My daughter the Sundancer

My daughters Eagle fan will be kept at the Parents Legal Center in Smithers BC.
Kaila's Eagle Fan

In a world where magic intertwines with hardship, there was an eagle fan, a powerful symbol of faith and courage, gifted to Kaila Morrison by her dear friend, Keefer Foote, during the Sun Dance in Montana, led by the wise medicine man, Melvin Graybear.

Kaila, a proud member of the Fireweed clan, grew up amidst the vibrant energy of Vancouver and in the embrace of Gitanmaax with her GG, Chief Woo Sim'Lax'Ha. From her earliest days, she carried a spirited heart, effortlessly making connections with friends of all ages and lighting up their lives like the sun breaking through the clouds.

At the tender age of seven, Kaila embarked on a remarkable journey, joining a group of Sun Dancers traveling to Montana. With determination etched into her very being, she sought the support of her Mother and the dancers, gathering the strength to participate in the sacred dance—a powerful act of prayer for her loved ones and all of humanity.

For eight years, Kaila fasted and danced beneath the vast sky, pouring her hopes into the universe until she blossomed into a wise fifteen-year-old. Embracing her Indigenous culture, she found her voice in the rich traditions that spanned across Turtle Island, sharing her love for the land and its people with everyone she encountered. Each year, her prayers were woven into the fabric of existence, calling for peace and healing for her family, her community, and the Earth. In those last six years of her dancing, her Mother joined her, a powerful bond that showcased resilience against the trials they faced.

Yet, the path was not without its challenges. Kaila endured the heavy burdens of childhood trauma—shadows that cast darkness over her spirit. The echoes of Canada’s genocide against Indigenous peoples loomed over her life, a haunting reminder of the violence and destruction that has impacted the GITXSAN and all Indigenous communities. Generations of pain, loss, and dispossession weighed heavily on her heart, as did the ongoing struggles faced by her people—systemic racism, poverty, and the loss of cultural identity. 

But instead of succumbing to despair, Kaila transformed her pain into strength. Through the healing power of dance and ceremony, she not only healed herself but also became a beacon of hope for those who watched her, channeling her resilience into every graceful movement. Her spirit echoed the strength of her ancestors, reminding her community of their power to rise despite the scars left by history.

As she journeyed into adulthood, the weight of life’s struggles grew heavier. Domestic violence loomed like a storm cloud, and in her search for solace, she turned to alcohol. At just fifteen, she welcomed her first child into the world, yet the circumstances forced her to entrust her son to her Mother’s care—a heartbreaking yet necessary decision for his safety. The years that followed were marred by the grip of addiction and the vicious cycle of violence, a reality faced by many Indigenous women, a painful legacy of the destruction wrought upon their communities.

But Kaila’s spirit was not easily broken. She found moments of triumph in her fight against addiction, bravely stepping into detox and treatment programs. However, the shadows returned, and during one of her fragile recoveries, she experienced the pain of sexual violence, leading to the loss of her baby daughter. At twenty, the devastating news of her beloved older brother’s passing struck her like a thunderclap, leaving her heart in pieces.

Now, Kaila's children reside with her Mother under protective care, a testament to the struggles she navigates daily. Living in the Downtown East Side, she fights fiercely against the tides of addiction, trauma, and grief. Yet, within this life of hardship, there are glimmers of hope—brief visits from her Mother with her children, moments that remind her of the love that persists even in the darkest of times.

In this world of magical resilience, Kaila carries her story—a testament to her strength and the enduring power of love, proving that even through the hardest trials, the spirit can soar like the eagle, unbroken and ever hopeful. She stands as a reminder that the fight for justice and healing continues, not just for herself, but for all GITXSAN and Indigenous people, as they reclaim their stories and their futures.



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