Tribute to Loretta Saunders

Sending my condolences to family and friends of Newfoundland native, and Nova Scotia resident, Loretta Saunders - a woman who's life was stolen away from her. Sometimes life just isn't fair nor makes any sense. The irony that she became a victim of the very type of crime she was fighting to stop, leaves me speechless, and numb in the heart. May she never be forgotten and may her legacy of great work and being an inspiration to Native Canadians, live on forever.
(photo credit, Loretta Saunders Memorial Facebook)
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RIP Scooter II (Nov 17, 2013 - Feb 15, 2014)

Poor Scooter II passed away this morning. poor little fella never seemed healthy. kidney or liver failure the likely cause.. he died very young... another sad valentines day to add to my history books
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McCreath to boycott Olympic Gay Flag Events, Says unfair to take attention off athletes

I am a lesbian and I feel badly about the anti-gay laws in Russia, but I have decided to boycott the rainbow flag raising events at St. John's City Hall and Confederation Building today.  There is a time and place to do gay rights activism work, and I don't think this is appropriate timing.   These events, which will likely feature speaches from heterosexual politicians, and members of the gay community who are not athletes, are only being done to further their own political agendas..

The Olympics is a time to focus on and feature the athletes. Rather than go to these gay flag events, I am going to kick back and relax in front of the TV and cheer on the many Canadian athletes that I love and respect so much. It is not fair for anyone to take the attention away from them....

Sorry politicians, and sorry St. John's gay community (who for the most part, have been very cruel to me and other trans people), you won't get me as a political pawn, and shame on you all for exploiting this situation,.

I didn't chose to be a lesbian but i did chose to be an athlete - a darn good marathonner, at one point. My preference and priority and loyalty here has to go with the athletes. Raise a Sidney Crosby flag, and i'd be there!

Jennifer McCreath
2009 World Outgames Double Gold Medal Winner
Marathon Runner and Swimmer
for interviews info@jennifermccreath.com for a reply or a phone call back.

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My thoughts on Politicians raising Gay flags regarding Sochi Olympics

Here's a comment I submitted to a recent web news article regarding the rainbow flag raising event, by politicians, at St. John's City Hall....

"First of all, I'm trans and lesbian. Secondly, I think this event is being done for the wrong reasons. The people being forgotten here are all the LGBT athletes who have been shunned by their countries, including Canada. secondly, while it is upsetting that Russia has created anti-gay laws, I don't want to blame the Canadian athletes or call on them to boycott. they all deserve to be at the Olympics and I am sure none of them had a say in where the Olympics would be held. Secondly, I think the City of St. John's needs to do a better job demonstrating their commitment to making this city safe from discrimination and free from oppression. Raising a flag does not do anything to add value to my life. Unless this event is going to focus on LGBT athletes, then I think it is out of bounds and reeks of political opportunism."

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To Boycott or not? World Outgames Champion McCreath struggles with Sochi

I'm really torn over the Sochi boycott idea. I am disgusted that Russian has anti-gay laws. I am also really upset that Athletics Canada has a poor record when it comes to supporting the growth of LGBT Canadian athletes.

At the same time, Brad Jacobs, Jennifer Jones, Sidney Crosby, Kaitlyn Osmond  and many others, have my love and respect and best wishes. I would never want them to feel badly about crossing the boycott picket line, in order for them to fulfill their dreams.

I still haven't decided whether or not I will be watching any of the events on television.  It saddens me to think that if I attended Sochi in person, I might get arrested by border agents, simply because I have a trans medical history.

Oh well, I am sure I will have more to say on this topic in the days ahead!

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McCreath releases running stats from 2002-06! (her pre-running days)

Yes folks, while I claim to have taken up marathon running in 2007, I did have some documented training history before that. Here is a look at my stats going back to my first recorded run, which was May 28, 2002.

Number of km run per year

2002 - 0440.9 km
2003 - 0048.5
2004 - 0008.6
2005 - 0434.1
2006 - 0282.3
2007 - 2912.0
2008 - 3611.6
2009 - 4002.0
2010 - 2242.7
2011 - 1114.0
2012 - 0321.6
2013 - 1049.0

12 year career 16467.3 km

Number of days each year I went for a run

2002 - 66
2003 - 14
2004 - 3
2005 - 188
2006 - 87
2007 - 241
2008 - 284
2009 - 318
2010 - 219
2011 - 136
2012 - 71
2013 - 151

12 year career number of days I ran: 1778


Prime Years Stats (2007-2010)

1062 runs in 1462 days, totaling 12768.3 k





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McCreath reviews her 2013 St John's Election Expenses

Bernard Davis, Ward 4 Councillor for St. John's, recently proposed to tighten the reporting rules around election candidate fund raising and expenditures.  While rules state all contributions above $250 must be named, and while there is a cap on spending, there is no limit on fundraising, and there is no requirement to report expenses.  Honestly, I must admit that I find it hard to believe that all candidates did not go over these spending limits. Having run a small campaign myself, I can attest that the bills add up easily and quickly.

Just to give an example, my campaign, as those of you may remember, was a rather small one. But here's an idea of the approximate money that went into mine:

Expenses:

Transportation - car rental + gas $1500
100 Black n White 2 by 2 Election Signs + Wooden stakes + Machine Screws $1200
Paper Literature $800
Additional Supplies $500
Total expenses: approx $4000

Revenue:

Total funds legally reportable $250
Total funds not legally reportable $0
Net balance to pay out of my own personal pocket  $3750

I was amazed that I was never asked to report these expenses, or provide any sort of receipts. No audit appears to be done on any of the Candidates finances! I find this quite controversial, as it could open the door for abuse or unfair advantages. At the very least, the issue of transparency and accountability must come into question. I'd love to see all other candidates do a break own of their spending.  I'd hazard a guess that many of the major candidates, spent upwards of $200000 on election signs alone, given how many of them I saw around the city during the campaign!

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