Weight Loss Journey

#SheWalksAbout Weight Loss Journey

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I started my first Instagram account @SheWalksAboutNDN motivated by my recent weight loss and my ongoing fight for my health. Of course I post the usual but it’s less personal than my FB (which I reserve for folks I actually know) and less political/academic than some of the stuff I share on Twitter @SheWalksAbout.

I am already getting a lot of questions and comments about my weight loss success. First off, I have #lostover40pounds over the past ten months (woot woot!!). No surgeries, no calorie counting and nothing too crazy or difficult. I have always struggled with my weight but I have loved being a curvy thick and confident woman! What motivated this change was my health. A factor in my ongoing health issues is polycycstic ovarian disease (#pcos), something to talk about later on.

Over the past few years, I haven’t felt like myself. My energy was low, I had brain fog (not a good thing as a university student). I generally felt crappy. About this time last year, the fatigue was bad I knew something was wrong. Long story short, I was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It’s a good thing I’m not much of a drinker or I’d be in real trouble! On top of that, I have multiple non-specific liver and kidney lesions (tumors and cysts). Luckily, they don’t seem to be cancerous at this point but the doctors are watching things closely. My liver has not been functioning well but it can be healed!!!

Every six months, I get an MRI with liver and kidney function tests to monitor things. I had my first six-month check up in March. By that point, I had lost 20 pounds and starting eating a liver friendly diet but there was no change. My doctor told me I would have to lose a drastic amount of weight to start seeing improvements in my liver and overall health. Since April when I got the results, I have been dead set on making this happen on my own terms.

There’s a lot to share and I’ll do it in steps over time. I know, I know, it’s all a little tmi and I like my privacy. I decided to open up about this because I struggled my whole life with these issues so I figured someone else out there is struggling too. The short posts, updates, and pics will be on Instagram @SheWalksAboutNDN. Longer posts and info will be shared here. A lot of people have sent me private messages saying I have inspired them to fight for their health and to lose weight too. Niawenhkó:wa to you all! In many ways I feel like I am fighting for my life and the healthy future that I want. So far I am #winning.

Here’s to your health (& mine)!

~ Wahéhshon (She Walks About)

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Concordia U, Education, Grad Studies

Day School Research

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For the past two years, I have been conducting research on the Indian Day Schools that existed in my home community (Kahnawà:ke). Initially, I planned to blog about my research process as I went along. Due to the sensitive nature of this research topic, the university ethics committee stipulated that I could not publicize information about my research until I defended my thesis. My thesis examination was on April 26, 2019 and I passed! The final thesis has been submitted and I will be graduating from Concordia University’s Special Individualized Program this Spring.

I created a page on my website about my Day School research to make some of the information in my thesis more accessible to community members and to the public. I added an appendix to my thesis with a chronology of notable dates and events pertaining to Day Schooling in Kahnawà:ke. I cite references in each entry to help interested parties locate the source. There is still a lot of information to dig up and analyze on this topic. I am continuing my research at McGill University in the Integrated Studies in Education PhD program this Fall (2019).

Now that I have passed the thesis examination, I will be adding posts to my blog about my research process. I hope that sharing how I tackled certain issues will help other graduate students and Indigenous researchers. For anyone interested in reading my Master’s thesis, I will post information on how to access it after my submission is accepted by the Spectrum database.

Niá:wen 🙂

Wahéhshon

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Concordia U, Education, Kanien'kéha

First Post – Grad Studies Topic

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Kwe Sewakwé:kon,

It has been difficult for me to get in the habit of posting regularly but I have emerged from the comfort of my quiet life to share some of my experiences as a grad student. Many other students ask me for help and advice and a few of them made me realize how much I have figured out (with help) along the way. I hope that sharing my experiences will help some of you with the struggles of university and grad school. Posting here, there is a better chance that the info will reach a broader audience. When I mention universities, programs, or any other resources I will provide as many links as possible to help you all out. I also added some additional info at the end of the post for those of you unfamiliar with some of the lingo.

In this post, I would like to start with an overview of my educational background. In 2013, I began my studies as an undergraduate student at Concordia University in the First Peoples Studies Program (FPST). I also have a minor in Anthropology. I completed my degree in the spring of 2017 with Great Distinction* and served as an Arts and Science Valedictorian (my speech is on the “video” page). There are currently no graduate degree programs in First Peoples/Indigenous studies in Quebec. Luckily, Concordia has an Individualized Program (INDI) that allows you to build a unique multidisciplinary Master’s or Doctoral program. I put together an Individualized Master’s degree grounded in First Peoples/Indigenous studies that merges education, anthropology, communication, history, and applied human sciences. My Master’s research is on the Indian day schools in my home community of Kahnawà:ke. I expect to complete this research and graduate this Spring, 2019.

I have received numerous messages and emails with questions about things like: FPST, scholarships, grad studies, student leadership, INDI program, grad school applications, choosing research topics, territorial acknowledgements, cultural protocols, Indigenous issues, and so on. As a graduate student, I have tackled some of the typical issues that arise and faced a few unique ones as an Indigenous person. After this initial post, I plan to write about each of these topics one by one. Note that I am not an “expert”, just someone who is willing to share my experiences in the hopes that it helps someone else.

In Peace & Friendship,

Wahéhshon (“She walks about”)

 

*Great Distinction (Definition at Concordia University, note that gpa is calculated on a 4.3 scale)

Access Nov 26, 2018:  http://www.concordia.ca/academics/undergraduate/calendar/current/sec16/16.html

16.1.9     High Academic Achievement

A degree “With Distinction” will be awarded to students who obtain a final graduation grade point average (FGGPA: see §16.3.10 II.c) of at least 3.40 and below 4.00.
A degree “With Great Distinction” will be awarded to students who obtain a final graduation grade point average (FGGPA) of 4.00 or greater.

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