Reclaiming his indigenous name: Khelsilem’s story – Home | New Fire with Lisa Charleyboy | CBC Radio

‘Rebranding’ himself as Khelsilem was based on where that particular name comes from.”Khelsilem comes from a family that did a lot of work that was very public – canoe building and carving,” he said.”These are things that are done in a private sense but then shared with the world afterwards.”As he was getting ready to leave the name Dustin behind, a friend offered some advice, telling Khelsilem that identifying by his indigenous name would become an opportunity to practice patience.”It’s very interesting when I introduce myself because I never know what a person’s reaction is going to be,” Khelsilem said.”Some people just kind of tilt their head and give me a look, and it kind of befuddles them a little bit.”

 

via Reclaiming his indigenous name: Khelsilem’s story – Home | New Fire with Lisa Charleyboy | CBC Radio.