"She Honoured Her Roots"12 by 12
Hello friends,
I have been working on accomplishing a task that has been on my to do list since last year. I'm in the process of getting all my paperwork done to finally get my Metis Status. A family member of mine had the research done because he suspected like many of us,that we had Aboriginal ancestry. More specifically, Metis. In fact, our lineage goes all the way back to 1657. It has been so validating to pay tribute to this part of me. I have always known deep inside that I was connected to these roots. But, I was enable to honour this part of me because we didn't have the proof.
Well, here is the proof. Finally. I hope you can click on it to see it enlarged. This is the place of origin for my Metis roots, all the way back to 1657. We belong to the Weskarini Tribe. It is so healing for me to see this piece of the puzzle in black and white. While some of my great aunts and extended family members would rather hide this proof, I know it is a part of me that I will never deny. It enriches my culture and ethnicity and I will make sure to teach Owen the history and honour the culture of our ancestors.
It saddens me to know that so many people live in ignorance and would rather deny the truth about who they really are. Education does not always enlighten others but we must do our best to speak up against racism and all forms of discrimination.
I am proud to be a French Canadian and soon to add Metis to my status and heritage. I am looking forward to connecting to this part of my person more and more.
Happy weekend everyone!
This is so neat! I'm happy for you that you have the solid proof and can celebrate this important piece of your puzzle.
ReplyDeleteI really love that you are finding where you are from! I never will be able to do that as there are so many secrets in my family. :( I love also that you LOVE doing this. Family is so important and keeping the history alive is vital.
ReplyDeletexo
So cool that you went to find this out. So interesting what makes us us
ReplyDeleteBeth
These discoveries and conversations are oh SO important. Bringing light to racism and past events, not matter how hard or how much shame it brings, is the only way through. Congratulations on uncovering your beautiful roots.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to see that you found your metis roots, and welcome in the Weskarini metis family! My Grand-pa's mum and dad were both weskarini metis.
In my family this heritage is known, somewhat acknowledged, and not really celebrated (quite the opposite in some cases :( ).
I'm curious to meet other weskarini descent people, to hear how this heritage is lived in their family, or what it means to them, or just to 'know' other weskarini metis people.
So I decided to say hi. I hope all is well with you, metis cousin, and your artwork is beautiful!
Pascale
... and I just started a Weskarini facebook page to find other people. I hope it will grow slowly. Feel free to advertise your art there if you would like. All the best,
ReplyDeletePascale
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Weskarini-Algonquin-First-Nation-Metis/281007688581629