I Walk in Two Worlds

By: Christine Miskonoodinkwe-Smith

I walk

in two worlds

Despite being a racialized woman

A member of a First Nations in Canada

I walk

In two worlds

Fighting to live

In the westernized world

When I also have Anishnawbe worldviews

I take westernized medication

And listen and adhere to western knowledge and Anishnawbe knowledge

When all I want

Is to understand the richness of my people,

Our language and traditions

Without being judged

Because I grew up

And was adopted out

Removed from my people

Removed from my culture

Traditions and language

And removed

From my home community

I walk

in two worlds

Despite being a racialized woman

A member of a First Nations

I live in two worlds

Where divide and conquer

Seems to be the norm

And lateral violence

Is a part of every day life

Every which way you turn

How do I reconcile

Walking in two worlds

When it’s through no fault

Of my own

That the government

Believes

Assimilation is the key

October 8, 2019