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of the “Social Service Worker: Indigenous Knowledge” program class of 2021, that is delivered in partnership with Loyalist College.
I’d like to start by sharing with you two (2) journal entries.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019. Today I walked through the doors of the Anishinabek Educational Institute as a student. This could be the start of the next chapter of my life, but I shake my head and think, “what am I doing!” It’s the first day and I’m crying in class, and felt panic to be so emotional in front of people I barely know. By the end of class, I felt I made the right choice and the excitement fills me.
Thursday, September 5, 2019. Today was another thought provoking and emotional day. I realized in this new journey I’m on, I’m also healing. I appreciate those in my class who are on their own journeys and my heart swells with the stories they share. I feel stronger than ever that I’m where I’m supposed to be and it comforts me. The connection with everyone feels easy and natural and I can’t wait to see where we are in our learning and healing at the end of the 2 years spent together.
Nenookaasi, ndishinikas. Deshkan Ziibiing, ndoonjibaa. Ma’iingan, Dodem. My English name is Katrina Fisher. It is my absolute honor to give the Valedictorian address for our graduating class of 2021 from the Anishinabek Educational Institute, Munsee-Delaware Campus. I’d like to give much respect and appreciation to my fellow classmates; John, Cheyenne and Flow. Together we learned, we shared, we grew, we laughed, we sang, we cried...a lot, we prayed and we healed. These past two years we learned so much about each other and from each other. Your trust, strength, support, love and kindness gave me the courage to face my fears and the strength to start my own healing. Your talents and gifts have always left me in awe of the remarkable and truly amazing individuals you are, and I’d like to say Chi miigwech for allowing me to be a part of your journey, and Chi miigwech for being a part of mine.
I would like to give acknowledgement to our incredible instructors/teachers who guided us, challenged us, grounded us, and supported us through these last two years. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and
teachings with us to gain knowledge on what it is to be helpers through indigenous knowledge. You helped us to see, know, be, learn and understand by connecting to us spirit, to self, to family, to community and to land. I say Chi Miigwech for helping us to look within ourselves to gain understanding of where healing must start first. This journey has meant so much more to each of us than just becoming a social service worker. The knowledge we gained of self and identity through our world view and way of knowing has helped us to heal and you have instilled in us the tools to keep healing as we continue on our path to where ever our journey takes us. Sharing your gifts of light, love, heart connection and kindness leaves me forever grateful. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say I see and understand the world and people differently than I did before. I see it for its possibilities and capabilities when supported with love and kindness. We have shared so many stories as we learned about each other, that it set the foundation of trust and mutual respect.
This past year has been a challenge for all of us with the COVID-19 pandemic. Having class virtually for our last year, our struggles seemed greater without being able to gather in the safe space we created in the classroom, but we prevailed and continued to be supportive to each other the best we could. 2021 brought us to time of grief and great mourning with the discovery of thousands of children buried on the grounds of former residential schools. We heard the children’s cries and came together with tears and broken hearts as we marched in unity for justice and for change. More than ever healers, shkaabewis and social service workers are needed as survivors are triggered and relive the tragedies through their own traumas suffered by the hands of residential school staff. The lessons and knowledge we learned through the social service worker - indigenous knowledge program has prepared us to sit with our people to see them, to hear them and learn from them.
It’s been two years. Today we graduate, we didn’t just gain a diploma, we’ve also gained classmates and teachers who have become friends who feel like family. Congratulations class of 2021.....we made it together! In ending I leave you with this.... Laughter is medicine.... Heal with it!
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