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I grew up on a rez that was nicknamed The Mission where we had very limited access to culture. The most integrated aspects were cedar branches w a cross on them and a one day workshop about "traditional ways" when I was like 11 where I got tobacco ties. (1/10)
I didn't know what they were for. But I knew inside they were special and I held on to them for a very long time. Our church is shaped in a circle.
We had pow wows on the mountain. (2/10)
We had pow wows on the mountain. (2/10)
But we didn't have access to language.
Forms of self governance.
Ceremonial practices.
Medicine knowledge.
History.
And if any of our elders did, they kept it secret out of shame & fear.
All we knew were the stereotypes (in Thunder Bay). (3/10)
Forms of self governance.
Ceremonial practices.
Medicine knowledge.
History.
And if any of our elders did, they kept it secret out of shame & fear.
All we knew were the stereotypes (in Thunder Bay). (3/10)
So I grew up experiencing early 80s rez life but very little Indigenous "cultural connection". Which had me all kinds of whitewashed and constantly questioning my authenticity as a Native. "If I don't know how to smudge, am I really Native?"
Dangerous thinking. (4/10)
Dangerous thinking. (4/10)
Hurtful thinking. But that's what colonialism has done. When opportunities began coming my way through my work and my stories; the stories that I experienced and grew up with, I constantly wrestled w feeling like a fraud. (5/10)
So I went out and did that cultural education. I spoke to healers and elders. I spent time with different Indigenous artists. I read. I participated in ceremony. I reclaimed and opened myself up to ancestral & land based ways of working and being. (6/10)
I returned to my community to see that we were all on the same path of digging out those things that were hidden for so long. I reconnected. (7/10)
So when folks come along and claim Indigenous ancestry and take that space and those resources, it makes it harder on everyone else who has been doing that work slowly and carefully. (8/10)
It's partially because of those ppl that made me feel like I was going to be called out for not knowing Anishinaabe practices. That makes it harder for scooped kids to reclaim. Displaced kids to reclaim. (9/10)
It's so harmful.
We must, must do the work.
In order to actually move forward in a good way, we must honour our ancestors or at least try. (10/10)
We must, must do the work.
In order to actually move forward in a good way, we must honour our ancestors or at least try. (10/10)
