This Mother’s Day women all over the world are holding their children closer than ever as the impact of COVID-19 narrows our worlds. With schools closed, no sports, no playgrounds our children’s worlds have become a shared experience. We must remember that women are holding our collective world together, from caring for children to working the frontline during this pandemic.
This microscopic bug is prompting us to find the beauty, kindness, generosity and empathy in each other and the world around us; heightening our awareness of our behaviours, views, values, and relationship to our mothers and to everything that gives us life. As devastating as this pandemic has been, it is giving Mother Earth the rest she needs, while testing our collective relationships.
Today is about the importance of our mothers; their role in our Indigenous culture as inherent leaders who have traditionally guided us through the unknown and times of crisis. As a mother and a leader, I am reaching into my experience and relationships with my mother and family, seeing things that were always there - the love, the bond, the connection is stronger than ever.
In the wise words of grade school teacher Anne Chondon: “I want and need to hear the stories of my Elder, I’m not done learning and listening to them, Elder learning takes time.” We must ensure that the Indigenous teachings from our Mothers, Sisters, Aunties, daughters and Elders are able to continue.
Mothers hold our world together; moving from a colonial path toward a collective future based on love, respect and kindness. This is a beautiful ideology to grasp and commitment to celebrate this Mother’s Day, for our children and for the next seven generations.
Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
For more information:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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