These are trying times we are in especially as Indigenous educators. Not only are we teaching during a pandemic, we are also struggling with an education system that constantly has barriers for us.

Today I spent some time in the bush with my dad. We hunted bush chickens (grouse to some people). We had a heck of a day. Saw three chickens, shot three chickens. We also saw a couple of whitetail and a young eagle.

Spending time on the land is something I have always done with my dad. My connection to the land is huge and the older I get I find it even more rejuvenating. I can take my mind off reality and focus on the bush. Perhaps the most important factor for me is spending time with my dad. He’s wise and even though he’s 71 years old he is continually learning.

During my dad’s career he faced a lot of uphill battles. Often when on the road he would pull over and find a place in the bush so he could collect his thoughts. He told me he would sit or lay on the ground and just listen to the wind and everything else in the bush.

That stuck with me “listen to the wind”. There’s so much power there. As Indigenous Peoples we are connected to the land. It’s innate. Our people have been doing that for centuries. The hustle and bustle of today’s busy world doesn’t allow us to sit and listen to the wind. We must make that time in order to reset ourselves so we can face the daily grind.