Identity & post-secondary: a First Nations experience | Amy Smoke | TEDxKitchenerED

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] say go so go go

say go so go go

say go so go go I need tons e hello everybody

I need tons e hello everybody

I need tons e hello everybody ladies Craig said my name is Amy spoke

ladies Craig said my name is Amy spoke

ladies Craig said my name is Amy spoke Mohawk nation turtle clan and I’m from

Mohawk nation turtle clan and I’m from

Mohawk nation turtle clan and I’m from the Six Nations of the Grand River but I

the Six Nations of the Grand River but I

the Six Nations of the Grand River but I grew up right here in Kitchener I was

grew up right here in Kitchener I was

grew up right here in Kitchener I was born and raised right here in Kitchener

born and raised right here in Kitchener

born and raised right here in Kitchener so I never lived on my reserve my

so I never lived on my reserve my

so I never lived on my reserve my grandfather was Hyuga and he attended

grandfather was Hyuga and he attended

grandfather was Hyuga and he attended the Mohawk Institute residential school

the Mohawk Institute residential school

the Mohawk Institute residential school and my grandmother was mohawk and her

and my grandmother was mohawk and her

and my grandmother was mohawk and her family lived in Hamilton and they had a

family lived in Hamilton and they had a

family lived in Hamilton and they had a job and they went to church so it was

job and they went to church so it was

job and they went to church so it was probably thought at the time that they

probably thought at the time that they

probably thought at the time that they were already assimilated into mainstream

were already assimilated into mainstream

were already assimilated into mainstream society so she and her siblings weren’t

society so she and her siblings weren’t

society so she and her siblings weren’t taking a residential school but both my

taking a residential school but both my

taking a residential school but both my grandparents never really spoke the

grandparents never really spoke the

grandparents never really spoke the language and didn’t teach my mom and her

language and didn’t teach my mom and her

language and didn’t teach my mom and her siblings my grandparents traveled back

siblings my grandparents traveled back

siblings my grandparents traveled back and forth between six nations in the

and forth between six nations in the

and forth between six nations in the United States because they were

United States because they were

United States because they were following the work my grandfather was an

following the work my grandfather was an

following the work my grandfather was an iron worker and they avoided those big

iron worker and they avoided those big

iron worker and they avoided those big luxury cars pulling into the

luxury cars pulling into the

luxury cars pulling into the neighborhoods for fear it was the social

neighborhoods for fear it was the social

neighborhoods for fear it was the social service workers coming to take the

service workers coming to take the

service workers coming to take the children away to residential school so

children away to residential school so

children away to residential school so my mom was actually born in Detroit but

my mom was actually born in Detroit but

my mom was actually born in Detroit but grew up here in six nations and she met

grew up here in six nations and she met

grew up here in six nations and she met my father who’s non-indigenous in

my father who’s non-indigenous in

my father who’s non-indigenous in Brantford where he was born and they

Brantford where he was born and they

Brantford where he was born and they moved to Kitchener Waterloo and where I

moved to Kitchener Waterloo and where I

moved to Kitchener Waterloo and where I and my younger brother were born so I’ve

and my younger brother were born so I’ve

and my younger brother were born so I’ve never actually lived in six nations but

never actually lived in six nations but

never actually lived in six nations but when I was growing up I you know mostly

when I was growing up I you know mostly

when I was growing up I you know mostly around non-indigenous classmates and

around non-indigenous classmates and

around non-indigenous classmates and neighbors I was very aware of how

neighbors I was very aware of how

neighbors I was very aware of how different I look you know I have darker

different I look you know I have darker

different I look you know I have darker skin different eyes and cheekbones and

skin different eyes and cheekbones and

skin different eyes and cheekbones and as a result I was bullied quite a bit

as a result I was bullied quite a bit

as a result I was bullied quite a bit when I was younger people would always

when I was younger people would always

when I was younger people would always tell me to go back to where I came from

tell me to go back to where I came from

tell me to go back to where I came from and I thought I was really weird because

and I thought I was really weird because

and I thought I was really weird because I’m from here and even my dad like my

I’m from here and even my dad like my

I’m from here and even my dad like my dad would make comments about my mom and

