Carrington Christmas is a Two-Spirit Black Scotian-Mi’kmaw German woman residing on Dish with One Spoon Territory (Mississauga). She is an aunty, traditional singer, truth teller, public speaker, and provides advice on policy and legislation. Previously, she was the Director of Youth Advocacy and Development for the Native Women’s Association of Canada, developing programming to empower young Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender diverse youth nationally. She began her academic career in Indigenous Studies, but found strength, community, knowledge and a strong sense identity outside of academia.
How did you get into the work you do?
I volunteered at a local Friendship Centre when I was 18 and eventually joined their Board of Directors, it was here I learned to find my voice and develop a passion for advocacy and community engagement.
What/who inspires you?
Indigenous children and youth inspire me everyday, their love and dedication to building healthy and happy communities is a reminder of the impact we can have when we work together.
What’s one thing you do for self-care?
I play video games!
What do you do for fun (when you’re not saving the world!)?
I love travelling, visiting new countries and learning about their history and cultures helps ground me and develop new perspectives about the world.
Name a book, TV show, movie, poem, song, band, piece of art that you’d like to share. Why should people check it out?
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King — it’s a book that goes through the history of Indigenous people in North America and the impacts/intent of colonization and what it means to be Indigenous in North America.
What are you most looking forward to at the conference?
Meeting the other sisters and learning from one another.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
If you were having a dinner party and could invite anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
We’wha, she was by “modern” definitions as transgender Zuni (Indigenous) woman who was a cultural ambassador for her tribe.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Go back in time before colonization.
What was the last song you listened to?
Buzzin’ by Alina
What fictional character do you think is most like yourself?
Samantha Jones from Sex in the City
What’s your favourite snack?
Fuzzy Peaches
What’s your hidden talent?
I’m really good at laser tag.
Follow Carrington on Twitter @carrchristmas and on Instagram @ceyonce_!
SOCIAL:
#HerPlace on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
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