OUR HISTORY: Lost Children of the Indian Adoption Projects: Sharing Our Stories: Still Kanien’kehá:ka / Shé:kon Kanien’kehá:ka Na’tia’tò:ten’

If you need support

Support Info: If you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419. Additional Health Support Information: Emotional, cultural, and professional support services are also available to Survivors and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. Services can be accessed on an individual, family, or group basis.” These & regional support phone numbers are found at https://nctr.ca/contact/survivors/ . MY EMAIL: tracelara@pm.me

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Sharing Our Stories: Still Kanien’kehá:ka / Shé:kon Kanien’kehá:ka Na’tia’tò:ten’

Tealey Ka’senni:saks Normandin at age three celebrating her first Christmas in her new house, 1968.

Being a child of the Sixties Scoop, I had somewhat of a cultural clash. My world views were non-Native, but then I started learning about the culture.

There was always this big thundercloud above my head, and it came from a place of thinking, am I accepted in the white world or am I accepted in the Indigenous world?

It was very confusing, but through teachings I’ve learned that I am a sacred being, Creator recognizes me, and I can be accepted in both realms. Once I came to that realization, the thundercloud was no longer threatening.

Even just learning the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, it took me I don’t know how many years to have the courage to say it out loud. Even though I don’t have the language, and I don’t live here in Kahnawà:ke, this is my community, my territory, and I am still Kanien’kehá:ka.

KEEP READING:

https://www.thespec.com/news/canada/sharing-our-stories-still-kanien-keh-ka-sh-kon-kanienkeh-ka-natiat-ten/article_add5ee3a-7699-57fd-84fb-302076c8f44f.html