tonight I really want to thank and and offer
offer
offer humblest apprec–
humblest apprec–
humblest apprec– all for this opportunity for myself to
all for this opportunity for myself to
all for this opportunity for myself to share something that has been with me
share something that has been with me
share something that has been with me for some time you know just the the roll
for some time you know just the the roll
for some time you know just the the roll out of this evening with the other
out of this evening with the other
out of this evening with the other speakers and the topics even Binet
speakers and the topics even Binet
speakers and the topics even Binet Browns talk in terms of vulnerability
Browns talk in terms of vulnerability
Browns talk in terms of vulnerability seems to be so appropriate in this
seems to be so appropriate in this
seems to be so appropriate in this subject that is so personal it’s
subject that is so personal it’s
subject that is so personal it’s intensely public in fact the
intensely public in fact the
intensely public in fact the observations began today in schools with
observations began today in schools with
observations began today in schools with the color orange as you know tomorrow is
the color orange as you know tomorrow is
the color orange as you know tomorrow is the official day of acknowledging and
the official day of acknowledging and
the official day of acknowledging and remembering children those lost children
remembering children those lost children
remembering children those lost children of the residential schools certainly my
of the residential schools certainly my
of the residential schools certainly my family comes from this history but over
family comes from this history but over
family comes from this history but over time I’ve really developed and and
time I’ve really developed and and
time I’ve really developed and and investigated and questioned reality in
investigated and questioned reality in
investigated and questioned reality in such a way that is this story to date
such a way that is this story to date
such a way that is this story to date even as the TRC’s work and such that is
even as the TRC’s work and such that is
even as the TRC’s work and such that is beginning to unfold and share and
beginning to unfold and share and
beginning to unfold and share and educate is it is there still something
educate is it is there still something
educate is it is there still something else because there’s still something
else because there’s still something
else because there’s still something else that we can see to this that may
else that we can see to this that may
else that we can see to this that may help us bypass so much of the
help us bypass so much of the
help us bypass so much of the reiterations of textbooks of stories of
reiterations of textbooks of stories of
reiterations of textbooks of stories of presentations even such as mine that can
presentations even such as mine that can
presentations even such as mine that can speak right to that heart and those
speak right to that heart and those
speak right to that heart and those moments that you know we know know about
moments that you know we know know about
moments that you know we know know about riding the bike or remembering how to
riding the bike or remembering how to
riding the bike or remembering how to swim or for those of us who others in
swim or for those of us who others in
swim or for those of us who others in the room or you know you remember your
the room or you know you remember your
the room or you know you remember your own parents when we come into this world
own parents when we come into this world
own parents when we come into this world I’ll never forget that day and certainly
I’ll never forget that day and certainly
I’ll never forget that day and certainly we don’t forget the day that we leave
we don’t forget the day that we leave
we don’t forget the day that we leave this world so before I begin to get to
this world so before I begin to get to
this world so before I begin to get to this topic I want to give you a little
this topic I want to give you a little
this topic I want to give you a little context certainly is how I ground myself
context certainly is how I ground myself
context certainly is how I ground myself in where I have framed this subject this
in where I have framed this subject this
in where I have framed this subject this idea and where I would acknowledge the
idea and where I would acknowledge the
idea and where I would acknowledge the person who began this journey for me and
person who began this journey for me and
person who began this journey for me and this is my grandfather my Tonka Sheila
this is my grandfather my Tonka Sheila
this is my grandfather my Tonka Sheila his name is Phil Lane senior
the old people had a great great
the old people had a great great viewpoint on gaining an education so to
viewpoint on gaining an education so to
viewpoint on gaining an education so to speak and they realize that wisdom as
speak and they realize that wisdom as
speak and they realize that wisdom as opposed to knowledge there was a vast
opposed to knowledge there was a vast
opposed to knowledge there was a vast vast difference so you can go to school
vast difference so you can go to school
vast difference so you can go to school you can go to school and learn a lot of
you can go to school and learn a lot of
you can go to school and learn a lot of you can gain a lot of knowledge but
you can gain a lot of knowledge but
you can gain a lot of knowledge but unless there’s at least a minute
unless there’s at least a minute
unless there’s at least a minute it really doesn’t have that much meaning
