Everything Indigenous is Everything in Abundance

E VERY THING INDIGENOUS IS E VERY THING IN AB UNDANCE

OC TOBER 2021

ISSUE ONE

WELCOME Circle of Abundance Everything Indigenous is Everything in Abundance

October 2021 | First Issue

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Graphic Design & Layout Arihwaiens Martin, Redwhip Media

Cover Art Arihwaiens Martin, Redwhip Media

Editor-In-Chief Andrea Curley

Coady International Institute

Andrea Curley

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

Here we are!

Contact Us

of Everything Indigenous is Everything in

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

Abundance. The purpose of this quarterly

Haudenosaunee Onondaga Nation Beaver Clan

Welcome to the first issue

Ezine is to share the work we are doing at Coady International Institute and to amplify stories of women leaders. As you flip through the pages you will learn more about the Circle of Abundance programs and activities.

We have optimized your viewing experience by including live hyperlinks throughout the Ezine and as always, your feedback is welcomed.

This Ezine started with an idea and a vision.

This digital publication is namely for our Alumni from coast to coast to coast.

“Among our Potawatomi people, women are the Keepers of Water. We carry the sacred water to ceremonies and act on its behalf.”

- Robin Wall Kimmerer

In

future issues we hope to share more of your celebratory news. For more details about the programs we offer, see here!

TOC PAGE 4

PAGE 10

PAGE 16

CofA COADY STAFF

IRONS IN THE FIRE

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

PAGE 6

PAGE 12

PAGE 18

TRACEY METALLIC

PASSING THE FEATHER

MEDIA & LINKS

PAGE 8

PAGE 14

PAGE 20

ELDER IN RESIDENCE

COADY ADVISORY

ALUMNA EXPERIENCE

Throughout this past year we’ve continued to

more than 500 words and can be accompanied

strive and move forward with the help of everyone

by links and/or photo’s. The deadline for stories is

involved in creating new Indigenous programming

Monday November 15, 2021. I will be in contact by

and exploring fitting projects. Even through the

Thursday November 18th if your story is chosen.

many storms of the world pandemic, as everyone’s lives changed, we have been able to continue the work.

The demand of quickly pivoting to

online programming only, was a transition made successfully. The demand for our courses has been growing immensely and we are confident that we are doing our very best to accommodate new students and continue to engage with Alumni.

This Ezine is a tool to help us do just that!

The theme for the next issue is ‘RELATIONSHIPS’.

Our relationships to the natural world, our people,

The social media icons pinned to the right of the pages are there for you to share with your cyber circle instantaneously. This digital issue of the Ezine has been created for your viewing to learn more about “WHO WE ARE” as the Circle of Abundance continues to flourish.

Be inspired, enjoy, and

feel empowered by the endless opportunities for this coast to coast-to-coast networking with Indigenous Women in Leadership.

All my relations,

and Ancestors guide us, inspire us, and motivate us.

We invite you to submit your story of abundance that reflects upon relationships that are important

Andrea Curley

to you to acurley@stfx.ca. Your story should be no

Editor-In-Chief

y e l r u C A.

“The lost are the ones denying relationships with their Ancestors.”

- A Curley 2021 -

Circle of Abundance Logo, 2021 -

CofA COADY STAFF

Karri-Lynn Paul 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 International 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 ...

Circle of Abundance Artist

TRACEY METALLIC Metallic says when she first heard about the Circle of Abundance it reminded her of an earlier painting that depicts her own journey toward

empowerment.

Metallic

reveals

personal lived experiences of depression and being a social worker and balancing that, in designing the painting she explains that it is, “all about holding each other up, helping each other out”.

Learn more about the design choosen for the Circle of Abundance.

To see more of Tracey’s work please visit her visit her website at: https://www.traceymetallic.com

KEEPERS by Tracey Metallic “I had Sun Catcher in mind because she’s all about that – holding each other up, helping each other out,” Metallic explains.

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CIRCLE OF ABUNDANCE ELDER IN RESIDENCE

Jane Meader Heart and spirit, teaching, and decolonizing,

“I knew Coady had a leadership program because my sister in law had taken the IWCL program before and a good friend from Manitoba also took the program and both had good things to say. When asked to fill the space of becoming the Circle of Abundance Elder in Residence, I was a bit nervous of course. However, I have enjoyed all affiliations with St. FX campus and all and any meetings I have been invited to whether it was through StFX or through Coady. I feel like being in the Circle of Abundance so far that I have been abundantly blessed by being there. I feel like I’ve made new sisters that I didn’t know before, and I’ve enjoyed being in the classrooms and learning from others (meaning the facilitators and the students).

