My dear friend, RoseAnne Archibald, is the first female Canadian National Chief. To say I’m proud of her is an understatement. I’ve been truly inspired by her work and approach to respectful leadership with love as Ontario’s Regional Chief and now the Canadian one. .
From where I’m standing, I see her stories, humour and devotion to love-in-action as a true blessing in the realms of political leadership.
It was wonderful to catch up with her in September and then today walk with 2000+ people through downtown Duncan in a sea of orange acknowledgment.
At first, we walked by the Trinity Lutheran Church with a pastor out front holding signs that said, “Every Child Matters” and “I’m sorry”. 
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We entirely took over the streets as truth and reconciliation took precedence in the town’s core.
We walked past a Quw’ustun’ elder who raised her hands in gratitude to those who showed up. It was deeply moving.
Truth & reconciliation is a lifelong process that I’m committed to leaning into. .The Métis heritage of my ancestry remains mostly unknown to me. Thanks to my cousin’s son, Ethan, I’ve recently found out that one of our ancestral lines potentially comes from the Albany River and Cree First Nation, Fort Albany. I’m also very curious about our Swedish, Scottish and English heritage.
The march today in Quw’ustun Territory and this National Holiday are spokes in a big, slow turning wheel towards Truth & Reconciliation. It’s a long road ahead, one step at a time. May love light the way forward.