it really doesn’t have that much meaning
it really doesn’t have that much meaning and that was one of the things that the
and that was one of the things that the
and that was one of the things that the old people were very very high on and so
old people were very very high on and so
old people were very very high on and so though that’s the reason why they had
though that’s the reason why they had
though that’s the reason why they had the you could go to old people to gosh
the you could go to old people to gosh
the you could go to old people to gosh you are a grandfather tell us about
you are a grandfather tell us about
you are a grandfather tell us about such-and-such you see those old men
such-and-such you see those old men
such-and-such you see those old men would sit down there hey okay and they
would sit down there hey okay and they
would sit down there hey okay and they and they would tell you a story and you
and they would tell you a story and you
and they would tell you a story and you say you wonder how that story hooked
say you wonder how that story hooked
say you wonder how that story hooked into what the lesson was and eventually
into what the lesson was and eventually
into what the lesson was and eventually all of a sudden it would come to your
all of a sudden it would come to your
all of a sudden it would come to your attention
attention
attention oh I see now easy I see what they were
oh I see now easy I see what they were
oh I see now easy I see what they were trying to teach me we learned so much
trying to teach me we learned so much
trying to teach me we learned so much through the old people as opposed to the
through the old people as opposed to the
through the old people as opposed to the little school we went to I went to a
little school we went to I went to a
little school we went to I went to a school and and the bell rang and
school and and the bell rang and
school and and the bell rang and everybody leave and then I just go home
everybody leave and then I just go home
everybody leave and then I just go home because they’re you know but the the
because they’re you know but the the
because they’re you know but the the knowledge that that they were passing I
knowledge that that they were passing I
knowledge that that they were passing I gunner didn’t have that much meaning to
gunner didn’t have that much meaning to
gunner didn’t have that much meaning to me and and I think that the wisdom of
me and and I think that the wisdom of
me and and I think that the wisdom of world all people were had so much more
world all people were had so much more
world all people were had so much more to offer as far as a person living on
to offer as far as a person living on
to offer as far as a person living on his life that story he told when he was
his life that story he told when he was
his life that story he told when he was first taken to school and no one told
first taken to school and no one told
first taken to school and no one told him that when the bell rings and you go
him that when the bell rings and you go
him that when the bell rings and you go to your classroom and he would stand in
to your classroom and he would stand in
to your classroom and he would stand in the hallway the bell would go and
the hallway the bell would go and
the hallway the bell would go and everyone disappear and they’d be
everyone disappear and they’d be
everyone disappear and they’d be standing around and he just walked back
standing around and he just walked back
standing around and he just walked back home he always loved this question he
home he always loved this question he
home he always loved this question he would ask it all the time and statement
would ask it all the time and statement
would ask it all the time and statement and presentation and almost perhaps is a
and presentation and almost perhaps is a
and presentation and almost perhaps is a bit of a seed that he
bit of a seed that he
bit of a seed that he with all of us to help us understand
with all of us to help us understand
with all of us to help us understand that despite all the culture the
that despite all the culture the
that despite all the culture the teachings our relationship in the
teachings our relationship in the
teachings our relationship in the language is called techie hulk sheila
language is called techie hulk sheila
language is called techie hulk sheila which means the boy beloved which the
which means the boy beloved which the
which means the boy beloved which the first grandson traditionally would
first grandson traditionally would
first grandson traditionally would receive so much of the guidance and
receive so much of the guidance and
receive so much of the guidance and teachings from the old ones his travels
teachings from the old ones his travels
teachings from the old ones his travels in the court army corps of engineers his
in the court army corps of engineers his
in the court army corps of engineers his building of a ranch far away from his
building of a ranch far away from his
building of a ranch far away from his home and yet this this question he would
home and yet this this question he would
home and yet this this question he would always pose seemed to allow for us to
always pose seemed to allow for us to
always pose seemed to allow for us to know that were once again a culture of
know that were once again a culture of
know that were once again a culture of humanity despite our different places
humanity despite our different places
humanity despite our different places that we come from the things that he
that we come from the things that he
that we come from the things that he also tried to teach me he tried to teach
