The thought of being an RCMP officer at 23 years old

I remember RCMP being suggested as a career option once I graduated from University.

“You’d be a good cop.”

“You’re strong, you wouldn’t put up with any BS.”

“You’d get in cause you’re an Indigenous woman.”

I attended an open house one night by myself to feel it out. A woman of colour presented the process of applying, going to depot in Saskatchewan, posting options throughout Canada and touched on the salaries and benefits.

I remember thinking man, I could potentially be an Indigenous woman posted in a First Nations community and be responsible for putting other Indigenous People who have generations of trauma into jail because their basic needs aren’t being met because of the history of Canada, and the legacy it continues to instill.

Needless to say, I chose to step into a helper role seven years ago, in community development to listen, learn and uplift Indigenous Peoples in wholistic community health and education. To learn and be guided from First Nation, Metis, and Inuit in their communities. And learn how to walk within systems as a fair skin, freckled Indigenous woman, to be able to be apart of shifting policy by listening and being apart of teams who know Indigenous ways of being, feeling and doing work for our families.

From listening and having meaningful conversations with Indigenous Peoples throughout so-called Manitoba, they do not want to live below or just above the poverty line. They want to thrive and heal with their families in a safe supported community.

I write this because we all have a role in dismantling our minds, bodies, and spaces of power and to rebuild from a place of truth and making even MORE space for People of Colour’s voices.

There are no more excuses, as we are all apart of a revolution now. And so are your ancestors, your children, and future grandchildren.

What will you choose to do?

What legacy will you leave behind?

Will it be shifting your child’s beliefs on privilege and kindness? A cottage in Lake of the Woods for your children? Will it be investing in People of Colour’s businesses? Or will it just stay the same?

Will you choose to bask in your comfort, or will you step up and work through your own bias, prejudice, and habitual actions?

Either way, you’re making a choice, and each choice will be utterly noticeable by the little ones who will lead next.