Welcome :)

For me, sprouting means to start something new, the beginnings of a new chapter. In a sense, I intend for this blog to be my breath of fresh air -- a chance to escape, to learn and to grow.

In my first year of University, I had a professor give me a lower grade on a paper for using the word ‘indigenize’ and ‘indigeneity’. I have used this language hundreds of times prior, and this was my first instance of realizing how intertwined the legacy of colonialism is within our academic spaces. I found myself starting a process of equating my importance based on academic success because of this small comment a professor left on a paper that I tried so hard to finish. It has taken a long time for me to understand how I insert and interact with colonial spaces such as post-secondary institutions. It has taken me a long time to understand that process’ of decolonization begins from ourselves. It will take me even longer to find this balance and peace with myself, but it’s a process and it needs to start somewhere.

Often we’re told that we have to wear different versions of ourselves depending on our environments. I’ve unpacked this a lot, and I like to refer to these versions as my ‘hats’. Each hat that I wear holds space in a different way, but it has taken me a long time to understand the importance of each hat I carry. I cannot separate the fact that I am a woman from the fact I am Indigenous. I cannot separate my skin tone from how I interact and insert myself in spaces. It has taken me a long time to understand the baggage that each hat holds, and I am still learning, growing and changing each day -- constantly finding new ways to incorporate each hat I hold.

Before I moved away for school I thought I had it all figured out, I felt secure in myself, I felt attached with my spirit then all of a sudden it was all lost. Immediately I forgot who I was, once I was bombarded with life, school, navigating new lands. For me, sprouted is how I intend on documenting this journey. Sprouted is not only my way of reconnecting, but also learning from myself, about myself. I am so excited to see where this new journey takes us.