also tried to teach me he tried to teach
also tried to teach me he tried to teach me to be a cowboy but i fell off the
me to be a cowboy but i fell off the
me to be a cowboy but i fell off the horse one too many times for my own
horse one too many times for my own
horse one too many times for my own comfort so i didn’t take that very far
comfort so i didn’t take that very far
comfort so i didn’t take that very far I’d like to now speak about my father
I’d like to now speak about my father
I’d like to now speak about my father Jacob Morris Bighorn this is a man who
Jacob Morris Bighorn this is a man who
Jacob Morris Bighorn this is a man who to me
to me
to me exemplified what a teacher was an
exemplified what a teacher was an
exemplified what a teacher was an educator and they say that teachers save
educator and they say that teachers save
educator and they say that teachers save their best lessons to the end and that’s
their best lessons to the end and that’s
their best lessons to the end and that’s certainly true of my father in his last
certainly true of my father in his last
certainly true of my father in his last breath there are there are 35 of these
breath there are there are 35 of these
breath there are there are 35 of these homemade arrows that have been
homemade arrows that have been
homemade arrows that have been distributed to two staff members I’d
distributed to two staff members I’d
distributed to two staff members I’d like for you to remember who those staff
like for you to remember who those staff
like for you to remember who those staff members are you see the names on the
members are you see the names on the
members are you see the names on the wall they’re there to represent a
wall they’re there to represent a
wall they’re there to represent a foundation those names are the bricks of
foundation those names are the bricks of
foundation those names are the bricks of a foundation your names are up in the
a foundation your names are up in the
a foundation your names are up in the clouds next year that’s all that’s going
clouds next year that’s all that’s going
clouds next year that’s all that’s going to reason that’s all that’s going to
to reason that’s all that’s going to
to reason that’s all that’s going to remain of you here at Maxwell is the
remain of you here at Maxwell is the
remain of you here at Maxwell is the sound of your name your bodies are gone
sound of your name your bodies are gone
sound of your name your bodies are gone most of the staff members will still be
most of the staff members will still be
most of the staff members will still be here they will be they will be nurturing
here they will be they will be nurturing
here they will be they will be nurturing the character of other young people but
the character of other young people but
the character of other young people but just as they did with you they are the
just as they did with you they are the
just as they did with you they are the foundation of your
foundation of your
foundation of your character what they did for you in the
character what they did for you in the
character what they did for you in the classroom even when you didn’t know it
classroom even when you didn’t know it
classroom even when you didn’t know it Lee that night at home preparing your
Lee that night at home preparing your
Lee that night at home preparing your lessons having discussions with other
lessons having discussions with other
lessons having discussions with other staff members about how they could help
staff members about how they could help
staff members about how they could help you or your parents some of them are
you or your parents some of them are
you or your parents some of them are your parents who are staff members all
your parents who are staff members all
your parents who are staff members all the activities those that have been here
the activities those that have been here
the activities those that have been here for six years five years four three two
for six years five years four three two
for six years five years four three two and one one year is still over a hundred
and one one year is still over a hundred
and one one year is still over a hundred and seventy five days and in all of
and seventy five days and in all of
and seventy five days and in all of those experiences the effort I think the
those experiences the effort I think the
those experiences the effort I think the effort was to create you see that target
effort was to create you see that target
effort was to create you see that target was to create straight arrows your
was to create straight arrows your
was to create straight arrows your character was going to be a straight
character was going to be a straight
character was going to be a straight arrow and that whatever you aim for you
arrow and that whatever you aim for you
arrow and that whatever you aim for you would achieve my father used to love
would achieve my father used to love
would achieve my father used to love asking this question of his of his
asking this question of his of his
asking this question of his of his students how would I get to how would he
students how would I get to how would he
students how would I get to how would he get my students to value that which they
get my students to value that which they
get my students to value that which they know without knowing how they know it
know without knowing how they know it
know without knowing how they know it now I never learned martial arts and he
now I never learned martial arts and he
now I never learned martial arts and he didn’t know it either but I still think
didn’t know it either but I still think
didn’t know it either but I still think he really had a relationship with mr.
