Representing Carleton’s Aboriginal students, ALDS MA student Brittany Amell read her poem “The Heart of Bravery” at Carleton University’s Remembrance Day ceremony Wednesday.
She asked that we include the following paragraph to accompany our posting of this story.
“The Ojigkwanong Aboriginal Student Lounge has been a tremendous source of healing and community for me. The moment I stepped into the lounge, I was greeted warmly and welcomed — a welcome I will always be grateful for. Elder Paul Skanks and the many diverse students at Ojigk have generously shared their wisdom and stories with me. I continually learn from them.
When I was asked to share words at Carleton’s Remembrance Day Ceremony by members of CACE (Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education), I was honoured and grateful to have the opportunity to serve the community in a small but meaningful way. What follows are the words I wrote for the day.”
The Heart of Bravery
(Brittany Amell)
As we pause together in silence today, let us find some stillness and breath.
And within that breath
And within that silence
Let us listen.
— I have been taught that the greatest weapon of a warrior is not a weapon
but a way of being.
A way of being kind
Noble
Compassionate
And brave.
And I have been taught that
The warrior who is brave
Is a warrior who practices bravery
Not only in grand, sweeping actions
But in those small moments that ask us to open our hearts and
To stay open in the face of whatever it is
That makes us want to close shut.
So, in our breath
And in our silence,
May we take courage.
May we take courage from our ancestors’ big and small acts of bravery
These acts which remind us to live our own.