Giving honour to the late falling snow

There’s been something different about this unrelenting snow. Maybe it’s my age and I’m getting sentimental. But I just can’t get mad that it isn’t…

Gettin‘er done

Allow me to welcome you into my crisis for a moment. Today has been one of those days. I have eaten the topping off two…

Etymology of the word bwoot

Among the Haudeonsaunee of Six Nations is a long standing debate over the word “bwoot”. Bwoot, for those of you who don’t know, is the…

What I was taught

Someone asked on Facebook what the origin story is for the game of dingball. “This is what I was taught…” Dingball actually has a rather…

Why racist comments are a big deal

This week a Six Nations family was subjected to not one, but two instances of public humiliation when they overheard several racist remarks at a…

The struggle of parenting is real

Last week my 7 year old brought a note home from school. It went something along the lines of ‘Your daughter has missed far too…

When you’re too tired to be grown up

Creator has seen it fit to bless me with three daughters; a teenager, seven year old and an infant. Teaching them to be strong indigenous…

The happiest kids on Sour Springs Road

Every year down on Six at New Years you will hear folks greeting each other with a festive “Nu-yah! Nu-yah!”. For some it is just…

Sled Wars on Christmas vacation

The smell of pine always reminds me of my childhood adventures being back the bush. You know that place in the back of your nostrils…

Loving one another through the generations

  For some women pregnancy is a glorious and sacred time, shrouded in the mystery and awe of woman bringing forth human life. For other…

The soil of my ancestors

The property my parents live on has been in my family for a long time. My great aunt Emily’s father Wunyadeh grew cucumbers on that…

Membership issues in Kahnawake

Non-band members residing on Kahnawake Mohawk territory with their band members spouses is still broiling hot. Last week another family was targeted by a group…

Learning about diversity

This week I was driving about doing some shopping with my youngest daughter and we happened upon a parade running through the north end of…

The story of J.J. – her healing journey

Bring up the name J.J. to most Canadians and you’d likely see adults with furrowed brows and looks of deep solemnity falling across their faces.…

In defense of myself and the land

My name is Nowendawih and I am under the wing of the Onondaga Beaver Clan – a natural born Haudenosaune of the Grand River Territory…