A new collective formed by Indigenous women and girls is welcoming new members in Medicine Hat.--PHOTO BY JOLYNN PARENTEAU
“Oral storytelling tells us who we are, where we’ve been, and gives us lessons that we need in order to move into the future in a good way.”
– Kerissa Dickie, Dene author,
Fort Nelson First Nation
Anytime people gather, stories and news are soon shared, drawing us closer together.
That is the aim of a new social club formed this month. Beginning with a small group of like-minded Indigenous women, the circle has expanded to welcome Elders and girls of all generations and Native nations.
Meeting last Thursday evening at Medicine Hat Public Library, the new circle of a dozen friends broke bread with a potluck dinner. Compliments for the rice pudding sparked memories of a homestead recipe. A first-time batch of fried bannock was well-received, assuaging worry over not measuring up to a late mother’s specialty.
Originally coming from all four directions, the group members now make their home in Medicine Hat, but are quick to share stories from their home communities. Reports shared from family members up north whose homes are threatened by wildfires were met with nods of concern, prompting memories of farm life and harvests past.
An Elder in attendance spoke about her grandmother, a midwife, who helped to birth her, and at the end of the grandmother’s life, the granddaughter was by her side in her final days. The opportunity to provide life care that came full circle is a gift the Elder cherishes.
Group co-founder Chic Stuber received her moniker, pronounced ‘chick’, from her grandfather. It is by sharing stories like these that keep our ancestors’ legacies alive.
Stuber shared her thanks with the group for the support the new club has already received.
“We actually ended up with $20 from someone who believes in what we’re doing, and a donation of supplies for the rest of our potlucks that we’re going to host,” said Stuber. “We’re starting with modest, humble beginnings, but that’s how it all starts.”
Gathered around the table, circle members introduced themselves, the youngest girls giving their age, school grade and talking about an upcoming talent show and their pets at home. One member recalled visiting her home reserve for the first time as an adult, meeting an extended family she didn’t know existed. Another announced her upcoming graduation for her social work and addictions counselling diploma, which was met with warm applause. A mature attendee reflected on discovering a rich cultural heritage that had been hidden by parents, another Elder recalling painful experiences of surviving residential school and later, returning home to find their parents felt like strangers. Sharing individual stories are threads woven to bind us together.
As the circle continues to workshop a name for their new collective, co-founder Laurie Oulette suggests the group think on the teachings of The Way of the Animal, a philosophy focused on leadership styles.
“A Buffalo organization will follow its leader when it jumps,” says Oulette, illustrating jumping over a cliff. “In a Buffalo organization, you don’t have a say, you don’t have a voice. Here, we’re all sitting in a circle and everyone has a voice.”
Oulette described their fledgling society as a Geese organization, where each member takes equal responsibility and has their own skill to share, in this case, talents like jigging, beading and storytelling that can be passed onto others.
Geese fly in a V formation to create an uplifting air current for the member following. When the point goose tires, it falls back in the V formation and another bird rotates to take the lead.
“People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. It pays to take turns doing the hard task and sharing leadership with people, as with geese, interdependent with one another,” from Lessons From The Geese.
“We are all needed. It takes a community. We all have a vision for a better Medicine Hat,” says Oulette, who hopes this new group can learn from each other while welcoming new members in, referencing the Matriarch Movement – an online platform, podcast and non-profit focused on amplifying Indigenous women’s voices and ancestral knowledge.
Group membership is open to women, girls and Two-Spirit individuals. The circle has a far-reaching vision of future growth, including offering traditional education such as the Grandfather and Red Road Teachings and women’s and men’s healing programs in an Indigenous spiritual- and cultural-based environment. Mental health and addictions outreach, advocacy for family reunification, child welfare, intervention and prevention in the justice system, youth employment support, and language and ceremony revitalization will all be pursued. Coaching in arts, film and dance from Oulette’s Sunworks Arts and Cultural Society will be made available, and an Elders and Youth mentorship program is to be developed.
A welcome statement at matriarchmovement.ca echoes the circle’s community-building vision.
“There is strength in numbers. Our mission should be to build bridges, not walls; to offer our hands in guidance. In the true sense of community and connection, what we do for each other helps to uplift the spirits of ALL people.”
“Getting like-minded spiritual people together and sharing our cultures, ceremonies, and knowledge, learning from everyone is what I’m looking forward to,” says Stuber.
The all-nations circle welcomes everyone to a family potluck on Saturday, June 3 from 2-5 p.m. at Kin Coulee Park, where a name for the society will be chosen and announced. The circle can be contacted via email at womenshealingmh@gmail.com.
JoLynn Parenteau is a Metis writer out of Miywasin Friendship Centre. Column feedback can be sent to jolynn.parenteau@gmail.com.
