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I identify myself as a nehiyaw iskwew. I also have other ethnicity within my lineage: Metis, Assiniboine, and heritage from parts of Europe (I believe Hungary, Romania, Poland, and Slovakia).

My ethnicity is important to me because it it the foundation of my Creation Story. It helps me see how I am part of a bigger picture. Or how I am part of History as well.

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I am prairie girl! I am a descendent from both Sweetgrass First Nation & Stoney Knoll First Nation.

I did spend some time in the Okanagan when I was young (lived there for about 3 years), but it never had that feeling of home.

I moved home and never left! I made my own home not far from where I grew up. I have lived in North Battleford for the past 12 years.

I believe that living in North Battleford First Nation has kept me in hypervigilance due to the amount of Racism and Oppression Indigenous people face.

I do try to educate people as best as I can.

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What is your religious/spiritual background?

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What is your religious/spiritual background?

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I am nehiyaw and practice my way of life through ceremony, and honour my ancestors by living my values.

I am also very open minded and learn about other religions so I am able to connect with others.

My spirituality is important for me to honour my spirituality because it is foundational in my walk on this Earth.

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YES! My family does celebrate colonial holidays!
Christmas is one of our favourites, because for my family we are able to come together and spend time together.

Another day we celebrate (that is not technically a holiday) is Halloween! We love taking part in the ghosts and goblins that come to our door.

We do indigenize the holidays as best they can.

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My Values and Beliefs are very Cree. The Sweetgrass Teachings is what I would refer to.

I grew up watching my parents interact with people while honouring our Value System. This wasn't always easy for them to do as they have faced a lot of hardships in both worlds they walked in. In the Western World, they faced Racism, Oppression, Discrimination, Prejudice, etc.

In the Nehiyaw World, they face Lateral Violence within their own families and Community. This was a challenge that has been passed down to us Children.

Nonetheless, we walk with our values everyday while always remembering to treat others with Love & Kindness and to never treat people poorly.

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In my home growing up, we predominantly spoke english. When we would enter into ceremony, the language we heard was nehiyawewin. For myself, Cree was a ceremonious language. Nowadays, I can somewhat understand conversational cree. In ceremony, I am able to understand more fluently.

I tell people I have 2 brains, a Western brain and a Nehiyaw brain. My western brain thinks very absolute and linear, while my nehiyaw brain thinks very wholistic and cyclical.

In order to do my best, I try to maintain a balance between the two. Balance is key!

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I am connected to more than one community. Physically, I am from Sweetgrass, live in North Battleford, and work at Living Sky School Division (28 Schools). So my community is bountiful.

I also belong to:
-A community of Indigenous Mothers
-Indigenous Beaders
-Volleyball (Women's & Co-ed)
-Indigenous Hockey
-Education Endeavours
-Life Skills Facilitators
-Indigenous Wellness

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This is a traditional history that is most personal with me. This is a documentary where my late dad is featured. He passed on April 1, 2016, shortly after the documentary was released. He did not have a chance to see it.

This documentary captures the history of the Stoney Knoll people. This part of my identity. I will pass this on to my children and my future grand children.

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This documentary is now available for free viewing at this site courtesy of Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan & St John's Lutheran Church (ELCIC). If you would like more information about their work of promoting conversations and activities in support of the relationship between the Young Chippewayan Band, Lutherans and Mennonites, please visit MCC's site at mcccanada.ca/learn/more/stoney-knoll.

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This documentary is now available for free viewing at this site courtesy of Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan & St John's Lutheran Church (ELCIC). If you would like more information about their work of promoting conversations and activities in support of the relationship between the Young Chippewayan Band, Lutherans and Mennonites, please visit MCC's site at mcccanada.ca/learn/more/stoney-knoll.

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My parents have been the biggest influence of my life. They come from very different experiences, and offer 2 different perspectives.

My Father was brought up in a very traditional setting. He never attended residential schools, but did attend day school. He had a very good experience with education. My father's love was unconditional and evident.

My mother was brought up in a farm setting. She attended residential school. She had a very negative experience with residential school. My mother's love was very conditional and sparse.