‘Reclamation involves courage’: A Xa’xtsa youth talks dancing, advocacy and bravery – FNHA
June is National Indigenous History Month, and this year, over the next four weeks the communications team will be sharing a series of stories profiling five Indigenous youth from across British Columbia. Some are artists, dancers, youth workers and activists and despite coming from different communities and different backgrounds they all have one thing in common – each person is on their own reclamation journey and breathing new life into the “old” ways.
Reclamation for Indigenous people will have a different definition depending on who you ask, but at its most basic level, reclamation is the process of claiming something back or reasserting a right.
This week, hear directly from Helena May, a 23-year old two-spirit youth whose lineage comes from Xa’xtsa First Nation, Ireland and Scotland. They’re an artist, skateboarder and youth activist group coordinator who is passionate about the role culture can play in people’s lives.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
