Episode 2: Hilda Anderson-Pyrz - A Sacred Responsibility: Advancing Safety and Justice | Our Voices, Our Work
Transcript for Episode 2: Hilda Anderson-Pyrz
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Our Voices, Our Work
Conversations on Community, Care, and Connection
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz
National Family and Survivors Circle
Todd Lyons:
Atamiskātōwin! Greetings, everyone! I'm Todd Lyons, and welcome to Our Voices, Our Work— conversations on community care and connection. In each episode, I'll be chatting with folks across the country to talk about what they do and how it contributes to the larger story of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. My team and I are in Ottawa and wish to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people. And my guest today is Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, President of the National Family and Survivors Circle, who joins us from Winnipeg. Welcome, Hilda.
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Todd Lyons
Indigenous Services Canada
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz
President, National Family and Survivors Circle,
Manitoba
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz:
Thank you, Todd, for having me today.
And I'm honoured to be here, and to be present, and to share, you know, on how we can collectively move forward together in this country.
Todd Lyons:
Just to start, like tell me—tell me what it is that you do, like what's your job and what should we know about the organization that you lead.
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz:
Well, first and foremost, I feel, this is not a job for myself and members of the National Family and Survivors Circle Incorporated. It's a sacred responsibility that each and every one of us carry, you know, to honour families and survivors and Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. And for generations to come. It's really about, you know, contributing to those pathways to, to build a future, for the safety, security, the healing, the well-being of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. And also to build pathways for impacted family members and survivors of gender and race-based violence, to have their voices included in processes and, you know, not only processes, but to be present at tables and to have decision-making and to have equity and to have equality as well. And, you know, we were formed initially as an advocacy circle.
In 2023, we became an official organization, nonprofit organization, and each member of the National Family and Survivors Circle comes with lived experience and expertise and their own gifts and their knowledge, to carry this work forward in a sacred way and in a meaningful way.
Todd Lyons:
So, it sounds like it could be very challenging. Very, maybe emotionally draining work at some times. And you've alluded to it already. But what is it that brings you into work today? What's the most rewarding part of the role for you?
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz:
I think, you know, for me, as an Indigenous woman, to know that, you know, I carry the spirits of family members, you know, who have lost loved ones and the voices of survivors of gender and race-based violence, forward. And—and I know that in itself is very, very important. And, also a very sacred—sacred responsibility. And to do it in a way, you know, that builds bridges, that builds pathways, you know, that builds partnerships and relationships is very critical because in order for change to occur, we have to all bring our home fires to the centre and recognize our space and our responsibility in this process, especially when we're looking at the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.
And when we look at, you know, when the national inquiry final report was launched in 2019, there was the national inquiry commissioners placed a sacred bundle in the hands of the then prime minister, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. And it was, you know, a transfer of trust, a demand for action. And also to say that inaction is not an option by accepting this sacred bundle and the sacred responsibility that it carried. And in that sacred bundle was the national inquiry final report. That bundle was also taken into ceremony prior to it being transferred to the then Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. So I'm really looking to hearing what the Prime Minister Carney has to say in recognition of carrying that responsibility of that sacred bundle as well. You know, because when we accept sacred bundles, we have to ensure that they're cared for. And the responsibility behind them is action, because that's how we're taught as Indigenous people. And by our partners accepting that bundle, it also carries a significant responsibility to end the genocide against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people, and to fully implement the 231 Calls for Justice.
Todd Lyons:
So, as far as the sort of work, the kind of projects that you do, what is a typical week or a month, I guess, if a week is not enough time. What does that look like as far as what you're doing?
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz:
Well, a lot of the work that we're doing is about like building partnerships, alliances, like educating, creating awareness to really move this work forward and for this country to understand that, again, the responsibility that each and every one of us has in ending all forms of gender and race-based violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. But more importantly, we look at how can we build those pathways for prevention, for healing, for wellness, for economic security, for safety, you know, for dignity, for justice. You know, that entails a lot. You know, we're constantly advocating, we're lobbying. We're, we're creating awareness. We're meeting, we're attending conferences, we're presenting, we're going to international stages to raise awareness. So it's very, very busy, you know, in the work that we're doing. And, it's, it's always continuous I feel. Often, it's like a 24/7 job, but I don't look at it as a, as a job.
It's like I said previously, I have the responsibility, and I've committed to the responsibility of carrying this work forward so that we see outcomes, you know, that have impact on the ground. This is why we're doing this work. We want to see Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people feel the impact on the ground. You know that they're safe, that they're living with security. You know, that they have access to culturally appropriate healing opportunities. That they have access to mental health, to health, like there's so many systems that need to change. And I know that we're going to change some things in my lifetime, but there'll be other generations coming behind me who will continue to do this important, sacred work. And a lot of it is about building connections. You know, I—I feel that, you know, in the development.