It is a great honor for Coady to recognize some of the work that I do in education. It has been a real honor and I feel very connected to the women of the Indigenous team at Coady. I see the Circle of

E

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CHANGING MINDS, ONE HEART AT A TIME

Abundance is always about the relationships because it’s building those relationships as the foundations of who we are as Indigenous People. When someone comes into our communities trying to work with us or be an ally, they need to build a relationship first or it does not matter what they say or do. Everything is about connecting with heart and with spirit. That is what Circle of Abundance is – it’s connecting with the heart and spirit, teaching, and decolonizing. Changing minds one heart at a time. I am looking forward to building more relationships in this role.

Anywhere that we go across the country (in the United States as well) I have never found any peoples so caring and friendly, I always feel welcomed and at home. As the Elder in Residence here for the Circle of Abundance at Coady I too will return that feeling of being home to all people that attend programming, for the IWCL Alumna and for the future faces that gather virtually or in person to further their learning. All my relations!”

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Summer of 2021

IRONS FIRE IN THE

BUILDING ABUNDANCE | WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP | TALKING CIRCLE

Technology has revolutionized the we develop and deliver programming without accessing documentation and each other in person. We now live in a world where people up and coming into the workforce have grown up accessing the internet. The expectation is to be able to communicate from wherever they are and whenever they choose. The Circle of Abundance has begun in 2020 with these irons in the fire!

Let’s take a look!

Building Abundance in Indigenous Communities Short Course The purpose is to: • Challenge and reflect on the assumptions and practices that can help or hinder you in creating and sustaining meaningful community change.

• Explore Indigenous development.

examples

of

community-driven

• Practice participatory tools and methods for uncovering community strengths and putting them into action for community projects or advocacy efforts.

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

Click here to learn more!

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Talking Circle • A sacred space has been created for voices to be heard of the Alumna of the Canadian Indigenous programs of Coady • Offers support in the difficult times of the world pandemic • We are medicine to each other.

Indigenous Women in Leadership Short Course The purpose is to: • Create an action plan to further build upon your strengths and capacities.

• Develop an understanding of opportunities and practical strategies for overcoming challenges.

• Learn tools for supporting community-driven change.

Click here to learn more!

Photo by A Curley.

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PASSING THE FEATHER In applying for the program Building Abundance in Indigenous Communities 2021, I was very enthusiastic because it is what I just knew it was what I needed. I was looking for being with other indigenous people to show me examples to see that they have what it takes with their own community.

I was looking to gather

information to learn and apply it to where the next stages in my life I wanted to go.

Participating in this program has met my expectations above and beyond. The facilitators were knowledgeable and fun. At first, I thought I might not fit in or be able to speak up as much as I did, but the atmosphere was very accepting. The highlight for me was making good connections with other Indigenous women and that fortified my belief that I can do anything and that I don’t have to be afraid of being second guessed. This program helped me see that there are other people just like me. I have definitely learned

CHLISTA HAWCO

through listening other people’s stories, trials and tribulations

Cree Nation

I have immediately been able to apply my learnings firsthand with

Circle of Abundance

my family with things like looking at gapping identity. I feel I can

Alumna

go to different communities and feel like I can be included. I can be a part of spaces and help create abundance. I learned so much throughout this course. I know I would still be running around in circles on a search to keep myself grounded. My experience will go with me a long way from now.

I keep in touch with fellow graduates, we ask each other for guidance and input. I also keep watch on social media platforms. I have also participated in the talking circles. The monthly talking circles are a great way to keep connections going and it really provided me with a safe, calm place to express thoughts and concerns, especially during covid. Having the space to just BE with other women was helpful.

Today, I am looking towards the next program. I have applied for programs I can take to keep the ball rolling with knowledge gain.

I am working towards creating spaces for indigenous women and youth to heal and make communities whole again.

the space to just BE with other women Photo by Eva Keewesoo Nicholas.

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Mi ’qmaw, Acadia First Nation

CHEYENNE LABR Circle of Abundance Alumna

I applied to the program because a coworker had

leading. So, yes, I did learn that there are many

applied and told me about it. I was just starting

Indigenous women across the country doing the

the BAIC (Building Abundances In Indigenous

same kind of work in their communities, hitting

Communities) so I checked it out.

With the

the same walls, and having familiar challenges. I

coming

learned that I am not alone and that out there are

up I was thinking about my role and journey. I

amazing women and that was such an experience

wanted more education of indigenous women

all in itself.

Indigenous

Women

In

Leadership

lead and Indigenous women participating, and I found it with Coady.

Everything else. Other

programming available to me seemed not to be led by Indigenous women. I was looking to get community knowledge and work experience within a time frame I thought would work for me.

I honestly was terrified to do any course online because of being out of school for over 10 years.

Thinking of doing any kind of education or classes seemed farfetched considering my schedule with time and classes, how would I be able to fit a course in my life?

I have a network of women that can pick me back up, and they know I would do the same for them.

In the sharing of other women’s journeys is where I found familiarities relatable professionally and personally. I could take the other participant’s experiences and use it to fit and be able to

Once classes started, I didn’t feel like I had to be

use in my own work. The highlight for me was

there.

