Circle of Abundance - Ezine - April 2022

April 2022

ISSUE TWO Circle of Abundance

WELCOME

Everything Indigenous is Everything in Abundance

April 2022 | Second Issue

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cover Art and Design Arihwaiens Martin, Redwhip Media

Editor-In-Chief Andrea Curley

Coady Institute St. Francis Xavier University 4780 Tompkins Lane PO Box 5000 Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5 Canada

Contact Us https://coady.stfx.ca/contact-us/

Every life form on Mother Earth is interconnected through relationships.

“Lost are those who deny those relationships with creation and our Ancestors.”

– Andrea Curley

Andrea Curley Haudenosaunee Onondaga Nation Beaver Clan

Welcome to the second issue of the Circle of Abundance Ezine themed ‘RELATIONSHIPS’.

It is in our DNA to be interconnected and to have a relationship with all of life. Since time immemorial, we have been given the tools to endure and peacefully enjoy our earth walk as spiritual beings, having a human experience, as an individual, and as the collective. While on our clear paths, we are reminded by our Ancestors to walk in gratitude so that we may live our lives in abundance. We understand that there is balance within all of creation, and that we have every opportunity to be wholistically healthy in our minds, our hearts, and our actions/reactions. We are generations of people of great grievances, losses, and tremendous atrocities—our legacy is heartbreaking and treacherous. We are in a time of observing Canada and its citizens beginning to see the truth of this country’s history. We are also a people of song, dance, prayer, family, abundance with respect and honor. The Indigenous women of this country are in a movement of lifting the hurt hearts off

TOC PAGE 4

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CofA COADY STAFF

KAREN MACKENZIE

CHEYENNE HENRY

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JANE MEADER

COADY ADVISORY

MARY COYLE

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ALUMNA EXPERIENCE

IRONS IN THE FIRE

DOREEN ARROWMAKER

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RECONCILE VIEWPOINTS

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

the ground. We are resilient, strong, and the violence and silences are breaking. It is our birthright to remain precious and to enjoy life—to be the beautiful, humble, peaceful nurturing leadership women that were born to be. We are the Indigenous women to the land. We continue to bring the heart beats to this land. We are the First Nations, the Inuit and the Métis and WE ARE STILL HERE! The Circle of Abundance at the Coady Institute has a story that starts over 10 years ago with Indigenous women gathering that have all shared stories of their homes, their hearts, their legacies and identities of self. Ancestors from coast to coast to coast look upon these women and are humbled. The Indigenous Women in Community Leadership flagship program is a game changer. The experience is residual for the rest of the participants’ lives, especially if they are open to humility, acceptance, resiliency, and a deeper learning of self. Being chosen to participate in this program also means that someone older, with experience, gets partnered to be an assigned mentor. I am a 2015 graduate of IWCL and I foster that relationship still. It has been a two-way street

TASK TEAMS

for maintaining this relationship. If she doesn’t hear from me, she contacts me and asks, “What’s up with you”? she is always there, always willing to lend an ear and has always had the right words to offer me. I am forever grateful for IWCL for joining us. Nyaweha Gawa ‘do:wehs Luann Hill-MacDonald.

This Ezine has been created to hold and share space so we can share stories, highlight alumnae successes, experiences and learning about life after living through the Circle of Abundance networking at Coady. Our next issue will be shedding light on Alumnae entrepreneurs in the businesses of being an Indigenous WOMAN. Remember, Everything Indigenous is Everything in Abundance.

In gratitude,

A. Curley Andrea Curley

Circle of Abundance Logo, 2021

C A COADY

Karri-Lynn Paul, MA Ed Program Teaching Staff | Circle of Abundance, Indigenous Programming

The years spent as lead teaching staff at the Coady Institute certainly feels like it’s only been a blink of an eye. It is a gift to be positioned here for the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program because we learn and share stories about our lives. The gift is trusting others and being trusted. I may be standing at the front of the room; however, I am standing amongst the participants as the leaders that they already are. Most times it is about holding up that mirror for them to see themselves and the leaders they already are. More about Karri-Lynn ...

Krista Hanscomb, MEd (She/Her) Nujikina’muet, Program Teaching Staff | Circle of Abundance

K’we, I am Krista Hanscomb and I am from Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, here in Mi’kmaki (Nova Scotia). I am the mother of two wonderful children and kiju (grandmother) to an amazing granddaughter. I am an alumna of StFX University and previously worked as the Aboriginal Student Advisor from 2006-2010, during which time the Coady Institute was a welcoming place, and the faculty and staff were always a great support to me. I was thrilled when I was offered the position of Program Teaching Staff with the Circle of Abundance. More about Krista ...