he really had a relationship with mr.
he really had a relationship with mr. Miyagi with this kind of stuff and the
Miyagi with this kind of stuff and the
Miyagi with this kind of stuff and the way that he was able to transmit in my
way that he was able to transmit in my
way that he was able to transmit in my opinion the essence of traditional
opinion the essence of traditional
opinion the essence of traditional indigenous culture and teachings and
indigenous culture and teachings and
indigenous culture and teachings and spirituality in such a way that those
spirituality in such a way that those
spirituality in such a way that those seniors who had just come off they had
seniors who had just come off they had
seniors who had just come off they had graduated already and they just come off
graduated already and they just come off
graduated already and they just come off there all night kind of going out and
there all night kind of going out and
there all night kind of going out and hanging out and everything so they’re
hanging out and everything so they’re
hanging out and everything so they’re already dead tired they’re already been
already dead tired they’re already been
already dead tired they’re already been crying all day and then my parents used
crying all day and then my parents used
crying all day and then my parents used to do this circle where they would
to do this circle where they would
to do this circle where they would really give it to him because this was a
really give it to him because this was a
really give it to him because this was a boarding school as well so students had
boarding school as well so students had
boarding school as well so students had lived there growing relationships etc so
lived there growing relationships etc so
lived there growing relationships etc so they really would ball their eyes out
they really would ball their eyes out
they really would ball their eyes out this painting is called Jacob’s Eagles
this painting is called Jacob’s Eagles
this painting is called Jacob’s Eagles this quick story I’d like to share just
this quick story I’d like to share just
this quick story I’d like to share just in regards to this last less than he’s
in regards to this last less than he’s
in regards to this last less than he’s given me certainly in his life he set a
given me certainly in his life he set a
given me certainly in his life he set a bar of achievement that I’ll spend the
bar of achievement that I’ll spend the
bar of achievement that I’ll spend the rest of mine trying to get there but he
rest of mine trying to get there but he
rest of mine trying to get there but he said it in death
said it in death
said it in death which I don’t know if I’ll ever get to
which I don’t know if I’ll ever get to
which I don’t know if I’ll ever get to so he beat me there I’m gonna have words
so he beat me there I’m gonna have words
so he beat me there I’m gonna have words with him when I get to the other side
with him when I get to the other side
with him when I get to the other side camp and he did it in such a way that
camp and he did it in such a way that
camp and he did it in such a way that you can’t write this stuff and I think
you can’t write this stuff and I think
you can’t write this stuff and I think it’s something that as I passed down to
it’s something that as I passed down to
it’s something that as I passed down to my children and otherwise to remember
my children and otherwise to remember
my children and otherwise to remember that there was a way to live this life
that there was a way to live this life
that there was a way to live this life there’s a way to see things that perhaps
there’s a way to see things that perhaps
there’s a way to see things that perhaps can tell you about those other
can tell you about those other
can tell you about those other dimensions so this story from this Coast
dimensions so this story from this Coast
dimensions so this story from this Coast Salish artists who painted this picture
Salish artists who painted this picture
Salish artists who painted this picture it’s on this massive mural called the
it’s on this massive mural called the
it’s on this massive mural called the unity wall in Ogden point in Victoria BC
unity wall in Ogden point in Victoria BC
unity wall in Ogden point in Victoria BC and she said in October 2008 my father
and she said in October 2008 my father
and she said in October 2008 my father lay dying of cancer in the Victoria
lay dying of cancer in the Victoria
lay dying of cancer in the Victoria Hospital across from his room lay Jacob
Hospital across from his room lay Jacob
Hospital across from his room lay Jacob Bighorn from the Lakota tribe a man of
Bighorn from the Lakota tribe a man of
Bighorn from the Lakota tribe a man of strong spiritual beliefs and a native
strong spiritual beliefs and a native
strong spiritual beliefs and a native Baha’i jacob often told those for whom
Baha’i jacob often told those for whom
Baha’i jacob often told those for whom he cared if you live a life of service
he cared if you live a life of service
he cared if you live a life of service to your people the Eagles will come to
to your people the Eagles will come to
to your people the Eagles will come to guide your spirit when it’s time to
guide your spirit when it’s time to
guide your spirit when it’s time to leave this earth one morning as my
leave this earth one morning as my
leave this earth one morning as my mother headed to the hospital she
mother headed to the hospital she
