Tag: Life
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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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JOYFUL SOUL
MY SOUL’S PROFILE I’ve had several conversations with friends, and the common thread is people are searching for their purpose. – “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso I listened to a podcast, and the guest said you can’t find your purpose…
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Honoring My Grandparents Chris and Christina Adam
Grandparents Chris Christina married 60 years Grandparents — Chris and Christina Adam “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell In this chapter, I write about my grandparents, Chris and Christina Adam, from Fond du Lac, Saskatchewan. They were the roots of our family.…
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Mama
Mama: Matriarch of Strength (1919–2016) “What I think is that a good life is one hero journey after another. Over and over again, you are called to the realm of adventure, you are called to new horizons. Each time, there is the same problem: do I dare? And then if you do dare, the dangers…
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HUMAN SPIRIT
Human beings are inherently social. A sense of belonging is a basic psychological need. Whether through relationships, family, or work, our connections to others shape our identity and well-being. In Japanese culture, there is a concept called ikigai—meaning “reason for being.” It describes the intersection of purpose, passion, and fulfillment. I attended Holy Angels Indian…
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From Grief to Action: Fight Against Addiction
I dropped a tear in the ocean. The day it is found is the day I will stop missing you. – Unknown It shattered my world when you died. The world as I knew it changed forever in an instant. Tears cascaded down my face as I try to process that your beautiful spirit is…
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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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The Flipside of Death is Life ( I wrote 10 years ago) These are my grandparents, married 60 years.
One evening, under the radiant full moon that has observed countless generations, I sat in quiet reflection. I felt both small and connected to the vastness of life. As I often do I imagined the Algonquins who roomed the traditional territory we live on. In this sacred moment, I began to contemplate profound questions: What…
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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.…
From the Shores of the Ottawa River 