I had a difficult time creating something for this spoken words project that would relay my feelings adequately and mindfully. I hold a deep appreciation for the traditional land of the T’Sou-ke that I reside on as a settler. The T’Sou-ke nation is part of the larger nation known as the Coast Salish on the West Coast of the land known as Canada. I find peace and understanding when I am down by the ocean, and I wanted to share a piece of that for the survivors. I want them to know that their stories have been read; their stories are now known to the wind that sweeps the shores on the west coast.

I believe that there is too much talk sometimes and not enough listening I did not feel a narrative was necessary however I wanted to acknowledge the survivors because each name is linked to such a unique story. I choose to do a wish tree to highlight the individual names but in a very collective way at the same time. At the same time I include many words that were similar and repeated within those unique stories such as family, resilience, and Mother Nature, each story had words of hope, healing and being connected to traditional ways. While I was tying each string onto the names and words, Iwas able to reflect on what reconciliation looks like and what my responsibility as a potential ally is.

The music I choose is from the Sechelt region of BC in Coast Salish Territory. The music is called Grizzly Bear. The song was created by Andrew Puglas Jrand performed by the Xwamstut dance group of the Sechelt Nation

I listened to this song, and the power reminded me of the power of the individuals telling their stories. According to some websites on traditional animals, The Grizzly Bear represents Strength, courage, and are good omens.

https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/bear-symbol.htm

The items I have placed around the smudge are known for cleansing and healing. Traditional medicine such as cedar, sage and tobacco is burnt for a smudge on the west coast https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/smudging

I also included some things that are important to me spiritually which were the rose quartz, the sand dollar and the eagle feather.

Brooke Pettinger