Hunters Bay Radio
ON MOHAWK TIME CORI CORIN AUGUST 11 2024
Hey, this is Dr. Shervin, Muscoco Magazine is brought to you by Dairy Lane Dental, keeping Muscoco smiling for over 30 years. Please visit Dairylanedental.com. [Music] [Music] Hi, I'm Joyce Jonathan Crohn and this is on Mohawk time on Hunter's Bay Radio 88.7. This is part two of a two-part series. The first part aired in July and so we have Corey Marin, a special guest, four part two. And if you did not, we're not able to listen to part one, you can find that on the Hunter's Bay Radio soundcloud so that you're up to snuff and caught up with Corey's story and background. Welcome, Corey. Hi, Joyce. Yes, so thank you so much for coming in and maybe if you can just give us a little bit a little quick recap as to your Indigenous background and how you grew up? Okay, so I am Métis of the Chippewa and it was very shunned as a kid growing up. I grew up Catholic, so on my mother's side, we were not to refer to ourselves as Métis or having anything to do with those people. On my dad's side, it traces back to his great-grandfather, but even his own father, we were not to refer to ourselves as Métis. In fact, I don't even know, when I knew what Métis meant, it was that shunned. But how did you know that you had Indigenous background then? Dad, mom and dad did trace it and as far back as they could go was his father's great-grandfather. No, my dad's great-grandfather. The church burnt down that had the documents, so there was no proof of anything for us. And really, that can be typical, not always typical, but I know I've had people come up to me with that similar story that has been lost. So we have in Ontario, we have Métis who have status, and then we have Métis who are undocumented, who do not have status. And so you fall into the second category. And growing up without, do you long to have status, or how do you feel about that? I do. I don't know that I need the paperwork, such as status, but I want to know my culture. I want to know the traditions. I would love to be able to speak the language. I think I said that in part one. The paperwork doesn't so much mean anything to me, but I would love to know about my clans and all of that good stuff that comes with being Aboriginal and indigenous. So I know in part one, we kind of talked about the fact that you lived in two worlds. And I think a lot of us as First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada are experiencing that. It doesn't matter the age, whether I'm a youth or whether I'm in my 70s or 80s, that a lot of us are experiencing that and that longing for identity, the connection to the land, to our language, to our traditions and culture. And so when we look at that in your life, how did not knowing your full identity and having, Catholic background and your mother was Dutch and your father had Métis background, how did that affect you in terms of your wellness? I was a mess. Growing up, I was a mess because I didn't agree with the way we were being raised in Catholicism. I feared my God as I feared my father, which is what we were taught at Growing Up Catholic. And then we were all sinners and you had to repent. Right. Yes. And I know having worked as an educator for 33 years in the Catholic system, I'm not Catholic, but I understand that from a lot of my Catholic friends, that was the dilemma. I'm not talking about even being indigenous. I'm just talking about that particular faith. So let's chat about, now you said you spiraled and you had some health and wellness issues. Can you share a little bit about that? Sure, sure. I'm a recovering alcoholic addict with mental health disorders. I was diagnosed very young with mental health disorders, depression, as a matter of fact, was the major diagnosis. And that too was shunned. I've recently learned that, and I forget if I use the terminology wrong, but natives is how I grew up. You were natives or you were Indians. Okay. And what was the difference there? While the Indians were the drunks you saw on the bars, or that lived on the poor reserves, the natives were the outstanding Aboriginal citizens. Okay. And where did those terms come from that you learned as a child? My folks. Okay. Yeah. All right. Definitely my folks. So it's very interesting to, and again, for our listeners to not fall into that stereotype, because, I mean, if we look back in history, that we know that it was the, again, the settlers that brought alcohol and so also the past with the systems that were in place, the residential school system and how that totally tore families apart and communities and individuals who never got their identity back again. So if we fast forward that to today and your life, how are you doing with your health and wellness? Pretty good. Every day is a new day and every day can bring on a new struggle. However, I'm learning and I'm not going to give it all to the earth because there are proper medications I do have to take, but the closer I become to greater and the stronger my spirituality is, the easier every day is to stay clean and sober and not have a bad mental health. It's the more I get of the medicine wheel and the teachings of it and the herbs and the plants and the crystals and the rocks and the trees and your connection to everything all. Yes. And you were mentioning, sorry, you were connecting, mentioning your connection to people as well, indigenous