Honouring Indigenous Peoples

Wednesday, 30 June 2021 13:35

Heart FM spoke with John Lomax, who is a board member of HIP, which stands for Honouring Indigenous Peoples.

Radio Stations across the country, including ours will be taking part in the Day to Listen tomorrow.

This is done in partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.

Recently Heart FM spoke with John Lomax, who is a board member of HIP, which stands for Honouring Indigenous Peoples. HIP has a goal of “Bringing Indigenous and non indigenous peoples together for community well-being and advancing the next generation of leaders.”

You can listen to the full interview below:

If you are unable to listen, you can read some of the interview transcribed as Lomax explains how he got involved with the HIP organization.

"I would say there are two major influences. First, my wife and I adopted two Indigenous kids. Jay is Dakota from Portage La Prairie. Kim is Cree from Ft Alberny. When Jay was 19, he reconnected with his birth mum. She invited mom to live on the reserve with her and his sisters. My wife and I encourage him to do this because we felt that it would help him to close this circle. There he experience Indigenous culture, sweat lodge, drumming, singing, dancing, creating his own regalia and much more. He became immersed in their way of life. He subsequently moved back to Toronto where he remained involved in drumming and dancing. We attended many pow wows with him. Jay married and now has three beautiful kids of his own. He is now an adoption worker with Indigenous services in Kawartha. He has become focused on bringing native culture to children he cares for. The second influence was Rotary International, where I have been a member for 30 years, Rotary ideals have become part of my life. So, when a group of Rotarians started HIP, it was a natural step for me. The HIP Board by design is 50% Indigenous and 50% non Indigenous."

Lomax was asked what we can do to offer help and support right now as we continue to discover the remains of Indigenous children at former Residential Schools.

"From the beginning, the elders told us to seek to understand their ways, then do them the honour of asking how you can help. Finally, join with them in partnership. The discoveries in Kamloops and Saskatchewan have had a deep emotional effect on all Canadians. It is a time for healing which we need in order to build this partnership and hopefully, a Canada that is more healthy for us all. I would say that while the findings are tragic, they are not as devastating as the effects of the Indian Act and the many years that Residential Schools have damaged families and sought to destroy Indigenous culture, spirituality and language, It is a real testament to their strength and resilience that the culture remains so alive. Our focus as Canadians has to be to seek the truth and acknowledge this reality, for was all to heal."

Lomax suggests right now, the most important thing we can do is to listen. He also suggests of web sites to get you started which you can find here.

You can become a HIP Ally at no cost online here.

You can also donate to the Youth to Youth Engagement program which will send Indigenous and Non Indigenous students on a land based experience.