Muriel Manywounds is a Citizen of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and one of our senior elders,she is currently in her 90s, but I won’t tell you her exact age. Muriel Grew up on Saddle Lake reservation in Northern Alberta, which is where she also survived attending residential School. As a young woman she pursued a career in teaching first attending the University of Alberta, upon completion of her studies Muriel moved to Tsuut’ina Nation where she began her professional teaching career. She also became a citizen of Tsuut’ina Nation by becoming a part of the Manywounds family and subsequently starting a family of her own. While raising 4 young children she decided to go back to university, obtaining another degree from the University of Calgary. Muriel also happens to be my grandmother and I am so excited and happy to share this conversation with all of you. We conducted this interview in her main living room, at her dining room table on a beautiful summer day, you will hear background and one text message notification, which happened to be from my father, her youngest son. During a portion of our interview Muriel and I talk about the use and the intent of language, as it pertains to First Nation legislation. In Bill c92 which is an Act according to the Government of Canada “Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Children Youth and Families. An act to affirm and recognize our jurisdiction over the Child and Family Services. In the Act it states, “In the best interest of the child”, this Language is left much to open to interpretation. In the past, our First Nations “Best Interests” were interpreted by those who governed us. Using residential schools as an example, “our best interests” are not always taken into full account when decisions are made on our behalf. Muriel believes that the wording should be changed to “Love and Respect for the Child”.. so we always need to be mindful of language!

 Please join me in a conversation with Grandma Muriel.