" I believe that when we school we help each other receive a deeper discernment . Where there is sympathy , there is pity , and racism dies in the face of pity . ”
Marika Silais an actress, model, stunt performer, and Indigenous rights activist. She is Inuvialuk, and was born in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada. You might know her fromThe Amazing Race Canada,Ditched, orThe Twilight Zone, but her latest project is something very close to her heart.
Marika is educating Canadians about the history of Canada by producing a documentary calledWhat’s Next? On Canada’s RedPath to Reconciliation.
In all of Marika’s work, she aims to educate the masses. In her own words, “I believe that when we educate we help each other find a deeper understanding. Where there is understanding, there is compassion, and racism dies in the face of compassion.”
We sat down to claver about everything she ’s working on :
What first inspired you to get into the world of acting, stunt performing, and modeling?
Marika : As long as I can call back I have wanted to be an actress . When I was younger , I rewatched the movieMiss Congenialityabout 100 times and I loved Sandra Bullock ’s reference . At the time we had family friend in Vancouver working on large blockbuster films and they took me to set one day . My mankind alter evermore ! Some kids nerd out about dinosaur orDungeons and Dragonsbut I just want to visualize out how I could be in the pic someday — haha !
Why is it important as an Indigenous content creator to share your story?
Marika : We , as Indigenous Peoples , have been unwritten storytellers for centuries . It ’s of import for us to keep these fib alert . As Canadians extend to learn about Canada ’s past colonial violence , we ’re at a decisive dot where autochthonic history and Canadian awareness are intersect for the first fourth dimension . With the limelight on this government issue , it ’s important to train Canadians about the Native American residential shoal and what the Indigenous community hopes to see moving forward .
I believe you could not have balancing without the truth and we can not have rapprochement until we are heard . As evidence continues to be uncover , we demand Canadians and citizenry across the existence tolistento what we are saying , because there is a lot of healing in screw that we are beingheard .
You do so much and wear so many hats! What drives your passion for it all?
Marika : At prison term it becomes a bit overwhelming ! But I just bring it back to my , " Why ? " . When I was 16 yr old , I bring down the Galapagos Islands and I visualise what Greenpeace was doing to protect the Islands . That inspired me to make a difference in the world . Since then , everything I do feeds back into my intention to build my platform , so that I can inspire autochthonic youth and raise awareness about Indigenous rights and climate issues .
With almost half a million Instagram followers, do you ever feel the pressure of having to portray yourself in a certain way? If so, how do you remain authentic to yourself and your audience?
Marika : As an autochthonal actress and influencer I do find pressure to “ do serious ” as we call it . But in all serious-mindedness , I opine that Indigenous influencers are held at an unrealistically high standard that most influencers are not . With every move it feels like I have to consider every autochthonous right wing payoff . It can be tiring and sometimes it stunt my creativity . I ’ve learned that as long as I keep my post personal to my experience I can evince myself and my beliefs more freely on-line .
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
Marika : My folk has had the biggest influence on who I am to my core . My pa gave me the genial strength to do what I do . My sidekick is a two - meter Winter Olympian and he incessantly inspires me . My female parent gifted me with my heart . I develop up watching how my mama moves through the world and she is the grounds I am capable to lead with love life .
You’re the owner of an Indigenous entertainment company calledRedPath. Tell us about the phrase and why it is so important to you?
Marika : The phrase “ walk the red way ” is an endemic phrase commonly know as walk a course dedicated to dryness , wellness , health , and doing things in a upright way . It is of import for me to walk my version of the crimson course because at this item in my life , I feel like this is the only way for me to subsist . I believe that when you are good to yourself and others , the Creator , Universe , or whoever you believe in , takes care of you .
What started my journey take the air the ruddy path was my determination to quit drink in almost 10 old age ago now . I do n’t know where I would be if I had n’t made that single life selection .
What is your goal through making your documentary,What’s Next? On Canada’s RedPath to Reconciliation?
Marika : My goal with this documentary is to conjure up awareness about the Indian residential school day system , and to promote as many Indigenous voices as I can while locomote across Canada to document what true reconciliation see like . The aim is to not only root on a new understanding amongst our nation but to assist facilitate a deeper understanding and a fitter kinship between the Indigenous community , the administration , and the cosmopolitan public .
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned from working on this documentary?