mother headed to the hospital she noticed dozens of bald eagles flying
noticed dozens of bald eagles flying
noticed dozens of bald eagles flying across the water and over the highway we
across the water and over the highway we
across the water and over the highway we – on our way to Victoria notice many
– on our way to Victoria notice many
– on our way to Victoria notice many eagle circling the hospital when we
eagle circling the hospital when we
eagle circling the hospital when we arrived my father told us Jacob had
arrived my father told us Jacob had
arrived my father told us Jacob had passed on many people called the
passed on many people called the
passed on many people called the hospital asking of a holy man had passed
hospital asking of a holy man had passed
hospital asking of a holy man had passed away now he wouldn’t appreciate that and
away now he wouldn’t appreciate that and
away now he wouldn’t appreciate that and he certainly wouldn’t consider himself
he certainly wouldn’t consider himself
he certainly wouldn’t consider himself that but he knew about Eagles and he
that but he knew about Eagles and he
that but he knew about Eagles and he knew about what they meant another key
knew about what they meant another key
knew about what they meant another key element
element
element is that there you see a eagled staff mr.
is that there you see a eagled staff mr.
is that there you see a eagled staff mr. Murray is holding the staff and you
Murray is holding the staff and you
Murray is holding the staff and you might consider there are no feathers and
might consider there are no feathers and
might consider there are no feathers and we say yes there is a feather there’s
we say yes there is a feather there’s
we say yes there is a feather there’s one feather from one the eagle and if
one feather from one the eagle and if
one feather from one the eagle and if you’ve ever seen an eagle outstretched
you’ve ever seen an eagle outstretched
you’ve ever seen an eagle outstretched his six-foot wingspan and if you’ve seen
his six-foot wingspan and if you’ve seen
his six-foot wingspan and if you’ve seen them in particular out of the prairies
them in particular out of the prairies
them in particular out of the prairies high high high up in the sky during the
high high high up in the sky during the
high high high up in the sky during the summer months especially you see them
summer months especially you see them
summer months especially you see them circling circling and most people say
circling circling and most people say
circling circling and most people say with their sharp eyesight they are
with their sharp eyesight they are
with their sharp eyesight they are looking to the ground for food another
looking to the ground for food another
looking to the ground for food another way of looking at this and that the
way of looking at this and that the
way of looking at this and that the interpretation was wait a minute know
interpretation was wait a minute know
interpretation was wait a minute know what they are doing because they’re such
what they are doing because they’re such
what they are doing because they’re such spiritual beings is there cutting a hole
spiritual beings is there cutting a hole
spiritual beings is there cutting a hole there cutting a hole between this world
there cutting a hole between this world
there cutting a hole between this world and the next world because their
and the next world because their
and the next world because their spiritual beings and when you see them
spiritual beings and when you see them
spiritual beings and when you see them you are being blessed with this
you are being blessed with this
you are being blessed with this opportunity to access the powers of the
opportunity to access the powers of the
opportunity to access the powers of the next world he goes on to share that it’s
next world he goes on to share that it’s
next world he goes on to share that it’s very risky to engage in these kinds of
very risky to engage in these kinds of
very risky to engage in these kinds of things and we have examples all over the
things and we have examples all over the
things and we have examples all over the world of spirituality and practices that
world of spirituality and practices that
world of spirituality and practices that are whether the fanatical superficial
are whether the fanatical superficial
are whether the fanatical superficial superstitious traditional ritual etc but
superstitious traditional ritual etc but
superstitious traditional ritual etc but allow a people and perhaps an entire
allow a people and perhaps an entire
allow a people and perhaps an entire nation to move one way or the other
nation to move one way or the other
nation to move one way or the other based on a vision and in this case he
based on a vision and in this case he
based on a vision and in this case he goes on to describe that perhaps through
goes on to describe that perhaps through
goes on to describe that perhaps through that hole through that access you can
that hole through that access you can
that hole through that access you can see your future that you may have always
see your future that you may have always
see your future that you may have always wanted or that future that you’ve been
wanted or that future that you’ve been
wanted or that future that you’ve been trying to avoid all your life and so in
trying to avoid all your life and so in
trying to avoid all your life and so in my case and I respectfully blame
my case and I respectfully blame
