The women see that doll and her vagina as a violent message.

32

“Wilbur the water truck driver?!”

“He’s watering the road every few hours right in front of where the Women’s Space is setting up. The women
are up in arms over the doll.”

“But Wendy, he loves his dolls! I don’t think he wants to be mean.”

“The women see that doll and her vagina as a violent message. They feel traumatized. They don’t want to
participate in an event that they feel glorifies sexism againSt women. Please Corrine, talk to Wilbur! There has to
be something you can do!”

“T know Wilbur doesn’t see it that way, but when he hears your point of view, I’m sure he’ll underStand and take
it off his truck.” I didn’t want to offend the new team and knew that Wilbur’s enthusiasm came from a good place.

I suggeSted, “It’s getting dark. It’s going to be hard for them to leave with all the traffic coming in. Ask them to
Stay tonight. I will see what I can do.”

“Thanks, babe, I want a smooth
feStival.”

Wilbur had gone down for the night
and was ready the next morning to
Start watering duSty roads like he had over the paSt days. I caught up with him on my morning rounds at the Y
Gate. Dad happened to be there, so we all Stopped on the side of the road for a chat to see how things were going.
I wanted to check in, but I also needed to approach the doll issue.

“Wilbur, great job on keeping the duSt down! Everyone’s almot all in the feStival grounds. You may get a break
if you’re lucky,” I said.

Cheerily, Wilbur replied, “Oh Corrine, you know this is my favourite time of year!”

“Wilbur, I appreciate all of your hard work, but there is something I need to bring up with you.”

“What is it Corrine? I’ve been good this year, I swear!”

“Well, Wilbur, it seems that the Women’s Safe Space is feeling upset about your doll. So upset that they want to
leave if it’s not taken off your truck.”

Wilbur was visibly shocked, his wooly eyebrows rising up into his grimy hat. “You know I mean no harm. I
mean, isn’t that what Shambhala is all about? Aren’t you allowed to be yourself? Are you going to oppress me
with your censorship? I love my doll! I don’t want to be here without her!”

At this point, Dad Started getting riled up. He’s a massive man, a hard working farmer who you don’t want
to mess with. Dad is kind and many of the ethics of the feStival are his. But you wouldn’t know it to look at him.
Snow-white hair, skin tanned from hours of work on the fields, and Strong. When he’s upset, you can see it in his
reddening face.

Dad didn’t quite agree. “Corrine, there are people all over the site! Some naked when they shouldn't be.
Wearing dildos on their hats. What’s wrong with Wilbur’s doll?”

“But Dad, they are ready to leave!”

“I don’t see why anyone would leave over a vagina. There are penises and boobs everywhere. What’s more
important? Dust control or some space? There’s lots of space. Let them go.”

Wilbur whined, “She’s special, she’s been to Manitoba and back with me.”

It’s hard to argue with my father, especially when he has a point. Wilbur’s heart was in the right place; it was
juSt perceived differently. Perhaps I could bring the team around by explaining Wilbur’s point of view. Time to
bring the issue back to Wendy and see what we could negotiate.

Friday was a busy day. It was tough to get back to the doll issue. By mid-afternoon all the Staff and patrons
were on site and the traffic was calming down. Wilbur wouldn’t be needed until Saturday. I worked my ass off and
hoped everything would calm down.

Surprise, surprise, I get a call on the radio late that afternoon from my father, which doesn’t happen very often.
He’s not very good at radio calls. He juSt barges in and says he needs to meet me back at the Y Gate. When Dad
calls, I go.

Wilbur was there, and he was crying. Dad looked mad.

“She’s gone! They took her!”

Dad exclaimed, “Who would do that?”

“Tell me what happened,” I said to Wilbur.