Pat Aaker and other Firekeepers Women's Society members help share Indigenous histories, culture and tradition with the residents of Medicine Hat and area.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
A group of Indigenous women from Medicine Hat and area are sparking new opportunities for empowerment, healing and reconciliation as the Firekeepers Women’s Society.
Established in February of 2022, the Firekeepers Women’s Society has a range of objectives, the primary being to support Indigenous women in discovering and celebrating their unique cultures, and to share aspects of those cultures with the wider community, so to generate awareness and appreciation for such.
“Knowing the history of residential schools, the 60s Scoop, and today’s child welfare system, a lot of Indigenous families have not grown up with their culture, and that has (impacted) where Indigenous people are today,” said society founder Chasity Cairns, whose spirit name is Saaám Aakii. “And so, a lot of healing needs to be done.
“But most of the Indigenous population here in Medicine Hat are from somewhere else, so we don’t have a lot of natural supports … So, that’s what Firekeepers Women’s Society is about.”
Cairns says the society provides local Indigenous women a familial/community space to meet, share stories of challenge and healing without judgment and learn about various aspects of their culture.
Since establishment, society membership has grown to approximately 55, with members regularly meeting to take part in group activities like sharing circles, ceremonies, blanket exercises, skill-sharing exercises, etc.
Cairns, alongside society chair Brenda Mercer, whose spirit name is Many Blessings Woman, and co-chair Pat Aaker hope the activities will provide members the Indigenous women-focused support they feel has previously been missing from Medicine Hat and area, as well as create new opportunities for them.
“We want to open up a storefront with craft supplies to supply our individuals here in town,” said Aaker, highlighting that many Indigenous women enjoy making cultural items and can achieve financial independence through sales, but don’t have local access to the proper materials.
Cairns believes the exploration and sharing of Indigenous cultures is, for many Indigenous women, healing in nature, though she feels non-Indigenous community members also benefit.
“There’s a need for sharing our culture,” she said. “And that’s not just for Indigenous people; it’s for everybody … So, we want to be that hub of culture in our community.”
Cairns says the society has several initiatives in the works and hopes to launch them within the coming months, but is at the moment working to secure funding and build partnerships within the community.
For more information or to connect with the Firekeepers Women’s Society, visit the society’s Facebook page.
