Identity & post-secondary: a First Nations experience | Amy Smoke | TEDxKitchenerED

In this heartfelt and moving talk, Amy Smoke shares her experiences of growing up as a native off a reserve. After sharing the numerous hardships she faced, she notes she was only able to overcome them by connecting with her roots and through education. Amy shares with us how we can leverage and use traditional Native teachings to improve lives and the educational space for all and makes a call for "nothing about us without us". ​Amy Smoke is a Mohawk woman, Turtle clan, from the Six Nations of The Grand River. She is a mother, daughter, mature student, board of director, and active First Nations community member. She has overcome many of the intergenerational trauma that First Nations people feel when there are residential schools in their past.
She speaks of her own journey with substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and domestic violence. Returning to her culture has helped Amy connect to her family, their past, and their shared healing journey. She also sings with a local First Nations drum group, The Blue Sky Singers. She has continued her education by completing her GED, a college certificate, college diploma, two university degrees and was recently accepted into the Masters of Social Work - Aboriginal Field of Study program at Wilfrid Laurier University.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@jessicadumas]

Great talk! ❤

[@danielchizick1449]

It is so important for people of Canada to know the history, and to connect with each other through acts of kindness... everyone in the world has problems and feels alone with their problems an act of kindness it to help someone not feel alone even if for just a moment. loved this!

[@AlyshaBrilla]

Amazing talk by an incredible community member and educator in KW. So proud to call Amy my friend and happy that she is sharing her story and wisdom with the world.

[@caileegouthro375]

You are a beautiful inspiration Amy. Thank you for sharing your story. ❤💙💜

[@lauraroukaerts8822]

what a beautiful individual! thank you for sharing your story!

[@kathrynpittman9635]

Amy this is an amazing share, Jessica shared this with me and I am so happy she did

[@omdraws7325]

Very real and admirable sharing of your life story. Thank you

[@rezchicklet]

I wrote a whole comment on the wrong video. Ughh. We are healing and have to educate non-natives about us. Yes, meet us halfway! And when she said tell me about yourself like I did. I was just thinking the other day if they made a show about how white people live, i would watch it. but duh, it just clicked. thats how they DO live on the tv shows and movies. Thank you for your words, Amy.

[@bangishimo7095]

Amazing!

[@zainabamadahy9918]

Beautiful

[@Randall2023]

Winnipeg Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦

[@MYAMAZIN]

Awesome korero

[@marzenawalkowiak9638]

Where is the tapescript for this amazing talk?

[@thesmirkingbearstudio]

I (myself) have always felt a little dread ?(I suppose ) seeing Eastern Canada. cause you guys in 6 nations of eastern Canada have experienced colonization for like 500 -600 years compared to my peoples meeting the sama7(white man) like 214 years ago.

[@txexmxiii9561]

💛Heart🧡

[@rockymerasty8458]

AMY SMOKE, SMOKIN HOT!!!

[@Davlavi]

Identity is always difficult to navigate.

[@matthewmann8969]

First Nations main issues are with other First Nations as well as Inuits, Metis, Europeans, And The Government

[@SIMPLYAWAY]

[989] POST-SECONDARY-PP [989] 🙂MANGO EARTHM🙂

[@booishoois309]

But you still smoke the peace pipe I hope?

[@afkmarz8303]

so its like a dress shirt without sleeves