Dreaming of a White Christmas
Christmas has passed. The time of year where shiny festive bulbs, garland and Christmas ornaments could be seen everywhere you turned. Store windows were adorned with faux snow, glitter and festive scenes. Christmas classics were playing over the airways and there was a frenzy of shoppers as they searched for that ‘perfect’ gift. However, in […]
Land Acknowledgement is Ceremonial
Land acknowledgment is not a new concept, however, many continue to struggle with the how, what, where and why of a ‘land acknowledgement’. According to Google, “Acknowledging territory is an expression of gratitude to First Nations people for protecting and being stewards of the land, but not a ‘thank you’ for the (stolen) land. Introduce […]
Becoming an Ally
Ally, allyship, allies. What does it mean when we are asked to be an ‘ally’? Words found synonymous with ally are terms like supporters, confidants, colleagues, sympathizers, partners, collaborators, and helpers, to name a few. When we
Whose Idea Was National Indigenous Peoples Day Anyways?
The term “Indian” is used in this article to demonstrate a time in our history. Today, this term is considered offensive to most Indigenous peoples. It’s important to ask an Indigenous person how they wish to be identified. (First Nations, Indigenous, the name of their Nation etc.) Did you know this National Indigenous Peoples Day […]
Equality Hurts
If I had a dollar for every time I was confronted with the argument that ‘equality’ is the answer to our Indigenous ‘problems’, I would be a millionaire. Phrases like, “We are all equal now, right?” “We need to treat everyone equally.” “I’m not racist, I contribute to equality.” “You bleed red, like I do!” […]
In Honor of Matriarchs, Past, Present and Future
Wikipedia defines matriarchy as “a social system in which positions of responsibility, dominance and privilege are held by women. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.” Imagine a society, that is reverse of what is held true today. Where women are the decision makers for […]
“The truth is not yet fully told.”
~Phyllis Webstad, The Orange Shirt Society~ The following essay by Liza Haldane discusses the harsh and painful realities of Residential Schools and the experiences of those who endured them. This important history reflects the deep trauma suffered by Indigenous peoples. Please take care of your emotional well-being and choose a time to read when you […]
Our Children Are Not Statistics
My 27-year-old son called me 3 weeks ago. He sadly confessed that he attempted to take his life. He shared with me, “I never felt so alone standing on that bridge.” My eldest daughter, at age 12, “Mom, what if I just never wake up again? Would that be ok?” My youngest daughter, at age […]
A New Meaning to Homelessness
When we hear the word homeless, we often conjure up images of the men, women and youth that make the streets, surrounding forests or back allies their home. As humans, we may hold judgements, biases or our own theories of why people are homeless. Some may see homelessness as a ‘choice’ where individuals choose the […]