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Talking Stick promotes good manners

Aboriginal Family Support program info was available through Danny Williamson and Laranna Androsoff at Partners in Parenting Conference.
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Danny Williamson with a Talking Stick and a basket woven from the needles that came from the same branch.

“A Talking Stick is the Aboriginal way to have manners,” said Danny Williamson, Captain of the Hunt for the Boundary Metis Community Association.

“You sit or stand in a circle and the one with the stick is the only one allowed to talk—no interruptions,” explained Williamson. “It goes around the circle. Each person has a turn to talk and it keeps going around until everything is resolved.”

Williamson had come with Aboriginal Family Support (AFS) worker Laranna Androsoff to the Partners in Parenting Conference in Rock Creek to spread the word about the work done through the AFS program and through organizations such as the Boundary All Nations Aboriginal Council and the Boundary Metis Community Association.

Williamson explained the symbolism found in the stick. “The wood represents the forest, the fur the animals, the feathers the birds, the shell represents the sea and glass and copper that represents the elements of the earth.

“These four colours of red, white, black and yellow represent the four races, the four seasons, the four directions, the four elements, the four stages of life and probably a few other things as well.”

“The AFS hosts a weekly cultural gathering each Friday for those from both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families interested in learning about, embracing, and respecting our various cultural traditions and activities,” said Androsoff, adding that AFS provides direct service across the Boundary, from Bridesville to Christina Lake to Big White. More information is available at 250-442-2267 or laranna.androsoff@bfiss.org.