Isolated Indian



Ok, 

I’ve been feeling like some of my family have gotten weirder lately, and it hurts. The ways of white culture are hard for me to accept sometimes. 

As Gitxsan, we usually let everyone know what’s happening in our lives, and we gather together to pray and welcome new life. These days, though, when families have a baby, the hospitals are often swamped, making it harder to connect. 

It feels like white people have become estranged from their families, even from siblings, freezing everyone out. I can’t help but feel hurt by how strange things have become, and I miss the closeness of my family.

When my boy Conan passed away, I stopped having dinners. It was a tough time for me. Thankfully, someone stepped in and helped me start inviting people over again. They also helped me work through my anxiety about traveling. 

Now, I notice that some of my siblings don’t talk to each other anymore. No one replies to messages, and no one comes together like we used to. It makes me sad to think about how disconnected we’ve become.

I understand that we may never fully get along or share the same beliefs, but we need to find a way to work together. We must learn to express our anger in healthy ways, so we can resolve our issues instead of letting them build up inside. 

In our culture, anger is often seen as unacceptable, but not allowing ourselves to feel anger can lead to anxiety and other struggles. This weirdness we’re experiencing—it's not allowing ourselves to be Gitxsan. 

We must remember to respect life and each other. I hope that by sharing my feelings, others will see the importance of coming together and supporting one another. 

Let’s advocate for each other, for our rights, and for our future. Together, we can create a stronger community, one that honors our traditions and lifts each other up. Your support can make a difference, and together, we can heal and grow.

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