people. Well, Joyce, you're one of them. I met you, I guess, almost a year. Actually, you're a class market. And I mean, the things I've learned already with you and not only that, but I was in a market and maybe I can lead into this. I design, well, I don't design, but I make glass, jewelry and tapestries made out of glass seed beads. And so I was at a market, I started doing that. It's more of my sobriety, but now I apparently have a talent enough to sell that kind of stuff. And I know you do because I've seen your work. Joyce is my best customer. But for me, it's therapeutic. Yes. Very therapeutic. So I will, my day consists of some meditation in the morning, my beaming, where I can stop the noise right in my head. And then I go for walks, walks upon walks. I love where I live. Mascoka has got it. You know, I move from God's country to God's country, from the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to Mascoka. However, the Rockies were one thing. There was no indigenous people there. But you always had that connection to the earth, to the land. Always, always, always. And I love that that's the thread. That's the common thread in your life since you were a little girl, that you grew up on hunting and fishing and part of the land. And I think you had told me before that you could, you can skin as well. Oh, yeah. And I was tanned leather. Yeah. Oh, some of the things I forget, I know. Yeah. Well, and even just that connection that you were sharing to the medicine wheel and the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, because the medicine wheel can be a whole year long course. We could live our whole lives seeking out what is the meaning of the medicine wheel. And we know that in the very center is perfect balance. And so do you feel like you are gaining balance in your life? I have my days. There are many days when I feel so balanced. And then I have an off day. Some of it can be put towards the mental health disorder, right, chemical imbalance. But I'm not sure that I'm alone in it. Some of us just don't have a good day or as balanced as we want to be every day. I was going to say something, but I'm. But it's okay. But you were saying your, your connection to the earth. So it's the connection to the earth. You're seeking out the plant medicines. You said you had an elder that told you that you were thought that you thought that you were a failure at one point. So on that note, stick with us because part two Corey is going to be speaking about her journey now. She told us where she was at and the difficulties and trauma. And so thank you so much for sharing that, Corey. And we will be right back with part two. I'm Dr. Sherman from Dairy Lane Dental, and you're listening to Muscoco Magazine. Welcome back to on Mohawk time and our special guest, Corey Marin and Corey. Let's talk about where you are right now, your life in Huntsville. And yeah, just take it away. Hmm. Well, I think in part one there, we were talking about my, my craft students. Yes. And that has taken me so far, not only is it meditative and helps me with my sobriety, but I've met so many people through the markets that I do. And I have to tell you, the welcoming, the welcoming, I look quite white, Caucasian, quite, but I would never know your, I have indigenous heritage now. You wouldn't because I take after the Dutch. Okay. But the fact, I mean, the fact is reality is I really am matey, but I don't know that I'd even have a problem if I wasn't with the people I've met. It's so welcoming. The medicine wheel is not just about indigenous, indigenous people. It's a connection with mother earth and creator. For me, anyways. And really, it's for anyone. So anyone out there who's listening, who wants to look at their own wellness, wants to seek out, how can I get some some support? Where can I start? Take a look at the medicine wheel. And you wanted to share a little bit about that, Corey. I did through trying to investigate more and learn more about medicine. Well, I've discovered so many programs to Canadian Mental Health Association. And that's not why we're here to promote them. No, but what it does do is show people the exposure that we can have as Caucasians without any hair may be in this that we we too can have this medicine. I'm currently in a red, it's called the Good Red Road program. And can you explain a little bit about that? It's a long term recovery program. It's a 10 week course. And this one's virtual. I've done live once. And it's for anyone? This is for anyone. So you can be non-indigenous, right? Indigenous and be in this program? Yes. Can you talk a little bit about it? Well, I learned about it through CMHA, Canadian Mental Health and Addictions. And what it does is connects you to the Good Red Road, which is the indigenous people's way of walking a clean and sober life. And it helps me gain it, learn it, gain it and maintain it. Wow. Oh, I love that. Can you say that again? Sure. Learn it, gain it and maintain it. Oh, awesome. Yeah. So with that, with that red road and we often, I've heard that mentioned before in terms of, you know, living the good way, the right way. And that's for anyone. It can be for anyone. It does not have to be, you know, specific. And that's maybe part of the healing of everyone, that indigenous and settler, we all need healing. And someone might be listening and thinking, well, what