my case and I respectfully blame somebody in this audience oh I’ve been
somebody in this audience oh I’ve been
somebody in this audience oh I’ve been married to for the past ten years she
married to for the past ten years she
married to for the past ten years she brought me up to Winnipeg and between
brought me up to Winnipeg and between
brought me up to Winnipeg and between her and I we’ve been working you know
her and I we’ve been working you know
her and I we’ve been working you know rather hard at this to become parents
rather hard at this to become parents
rather hard at this to become parents where this quote from this film now
where this quote from this film now
where this quote from this film now we’re here just to be memories for our
we’re here just to be memories for our
we’re here just to be memories for our kids once you’re a pair
kids once you’re a pair
kids once you’re a pair you’re the ghost of your children’s
you’re the ghost of your children’s
you’re the ghost of your children’s future so my wife and I have effectively
future so my wife and I have effectively
future so my wife and I have effectively killed each other
killed each other
killed each other because of these people now the oldest
because of these people now the oldest
because of these people now the oldest is 10 the youngest will be 2 in a week
is 10 the youngest will be 2 in a week
is 10 the youngest will be 2 in a week and this guy here is 7 and over time
and this guy here is 7 and over time
and this guy here is 7 and over time it’s I mean if you’re a parent and this
it’s I mean if you’re a parent and this
it’s I mean if you’re a parent and this is of course I called my mother who’s
is of course I called my mother who’s
is of course I called my mother who’s still alive every other day to say okay
still alive every other day to say okay
still alive every other day to say okay I get it
I get it
I get it I understand I’m sorry because they just
I understand I’m sorry because they just
I understand I’m sorry because they just they bring so much of an understanding
they bring so much of an understanding
they bring so much of an understanding of future in a way than that quote in
of future in a way than that quote in
of future in a way than that quote in that film I tried to read Kip Thorne’s
that film I tried to read Kip Thorne’s
that film I tried to read Kip Thorne’s book and I couldn’t get through it I’ll
book and I couldn’t get through it I’ll
book and I couldn’t get through it I’ll have to read yours that it made so much
have to read yours that it made so much
have to read yours that it made so much sense there’s no need anymore for the
sense there’s no need anymore for the
sense there’s no need anymore for the rest of my life what is the purpose of
rest of my life what is the purpose of
rest of my life what is the purpose of anything that I could acquire for myself
anything that I could acquire for myself
anything that I could acquire for myself with them here and so it helped me bring
with them here and so it helped me bring
with them here and so it helped me bring me to a point of really understanding
me to a point of really understanding
me to a point of really understanding this question the point of this
this question the point of this
this question the point of this presentation and a real terror in a
presentation and a real terror in a
presentation and a real terror in a history of my ancestry a history that
history of my ancestry a history that
history of my ancestry a history that we’re really struggling with a history
we’re really struggling with a history
we’re really struggling with a history that will observe tomorrow that may have
that will observe tomorrow that may have
that will observe tomorrow that may have just another way of looking at it as we
just another way of looking at it as we
just another way of looking at it as we all know 500 some years ago we had some
all know 500 some years ago we had some
all know 500 some years ago we had some folks role boat over here they thought
folks role boat over here they thought
folks role boat over here they thought they were going one way they ended up
they were going one way they ended up
they were going one way they ended up over here and they described this place
over here and they described this place
over here and they described this place as the new world paradise there was an
as the new world paradise there was an
as the new world paradise there was an elder named Ernest to toussis in pound
elder named Ernest to toussis in pound
elder named Ernest to toussis in pound maker who also described the same story
maker who also described the same story
maker who also described the same story and tied it to a very another ancient
and tied it to a very another ancient
and tied it to a very another ancient story which comes out of a book very old
story which comes out of a book very old
story which comes out of a book very old book Genesis and he described that the
book Genesis and he described that the
book Genesis and he described that the reason why the peoples of this land were
reason why the peoples of this land were
reason why the peoples of this land were living in such the way that they were is
living in such the way that they were is
living in such the way that they were is because they never disobeyed their
because they never disobeyed their
because they never disobeyed their Creator in effect they were never kicked
Creator in effect they were never kicked
Creator in effect they were never kicked out of paradise and I always used to
