Who’s your mom?

Growing up on the reserve. It’s a small country vibe, smaller than a town vibe. So everybody knows everyone cuz somehow we’re connected through blood or marriage. We watch each other’s kids grow up. Some of us are involved and some of us aren’t. A lot of uncles and aunties and grandmas and grandpas. Anyways… The one question they asked to figure out who you are if they don’t know who you are is …. who’s your mom?? (The first question lol )

Me I say her name. No response. So I give a nickname. On the Rez everyone has a nickname. Sometimes more than one too.

There answer to the question who is your mom?

Oh I know her. Then they tell you how you’re related or connection to my mom.

Or

Eee .. nope. I don’t know her. What about your dad?

Tell them my dad.

If they still can’t figure your parents out. Next question is grandma and grandpa.

I never thought about this a lot really but growing up it was always a joke. Hey who’s your mom like? It was an old age thing like I’m growing up so I don’t know whose kid this is kind of thing.

But now that I reflect on it, it makes me really wonder what was the meaning 🤔

I’m connected to the Stoney Nakoda Nation because of my mom. She’s a Stoney. It taught me how I became a Stoney. Through my mom. A matriarchal way. She raised her kids there with the help of aunties. Very matriarchal.

I’m up late working on an art project. It is a process because I’m reflecting and creating art. A lot of what I reflect is how I connect to the land. I love my mom. I hope I make her proud one day. I promised her I would.  I keep my promises. 🙏