The Hard Work of Love by Annie Wenger-Nabigon
Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW
Author of Pathlight; Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW is originally from the U.S., earning her Canadian Citizenship in 2013. Annie & her Husband live in Pic River First Nation. Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW has been a cinical social worker since 1979 working in mental health, family therapy, and addictions services. She is a doctoral candidate at Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON. She works full-time as an Adult Mental Health and Addictions Therapist at the Marathon office of North of Superior Counseling Programs. Annie also works part-time as a consultant for LYNX, owned by her husband Herb Nabigon, MSW. Herb provides traditional Anishnabek teachings and healing workshops for both Native and non-Native organizations. Together he and Annie provide training and education to professionals on a wide range of topics blending mainstream and traditional approaches in healing. They also provide cultural safety and anti-racism training.
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Yesterday was my second year of celebrating Canada Day as a citizen. I like being a citizen of Canada, and try hard to do my part to make a good contribution. I voted for the first time this year as a citizen and voting never felt so good! So I’m happy to have been able to celebrate my “country of choice” with my family of choice here in Ontario.
I found myself reflecting on one of the things the Immigration Judge said in his speech when I became a citizen. He talked about the importance of the values of multiculturalism here in Canada, and of how easy it is for human beings to slip into disliking each other’s differences and getting into conflict. He asked each of us taking the oath of citizenship to challenge ourselves to “do the hard work of love”. I will always remember that.
I came from a place that champions itself as the “melting pot of the world”, valuing a national identity over and above all other identities. Being expected to give up my own unique cultural identity in order to be part of the whole larger picture of the country left me feeling as if I were on the outside of something really important. Here in my “new” country I feel as if my unique contribution is valued and important, even when I feel “different”. What I have to offer is valued and has a place.
I live in a First Nation community here in northwestern Ontario with my husband and his relatives, and I am happy here. I’m glad to be accepted and feel a part of a community. What I am keenly aware of, however, is that First Nation’s peoples in Canada have been made to feel that they are not welcome in their own land and territories. The history I am learning about Canada has some very ugly undersides when it comes to the Aboriginal peoples of this land. So many aspects of the dominant Canadian culture has intended for the Aboriginal presence to “disappear”.
Fortunately there are signs that this is changing. There was a time not too long ago when it would not have been possible for my husband to graduate from the local high school. Last week, he was invited to talk at the high school graduation and had the opportunity to share a bit of the wisdom he has gained over the years as he struggled to get a good education, become a university professor, and author a book (Link to Herb Nabigon’s book below). That is “the hard work of love” – evidence in action.
Last week also saw a major landmark decision in the Supreme Court of Canada, affirming Aboriginal title to ancestral lands. This is definitely a far cry from the days when Canada’s government pushed an agenda of confining Aboriginal peoples to small parcels of land (Reserves) and prevented them from benefiting from the resources of their traditional territories. Things are changing, but slowly – too slowly, some would say.
I’d like to say that the “the hard work of love” takes a long time and a lot of sacrifice. The Earth has been around for a long time, lovingly supporting life on the planet. We humans haven’t been around that long, and in a very short time have done a lot to bring harm to life on this planet. We have a long way to go to do the hard work of love and restore what has been lost and damaged.
The hard work of love that can take many years – teaching children, caring for elders, taking care of the land, water and air – is not unlike the hard work of love in learning good ways for different peoples to get along. We can learn to love each other instead of hurt each other. I can’t atone for my ancestors’ actions, but I can do the hard work of love to be part of change that will make things better in relationships. It starts with me. I have to do the hard work of love, which is what each of us can do. It’s really not that difficult – it’s simple. But too often we make it complicated and forget that love is an action word, not just a description of a transient emotion.
I challenge you to do your hard work of love. Start with yourself. Love yourself into good health in the best ways you know how and keep doing it no matter how small the steps may be or how long it may take. And while you are working on that, reach out and make a start on the hard work of love in community. Start with your attitude toward those who are different from you. Value multiculturalism. Value yourself fully – your identity, your country, your community, your neighborhood, your family. Take good care of your body and don’t put poisons into it. Find a way to make a contribution, even if it is only to smile at someone, show some respect, hold open a door, drop a nickel in the Food Bank collection box, donate some food to the animal shelter, buy a stranger a cup of coffee….
You have all that you need to do the hard work of love!
Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW
Pathlight@OntarioNewsNorth.com
ANNIE RECOMMENDS:
- The Hollow Tree by Herb Nabigon
- EldersTeachings.blogspot.com
- Pathlight: Journey to a Good Life archives
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*Health themed columns on OntarioNewsNorth.com are not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor or other professional health care provider the general information provided is intended to encourage discussion. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have specific questions about any health issues, please consult your family physician, primary health care team or other professional healthcare provider. If you feel you are suffering from a mental or physical health issue, you should seek medical attention immediately. The information shared on OntarioNewsNorth.com does not constitute medical advice nor should any person delay seeking, disregard or discontinue medical treatment because of information found anywhere on OntarioNewsNorth.com. The opinions provided by contributors on OntarioNewsNorth.com are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of OntarioNewsNorth.com its advertisers or other contributors on the site.
