STORIES / Okara’shòn:’a
I believe in genetic memory
I don’t think the language was ever really lost here in Kenhtè:ke. But there were changes to education on the reserve that did have an impact. Here, there were day schools, which most of our students in the community attended.
You have my freckles
I got a phone call two weeks later from Ms. Whitacomb, and she told me that she had found my file, and that she didn’t have the heart to put it at the bottom of the stack because she knew that she could facilitate and reunite this family.
Very adventurous
She would work as a cook at the hospital, and she was part of the catholic church. They used to have busloads of people coming to the church and feed them at Kateri Hall, so she would go there and be a volunteer cook too.
Always feeding people
Even to this day, there’s a man in town who always makes it known to us that he was so thankful. When he was a young boy, he didn’t have much to eat and would ask my grandfather for a little bit of work and he would tell him to go and eat first.
I stepped on the major
We danced and it was quite a crowded dance floor. There were all these people in uniforms and medals and whatnot all. Anyway, I remember, we made a turn out on this crowded dance floor, and I heard a cry of pain behind me.
The Ladies Eight
They always had a good group. People get together to help each other out. If somebody loses a family member, there’s somebody who can help out to make lunch. When the service is finished, they would all go to the church hall and food would be ready for them to eat.
Faith, love and support
I was at Maria’s Gas Bar with a friend when I received a call. They told me that my dad was helping my brother pass but was in distress and that my brother needed someone to talk to our dad in our language, to provide support during this difficult time.
A Child’s Mind
I believe I was given a ring for my communion. It was a nice ring, I liked it. One day, when I was wearing it, I showed it to my mom. I told her, “Mom, the ring is hurting me.”
Life in Coney Island
My older brother, Steve, was really my guardian; I was not allowed to go no place, no place, no place, unless he was with me.
The other incident
On our way home in the car, I was daydreaming, it wasn’t even me that was driving. I was just on autopilot.
The story of how we met
I didn’t want to go home early, especially not on a Sunday night. So, he gave me a ride home and then we kind of made it a habit. Whenever I’d see him, I’d say, “Can you give me a ride home?”
Resilience and recovery
Back in May of 2023, I underwent a significant operation on my legs due to a blockage in one of my veins.
Giving thanks
When I was growing up, my parents always made me go to kindergarten and church. My mother was a teacher, and she would take me with her.
Wanting to learn
To discuss in our language what we can do for the community would be wonderful. That's where I see our younger people who have learned the language stepping forward and taking over leadership.
Keeping warm
My grandfather was born during the civil war, 1862 I think. He was born before Wounded Knee. He did a lot of travelling around the country. In those days there was no welfare, they couldn’t get money to eat. So, they had to work.
Train collection
I’ve got sets and sets and sets of trains. I’ve got buildings, I’ve got cars, buses. I bought them in Montreal, Massachusetts, New York City. My wife didn’t understand how much I liked trains, but she didn’t stop me. It’s my hobby.
Passing Knowledge Along
The first time I got introduced to medicine, I was a kid. I used to go pick wildflowers for my mother. I remember picking violets. They were so pretty. I picked a whole bunch of them.
Memories in the Garden
Being outside in the garden all the time, strange things happen that wouldn't ordinarily happen if you’re just sitting in your kitchen.
Go on for miles
We had a few horses, a few cows, some chickens, and pigs. In the fall just before Christmas, they would butcher a pig and a chicken for a big supper.