The word OBEY does not exist in Indigenous languages. Our ancestors lived by their own systems of governance that sought to maintain harmony among all living things. The concept of obedience was forced upon us by church and government authorities. It slowly took hold and changed both our way of life and our way of governing ourselves. The time has come to consider regaining our sovereignty and reclaiming our original ways of decision making.

For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/telling-our-twisted-histories-transcripts-listen-1.6868648