Danni
Trigger Warning // Discussions of MMIWG2S
“I was raised by powerful Anishnaabe women so I wish to follow in their footsteps.”
As Danni walks in the footsteps of those who raised her, she is paving the way for an entire generation of strong, empowered Indigenous women. Danni co-founded Nimihitotan, an Indigenous-led workshop in Edmonton, where she teaches her students to reconnect both to their bodies and culture, to take up space, and embrace their power. Danni is a passionate advocate for her community. She is also someone who is all too familiar with the horrific injustices faced by Indigenous girls and women in Canada. But through her voice, education, and platform, she continues to remember the lives that have been taken. Danni is a fierce leader, who navigates life with compassion, gratitude, and undeniable strength. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
D: Tansi/Aaniin (Hello) My name is Danni Okemaw and I am from Berens River First Nation and God’s River First Nation in Manitoba. I am from the Anishnaabe and Swampy Cree nations. I currently live in Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Treaty 6 Territory. I am a dancer who is passionate about many styles of dance such as Powwow, Contemporary and Hip-Hop. I have co-founded a monthly Indigenous hip-hop dance workshop series Nimihitotan in Edmonton. I also just finished my Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies at The University of Alberta. When I was in my undergraduate program I found a love for reading, writing and research. I am also passionate about Indigenous Language Revitalization for our Indigenous communities here on Turtle Island.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
D: I would describe myself as having courage and passion for my community, culture, language, family and friends. I was raised by powerful Anishnaabe women so I wish to follow in their footsteps.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
D: I don’t have one specific thing but I love that I was born into an Indigenous way of life and family. My family are powerful people who have endured many hardships but continue to succeed. My mother has 14 siblings and my father has 10 siblings. All of my aunties and uncles on each side are fluent in their Indigenous Languages of Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway) and Cree.
My favourite thing about myself is being able to call them my family.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
D: My post-secondary journey has challenged me in unimaginable ways especially in the beginning, as it uncovered a lot of past trauma in my life. I was not making the best choices for myself and my healing. The most life altering experience that changed the trajectory of my decisions while in school was dealing with my niece Norma’s murder. As I was in my Native Studies classes learning and studying about MMIWG2S, I was also experiencing this terrible loss. I was very emotional and very anxious to see and hear how the media was going to tell her story. The media has been called out for highly stigmatizing Indigenous people for generations. I wanted her spirit and her story to be told with love.
It was the Indigenous community on U of A campus who supported me through this time. It was the amazing professors, amazing Indigenous student support staff, students and Knowledge Keepers who have supported me and guided me through this time. I was asked to help organize the last MMIWG2S Honour Walk in 2019 on U of A campus in which I was able to honour and mourn my niece in ceremony before the walk.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
A: I would tell myself “Ahkameyimok!” which in Plains Cree translates to the phrases “don’t give up, keep trying and perseverance.” Our Indigenous languages hold so much love, hope and power in them. As you’re growing into yourself and going through challenges and success it’s grounding and healing to hear and speak the language.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
D: A Kwe and Iskwew (Woman in Anishnaabemowin and Plains Cree) means to me is to always honour our place in our communities and in our families. In our Indigenous culture here in Treaty 6 and Treaty 5, Women have responsibilities and are honoured. It’s important to me to keep on learning about our knowledge and teachings of being a Kwe and Iskwew.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
D: My mother Violet Okemaw inspires me everyday. My mother finished her Undergraduate Degree in a time where Indigenous voices were silenced (1970s-1980s). She has raised two kids who were 10 years apart while being a school principal and received her Masters Degree at the same time (00’s). She has also received her Phd Degree that focuses on the validity and foundational elements of our Indigenous Languages to our Indigenous cultures. I also hope to follow in her footsteps! Miigwech.