out of paradise and I always used to
out of paradise and I always used to really that really worked on me a lot
really that really worked on me a lot
really that really worked on me a lot because certainly again with this
because certainly again with this
because certainly again with this history of this of this part of the
history of this of this part of the
history of this of this part of the world with the church and such it’s hard
world with the church and such it’s hard
world with the church and such it’s hard to tease apart the
to tease apart the
to tease apart the use of both messages and understand the
use of both messages and understand the
use of both messages and understand the balance between these spiritual
balance between these spiritual
balance between these spiritual understandings of how to view the world
understandings of how to view the world
understandings of how to view the world around us of things that we can’t see
around us of things that we can’t see
around us of things that we can’t see like the access my father was talking
like the access my father was talking
like the access my father was talking about these children who I could have
about these children who I could have
about these children who I could have said they were gonna be in my life 20
said they were gonna be in my life 20
said they were gonna be in my life 20 years ago I might have children here
years ago I might have children here
years ago I might have children here they are my life is over what’s next so
they are my life is over what’s next so
they are my life is over what’s next so I really am interested in trying to
I really am interested in trying to
I really am interested in trying to understand why native peoples in
understand why native peoples in
understand why native peoples in particular in this part of the land had
particular in this part of the land had
particular in this part of the land had to go through this history and more
to go through this history and more
to go through this history and more importantly why did all of you come to
importantly why did all of you come to
importantly why did all of you come to this part of the world and Ernest story
this part of the world and Ernest story
this part of the world and Ernest story helped answer that I mean if this is
helped answer that I mean if this is
helped answer that I mean if this is paradise well it makes sense everybody
paradise well it makes sense everybody
paradise well it makes sense everybody came that’s why native people haven’t
came that’s why native people haven’t
came that’s why native people haven’t left I mean why haven’t we had an exodus
left I mean why haven’t we had an exodus
left I mean why haven’t we had an exodus to the Bahamas or sought asylum in a
to the Bahamas or sought asylum in a
to the Bahamas or sought asylum in a stir damn why are we still here
stir damn why are we still here
stir damn why are we still here this must be paradise so it led me to
this must be paradise so it led me to
this must be paradise so it led me to another question of thinking of a if
another question of thinking of a if
another question of thinking of a if this is paradise if oh I know all the
this is paradise if oh I know all the
this is paradise if oh I know all the troubles that we know are happening what
troubles that we know are happening what
troubles that we know are happening what more could there be what are we working
more could there be what are we working
more could there be what are we working for if we think of this place and of
for if we think of this place and of
for if we think of this place and of course only in nineteen sixty eight or
course only in nineteen sixty eight or
course only in nineteen sixty eight or nine I believe was the first time we
nine I believe was the first time we
nine I believe was the first time we even saw this place we know of this
even saw this place we know of this
even saw this place we know of this place I don’t recall I don’t know when
place I don’t recall I don’t know when
place I don’t recall I don’t know when the technology was about available for
the technology was about available for
the technology was about available for the first time to see where we all came
the first time to see where we all came
the first time to see where we all came from and of course the relationship
from and of course the relationship
from and of course the relationship between the two and how we all fit in
between the two and how we all fit in
between the two and how we all fit in this space and wrap together to say that
this space and wrap together to say that
this space and wrap together to say that there we are a part of all worlds
there we are a part of all worlds
there we are a part of all worlds simultaneously and at the same time have
simultaneously and at the same time have
simultaneously and at the same time have our own experience our own individuality
our own experience our own individuality
our own experience our own individuality our own world that that we came into and
our own world that that we came into and
our own world that that we came into and so if paradise is the wound for that
so if paradise is the wound for that
so if paradise is the wound for that fetus what is birth if this is paradise
fetus what is birth if this is paradise
fetus what is birth if this is paradise for us and what we think we can make it
for us and what we think we can make it
for us and what we think we can make it what is death and when I think of this
what is death and when I think of this
