Statement

In the first round, I started off as the first person. I had an image of hope. The second round was more about reflection and seeing things from a different perspective. In this third round my image speaks about young lives that were taken away and buried, represented by the leaves under the ground. The truth is there and it is being revealed. There are many youth that are speaking of their experiences and who belong to inclusive groups, but some of them are cut off and not heard. They get to sit on committees, but they're not listened to. That does happen. It’s good that they are there, because the more that these groups are inclusive, the better chances of people to listen. That is something that's very important for all of us, to listen. There are many youths that are speaking of their experiences who belong in inclusive groups but are cut off and not heard. This is portrayed by the pieces by the branches that have been cut off before having a chance to grow. In my image some branches that have been cut off and left on the ground, and this is what that represents in the image. Many First Nations people that I have talked to have the Grandfather Teachings in them, and you can see and hear the experience coming out of them, like the roots of the tree, giving life to the branches that reach high and wide. All their teachings are in the roots. They are what gives the tree its life. There are changes being made to help that tree of life grow.

It takes many people to do that, even though there are some that are just learning of hope, of truth and reconciliation, which will be an ongoing process. Others are taking steps to make connections to help create a life full of what we need to be aware of; bravery, honesty, humility, respect, love truth and wisdom, these are the Grandfather Teachings.

Together we can stop the negative actions and allow all humans to flourish and draw strength from the roots of these teachings. I find that, through my experience, it doesn't matter what your spirituality is or belief. This usually is a positive and comes from a good place. It is usually mankind that decides to say that their beliefs are better than what you believe. What they believe is right and you are wrong. But that's not what the teachings of any of these beliefs tell us, it is us as humans that make choices and we can choose to move forward together. Thank you.