Andrea Curley Indigenous Engagement Coordinator | Circle of Abundance

Sge:no! I am Onkwehonwe, Onondaga Nation, Beaver Clan, of the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations Grand River Territory. I have been affiliated with the Coady Institute since graduating the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program of 2015. In 2017, invited to speak at the Indigenous Rural Women of Canada at the United Nations in New York City. 2019 then brought in as the event coordinator for the IWCL 10year Alumni Gathering to which we celebrated on campus with a 4-day conference. More about Andrea ...

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CIRCLE OF ABUNDANCE ELDER IN RESIDENCE

Jane Meader

When we do our naming ceremonies it is asking spirit what name that the person is to carry. It is the name that the spirits know you by and sometimes people can carry more than one name. Our names give us our identity, it tells us who we are, and it lets us know our roles. When you find your name in ceremony; spirit, warrior, and clan all have to do with relationships to each other. When I talk about that, it is about building relationship with Creator, with Spirit, with the earth so the Spirits the Creator and Creation knows who you are. It cements the relationships. That name lets you know why you are here, and you may be given gifts. The name is important in the physical and also in the spiritual world. In the physical world it relates you to each other and to self. It is how you are to behave; it is about rising above flaws and to walk this earth in a way that we don’t hurt anybody, and that we don’t walk in fear or anger. We are to make sure the way we treat each other, that we make sure everyone’s dignity is intact, and we treat people the best way we can. We have no right to shun or put anyone down. In Mikmaq we don’t have words that devalue human life. In Mikmaq we don’t have a word for disabilities. Our language is focused

more on what a person can do and strengths. We are strength based in our language and how we relate to one another.

When we pray, those thoughts and words are to come from your heart. It’s like ceremonies. I can show you and tell you how I pray, and I can tell you and show you how I smoke pipe, but I was told that I would find my own way. It is about figuring it out on your own. Finding what feels right to you.

Praying builds a relationship to Creator. When I teach my children, I tell them it is up to them to build their own relationships spiritually. Thoughts are the same as speaking. I don’t always say the words, but I can speak using my mind. Thoughts are prayers. Like wakening up in the morning and thinking of my children that are away, I think “I hope my children have a good day.” And that is a prayer. Sending out good thoughts is sending out good vibes.

People are having hard times and going through mental breakdowns and depression creeps in, but I think what we haven’t practiced enough is gratitude. Thoughts like yes, it is Covid, I have to stay inside the home, it gets depressing, and I know

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I can’t see and hug my grandkids, however, there are a lot of other things to be grateful for. I can Face Time and still get in a visit, I can talk on the phone, I can still know that they are ok and doing ok. It’s not too often that people think about that gratitude as much as we could be. When my children were younger, I was always concentrating on what I didn’t have, and used to think I didn’t have much to be thankful for. I was told once that I needed to be living in gratitude.

I started thinking about things and started being thankful that my children were asleep in their beds and weren’t going to be interrupted in their sleep. I started thinking about other things to be grateful for and I found there was a lot of things. Thankful for the roof over my head, my job, and my children were good people. Like even today I am so grateful to have a computer to keep in touch with my family and friends.

When you can have and practice that gratitude, you can start building relationships and be more at peace within yourself. I remember thinking I would never have peace in my life, but I do. Our ancestors talked about a good mind and good heart and to be thankful and they walked in gratitude. We have ceremony for being halfway through the winter and that we make it through the rest of winter. This ceremony helps our thinking for being grateful. Human beings forget to be grateful for other life in creation. For water, meals, for animals, plants, and weather.

One of the biggest issues us women face is that we don’t follow our traditional beliefs and practices entirely the way we could. We have learned from western society to belittle each other, to be critical of each other and to be in competition with each other, rather than raising each other up. We need to look at each other as healthy loving sisters. Let’s work hard to not be in competition the way we all been taught in school when we were younger. To practice this could end up paying off If we get rid of the competition and work together. We can walk together and hold each other’s hands and support one another as much as we can. This has me thinking about the bill of rights and how it could have been called the bill of

responsibilities. That way we could have been putting that ownness on ourselves and may have changed how we relate to one another. Rights comes with responsibilities. It is about the community and the greater good for everybody. Hopefully we will truly, truly build each other up and become what we are meant to be to each other. We don’t know where anyone else is at. Give without conditions and little acts of kindness can mean so much to someone.