dad would make comments about my mom and

dad would make comments about my mom and ask kids about being Indians that we

ask kids about being Indians that we

ask kids about being Indians that we were Indians and I was about five when I

were Indians and I was about five when I

were Indians and I was about five when I asked him then what he was and he told

asked him then what he was and he told

asked him then what he was and he told me he was a cowboy and I believed him I

me he was a cowboy and I believed him I

me he was a cowboy and I believed him I actually told people that that’s what my

actually told people that that’s what my

actually told people that that’s what my dad was he was a cowboy so not being

dad was he was a cowboy so not being

dad was he was a cowboy so not being around like any ceremonies or traditions

around like any ceremonies or traditions

around like any ceremonies or traditions also not going to church or being

also not going to church or being

also not going to church or being involved in any organized religion I

involved in any organized religion I

involved in any organized religion I never had a chance to to learn any of

never had a chance to to learn any of

never had a chance to to learn any of this you know my grandparents didn’t

this you know my grandparents didn’t

this you know my grandparents didn’t teach my mom and she never taught me so

teach my mom and she never taught me so

teach my mom and she never taught me so I struggled I never really felt like I

I struggled I never really felt like I

I struggled I never really felt like I fit in and by the time I was 11 I was

fit in and by the time I was 11 I was

fit in and by the time I was 11 I was having suicidal thoughts by the time I

having suicidal thoughts by the time I

having suicidal thoughts by the time I was 12 I was running away from home on a

was 12 I was running away from home on a

was 12 I was running away from home on a regular basis it always seemed better to

regular basis it always seemed better to

regular basis it always seemed better to me to live with someone else’s family

me to live with someone else’s family

me to live with someone else’s family than my own but my family made a nice

than my own but my family made a nice

than my own but my family made a nice living in the computer industry we had a

living in the computer industry we had a

living in the computer industry we had a big home and cars and summer vacations

big home and cars and summer vacations

big home and cars and summer vacations so I wanted for nothing really

so I wanted for nothing really

so I wanted for nothing really materially again I just I didn’t feel

materially again I just I didn’t feel

materially again I just I didn’t feel like I fit in so I started to use drugs

like I fit in so I started to use drugs

like I fit in so I started to use drugs and I partied my way through high school

and I partied my way through high school

and I partied my way through high school and eventually dropped out but I applied

and eventually dropped out but I applied

and eventually dropped out but I applied to college as a mature student because

to college as a mature student because

to college as a mature student because like that’s what you do after high

like that’s what you do after high

like that’s what you do after high school right you go to college but the

school right you go to college but the

school right you go to college but the soft drugs turned to harsher ones and

soft drugs turned to harsher ones and

soft drugs turned to harsher ones and two days after my 22nd birthday I found

two days after my 22nd birthday I found

two days after my 22nd birthday I found myself at a healing lodge in Toronto and

myself at a healing lodge in Toronto and

myself at a healing lodge in Toronto and it was for indigenous people only and it

it was for indigenous people only and it

it was for indigenous people only and it was a four-month live in treatment and I

was a four-month live in treatment and I

was a four-month live in treatment and I remember walking through those doors and

remember walking through those doors and

remember walking through those doors and I I smelled that sage the smudge and I

I I smelled that sage the smudge and I

I I smelled that sage the smudge and I heard the drums and I started listening

heard the drums and I started listening

heard the drums and I started listening to the teachings and I thought wow like

to the teachings and I thought wow like

to the teachings and I thought wow like how did I not know any of this before

how did I not know any of this before

how did I not know any of this before why weren’t people talking about this

why weren’t people talking about this

why weren’t people talking about this cuz like it was so logical for me like

cuz like it was so logical for me like

cuz like it was so logical for me like it was just you know made sense so I

it was just you know made sense so I

it was just you know made sense so I knew that this was the spirituality the

knew that this was the spirituality the

knew that this was the spirituality the identity that I had been searching for I

identity that I had been searching for I

identity that I had been searching for I knew that I had come home but I was kind

