Meaning of Home

On the place where my home sits The WSANEC have walked since time immemorial They gathered berries and They walked in tall grasses and looked out on the sea for salmon. Until one day a ship arrived The water boomed as the great shadow of darkness fell As strange people walked out of the ship an unbearable rain fell. They squashed plants, killed the salmon people The delicate balance between nature and humanity shattered forever. They came back with more people but only brought disease and a depressing sadness biting away at the heart of the WSANEC people As the years passed on their sadness only deepened and the hate toward them never stopped. Their children were taken away and were forced to learn the foreign language of the boat people. Those are my people. So when you ask me about my home, it really isn’t mine It belongs to the WSANEC I need to remember this always It is my job as one of those people to acknowledge My mistakes that my ancestors made. I must be grateful But also responsible. Because of what my ancestors have done the WSANEC people are drowned in sorrow and he hate towards them has dwindled but has never stopped. Today some of the people are limited by the hate and aren't accepted into jobs because of their culture. Some can’t afford homes because of this.

Owen

Grade 6

Brentwood Bay, British Columbia

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