What home means to me

Manitoba is my home and it's home to my people, Anishinabe and Metis. We signed the first treaty. We are a strong community! Home is more then the bricks and the roof, it's a place to be silly, free and a goof. Home is where we accept our mistakes, home is where we talk and relate. Home might not be the same for me and you, but your idea of home is great too. Home is sometimes where you fight, and try to prove that you’re right . Home is where we raise our kids to be better than us, home is where we have hope and trust. Home is where we jig and smudge, home is where we get a push and a nudge. Home is where my ancestry flows, home is where my family grows. Home is a place where new memories are made, home is where love never fades. Home is where laughter fills an empty room, home is where a new sprout is destined to bloom. Home is not about me, home is about us, home is built with respect and trust. When I think of home I think of my mother’s warm embrace, I think of my kookum’s teachings, and of my father’s faith. I think of my sibling's capability, I think of my uncle’s humor, and I think of my grandma's strong humility. I think of my papa's powerful intelligence, I think of my aunt's grace, and I think of my ancestors' presence. That's home to me. I hope you see that home is filled with family. Some have families, some are alone, but everyone deserves a home.