Fallon Farinacci

And so we, you know, became friends and eventually had the honor of co-hosting with her and following her lead for this decolonial reading circle. But it was really, I feel, that... And again, I'm realizing this for the first time. I think that was kind of that moment where I thought, okay, like, I can do something. There's something I can do, too.

And so we, you know, became friends and eventually had the honor of co-hosting with her and following her lead for this decolonial reading circle. But it was really, I feel, that... And again, I'm realizing this for the first time. I think that was kind of that moment where I thought, okay, like, I can do something. There's something I can do, too.

And again, it was Robin who introduced me to this incredible organization. It's Abbey House. It's a transitional home for Indigenous women. Mm-hmm. And I thought, okay, this is an organization I also want to get behind. And so it was that year I was turning 38 years old and my dad was 37 when he passed and my mom was 18. She was just shy of turning 37. My dad was shy of turning 38.

And again, it was Robin who introduced me to this incredible organization. It's Abbey House. It's a transitional home for Indigenous women. Mm-hmm. And I thought, okay, this is an organization I also want to get behind. And so it was that year I was turning 38 years old and my dad was 37 when he passed and my mom was 18. She was just shy of turning 37. My dad was shy of turning 38.

And I wanted to start this fundraiser because I'd be the first person in my family to turn the age of 38. And I wanted this fundraiser to honor all of them. And yes, it was a crutch, absolutely, to pull me through the pain of survivor's guilt of turning 38. But I'm so, you know, those...

And I wanted to start this fundraiser because I'd be the first person in my family to turn the age of 38. And I wanted this fundraiser to honor all of them. And yes, it was a crutch, absolutely, to pull me through the pain of survivor's guilt of turning 38. But I'm so, you know, those...

I really realized how much the Decolonial Reading Circle really showed me, okay, you can do something yourself as well. And I thought, okay, well, I'm going to do this fundraiser for Abbey House and also for my home community. So I thought, okay, we can raise $3,800 for both of these organizations. And then I almost didn't press enter because it dawned on me, well, no one listened. No one cared.

I really realized how much the Decolonial Reading Circle really showed me, okay, you can do something yourself as well. And I thought, okay, well, I'm going to do this fundraiser for Abbey House and also for my home community. So I thought, okay, we can raise $3,800 for both of these organizations. And then I almost didn't press enter because it dawned on me, well, no one listened. No one cared.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. It was probably one of the lowest moments in my life and literally a moment. Like you can just be so blindsided by something. A thought come in and think like, no, you're not doing this.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. It was probably one of the lowest moments in my life and literally a moment. Like you can just be so blindsided by something. A thought come in and think like, no, you're not doing this.

I don't know. Something came over me. We'll just say it was my ancestors.

I don't know. Something came over me. We'll just say it was my ancestors.

Yeah, I press enter. And boy, am I ever happy I did because within 24 hours, we raised $10,000. Oh, my God. Yeah. Yeah. And I feel like, I think to date, we're at like $109,000. That's amazing.

Yeah, I press enter. And boy, am I ever happy I did because within 24 hours, we raised $10,000. Oh, my God. Yeah. Yeah. And I feel like, I think to date, we're at like $109,000. That's amazing.

Not including from there, then I thought, okay, what else can I do? Yeah. It's just been something that has, I think, also given me that the proof that people want to help, that you can do something also on your own. It doesn't have to be like something big. And so from there, you know, I just thought, OK, well, now what? Right. Like it's always that. Now, what can I do?

Not including from there, then I thought, okay, what else can I do? Yeah. It's just been something that has, I think, also given me that the proof that people want to help, that you can do something also on your own. It doesn't have to be like something big. And so from there, you know, I just thought, OK, well, now what? Right. Like it's always that. Now, what can I do?

I feel like that's such a sign. Yeah. that this is what you were meant to do. I love that you said that because you don't even know this, but my spirit name that I have that was gifted to me by an elder is White Thunder Woman. And he said that I'm here to make a lot of noise. And so that's just so special that you said that because, yeah.

I feel like that's such a sign. Yeah. that this is what you were meant to do. I love that you said that because you don't even know this, but my spirit name that I have that was gifted to me by an elder is White Thunder Woman. And he said that I'm here to make a lot of noise. And so that's just so special that you said that because, yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. And that was that was it. Then I was like, I want to start a walk. We didn't have a walk for May 5th. We had one. We had gatherings for February 14th. And then we also honor in October as well, our Sisters in Spirit Day. So I thought, OK, well, let's have something May 5th. to bring people together. And so we started a walk and, you know, we're hosting it again this year.

Yeah. Yeah. And that was that was it. Then I was like, I want to start a walk. We didn't have a walk for May 5th. We had one. We had gatherings for February 14th. And then we also honor in October as well, our Sisters in Spirit Day. So I thought, OK, well, let's have something May 5th. to bring people together. And so we started a walk and, you know, we're hosting it again this year.