I love that our community is rich with cultural opportunities from different Nations. I live in the traditional territory of the K'omoks First Nation on Vancouver Island witnessing dancing in the Big House, participating in cedar brushing ceremonies, pipe ceremony with a Mohawk Elder, Lakota Sundance sweatlodge, full moon lodges, and drum circles. Recently I've been invited to sweat with an Anishanabe group and am really looking forward to the opportunity!
It's got me thinking lately with Joseph Boyden's "calling out" and the discussion around belonging. Personally I self identify as an Aboriginal woman of mixed heritage. Was I brought up in my culture? No Do I speak my language? No Do I have a personal connection with the traditional territory my ancestors are from? No
My grandmother on my mom's side was a residential school survivor, my grandpa French Canadian. Thanks to the intergenerational effect of residential schools my grandma and mom don't have a strong cultural connection to pass down. In fact I'm pretty sure during that time in Sioux Lookout Ontario it would have been desirable to hide your Aboriginal ancestry to escape the unfortunate racism that came along with it.
But then I didn't have a strong cultural connection passed down from my Russian, Scottish, French Canadian, and English family either. It feels like little bits here and there. I remember speaking French when I was young with my Grandpa. My Dad's side of the family were farmers migrating from Russia...we've always grown food in big gardens. I don't think I am alone at all in this circumstance of being. I guess that's Canadian culture; a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
It's the little bits that I am after! As happy as I am to make moccasins, drums, and bannock; I am happy to make latkes, shortbread, and tourtière! I can thank and honour all of my family and ancestors for who I am today. A crafty, artsy, drumming, singing, sewing, gardening, sporty, resilient, hardworking, fun, and loving woman.
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