The Champ Is Here

I wasn't always known as Dubya. Once upon a time I was known as "The Champ." Even though I was a mediocre soccer player, my Dad was always a fixture on the sidelines cheering as me and my teammates buzzed around the ball like a swarm of bees. Over the years I have also been known as Cliffy, Jiggs, Jiggsbert, Junior, J.R. and Reddog, but there is a new Champ in town. I became an uncle for the first time, last Thursday, August 25th just before 10 pm when my sister gave birth to Kashus Cedar. Two days after he was born I overheard my Dad say he was going to see the Champ. I smiled as I had realized that I was no longer the Champ and that it was indeed time to pass the torch. I have happily relinquished one title in favour of another: Nuhyiiksuu (Uncle).

I have been thinking about the importance and role of family in the resurgence of our Indigenous communities for some time but I think I needed the recent addition of Kashus to our family to provide more clarity. All of a sudden I have another very compelling reason to take care of myself; physically, mentally, culturally and spiritually. Kashus will grow up in the world we leave behind, and more specifically with the opportunities and challenges we leave for him as a family and community. I am not a parent yet myself but being a new uncle brings me another step closer to appreciating the extent of my responsibilities as an Indigenous man.

I held Kashus in my arms when he was about 11 hours old. He's so tiny and having never held such a young baby before I handled him with a mixture of fear, gentleness and wonder. The day after he was born I went to the hospital to visit along with my paternal grandmother. When my sister, brother-in-law and baby returned home on Monday, great-grandpa Allan came to visit. Seeing both great-grandparents hold my new nephew was truly a moving experience. I began to appreciate the importance of a strong connection between the generations and I realized that the revolution we seek will take much longer than anticipated. I was not discouraged by this realization, instead I was encouraged by the fact that we will go on, each of us playing our small part in the revitalization of our selves, families, houses and nations.

I still have a lot more thinking to do and family to raise but I know that in fulfilling my responsibility as a leader in my community, my work starts at home, building a healthy home and remaining connected to the generations past, present and future.

Viva la revolucion! Viva Kashus!