This is me. This is who I am.
Who I am is defined through my connection to the land, by the stories of my community, my family, my people. I am Anicinabek8e. In the Western world, my people are called Algonquin. Some have said the name 'algonquin' comes from "elakómkwik" - a Maliseet word which is said to mean "they are our relations".
Wherever our english name came from, my family and relations call ourselves Anicinabeg (which roughly translates to "from where we Beings come"). My family comes from Ka-nimegosikak (the place where there are trout). According to my number assigned by the government, we once belonged to the Kitiganik and now the Kitigan Zibi community of Quebec. I have relations in all 9 Algonquin communities.
These are my people - they are my home. We did not define ourselves by the colour of our skin. We defined ourselves by the goodness in our hearts and the purpose we served for the greater good of all. I was raised to as "Shkaabekwe" - a helper. From our community feasts to funerals to summer games, my late Aunt Lena, my parents, my Kokom and many other Elders guided me in the ways of being a person who always gives back. This is my people's way. This is how I was raised to be.
It's no surprise then you will find I chose to pursue a Master of Social Work at the University of Calgary, and that I am in the International Social Work, Leadership in Human Services stream. My life teachings have been that although we may look different physically... when we listen to our hearts - we find ways to understand each other, we find ways to connect...and so you, the stranger who may find yourself reading these words - you are also family. This is what I was taught we mean when we say "all my relations".
So what led me to choosing the path of Social Work? This is where it gets interesting...read on.
Wherever our english name came from, my family and relations call ourselves Anicinabeg (which roughly translates to "from where we Beings come"). My family comes from Ka-nimegosikak (the place where there are trout). According to my number assigned by the government, we once belonged to the Kitiganik and now the Kitigan Zibi community of Quebec. I have relations in all 9 Algonquin communities.
These are my people - they are my home. We did not define ourselves by the colour of our skin. We defined ourselves by the goodness in our hearts and the purpose we served for the greater good of all. I was raised to as "Shkaabekwe" - a helper. From our community feasts to funerals to summer games, my late Aunt Lena, my parents, my Kokom and many other Elders guided me in the ways of being a person who always gives back. This is my people's way. This is how I was raised to be.
It's no surprise then you will find I chose to pursue a Master of Social Work at the University of Calgary, and that I am in the International Social Work, Leadership in Human Services stream. My life teachings have been that although we may look different physically... when we listen to our hearts - we find ways to understand each other, we find ways to connect...and so you, the stranger who may find yourself reading these words - you are also family. This is what I was taught we mean when we say "all my relations".
So what led me to choosing the path of Social Work? This is where it gets interesting...read on.
