By Tarek Maussili
Tân’ si kahkiyaw niwâhkômâkanak êkwa nitôtêmak kitatamiskâtinâwâw kahkiyaw.
Greetings, all my friends and relatives. I wanted to share in Nêhiyawêwin, the Cree language, that I am Nêhiyaw (a Cree Person) from Waterhen Lake First Nation, Treaty Six Territory. Whenever I share my story, I ground myself in who I am and where I come from because that positionality matters.
In June, I traveled from the Prairies I call home to the Peruvian Andes, where Indigenous communities gather annually for Quyllurit’i (Qoyllur Rit’i). This syncretic pilgrimage, held high in the Sinakara Valley near Cusco, combines Catholic and Andean traditions. At its heart, it celebrates the stars and Indigenous resilience. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, it holds deeper significance for the communities who journey for days to reach the valley, serving as a powerful affirmation of their identity.
I attempted the pilgrimage myself, guided by a local friend of a friend. The snow-capped peaks and candlelit procession under the night sky were breathtaking, but my body let me down. I suffered severe high-altitude sickness. I experienced shortness of breath, dizziness, and exhaustion, which compelled me to descend that same night. For weeks afterward, I dealt with lingering health issues like fevers, weakness, and a feeling that my body had not yet fully recovered. At first, I saw this as a failure. However, I later realized it was a valuable lesson. The mountain humbled me. It reminded me that Indigeneity is not about conquest or proving oneself; it is about continuity, relationship, and survival.
Indigeneity in Peru and Canada
Indigenous Peoples in Cusco tell me that Quyllurit’i symbolizes the edification of Christ on the cross, but traditionally, Christ was represented as snow during this occasion. From an Andean perspective, Quyllurit’i is a Quechua term meaning “Snow Star Festival” or “Celebration of Stars,” as explained by locals. This ceremony, dedicated to the Indigenous Peoples of Cusco, features snowfall that signifies the renewal of life cycles and the start of a new agricultural year to be honoured and celebrated each year. Historically, the pilgrimage was undertaken by all the Nations, as Cusco was once divided into Nations rather than districts, which were created after Spanish colonization. Witnessing Quyllurit’i prompted me to consider Indigenous life in Canada. Both in Peru and Canada, Indigenous Peoples have faced centuries of colonization, including forced conversion, language suppression, residential schools, and systemic violence that continues today. Despite these challenges, both communities uphold their traditions. In Peru, Andean communities revere the stars, while in Canada, diverse nations, cultures, and communities gather for ceremonies like Powwows, Sun Dances, or potlatches. Through these rituals, we demonstrate resilience, revitalizing languages, songs, and stories that colonial systems tried to erase.
From Turtle Island to Cusco, the thread remains the same: we are still here. Despite genocide being a process, not just a past event, but ongoing, our languages, ceremonies, and worldviews persist. That resilience is not romantic; it is costly. It requires sacrifices, adaptations, and most importantly, community.