Time and timing take tolls on the thinking within our relationships.

I wanted to leave you with a lesson I was taught that when you go to someone else’s home, you help, you don’t expect to be waited on, you help do chores.

When you leave you are to leave that place as good as when you found it or better. We are so used to immediate gratification. Seems that people do not take the time anymore for anything. Sometimes a good bowl used to take 5 years to make. Time and timing take tolls on the thinking within our relationships. Solving issues in meetings, it’s about the clock more than the solution. Even texting, people expect a response or there may be ill feelings if not answered promptly and can be unfair as something may have been happening, or maybe that person just didn’t feel like answering, and then one has to explain themselves. Needless emotions can happen, and the real issue is timing. It is up to us to change what we need to.

Indigenous people are amazing and when it is time for me to leave. It is my hopes that there are hearts that are better because I was here, that is how I will leave this a better place through the good relationships I have built and maintained. Maintenance is important.

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PLEASE CALL ME BY MY SPIRIT NAME Skaydu.û Jules yu x̱at duwáasakw. Ax̱ léelk’w du tláa Skaydu.û yu duwáasakw, ka Graffie Jules dleit ḵa x̱anax̱ yóo x̱at uwasáa. Daxhła shàax I yá x̱át.

G̱ooch naax̱ x̱at sitee. Deisleen Łingít ḵwáan áyá x̱át.

Ax̱ tláa Khagane yu duwáasakw, Connie Jules dleit kaa x̱anáx̱. Ax̱ tleikw’ axh tláa du tláa Kashdaxh Tláa yu duwáasakw, Minnie Jules dlet kaa x̱anáx̱.

Ax̱ tleikw du tláa Skaydu.û yu duwasagoon Graffie Jules dlet kaa x̱anáx̱. [My name is Skaydu.û Jules.

I’m named after my grandma’s mom Skaydu.û and Graffie Jules in English. I am a woman of the Eagle Clan and I am Wolf moiety. I am of the Teslin people. My mother’s name is Khagane and Connie Jules. My grandma, my mom’s mom is Kashdáx̱ Tláa and Minnie Jules. My grandma, my grandma’s mom was Skaydu.û and Graffie Jules.]

SKAYDU.Û JULES Teslin/Tlingit Circle of Abundance Alumna

The past few years I have been on a beautiful journey learning my Łingít language at home in Deisleen Ḵwáan and the last few months here in Áak’w Ḵwáan. Truthfully, up until this past year, I have lived my whole life feeling like I have never lived up to my first name Skaydu.û that was passed down to me in Łingít way. That however hard I worked at learning language, culture, traditional knowledge and art. I never felt like I was doing enough, and because of this I spent many years being unkind to myself for never adding up.

But I realized at the start of this past year as I reached my first year of sobriety that no matter where I go and what I do. All I have to do is my best, I no longer have to put that pressure of disbelief and asking myself “am I enough?” I am enough, I know in my heart that as long as I love and believe in myself unconditionally. That no matter what happens I can use my great grandma Skaydu.û’s name in honor. That with the strength and guidance of my ancestors I can do anything I set my mind to.

Long story short, please call me by my Tlingit name only.

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CIRCLE OF ABUNDANCE WEBINAR Reconcile Divergent Viewpoints

The Circle of Abundance in partnership with Atlantic Council for International Cooperation invited Waneek Horn-Miller as a webinar guest speaker February 8th of 2022. Waneek introduced her presentation titled, "Turning Trauma into Strength: A Mohawk Woman's Journey of Reconciliation.”

What Horn-Miller had to say that resonated most with the theme of relationships was about communications are of course key in every and all aspects of every and all relationships. Horn-Miller spoke of how in today’s society people may think that tweeting or posting a comment or a video is communicating, and it isn’t. As she explains here, it requires much more consideration of being with others, and listening as much as speaking: “Communication is a twoway thing, we have to learn as human beings, we have to learn as a society that if we are going to get through as a society, we’re going to have to talk to people we don’t agree with, we have got to figure it out how to hear them, we are going to have to figure out how to understand them, and to reconcile divergent viewpoints to walk together.

The fundamental thing to overcome and teach to our kids is to debate each other, to have the tough conversations. The most powerful tool as a young leader is to really hear the people. Hear them and then be able to talk to them.”

