One woman's writings on race, culture, family, spirituality, history and identity.

Waaciye, Hello, Booshoo!

​

I am honoured that you are here. 

I am a 31 year old woman who is part Anishnawbek, part white. I live in Ontario, Canada with my husband, two boys, and cat. I thought I would take some time to unpack these two significant terms (Nish and White) that help define who I am.

​

Nish is the shortened version of "Anishnaabe". This is the Anishnaabemowin word that describes a specific group of tribes that include the Oji-Cree, which I am a descendant of on my mother's side. There is discussion about the proper terminiology and spelling, as is always the case when a language has been adjusted by the government. But after discussion with multiple Anishnaabeg sources, I have settled on "nish" the slang, shortened version of the word to describe my experience as an Indigenous person.

​

White is the term I chose to express my Swiss-German heritage on my dad's side. Broadly speaking, white is used to encapsulate the large population of European-settler cultures and it felt like the appropriate word to balance Anishaabe. Being Swiss-German is an important part of my identity and its important that I highlight its influence here.

​

Being a woman felt relevant to include. My voice as a woman on this earth is good.

​

In the same way that my voice matters, so does yours. All of our stories are sacred, here I've shared some of mine.

​

Many thanks to all who have helped me get this up and running and who have inspired and encouraged me along the way. Linda Martin, Lynnette Martin, Rick Martin, Samantha Bird-Martin, Esther & (late) Jake Beardy, Anna & (late) Emerson Martin, Andrew Bragg, Jasmin Strevel, and Stephanie Ironside.

​

Miigwetch, Thank you for being here.