Nzhishenh Bryden uncle Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie As an uncle who takes care of his family, what are the stories of the sacred, proud and protective role that you hold in embracing the safety of family? I remember growing up and this grass dancer, his name was Clifford and I forget his last name though, but I remember he had gotten some new bells at Wiky powwow and he had given me his old bells. He knew I still had tiny bells, and I was maybe 10 years or so and I wanted bigger bells. So when he got his new bells he gave me his old ones and they were great big cowbells and I was really happy to have them. I wore those until I was almost an adult. [These are] gifts that are meaningful [and what] he told me was that it’s good to pass things down to people that are trying to do good, live that good way of life and he taught me that teaching. When I moved to Sudbury and started this drum group with these boys, some of them were dancing. So I made Tavyn a dance stick with a feather and an eagle feather put on there. I gave Meeshen a headroach, one of his first headroaches and some medallions for his beadwork. I’ve just been helping out our youth and our kids to make them more, encourage them I guess is what I’m trying to say. That teaching always stuck with me. I always remember to always give back to the kids and youth because they always need encouragement, especially our little ones. They go through so much, our people. To notice our youth [and] just say, “hey how’s it going? What are you up to, man?” Just a little acknowledgement, you know, they really appreciate those little things. I grew up as a shy kid and I still am pretty shy and I know some kids are shy [too] so I just gotta approach them and make them feel comfortable. I’m still learning too, as an uncle. Excerpt from the interview with Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie by Elizabeth Eshkibok, Cultural Practitioner at the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre.
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