I sit at my desk and wonder about how far I have come and where I am going. I look at the books in front of me and think about every word I have read and how it has changed my outlook, infuriated me, or motivated me. I have read the stories of our grandmothers, how we retain our knowledge, and how we share what we know. Much of what I read is intrinsically bound to culture and tradition. Reading these pieces from Cree scholars I feel at home, and London does not seem so far away. I know that beside me stand my ancestors who have long since past and the feelings of loss and loneliness fade away. I am never alone, and the cold wind that howls outside has no impact on me, as my home fire burns bright inside my apartment.

It has been a long day coming, nearly two years ago I graduated with a M.A. in History. Today I received my stole from Indigenous Services, and I could never be more pleased. It is better late than never as the University crest sits next to the logo representing the Haudenosaunee and their traditional wampum belt. Traditionally made of quahog shells, wampum belts are carefully woven together to create intricate designs and symbolically represent understandings between two or more parties. Indigenous Services design takes a positive approach to supporting Indigenous students self-determination through spirit and traditional ways. Many key principles (including balance, collaboration, and diversity) are represented within the belt and, together, encourage a new perspective into how Indigenous peoples retain their knowledge and insights outside written text. This is Turtle Island, and though this is not my territory or tradition, I am welcomed and warmed.

A deadline upon meetings on top of reading and classwork – but it is all in a day’s work and I am going to give it “the old college try.” Everything is meant for a reason, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and reminisce on the places I have gone and how my journey is just beginning. The post cards of Honolulu, Hawaii, New York at the UN, and Lisbon, Portugal give me a reflection of my experience and how liberating it has been to share what I have learned and what I have yet to learn. I want to emancipate Indigenous voices and liberate our knowledge from the colonial grips of misunderstanding and injustice. That is my motivation. This is who I am. And I can guarantee all of these places are warmer than the Great Lakes region as we speak. The winter is different than the last two I have spent here, and I worry about our mother.

Okimaw, Chief, is finally asleep and this comes after playing with his stuffed dragon for nearly an hour. I love his company and how he talks to me about everything. I can attest that Siberian Huskies do love to talk and howl. He gives me comfort and checks on me frequently as I read and will occasionally sleep underneath or near my desk when I am working. He is my okimaw, and if he loves the snow, then I do too.

I am working on my Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. I have had my ups and downs since leaving home. I will not lie: It has been hard being away from family and not being able to see my grandfather or parents. The days go by fast, but the moment the sun leaves and the evening sky and stars appear it feels like an eternity. I have to remind myself one day at a time and that I am here for a reason. I sit waiting for my plane looking at the poster hanging from the ceiling welcoming you to London, but all I can think of is I cannot wait to go home. After this hard part of my journey, only two more years. I can do this.