Category: Indigenous worldview
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First Nations? Why it is a Big Deal
Indigenous Identity — A Necessary Reckoning the picture above is my dad and older brother Freddy Thomas King’s admission that he falsely claimed Cherokee identity forces a hard truth back into the light. And I will say it plainly: Indigenous identity is not an aesthetic. It is not a performance. It is not something you…
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The Last Denesuline Traditional Marriage
My extraordinary mama “In every marriage, there is not only the joining of two people, but of two worlds — one visible, one spiritual.”— Joseph Campbell IMy mother, Therese Deranger (née Adams). She was the matriarch of our family. I also write about my father, Isidore Deranger. Their union was one of the last traditional…
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Let’s Do Better
National Truth and Reconciliation Day September 30, 2025 I am a survivor of Holy Angels in Fort Chipewyan. back row 2nd wearing a scarf. I carry both hope and pain in my spirit on this day. I spent 7 years there. Many wear orange shirts in solidarity. I acknowledge the effort behind this gesture. Yet,…
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DENE WAYS
Oral Tradition — The Living Heartbeat of Our Denesuline Culture “Myths are public dreams, and dreams are private myths.” – Joseph Campbell In this chapter, I write about oral tradition as the heartbeat of our Denesuline culture. Oral traditions are the living foundation of who we are. Long before our people read or write, we…
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A Journey to Australia: 2008 Beauty, and the Shared Grief of Stolen Children
picture of my niece, elder Summer, Daniel, Nanton, Australia has always held a special place in my heart. Though it’s a 27-hour trip from Ottawa, I’ve been fortunate to walk on that beautiful land four times. Each visit has left a lasting impression. Yet, this particular journey was different. It was deeply personal, profoundly emotional,…
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Embracing Nature: A Dene Perspective
my dad, Isidore Deranger with my older brother Freddy. Indigenous teachings hold significant value in today’s world, offering profound insights into sustainability, community, and respect for nature. These teachings emphasize a deep connection to the land. They foster a holistic understanding of life that can guide us in addressing contemporary challenges. By prioritizing these traditions,…
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Rambling-Rose: An Inspiring Activist and Survivor’s Journey
Rose is providing me with invaluable life lessons by example. We don’t get to see each other often but when we do get together, her stories and laughter sustain me for months, the sub text is we love and support one another. No matter our differences we will always encourage and support each other in a loving…
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THE FAMILY I CHOOSE
The saying goes that we don’t pick our family, but we do pick our friends. I question that! Sisters Cahiron Said another way, I believe that our soul, our true essence, picks the family we are meant to be born into and we decide how living within our family can help us to show up…
From the Shores of the Ottawa River 