June 17, 2018

"Being a father is holy work." – Dr. Evan Adams, FNHA Chief Medical Officer

Father's Day, June 17, is a time to honour and respect fathers, grandfathers, uncles, guardians, and others who play the role of "Dad" in our lives. I believe that being a father is "holy work" – work that we must step up to and pay attention to, work that is above and beyond who we were yesterday. I hope that all Indigenous men are reminded and supported to play their roles as fathers. The traditional role of "Dad" is so very valuable to our children's and families' lives. They need us to model healthy behaviours, to affirm their self-worth, to lift them up, to protect, care and provide for them. And sometimes they just need us to cheer them on, or simply love them. They look to us and need us to be present, to encourage them, and to be strong and reassuring for them -- all in partnership with any other primary caregivers.

We know that families come in many different forms. In my case, I am a two-spirit father, and my husband and I are fathers to six -- ranging from 10 to 23 years old. We are not the usual kinds of dads, we hear, but we're the only dads our kids have, and we value our roles. We're so proud of all of them and how active and full of dreams they are. Three have already graduated from high school! We try and show them what being proud and resilient looks like, just like I was taught by my own father growing up in Tla'amin First Nation. I still have him, so Iook to him constantly to remind me what traditional fatherhood looks like.

This Father's Day, I hope that all Indigenous fathers, grandfathers and father figures are respected and celebrated for the sacredness of their roles.

Next: more FNHA fathers’ stories!