Voices of Tiohtá:ke (Montreal)
Indigenous students in Tiohtá:ke (Montreal) come from a multitude of nations and build community in urban centers. As they pursue post secondary studies in the city, they (re)claim these spaces, affirm their Indigenous identity and honor the stories of connection to this land that lies beneath and beyond the concrete. Indigenous students living in the city talked about trying to find or hold on to their cultural ways of knowing and being in the midst of western academia’s expectations. Storytellers shared experiences creating kinship across nations, taking their space, and holding education institutions accountable.
Aidan Matthew Thorne
Sophie Tukalak
Talia Bellerose
Aidan Matthew Thorne
Christine Lussier
Craig Ryan Commanda
“As I heal, as I get stronger and I surround myself with role models that I didn’t have growing up, I’m choosing my family now, choosing my circle, instead of what I had then, I didn’t really have a voice, but now it’s different. There’s definitely a lot of healing going on and the next generation, I just see a more capable, strong, beautiful future for the kids coming up.”
– FPPSE Storyteller