This exhibit is rooted in academic research and personal exploration. As its creator, I include this self-location statement to clarify the perspective I bring to Voices From Red River, and to acknowledge the lived experiences and learning journey that informs my work.

My name is Ryder Hagemeister, I was born and raised in Kelowna, British Columbia, on the traditional, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan People, which remains my home when I am not living in residence at the University of Victoria (UVic). In Victoria, I reside as a guest on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. I am a Métis descendant of the Anishinaabe Nation, and a member of the Bay Mills Indian community. Currently, I am pursuing an undergraduate degree at UVic, with a double major in History and Indigenous Studies, and a minor in Business.

My connection to Métis culture and ancestral knowledge was limited growing up. My parents moved far away from the inherited impacts of colonialism they experienced before starting a family, seeking to plant new roots and build a stronger legacy for future generations. In addition to being physically distant from my ancestors homelands, the schools I attended did not offer education about Indigenous experiences or the history of colonialism in Canada within their curricula. It was not until my graduating year of high school, when Indigenous Studies courses were introduced, that I began to critically engage in a deeper learning journey about my identity and understanding of place.

Since then, my learning journey has expanded significantly at UVic, where I have found a greater sense of belonging and purpose through the Indigenous Studies program, the cultural and community events at the First Peoples House, and the relationships I am building across departments and in the Indigenous Living Learning Community. Additionally, UVic’s graduate programs and its Indigenous Law program continue to shape the opportunities I am pursuing beyond my undergraduate studies.

Creating Voices From Red River, is part of my ongoing learning journey and commitment to telling more accurate and comprehensive stories about our history in Canada. This work aims to elevate the voices and experiences of Indigenous Peoples alongside the more dominant narratives of European descent to deepen our understanding of different worldviews that shape identities, communities, and our collective experience of Canadian history.