MMIW

Hello everyone,


It’s been a while since I posted, and I feel it's time to share some heavy news.


My daughter, Kaila, suffered two strokes that left her unable to talk or write. Tragically, she passed away on October 20, 2021. The police said it was due to an overdose, but the events leading up to her death have left me with so many questions and heartache. She was reported missing on October 10th, but the police did not actively search for her, citing it as a Section 2-11 case.


A worker from Sheway was with her and called 911 when she needed help, but no one came. After waiting for an hour, the Sheway worker had to leave, and the police never returned my daughter to her supportive living home. 


When the police arrived at my door on October 29, 2021, to inform me of her death, they told me she had been found in a man’s room. According to him, she must have taken his drugs while he was asleep. I was devastated and simply thanked the officers, even though I tried to explain that my daughter couldn’t talk or write. Everything felt so overwhelming at that moment.


Later, when I spoke to the coroner, he mentioned that drugs were found in her system, and no further investigation was conducted. My daughter always chose safe sites for her drug use, and while she may have wanted drugs, the police failed to take into account her inability to communicate. It raises so many questions in my heart—how could this have happened?


Here’s a short video of our travels to the Potlatch Feast up north: Potlatch Feast Video (https://youtu.be/6DGfHguZP78).


As for me, I have been on disability since the government began uncovering the unmarked graves of children at Indian Residential Schools in May 2021. The trauma of this discovery triggered my PTSD, filling me with overwhelming fear. 


Then, on June 1, 2021, my grandchild Diversity took his life, which plunged me into a short but intense period of depression that left me exhausted and debilitated. I managed to return to work in July, working 20 hours a week, but then my daughter passed away in October, and I haven’t been able to heal since. There have been many days when I struggle just to stay awake.


On September 23, 2022, I informed HR that I could no longer work, as I felt myself spiraling into another bout of depression. Just a week later, on September 30, 2022, my brother Kelly also passed away.


Currently, I have my daughter’s children with me—my son and grandchildren, aged 21, 7, and 4. We’re all coping with anxiety and depression, and I know it will take time for us to recover both emotionally and financially.


Thank you all for your prayers and support during this incredibly difficult time. 🙏🏽❤️

Here is a short video of our travels to the Potlatch Feast up north. https://youtu.be/6DGfHguZP78








Popular posts from this blog

Bear with hanging tongue

Image
The bear with the tongue hanging out of its mouth is not what you think.  Gather around, and let me share a story that carries the weight of our history, a tale that speaks of resilience and survival. Many people do not understand the significance of the tongue, often mistaking it as merely a feature of the bear. But there is much more to this story, one that we must keep alive as our Aboriginal stories, culture, and beliefs are too often appropriated for the profit of others. In our tradition, totem poles are read from the bottom up, with the tribe usually depicted at the base. It is important to note that the Gitxsan do not have a bear tribe. Instead, the bear symbolizes Russia, a powerful force that once threatened our lands. Long ago, the West Coast nations—including the Gitxsan, Nisga'a, Haida, and others—joined together to stand against Russia when they began to claim our traditional territories and take our people as slaves. Among those who suffered was a woman from th...
Read more

When the food drops

Image
I learned a lot from my grandfather and my parents just by watching them every day. We didn’t talk much about spirituality; we just lived it. Spirituality runs deep in our upbringing; it’s something that flows through our blood and is passed down by our ancestors who have gone before us. Our beliefs aren’t fancy or dramatic—there's no fire and lightning, just the spirit. We used to respect all of life, knowing that spirits are present in everything, including ourselves. God is within us and beside us; every thought we have is a prayer. I should mention that medicine can be used for harm too. Thoughts filled with hatred can be prayers as well. Some people who mix their medicine with bad intentions are called Hel'dow'gwit, or witchcraft. Over the past 50 years, many Gitxsan have changed and evolved. Sweat lodges, which were once only for hunting preparation, are now spaces for prayers and healing. Traditional gatherings have transformed into Healing Circles where we talk abou...
Read more

Burning

Image
Too often, our Gitxsan culture is romanticized, which can create an illusion that it is unattainable or far removed from the realities of our daily lives. This perception can make it seem uninviting to our young people, who may feel disconnected from the traditions and values that define us. We must remember to light the fire, to gather together, and to prepare meals with love for our family and friends. The act of burning food is not a failure but a reminder of our humanity and the lessons we learn along the way. Each meal shared is an opportunity to connect, to nurture, and to honor those we cherish. Every thought is a prayer. When we think of our loved ones who have journeyed on, they are with us in spirit, surrounding us with their love and gratitude for the respect and intention we hold in our hearts. It is in these moments that we can feel their presence, reminding us of the strength of our connections and the importance of our cultural practices. Let us not shy away from the imp...
Read more