knew that I had come home but I was kind

knew that I had come home but I was kind of young and kind of silly and I broke

of young and kind of silly and I broke

of young and kind of silly and I broke the biggest rule in treatment never get

the biggest rule in treatment never get

the biggest rule in treatment never get involved with somebody while you’re

involved with somebody while you’re

involved with somebody while you’re working on yourself especially somebody

working on yourself especially somebody

working on yourself especially somebody in the same treatment program and once

in the same treatment program and once

in the same treatment program and once we graduated I moved out with this

we graduated I moved out with this

we graduated I moved out with this beautiful young Cree man and we

beautiful young Cree man and we

beautiful young Cree man and we attempted to live a sober life in

attempted to live a sober life in

attempted to live a sober life in Toronto but we struggled and it all came

Toronto but we struggled and it all came

Toronto but we struggled and it all came to a head one night

to a head one night

to a head one night drugs and alcohol ended in this big

drugs and alcohol ended in this big

drugs and alcohol ended in this big bloody mess and I moved back home to

bloody mess and I moved back home to

bloody mess and I moved back home to Kitchener unfortunately I didn’t seek

Kitchener unfortunately I didn’t seek

Kitchener unfortunately I didn’t seek out any indigenous organizations in my

out any indigenous organizations in my

out any indigenous organizations in my area you know like I thought what I

area you know like I thought what I

area you know like I thought what I learned in the lodge was I’m hoping

learned in the lodge was I’m hoping

learned in the lodge was I’m hoping enough and I rekindled an old

enough and I rekindled an old

enough and I rekindled an old high-school romance and I got pregnant

high-school romance and I got pregnant

high-school romance and I got pregnant with my first daughter and I for nearly

with my first daughter and I for nearly

with my first daughter and I for nearly five years was

five years was

five years was Super Mom right I read every parenting

Super Mom right I read every parenting

Super Mom right I read every parenting book and magazine that there was because

book and magazine that there was because

book and magazine that there was because I was determined to do this one thing

I was determined to do this one thing

I was determined to do this one thing right but again I started to slip I was

right but again I started to slip I was

right but again I started to slip I was struggling and I started sending my

struggling and I started sending my

struggling and I started sending my daughter to my parents house for

daughter to my parents house for

daughter to my parents house for overnights visits and and weekend visits

overnights visits and and weekend visits

overnights visits and and weekend visits and one day she just didn’t come home I

and one day she just didn’t come home I

and one day she just didn’t come home I was also working at the stag shop at the

was also working at the stag shop at the

was also working at the stag shop at the time so it was a very adult life which

time so it was a very adult life which

time so it was a very adult life which came with very adult drugs without my

came with very adult drugs without my

came with very adult drugs without my daughter like to be responsible for and

daughter like to be responsible for and

daughter like to be responsible for and get up in the morning for and take care

get up in the morning for and take care

get up in the morning for and take care of I lost it I completely set out slid

of I lost it I completely set out slid

of I lost it I completely set out slid out of control within three months I had

out of control within three months I had

out of control within three months I had found another unhealthy partner lost my

found another unhealthy partner lost my

found another unhealthy partner lost my daughter lost my job lost my apartment

daughter lost my job lost my apartment

daughter lost my job lost my apartment and this started the next five years of

and this started the next five years of

and this started the next five years of how I entered the world of IV drugs

how I entered the world of IV drugs

how I entered the world of IV drugs opiates and heroin My partner and I

opiates and heroin My partner and I

opiates and heroin My partner and I would steal from stores all day long and

would steal from stores all day long and

would steal from stores all day long and then we would sell it and buy drugs get

then we would sell it and buy drugs get

then we would sell it and buy drugs get a hotel room party all night never

