b'INDIGENOUS MOTHERHOODto the Creator and their ancestors. TeedlyPASSING ON THE SPIRITfight for anyone. Having them both has fondly remembers when ceremony cameConnecting with the land, ceremony andreally impacted the way that I deal with into her life as a child. Because our livesancestors isnt the only family traditioncertain things, and my relationships with were interrupted, we couldnt really do ourthat Mariea has passed down; she alsoother people.ceremonies, she explains. But in the earlypassed on her resilience and spirit. At 80 80s, she started really doing ceremony,years of age, Mariea is as fiery as ever. SheAs a Two-Spirit, Indigenous opera singer, going to the lodges, praying, smudging andwent to a residential school for eight years,Ahkamayimo has been supported by her all of that. and her own grandmother was theremother, grandmother and grandfather. for 21 years. I got my grandmothersNow, she is paying it forward. Being an Mariea had been born into ceremony, andstrength, says Mariea. I dont let anyoneopera singer and also Indigenous, I try to joyously brought this to her family. As herboss me around. I only follow twoempower people who are my age, she says. daughter Teedly notes: When we werelaws: the natural law, and the GreatSure, I have these amazing role models, in Ontario, thats what all us kids wouldSpirits law. To be strong and brave andbut they have 40 years on me! I try to be as yearn for. Thats where that blood memorynot back down when someone is mean torelatable as I can.comes from. When my parents startedour family. Thanks to the Linklater familys strong incorporating ceremonies and smudges in our family, it seemed like it was better. LikeMarieas fortitude helped her at theintergenerational connection, Teedly and thats what was missing. residential school, where she was subjectAhkamayimo know exactly who they are as to frequent punishment. She never letIndigenous women, and knowing where you Ahkamayimo has been able to benefit fromcome from and who you are is the best way both her mother and grandmothers cere- that dampen her spirit. I used to beat upto fight intergenerational trauma. monial experience to enrich her own life.those nuns, that was my teaching, she Since I was in my moms womb, Ive beenexclaims. Some girls got sexually abusedWhen our Sixties Scoop people come to a going to ceremony, she says proudly.by the nuns, but I didnt because I wasPow Wow and hear that drum, they frickin a fighter.shake, they boom, and thats their spirit She has been part of many sweat lodges,coming alive, says Teedly. They know full moon ceremonies and her own namingFrom Ahkamayimos perspective, itswhere they come from, thats their blood ceremony. Its a very powerful and intimateclear how the fighting spirit has beenmemory. They want to know who they experience to have ceremonies, sayspassed down, and how it looks differentare. They want to know their name, their Ahkamayimo. Ceremonies have enrichedin each of the three women. Whenfamilies, their colours, they want to know my life, and [provided] a strong connectionshe knows that its worth the fight, myeverything. There is a flame in our people, with my mom, with my Nohkom, all of myNohkom wont ever back down, observesbut its hidden somewhere, you know? We ancestors, and a connection to the land.Ahkamayimo. And my mom, she willjust need to spark that. UBC MILLWRIGHTS SISTERS IN THE BROTHERHOODBECOMING A UBC MILLWRIGHT MEANS JOINING A NETWORK OF THOUSANDS OF HIGHLY SKILLED PROBLEM SOLVERSABOUT UBC MILLWRIGHTSPrecision is the standard work product of UBC millwrights. Our corps of elite technicians are constantly expanding their training and skills to to become experts in their disciplines and the most reliable partners in their industries. SISTERS MISSION STATEMENTThe goal of Sisters in the Brotherhood is to create a network of active members that provides avenues for women to eliminate barriers to their success and to promote an increase in the number and diversity of women in the UBC. WORKING WITH USWhether youre a manufacturer, a contractor or an interested millwright, youll have access to best values, training regimens, craftsmanship and safety standards, regardless of industry or location.CONNECT WITH USLearn more about UBC millwrights values, training, standards FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA79 Sunrise Avenue, Toronto, OntarioM4A 1A9 T: W: sistersinthebrotherhood.ca30Spring/Summer 2022'