If we learned more of what communication is most effective when, as we tread throughout our journey, could you imagine the utmost purposeful impacts we could have, being the Indigenous Women Leaders and Change Agents, we already are?

The most powerful tool as a young leader is to really hear the people.

10 Visitors on Mikmaki (where MAGIC happens)

KAREN MACKENZIE I was already very familiar with the Coady Institute so when asked to be a mentor I accepted immediately and graciously. Consequently, I absolutely love coming to Antigonish and coming to the campus. My first time coming to be a mentor I was coming from the airport, and I thought the last time I had been to the campus was many many years ago for a football game and this time I will be seeing it from a different perspective. Coming to town feels like I am coming home in many ways. I am eternally honored and grateful to be a part of the mentoring program and affiliated with the Coady Institute and St. Francis Xavier University.

My mentoring relationships have been outstanding. I go with our teachings of ‘All my Relations’. I make it a point to contact the women before coming to the campus just to introduce myself and start the relationship.

I offer giving a perspective of the campus and of town, especially for the women coming from Treaty 6, 7, 8 communities on what it’s like to be by the ocean, as most To best benefit from have never been east. It is incredibly beautiful, and it chills your IWCL mentor at night and that something we don’t experience during our long summers here. I like to meet the participants is always to build a throughout the years, maybe over coffee, and so when good relationship. they come to campus, they know that one thing, that there’s no dissonance, and that I can welcome them. I continue to stay in touch with my mentees via emails, calls and in person visits.

I see myself as their Auntie. Being an Auntie comes with many responsibilities and I take those very seriously and enjoy them whole heartedly. I have also become and Auntie to some of the women I didn’t mentor that have taken the program.

There are so many good stories.

I especially enjoy sitting at the beach and listening to the waves and feeling what it’s like to be a guest on the Mikmaki and taking it all in on all levels mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically and reflecting.

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A mentee and I met for lunch to a baking shop close by and we saw a cookie cutter and it had the same name of the business she started. I said, “Why don’t you get it?” She said, “I will think about it.” I went back and purchased it and then gave it to her as a gift and as a lesson. I then told her to think about opportunity cost, instead of driving home, think about it and perhaps drive back to get it, just grab it now and it is done.

Another story is that a project didn’t go as designed and I had the opportunity to teach how to change it midway and asking hard questions, like, what do you want to achieve? What does it look like? It does happen, projects do change. Things go sideways, and its not about just walking away. Change to meet your goals, the communities’ goals, the programs goals and so on. The learning is about communication and option thinking and building resiliency.

At Coady some mentees looked at weaving culture into business because Indigenous people

have always been businesspeople. Edmonton is a place that Indigenous people gathered and traded every year and shared stories. It is in our DNA and certainly shines through some. That is what mentoring is about it isn’t one way it is reciprocal.

Like how people look after Elders and Elders share knowledge knowing those will be the ones bringing that knowledge forth is a win win.

To best benefit from your IWCL mentor is always to build a good relationship. It is not a ‘have to’ it is a ‘want to’ effort that makes it. Think of it like having tea with your Auntie and how you feel when you leave her company. Don’t ever think to that you are a bother to your mentor. That is why we have chosen this role. We thrive on your growth. This can be a very powerful relationship.

It is an honor to be an IWCL mentor. I feel such a strong connection. The network of mentors is also powerful and strong. Not only the relationship of mentee to mentor, but there is also that circle of mentors that exist and that is magic.

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Circle of Abundance

ADVISORY GROUP ADVISORY GROUP 2022

Jane Meader Mi’kmaq, Membertou Dr. Marie Delorme Metis, Calgary Karen MacKenzie Cree-Metis, Edmonton Amiskwaciwaskahikan Papaschase Cree First Nations Treaty 6 Territory/Metis Nation Regional Zone 4 Victoria LaBillois Mi’kmaq, Listuguj

Mallory Yawnghwe Cree-Saddle Lake Cree Nation Treaty 6 Territory Lorelei Williams Interior Salish/Coast Salish Skatin Nations/ Sts’ailes Lynda Fox Trudeau Anishinaabekwe-Odawa Wiikwemkoong Uncede Territory Skaydu.û Jules Teslin, Tlingit Yukon

Gawa’do:wehs LuAnn Hill-MacDonald Mohawk Bear Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Territory

Salome Barker Mi’kmaq, Ktaqmkuk-Qualpu Frist Nation

Wyanne Smallboy-Wesley Chiniki Band, Stoney Nakoda FN

Denise Mcleod Sagamok, Anishinawbek First Nations

I am indigenous I am gifted with breath I am enough

Photo by Eva Keewesoo Nicholas.

