Tag: history
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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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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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Indigenous Healing A book review
Indigenous Healing, by Rupert Ross – A Review by Angelina I saw that a package had arrived on the counter. I touched the package and observed it was soft and about the size of a paperback. I thought that it contained a book. I was curious but, since it was not addressed to me, I set it…
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Resilience Through Oral History: The Dene Experience
Oral traditions are the vibrant essence of our Denesuline culture. Long before written words existed, knowledge flowed from mouth to ear, from Elder to child, and from heart to heart. These narratives were not merely for amusement; they were vessels of law, memory, instruction, and prophecy. In our family, storytelling was a means of survival.…
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Isidore Deranger
Chapter 7: Baba’s Traditional Lifestyle and Its Influence on Our Family Baba’s traditional lifestyle profoundly influenced our family dynamics and values. As a trapper and hunter, he was deeply connected to the land, relying on its resources to supply for us. His way of life was rooted in the teachings of our ancestors. They understood…
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Discovering Your Ikigai: A Journey to Purpose
Finding purpose in life Human beings are inherently social; a sense of belonging is a fundamental psychological need. Whether through relationships, family, or professional environments, connection to others shapes our identity and well-being. In Japanese culture, the concept of ikigai—meaning “reason for being”—describes the intersection of purpose, passion, and fulfillment. I attended Holy Angels Indian…
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Stroke and Recovery in 2019
This blog is my personal observations. They come from my time as a patient at Elizabeth Bruyère Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, Clinic. I also received care from Ambulatory Stroke Services. I experienced excellent care after suffering a stroke. I later became an outpatient under the care of Dr. Hillel Finestone. I also give some…
From the Shores of the Ottawa River 