In 2021, along with my family (4 Generations: My Grandmother/Residential School Survivor Charlotte Manuel, and Intergenerational Survivor’s: My Mother Vicki Manuel, Myself, & My daughter Aveah Michel), I was given the opportunity to speak directly to Mr. Trudeau in response to 215+. Little did I know it would be publicly in front of the media and our Secwepemc Nation. My speech came from my heart as an Indigenous Mother who is trying to pave a new path forward in honor of our Ancestors and towards Reconciliation through revitalization of Culture & Language for not only my daughter, but out future generations to come.
The following is my speech to Mr. Trudea:
“Mr. Trudeau, there’s a lot I want to say, but you don’t know me. My voice may shake a little … I need you to listen, and I want you to hear my voice.
My name is Ashley. I am a proud Indigenous Mother and I come from a long line of strong, independent, successful, Secwépemc women.
I am hurting. My heart aches for the mothers who never got to see their babies again. My heart aches for the children who were scared and lonely and just wanted to go home but didn’t make it. My heart aches for the children who were robbed of their childhood, culture, language, and traditions — some of whom are sitting around you here today.
Because of what happened, because of residential schools and the forced assimilation, colonization, and genocide of our people on Turtle Island, I am mourning for our language, culture, and traditions that I am so desperately trying to reclaim and teach my daughter before it’s too late.
I want a good life and future for her and the… generations to come. A good future means a life where she is not grieving, where she is not triggered. Our kids do not need to feel this pain and it stops with my generation.
I want our children to have a future where their voice is heard. Where they don’t have to worry about being another statistic. Where our people are safe and MMIWG2S is no more, where our children have clean drinking water. Where they don’t have to defend their sacred traditional land. Where our children are not removed from their families and communities and placed in care. Where Indigenous mothers can have their babies peacefully, without worrying if their newborn child will be taken away. Where our children can successfully walk in two worlds and practice our culture, tradition, language and have healing.
After everything, our babies — the missing — deserve to be found, identified and brought home. Our children deserve a good future and our families deserve peace.
So how do we get there? We need more than words and broken promises, Mr. Trudeau. We need action, we need justice and we need accountability. Listen and learn from our elders and survivors while they’re still here. Ask for their knowledge and advice to move us on a path forward.
Use your power and privilege for good. And make this visit count.“