a hotel room party all night never

a hotel room party all night never saving anything for the morning right

saving anything for the morning right

saving anything for the morning right when we would be like in severe

when we would be like in severe

when we would be like in severe withdrawal I found myself getting in

withdrawal I found myself getting in

withdrawal I found myself getting in trouble with the law

trouble with the law

trouble with the law and every few months I was in and out of

and every few months I was in and out of

and every few months I was in and out of jail we couch surfed I slept in crack

jail we couch surfed I slept in crack

jail we couch surfed I slept in crack houses we broke into cars to sleep I

houses we broke into cars to sleep I

houses we broke into cars to sleep I spent a summer in a tent at Bingaman

spent a summer in a tent at Bingaman

spent a summer in a tent at Bingaman Park and again I did things I never

Park and again I did things I never

Park and again I did things I never thought I would do I exploited myself

thought I would do I exploited myself

thought I would do I exploited myself and other women this was not anything I

and other women this was not anything I

and other women this was not anything I had ever grown up around nothing I

had ever grown up around nothing I

had ever grown up around nothing I imagined possible

imagined possible

imagined possible well eventually applied for social

well eventually applied for social

well eventually applied for social assistance and one of the requirements

assistance and one of the requirements

assistance and one of the requirements to stay eligible for the benefits is you

to stay eligible for the benefits is you

to stay eligible for the benefits is you have to take these courses one of them

have to take these courses one of them

have to take these courses one of them was called focus for change and I knew

was called focus for change and I knew

was called focus for change and I knew like two three weeks into the program

like two three weeks into the program

like two three weeks into the program why it was named so because I was tired

why it was named so because I was tired

why it was named so because I was tired I was tired of running and going to jail

I was tired of running and going to jail

I was tired of running and going to jail and sticking needles in myself I was

and sticking needles in myself I was

and sticking needles in myself I was tired of the abusive relationships so I

tired of the abusive relationships so I

tired of the abusive relationships so I called a woman shelter and I made the

called a woman shelter and I made the

called a woman shelter and I made the plan to flee and I checked into a

plan to flee and I checked into a

plan to flee and I checked into a methadone clinic I applied for a

methadone clinic I applied for a

methadone clinic I applied for a subsidized housing I got my apartment

subsidized housing I got my apartment

subsidized housing I got my apartment and the fog started to lift and I was

and the fog started to lift and I was

and the fog started to lift and I was able to get up every morning and not

able to get up every morning and not

able to get up every morning and not need the drugs

need the drugs

need the drugs and I knew I was gonna need some more

and I knew I was gonna need some more

and I knew I was gonna need some more education because not only did I finish

education because not only did I finish

education because not only did I finish that program but I then I read I did my

that program but I then I read I did my

that program but I then I read I did my GED as well but I knew I was gonna need

GED as well but I knew I was gonna need

GED as well but I knew I was gonna need more I reapplied to that program I had

more I reapplied to that program I had

more I reapplied to that program I had started like 15 years prior and I got to

started like 15 years prior and I got to

started like 15 years prior and I got to the campus and I walked into the

the campus and I walked into the

the campus and I walked into the aboriginal services office which was new

aboriginal services office which was new

aboriginal services office which was new at the time and I met the most wonderful

at the time and I met the most wonderful

at the time and I met the most wonderful man

man

man wonderful teacher I’d ever known and I

wonderful teacher I’d ever known and I

wonderful teacher I’d ever known and I explained I’d missed some deadlines for

explained I’d missed some deadlines for

explained I’d missed some deadlines for funding and he said he just stood up and

funding and he said he just stood up and

funding and he said he just stood up and he walked me down to the OSAP office and

