I’ll never forget a training session led by someone from an Aboriginal corporation. They spoke about the Stolen Generations and how so much history and culture has been lost. Growing up in foster care, I didn’t have much guidance on my Indigenous heritage. For me, it wasn’t until I was 12 that I even learned I was Aboriginal. I didn’t fully accept it until I experienced racism. That was a wake-up call. Programs like Home Stretch offering lineage research made such a difference—something the department never funded. My younger brother, who also did his own lineage research, found a deep sense of identity. It was transformative for him, and it resonated with me too. Programs that connect young people to their culture, even in small ways, are so valuable.
Learning about Aboriginal culture is a lifelong journey. Even as an Indigenous man, I feel there’s so much more for me to learn. For non-Indigenous people, it’s about being curious and respectful. You’ll make mistakes, but it’s okay—treat them as learning opportunities. Be open-minded and willing to listen.