In Conversation: Circle Keeper Virginia Red Crow &A

Last year, Trellis served 681 Indigenous individuals, almost half of which were children and youth.

We’re honoured to have five Circle Keepers who ensure Indigenous ways of knowing and being are embedded into our work and our spaces. A Circle Keeper is someone who has gone through the steps and learning necessary to acquire Indigenous protocols and share the teachings they have been given from Elders. Trellis Circle Keepers provide support across a broad range of our programs including preschool, afterschool, housing and outreach, group homes and our Family Resource Networks.

One of the Circle Keepers we’re fortunate to work with in our afterschool and preschool programs is Virginia Red Crow. Virginia is a familiar face at Trellis, having previously worked in our housing and outreach programs. In this Q&A with Virginia, we learn about the experiences that have shaped her and what being a Circle Keeper means to her.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I am from the Kainai (Blood) Tribe. I am blessed to know my direct lineage going back to my very great grandfather Chief Red Crow and very great grandfather Interpreter David Mills. I am a part of the Many Tumors Clan, reclaiming and learning the Blackfoot ways of knowing and being.

It has been a great privilege working in the social sector for over six years—working with children, youth and families, group care, outreach and now as a Circle Keeper, all while pursuing my education.

How have traditional teachings been passed on to you?

My parents were in residential schools, so I wasn’t taught a lot when I was younger. They also lost their parents very early on, so I never grew up with grandparents. But I lived on the reserve until I was nine, and every summer I would go back home, I was always surrounded by family and heard stories of my grandparents in the olden days.

My Elder is my uncle. When I graduated high school, he gifted me my first pair of moccasins. That made me want to learn more about my culture, so I started to spend more time with him. My uncle is very traditional and well-respected in the community. He speaks the Blackfoot language fluently, was involved in sun dances and the Blackfoot Horn Society, and he has a lot of knowledge on spirituality. My uncle is who I get all my teachings from.

How did you start working with young people and families?

When I was a leader for an Indigenous day camp, I met children who came from a variety of family backgrounds. Many of them were going through difficult challenges, and I realized that kindness goes a long way in these situations. That sparked a desire in me to help children and families find their voice and feel like they have someone that cares.

After serving in different roles at Trellis, what led to your decision to become a Circle Keeper?

I believe the voices of the people we work with are very important. Our organization works within systems, and I wanted to use my voice as an Indigenous person as well as a frontline staff to hold Trellis to their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. When we start to bring Indigenous programming into non-Indigenous agencies, we need to start with truth to fully understand how we can reconcile.

Western thinking influences our picture of the “perfect” family, but Indigenous people and minorities often don’t fit that mold. I spent most of my childhood trying to figure out why my family wasn’t perfect, and then I came to the realization that my family is and always has been beautiful. Each family is as unique as our fingerprints. That’s why I believe there needs to be Indigenous voices in these conversations about Indigenous families.

How do you carry that vision forward in your role?

What I am hoping is that we start Truth and Reconciliation a lot earlier. Teaching children through storytelling and making crafts like dreamcatchers, talking sticks and medicine bags gets children curious about Indigenous culture. We always say children are the future. Hopefully by me showing up and engaging with the children, they will grow up with a better understanding of Indigenous people. That’s what I think we can do with the new generation—create belonging in the differences that we have.

How do Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being influence how you work with participants in our programs?

I always go with humility and connection first. Through connection, change will happen organically. If I went in with power and authority first, I would be forcing the changes I want for them and not listening to the changes that they want for themselves.

Humility plays into reflecting, opening ourselves to hear others’ perspectives and listening to people as if they are wise. This is a lifelong process, and hopefully that will help with challenging systematic oppression.

What are some of your favourite moments as a Circle Keeper?

I really love when the kids come up to me and say, “What are we going to learn today?” Those are the moments I appreciate most.

I always say I have no expectations for the children except for them to be children. Children feel so much. It’s our job to change how we work with them when they are going through hard times. If we give understanding to our children—listening to them and letting them feel seen—when they grow up, they will give understanding. They will let others feel seen, and they will let others feel heard.

What is something new you’re learning?

There’s this beautiful word in Blackfoot that my uncle shared with me. When we see a rainbow, we use the word “iiksski,” which means “the sun has rosy cheeks.” It reminds me that though we experience stress and difficulty now, beautiful things can come out of hard times.

Anything else you’d like to share?

My great aunt was one of the first Indigenous people in Alberta to get her Social Work degree. People often told her that it was a burden to advocate for Indigenous people. I say, “No. This is a blessing.”

I think that’s something that speaks true to who I am. It is a blessing that I’m able to honour and respect my people, hopefully in a way that helps systems change for them. I don’t think my people need to continue to change for systems. Systems need to change for them and for the people that we serve.

Circle Keeper Viginia Red Crow teaches children in Trellis’ Ready Set Go! Preschool about how buffalo hides are traditionally used. photos: Blake McLeod