By Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz (Labrador Inuk)
Navigating the contemporary world while holding the profound knowledge of ancestral traditions, the inherited resilience of a mother’s spirit, and the enduring principles of Inuit culture presents a unique duality of privilege and challenge. For Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz, a Labrador Inuk writer and artist, this journey has been one of profound personal discovery, interwoven with the broader narrative of Indigenous identity and healing. Her story, marked by the enduring impact of residential boarding schools and a subsequent path toward reclamation, offers a powerful testament to the strength found in ancestral wisdom, community, and self-affirmation.
Alkiewicz describes her early life as being profoundly shaped by the lingering shadows of residential boarding schools, an institution that deeply impacted her mother’s spirit. “I was a Lost Bird since residential boarding schools stunted my mom and almost extinguished her spirit,” Alkiewicz states, reflecting on the intergenerational trauma that cast a long shadow. Her eventual relocation to a family in the United States, however, marked a turning point, allowing her to experience a sense of belonging and love while also fostering her internal world of thoughts and feelings. For decades, a persistent question echoed within her: "Why?" The answers, she found, emerged not from external validation, but from a profound connection to Spirit and the pursuit of higher learning.
This quest for understanding led Alkiewicz to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she pursued a degree in journalism and completed the Certificate Program of Native American Indian Studies. This academic immersion provided a crucial lens through which to understand the often-suppressed history of Indigenous peoples in North America. “I heard the real history of Native Americans amid the tragic reality of what the colonists did,” she recounts. This period of study offered a stark confrontation with the historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous communities, a reckoning that is central to contemporary Indigenous scholarship and activism.
The program provided Alkiewicz with critical data regarding the demographic landscape of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island (North America). She learned that "Indigenous" is a broad term encompassing diverse nations and communities. The estimated population of Indigenous people on Turtle Island is approximately 9.5 million. This figure breaks down into roughly 138,000 Inuit, 640,000 Métis, 1.05 million First Nations, and 7.7 million Native Americans. Geographically, Canada is home to over 630 recognized First Nations, while the United States boasts 575 federally recognized Tribes and more than 60 state-recognized Tribes. This statistical overview underscores the vastness and diversity of Indigenous presence, a reality often obscured by generalized narratives.
The Native American Indian Studies program, Alkiewicz explains, served as a catalyst for empowerment. After what she describes as navigating a treacherous environment, the knowledge gained provided a sense of direction and strength. "The Native American Indian Studies program rocketed me into empowerment after I blindly swam in a sea of sharks and snakes," she says. Despite the emotional toll of confronting historical trauma, her determination to complete her studies remained unwavering. This commitment to knowledge as a source of power is a recurring theme in her narrative.
Following her graduation, Alkiewicz returned to the university and had the profound experience of hearing her hero, Winona LaDuke, deliver an inspiring speech. The encounter was deeply meaningful. After LaDuke signed her book, a brief elevator ride offered a moment of quiet reflection. Alkiewicz recalls her Cherokee Elder’s gentle acknowledgment of the shared space, a subtle nod to the intergenerational connections present. The strength and wisdom embodied by LaDuke, a renowned Indigenous activist and environmentalist, have left an indelible mark on Alkiewicz, who views her as a beacon of courage.
This personal journey of seeking courage and wisdom eventually led Alkiewicz to a deeper connection with the divine, which she refers to through various terms including Creator, the Universe, God, and Guti. This spiritual grounding became a vital source of strength, enabling her to engage in continuous dialogue and listening. These moments of reflection often occur in community, whether in person on Sundays, online, or in small, intimate gatherings. The simple acts of sharing meals and holding hands become sacred opportunities to feel a presence, receive guidance, and cultivate hope for a better future.
The pivotal moment of clarity arrived, as Alkiewicz describes it, through a simple yet profound realization: "Just do. Just be. Be Inuk Strong." This mantra encapsulates a powerful call to action and self-acceptance, rooted in the resilience and identity of her Inuit heritage. This understanding was further solidified during a family reunion, where she crafted and gifted leather bracelets inscribed with "Inuk Strong." This phrase, inspired by the "Boston Strong" slogan following the 2013 marathon bombing, resonated deeply as a personal declaration of her family’s enduring spirit.