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Summer of 2021

IIRONS R O N S FIRE FIRE IN IN THE THE

BUILDING ABUNDANCE | WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP BUILDING ABUNDANCE | WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP | TALKING CIRCLE

Technology has revolutionized the we develop and deliver

Indigenous Women in Community Leadership: Begins online May 16; on programming without accessing documentation and each other campus Residency May 29-June 10 and graduation September 30, 2022. in person. We now live in a world where people up and coming

It is super exciting campus for have everyone with planning for the intoonthe workforce grownaffiliated up accessing the internet.

The Indigenous women visitors from across this country to be with us.

We are expectation is to be able to communicate from wherever they looking forward are to this cohortthey of IWCL to be fabulously outstanding! and11th whenever choose.

The Circle of Abundance has Stay tuned to our socials for posts to be shared abroad. begun in 2020 with these irons in the fire! https://coady.stfx.ca/iwcl-class-of-2018/ Let’s take a look!

Indigenous Women Leadership: Applications now open and close on Building Abundance in Indigenous Communities August 24, 2022; course runs October 24-December 9, 2022.

Short Course

Please spread this application like wildfire amongst your cyber circles to The purpose is to: the Indigenous women you think might fit. There has been some great • Challenge and reflect on the assumptions and practices that feedback from prior participants. can help or hinder you in creating and sustaining meaningful community change.

https://coady.stfx.ca/indigenous-women-in-leadership/ Building Abundance In Communities: 2023of • Explore Indigenous Winter examples

community-driven

This program offersdevelopment.

Canada wide Indigenous women networking and tools that will work when within tools your community at for anyuncovering level.

• Practiceworking participatory and methods community strengths and putting them into action for https://coady.stfx.ca/building-on-abundance-in-indigenouscommunities/ community projects or advocacy efforts.

Next BAIC Course date offering : January 10 – February 1, 2022

Click here to learn more!

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PARTNERSHIPS are always welcome to explore innovative streams to offer programming on campus and beyond through the Circle of Abundance at Coady Institute, StFX. Please contact Karri-Lynn Paul @ kpaul@stfx.ca.

Irons in the Fire

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR WEBINARS

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Saugeen First Nation Youth

ONE DAY LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP Youth from Saugeen First Nation came together on Friday, November 5, 2021, to participate in a one-day Leadership Training facilitated by Coady’s Circle of Abundance Teaching Staff, in partnership with the Saugeen Youth Council and Further Education Society of Alberta (FESA), Going the Distance Project. Karri-Lynn Paul and Krista Hanscomb spent the week leading up to the workshop engaging with the amazing youth organizers and their mentor/ elder. Members of the Youth Council organized snacks and meals greeted participants as they arrived and led the opening introduction and ice breaker activities. A community Elder opened the workshop with song and smudge and later shared the Seven Grandfather teachings. It was a full day of shared learning, laughter, and team building.

There was a total of 14 youth who participated in leadership activities such as Body Mapping, Great Game of Power, Circle Teachings and Action Planning. The day wrapped up with a delicious meal and participants were awarded certificates.

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PASSING THE FEATHER It can be difficult navigating in this world as a Metis woman. It can be hard to be constantly judged by my cover rather than knowing my chapters and my book in its entirety. Many do not understand the origin of the Metis people and the varying territories within Canada.

It can be exhausting to have to always defend myself, and teach about who I am, but I will never stop. It is also a unique gift navigating in this world. I am proud of who I am and where my bloodlines come from. My ancestry consists of two sides and personally that in itself is humbling.

DARLENE COX Metis Circle of Abundance Alumna

While residing in Black Diamond Alberta, I have gained years and years of relationships with the Stoney Rez. My prior home has always been open to anyone who needed emotional support, resource support, and sometimes, just providing a place to be. Many stories of my community people still live amongst those walls. I have lived a life of service to my children first and then to the people who needed me. My children are grown and have moved onto their adult lives. I have endured the loss of both parents in the last little while. Now it is a new chapter, in a new home, in a new job, in a new position, and I am ready for this next chapter of my life. I have never backed down from any challenges before me, and I am not about to start now.

