I’ve attended various Indigenous events for personal growth and as research for Mary and her Metis Grandma (novel); the one that blew me away was a Water Ceremony. I’ve pulled some quotes from Lisa Yellow-Quill, from Moon Water, a documentary about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. I’ve also learned a traditional Indigenous perspective about rivers and our veins from Douglas Bonaise, at an environmental event.
Indigenous Water Ceremony
Many cultures have water ceremonies. Lisa Yellow-Quill, a First Nation lady, conducted one for women. Click the link below to view the video (https://youtu.be/i8-km0ZaCHs?si=Php87mT4DzUHNIW5&t=163 ) and the button at end of post to read the PDF.
Veins as Rivers and Treaties
Douglas Bonaise, an Elder from Treaty Six, at an environmental event, talks about the veins that run through our body as rivers. Click link below to view video https://youtu.be/W91_XZK_jAM?si=ehrvAYbzmnXD5Zk2&t=111 . Click the button at end of post to view to read the PDF.
I am Indigenous Cree/Metis. Main accomplishments:
1) Mary and her Metis Grandma: a coming-of-age story. Based on true stories, this is a gripping work of auto-fiction / biography and memoir that results in historical accountability.
Filled with wisdom, grit and honesty, this is the journey of a Métis teenager overcoming personal grief, family traumas, witnessing the pain of others, and experiencing the healing power of a Grandma’s love.
Instead of succumbing to self-pity, Mary rises above her presumed narrative with courage and love as her Grandma takes Mary under her wing to guide her into the mature woman she will become.
and
2) Moon Water: a documentary about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Moon Water was distributed primarily to educational institutions throughout N. America.
My childhood was spent in Jasper, Alberta, surrounded by nature. My amazing mother encouraged me to write stories and paint or draw pictures for her; she was my first teacher.
https://ritajasperart.com/
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