Taanishi kiiyawow, Mara Kersey d-ishinihkaashon.  Enn femme Michif niya.  Campbell River d-oschin.  Beaudry, Brabent, Brazeau, Chastellaine, Fraser pi Lucier mii noon di famii Michif.  Ma Michif paraantii kayaash oschi Li Rivyeer Ruuzh kii-oschiwak.  Deu aen garsoon d-ayawaaw.  Shane pi Levi ishinihkaashowak.

Hello everyone, my name is Mara Kersey.  I am a Michif/Métis woman.  I live in Campbell River, which is the traditional territory of the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ people.  My Michif family names are Beaudry, Brabent, Brazeau, Chastellaine, Fraser and Lucier.  My Michif family originated from the Red River area.  I have two boys, Shane and Levi.

I grew up knowing I was Métis from a very young age, however that had no real meaning to me.  It was something that we didn't talk about.  As a teenager I became interested in starting to connect with our Métis community, but after graduation life became too busy and other things took priority.

After having my boys and then the pandemic hitting the world I knew I needed a change.  I felt like something was missing from my life.  I began to learn as much about our culture as I could, so that I can pass on art, textile, language, dance and history to my boys.  Now when I see them go to school with their sashes on, proud of who they are, it makes my heart happy, I would have been too ashamed to do that as a kid.  To learn and connect to our culture, history, language and artforms has had a positive impact on our lives, and I am so grateful for the community that I have found.