Boozhoo. Aanii.
Jean ndi-zhinikaaz.
Windsor ndoo-njibaa.
Peterborough megwaa
ndoo-daa.
Zhaaginaashii-kwe ndaaw.
Gchi-gbeying
ngii-wiiji-mosemaag Nishinaabeg.
Ndoo- gjitoon waa-zhi Nishnaabemyaanh.
Aapiji
go ngchi-nendam miinwaa waabminaa.
I
introduce myself in the Ojibwe language to honour the Anishinaabekwewag who
have been willing to teach me their beautiful language, beginning with Elder
Rose Peltier who gave me my first Odawa lessons in Wikwemikong almost 50 years
ago. And now, since coming to P’boro 11
years ago, I have been happy to be able to meet her grand-nephew, Beedahbun, who
lives and works here. And that is but a
small part of the story of how the circle of my life continues to bring me
happy memories of the past.
There
are many things I could tell you about the past half-century during which I
have been walking in solidarity with the First Peoples, and how long it has
taken me to reach my current understanding of the meaning of my relationship
with First Peoples brother and sisters, but I shall speak of only one
experience.
Until
I stopped driving about five years ago, I spent a lot of hours in my car, which
I always found was a good time to think.
One day, I was thinking about how much time I have spent with First
Peoples. I thought of how sorry I am
about the devastating effects that my church and my governments have had on
their lives; of how I have tried to show that I am sorry by standing with them,
and speaking out for justice on their behalf; of trying to help my people to
understand just how badly damaged is the relationship between us.
And
as I thought about all this, I suddenly had an “aha” moment.
I
thought: But why do I think that I have to be the one to fix things? Why do I think that I have to be the one who
cares for others by taking the lead, and telling other people what to do? If there is one thing I have learned during
the years I have been in relationship with First Peoples – and more importantly
– the years when they have allowed me to be in relationship with them – it is
that the First Peoples are totally capable of caring for themselves. They have leaders among them who have so much
knowledge, so much experience, and so much wisdom that has been handed down to
them from their Elders – they have everything it takes to give leadership to
their people – and more than that, they have the ability to give leadership to
me and to my people.
Now
many of you may think that this is a no-brainer, but I admit that to me, it was
a revelation. Maybe it comes from being
the eldest in a family of four children, used to assuming leadership in that
small community. Or maybe I’m just a
slow learner, which I know in many ways I am.
I’m still trying to learn how to manage my computer – not to mention
learning how to speak in Ojibwe.
But
for me, that moment was a turning point in my life. Since then, especially when I am in meetings
where First Peoples are present, I am remembering to say to myself: Okay,
Koning, keep quiet and listen. What are
the First Peoples saying? How are they
offering to take the leadership role?
And can I put myself in the position of being willing to accept that
leadership?
It
has offered me a whole new way of life!
But – and again I have to ask for mercy here – that role does not come
easy to a privileged white woman like me who has so often assumed a leadership
role whether I was asked to or not. My
British ancestry hasn’t helped, either – my Victorian grandmother imparted to
my child’s mind a lot of the “Rule, Britannia” history that she grew up
with.
But
I believe that this is one of the most important insights from my experience I
can share with you today. But for some
of us – like me – it may have to be an intellectual exercise – one that we have
to go through in our minds before it can reach our hearts. But when you get to that point, you will then
be able to join in the Water Walks or Idle No More events to appreciate the way
in which First Peoples are offering us leadership across Canada – going out
among the people in the streets and shopping malls, and even at blockades and
in protest marches - to sing and dance and to offer the hand of friendship that
will allow us all to join the Circle – to restore health to Mother Earth and to
one another.
I
pray that you will not have to take as long as I have, to reach your place in
that Circle.
Thanks
for listening.
Jean
Koning.
