Laws of Matriarch

My great-grandfather was a Gitxsan man named Stephen Morgan, but the story of his name is one of deep complexity. He was not only a member of our community but also one of the initial enslaved Indigenous individuals in Canada during the colonial period. The name he carried, Stephen Morgan, was given to him by his white slave owner, who was also named Stephen Morgan. This act was a stark symbol of ownership, reflecting the harsh realities of colonialism that affected our ancestors. The white Stephen Morgan owned a Hudson's Bay Trading Post located on Gitxsan territory, which lies between Terrace and Hazelton, BC. His ownership of my great-grandfather underscores the broader narrative of colonialism in our lands—a painful chapter that many Indigenous peoples endured. In Gitxsan culture, we carry our history through various forms: our names, songs, dances, clothing, and carved poles. These traditions are vital to our identity, allowing us to remember and honor our ancestors an...

It's been quite a while since my last update. My granddaughter Dax'gyet is now 2.5 years old and remains in the care of VACFSS. We've been in lengthy negotiations with limited options and no financial support. VACFSS has indicated they would not oppose an FLA guardianship application after much back and forth, but this came with a presumption of risk. While FLA would provide disability child support and a regular government daycare subsidy, it still wouldn't cover living expenses. Based on my calculations, I would likely receive around $850, with the daycare subsidy estimated at $750, but as anyone with a child knows, daycare costs can reach about $1600 monthly. After I submitted two complaints—one regarding a social worker who was causing delays in the children's return home, and another about systemic racism in the policies—VACFSS stopped communicating with me. Luckily, since Claudia has temporarily taken over as director, social worker Justin has been allowed to ...

Food Offerings Growing up, I watched my parents and grandparents treat life with deep respect. Whenever they took a deer, moose, fish, or gathered berries and roots, they didn’t waste any time. They prepared everything right away for the year ahead and to share with our community. They always seemed happy when cooking or making clothes. If something felt off, they would take a moment to step away and gather themselves. Any scraps left over would always go back to the land and water. That’s how we show respect. I remember my dad telling me about the time his uncle took him up on the mountain to fast. There was no food given to him. Just a boy with a blanket and nothing else. After a day, he returned down the mountain. My Yea'a taught me to leave a little food on my plate every time I ate. I did this for most of my life until I moved to the city. When we have burnings, we light a fire after dinner just for the spirits. We put food on the fire to burn it, along with things our loved o...