They say everything in life happens for a reason. Last week was an eventful one, especially pertaining to Indigenous issues (it was almost an Indigenous issues overload) but I loved it!

Last week, I was able to attend the Liberal Biennial Convention. It was an amazing experience. I got to meet so many cool new people thanks to my friend Chad! I first met him at my university just randomly talking about policies and issues that were in the media at the time. He eventually convinced me to join the Liberal party. I am really glad that I did.

During the convention, it was all go-go-go. I will admit I even had a mini breakdown after the co-chairs of the APC and other exec, and myself had met with Dr. Carolyn Bennett. However, I was not alone in this. I had the support of the rest of the APC team (as well as some pointers from Dr. Bennett’s assistants). At the convention, there was almost no time to eat. I remember the first day I was sooooo hungry–my little nutrigrain bar and boiled egg didn’t hold over very long and it wasn’t until three in the afternoon did I sit down to have a full meal, and meals always included a time to discuss and meet with others. There was a lot of multitasking. I know that I am pretty good at multi-tasking or at least time management but this was a new experience for me: I had no idea what to expect!

The out-going president did a wonderful job by allowing us to introduce ourselves (I still have to find a French translator to translate my english bio for the Liberal party website–so if you read this and you can help me or know someone who can, let me know!). Hon. Paul Martin sat in the audience while we all introduced ourselves and even the amazing Cynthia C. Wesley-Esquixmaus was there!

When I was sitting in the audience, there was an alteration between French and English. It made me sad because I wish I had taken the french courses in elementary and high school. In elementary and high school, I opted for Ojibwe classes. It made me sad to sit there and think of other Indigenous students who opt to talk their traditional language over French, would they want to one day go into politics and be faced to learn yet another language? Anyways, that’s a different topic saved for a different post (maybe). For a new personal goal, I am going to try to learn french. I know that I should take the time to learn my language but this is one of the decisions that many young Indigenous peoples face and that being, how to walk in both worlds.

Anyways, I think this is going to be a great opportunity to learn from and to gain some definitely useful experience. Since my initial posts regarding the convention and donations, I was able to converse with several individuals on Aboriginal women issues (and also learning about issues that other Aboriginal groups face). Like I said, this is going to be a great opportunity to learn from.

I will cherish this experience forever from the times that we were able to meet with the Hon. Paul Martin to discuss how we can help him or him help us or when Dr. Carolyn Bennett walked up to me and gave me a hug after I shared my personal story, and especially remember those who sat in on the APC biennial on the first day. But most importantly, the wonderful group of individuals who I met this weekend who are all a part of this experience for the next 2 years. When I sit here and think about, I still can’t believe it all happened.