miskâsowin – Finding one’s sense of origin & belonging; Finding ‘one’s self’ or Finding ‘one’s center
Being asked to discuss this new Cree term after the first class has challenged me to drive straight into my exploration and understandings of self and treaty. After listening to Evelyn introduce and speak of herself and her family including traditions and heritage, I became completely entranced with the topics we will be discussing this semester. I have no connection to the understandings of treaty education or the history in which treaties have found their importance. I believe that exploring this new educational understanding will help myself grow as an individual and to challenge my own beliefs.
Much to my own disappointment, I have not taken enough time to explore my own heritage and family history. I know that I am French, German, and Scandinavian, but I do not feel as though I resonate with any of these identities. Not being able to confidently identify and exemplify these heritages does in a way make myself feel as though part of me is missing. However, I feel as though I will be able to find ‘one’s self’ or ‘one’s center’ by simply exploring my own ideologies. By learning about the traditions of treaties and their importance in our education system, I will be invited to find ways to make connections to my personal self beyond the understandings of my own cultural background.
I hope to create a new found sense of myself so that I may become the best version of myself. Using this course as guide, I hope to find myself grounded with a new sense of purpose and belonging, especially after the hardships I have faced in recent months. I hope to learn from the resilience of the indigenous peoples and to respect the land of treaty four by learning to respectfully infiltrate treaty education into our school systems.