Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 22/01) - Two women from Toronto were in Yellowknife last week to tell people about Falun Gong practitioners imprisoned, tortured and killed in China.

Falun Gong or Falun Dafa is a spiritual movement founded in 1992 which combines slow-motion exercises, meditation and moral teachings. In October 1999, it was proclaimed an "evil cult" by the Chinese parliament.

Connie Chipkar demonstrates Falon Gong exercises. She says Falon Gong has made her a better person. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

Still, despite relentless persecution by the Chinese government, followers of Falun Gong have continued to do their exercises and practice their doctrine of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.

In the Western world, Falon Gong has been labelled a few things, including a cult, and a religion. But most often, it is considered just another harmless, flaky new age fad.

Connie Chipkar, a 61-year-old woman from Toronto, who was in Yellowknife this week collecting signatures for a petition, claims it is none of the above.

"I always tell people don't listen to what anybody says about Falun Dafa," said Chipkar. "I say, try it and then you will know."

Chipkar was introduced to Falun Dafa almost four years ago at a health show. "I met someone who said Falun Dafa had changed his life and maybe it could change mine," she says. "I laughed because I thought my life was perfect."

Before leaving on the "SOS! Urgent Call to Rescue Falun Gong Practitioners persecuted in China tour," Chipkar did a 300-hour sit-in outside the Chinese consulate in Toronto.

"It was the first time I felt what it was like to me selfless," she said. "I put the me I knew aside. I was just there to talk about people who are being tortured in China."

Chipkar and her counterpart Pam McLennan gathered about 240 signatures while in Yellowknife. They are particularly concerned about Shenli Lun, the husband of Canadian citizen Jinyu Li. Lun has been imprisoned in a Chinese labour camp for the last 18 months. His sentence was extended on July 23, the day he was scheduled for release.

Before leaving for Rankin Inlet, the women met with mayor Gord Van Tighem at the airport.

Van Tighem listened to them, but declined to sign their petition.

"Is it because you've heard the bad things people are saying?" asked Chipkar.

Van Tighem, who was only vaguely familiar with Falun Gong before meeting the pair, told them he'd like to do a little more research before signing anything.

"They certainly seem sincere and committed," said Van Tighem on his way out of the airport.