what is death and when I think of this history of
history of
history of and where we go from here and how it
and where we go from here and how it
and where we go from here and how it could be woven together like this sweet
could be woven together like this sweet
could be woven together like this sweet grass the only reason why some of these
grass the only reason why some of these
grass the only reason why some of these of smudge and we have ceremonies so that
of smudge and we have ceremonies so that
of smudge and we have ceremonies so that we can create a transformation a
we can create a transformation a
we can create a transformation a Transfiguration if you will from
Transfiguration if you will from
Transfiguration if you will from something material to something
something material to something
something material to something spiritual I’m easy to say we burn it
spiritual I’m easy to say we burn it
spiritual I’m easy to say we burn it turns just to smoke and smudge and
turns just to smoke and smudge and
turns just to smoke and smudge and something occurs just like we heard
something occurs just like we heard
something occurs just like we heard sounds with technology that we can’t
sounds with technology that we can’t
sounds with technology that we can’t hear right now but it exists you burn
hear right now but it exists you burn
hear right now but it exists you burn that smudge and laughs over you
that smudge and laughs over you
that smudge and laughs over you something occurs if it’s possible to say
something occurs if it’s possible to say
something occurs if it’s possible to say that this history of our people here was
that this history of our people here was
that this history of our people here was to bear the burden of the pain of the
to bear the burden of the pain of the
to bear the burden of the pain of the world to come back to paradise if you’ll
world to come back to paradise if you’ll
world to come back to paradise if you’ll come back to the garden to be embraced
come back to the garden to be embraced
come back to the garden to be embraced in such a way that we have no precedent
in such a way that we have no precedent
in such a way that we have no precedent in our history of this kind of treatment
in our history of this kind of treatment
in our history of this kind of treatment famine war anger hatred pain shame all
famine war anger hatred pain shame all
famine war anger hatred pain shame all the language that we’ve heard throughout
the language that we’ve heard throughout
the language that we’ve heard throughout the presentations perhaps the purpose is
the presentations perhaps the purpose is
the presentations perhaps the purpose is because that will consume one another we
because that will consume one another we
because that will consume one another we will wrap it ourselves around one
will wrap it ourselves around one
will wrap it ourselves around one another I don’t who I hope it’s not
another I don’t who I hope it’s not
another I don’t who I hope it’s not nuclear fire but something that consumes
nuclear fire but something that consumes
nuclear fire but something that consumes our edit our identities consumes our
our edit our identities consumes our
our edit our identities consumes our histories to reveal something transform
histories to reveal something transform
histories to reveal something transform them something new it’s taken me a long
them something new it’s taken me a long
them something new it’s taken me a long time as a indigenous person to come to
time as a indigenous person to come to
time as a indigenous person to come to terms with that consume my language
terms with that consume my language
terms with that consume my language consume my ceremonies consume my
consume my ceremonies consume my
consume my ceremonies consume my grandfather and my father but if there
grandfather and my father but if there
grandfather and my father but if there was a chance that it could lead to
was a chance that it could lead to
was a chance that it could lead to something beyond what I already loved
something beyond what I already loved
something beyond what I already loved about my culture this country this
about my culture this country this
about my culture this country this planet my wife my children if there’s
planet my wife my children if there’s
planet my wife my children if there’s something beyond that I would hope that
something beyond that I would hope that
something beyond that I would hope that I would have one more shot to get there
I would have one more shot to get there
I would have one more shot to get there after watching my father accomplish it
after watching my father accomplish it
after watching my father accomplish it after watching my wife accomplished it
after watching my wife accomplished it
after watching my wife accomplished it three times number four right we’re
three times number four right we’re
three times number four right we’re gonna try try again
that for the future of either Canada
that for the future of either Canada North America and certainly our planet
North America and certainly our planet
North America and certainly our planet there could be something there if we’re
there could be something there if we’re
there could be something there if we’re willing to let those things burn away to
willing to let those things burn away to
willing to let those things burn away to reveal new forms thank you
reveal new forms thank you
reveal new forms thank you [Applause]
”
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