Episode 19 of 24 - Sheree. 

A reading from the book Policies of Exclusion, Poverty & Health: Stories from the front. 
Compiled, with Introduction and Reports by Chrystal Ocean. Copyright 2005.

"I’ve always hated the way I looked. I was fair-skinned; I had light hair. I wasn’t Status. I was 
considered Caucasian by the Native community and by the government, but the white people 
would look at me: “You’re Native.” I was hated and ridiculed by my family and my peers: I was 
nothing; I was nobody; I would never amount to anything, no matter how I tried, where I tried or 
who I tried with; I was adopted; I was found in the ditch; I was found in the garbage. That was 
what they told me. I was beat up physically everyday. By the time I turned 5, I was made into a 
sexual object."

I read that over to myself after copying and pasting it, and don’t know what else to add. It 
sickens me what Sheree and so many of these women have gone through.

All these stories were heart-wrenching to collect, assemble and hold secret until I released the 
first project report. Now to read them again, out loud, for these podcasts - well, that has proven 
difficult. In that respect, Sheree’s story is no exception. It's like I'm in her skin. 

Nor is Sheree an exception in protecting and nurturing an incredible inner strength to overcome 
what so many others wouldn’t:

"I’m hiding right now in this little place. I’m trying to gather my energy to go out in the world 
and say: 'OK, here I am again! Let’s try it again. One more time. Let’s get it right people!'

"I think I’m so stupid sometimes, seriously, because I go out there and try again. I really, 
honestly think that I’m going to find someone who’s going to help. It won’t go away. I just 
believe."

These women are amazing and literally take my breath away. It’s been a profound privilege to 
know them.

NB: Click either link below to access the podcast channel and Sheree's story.

Ocean
--
WISE Book - Policies of Exclusion, Poverty & Health: Stories from the front
Podcast Channel: http://bcseawalker.podbean.com/
Personal Blog: Challenging the Commonplace - and other irreverent activities
http://challengingthecommonplace.blogspot.com/

See also Fair Vote Canada's home for abandoned, neglected and abused voters - 
http://www.orphanvoters.ca/

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