CONTRIBUTORS

Ateronhiatakon peacefully passed into the spiritual world on July 5, 2023. Francis was my dear friend and I will forever miss him. As an immigrant it is difficult not to feel terribly lonely sometimes, but Francis told me I wasn’t alone. I had Grandmother Moon looking over me. Francis Boots was my true welcoming to this native land.

Today I miss my beloved friend who truly knew about inclusion.

I hope that anyone who has been part of my cultural mediation projects knows that my inspirations came mostly from him. Francis was a knowledge keeper and he told us about the concept of TAIETEWATATENONHWERA:TON: "the duty we have to love one another as family." I hope his spirit gets us all to see such an obligation to fulfill this duty.

Ateroniata:kon Francis Boots was the kindest and wisest person I ever met, he shared his condolence ceremony with my loved ones and brightened up my day anytime I saw his lavender eyes.

SHA’TETIONKWATTE’ means “in nature we are all the same height.” This non hierarchical worldview is progressive as it is ancient. Francis lived by this principle and I’m so privileged to have been able to learn from him. I love you Francis. May your journey back home be a glorious one. I’ll see you in the stars at night.

- Carolina Echeverría