Lisa Smith: I am a Cree, Metis Woman/Life Giver — The Value of Truth & Reconciliation.
My name is Lisa Smith. I am a Cree, Metis Woman/Life Giver. My cultural name is Little Flower or Pchit Enn Fleur (Michif). My ancestors are from the Spiritwood and Witchekan Lake Nations in Saskatchewan. I am grateful to live, learn, work and play on the unceded and traditional Coast Salish Territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh) peoples.
For me, Truth and Reconciliation Day is a day of self-reflection and honoring my relatives. I am proud to be weaved into a culture of many strengths such as resilience, courage, humility, respect, creativity, pride, love, wisdom, spirit and more. I have learned about myself and my background through engaging with various Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, organizations, professionals, cultural and ceremonial practices and Creator in my journey walking the Red Road in Recovery. WE ARE STILL HERE!
As I continue learning about my ancestors’ history of enduring the affliction, pain and grief of residential schools, 60’s scoop and colonialism; it leaves me speechless, heartbroken and with a strong desire to participate in the solution.
In my role as Indigenous Community Relations Coordinator, I am working diligently to facilitate building bridges and filling the gaps within Together We Can and the many nations and communities we serve. Please reach out to myself to connect as there is more work to do.
I would like to invite you to learn more of why this significant day of reflection was created. I am also inviting you to start conversations within your families and communities and define how you can advocate for and/or become an ally in supporting the Indigenous Peoples.
Please take the time to reflect and debrief while reading the “Thank You for the Real Estate” Poem to learn more about the importance of land acknowledgements and some questions for debriefing: https://decolonialfutures.net/beyond-thank-you-for-the-real-estate/
You can learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action by clinking on this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf
Thank you for doing your part in your reflection, learning and participating in allyship for the lands and the Indigenous Peoples we serve.
All My Relations.
Lisa Smith
TWC Indigenous Community Relations Coordinator
Please feel free to reach out to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society if you need support: https://www.irsss.ca/ “
