Protecting our future

I had a dream, a vision woven with the threads of our struggle to protect the land, a path that carries a heavy cost. I saw the faces of many, and I knew that lives may be lost in this fight. In my dream, there was a white woman, self-absorbed and ignorant, who clung to the lie of the Indian Act—that we are lesser, that we are children who should remain wards of the state. This is the belief held by her people.

I watched as she fell, a harsh lesson written in the fabric of the dream. We will face great loss, but in that loss, I also saw a transition—a fight for the future. A young Native man approached me at a place of reflection, where I sat as an elder, worn from the weight of so much loss. He was well-dressed, exuding strength and respect.

He shared with me that the people were waiting for a crucial decision, a moment that would determine whether the laws would change to honor our Aboriginal laws or continue down the path of white law. In that moment, I felt my spirit rising, as I reflected on the pain and sacrifices made in our fight to protect what is sacred.

Then, I saw my great-grandchild come to the marker where I sat. I told him my name and wrote it down for him to keep. "Ugh de will gal' um," I said, and explained its meaning. He smiled, well-dressed and healthy, filled with respect and hope.

This bench marked a historical win in our fight for freedom, a testament to the sacrifices of our ancestors—the Aboriginal people who stood strong to protect the land for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In my dream, I felt the spirit of our people, the strength of our traditions, and the love that binds us across generations.

As we carry forward, let us remember the lessons of the past, honor the sacrifices made, and stand together for the land that nurtures us. Our fight is not just for today, but for the future, for the spirit of our people lives on in every step we take. 

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