Yaama About Time editors and fellow readers,
Hey guys, my name is Kaiya, and I’m a proud First Nations Gomeroi/Gamilaaray jinung from Country. I’m writing to say many THANX for your monthly editions. Really! So much appreciation. Your papers have helped me through many tough times. Both strength and struggle.
This is just a letter to introduce myself as this is my first initial posting. I have been in and reading since Issue 1, many moons now. I look forward to becoming a part of this journey. So I have been incarcerated in maximum security 43 months now and, sadly, I feel I am becoming emotionally detached from the world outside. I know me saying “can you believe it” to you guys ain’t gonna sound crazy and be battered eyelashes at.
I have been knocked back parole three times now, and it’s getting exhausting trying to hold up my end when there are no appropriate support systems in place. When I first sat for parole last year, I lowkey wished I never got it, ay – just anxiety mostly. And I got what I hoped for – x3. Now, 10 months later, the best thing to do is stay off the grid, read me sum books, pepper my case management for education or employment and progress – I guess. Stay ready and sit pretty 365!
One thing I dislike is when somebody thinks you can’t do it. There they go underestimating our ability to run it up. Like, righto! The system is failing us! Every month I’m reading, let alone seeing, all of us – we are struggling and tryna make sense of this. Then, when I question their policy and procedure, I’m case noted as a difficult inmate and told my behaviour is aggressive – excuse me? Honestly *slaps forehead* … I’m on a path of enlightenment – my spiritual growth – since 2020. And it’s *whistles* a whole other calibre. I know I ain’t the only one.
We are sumn different – working thru the hardships, pushin through the pain. I’m proud of ya’ll. The struggle is real. Stay strong my ppls, and be kind to yourselves.
Much love, strength and street knowledge.
Yours truly – Kaiya.
Always was and will be.
Yaama About Time editors and fellow readers,
Hey guys, my name is Kaiya, and I’m a proud First Nations Gomeroi/Gamilaaray jinung from Country. I’m writing to say many THANX for your monthly editions. Really! So much appreciation. Your papers have helped me through many tough times. Both strength and struggle.
This is just a letter to introduce myself as this is my first initial posting. I have been in and reading since Issue 1, many moons now. I look forward to becoming a part of this journey. So I have been incarcerated in maximum security 43 months now and, sadly, I feel I am becoming emotionally detached from the world outside. I know me saying “can you believe it” to you guys ain’t gonna sound crazy and be battered eyelashes at.
I have been knocked back parole three times now, and it’s getting exhausting trying to hold up my end when there are no appropriate support systems in place. When I first sat for parole last year, I lowkey wished I never got it, ay – just anxiety mostly. And I got what I hoped for – x3. Now, 10 months later, the best thing to do is stay off the grid, read me sum books, pepper my case management for education or employment and progress – I guess. Stay ready and sit pretty 365!
One thing I dislike is when somebody thinks you can’t do it. There they go underestimating our ability to run it up. Like, righto! The system is failing us! Every month I’m reading, let alone seeing, all of us – we are struggling and tryna make sense of this. Then, when I question their policy and procedure, I’m case noted as a difficult inmate and told my behaviour is aggressive – excuse me? Honestly *slaps forehead* … I’m on a path of enlightenment – my spiritual growth – since 2020. And it’s *whistles* a whole other calibre. I know I ain’t the only one.
We are sumn different – working thru the hardships, pushin through the pain. I’m proud of ya’ll. The struggle is real. Stay strong my ppls, and be kind to yourselves.
Much love, strength and street knowledge.
Yours truly – Kaiya.
Always was and will be.
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While being incarcerated, I have learnt how many members of the community are Deaf and have a lot of trouble communicating as very few people know how to use sign language.
When I get out I’m going to be hitting the gym but not sure if I’ll be taking steroids.
I just wanted to give a big shout out to the amazing people at the Salvation Army for everything that they do for us in prison and outside in the community over the Christmas period.
It’s a positive and strange feeling hearing your own story through the words of another and here was me thinking I was alone in my travels as many of us do.
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