In this heartfelt and moving talk, Amy Smoke shares her experiences of growing up as a native off a reserve. After sharing the numerous hardships she faced, she notes she was only able to overcome them by connecting with her roots and through education. Amy shares with us how we can leverage and use traditional Native teachings to improve lives and the educational space for all and makes a call for "nothing about us without us". ​Amy Smoke is a Mohawk woman, Turtle clan, from the Six Nations of The Grand River. She is a mother, daughter, mature student, board of director, and active First Nations community member. She has overcome many of the intergenerational trauma that First Nations people feel when there are residential schools in their past.

She speaks of her own journey with substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and domestic violence. Returning to her culture has helped Amy connect to her family, their past, and their shared healing journey. She also sings with a local First Nations drum group, The Blue Sky Singers. She has continued her education by completing her GED, a college certificate, college diploma, two university degrees and was recently accepted into the Masters of Social Work Aboriginal Field of Study program at Wilfrid Laurier University.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx