Samantha D. Stevens

As the gentle hum of life fills our home, the passage of seasons is marked not just by the changing landscape but by the growth of our son, now nearing his first year. In the quiet moments of early morning, with the soft light spilling into the home office, I find myself reflecting on the intertwined journeys of motherhood and my doctoral research, both of which have profoundly shaped the past year.

My dissertation, a deep dive into the complication discourses of settler colonialism and the Robinson Huron Treaty, has been as much about understanding the past as it is about imagining a future. A future where my son, born of two cultures at odds, can navigate a world that respects and honours his Anishinaabe roots without the shadows of discrimination or the weight of historical injustices committed by the British.

The process of writing and research has been a beacon during the sleepless nights and the endless cycle of feedings and care. It has been a reminder of the world outside our doorstep, a world where the fight for recognition, sovereignty, and justice for Indigenous peoples continues to unfold. My work, grounded in Critical Discourse Analysis, seeks to unravel the narratives of dependency and paternalism that have long influenced settler perspectives, aiming to shed light on the themes of allyship and Anishinaabe agency that offer glimpses of hope and change.

This endeavour is not just an academic pursuit but a personal commitment to use my position and privilege to challenge the systemic structures I have inherited as a British/Canadian settler. It’s about ensuring that the legacy I pass on to my son is one of awareness, responsibility, and active engagement in the process of reconciliation and resurgence.

As I inch closer to finalizing the draft of my dissertation, the presence of my son serves as a constant reminder of the stakes involved. His laughter and his first tentative steps are not just milestones in his life but markers of time in my academic journey. They remind me of the urgency of this work, the need to contribute to a discourse that not only acknowledges the past but actively works towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

Navigating the dual roles of motherhood and academia has been a challenge, a balancing act that requires patience, resilience, and an unwavering support system. My husband, steadfast in his support, has been a pillar, managing the chaos of our daily lives with a grace that allows me the space to write, think, teach, and contribute to the academic community where I can.

As spring heralds the arrival of my son’s first birthday, I am reminded of the cyclical nature of life and the continuous flow of knowledge and understanding. This dissertation, once a daunting task, now stands as a testament to a year of growth, learning, and profound change. It is a piece of a larger conversation, one that I hope will resonate within academic circles and beyond, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about our shared history and the path forward.

In the quiet of the morning, with my son playing by my side, I am filled with a sense of hope and determination. The journey ahead is long, and the work is far from over, but in the eyes of my child, I see the promise of a new generation, one that will inherit relationships built on responsibility and understanding, not a broken legacy and oppressive systems.

To learn more about my research and recent updates, have a read here.