This past June, for the 56th time, the annual British Columbia Leadership Prayer Breakfast and Dinner took place in Vancouver. This year’s invited speaker was the Canadian leader, Chief Phil Fontaine, with his wife, Professor Kathleen Mahoney. Chief Fontaine served an unprecedented nine years as National Chief of the Canadian Assembly of First Nations. During his long political … [Read more...] about Who wants to act divine?
Indigenous
Indigenous Voice: Intergenerational trauma
As Canadian society reals back and forth, in reaction to the unmarked graves at Canada’s residential schools, I feel it necessary to make some clarifications. Most residential school survivors and the generations that came before them, and after them, have experienced what is called Intergenerational Trauma. Some people may think that the residential school system was the main … [Read more...] about Indigenous Voice: Intergenerational trauma
Caught in between indigenous and non indigenous
I used to be a binge drinker, but I’m happy to say I quit drinking 20 years ago. Back when I used to party in high school, some of my friends used to say, “Don’t give Stelter any hard liquor because he’ll turn Indian.” At the time it didn’t bother me because I was too busy having fun and not caring. Later in life, when I connected with my biological family, for the first time. … [Read more...] about Caught in between indigenous and non indigenous
Starting the conversation, using our voices for good
Indigenous Voice: Focusing on the positive
My name is Parry Stelter. I’m originally from Alexander First Nation, which is part of Treaty Six territory. As an Indigenous person, who comes from the Sixties Scoop generation and who has many relatives who went to residential schools, I can easily find some very negative stories of what happened within the history of Canada. In fact, I’ve struggled with depression most of my … [Read more...] about Indigenous Voice: Focusing on the positive