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KiiskeeN’tum, which means She Who Remembers,
is of mixed Cree and Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) heritage. Like many aboriginal
families, alcohol and dysfunction were present in her home while growing up.
During her life time, she has lost family members to violence, suicide, and a
younger brother to a farming accident when he was only seven. When not in foster homes during her growing up years, she was raised by her
Traditional Grandmother who was the local midwife and healer. She was chosen,
while still very young, to carry or 'Remember' the history, stories, legends and
Teachings as passed down to her by her Grandmother, and other Elders over the
years since. In the past, she has worked as a nurse, family counselor, healer, educator,
trainer, life skills coach, and writes in her spare time. KiiskeeN’tum is also
trained as a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. In her first family, she is the mother of six birth children and many adopted
children, mostly now all adults. She is the proud grandmother of many
grandchildren, both biological and adopted. She lives according to her
understandings of the Traditional teachings, beliefs and values of walking the
Red Road. She is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints. KiiskeeN’tum’s son, Joseph, was murdered in 1985. Much of her time for many
years, involved working with families who have experienced the loss of family
members to violence or murder. Her focus then was on using the Traditional
teachings, values and beliefs, as she understands them, to create positive and
healing change and as skills useful in today’s complex and fast changing
society. The poem, Last Times came out of
her experiences of grief and loss over the death of her son. It is offered as a
gift to those who read it, in the hope and with the prayer that others will
honor the gifts they have in family, children and friends, while those
opportunities exist, and bring some meaning to her loss and her learning and her
son’s life. These days her focus is on raising her second family of trans-racially
adopted children. She is now blessed to be a stay at home mother and part time
adoption consultant, seeking homes for infants and special needs children. Her intention in sharing what is on these pages, is to offer her writings as
a gift, from a good place in her heart, with the prayer that her words and
experiences will be of benefit to those who read them. She can be reached at
Megwetch. Walk Strong.