I currently work as the Coordinator and Indigenous Outreach Specialist at the Foothills Regional Victim Services in Foothills County, with my office at Turner Valley. I am sure every Indigenous woman feels a bit nervous when entering a new job and figuring out the people and how you fit. It can be very intimidating especially with the many transitions of people in all the levels all around us. It still amazes me when I can find kindred spirits in spaces I occupy.

I wanted to share with you how I prepare for my day. In gratitude, I smudge and acknowledge all that is around me—the good and the bad. I then ask the smudge to provide me with a shield of protection so that my steps for the day will be guarded from any negativity.

I then remind myself that the way people act around me is not to be taken personally. I do not know anyone well enough to predict behavior, and I also know that all behavior does not define the whole person. I breathe in my smudge, and I ask for help in reminding myself that no one really knows who I am, but then I am open to share the best of me if a person is worthy. Creator, please show the ones who are worthy.

Not a day goes by with a single regret of meeting anyone.

18 Anishinaabe Ojibwe from treaty 1 Territory Winnipeg Manitoba

CHEYENNE HENRY I work at Dalhousie University, NS as the Student Success Advisor at the Student Success Center since 2017. We do wholistic advising and predominantly work with science and arts and social science first and second years. My job isn’t strictly with indigenous I work with all students. I started out with a three-year contract and am now permanent.

Halifax is now my home away from home.

I had seen an ad about a job at Dalhousie and it piqued my interest. I loved my job in Winnipeg, but I was looking for change and it all happened very quickly. I moved to a new city, and a new home. I am a single parent to 2 daughters, adults now 22 and 19 and it was a big change for us. I didn’t know anyone in Halifax and knew I was moving from Winnipeg, which was Cree, Ojibwe, and Anishinaabe Nations to Mikmaq only. I understood I was coming into another Nations territory and things would be different. Back home I built a career in Winnipeg and to leave that to start anew was scary. It wasn’t scary for too long. I didn’t come in with assumption of the needs of the students of my new position. I was coming into different challenges but the same challenges. As indigenous we are all the very same and yet very different. I found that all I needed to do was to sit down and listen.

It takes a long time to build relationships.

It wasn’t until about year two that I made stronger connections and got to know the community better. Getting to know the community has helped me form a ceremony community in New Brunswick. I’ve gotten to know a lot of from Mikmaq advocates in the

community and in the educational realm. I’ve gotten to know people serving as mentors here.

It is totally worth it to take ourselves out of comfort zones and take a risk.

I think as part of our jobs as Indigenous people to be moving out of our territories into others, because there is a lot sharing of our knowledges across our many nations. It is not uncommon. There is lot of indigenous peoples across Canada making a home in Unama’ki.

It is important to know where we come from and to respect and honor the people of the territory we are in. What I’ve been told and what I’ve learned is that it takes time to build relationships and that is so important to remember in the work that we do in these institutions. Institutions need to be reminded that we need to make space and time to share with one another. Time to make dialogue and to not rush. Places run on business models and things are short term and quick results are often needed. We need to advocate and make more time to honor people’s stories and experiences and need to take the time to honor differences. I think the only way to work together towards common goals is to sit down and hash things out and finding safe ways to do that. Safe can be interpretated in

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Karen Mackenzie

so many different ways. We need to take the time to make accommodations for each other and have spaces facilitated by those who are familiar to guide discussions in a good way.

It's been a rollercoaster ride of five years. I don’t have any plans to leave. I love the landscape, the water, the people, the history, and I always loved learning about other nations. it’s not for the faint of heart in experiencing a move like this. Often we are missing home and feeling alone, but it’s important to take the time in getting to know the community. It is important to know how to listen and to let yourself be taught. The biggest lesson for me was to reach out and listen.

It is totally worth it to take ourselves out of comfort zones and take a risk. Sometimes we can get too comfortable. We forget to that we are always to be learning and when you’re in a space of knowing everyone and the processes around you then there is no challenge. When we are comfortable sometimes then we are not as opened minded as we think we are.

A new environment and new experiences can help us grow. It has helped me and my daughters to grow. Finding good people really helped guide along the process. I do feel like this my home away from home.

No regrets.

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EMERGING INDIGENOUS WOMEN LEADERS Coady has worked with Indigenous leaders at several points over the years. Coady graduated people like Chief Terry Paul of Membertou, Chief Peter Kinew, father of Wabanakwut “Wab” Kinew, and Anne Meekitjuk Hanson, former Commissioner of Nunavut.

When I arrived at Coady, we started to recruit Indigenous participants to some of our certificate and diploma programs, but we didn’t have a specialized leadership program tailored to or developed in collaboration with Indigenous community leaders.

