Source: http://yeshua-hineni.blogspot.de/2014/11/the-twelve-tribes-in-canada-winnepeg.html
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Yeshua, Hineni!: The Twelve Tribes in Canada - Winnipeg Case
I've been trying to track down any news on the subject since the story broke, but there isn't much being shared at the moment. While I was looking to see if there was any further information, I found that the Winnipeg community has been in the news before.
First things first. In Canada, there are restrictions on corporal punishment and what is considered "reasonable force". Also, using implements when physically disciplining children is strictly out of bounds. This was something that both Focus on the Family and the HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) fought against in 2004, when the laws were firmed up.
Using objects to hit such as belts, rulers, etc. because they can be harmful both physically and emotionally;
Slaps or blows to the head;
Degrading or inhumane treatment;
Corporal punishment that causes injury.
Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia - Child discipline
Most folks know the Twelve Tribes by their "Common Sense Deli", which opened in 2010. Others may know them by their online yerba maté store, their "intentional community" or their "Little Mountain Farm" which is an all organic farm that anyone can come to and work on for a time through WWOOF. They are also known for their homeschooling operations, which is registered in Winnepeg as a "Non-Funded Independent School", where they teach grades 1-10.
From what I can tell, the commune has been in Winnipeg for the last 21 years, after moving from Nova Scotia. Since 2013, the Twelve Tribes in Winnipeg have expanded their operations to include a bakery at their deli location, moved from Sherbrook Street to Rue Des Meurons and additionally opened a "Common Sense Natural Foods", and "Common Sense Storehouse".
In 1992-1997 they were under investigation due to child abduction allegations in the Steven Wooten Case.
Prior to the recent infiltration of the community by a reporter in Winnipeg, others have visited and blogged about their experiences. There have also been interviews with members of the Twelve Tribes, ex-members and visitors in Canada.
Joe Hawkins has been quite upset about his wife keeping their children in the commune against his wishes, and his inability to get custody of their children. He has been blogging about the issue for quite a while, and referenced in these recent blog posts.
On October 21st, news broke that the Twelve Tribes have been implicated in child abuse charges. They have defended their use of implements and corporal punishment methods, a reporter detailed his six weeks with their commune. Former members of the Twelve Tribes faced off on CBC Radio about child rearing methods, mind control and spiritual abuse the experienced. Current members defended their beliefs and corporal punishment practices.
CBC: Twelve Tribes defends use of sticks to discipline children
My very first night at their house on East Gate, I wandered around the premises a little to scope out the place. That very first evening I managed to find five of the rods that were described by ex-members. They are slender wooden sticks roughly 60 centimetres long. I found one above a cabinet in the main floor washroom, one in the classroom they turned into a guest bedroom for me, and three in the basement.
Over the course of the next six weeks I would locate as many as 20 different rods. Usually they were in places you wouldn’t run across them as a casual visitor. It was unsettling to come across these rods and hold one in my hand.
In 2001, Matthew Klein - an Australian - was a member of the Twelve Tribes community in Winnipeg. We reached him in Sydney, Australia.
Information Radio - MB | Oct 22, 2014 | 10:59 --Members of religious group Twelve Tribes speak out
They held a public meeting Monday night to defend themselves against allegations of child abuse, but then said they hit their children with sticks. Our interview with members of Twelve Tribes.
Hopefully this will help clear up some information on what is going on in Winnipeg. To keep up with the news about the Twelve Tribes in Germany, you can read along here:
Part 1, part 2 , part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, part 12, part 13, part 14, part 15, part 16, part 17, part 18 and 19 to be better informed on this issue.You will also find that the Wikipedia page on The Twelve Tribes Community has been updated to include basic information of what is happening in Germany as of September 2013. There have been no current updates in English-speaking papers. However, the German Wikipedia page has most of the information behind what is, for all intents and purposes, an ongoing court case.
You can also find information on the Twelve Tribes from the English-language Sites YATT and Twelve Tribes Ex.
11.11.2014 update to fix link errors and spelling errors
Posted by Yeshua Hineni at 22:57
Anonymous 08 December, 2014 22:58
As an ex long time member of the 12 Tribes, I cannot in all honesty be for or against their method of discipline. Let's forget about biblical quotes for now. Yes, it contravenes the "law of the land" which is for the protection of children against corporal abuse. However it is not administered out of anger or frustration, there are no harsh words, long lasting physical marks, no danger of permanent damage and the child is made to understand his error and forgiven immediately. If the trespass involves another person, the child is requested to "own up" to that person. So it's against the law as it stands, however the children as anyone will vouch are extremely well mannered, diligent and honest. There is no bullying, no physical abuse on one another, no delinquency, no altercations with the law, no drug involvement and no sexual promiscuity. Quite a dilemma considering what goes on in our homes, streets and school in today's enlightened society. The "law" professor from Queens who wants an inquiry and many of his peers would be out of a job if all citizens acted similarly. So against the law - yes against upholding the morals of society - no
Anonymous 29 December, 2014 02:26
I lived with the 12 Tribes in Winnipeg for 6 years( 2009-2014) and do not remember any member with an Australian accent around 2011?
Maybe he was not there very long?
Anyway his comments (Mathew) are generally true - the "rod" is the first recourse and other members will discipline your child if the child is in their care - such as a teacher.
I personally never did for personal reasons. I also never saw anyone inflict visible or bruising discipline to a child and that's with hundreds of occasions.
Life can be difficult & also rewarding. It is not a free ride as everyone must pull their share.
Most of the people and "leaders" are very good people but like everywhere else some get to have a lofty opinion of their position. These are the ones who spend their time telling others what to do but do very little to physically or economically to contribute to the community other than their "spiritual leadership". A little like the priest of the old testament. Anyway that's the hypocrisy to led me to part company.
I stray from the issue. The children who are disciplined turn out to be pretty decent young men & women not influenced by drugs, peer pressure and all the things that go on in schools & society that has generally lost control. They are extremely self sufficient from all the trades and apprenticeship they participate in. Most kids today can't even change a light bulb.
But the law in Canada states that you cannot use an implement to discipline and and that's the crux of the matter. A lot of what you hear from ex-members is sour grapes. I saw many come in just looking for a free ride. When they left or were asked to leave, they usually blamed the 12 Tribes for their lacks. The 12 Tribes will have to seriously reconsider their stand as the law of the land is not on their side.
Anonymous 24 January, 2015 22:46
Sorry, but I know some of the second generation TT (born into the TT) that never *chose* this life for themselves, but found the strength to leave - and they are incredibly damaged young people. Some are functionally illiterate, they are haunted by nightmares of childhood abuse, they are in trauma therapy and one is suicidal. The "rod" only was a part in this system - the child *whipping* manual by the guru that had to be followed to the letter prescribed canings for normal childlike behaviours like playing house, imitating an aeroplane etc. A boy who was taken away from his parents (because they did not beat him enough) and given to a discplinarian started bedwetting again, he was in so much mental agony. He was taken out of bed every night at 2 am and beaten,because the boy was accused of doing it on purpose. There is total denial of the fact and refusal to accept that children go through developmental stages. - Second, children are micromanaged and under surveillance 24/7 - all members are instructed to inform on each other, and shepherds are to extract everyone's innermost thoughts regularly. The (formerly Communist) East German secret police would have been put to shame by those methods. The children are virtually held hostage by this mix of systematic conditioning through pain, inadequate schooling, child labour, total surveillance, isolation from the "evil outside world" and thought control from the day they are born. AGAIN: we are not talking adults who willingly enter, then leave and moan. AGAIN: These children born into the cult *had no choice* and were cheated out of *everything* that constitutes a childhood.