Weytk! With love and gratitude, I welcome you [smiling warmly] on a journey to understand who I am and how the seed of Coyote Tales was born. I was born in Kamloops, British Columbia and have lived most of my life in the Secwépemc territory. I grew up on a small reserve called Simpcw First Nation. Simpcw means “People of the Rivers” because there are so many waterways and lakes in the territory that our nation is responsible for protecting. I can say in my heart the water has called to me my whole life and it is never very far away. As a child, I connected with Mother Earth, and she shaped me…. she was always there watching over and protecting me. I have fond memories of my childhood connecting with Mother Nature, all the elements and had the honour of wildlife showing themselves to me. I grew up on a farm with my two sisters and my six cousins, and we were inseparable.  We had amazing adventures and the freedom to be creative and fearless. My connection to Mother Earth is deep within my soul.

  I am a Secwépemc woman. Our history shapes us and we embrace distinct lessons on our journey on Mother Earth. My mother went to residential school , along with all of our grandparents. My father did not go to residential school, however his childhood reflected all of the after-effects of the residential school. The first residential schools in Canada began in the 1830’s and the last one closed in Canada in 1998. Its long-lasting  impact can still be felt today, and will be felt for many generations to come. When we think of the children who attended residential school and what the atrocities they experienced; physical, emotional and mental violence, not having a voice, starvation,  lack of love & safety, and the parents and grandparents [touching my heart] ……. how they felt knowing from their own personal experiences of residential school and what their beautiful children would be forced to endure was unbearable. I understand in my heart how they coped……. the addiction, the self-harm and the blame they took on for their children’s experience when they were truly  powerless. It was the law for all Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) children to attend the residential school. When I reflect on the children who attended the residential school they are not survivors in my heart I know they are warriors!!

  My childhood is a reflection of the residential school and most importantly shaped me to be the human I am today. I understand the walk of addiction, family violence, sexual abuse and loss of voice and power. The hardest lesson was not knowing safety in all its aspects until this past year in 2024. The self-hatred and running away from my identity until adulthood was constant. The journey within to love myself has been a hard long road however it has also been extremely rewarding. I have gratitude for every lesson and embrace the Creator, Mother Earth and all my guides have gently nudged me on to this road to heal and love myself. This path has led me to this road to now walk with you……. this road of LOVE!

  The residential school is a part of Canada that is forever in our hearts and minds. We still hold guilt and shame  and it stops us from moving forward to heal. I stopped and I looked around the world and I started to cry [reflecting……my heart ached]. My heart felt like it was breaking and realized it was not only the Indigenous people however, it is all of us that are affected in some way. There is no aspect of Mother Earth or humanity that is not impacted by colonization. I began thinking of humanity and what was it like in the beginning………a seed started to grow. It was hope and then it was LOVE, which led to an immense love for all……All-beings. Why can’t we just begin today and be the essence of who we are:  LOVE!

  We were communal no matter what society you looked at…… we needed each other to survive. We needed to depend on each other ……. that we would fulfill our role in community, and everyone was valued. We all had a voice, and we may not have agreed on everything, however if could we live with a decision …… we came to consensus. The wealth of the community was reflected in how the most vulnerable were treated…. the children, the women and All-beings. We loved all the gifts Mother Earth gave us and we walked on her with love, and we looked after her because we felt her Love in everything. Every step and breath was gratitude to her!  Everyone and everything was honoured and respected and we lived in balance. There was love and unity!

  This brings me to Coyote Tales……how can we begin to walk with guilt & shame and find the similarities, and not focus only on our differences. I want to embrace the teachings of Coyote to help us transform ourselves, and be the light we were always destined to be which is pure love and love for all. I hope you enjoy the journey Coyote, Mother Earth, Creator and the Superbeings will take you.

  May you open your heart to believe in the magic of Love and Hope and walk with me gently on Mother Earth and embrace all her gifts!!

  All Our Relations,

  Sharnelle