new initiatives are in the works: Breastfeeding Beyond The Call and Divine Nourishment. Those are to support first responders and black breastfeeding. But advocates said the movement shouldn't stop there. 'Continue to use your voice, It starts at home,' said Ford. The next upcoming event is Expanding Maternal Health Access. That will be on April 14th at Educare in Springfield. You must register by calling the mayor's office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two bills to preserve conservation funding in marijuana tax revenue advance
Tim Blakeley, manager of Sunset Junction medical marijuana dispensary, shows marijuana plant buds on May 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The dispensary is one 25 plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles fighting to stay open after city prosecutors began notifying 439 medical marijuana dispensaries that they must shut down by June 7. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images) Lawmakers in each chamber of the Montana Legislature have advanced bills that shift marijuana tax revenue, but preserve conservation funding. A previous bill that would have stopped the flow of marijuana revenue to a group of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks programs, drawing opposition from many conservation groups, was tabled in a Senate committee on April 1. The two new bills each passed their respective house of origin with significantly more bipartisan support — Senate Bill 537 passed on Saturday 45-0, while House Bill 932 passed the same day 71-27. SB 537, introduced by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, keeps the existing amount of funding for conservation initiatives in place but expands how the funds can be used. The bill also increases distributions to the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) account, and adds funding for the Department of Justice, including substantial investments in law enforcement. 'I would call this the Cops and Conservation Act,' Zolnikov said on the Senate floor on April 4. 'Because one thing we hear about from my side of the aisle is we need more law enforcement, there's more problems coming on, how do we help those guys. And I'll tell you what was awesome about this bill, working with the other side of the aisle, they were very supportive of this side of the aisle's priorities. Working with this side of the aisle, they seemed to be very comfortable clarifying the buckets on this side of the aisle's priorities and helping on the conservation side. And in the end, we're trying to fill gaps.' Zolnikov's bill emerged as a compromise piece of legislation following the pushback to Senate Bill 307, brought by Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, which would have shifted marijuana revenue from conservation to law enforcement. McGillvray said his bill gave lawmakers a choice, whether they thought people, who may be harmed by the effects of marijuana, or trails and wildlife were more important issues to fund. By contrast, Zolnikov sought to eliminate the choice and instead give all stakeholders a little bit of what they wanted by allocating the roughly $33 million of tax revenue that currently goes into the state's general fund. Under the new structure, the current 4% revenue allocated each for state parks, trails and recreation and nongame wildlife remains as is. The 20% of funds currently earmarked for FWP's Habitat Montana fund instead goes to a new Habitat Legacy Account, which Zolnikov said broadens the use of the funds. According to the bill, 75% of funds in the account must be used solely to fund wildlife habitat projects, while the rest may be used for various conservation-related projects including noxious weed programs, grants for conservation districts, big game and wildlife highway crossings, and land and water acquisitions or easement purchases. 'It's all types of buckets in there that the conservation folks worked on and supported,' Zolnikov said. 'If you were in the hearing, it was the most fun group of people you could ever see all supporting it.' The HEART fund, which currently receives a set $6 million of marijuana revenue, would be boosted to a 20% allocation, which will allow the account to grow with tax revenue. The other additions, which target needs identified by McGillvray such as boosting law enforcement include: 2.5% for DOJ canine training, 1.5% for DOJ sexual assault exams and kits, 0.25% for the Board of Crime Control to fund crisis intervention training; 14% to the behavioral health system for future generations funds; 6.5% for drug and alcohol use prevention and 31% for DOJ law enforcement grants. Those grants would include distributing $50,000 to each police department, sheriff's office and tribal police department, plus proportional distributions based on department size. 'It's a pretty thorough bill. I'd say, working on it, I had to learn about a lot of problems that I think there's some gaps that we're not filling, and this really helped fills them in the future,' Zolnikov said. McGillvray told reporters on Tuesday that he felt many of the things in Zolnikov's bill, such as letting the HEART fund grow with tax revenue, were smart, but he still had some concerns about using the funds for conservation. 'The nexus between marijuana revenue and marijuana harms is just smart tax policy. And unfortunately, it all got started on the wrong foot, and it was a tough sell to get it back on the right foot,' he said. McGillvray added that removing revenue from the state's general fund for law enforcement is a 'big bite that could have a struggle' with the governor's office. On the House side, Rep. Ken Walsh, R-Twin Bridges, brought HB 932, which targets just the current 30% of conservation funding allocated to Habitat Montana. It functions in roughly the same way as SB 537, moving those funds to a new Habitat Legacy Account. Under HB 932, that account would funnel 75% into a separate Land and Wildlife Stewardship account that would be used solely for habitat conservation projects, while the remaining funds would be split between wildlife crossings, and the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) account. WHIP funds can currently only be used for noxious weed treatment, but Walsh's bill would greatly expand their use. 'What this bill will do is expand that bucket for private land owners, and conservation groups and fish, wildlife and parks to work together,' Walsh said He listed off some possible applications — irrigation infrastructure, forest management, prescribed fire, fish passage, soil enhancement, and wetland protection. 'Maybe even wildlife crossings, so we don't hit as many elk and deer on the road,' he said. The bill drew some opposition for continuing to fund conservation-related programs. 'This bill is going to lock up marijuana revenue in wildlife management kinds of things. And I know that's important to this body. But we have been listening all session about what's going on in our correctional system — we don't have enough space, don't have enough space,' Rep. Fiona Nave, R-Columbus, said. 'That's drug driven. We need the marijuana funding … to be available for drug treatment and law enforcement.' But lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the bill under its expanded scope. 'This allocated available dollars to important Montana industries, agriculture and the outdoor economy. It's a good bill for these businesses,' said Rep. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls. HB 932 is awaiting a hearing before the Senate Fish and Game Committee while SB 537 will be heard in the House Taxation Committee later this month.
