A way of id goes past first and final names. For Lana Whiskeyjack, co-owner and curator of Whiskeyjack Artwork Home positioned in Amiskwaciy (Edmonton, Alberta), her id is tied to her household’s historical past and her connection to the land.
Whiskeyjack remembers the story of how her unique final identify, kwêskácahk, was modified to a colonial model: Whiskeyjack. Because of the troublesome pronunciations, identify modifications have been widespread for a lot of Indigenous Peoples all through Canada, eternally altering their self-identity. Regardless of that, the English identify grew to become an vital a part of her and her household’s lives. A lot in order that, on the fiftieth marriage ceremony anniversary of her grandparents, Whiskeyjack remembers an vital dialog together with her grandmother.
“She simply actually needed me to vow to by no means get married however I mentioned I couldn’t promise that, however I promise to by no means change my final identify,” she says.
Conserving the identify maintains a household matriarchal connection, Whiskeyjack says. “My household endured a lot grief and loss, but in addition energy, abilities and tales which are linked to our identify.” Whiskeyjack honours that promise to this present day. “It is very important take care of our grandmothers. I’m grateful that we’re capable of proceed carrying the identify.”
Whiskeyjack is initially from Saddle Lake Cree Nation from Treaty Six territory, however she obtained a stupendous instructing throughout her upbringing: she is from this land, not a spot with a reputation. “Our Cree creation tales inform us particularly that we’re free,” she says. “Our spirit got here from the cosmos and the heavens, we’re made of 4 elements of the earth.” Whiskeyjack says she has a job and accountability to reconnect to the teachings of her tradition and the land. She goals to keep up the connection to each.
“Edmonton is a gathering place for a lot of of our nations and it’s vital that we come collectively and construct these relations (between teachings and the land).”
Whiskeyjack Artwork Home is a testomony to her ardour for reconnecting to her tradition and teachings. Whiskeyjack is captivated with Indigenous tourism as a result of it offers alternatives of connection and understanding.
“Bringing practices of kindness, sharing, being sincere and brave are ideas into creating good relations by way of Indigenous tourism,” she says. “Indigenous individuals carry so many lovely teachings, traditions and tales of this land that the remainder of Canada and guests to those lands can be taught, and construct a more healthy relationship with the land.”
