Kaneisha Echum: Between Aboriginal Miss competition and youth fight

Resilience is a word neither vain nor overcame for Kaneisha Echum. Therefore, One of the 19 candidates in the running to be crowned Miss Aboriginal Canada this weekend wants to be a model for young people. Consequently, forged by an already well -filled life experience for its 23 years.

Visiting the other competitors at the Woodland cultural center in Brantford in Ontario. For example, Kaneisha Echum did what she often does: take a break, reflect on her career, which led her to this competition and especially in front of this building.

His emotions were increased tenfold because the center is on the site of the former Mohawk Institute. Therefore, one of the residential residents for Aboriginal people having been active in the country, from 1828 to 1970.

It reminded me of the strength of our ancestors. In addition, the responsibility that we have as a new generation.

A weight that she has in particular as a researcher for Nee Kee wa Nan. Similarly, an initiative carried by survivors and families who seek to take out the whole truth surrounding another terrible boarding school for Aboriginal people, the Holy Anne, in northern Ontario, where many members of her community have been sent. In addition, Kaneisha attacks the intergenerational transmission of trauma.

I want to watch. In addition, feel the trauma and say that it stops there so that those who come after me no longer have to do itexplains the young woman who traces her origins to communities of Moose Cree and Fort Albanyon the west side of James Bay.

She chose to help others take control and to achieve it, she seeks to teach each trauma, each experience. Consequently, She does not hesitate to make her voice heard. For example, because she believes that far too often, the indigenous leaders forget the youth. Similarly,

Everyone has the right to be heard! she claims. However, for a 23 -year -old, her life path is already busy, and she knows.

Kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss

Be in child protection while taking care of a child

If the boarding school moves it. For example, another subject comes more to seek it, because it is anchored in it: child protection.

I am always a young person in the youth protection system. Nevertheless, I take care of my sister via this same systemshe sums up laughing.

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At 23, Kaneisha benefits from the Payukotayo family service support program: James and Hudson Bay Family Services. Furthermore, And for almost 3 years, she has been custody of her 15 -year -old sister Kayci. Nevertheless, Without forgetting her own daughter, little Aleigha, 4 years old.

It was in Timmins. kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss Moreover, 800 kilometers from the Aboriginal Miss competition, that this single mother lives in a small multigenic house with Aleigha’s grandmother. Moreover, The lady also raises her children alone.

There are so many paths that I tookblows Kaneisha while ironing his regalia.

The young woman strives to transmit this cultural connection to her daughtersas she tenderly calls her sister and daughter.

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With emotion. Therefore, she looks at her little to twirl in her mauve regalia with her moccasins with each power-wow. For example, She then thinks back to her mother who. Therefore, when she was 6 years old, had bought a simple skirt, had added bells and had shown her how to dance.

You have to give this link to your children from a very young age so that if they go away from their way. whether they want to experience drugs or alcohol or have problems, they will always be able to return to these roots.

A difficult call to make

Kaneisha grew up following her mother. this woman strong and powerful, poor, but generous, which made everyone laugh And who has moved kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss so much that Kaneisha has trouble remembering exactly the number of times. There was also his father, so affectionate, sweet, emotional which showed him a unconditional loveson best friend.

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My childhood was greatsummarizes Kaneisha. Until the day when the glasses began to follow one another, far kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss too much, in the hands of his parents. And everything has skidded.

When she was a teenager. her mother, Jessica, began to drink and was abusive Physically and verbally with Kaneisha, according to the latter. Social services came to her house, and Jessica asked her to lie so as not to lose them.

But a few weeks later. after seeing his mother consume for 10 consecutive days, Kaneisha, 15, took the phone and called the social worker.

If she could, if not, accommodate the situation, she made this decision for her sister Kayci. I didn’t want my sister to grow up like me. I said, “That’s enough now.”

By posing this gesture. Kaneisha wanted to have a safer and healthier house for her sister and her, but also that her mother can focus on herself to get better without worrying about her kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss daughters.

The smiling brunette understood that day that her way would be to defend others.

It was the first time that I defended the interests of a. young child. The first child I defended was not me, but my sister.

In one year, she had two host families. At 16, on the return from a visit to Moose Creeshe found her stuffed belongings. The Allochthonic foster family no longer wanted her. She had to go to a refuge.

I was still on alert, in control or flight mode. Because growing up. with battles against alcoholism or family violence, I knew that I had to stay on my guard and know where to goshe says in a quick speed.

She finally kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss found herself in a hidden roaming situation. She went from Divan en Divan. sleeping from one house to another, she explains while taking a look at her friend who sews near her and who, a few years ago, had hosted her.

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Despite the situation, she kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss continued the school which allowed her to have funding … and to think about her life.

Then her English teacher, an allochtone who worked in the community where she was, was decisive. Having learned her situation, she welcomed her at home for five months. It shocked me, she had the heart to welcome someone she did not know. She taught me to assert myself, anchor myself, feel the trauma. I was allowed to be vulnerable and I became sober.

Even more. his teacher pushed him to reconnect with his culture: the Pow-Wow with friends, the drum, the song, the sewing at the school of the community … Kaneisha felt surrounded, connected while his state of mind was weak.

In these moments, I want all young people to feel this link. It is good to be sober. appreciate the gifts that the creator offers kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss you by singing, dancing and making ceremonies. It’s as if I knew that if I wanted to broadcast this trip. I had to do moreshe launches while picking up pieces of fabric.

She then searched for the old ceremonies that were practiced in the west of James Bay and continues to learn.

Kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss

Trace his own path

His father. sober for a year, also offered to come and live with him and his family to Moose Factory. Kaneisha did not hesitate for a moment, it was his first opportunity to live with him.

But two months after his arrival. when she was waiting for him with his half-brothers and sisters, he never got off the train coming back from the mine. This injury still makes me very. very badlysays Kaneisha, while blowing that his father kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss had a very difficult childhood and life and that he has plunged back into his demons.

She knows it today sick, and despite some occasional contacts, she strives to keep a distance.

Sometimes it’s difficult because I miss it so much. but I have to move forward on my own path. We worked so hard for so many years to get there.

Besides. her little house in Timmins is her refuge where she does not let anyone come or sleep. A haven of peace where the sewing machine purrs. where the bells are placed on the coffee table while waiting to meet on a regalia, where young girls play laughing from one room to another.

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Among them, Kayci, his sister. After being placed in different households. she is now under the custody of Kaneisha who also works for the Youth Council of the Association of Services for Childhood and Aboriginal Family in Ontario.

With my experience, I was able to understand that Aboriginal children and families have complex and different needs. They have different kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss trauma and as I work on the boarding schools, I know where they come from. It is very important to stay close to my rootsshe says.

One day. why not, she dreams of defending all the children of Canada who find themselves in the youth protection system, but for the moment, it helps its people.

She even does more than that, because with her daughters And friends, they give back. To the indigenous community during Pow-Wow with donations. gifts or in the streets of Timmins by bringing meals, hot drinks and clothes to the homeless.

This Aboriginal Miss competition is only another way to inspire others. to surpass yourself and to show the importance of staying connected to culture.

What is important is that it is not for me.. A kaneisha echum: between aboriginal miss victory for one of us is a victory for all of us.

And that, she feels like doing it for the little girl who always dies in her.