Every 7th generation

We are all 7th generation. We are all the beginnings of another 7 generations or at least part of one.  We are also every generation.

In the First Nations teachings that I received, we are all responsible for the actions, consequences and lives that we live. Everything we do or do not do will affect the future 7 generations to come. We are responsible for creating a safe, healthy and happy place for the future.

Finding the unmarked graves at residential schools, removing the statues of “historic men,” racial injustices, Indigenous peoples die-ing in hospitals — if they even make it into a hospital without being kicked out or turned away. Families hiding the women giving birth so that the various agencies do not snatch the innocent young life away from its rightful heritage and culture. The “law” harder for First Nations peoples who get punished more severely and for longer than the average Canadian. Being lied to or denied and turned away from services that others accept as being there for them. Being refused entry or service from all kinds of stores, businesses, and agencies.

How about the Canadian government using taxpayers' money to fight in court against First Nations groups who have had to go to court after decades of struggle, just asking the government to give First Nations peoples what was already agreed to give them.

Everyone who did not — or does not — know about any, or some, or all of the atrocities that have happened and the ones that are still happening, are shocked, feeling helpless and do not know what to do with these truths that are finally being told. All peoples, First Nations, conquerors, immigrants, families and descendants were not told the truth.

We are all 7th generation. We are all living in the world that was shaped by the previous generations. We are all left to clean up the mess at the same time that we are creating and shaping the world for the next 7 generations.

What do we do after we absorb the shock of the truths we uncovered? We GRIEVE. Then we take action. We do what we can to heal then change so that history does not stay the same, so it is not allowed to continue.

We do more than an instant “ feel good” action. First, it is important to listen. Really listen, without guilt, without prejudice and without lashing back because we can’t comprehend what really happened. People who deny or refuse to accept the truth do so because they can not believe that they could endure or even survive what happened. Well…we are living proof that this has and is still happening in some form.

After we really listen,...take pause, and absorb. After the raw emotions, do something that really makes a difference. Do something to heal. Some action that will heal because it makes a difference. Not a one-time quick action that makes you feel good, then life continues and nothing ever changes. Healing change is hard. Life is hard. Life is not always easy. Life is not just for you (me, me, me). Life is everything.

Thank you to the people in my life who have apologized to me for the atrocities that have become public knowledge. All people who went to some sort of school, First Nations, Canadians, immigrants, and the teachers were all denied the truth. No one person can be blamed for not knowing when knowledge was/is denied from society. Everyone is accountable to create change once the knowledge is public.

How do we all correct the wrongs of our previous 7 generations? Do what you can and NEVER give up. Talk, ask questions, really listen, change daily things if you can, hold people accountable for their words and actions (even if you are too afraid to do so), boycott, teach, show by doing what you think/know needs to be done, and then do more.

To me, courage means to be nervous, anxious, afraid, angry, not sure what to do, and then stand up, and take action, to stop something, or to start
something.

We all matter. We all have a voice. We all can create change through doing something, even when we are not clear on what to say or do.

Kindness matters. For lack of anything that you think you are capable of doing, be kind to yourself, be kind to your family, be kind to your friends, and hardest of all be kind to a stranger. Kind in a way that helps them. Being kind to someone else just to make yourself feel better is NOT kindness. That is being selfish because you want to make yourself feel better.

Change is hard. The truth sometimes hurts. Heal through something you love. Plant something to memorialize lost lives. Pay gentleness, kindness
and love forward.

Listen, please.

Be thank FULL.

Butterfly B. Fields

Butterfly's two grandfathers were Indigenous but Butterfly's mother and father were raised outside of the culture. Thanks to Elders and knowledge keepers, in both Ottawa and North Bay, Butterfly has been able to reconnect with parts of their heritage and culture.