Linda Jordan (Cousin) - Honesty

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I asked my cousin what object in her personal possession sparked significant memories of her life.  She chose to include two beaded tulips that she received as a gift from two strangers - this happened during a time when she was experiencing much personal upheaval at the age of 26.  In thinking back to that point in time, she feels that the flowers represented her decision to leave an abusive relationship and begin her cultural and spiritual journey to connect with her Anishinabai identity.  Linda’s mom had survived the residential school experience, but not without a heavy cost.  It ultimately affected how she would (or couldn’t) transfer Anishinabai cultural heritage and pride to her own children.

 

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Linda was born on December 18, 1951 to Melvina and Wallace Jordan.  She is the oldest of three and has a sister Joanne and a brother, Barry.  Linda would only know her father for five short years before he died of a heart attack, but she has some distinct and very special memories.  One in particular involves spending time with her dad as he was teaching her how to tie her black and white oxford shoes.  She remembers the kindness and love of both parents, and a time when the family was together and happy.

 

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Although Linda doesn’t specifically remember the photograph on the left being taken, her mother recalls that a traveling photographer was passing through town with a pony as a prop.  Both mom and dad looked on as the photographer snapped the picture.  A few short years later, her father would be taken away from her.  The years after his death were difficult - they could no longer live in the INCO-owned house in Creighton, Ontario and had to move.  Yet, the love of her mother for her children, kept the family together.  Linda remembers the great sacrifices her mother made in raising them as a single mother.  Linda had to grow up fast and learned to help her mother out around the house and watch over her younger sister and brother.

 

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Linda attended L.J. Atkinson Public school in Garson, Ontario.  She was a wide-eyed innocent young girl, who was very quiet and shy.  For a school picture, the photographer posed her in front of a map of Canada, but the lessons she would learn in school about the making of Canada would not include aboriginal people and any reference to her cultural heritage would be negative and demeaning.  Linda said she remembers this time as being lonely, and she began to feel different from the other children.  Ironically, twenty years later, Linda would enter the world of Aboriginal politics and be involved in many historical events.

 

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The photograph on the left was taken the first Christmas after the death of her father.  Linda remembers one occasion just before this photograph was taken – it was her birthday (one week before Christmas), and she was home sick when someone came to the house bearing a Christmas basket of food and gifts.  Since it was her birthday, the individual gave her an extra gift – cut-out paper dolls.  To this day, Linda says it is the kindness of others that touches her the most.  The family always experienced some financial hardship, but Linda acknowledges and is grateful for her mother’s tenacity, creativity and love.  Her mom took on extra work, would make or re-design clothes, maintain and decorate their home and yard.  Her mom would never complain - and she was always there.  Linda was, and is very close to her mom who is now 82.

 

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Linda was also very close to my grandmother.  In the photograph, Linda is in the center, her sister Joanne on the left and my grandmother is on the right.  Linda remained close to her extended family and found solace in them.  She found it increasingly difficult to fit in at school - she felt different from the other students.  There was only one other Indian family in school.  Incidents of racism were frequent - this is where Linda learned to despise the word ‘squaw’.  These early experiences would remain entrenched in her memory, and eventually fuel her desire to make change for the better.

 

 

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Linda remembers her high-school years as lonely.  She said she would never want to experience them again.  The photograph on the left was taken on the day of her grade eight graduation.  She had her hair done at a local salon, and her mother made her graduation dress.  After Linda graduated from high school, her mom thought it was time to see the world.  Although only planned for a summer visit, Linda would stay in Toronto for 10 years.  It was 1968, and she wanted her independence.  She found work at Neilson's Chocolate Factory, initially in the mail-room, but she had a very strong work ethic instilled by her mom and in everything she did, she demonstrated initiative and took on various other jobs with more and more responsibility.  After several years in Toronto, Linda decided to make changes in her life.  She left the abusive and dysfunctional relationship she had been in for three years and somehow found her way to Vancouver.  She was then 26 – and this is when she received the beaded tulips.  It was 1978, and this is when Linda began an earnest search for her true self.  She had only planned to go to BC for the summer, but she is convinced that the Creator had other plans for her.  She applied for a position with the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs whose President was George Manuel - a well-respected Indian leader.  Three years later, Linda would be heavily involved in organizing the Constitution Express - the term given to one of the most historic lobby efforts of Indian leaders.  

 

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Following this profound experience, Linda was offered a job in Ottawa, and she began another stage in her career in what she refers to as the Aboriginal public service.  First with the National Association of Friendship Centres, then the Native Council of Canada and the Native Women’s Association of Canada, Linda became well known and respected in the Aboriginal community.  But despite her accomplishments and achievements, Linda was still experiencing significant personal struggles -- one of which was well-hidden -- and which altered her thinking and behaviour.  Seeking help in 1992, Linda realized what the problem was -- alcohol.  Entering a life of sobriety kept her on a mostly even keel while she was with the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.  Here again, Linda’s knowledge and skills were utilized, and with the exception of the very legal text on the Indian Act, Linda wrote the Women’s Chapter for the Final Report of the Commission.  But her path was not easy - because she cared so much, she became a workaholic and didn’t take care of herself - emotionally, physically nor spiritually.  After three and a half years of sobriety, she traveled on what she calls ‘that other road’ for another year and a half.  Today, Linda lives a life of sobriety - one day at a time - and understands that change must come from within.  The path to recovery and self-discovery is never-ending - you always have to work on it - but with passion, willingness, acceptance, honesty, a positive attitude and an open mind.  Linda continues to be involved in making contributions towards improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people and now works for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.  She is an advocator for political and social change and has successfully made major inroads in the area of social and health related programs and services.  She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, and has been an integral inspiration and mentor in my own personal and professional development.  Linda is more like a sister to me than a cousin. We remain very close, and she continues to inspire and encourage me.  She is a kind, thoughtful, independent woman, who has given much of herself throughout her lifetime.  Linda has shown me the true meaning of honesty; honesty in accepting myself for who I am, and that honesty is to face a difficult situation with bravery.  I love her very much, and she will always be an inspiration to me.