Laws of Matriarch

Historical Indigenous Roles of Women: The historical role of Indigenous women in the Americas is a profound and multifaceted subject, reflecting the diversity of cultures and societies that existed long before and after European colonization. The roles of these women varied significantly across different tribes and regions, but certain common themes can be identified. Here is an overview of their roles before and after European contact: ### Pre-Colonization Roles 1. Economic Contributors: Indigenous women played crucial roles in the economy of their communities. They were often responsible for agricultural production, including the cultivation of crops such as corn, beans, and squash—often referred to as the "Three Sisters." Women also gathered wild plants, berries, and nuts, contributing significantly to the food supply. 2. Cultural Custodians: Women were the keepers of cultural knowledge and traditions. They transmitted oral histories, songs, and rituals to the next generat...

Angela's Identity Angela has been a strong ally for Aboriginal people for many years. In our culture, we often adopt loved ones into our house so they can join our traditional practices. Angela Sterritt, despite her bloodline connection through her grandfather, is not automatically considered a member of the Gitxsan Nation. However, she may have been adopted by the Gitxsan house Wilp Wiik’aax during the Potlatch Feast. This could grant her a form of dual citizenship, allowing her to participate in Gitxsan traditions while still maintaining her connection to her white mother. She might also obtain an Indian Status Card through the Indian Act, but that doesn’t define her belonging. In Gitxsan culture, we uphold matriarchal laws that honor and respect women as life-givers. Angela is recognized as belonging to her mother, who is from Bell Island in Newfoundland. This practice emphasizes values such as respect, responsibility, and accountability. It also considers health implications, a...

The Vibrant Tapestry of Aboriginal Culture on the West Coast The West Coast of Turtle Island is a land rich in diversity, a place where the spirit of the Indigenous peoples breathes life into the surroundings through their languages, traditions, and vibrant social interactions. Each community along the coast contributes to a colorful tapestry of culture that reflects the deep connection between the land and its people. One of the most striking aspects of Aboriginal culture is the language. The Indigenous peoples of the West Coast communicate in an array of languages and dialects, each with its unique cadence and rhythm. These languages carry the essence of the stories, histories, and wisdom of their ancestors, often expressing concepts and ideas that resonate deeply with their way of life. The sound of these languages fills the air, echoing the teachings of generations past. Social interactions among Aboriginal peoples are characterized by warmth and expressiveness. They are known for ...

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 da...

I posted about these pressing issues a few weeks back, and it’s disheartening to see that there was no response. It feels like the struggles we face often go unheard.  For those of us off reserve, it seems that we’re expected to navigate the same COVID-19 survival funds as everyone else. Some folks automatically receive top-ups, while others must go through the application process. But life on reserve is a different story altogether. The lack of services is glaring, and it often feels like our needs are overlooked. On reserve, many of the funds intended to help keep families safe at home have been largely retained by the band council, leaving little for those who are truly in need. There are no services for food delivery, and the available food programs are often insufficient, with the same soup kitchens that were already in place not operating every day. My mother, like many others on the reserve, has been struggling to get by. Businesses on reserves often operate without licenses...

I know that many of my Gitxsan relatives have faced shaming when they’ve tried to advocate, raise their voices, or protest against the ongoing genocide that Canada perpetrates against us. Yet, this was not always our reality.  In the past, we stood strong together to protect our communities. All nations would come together to safeguard our women, children, and our sacred lands from the encroachment of outsiders.  Today, I see a spiritually strong community, with some of us managing to survive the ongoing assimilation efforts intact. However, the connections within our community have frayed. Even when those who should be present at feasts come to contribute and witness, there is a significant gap in our communal ties. Despite the government-funded programs that exist, gambling remains a primary source of income for sports and activities within our communities. Yet, Canada continues its genocidal practices against the Gitxsan and all Indigenous peoples. This is our crucial momen...

--- On June 1st, my beloved grandchild Diversity, just 15 years old, took his life. It’s a tragedy that has left our family shattered. Diversity had a history of suicide attempts, with one of the most significant occurring on November 8, 2020, when he came to stay with me in the Lower Mainland. The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) had an open file for him, though I can’t recall the reasons behind it. He had already been hospitalized in December 2018 after multiple attempts to end his life. During that time, Diversity bravely shared with me the horror he faced: sexual, physical, and mental abuse at the hands of his stepfather, Mike, since he was only six years old. After being assessed and treated in a psych ward, the so-called specialists in Prince George barely scratched the surface of his PTSD. They seemed more interested in the novelty of having a transgender patient than truly supporting him. Their diagnosis? “Transgender.” That was a failure to understand the dep...