亚洲天堂 Lake resident Corinne George has released her first book, Alha Disnii: My Truth, a deeply personal memoir about her experiences growing up as a Witsuwit鈥檈n woman.

Through the book, George offers a unique perspective on the ongoing impacts of colonization, the resilience of Indigenous peoples, and the importance of healing and reconciliation.

Born and raised in Smithers and Telkwa, along the Highway of Tears in northwest B.C., George's early life was shaped by systemic discrimination and the intergenerational trauma of colonization, she said.

She left her home territory in 1989 to attend college and returned to the area a decade ago, settling in 亚洲天堂 Lake to be closer to her family.

Now the regional principal at the College of New Caledonia鈥檚 亚洲天堂 Lake campus, George has spent much of her life navigating the challenges of her heritage and identity.

Her desire to write a book began back in 2003 when she started her Master of Arts degree.

鈥淎t that time, I started thinking about the Witsuwit鈥檈n people, our family鈥檚 experience, and my own connection to our culture as a Witsuwit鈥檈n woman. Over the years, I realized more and more how important it was for me to share my story, especially the traumas I鈥檝e faced.鈥�

George鈥檚 mother was a residential school survivor, and her father was a World War II veteran. "We were raised within their cultural context," she said, reflecting on the generational influence of her parents' experiences.

She also faced her own battles with multiple forms of trauma, including violence and lateral violence.

鈥淚 wanted to write about these experiences, not only to raise awareness of what I鈥檝e gone through, but also to speak to how I鈥檝e overcome those challenges. It became crucial for me to share how I began healing from my traumas and how I came to embrace truth in my life, especially in a time of truth and reconciliation," George explained.

The title of the book, Alha Disnii, which translates to "My Truth" in Witsuwit鈥檈n, reflects the core of her message. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about my journey鈥攎y truth, my traumas, and my path toward healing,鈥� she said.

Though the idea for the book had been simmering for nearly 20 years, the writing process came together more quickly once she began.

"I was writing at night, sometimes at 2 or 3 in the morning, or on weekends when I could find the time. Even though I have a full-time job, I鈥檓 the caregiver for my mother, and I have various cultural and community responsibilities, I made writing a priority when I could," she said.

It took her about three to four months to get the core of the book down.

Initially, George aimed the book at young Aboriginal people, particularly women. But as the writing progressed, she realized the book鈥檚 appeal was much broader.

鈥淚 wanted people from different backgrounds, worldviews, and age groups to gain something from my experiences鈥攚hether it was learning from my mistakes, understanding my healing process, or gaining insight into the lives of Aboriginal people, especially as a Witsuwit鈥檈n woman.鈥�

The book is now being marketed globally, and George believes it will resonate with a wide range of readers.

"In part, I wrote this book to honour my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and ancestors. It鈥檚 a way to uphold our Witsuwit鈥檈n culture and history, and to share what that means both for our people and for me personally as a Witsuwit鈥檈n woman,鈥� she said.