Laws of Matriarch

When I was younger, I struggled with drugs. It was my good friend, who is also the father of my youngest son, who showed me a path toward self-awareness and healing. I got clean in 1989, and I haven’t looked back since. I used to drink, but it was never an issue for me like drugs were. With drugs, I lost control completely; I was a terrible mother and a really selfish person. I was deeply affected by the intergenerational trauma from Indian Residential Schools. Over the years, I’ve changed and learned how to take care of myself. I’ve done my best to be a good person. I’m sharing this because you might think I’m perfect, but trust me, I’m not.  I want you to know that we Indigenous people are all in the same boat, and we share many similar experiences. I pray that God’s grace is with us every day as we face our battles.

I’ve been reflecting on how you’ve really tried to understand what colonization has done to our people, and I just want to say how much I appreciate you and the work you do. As Indigenous people, we are constantly juggling many struggles at once. I feel lucky that I have the ability to ask for help and to express myself through writing. Here’s a snapshot of what life looks like for me right now: In our Gitxsan communities, we’re seeing one or two deaths every week. It’s mostly due to cancer, suicide, and vehicle accidents. There’s a lot of cancer in our communities, but no one seems to have the resources to figure out why. I suspect it’s the water, especially with all the mining happening around us. There’s also been a woman missing from my community since December, which weighs heavily on my heart. I try to attend potlatch feasts when I can, as it helps me stay connected to my culture and community. On top of everything else, I’m dealing with human rights issues related to my oldest ...

Title: Shadows of Custody Opening Scene: The film opens on a dimly lit hospital room, where a young woman, Lozen, is in labor. The tension in the air is thick as she clutches the hands of her boyfriend, Castro. Unbeknownst to her, he has sinister intentions. As the nurse hands Lozen the birth certificate to fill out, Castro leans in, whispering assurances that everything will be fine. The camera zooms in on his smirk, hinting at his true nature. Act 1: The Illusion of Control Lozen, a single mother grappling with her own demons, is manipulated by Castro into believing he cares for her and her unborn child. He convinces her to fill out the birth certificate with his name as the father, despite knowing he isn't. Tragedy strikes when Lozen's brother dies unexpectedly just a week after Kay is born. The grief overwhelms her, leaving her unmoored and struggling to cope with the loss. The screen fades to black as she spirals into despair while Castro feigns support. Act 2: The Abducti...

Hey folks, I wanted to take a moment to update you on what's been going on lately. It's been a tough time for my family, and I have a few heavy things to share. My granddaughter D went through a really dark time and tried to take her own life. Her stepmom took her to the hospital on December 16, 2021. D told the police and social workers that she was struggling to get along with her parents, and that she was in a bad place. I also heard that she experienced some terrible things at the hands of her stepfamily. This is the granddaughter I fought for in court for ten long years. Back in 2015, a judge decided that her stepdad would have primary guardianship, leaving me with just limited visits. The social worker made an agreement with him that they would create a treatment plan for D, and she wouldn't have to return to her step-parents' home. D has been admitted to a psychiatric ward, and I attended a family meeting that felt pointless. The social workers and hospital staff...

I’m not sure I can face this journey for my granddaughter; the hatred from the step-parents is heavy, and my family doesn’t always rally behind me. Betrayal is common, and I’ve had enough of that poison. Since my sister let her bitterness take over and spread ugly lies about me, claiming I’ve stolen from our mom, the family’s turned against me. If those rumors were true, they'd have every reason to be angry, but it's not like I’m the first one in this family to take from a parent. I can’t forget what my sister and niece are capable of. They’ll feed a girl lies disguised as sweetness, bury a boy because a priest thought he was guilty, and she watched Martin Tremblay murder my nieces while she did his drugs. These memories, these truths, justify my mistrust of family. My niece can handle the step-parents on her own; I know that stepdad has a soft spot for her anyway... Breathe... Breathe... I can feel the pain flooding in when I talk to Diversity, hearing every hateful word her s...

I grew up with my parents shuttling between Port Edward and Gitwangak. Both my parents attended Indian Residential School, and all of my siblings did too—except for me. My grandfather, who we call yea’a, also avoided that fate; his own grandfather hid him away in the mountains when the Indian Agent came to round up the Indigenous children. My early years were marked by pain, much like every other Indigenous person’s. Our children were often taken from us at a young age. When I reached that same age, I found myself neglected—perhaps no one knew how to care for me. Many days were filled with hunger, boredom, and loneliness, and those were considered the better days. I witnessed my parents’ struggles firsthand, including the times my dad would fight and hurt my mom—there were moments when I saw her beaten unconscious, and worse. I sometimes stayed with my uncle Fred, who betrayed my trust in the worst possible ways while others were absent. I was not alone in this suffering; many of us fa...

Some jokes just go over my head. I’ll chuckle along just to fit in, but honestly, I didn’t get it at all... Then a few days later, out of nowhere, it clicks, and I finally laugh 🤭 Sometimes, I’ll even remember the joke while I’m driving home from work and end up laughing at myself for taking so long to get it. And honestly, that’s pretty funny too! 😋 We find humor in everything, no matter the time or place.