A note to Changemakers on National Truth and Reconciliation Day

ᑖᓂᓯ ᓂᐚᐦᑰᒫᑲᓇᐠ ᐁᑿ ᓂᑑᑌᒼᑎᐠ᙮

tânisi niwâhkômâkanak êkwa nitôtêmtik,

Hello my relatives and friends,

I am Eden Fineday, a Cree woman from the Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan, and Publisher of IndigiNews. I was born on Sweetgrass and raised on the territories of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) Nations. I now live near those same lands, next to the Tsawwassen First Nation.

As we approach the fifth National Truth and Reconciliation Day, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on what we’ve learned as a nation over the last five years, and to share a message of hope and healing.

We’re living through tumultuous times, and there is much to be upset, afraid and angry about. But there is also a lot to be grateful for and hopeful about.

“Think good thoughts,” Elders have said to me.

As a younger woman, I thought this sounded trite. I didn’t know then that true wisdom is very simple. I also didn’t know negativity was addictive and destructive.

After decades of not thinking good thoughts, I was not well. I developed chronic pain all over my body. I became inundated by stress and grief.

There were good reasons for my mental and emotional pain. But when my children came along, I knew I had to find a new way to raise them with love and wisdom.

That path led me to study with Elders, including my father. It also led me to my work with IndigiNews, where we elevate the voices of Knowledge Keepers and do journalism with care and love for the community.

This work has ignited my hope, because I see incredible work done daily.

Matriarchs standing up for their communities, and for the Earth we call home. Youth expressing themselves, making their mark in the world. Language and culture being revived. Buffalo being rematriated. First Nations people all across the world, standing up for their rights, and for the first time, a growing understanding of who we are by non-Indigenous people.

I spent time with my father this summer, a Knowledge Keeper who shared teachings with me, my community and the general public. He has dedicated the last decade of his life to sharing the stories and teachings that the Spirits tell him the world needs now.

“We need to let go of negativity,” he told me recently. It is a lesson I let wash over me every day in my prayers of gratitude. For in spite of the discord in the world, there is also something beautiful arising. It is us, humans coming together for the greater good of all.

Coming from someone who survived Gordon’s residential “school,” preaching positivity is not trite ––it’s a radical teaching.

Restoring ourselves. Healing. Sitting with hurtful the truths. Thinking good thoughts.

I invite you to subscribe to IndigiNews’ newsletter, to open yourself to learning more about the Indigenous Peoples, whose land is under your feet. For thousands of generations, we kept these lands pristine for our descendants. We have knowledge in our communities that we’d like to share with you, if you would take the time to listen.

On this National Truth and Reconciliation Day, I thank you for reading my words, and give thanks for the opportunity to share some teachings with you.

hiy hiy (Thank you)!

Aunty Eden

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