THE JOURNEY OF WENDY: FROM STRUGGLES TO STRENGTH

by JAHNAVI SIVARAJAH AND TANGIORA HINAKI

Wendy's life story is one of immense strength and resilience, shaped by the challenges she faced as a child. In her book, I Came Around in a Circle, Wendy opens up about her early years, growing up in an environment where survival was never guaranteed. "When I was a little girl, I used to run away from school and go back to the reserve," she recalls. "I said goodbye to my mum, wondering where the family had gone. After 1950, families were being taken back to the stations, and I couldn't understand why they didn’t come back for me." Her book sheds light on the hardships of growing up in a system that abandoned children, leaving lasting trauma for many, including Wendy, who was left behind at just five years old.

Despite the deep pain of her early experiences, Wendy found the strength to overcome. Reflecting on her journey, she says, "When they left me behind, I had to find my own way, and I told myself, 'I'm going to stand on my own two feet again.'" Wendy’s resilience speaks volumes as she recounts how, despite the emotional scars, she pushed forward. She reflects on how things have not changed much since the '70s, with children still starving and facing disabilities, and continues to fight for change. "We are still the same as we were in the '70s," Wendy says. "Nothing has changed from then to today." Her words are a call to action for those in positions of power to address the ongoing inequalities faced by Indigenous communities.

Yet, amidst the hardships, there were moments of joy. Wendy recalls a time when she found comfort in an English woman named Mrs. Rooney, who took care of her in a small cottage. "She left me to play with her dolls, and for a little while, I felt at peace," Wendy remembers. "She was kind to me when I had no one else." As Wendy grew older, she found support and strength from those who cared for her, and today, her life is filled with love from her three sons and growing family. "I'm happy with my three sons and two grandsons," she shares with pride. "And now, I’ll have ten grandchildren soon." Wendy’s story is one of survival, strength, and an enduring hope for a better future.