b'JOURNEYSSPEAKING OUR TRUTHThe powerful voice of Nahanni FontaineBy Anna-Liza BadalooRenowned MMIWG2Sown safety, while the Conservativethem the reaction theyre looking advocate and Manitoba MLAcampaign manager screamedfor. I always choose to confront it. Nahanni Fontaine sharesand swore at me. That was my her journey to becoming theintroduction to political life. And itsHow do you practise first Indigenous woman everbecause Im an Indigenous woman.self-care?For generations, colonial violence elected to the Manitoba legis- has been borne by and executed onIn childhood, I was sexually abused lature in an urban riding. the bodies of Indigenous womenby my father. No one believes it or and girls.talks about it, and you just grin and You were the first urbanbear it. But I realised that for me to Indigenous woman everOnce elected, I got many troublingheal, I had to acknowledge that the elected to the Manitobaemails and phone calls. But I willshame and trauma dont belong to legislature. Youve facednever allow a man to tell me whatme. My mental health depended challenges throughout yourto say. Just eight weeks after beingon me expelling that from myself. political career that manyelected, I spoke in the House about of your other colleagueswhat I was already experiencing. INow, my mental health depends have not had to confront.had as much right as anyone else,on my being focused, honest and What keeps you inspired andif not more, to be in that space. Icandid about my experiences. fighting for change?wont allow anyone to intimidateIts the same strategy as politics. or bully me in that space. I putTheres power and healing in that Leading up to being elected, I waseveryone on notice: Im not goingbecause youre not keeping it in. shocked at the level of vitriol, hateto take what they dish out. ThatsIm often asked if its hard to speak and misogyny in the all-candidatesthe antithesis of what BIPOCabout my past. Not in the slightest! debates. At the second debate,women do. Youre told to ignoreIf you dont, you only end up I had to be escorted out for myit, get a thick skin, and to not givehurting yourself.22indspiration2022'