Memories

In doing Indigenous Food systems work, I am doing what I can to make sure that the memories people can look back on are of planting and caring for Indigenous plants instead of plants from the colonizers. I don't know what that evokes for you. Does it sound simple and understandable? Does it shock you…

Place names of Islands

ÍY, SȻÁĆEL I can't claim to know a lot about place names, so please treat this more as an exploration and questioning. From what I've learned through reading the names of W̱SÁNEĆ places, in particular today, is that the islands don't have one specific name. I'm currently on San Juan Island. There's not a lot…

Patriarchy, and my life

I'm looking forward to changes that will come into the world because of our experiences with self-isolation, physical distancing, observing hoarding, and other COVID-19 impacts. I've been reflecting on my current circumstances, and how patriarchy has stacked so much against me at this time. Note: This writing is rather heteronormative and may be triggering for…

2020 International Women’s Day thoughts

Content Note: All things colonization and genocide As a young Indigenous girl, I heard my dad's side of my family talk about their reverence of women. I saw my dad and uncles appreciation of their wives, even though sometimes my mom and aunties seemed to want a little more understanding than appreciation, it meant a…

Indigenous saviours

As a youth, I felt like people were eager to get my input about things. "Tell us what you want [to cure intergenerational trauma of colonization]!" Today, I hear a lot of people who work with youth who say, "Youth have great ideas, and are great leaders."   It's intimidating to be expected to be…