Burning for the spirits

Every so often, my arms ache with the weight of loss. 

Twelve years ago, my son passed away from heart problems. I will never truly get over it, and I don’t want to let go of my boy. I’ve learned to navigate life without him, but it hasn’t been easy. I’ve gone through the grieving process and bouts of depression, and I continue to experience moments filled with beautiful memories mixed with deep sadness.

In our Gitxsan tradition, we’ve had burnings since time immemorial. We light a fire and offer food for the spirits and our ancestors. When our loved ones gather—God, the living, those who have passed, and our ancestors—we hold a burning and pray together.

I’ve tried to hold a burning here on the Indian Reserve in Vancouver, on Coast Salish Territory, but each time my fire has been put out by the Vancouver Police Department, and I’ve been threatened with charges. Each time this happens, it feels devastating. The food I offered for my boy was already in the fire, and it felt like I was being ripped apart all over again, as if my son had just died again.

This year, I received good news—the Vancouver Fire Department Chief has said they are supportive of Aboriginal people and will allow the fire. Both the VFD and VPB are waiving the permit fees, which is a relief. All I need now is a fire pit and event insurance. However, the insurance is quite costly—about $230 for just one day.

I’m pretty good at writing letters, but I struggle with raising money. Since being on sick leave for surgery a few months ago, I’ve had no money. I've been back to work for about a month now and am slowly crawling out of debt. I thought about doing a draw to raise funds, but I don’t know how to get items for the draw. I really need help, but I don’t know anyone who can assist me. I’m not the social butterfly I used to be, and with work and taking care of my babies, I get so busy advocating and volunteering in my spare time.

This burning is really important to me. I’ve opened up the gathering to friends and the public who have also experienced loss and would like to participate.

If you’d like to stay updated, here’s the Facebook link:  
Facebook Link (https://www.facebook.com/2055043464819402/posts/2084941445162937/)

And here’s the Go Fund Me page I set up:  
Go Fund Me (https://www.gofundme.com/five-fires?sharetype=teams&member=127560&rcid=r01-152799961217-148f09a63a8442c7&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_mj)

Please consider signing this petition to establish designated places for Aboriginal people to pray in Canada off Indian Reserves:  
Petition Link (https://www.change.org/p/justin-trudeau-aboriginal-people-in-b-c-need-places-to-pray-and-have-burnings-off-indian-reserves?recruiter=57034935&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition)

Your support means the world, and together we can honor our traditions and create spaces where we can gather, heal, and remember our loved ones. Thank you for being with me on this journey.

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