he walked me down to the OSAP office and

he walked me down to the OSAP office and he said let’s just get you here now and

he said let’s just get you here now and

he said let’s just get you here now and we’ll worry about paying it back later

we’ll worry about paying it back later

we’ll worry about paying it back later and like the fact that he used the term

and like the fact that he used the term

and like the fact that he used the term we and like complete unconditional

we and like complete unconditional

we and like complete unconditional acceptance from this total stranger

acceptance from this total stranger

acceptance from this total stranger reminded me of that that healing Lodge

reminded me of that that healing Lodge

reminded me of that that healing Lodge and the people that I had been around so

and the people that I had been around so

and the people that I had been around so I knew that I had once again found my

I knew that I had once again found my

I knew that I had once again found my home so I jumped in to college I started

home so I jumped in to college I started

home so I jumped in to college I started talking in classes about like smudging

talking in classes about like smudging

talking in classes about like smudging and what it was like to be a First

and what it was like to be a First

and what it was like to be a First Nation student and a mature student and

Nation student and a mature student and

Nation student and a mature student and the coordinator of my program suggested

the coordinator of my program suggested

the coordinator of my program suggested that I go out for a photo shoot for the

that I go out for a photo shoot for the

that I go out for a photo shoot for the marketing campaign you know what you do

marketing campaign you know what you do

marketing campaign you know what you do here counts out there I found myself on

here counts out there I found myself on

here counts out there I found myself on one of those like life-size banners I

one of those like life-size banners I

one of those like life-size banners I was in like a website and on a

was in like a website and on a

was in like a website and on a commercial and proShares and like the

commercial and proShares and like the

commercial and proShares and like the drug addict in me like didn’t think that

drug addict in me like didn’t think that

drug addict in me like didn’t think that that was even remotely possible so I

that was even remotely possible so I

that was even remotely possible so I began to feel really comfortable and

began to feel really comfortable and

began to feel really comfortable and accepted but I knew I was gonna need

accepted but I knew I was gonna need

accepted but I knew I was gonna need more education right I wanted more

more education right I wanted more

more education right I wanted more education so I applied to university and

education so I applied to university and

education so I applied to university and I got to campus and I thought where all

I got to campus and I thought where all

I got to campus and I thought where all the indigenous students like it just

the indigenous students like it just

the indigenous students like it just come from a college where we had

come from a college where we had

come from a college where we had ceremonies and powers and traditional

ceremonies and powers and traditional

ceremonies and powers and traditional teachings sweat lodges and I was really

teachings sweat lodges and I was really

teachings sweat lodges and I was really disappointed to find out that there were

disappointed to find out that there were

disappointed to find out that there were like five First Nations in 18 Inuit

like five First Nations in 18 Inuit

like five First Nations in 18 Inuit students that used their aboriginal

students that used their aboriginal

students that used their aboriginal services I thought what am I going to do

services I thought what am I going to do

services I thought what am I going to do here so they took another deep breath

here so they took another deep breath

here so they took another deep breath and I jumped right in again i

and I jumped right in again i

and I jumped right in again i reactivated the indigenous Student

reactivated the indigenous Student

reactivated the indigenous Student Association and I applied for funds for

Association and I applied for funds for

Association and I applied for funds for some marketing materials started making

some marketing materials started making

some marketing materials started making our presence known on campus today our

our presence known on campus today our

our presence known on campus today our Center sees like two dozen regularily

Center sees like two dozen regularily

Center sees like two dozen regularily indigenous students using the services

indigenous students using the services

indigenous students using the services we feed like over a hundred of the

we feed like over a hundred of the

we feed like over a hundred of the campus community during our weekly Supan

campus community during our weekly Supan

campus community during our weekly Supan frybread lunches

frybread lunches

frybread lunches and when I finished my first degree

and when I finished my first degree

and when I finished my first degree actually I was given the president of

actually I was given the president of

actually I was given the president of the term award so I finished it I just

the term award so I finished it I just

the term award so I finished it I just actually finished my second degree in

actually finished my second degree in

actually finished my second degree in June my convocation is actually next

June my convocation is actually next

June my convocation is actually next month so why did I share all that with

month so why did I share all that with

month so why did I share all that with you like I spent more than half my time

you like I spent more than half my time

you like I spent more than half my time with you just introducing myself um

with you just introducing myself um

with you just introducing myself um not only as a mohawk person I am a

not only as a mohawk person I am a

not only as a mohawk person I am a talker I’m a storyteller but as an

talker I’m a storyteller but as an

talker I’m a storyteller but as an indigenous person this is a huge

indigenous person this is a huge

indigenous person this is a huge cultural value for us we explain who we

cultural value for us we explain who we

cultural value for us we explain who we are where we come from in our social

