Author : Wapat

Beautiful humans.
I was asked to do a write-up of my reflections, or learnings, or something to capture my experience of the trip, to share with people on this side of the frontline against colonization. I felt it fitting to do it as somewhat a letter to you all.

"I went alone, and came back together."

Comrades, it can be challenging to put words to feelings, especially in a language that has been formed from hundreds, maybe even thousands of years of colonization efforts, so bear with me.

They say there are some vacations that one comes back from feeling refreshed, ready and eager once again, while some come back with a slight bit of reluctance, knowing that life could be just a little better. For me, this is a mixture of both.

I am a bit reluctant to get back to capitalism to survive because I know life could be better for all of us.

I am refreshed, uplifted, eager, and hopeful in knowing that we are not alone in this fight against colonization. The solidarity, the community, the camaraderie — is something I've known about, felt, and shared all throughout my experience. It has been heavily reinforced through these few weeks we got to spend together.

I came as I was: scared of socializing, feeling alone, and with nothing but what I had in my ruck due to airline complications misplacing my luggage. I survived half of the trip off of the generosity of the people — fed, clothed, treated as one of your own, giving me a state of safety and comfort. As we spent more time together, I learned I was never alone. The shared laughter, togetherness in a common goal, the like-mindedness in wanting the best for one another — all helped show me socializing does not need to be so challenging if I let it. For a long time, I have carried a "fight, fight, fight" mentality toward this world, and there are times I've needed that mindset to survive. The teachings of balance, to remind me to also love along the way, have been brought forth more presently thanks to you all. I went alone, and came back together.

We are all cut from the same cloth. Seeing so many familiar plants around the area only upheld this belief. In my culture, we hold names from the beginning of time. We believe in spirits that connect us to our ancestors — earth, animals, song/dance, soul. I shared that a study of the bears in my area revealed that the bears stayed within the local language barriers, reinforcing this teaching that we grew and evolved alongside the animals, the plants, the land — that there is a deep connection to one another. We share similar plants; we sing the same songs of land, community, and love. Our stories, the tactics of trying to assimilate both peoples — most importantly, the strength, resilience, and endurance of getting us to this point in time — are the same.

Anytime I shared the beliefs of my people, a common response was, "You are lucky to have so many teachings to ground you; we don't have as much of that here." Which was hard to take in, because being lucky wasn't something I'd taken into consideration. Personally, I would hesitate using that phrasing, as there is still healing work to be pursued — that the word "lucky" might translate to "be grateful" for what has been done. We do know that is not the truth. I understand where we are lucky, and where we are not. Healing is tricky, and it will differ for every individual being.

It seems to come back to Nuxalkmc teachings about the four catastrophes of the first great era of being — each one decimating the population to almost nothing, each one interpreted as a teaching to pass down to future generations, each one the people having to come back stronger and more mindful. I expressed that in terms of someone who may not have similar teachings to find their way — this isn't the first time to come back from decimation, to reclaim a spirituality almost lost. These catastrophes of the second great era of being, in which we are living through, are not just towards my people. They are not just physical decimation, but also one of spiritual decimation to the entire earth — all of humanity. This is the earth story, the human story. What we have is not a blueprint, but a seed to grow from.

Formalities and protocols were created during an ideal time, and we do not live in an ideal time. Some we can embrace, some we can adjust to fit the needs of individuals and all, and some we will have to create anew entirely. Not one of us can carry the answer to humanity — the teachings, language, or skills that can fit us all. We gather, as we did and will again. Each of us lives a bit of those to share — that will help aid our spiritual reclamation and grounding. We will find our way again. We do this together, united, hand in hand, singing the same songs, sharing meals, laughing as one, crying as one, loving as one, living as one.

The Nuxalk word for loving someone is lhkwmtsinu, which has been interpreted to me to mean "you are a big reason I am." A less possessive and more reciprocal phrase than its English counterpart.

Lhkwmtuulhap, comrades — you all are a big reason I am.

This is only the beginning. Smaw to slq'ilh — one heart, one mind. Axw kukwmanu — it is never goodbye. It is an honour to walk this journey together. I will see you all again soon.

Saor Alba — Free Scotland
Land back = spirit back
Free Palestine
No compromise
Our greatest weapon is empathy

From Canada with Solidarity Reflections on Healing, and Reclamation