Indigenous Peoples' Day

6/21/2022

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Indigenous Peoples Day A written offering from Angela Grier, Kym Capuska & Dr. Melissa Jay

Kym Capuska: I am a proud Indigenous woman, with roots in the Nakoda Sioux of Alberta, and the Cree of Manitoba and am an active member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. I have three children, two stepchildren and recently welcomed my fifth Grandchild. I am the current Indigenous Director for the Manitoba Chapter of the CCPA, a member-at-large of the Indigenous Circle Chapter of CCPA and sit on the Governance Committee for the National CCPA Board.

Angela Grier: Piiohsksoopanskii (Comes Over Singing) is my Blackfoot name. As a proud Piikani First Nation member, I am a mother of four and a grandmother to Meadow. I have nearly 25 years of professional experience working and supporting First Nation/Indigenous peoples and communities. I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist and reside on my traditional territory, Mohkinstsis (Calgary), as well as the Indigenous Initiatives Lead for the CCPA national office.

Dr. Melissa Jay: As Nehiyaw member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, I hold many privileged roles: Registered Psychologist, Director of Canmore Counselling, as well as Assistant Professor at AU. As the current Indigenous Director for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, it is an honour to walk alongside Indigenous kin, across Turtle Island, advocating for Indigenous Rights and access to healing supports. I am grateful to live in the mountains with my spouse, Michael, and our dog, Lulu.

Angela Grier: The summer solstice has long been a time of significance for Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. It is fitting that Canada’s acknowledgement of Indigenous people’s vast contributions and sacrifices, fall upon this day. we must acknowledge we have far to go to meaningfully honor this legacy within the responsibilities of reconciliation.

Kym Capuska: As I reflect upon the last year, I recall the discovery of 215 unmarked children’s graves adjacent to a former IRS in BC. Since that first highly publicized discovery there have been hundreds of additional suspected and confirmed unmarked burial sites found on former IRS sites throughout Turtle Island. I add to this reflection the cherished memories of the elders and knowledge keepers who passed from this life during the last year, and the loss of their memories. I hope that those who have held these memories may pass on in peace knowing the unmarked graves will lie in place. I find comfort in the knowledge that this is the truth necessary to further our pursuit of reconciliation. Our actions today matter, our actions are the fulfillment of our ancestor’s efforts, and our actions will have an impact on generations yet to come.

Dr. Melissa Jay: Every child matters and as each child is found we are grateful to the land for revealing these truths. For those who survived, their stories must be heard, amplified, and responded to with care, justice and reconciliation. Being Indigenous means being of the land and responsible for the land as kin. Here on Turtle Island Indigenous peoples and communities have maintained connection to the land as kin, in the face of colonization and systematic genocide of Indigenous peoples, through assimilation institutions (aka: ‘Indian residential schools’, ‘IRS’), the 60’s scoop, disrespected Treaties, and ongoing anti-Indigenous policies.

Angela Grier: Reconciliation must be Indigenous-led. We invite everyone to individually commit to these shared responsibilities in establishing and sustaining meaningful relations with Indigenous peoples and their territories in which we all reside. It will take many generations to outgrow the racist beliefs and biases intended to last until “there is not one Indian left” as stated by Canada’s first administrator of Indian Affairs. Canada’s genesis story is a dark one, but the future does not have to be.

Kym, Angela & Melissa: The story of these lands is still being written and we all have a role to play. Indigenous peoples and communities have been lobbying for justice since contact. In order for the necessary changes in policies, structures, institutions, and communities to occur we call on non-indigenous people to help. Here's how: learn the truth about colonization on turtle island. demand justice by Advocating for Indigenous Rights. Speak Out against anti-Indigenous messages & policies. Celebrate the cultures & contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Resources 24/7 Support Lines: Indian Residential School Survivors Society 1-800-721-0066 IRS National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 Tsow-Tun Le Lum Crisis Line: 1-888-403-3123 Ku-US Crisis Line (BC Only) 1-800-588-8717 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or text: 686868 Suicide Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2432 to Support Continued Learning & Unlearning Truth & Reconciliation Final Report (in full + Calls to Actions) 21 Things you May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph Inclusion on Purpose by Ruchika Tulshyan Raising Antiracist Children by Britt Hawthorne

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Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, Nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. We at Canmore Counselling respectfully acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous Peoples (Inuit, First Nations, Métis) of Canada. We are privileged to live on sacred lands and celebrate all of the Indigenous peoples, who live, work, play, and care for these lands. As an act of reconciliation and decolonization, may we work together to answer the TRC's Calls to Action: Truth & Reconciliation Commission Reports and Findings.