Marika : I have memorize that healing takes time , just like making a documentary film . I earlier pitch this documentary film in 2021 , but the newsworthiness of grand of unmarked tiddler ’s graves unwrap on Native American residential shoal grounds had shook me more than I had expected .
My father is a residential schooltime subsister so this information opened many unhealed wounding . At one point , this documentary film became too heavy for me to carry . I had to put it aside until I was emotionally strong enough to persuade this forward . I ’ve actualize that most of my issues staunch from everything the Indian residential schoolhouse system has engage from us . As an endemic woman I have an inherent connection to my spirituality but I suffer with a deficiency of discernment for it . I trust that the noesis that was drop off in the schools would have aid me empathize this side of myself . This is why it is so significant to elevate Indigenous interpreter and wisdom of the elder . I make out I am not the only autochthonal soul that struggles with this side of themselves .
I have agnize the grandness of having a compounding of Indigenous and non - Indigenous team members . When this work becomes too heavy it means the world to have people who do n’t have “ pelt in the game ” help hold the system of weights of this project . It is a beautiful and an essential part of reconciliation for autochthonous people and non - autochthonic people to work together .
I have find how healing it is for the Indigenous community members to feel hear . In all of the interviews so far , the participants have expressed how they feel short knowing that they will be hear . I expected the interviews to be really heavy , and they can be , but it has been so inspiring to see the strength shine through every one of these speakers ' stories . It inspires me to question even more elder and community leaders so we can share this infotainment out into the world !
At what stage are you in the production phase?
Marika : We have just released ourfirst trailerfor the documentary ! We are now seem for more investor to underpin and collaborate with so that we can cover as much of Canada as possible . We are hoping to have the full documentary released by fall 2024 . So if anyone is interested in investing in this Canadian documentaryplease let us know !
What are your personal views about truth and reconciliation?
Marika : This may be a controversial answer , therefore I am not mouth on behalf of my residential area , I am only speaking for myself when I say this : I believe that rapprochement has to happen on both ends . I conceive that non - Indigenous citizenry have a role in this just as much as my fellow Indigenous kin . The Amerindic residential schooltime system was forced upon us , it is not our fault . But now it is in our superpower to heal ourselves . I do n’t think we will get anywhere without unity and without take responsibility in doing our part . A immense aspect of that healing outgrowth for me has been pardon but not to forget . It is important to honor that clip but also to forgive . This is not for anyone else but for myself and my own healing journey .
The free weight of residential school and everything it has taken from myself , my family , and community is heavy . It is something I do n’t want to carry eternally . It is something I want to let go of but healing and forgiveness takes time . And I am not quite there yet .
I have never see forgiveness like I have from my father . I believe if my father can forgive the priest and nuns that harmed him and his sibling in residential shoal , anyone has the magnate to forgive . I believe pardon is freedom and it releases our attachment to the pain from the past . I owe it to myself to forgive so I can heal , countenance go of that weight , and coiffe out to do what I was meant to do on this earth . I believe that our role in rapprochement as Indigenous peoples is the responsibility to heal so we can empower ourselves , tame our traditional ways of life , come apart the round , and thrive .
In your own opinion, what are actions that people can take to move forward for the next steps inTruth and Reconciliation?
Marika : I opine doing just as they are in this moment — read this article is a really outstanding start ! As well as take heed to the true wishes of the Indigenous community , educating themselves ( and not ask Indigenous citizenry to do all the educating because it can be really exhausting for us ) , stand Indigenous artists and Indigenous owned stage business , and elevating Indigenous voices .
Wearing Orange River on September 30 is a really light way to show up in support of all the Indian residential shoal Survivors and anyone affected by the system . Also , sharing the trailer for our documentaryis an actionable step . you could also donate to Indigenous non - profit fundament and hang Indigenous head protests as well .
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Marika : I just want to say give thanks you to anyone who has take the time to read this clause , if you made it all the way through to the end I just need to applaud you for being the character of person who cares enough about autochthonal right wing . The world needs more multitude like you ! If you feel inspired to follow along my journey and get update about the documentary film you may follow me@marikasilaon Instagram and@thatwarriorprincesson TikTok . For any business inquiry please visitwww.marikasila.com .
Quyanaini , give thanks you everyone !
@Marika Sila on why The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th is so significant for not only the Indigenous residential district , but to all Canadians as a whole.#truthandreconciliation
Check out theWhat’s Next? On Canada’s RedPath to Reconciliationtrailer here:
Note : answer have been edited for distance and/or uncloudedness .
