Hi all, I am new
I am trying to find info on a seminar called Choices.
Since I have been looking for info on them, I noticed they seem to be changing their name a bit.
First Choices Unlimited, then Choices, Then Choices II, now Adventures, but still really Choices.
[
www.choices2.com]
[
www.choicesintl.com]
Lets see where should I start?
Ok. I believe this "fantastic-too-good-to-be-true" self help business is here targeting mainly native, or aboriginal, status indians, whatever.....and they are succeeding at an alarming and very scary rate here!
I am native, and about 50 people from my "band" have gone. They travel to the coast and stay for 5 days etc.
All our leaders have gone, most sent by bosses. Many "band" employees have been told to go.
My reserve is one of many many reserves hopping on the "self help" bandwagon.
My sister was sent and did not tell us for almost a year what she went thru. It was very similar to the Basic LGAT Experience on the Awareness Page.
I found an artilce where Thelma Box (founder) says she brought Choices to Canada as well, because she enjoys working with the First Nations Indians in their healing processes.
What a load!!!!!! I am so angry!
I believe she has found the perfect target consumer.
Natives that are a registered member of an Indian Band have access to funding. Plain and simple. She did her homework.
Lets see, it is like this....this "customer" is working at a minimum wage job, can barely pay the bills (some cannot even pay the rent) and they can each access through their bands $2500.00 to go to the first Seminar package!!!!
After our most of leadership has gone they start to send the people they think they can "help or save" so to speak. I am talking about alcoholics, drug users, people that cannot hold down a job for any amount of time, misfits really.
Now we see people coming back and singing the praises of this seminar, but when questioned will not divulge any real info.
Every month in Vancouver about 100 people go to these seminars and I believe more than half are native.
I know elders that have gone through the trauma of Indian Residential School and now they are going to Choices. I know this is going to be very bad for them. I am afraid of the after effects that I feel are coming.
I have been looking for stuff online for months.
Sorry for ranting.... I could go on and on!
Help! Does anyone have any advice??:(