Q+A: Local Order of Canada appointees Joe Miskokomon, Susie Matthias (2024)

The Order of Canada is being given to two people in the London region, one for her dedication to the arts and the other for his lifetime of work with Indigenous people. LFP’s Jane Sims spoke with both of them – artist Theresa Helen (Susie) Matthias of London, and Chief Joe Miskokomon of Chippewas of The Thames First Nation – in separate interviews. Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity and space.

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SUSIE MATTHIAS: Thalidomide survivor, mouth artist

Q: What was your reaction to being named to the Order of Canada?

A: “I’m truly honoured to be chosen for this award. I believe that people with disabilities can do whatever they want, and I think that’s amazing. It’s quite an honour to get acknowledged this way.”

Q: What project are you working on?

A: “I’m working right now on a children’s book. That will be a second book, probably within a couple years or so. It’s about my travels with the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, which I’m a full member of. And I’ve travelled around the world and the story is based on some of those places I’ve been to.”

Q: How important is the association to you?

A: “I’ve been with the association since 1991 and myself and other mouth and foot painting artists make a living through the sale of cards and calendars and products from our paintings. Any time I go to these (art) conferences, it’s so nice to see (fellow members). It doesn’t matter the disabilities they’ve overcome and they strive in whatever what they want to do. I am very honoured to be part of this wonderful organization.

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CHIEF JOE MISKOKOMON: Chief, Chippewa of the Thames

Q: What was your reaction to being named to the Order of Canada?

A: “I felt deeply honoured, of course, to be recognized. One never starts out in leadership looking for these kinds of honours. No one works toward those kinds of accolades. We do it for a different reason. (I’m honoured) to be recognized for close to 50 years of this kind of work, working not only for First Nation people but for the betterment of Canada.

“It’s been a long road and I’ve met untold numbers of fabulous people from all walks of life that helped participate in discussions and movements and a whole lot of different dialogues. Now, I see education catching the wind and looking at the multitude of court cases that have come forward based on the work with the constitution and based on the rights with the First Nation people. So, it’s been very rewarding.”

Q: This honour names you, but what does it mean to Indigenous people and the movement going forward?

A: “I grew up in an era where there was great divides between First Nation people and Canadian society as a whole. I think we were the forgotten people for the longest time. I think, through that period of darkness, many things were just assumed and we never had a voice at that time.

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“It only began to become vocal in the late 60s and into the 70s and at that point, that was my formative years and I was working and developing through that. I have seen people come and go and leave their mark. That has always been. It’s not about me, it’s about we. There’s a lot of terrain yet to go. The effort is always to close the gap.”

Q: Are you optimistic about the future for First Nation communities?

A: “There is more opportunity today than there has ever been. I see the future for young First Nation people, and young people in general, that there is an appetite now like no other before to work together in a manner that is civil and a manner that is inclusive. I think there is so much opportunity available for business, for academics, for the arts – and, go (Florida Panthers Stanley Cup winner) Brandon Montour – for sports and others.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my life and been in the right place at the right time and have been able to advance and have some minor input into this development of this country.”

jsims@postmedia.com

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