Walking and Talking: Interviews with Fellow Travelers. From Winnipeg.

As we seek to walk the Good Way, it can be encouraging to be reminded that we are not walking alone. Once a month, we share a brief interview with a fellow traveler.

Winnipeg. Photo by Josh Lavallee on Unsplash

Where are you from? Where is home for you? Who are your people?

I am Red River Metis and grew up and live in the homeland of the Metis Nation in Winnipeg. But this question of who are my people, when you are Metis, or at least for me, there is less certainty about who my people are than say First Nations People have. It is harder to find our lineage, harder to know our traditions, especially if you don’t dance or fiddle!!

Where do you find yourself in the journey of right, just, and whole relationships between settlers and Indigenous Peoples?

I have been on this particular road for my whole life. To be Metis is to live this struggle in your very being. Today I would say I am wholeheartedly committed to seeing all people thrive and living their truest dreams. That means we have to imagine new ways to give space to one another’s dreams, to fan those flames! That is something I am committed to.

What have been significant moments in this journey?

I think for me one significant moment was realizing I was surrounded by people who were encouraging me to live my dreams. When I realized that I could stand in my own power and I am learning to call others into their power as well. I feel like my role sometimes is to conduct a choir to help some people be louder and others quieter. Maybe some pause to let a solo sing out. People need to know how to use their voices together. When I have seen others help me do that it encourages me to do that for those around me.

What is one action you think (most) people can take today to move toward reconciliation in a meaningful way?

Find spaces to listen to one another. Actually, back to that choir image, I think we are in a season where Settler people/white people need to just listen and watch. Go to places where Indigenous People are leading, using their power, articulating their dreams, Go to those places and listen, watch. That could be a pow-wow, a cultural event, a rally, a lecture. Just get there and listen with all your being.

One resource you think everyone should check out/read?

Hmm, that is hard. Books are sometimes a way we avoid people but think we know a lot about people. But maybe a novel or something. Read stories through Indigenous eyes. Start to see differently, but use that new seeing to be with people who are different from you.

Do you have particular novels or authors you would recommend?

Oh, Thomas King is easy, or Cherie Dimaline, or check out some graphic novels. There are lots that are really amazing, like Gord Hill, or Katherena Vermette.

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us! These are some great things for us to think about and do.