When we were planning the 50th anniversary of the Coady International Institute, we decided we wanted to do something very significant - something that could change the course of history. One thing that hadn’t yet happened anywhere in the world was for women to take up leadership roles to the same level as men had. We decided to celebrate the Coady International Institute’s first half century by making sure our second half century would see women dominate the Coady agenda.

HON. MARY COYLE Senator Former Director, Coady Institute

With this in mind, we created Coady’s International Centre for Women’s Leadership. The first initiative under the new Centre was the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program. That program brought together 3 Coady priorities–serving women, serving Indigenous women, and serving youth. We had a good sense that emerging women leaders were and could be powerful change leaders in Indigenous communities across Canada. We were fortunate to have Marie Delorme supporting and advising us from the very earliest days. Sister Dorothy Moore, a well-regarded Mikmaq leader, helped with the early hiring. The model of having senior, experienced Indigenous women mentor their younger counterparts in the program was there as a critical element from day one. Imperial Oil came on board as a generous funder from the beginning.

I will never forget the excitement of the launch of this unique and powerful national initiative. We had a beautiful spiritual ceremony led by an elder on the banks of the Ottawa River, followed by a gala evening with the then Governor General Michaëlle Jean and the current Governor General Mary Simon as special guests.

It was a magical night with beautiful cultural performances and the exciting announcement of the new Indigenous Women in Community Leadership initiative which we knew would unleash all kinds of positive change and important new relationships.

we need each other we are all medicine to one another

Photo by Eva Keewesoo Nicholas.

22 Chief Tlicho Nation, Gameti North West Territories

DOREEN ARROWMAK Doreen Arrowmaker, IWCL class of 2019, was invited to share some reflections on her leadership journey, and the importance of taking the time to foster relationships in her community, when she had a conversation with Andrea recently. Doreen opened the reflection with a description of a memento from that time.

“I have a picture I take with me every day that the Coady cohort 2019 gave me, and I have it at my workplace no matter what space that is. It comes with me always.”

In 2021, Doreen was the first woman to be elected Chief of the Tlicho Nation, Gamètì North West Territories.

With four children and a husband, as well as completing her MBA in Executive Management at Royal Roads University, Doreen put a lot of thought of adding the commitment of Chief and overcoming the daily challenges that role would bring. She noted, candidly, “I hate everything about politics I love everything ecommerce.”

Many people encouraged her to run, but for Doreen, putting her name forward came after a longer process of preparation in this community where the majority are 18-50 years of age. While she had always been active in the community, she spent two years building her support system, getting to know people, and encouraging them to get to know her and feel free to ask her anything, anytime. “I went and developed friendships with people I wouldn’t usually bother with, the funny thing is that I

am really private and I went outside of my comfort zone and created relationships.” Recognizing her place as a woman in a patriarchal system, this longer relationship building strategy was critical—she was not going to follow the usual practice of a six-month campaign.

Doreen described the importance of being an “open book” with nothing to hide, and to be honest with people with what she could and could not do. Once the campaign opened, door-to-door visits and cookouts provided more spaces for people to gather and share.

Even when she was not planning to do a cookout, people would come with food and it would happen anyway. “Listening to people, listening to grievances, open communications—listening to the people and then I follow up. I didn’t ignore, I did the work to follow up with integrity, and if I got accused of something I was always more than happy to talk.”

Transitioning to the office as the first woman Chief brought new challenges in a place set in old ways of doing things. Doreen reflects, there was no guidance or support for getting started. Even the seemingly normal process of cleaning and rearranging furniture in the office and creating a schedule was surprising to some.

It is tough work, so Doreen is grateful for the trail blazed by another woman who has also won for the first time.

She told us she has a loud mouth as she keeps asking questions. “Some men do not acknowledge us women as our community chiefs. Sometimes I feel harassed and if I feel uncomfortable, I will call it out.” Despite this resistance, Doreen is lifted and re-energized by the support she has received, particularly from the encouragement offered by the younger people in the community, and those who call her an inspiration.

Doreen also contemplates the term “Chief”, acknowledging her initial discomfort with the term, and the stigma of abuse of the title. Then, upon reflection, she decided to reclaim the word, recalling her time in IWCL. “The funny thing is in 2019 the women of the cohort used to call me Chief. When I was at the gathering when I saw all the other women in their regalia, I felt so

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proud to be in the presence of such powerful women. We weren’t taking up space we were reclaiming space. I met so many powerful women and I was very inspired. It I was the best thing ever.”

