Embrace Your Culture | Chloe Herron, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks

In honour of the inaugural Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Anti-Racism Awareness Week, individuals from our member institutions shared insights into their own cultural upbringing, how they continue to celebrate their culture, and why they feel it is important to learn about and embrace cultures other than their own.  

Please describe what your own cultural upbringing was like?
I am Indigenous, and my culture was stripped from my family due to the residential school system and systemic racism towards Indigenous peoples in Canada. It wasn't until I was in high school that we were finally able to connect with our family and our roots. Since then, I have been privy to immense amounts of education about my culture. After facing an act of blatant racism in May, I was able to connect with a few very strong women in the Six Nations community, who helped me with a lot of the struggles I face when accepting, embracing, and celebrating my identity.

How has your cultural upbringing influenced you throughout your life?
My cultural upbringing has reminded me that I need to accept others, regardless of their walk of life. My family and I deal with generational trauma and seeing how this has affected us, and other Indigenous peoples reminds me to me mindful of my actions and to be grateful for every opportunity I have. Many of my ancestors and family members could not even imagine the opportunities that I am so fortunate to have, and this keeps me humble in everything I do.

Are there ways in which you continue to celebrate your culture?
I continue to celebrate my culture every day. I educate myself with the help of friends and The Indigenous Student Center at Laurier and practice traditional medicines and teachings. I have learned to bead and incorporate the earrings and pins I have made into my everyday wear, honouring my culture in a modern day. I live in accordance with Creator and consider the Earth in all my being.

Why do you feel it is important to embrace and celebrate your culture?
I think it is important to celebrate my culture because of everything that has been done to strip it from my community. Indigenous culture has been stripped from us for so many years, and by celebrating my identity, I am honouring those before me that couldn't. Being a strong Ojibwe athlete is a beautiful thing, and I am extremely proud of who I am. It has been a long journey to come to terms with being comfortable with my identity, but I now realize it is a beautiful thing. I no longer just accept who I am, I live it every day as my ancestors intended. I do not tread lightly for the comfort of those around me. I am heavy-footed and sharp-tongued. I am a strong Ojibwe woman, and nobody will take that away from me.

Why do you feel it is important for people to learn about cultures other than their own?
I believe people should learn about other cultures as they surround us every day. Everyone deserves to be respected in their identity, and by learning about different cultures, this becomes easier. By educating yourself about different cultures, you can gain a better understanding of your peers and the individuals from that culture.