I call the second leg of our trip “Bringing Linda Home” because that was how I felt when I was 16 and she was coming home to Ottawa with me.  This time, bringing her home meant something very different.  I was bringing her to our people’s home, our reserve.  Growing up knowing you are First Nations from Alderville  has been very complex for two reasons.  First, you’re adopted and when you’re a teen most people do not understand what that means and for me, I often questioned where I really fit in.  Second, in the seventies, being an Indian had a connotation around it that not always highlighted the true meaning of being Indigenous to Canada.

About ten years ago, I had the opportunity of being invited back to Alderville by a cousin who wanted me to come and meet the rest of the family.  For over 40 years my birth mother had not wanted us to be known for many reasons yet to be known.  Any trip my children and I  made to the reserve was somewhat cloak and dagger.  We had certain business that had to be conducted in person at the reserve and I’m sure it was difficult for those who had to keep us a secret as well.

This past summer, we all went to our Pow Wow and the kids got to meet some of our family, including our Chief.  I saw this look in both my children’s eyes – that of curiosity, of seeing the reserve in a whole new light and that of belonging.  Listening to the dancers being drummed in is a feeling of being rooted to the piece of earth you are standing .  I asked my cousin, “Why do the drums bring so many emotions?”  Simply said, “This is the first sound you hear in your mothers womb, the sound of her heart.” 

Having the honour of bringing Linda there was a privilege, and one that I hope to have the opportunity to bring her children as well to experience their deep roots.

Our time in Ottawa started off with a trip to my son’s tattoo artist, Jimmi.  Linda had yet to be inked so this was exciting.  She had given Jimmi an image of a dream catcher she liked and I gave him our reserve’s logo to try and incorporate it somehow.  When we arrived at his shop, he planted this large image on her forearm.  Wide eyed, both Jimmi and I told her to own this piece of art.  She was sold!

To fully understand this experience is to know Jimmi.  He is an artist and has many layers to his soul.  He was so intrigued by our story and felt an honour to be part of our experience.  After about 2 hours, whiskey shots and a near throttle at Jimmi while completing the shading, Linda had her first tattoo!  I was so incredibly proud that we would be matching in a piece of art that was chosen by her and had the trees and teepees of our reserve.

The middle part of our time here was having lunches and dinners with many family and friends  but on Friday we headed to the reserve.  As we got off Highway 401 and started towards the reserve, I already felt at home  driving through the rolling, hilly roads.  Our visit was to the band office where Linda bought a few sweatshirts and t’s for her kids.  Then we set off to visit her name sake, Auntie Linda. 

Our time with Auntie Linda and her family will require a blog all it’s own as we learned so much while there.  I cannot put it into a few sentences so before that mic drops, I sign off for this week.