are where we come from in our social

are where we come from in our social location and our history that’s

location and our history that’s

location and our history that’s important to us and I need people to

important to us and I need people to

important to us and I need people to know when I walk through those doors

know when I walk through those doors

know when I walk through those doors especially a classroom that I come with

especially a classroom that I come with

especially a classroom that I come with that history the beauty the pain the

that history the beauty the pain the

that history the beauty the pain the intergenerational trauma and healing I

intergenerational trauma and healing I

intergenerational trauma and healing I come with all of it the collective

come with all of it the collective

come with all of it the collective history and blood memory of the

history and blood memory of the

history and blood memory of the indigenous people of Turtle Island and

indigenous people of Turtle Island and

indigenous people of Turtle Island and as a stronger and healthier First

as a stronger and healthier First

as a stronger and healthier First Nations person it’s my job now to help

Nations person it’s my job now to help

Nations person it’s my job now to help you find their culture and and know

you find their culture and and know

you find their culture and and know their history and understand their

their history and understand their

their history and understand their identity you know cuz I walked into

identity you know cuz I walked into

identity you know cuz I walked into those spaces of healing and learning I

those spaces of healing and learning I

those spaces of healing and learning I was home and I felt such balance and

was home and I felt such balance and

was home and I felt such balance and belonging and it’s like such an honor to

belonging and it’s like such an honor to

belonging and it’s like such an honor to be able to help others find that same

be able to help others find that same

be able to help others find that same pride and acceptance within themselves

pride and acceptance within themselves

pride and acceptance within themselves like there’s just no greater job so how

like there’s just no greater job so how

like there’s just no greater job so how do we indigenized academic spaces or

do we indigenized academic spaces or

do we indigenized academic spaces or better yet to colonize them I found as a

better yet to colonize them I found as a

better yet to colonize them I found as a student you know I’m an indigenous

student you know I’m an indigenous

student you know I’m an indigenous person we like circles we do everything

person we like circles we do everything

person we like circles we do everything in circles

in circles

in circles we like to face each other on an even

we like to face each other on an even

we like to face each other on an even level we’re all teachers and learners

level we’re all teachers and learners

level we’re all teachers and learners but I find it really troubling that

but I find it really troubling that

but I find it really troubling that nobody wanted to move the desks and rows

nobody wanted to move the desks and rows

nobody wanted to move the desks and rows into into a circle and I found this

into into a circle and I found this

into into a circle and I found this really unsettling and I start to

really unsettling and I start to

really unsettling and I start to question what I was learning like as to

question what I was learning like as to

question what I was learning like as to its cultural relevance how does this

its cultural relevance how does this

its cultural relevance how does this work for indigenous people how can I use

work for indigenous people how can I use

work for indigenous people how can I use this with indigenous people and I was

this with indigenous people and I was

this with indigenous people and I was met with rolling eyes and size of like

met with rolling eyes and size of like

met with rolling eyes and size of like what see me gonna say now I think we

what see me gonna say now I think we

what see me gonna say now I think we always can talk about being Native Amy

always can talk about being Native Amy

always can talk about being Native Amy needs to calm down a little bit and in a

needs to calm down a little bit and in a

needs to calm down a little bit and in a school of social work in particular

school of social work in particular

school of social work in particular subjects like anti-oppressive theory and

subjects like anti-oppressive theory and

subjects like anti-oppressive theory and in did

in did

in did knowledge queer and feminist theory were

knowledge queer and feminist theory were

knowledge queer and feminist theory were like the last subjects to be taught I

like the last subjects to be taught I

like the last subjects to be taught I really thought that was weird like who

really thought that was weird like who

really thought that was weird like who did we think that we would be out there

did we think that we would be out there

did we think that we would be out there in the world with once we had our little

in the world with once we had our little

in the world with once we had our little degrees in our hands and a teacher once

degrees in our hands and a teacher once

degrees in our hands and a teacher once asked me to share my story so she asked

asked me to share my story so she asked

asked me to share my story so she asked me to share a little bit of my story a

me to share a little bit of my story a

me to share a little bit of my story a First Nations perspective a little bit

First Nations perspective a little bit

First Nations perspective a little bit of the history and colonization but

of the history and colonization but

of the history and colonization but while I was a student in the class and

while I was a student in the class and

while I was a student in the class and the systemic racism and discrimination

the systemic racism and discrimination

the systemic racism and discrimination felt by First Nations may teen Inuit

felt by First Nations may teen Inuit

felt by First Nations may teen Inuit students is current it’s not historical

students is current it’s not historical

students is current it’s not historical this is like our everyday lived reality

this is like our everyday lived reality

this is like our everyday lived reality so having me explain colonization while

so having me explain colonization while

