User:Ro'tetsennion

My Mohawk name is Ro'tetsennion and I am of the Turtle Clan. My name means he dreamed of winning the battle. That has clearly been the constant theme throughout my life so far. My first battle was learning from my elders who I was,and the struggle of being Mohawk in a large organization that cared little for uniqueness or different cultural identities, secondly came my battle and victory over alcohol abuse* and thirdly I am in a struggle to survive and provide for my family after standing up for the rights of my people and being shown the door after 28 years as a police officer with an exemplary record of investigative achievements and community service. I only want share the truth about what it means to be an indigenous person in Canada in the 21st Century. Many have said, why not just go along with what the government wants for Indians and quit making trouble by pushing for more. I say, Indians are entitled to as much and more than the average citizen. Settling for second best is for the weak of mind and spirit. If our people have never surrendered their lives to the British Crown, then why are they treated as sub-subjects? We are entitled to be treated as brothers and not little children.


 * I have been sober now, abosolutely alcohol and substance free since the year of the Oka crisis-1990.