National Indigenous Peoples Day

As both a Métis and Filipino woman, National Indigenous Peoples Day brings a lot of emotion and weight to me. This day allows us to reflect both as individuals and as a community, and challenge ourselves to do better to acknowledge the history of this place, while simultaneously celebrating the endless contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

Originally from Edmonton in Treaty 6 Territory, I relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to pursue a career in design at John Fluevog. Growing up, I was a highly creative child that loved to make things, so to nobody’s surprise, I now design shoes.

My grandmother and her grandmother before her have continued to pass down traditional practices upheld by our family, connecting our contemporary lives to the values and practices of my ancestors. My Métis ancestors originated from the Red River Settlement and were some of the first Northwest Company fur traders to work alongside the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Hunting, fishing and connecting with the land around me, are some of my fondest memories as a child. Every year, the yellowing leaves that fell from the trees were an indication of hunting season, a time I knew would be spent with my family as we would drive across the rolling plains of Alberta to my Grandparents farm near Wainwright. We were taught important lessons in those years about what our ancestors did long before us, how to respect the land around us, and the important connections and intersections of my identities.

The creative efforts of Indigenous peoples and their culture should be celebrated and recognized by all. From the traditional beaded earrings that my sister creates, to woodworking projects that my father builds, these reflections of creativity and working with our hands are part of our Métis identity. I have always loved working with my hands on art projects and of my sister and I, I was always celebrated as the ‘creative’ one in our family. It is my goal and hope that I use my position to make space for voices who are underrepresented in the design industry, in order to make impactful changes regarding diversity and inclusion.

Personally, being Métis to me means listening and learning from Indigenous communities first, and acknowledging and taking action in the spaces that we individually occupy. It means celebrating Indigenous individuals, their communities and histories and preserving this vast knowledge.

As we mourn the 215 children that never had the chance to express their creativity, uniqueness and the beauty of their own culture, I hope to continue to use my voice to speak louder for those who may not always be heard. I also encourage and welcome others to champion diversity in their own lives through supporting Indigenous artists, designers and creatives across Canada.

– Colleen MacCuish

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. I have been blessed with the opportunity to share what it means to be an Indigenous person.

My Native Grandmother named me. When I was born, it was planned I would be named Jenna, however when I joined Turtle Island, Grandma Rose knew who she was holding. Corrianna, Native for “smiling sunshine”.

I was brought up in a very small town in Southern Ontario. I grew up wild and free learning the land, the ways of my Native ancestors and having many wilderness adventures. My Elders would walk with me, showing me the plants and the natural medicines they provide. I was taught of the ancient trails my ancestors walked, how they marked their way by bending trees to point the direction to follow and how those Native paths are now many of our roadways used today.

Growing up on the shores of Lake Erie gave me a profound deep love of the water.
Sitting on the water’s edge, watching the ripples of water, listening to the sweet whispers of the waves connects me to the Earth and to the Great Spirit. Water always says exactly what you need to hear. Water for Natives is alive, sacred and must be protected.

I grew up canoeing and I am very lucky when it comes to fishing. Our people have been surviving off the land for 13,000 years and it is so fulfilling catching your own dinner. Paddling a canoe at sunset on smooth water is like living in a dreamworld. The Canoe, a great Canadian icon, has been very important to me as well. Canoes are more than transportation; they are commonly understood as living things with spirits and a wonderful way to see our beautiful country.

I come from a long line of great minds with great gusto and vision. Our Oneida Tribe is known within the Iroquois Confederacy as Onyota’a:ka, “People of the Standing Stone.” who originated in the Finger Lakes of New York State. My Great Grandfather Chief Schuyler organized and purchased a large piece of land in Ontario, Canada, now called Oneida of the Thames. Stop by for a visit sometime!

The Oneida people who live or are descendants of people at the “Oneida Settlement” always insist that their lands be called a “settlement” because Oneida people purchased the relocation lands in Ontario. This is a distinction from having the lands “set aside” or “reserved” for them. Many other lands inhabited by Indigenous people in North America are called “Indian reserves”.

Corrianna and Dad

I would like to thank all members of my huge Turtle Clan family. Native children are not only cherished and raised by their parents, but also by their aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins, who are raised as close as siblings. It is a beautiful connection and gives each child a bigger picture of the world with the shared knowledge of the entire village, beyond just the teachings of their parents.

I am proud to be Indigenous. Though I am conflicted and disheartened with how our country has treated us, I see that the conversation is opening up. It’s encouraging to me that people’s minds are now seeing the strength and beauty of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis and recognizing us as communities that can be celebrated as part of the norm.

Happy National Indigenous Day to all and especially those on Turtle Island! I’d like to leave you all with a quote from a very well-known Indigenous leader:

I see a time of seven generations when all the colours of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole earth will become One Circle again.
– Crazy Horse

Much love,
– Corrianna “Smiling Sunshine”