So the National Family and Survivors Circle was at the core of the development of the National Action Plan in response to the 231 Calls for Justice. And I feel that in that process, that we did a lot of educating and a lot of balancing about, you know, creating that equity and that equality in that decision-making. Because if you're going to bring voices at the table, you must honour and uphold those voices and to ensure that they do have equity and decision-making and all processes that you're bringing them to, it can't be just a one-off, say, you know, we're bringing you here temporarily. You know, reconciliation is really about relationships and continuing to build those relationships and, you know, being transparent in those relationships. You know, relationships shouldn't change because there has been, federal election, you know, those relationships need to be maintained.
And I would say probably one of the biggest struggles for the National Family and Survivors Circle is continuously looking for funding opportunities. It's like we're continuously looking for funding, you know, to prove to this country that we deserve to have resources in order for our—our safety, our security, our healing and our well-being. And as an Indigenous woman, I find that quite frustrating. And often I feel defeated, like, you know, when we're told, you know, we have a new government, can you please present a document as to why your work is important? Like, I just find that really hard to hear. And, you know, especially when we're doing this work, Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people are dying all around us, experiencing alarming rates of violence.
So I just, often think, can we, can we put the safety and security and the upholding of our inherent and human rights as Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people at the forefront of this country, not always trying to fight for that space and often being pushed out and then fighting again to claim that space. It's very, very challenging.
Todd Lyons:
So obviously, your eyes have been opened to the reality of what it is to be Indigenous in Canada. Is there something that continues to surprise you even now about where we are?
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz:
I think many things surprise me, but many things don't surprise me, you know, because I've been a champion for change for almost three decades. And, you know, when I see movement, I get inspired, I get hopeful, and I—and I want to keep fighting a good fight for the generations who are coming after me and the Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people who are here with us now, who need to feel that impact on the ground.
So I'm inspired when I see, you know, a national roundtable dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. That in itself is very powerful and very meaningful to, you know, say that governments are hearing our voices. You know, they're dedicating this table. And, you know, I'm hopeful that with this new prime minister and the, and his government, that they will continue, you know, to look at the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people, and to honour, you know, moving forward with the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice.
But what I do find surprising often is, you know, when you feel that you have built relationships and then something else that's a higher priority comes along, and you often feel forgotten, you know, in this process. But yet you're, when you're looking at the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people, this is a life-or-death situation in our country. And it's often disheartening if you're continuously fighting for that space to be heard, and you know, for those financial commitments and those resources to be dedicated to, you know, allowing us to—to live a good life, to live a safe life in this country.
Todd Lyons:
You've probably, you've woven very well, like some of, what I'm about to ask into what you've already said. But for people that are grasping, trying to understand, well what is, what is Indigenous reconciliation, what does that really mean? Can you just sort of summarize what—what you're doing and what you're trying to do really factors into making that more of a reality in Canada?
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz:
Well, I would say, you know, reconciliation is every act of truth-telling, every policy shift, you know. Every circle we hold, you know, plant seeds for tomorrow. And when we look at reconciliation, it's more than advocacy. It's a movement. And I say it's a movement of love, you know, of resilience and of the sacred responsibility of everybody working together, because we all have to share a space in this country. And if we're all thriving, I think it's, we're doing good. We're doing what we can, you know, and we're living in a place of respect and upholding the dignity of the first people of this country, of Indigenous people.
It's really, reconciliation is about change and having impact on the ground. You know, where we feel as Indigenous people in this country that our inherent and human rights are being upheld and that we're treated with dignity and respect and that we have access to equitable justice and economic participation. That we're living a good life, we're living a safe life, you know. And it's going to require everybody, including myself, my, you know, my family, all Canadians, all levels of government, you know, all, everybody around us to really be part of this process.
But we also, if—if we truly want reconciliation, we have to ensure that there is accountability mechanisms in place, like upholding governments to ensure that they're following through on the a calls for reconciliation. You know, the 231 Calls for Justice underpin all those legal instruments, you know, that tell the country that we do have rights, and our rights are required to be upheld, and we shouldn't have to continuously, you know, take systems and governments to court to prove our worth. You know, that's when we'll see true reconciliation, when it's honoured and it's respected, and it's acted upon meaningfully with resources and commitments, and that we're able to truly be who we are as Indigenous people in this country. Having access to our culture, our language, our identity, and, you know, being lifted out of poverty and having safe, affordable housing, access to educational opportunities, economic opportunities.
Finally, I just wanted to say that we need to build, like, a safer, more just and more compassionate Canada if we truly want to see reconciliation. So thank you.
Todd Lyons:
Kinanaskomitin. Thank you for—for being with me today, Hilda. And for everyone that's listening in today, kikīcinanāskomitināwāw. I'm grateful for you being here. Until next time.
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Our Voices, Our Work
Conversations on Community, Care, and Connection
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