healing do I need? Well, healing to understand, you know, the original people and our connection to the earth and acceptance and ridding yourself of stereotypes and any bias, or even the, our word, racism that might be embedded in you as an individual. So how has that program helped you to gain ground and helped you on your journey, Corey? Well, I'm only through, this is the third weekend and it runs on Wednesdays. But what it started to make me do is recognize me and my value to me. It's not about other people right now and not in this part of the journey. It's about looking within and identifying who I am and who I want to be. And you know, it's funny, the first part of our course was learning how we talk to ourselves. And so we had to do an exercise that was about flowers and rocks. And if I talk good to myself, I gave myself a flower. If I talk bad to myself, I gave myself a rock. And to see, at the end of the week, where we are, as far as how we talk to ourselves. And so I'm only learning, I'm new to this, but I see that it's bringing me into an inner self. I don't find out who I am before I can do anything for anyone else. Well, thank you for sharing that because that is so true of the medicine wheel. It helps us on our wellness. It's a holistic model. And, you know, if we can understand, you know, what is what does it mean to be trauma informed? And what does it mean to be in a space living in a space where we feel culturally safe? And I just wanted to share those words because I think that's very important for people to self reflect. And it doesn't matter who you are, what your culture is, to be able to gain wellness and support. So, Corey, can we, in the last few minutes, talk about your artistic ability and your creativity and what you're doing with that? I'm sure. So I have a small little business called Corey's Touch, glass, CB jewelry, and tapestries. And I make native based, I guess, is that even the right word to use anymore? I know we were at one point. I know originals. And so I'm trying to provide for the native community art that they enjoy. But not only is it that, you know, when I started beating four years ago, five now, my kids, it was piling up all of this stuff I'm creating and it's piling up and it's going to boxes. And I'm attached to every single piece because it's part of my meditation, it's part of my sobriety. And it's art that I'm creating. So I was attached every single piece of my kids that mom, you're hoarding it. Like, what are you going to do with this stuff? And so I started going to the markets. And so what it does for me, it grounds me 100%, it grounds me. And then when I see what I can create, I don't make my own patterns. I'm not that creative, but I will, the Corey's touch part is me putting my own touch into it, my colors. Sometimes in an odd pattern, usually with the jewelry, I will do something different so that it's not exactly like what the pattern is. But this is what I love about the whole journey that you've shared is that where you are at now, and the fact that, you know, beating is Indigenous. And so that that line that weaving of who you are with a craft to be able to be an artisan, to be able to share, you know, part of your wellness journey, and that is sharing it through art. And I have several pieces, Choker's earrings, bracelets, and as I mentioned, only met Corey just a year ago. And we cross people's paths for a reason. And so it's really important to be aware of who is around us and what does nature tell us as well? And do we see an eagle? Do we see a butterfly and just our connection to all of those? And so how many pieces do you make, say, in a week? Oh, it depends on what I'm working on. I can whip off some earrings real quick nowadays. Wow. And I know you were sharing that your clientele are Indigenous and non-Indigenous, because I know you don't just make Indigenous patterns. No, no. So right now, I'm working on a tapestry that's a custom order. And it's a, oh, shoot, I can't think of the word. That's okay. It's an antique type girl standing in, she's beautiful. She's beautiful. But I only had vintage. Thank you. That was the word I was looking for. But I think I enjoy most my patterns that are themed Aboriginal. And I enjoy the jewelry that the Aboriginals love, the colors, the vibrates, even the designs are different than what Caucasian people would wear and want. Or non-Indigenous. Oh, non-Indigenous. That's okay. No, no worries. So yeah, so I'm so proud of you, Tori. Thank you. I know I haven't known you very long, but I love the friendship that we're forming and just the fact that you're able to share with the public that your healing journey, from when you were a little girl growing up out west, you've lived across Canada and how that, how it all has come together in a place called Muscoca and in Huntsville. So any last words that you'd like to share with the audience? Keep searching. Keep searching. It's never ending. The circle of life is what the Aboriginal people live from my understanding of it. And the circle of life never ends. You know, I used to be so scared of death. I was so scared of death. I don't welcome death or anything, but I'm not scared of it anymore because I know my journey is still going to continue. So thank you so much, Cori, for being here and check out Cori and she'll be at one of the markets near you. Take care. [Music]