Waking Up The Sleeping Bear

People First is a Self Advocacy Movement that found its beginnings nearly 50 years ago at the Fairview Hospital and Training Center in Salem, OR. Residents and staff attended a regional conference put on by the British Columbia Arc in November 1973.Their experience was so empowering they wanted to put on their own convention. While planning their own conference they discussed different names they could call their new group. Jundy Cunio who was in the meeting said, “I’m tired of being called retarded– WE ARE PEOPLE FIRST!”  People First launched its first conference the following year in 1974. The People First movement was so successful that by the end of the 1970’s there were over 1,000 members in Oregon and chapters of People First swept the nation and the world.

In the mid 1980s Robin Keene was working at Sonoma State Hospital, which housed individuals with disabilities. The group heard about People First and wanted to visit the original chapter in Salem, OR. “We had about eight people from the institution, all different kinds of shapes and sizes.” Having had the opportunity to see People First in person the group returned empowered with the idea of having their own People First group, they successfully started People First of Sonoma. “They were popping up all over California in the good old days.” Robin said. Later, Robin moved to Northern California where she got a job working for the Area 2 Board. She brought People First to all 9 counties covered by the Far Northern Regional Center.

People First of California originally had its offices first in Red Bluff, CA and later in Chico. The People First of California next moved to Sacramento, CA where Arc of California offered free space within their state office. It was shortly after moving to Sacramento that tragedy struck People First of California. The treasurer who was in charge mishandled the funds and soon People First of California was bankrupt, so People First of CA had come to an official end.

That great bear would sleep again until 1991.  Our nation had just passed the Americans with Disability Act that made accessibility easier for persons with disabilities. With a surge of greater rights and recognition, Self Advocacy was reborn. Here in California a conference was held in Redding that asked participants if they wanted to restart the People First movement here in CA. David Mosier who was one of the leaders at the time declared “It’s time to wake the sleeping bear!” He asked the group of nearly 500 advocates if they wanted to restart People First of CA. There was an overwhelming response and People First of CA was reborn. Jim Picasso who was one of the early presidents of People First of CA designed our logo of an Eagle grasping with its talons a cane in one claw and a wheelchair in the other.

In 1995 Far Northern Regional Center under the direction of Laura Larson, who was at the time the executive director, gave People First of CA a grant for $20,000 for the Self Advocacy Project. This eventually paved the way for lots of projects that would be led by people with disabilities to educate their peers, they are called Peer Advocates. This included Path Finders,

SAY (Same As You) and Abuse Prevention. “Those were the projects we developed to support People First and to address issues that are important to people with disabilities.” Laura explained. “Everybody has things they want to do, that’s the power of People First is to help people work together to find their dreams.” Robin said.

November 8, 2018  tragedy struck our region with the Camp Fire in Paradise, CA we lost the once strong and mighty People First of Paradise chapter. Paradise now was gone along with other chapters including People First of Yreka, People First of Modoc,  People First of Lassen County, People First of Glenn County and People First of Oroville. Our great bear known as People First of California has been slowly going back to sleep again. Along with this disturbing trend People First of California has suffered great financial losses over the past 20 years. One of our biggest losses has come from lack of interest and attendance for our statewide gatherings. Just like we were able to do over 30 years ago there is a call to action once more to reawaken the sleeping bear. More than needing money we need to be reawakened as to why we need People First. We need people to take an interest in Self Advocacy and become members of their local chapter.

From its beginning to the present People First has empowered individuals to take a stand. I was fortunate to meet some of the great leaders and founding members for People First of California. These leaders included Kim Leeseman current President of People First of California, Danette Schonnes treasurer of People First of California, Teresa Oliver our last President for People First of Chico and Rosie Ryan and Andreas Econompopoulous both founding members of the People First movement in our region.  “People First helped me get out of a bad relationship,” Kim said, “I got to find out who I was and I’ve had my family with People First. They’ve helped me through all my struggles. People First has helped me get to where I am today.” For Danette, People First helped her find her voice. “I went from not talking to anybody because I was so shy to how I am now. I still don’t know what to say, but at least I’m a lot less shy than I was and now.” Danette said. Teresa shared, “People First gave me connection,” Teresa continued, “I found connection with people that are like myself and it gives you support like a family structure that you may not have otherwise.” Rosie was another advocate who has been instrumental in bringing back People First to our area. “I did a lot to help restart People First,” Rosie continued, “When I was President of People First of California we were trying to wake up that sleeping bear.” Andreas Economopolous, who can trace his roots to People First clear back to the group that Robin Keehn helped organize, was also a part of our discussion. “We can’t give up People First. We can’t say I got my rights, so you go get yours.” Andreas’ statement was a concern felt by many in our discussion that the foundation laid by advocates for more than half a century could be discounted by individuals who no longer have anything to fight for. Andreas reminds us our need to share with the younger generation and to all advocates of different ages and backgrounds our own story. By sharing our story and continuing to find community and connection through People First, here and abroad we can keep that bear awake and thriving.

Far Northern Regional Center currently has People First chapters in Redding, Red Bluff, Corning, Chico and Quincy If you would like more information on your local chapter such as meeting locations or starting up your own chapter please contact Cindi Freshour. She can be reached through contacting We Care A Lot Foundation in Redding. The phone number is 530-223-7771. We are also preparing for our annual Statewide Gathering which will be held on Saturday June 24th. You can visit the People First of California website at www.peoplefirstca.org to learn more. Far Northern Regional Center can cover the cost for the Statewide Gathering. Contact your Service Coordinator and let them know you wish to have the Advocacy Conference included on your IPP.  Let us make this the year the bear is awakened once more. As we celebrate 50 years of People First there can be no greater time to remember the difference People First can make for us. It is time to unite our voices and let the roar of the great bear be heard once more.