Alkiewicz’s narrative highlights the enduring impact of intergenerational trauma, particularly for children of residential boarding school survivors. She and her brother, born to parents in their twenties, experienced the delayed impact of their parents’ trauma, which led to their children being kept at a distance until healing processes began. Her mother’s survival and her father’s passing underscored the profound strength of her mother, who guided them to become "Inuk Strong." She also acknowledges her siblings, Kittungaga Reggi and Angutiga Chris, noting Reggi’s "Inuk Strong" spirit and Chris’s role as a "fierce and loving ally."
A poignant illustration of her mother’s resilience is presented through a photograph showcasing her mother’s artistic expression. Alkiewicz notes, "Mom blossomed with the love of her kin and knew she was a strong Inuk. Mom drew this beauty." The image, depicting vibrant artistry, serves as a visual representation of the renewed spirit and cultural pride that emerged from healing.
The presence of Indigenous feminism is a powerful undercurrent in Alkiewicz’s reflections, offering a counterpoint to the often-discouraging daily news cycle. She emphasizes the importance of holding onto strength, laughter, love, and resilience. This sentiment is beautifully captured in her poem, "My Present," published in 2020.
My Present
I drove to the
21st Inuit Studies Conference
a short five-hour drive,
and it was
EPIC!
Ajaitsiavak!
I finally felt
heard and seen
seen and heard
I sat
in the aisle and
the award winning, famous, marvelous Inuk,
a daughter, a fren, a mother, filmmaker
spoke.
Tears rolled down my nose
If others saw me, I do not know
My eyes were blurry with glory
I knew she knew.
I finally felt
seen and heard
heard and seen
I rocked and
whimpered.
My hand rose,
my head bowed low,
I knew she knew.
Her words I cannot repeat verbatim,
Feelings of love flooded over my crown,
The beautiful Inuktitut that she spoke with grace shined across her face
I knew she knew.
I left her talk a little taller.
I left her talk a lot prouder.
I left with the message – “Own your life, tell your story, be the voice.”
This poem, born from an experience at the 21st Inuit Studies Conference, vividly illustrates the profound sense of recognition and validation Alkiewicz felt when an acclaimed Inuk filmmaker spoke. The experience was transformative, offering a powerful affirmation of her identity and the importance of Indigenous voices. The filmmaker’s ability to speak in Inuktitut, her grace, and her empowering message – "Own your life, tell your story, be the voice" – resonated deeply, leaving Alkiewicz with a renewed sense of pride and purpose.
Further validation of ancestral connection and strength came through an episode of the television show "Reservation Dogs." Alkiewicz recounts watching an episode with her brother, Angutiga, featuring a poignant exchange between the characters Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis, Alexis Nakota Sioux) and Hokti (Lily Gladstone, Piegan Blackfeet/Nez Perce). In this scene, Hokti guides Willie Jack to connect with the strength of their ancestors.
Hokti’s words to Willie Jack offer a powerful narrative of inherited resilience: "Remember the stories I told you when you were growing up about the people we come from, generations of medicine people, caretakers. These are the ones that held us together as we arrived from our homelands. The healers who carried us and buried us as we marched. Men and women whose songs led us through the dark. They’re watching you, my girl. You don’t need me. You have them. This is the power we carry. When you really pray, they’re all around you all the time.” (Season 2, Episode 9)
The visual representation of ancestors appearing behind Willie Jack during this scene evoked a powerful emotional response in Alkiewicz, tears streaming down her face. This moment served as a stark contrast to the narratives she had been exposed to, which she felt had been deliberately misleading. She recognized how societal influences, including shame and habits like smoking, had diminished her joy. This realization underscores the ongoing struggle to decolonize the mind and reclaim a true understanding of Indigenous heritage.
Alkiewicz concludes by expressing hope that her fellow Indigenous relatives and allies will discover their own sense of purpose and recognize the immense contributions they make to the world. She emphasizes the critical importance of celebrating Indigenous women, who are the "Life Givers," and advocates for their safety, longevity, and the continued transmission of their cultures and traditions. This call for collective celebration and support is essential for the ongoing vitality of Indigenous communities.
About the Author:
Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz (Labrador Inuk) is a journalist from Nunatisavut, a member of the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB), and the owner of Ella Alk Inuk LLC. Her work has been featured as part of UnMonument, and she is scheduled to exhibit her art at NAICOB in July. She currently resides on the Nonotuck lands with her family and her cat.
Top Photo: Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz with Winona LaDuke.
