I first came to Kumik 15 years ago. I knew that my family was Métis but that had little relevance to my life. I don’t remember the Elder but the story they shared that day became an important part of my life philosophy and teachings for my children.
About ten years ago, as a result of a conversation with an Elder brought in by IRCC (from Kumik), I made the decision to fully acknowledge my Indigenous heritage. I had long held back for this step thinking that as I got where I was with white skin privilege and didn’t have any cultural knowledge that I should not identify as Indigenous. That Elder gave me the teachings and stories I needed to start my internal decolonization work. As a result I learned about my family, our traditions and started learning Cree.
As there was no downtown lodge, whenever I could, I would get a taxi and cross the river to the Kumik. I started meeting Elders occasionally for one on ones which filled my bundle and gave me a chance to learn about ceremony, protocol, teachings and stories. Sometimes I brought my children and we attended many of the workshops making drums and other items that we still use. This time allowed me to come into community, ask questions and learn with the Elders.
This knowledge helped me to raise my children with good teachings in a healthy Indigenous way. This was possible because of the welcoming environment for those of us who don’t have teachings or language or connection. The Elders and people I met did not care if I was Indigenous enough, only that I was open to learning in a good way. This community opened up other Indigenous resources to access.
As a result of this growth, my child and I were at the closing ceremony for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. My child was brought forward to represent the future generations. Through the Kumik and related community, this child knows their Métis heritage and the good red road, they were there that day and carries those stories and the promises made into the future.
This regular contact with Kumik and the lack of progress on Indigenous issues at my previous department were key considerations in my decision to move to ISC as a senior analyst. I was delighted to have full access to Kumik, the Elders and other community members. My manager was supportive of attending Kumik and my proposal that we apply Indigenous Methodologies to a policy paper I was working on. I was able to even contemplate that work because I knew I could access Elders as needed though the one on ones at Kumik.
The first year of the project I met with many Elders, Grandfathers who tested me, Grandmothers who encouraged me and community that inspired me. Elder Barb Brant, Mohawk, Turtle Clan agreed to work with us on this work and this resulted in the paper “Daring to Meet the Bear”. During this time I learned about Knowledge bundles and created one for this project to capture the teachings and share stories. On the guidance of Elders I ask for a spirit name. I undertook that process and learned and listened and realized how little I know. Through Kumik I kept learning, attending ceremony and experienced the amazing support of doing policy and research with the support of the Elder. The Kumik also supported my student who went on his own identity journey during his time with us. Elder Barb with there for both of us and always patient with our questions.
The second year, after getting our bearings in COVID, the ability to access Kumik was an important coping mechanism and way to stay in community. Working with Kumik we brought Elder Solomon Wawatie (Anishnabek) in for one on ones and team supports. Given that Kumik was not offering one on ones during this time we were very glad to continue to have an Elder to support our work and people. In the third year, Elder Barb rejoined us (She never left really continuing to support us by phone and text). At this time I had been newly named manager with a mandate to apply Indigenous Methodologies to data and analytics. My team and I were blessed to be able to access the Kumik and Elders as we figured out how to do things from this lens. We learnt with others in the community and supported each other through that challenging year.
We are now in our sixth year of practically applying Indigenous methodologies and I am humbled by all the things I have learnt and the journeys our team has taken. We work closely with a team applying Indigenous Methodologies to evaluations for the first time in our context. We have worked with teams in HR, procurement, planning and reporting and innovation. We will continue to find new ways to apply that Indigenous lens. We will continue to have firsts – such an interview panel where everyone was Indigenous. All this does not even touch on the person growth I have experienced from working with the Elders and being part of Kumik.
Kumik has been an important part of my personal growth and family life, while also supporting me and team to apply Indigenous methodologies to all our work.
Ninanaskomowin for listening to my story. EM (Pehiw – She who is in waiting and Nipon Kona (Summer Snow)
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