so having me explain colonization while I currently experience it was not really

I currently experience it was not really

I currently experience it was not really an okay place for me to be I know it

an okay place for me to be I know it

an okay place for me to be I know it wasn’t intended to harm me I’m a talker

wasn’t intended to harm me I’m a talker

wasn’t intended to harm me I’m a talker but I realize now that that’s not a safe

but I realize now that that’s not a safe

but I realize now that that’s not a safe space so how do we make safer spaces

space so how do we make safer spaces

space so how do we make safer spaces it’s like for indigenous students too I

it’s like for indigenous students too I

it’s like for indigenous students too I mean it’s already impossible to fully

mean it’s already impossible to fully

mean it’s already impossible to fully prepare an indigenous student for

prepare an indigenous student for

prepare an indigenous student for university considering the inequities of

university considering the inequities of

university considering the inequities of funding for on-reserve schools versus

funding for on-reserve schools versus

funding for on-reserve schools versus provincial schools but we also need to

provincial schools but we also need to

provincial schools but we also need to prepare the universities for for

prepare the universities for for

prepare the universities for for indigenous students we need to look at

indigenous students we need to look at

indigenous students we need to look at other ways of learning and teaching and

other ways of learning and teaching and

other ways of learning and teaching and knowing and being in the world because

knowing and being in the world because

knowing and being in the world because we are the fastest growing population in

we are the fastest growing population in

we are the fastest growing population in Canada right forty-seven percent of us

Canada right forty-seven percent of us

Canada right forty-seven percent of us are under the age of 25 you’re gonna see

are under the age of 25 you’re gonna see

are under the age of 25 you’re gonna see us you’re gonna work with us you’re

us you’re gonna work with us you’re

us you’re gonna work with us you’re gonna educate us so I think we need to

gonna educate us so I think we need to

gonna educate us so I think we need to create some space for the not only the

create some space for the not only the

create some space for the not only the knowledge that they can bring to the

knowledge that they can bring to the

knowledge that they can bring to the classroom but maybe not that they won’t

classroom but maybe not that they won’t

classroom but maybe not that they won’t bring to the classroom invite indigenous

bring to the classroom invite indigenous

bring to the classroom invite indigenous elders and knowledge keepers into your

elders and knowledge keepers into your

elders and knowledge keepers into your spaces academics professionals doctors

spaces academics professionals doctors

spaces academics professionals doctors lawyers scientists we have them all and

lawyers scientists we have them all and

lawyers scientists we have them all and I really think it’s time we started

I really think it’s time we started

I really think it’s time we started speaking for ourselves right nothing

speaking for ourselves right nothing

speaking for ourselves right nothing about us without us one of my favorite

about us without us one of my favorite

about us without us one of my favorite phrases so again these are big scary

phrases so again these are big scary

phrases so again these are big scary words right decolonization and in

words right decolonization and in

words right decolonization and in digitization and reconciliation my

digitization and reconciliation my

digitization and reconciliation my advice is as an indigenous person I’m

advice is as an indigenous person I’m

advice is as an indigenous person I’m tired you know I’m tired I’m healing

tired you know I’m tired I’m healing

tired you know I’m tired I’m healing myself and my family and

myself and my family and

myself and my family and communities and our nation’s but we’re

communities and our nation’s but we’re

communities and our nation’s but we’re also expected to educate everybody about

also expected to educate everybody about

also expected to educate everybody about us at the same time so we need you to to

us at the same time so we need you to to

us at the same time so we need you to to like meet us halfway do the research

like meet us halfway do the research

like meet us halfway do the research help educate yourself but come to our

help educate yourself but come to our

help educate yourself but come to our spaces come share our spaces with us and

spaces come share our spaces with us and

spaces come share our spaces with us and invite us into yours we are all about

invite us into yours we are all about

invite us into yours we are all about interconnectedness right so make some

interconnectedness right so make some

interconnectedness right so make some meaningful connections engage with us I

meaningful connections engage with us I

meaningful connections engage with us I care I’m gonna tell you you won’t regret

care I’m gonna tell you you won’t regret

care I’m gonna tell you you won’t regret it

it

it we’re awesome people we’re hilarious

we’re awesome people we’re hilarious

we’re awesome people we’re hilarious we’re funny people were generous we’re

we’re funny people were generous we’re

we’re funny people were generous we’re giving and you just will not regret it

giving and you just will not regret it

giving and you just will not regret it but again make those meaningful

but again make those meaningful

but again make those meaningful connections we’re all about the

connections we’re all about the

connections we’re all about the interconnectedness we’re all about the

interconnectedness we’re all about the

interconnectedness we’re all about the relationships we’re all about story time

relationships we’re all about story time

relationships we’re all about story time so thank you share your stories with us

so thank you share your stories with us

so thank you share your stories with us like I’ve shared mine here with you guys

like I’ve shared mine here with you guys

like I’ve shared mine here with you guys all tonight

all tonight

all tonight thank you so much yeah I’ll go ten

thank you so much yeah I’ll go ten

thank you so much yeah I’ll go ten minutes go with it now