First Nation invites strangers to live (visit) on Ontario reserve
First Nation invites strangers to live on Ontario reserve
More than 40 “ordinary Canadians” answered an invitation issued earlier this year to visit a remote First Nation 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont.
The guests, mostly non-aboriginal people from southern Ontario, flew into Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) on Monday and will return home Friday afternoon.
Young people from the First Nation put out the call for visitors in an attempt to break down misconceptions about what life is really like on a reserve.
“One of the most important things I’d like them to see is the KI spirit,” said organizer Faith McKay, 24.
“Being native, we face so many stereotypes, so much racism. Hopefully when [the visitors] leave they get to tell their friends, ‘They’re people, they laugh. Sure they have struggles, but they’re there, they’re people up there and all they want to do is build bridges and make friends.’ Maybe [in the] next generation, things will change.”
Community pride
Karyn Paishk took guests on a tour of the community, pointing out her two-bedroom trailer where as many as 10 people often sleep.
But Paishk didn’t want to dwell on the struggles. Instead, she wanted to share the pride she feels in her community.
“I just love my friends and families. I have a lot of respect for the elders and I love my lake — my big lake,” Paishk said with a laugh, as she bounced along with visitors in the back of a pickup truck.
http://westcoastnativenews.com/first-nation-invites-strangers-to-live-on-ontario-reserve/