We weren’t taking up space we were reclaiming space.

Arrowmaker was asked, “When facing challenging times how do you get through it?” Her response was outstanding.

If only all humankind did this before responding to negativity. “I don’t react to the negativity I remind myself not to react E plus R equals O. So,I think of the Event that is happening (someone upset at me) the Reaction (being mindful about how I react) equals the Outcome – this is how I keep my cool.”

The work is heavy, but Doreen ensures she maintains a balance to preserve family time on the weekends and burn off stress through exercise. Keeping a journal provides

a place to offload burdens, and to refers to her three daily reminders of her gratitude’s, goals, and affirmations.

“Sometimes I just look in the mirror and say to myself “YOU GOT THIS.” She reflects her awareness of the inspiration she can offer: “May all powerful women empower and educate children. If you’re a powerful woman, our job is to educate the next generations. It’s not just right now that we need to think about, it’s the seven generations coming up.” Doreen is keenly aware of her trailblazing role to try to be a force for social change against a patriarchal system that is not used to being challenged. She wants to confront the complacency and resistance to change and show that there is more than one way of doing things, to overcome the fear of adapting to the change that is happening.

Doreen said she wants to focus on her four years here to make the changes that need to happen. She does not see this as an opportunity for herself, or to benefit herself— this is no room for a power trip. This time is to service the people in her community, and to ensure that they work collectively with a shared focus. To make that shift in roles and responsibilities that a woman is very capable of holding the ‘Chief role’ and she adds, “I have been in office 7 months, and I got 41 more left. After that I will then take the time to focus on my own life and live a life I want to live.”

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TASK TEAMS Circle of Abundance Advisory Group breaks off into task teams Strategy

Karri-Lynn Paul (Lead) Victoria Lillabois Luann Hill Lynda Fox Trudea Wyanne Smallboy-Wesley Karen MacKenzie

Education

Krista Hanscomb (Lead) Skaydu.û Jules Denise McLeod Mallory Yawngwe Jane Meader

Relationships

Andrea Curley (Lead) Salome Barker Lorelei Williams

Our Advisory Group is helping us deepen the intentions around the work we do. We have three task teams working within this group. It is of utmost priority to bring our minds and hearts forth, with our Indigenous knowledge and western knowledge combined to support First Nations, Inuit, and Metis women in leadership. The advisory group meetings provide opportunities to share strategies, calls to action, and will always provide space for feedback and inputs. Building capacity at the Circle of Abundance with three teams of Indigenous Women leaders with one end goal, now that is power.

During our first “Relationships Task Team” meeting, we realized how likeminded we are. We all agreed that this task team is up for the challenge to being appointed to CofA Outreach & Recruitment. We have discussed what recruitment and outreach look like and what vehicles might navigate best. We look forward to jiving together to think about decolonizing recruitment and to bring some old into the new. Our home territories within BC, ON, NL is significantly apart geographically, and we cannot wait to see what we create. Exciting times with the Circle of Abundance task teams bringing minds and hearts together.

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Relationships Task Team 2022 Andrea Curley (Lead) Haudenosaunee Onondaga Beaver Clan Six Nations ON Salome Barker Mi'kmaq/Irish Newfoundland and Labrador Photo by Eva Keewesoo Nicholas.

Lorelei Williams Skatin Nations/Sts'Ailes Vancouver BC

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“I was 6 years old when I first heard the piano and I immediately fell in love with it. One of the greatest things for me as a singer is to engage the audience. I think my singing moves people because I share a lot of emotion from my voice in relationship of the words and melodies. People sometimes cry, sometimes have big smiles and sometimes dance. The ultimate feeling is the energy of receiving a standing ovation.”

- Rhonda Head Opaskwayak Manitoba Cree Nation

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“I am from Millbrook, and I like relating to my community. My cousin started a Facebook page and I was made an administrator, so I started posting because I feel good about letting everyone know what’s going on keeping my community updated. It is a very effective way of keeping everyone in the loop, not just to my Millbrook community but to whoever wants to know. I see likes, comments, shares and reposts so that tells me that the information does get out there. 20 years ago or more, there was only word of mouth and maybe telephone calls for people to know what’s coming up. I am 57 and I like how fast info gets to everyone today; members join and get the notifications instantly. It’s great!”

- Yvette Paul Millbrook Nova Scotia Mikmaq

2022