These Shuswap
young people living on Canim Lake Reserve, in the Cariboo region of
British Columbia, Canada, are very proud of their culture. They
learn their language and traditions from their Elders for whom they
have great respect. The most important factors in their lives are
first and foremost their family, then their friends. Their fears are
centered around accidents that can happen to their people. Alcohol,
drugs, suicide, early death of their friends and of members of their
families are some of the harsh realities they have to deal with.
Yet, they smile easily, love to tease, and have a wonderful sense of
humor. Because they are very close to nature, when asked what they’d
like to be if they could choose, many express the desire to be a
dog, (there are many on the reserve) a wolf, or water... Where else
would you get answers like that!
Pierrette Boissé, CND
My
feelings...
What makes me happy is music because there are a
lot of things you can relate to with music. What makes me sad is all
the hurt that the world has to go through. I am scared of not
knowing what’s going to happen in the future, like in 15-20 years.
The thing that makes me angry is people who start wars, in the past
and now. I am worried about all the animals, the pets that got hurt
or lost in the past hurricanes, even though an organization found
them homes. I’m hoping that they will be all right. Sometimes I
feel lonely, like when I’m walking home from school or something
like that, but I remember all the people who suffered in wars, and
lost most or all of their family.
A really important issue for me right now is gun
control. I don’t see the reason why people use guns. Another
important issue for me is environment, because I want the earth to
stay the same for everyone to enjoy, and I want everyone to help
save it.
If I could be something for the whole world, I
would be water so I could help everyone.
Colleen Amut
Friends
and family
My friends make me smile: they see all the things
I cannot see, like a vision of sadness or hurt. They are always
laughing at all sorts of funny things, listening to the beat of
music or someone’s voice. My family, my friends, many community
members have helped me through many tough times, like the loss of a
family member, my second oldest brother. I grew up with him and his
friends. They are all so close to me after he has gone to another
happy place
Samantha Daniels
(Both Colleen and Samantha are members of Eliza
Archie Memorial School, on the Reserve at Canim Lake, BC.)
Hi, I am 11 years old and in grade 6. If I got to
be anything I wanted to be, I would be a wolf because wolves seem to
thank God for all the wonderful things God has done.
Frances Mary Frank
