It is starting. Winter break. Tomorrow we will all be home! My Mom sent me a letter. I guess I'll copy it down in here.
Waawaate,
we miss you so much. We are so happy you are getting the education you need, but of course, we do wish you came home. We do not know when you will be home. I have some candy for you from the Candy Shop near Barbara's house, the white woman with a need to hit the children in town. The police have been called on her twenty-two times altogether. We have new neighbours. One of them is a little girl who is eleven. Her name is Amadahy Boqonziq. She has a beautiful middle name. Her middle name is Chenoa. Amadahy Chenoa Boqonziq! I think you two could be best friends! I hope you are having a good time at school.
Nimaamaa
I guess I will be meeting Amadahy tomorrow! She seems nice if Mom loves her so much. Also, Miss Hannigan told us to say Mom instead of anything related to our language. Nimaamaa is what me and Ziibi used to call our Moms. Now we both call them Mom.
"Nimaamaa says I have a chance to make a new friend," I remember saying. "The nun!" Ziibi quickly scattered and ran away. The nun confronted me and smacked me for 'speaking' my language. That is partly why I don't call my Mom Nimaamaa anymore. But I do really miss calling her Nimaamaa. You know what? I think I will rebel and speak my language as much as possible when I get home. That will be my mission, and I can help Ziibi with Anishinaabe too! We will forever remember our language and be able to communicate with our family properly until we die!
Ziibi said she liked the idea but she wanted to know how we do it. I know how. I remember how to say a few words in Anishinaabe. If I can ask my Mom to tutor me, I will be fine. I can teach Ziibi through letters. I just told her about my plan and she told me she trusted me. Cannot wait!
YOU ARE READING
Olivia Is Not My Name
Tarihi KurguWaawaate Ukub was a First Nation Child when Residential Schools were made. After arriving at the school, they gave her a white name - Olivia Hilton. Olivia was faced with no choice but to survive the year in the Residential School.
