Indigenous Mothers: The Importance of Cultural Identity for Our Children

The first time I attended a cultural event with my daughter, I discovered something unexpected. While living in the Yukon, I heard about a large summer celebration and decided to plan a road trip with my daughter and niece. We attended the Haa Kusteeyi Celebration in the community of Teslin. After arriving and enjoying the traditional food offered to guests, we sat down to watch the traditional dance groups perform. As soon as the performances began, my daughter moved to the front row for a better view. She was mesmerized by the powerful drums, songs, and dances. This experience revealed to me the deep passion our children have for culture.

I couldn't help but notice how deeply she became engaged with traditional dancing. This inspired an idea in me to take her to cultural events throughout the Yukon, including the Da Ku Nan Ts’etthet Dance Festival in Haines Junction, the Moosehide Gathering in Dawson City, and the Adaka Cultural Festival in Whitehorse. At every event, she would eagerly move as close as possible to the stage to watch the dancers perform. These gatherings eventually inspired her to join a youth dance group in our community. After months of practice and preparation, their group performed at the Adaka Cultural Festival. The pride and joy on their faces as the crowd cheered for them is something I'll never forget.

In communities across Yukon, children naturally resonate with these cultural experiences. An Elder once explained that our traditional ways are returning through the next generation of children. By exposing them to these gatherings, we ignite a flame within them that already exists, helping to shape the people they will become. This connection imparts traditional values, strengthens their identity, and, most importantly, boosts their confidence.

Raising our children to understand exactly who they are and where they come from is the greatest gift we can give them. As mothers, we hope our children can avoid the challenges we faced due to intergenerational trauma. With the resources provided by Indigenous leaders to decolonize all aspects of our lives, Indigenous mothers play a crucial role in rebuilding strong communities.

I would like to give thanks to our mothers, grandmothers, and aunties for helping us to raise strong, thoughtful children.

Mussi Cho

Eileen Peter

Crow Clan, Northern Tutchone