Once I logged on and classes started, I

confirmation in that we (Indigenous Women) do

felt so thankful to be a part! I found that I was

things differently with an indigenous lens and

able to do this, professional and personally!

come from traditional backgrounds. This is totally

This class exceeded my expectations because I

acceptable to incorporate in our work. Knowing

started out wondering if I would learn anything

that this is like minded, across the country, made

new. Throughout the course my thinking was

it ok to be confident to keep pushing those

confirmed about my current work and how I was

systems, that in the past would never usually

15

RADOR

even listen, let alone make necessary changes.

connect with other Indigenous women across

It is always about how the western systems work.

the country and now knowing we all have similar

It was enlightening to hear how other women

battles and barriers and it’s like now we have

achieved their goals in their work.

each other’s backs. We know we are not alone. I

When I received my certificate, I posted in on social media had an overwhelming response on social media and especially from coworkers. I tell them that you don’t have to be in a professional leadership role because being part of the community, and to be able to learn from this course will benefit everyone. The networking in itself is an extra bonus.

thought that being so busy in life I wouldn’t have had the time to take a class, however, at the end of the 2 hours, I always felt comfort knowing this was what I needed. I usually feel defeated, but now I trust I have a network of women that can pick me back up, and they know I would do the same for them. After every zoom I felt so refreshed, and during had so many moments of high emotions. IWIL is such a safe place for so

Over the seven weeks it was one of the most

many and to really feel a sisterhood is more than

empowering things I have experienced.

words can express.

To

IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL

ALUMNI GATHERING

NATIONAL RECO WOMEN IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP (IWCL) GATHERING EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION, 2019

The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education has recognized StFX University and Coady International Institute for the Indigenous Women in Community Leader (IWCL) Alumni Gathering, 2019. The event was awarded GOLD in the Prix D’Exellence category of best Indigenous Relations Initiative.

The CCAE again recognized Coady for the Circle of Abundance in 2021. We were awarded GOLD in the Prix D’Excellence category of Best Fundraising Initiative.

CCAE Achievements Category 9: Best Fundraising Initiative, 2021

IWCL ALUMNI GATHERING • Create National/Networks • Across 10 cohorts • Showcase Alumni Gifts and talents • Alumni Planning Community over saw content collection and delivery.

• Strengthening sisterhood within cohorts and strengthening the connection between cohorts • Opportunities for long term collaborations across communities • Reenergize Indigenous Asset Based Community Development • Provided an opportunity to ask alumni for what’s next

OGNITION

COADY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE • Created in 1959, named after Rev. Dr. Moses Coady, a prominent founder of the Anitgonish movement – a people’s movement for economic and social justice that began in NS during the 1920’s.

• Focuses on leadership, education, that

IMAGINE THE STRNEGTH AND POWER

profiles Asset Based Community Driven

Of 100 Plus Indigenous Women leading in their

Development – countering needs-based

communities across Canada

models of development

IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN

• Provides programs that promote adult

When 100 plus Indigenous women leaders,

education, innovation, group action and

mentors, and elders came together to strengthen

sustainable social / economic activities

those communities IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL Of these women accomplishing building bridges and collaborate for change.

• Particular focus on women, indigenous communities, youth and historically underrepresented groups. https://coady.stfx.ca/

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MEDIA & L INFO IN ABUNDANCE

Ryan Reynolds shares a youtube message supporting and amplifying Indigenous Women’s Leadership at Coady.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Donate $200,000!

“We’re so happy to support the incredible work of the Coady Institute’s program with Indigenous Women,” Ryan and Blake say.

(Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)

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LINKS Proud History, Exciting Future Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and St. Francis Xavier University are unique in that no other community, province, or university in Canada has an institute combining international and local development work like Coady Institute.

2021 Prix d’Excellence Celebration & Results The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) is a volunteer-led organization that promotes excellence in educational advancement. We provide opportunities for networking, professional learning and mutual support.

Hollywood A-Listers Support Indigenous Women’s Leadership Movie stars, entrepreneurs, and activists Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, Green Lantern) and Blake Lively (Green Lantern, A Simple Favor) are kicking off the campaign, with a gift of $200,000 and are encouraging others to support Circle of Abundance – Amplifying Indigenous Women’s Leadership.

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CIRCLE OF ABUNDANCE

ADVISORY GROUP ADVISORY GROUP 2021

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 Gawa’do:wehs LuAnn Hill-MacDonald Mohawk Bear Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Territory Wyanne Smallboy-Wesley Chiniki Band, Stoney Nakoda FN

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 Autum Jules Teslin, Tlingit Yukon Salome Barker Mi’kmaq, Ktaqmkuk-Qualpu Frist Nation Denise Mcleod Sagamok, Anishinawbek First Nations

QUILLS & ACRYLIC

by Artist and Coady Graduate Eva Keewesoo Nicholas.

CofA Advisory Group Creation Story

by Karri-Lynn Paul

As the sole Indigenous staff member, representing only one Indigenous experience at the Coady Institute, I felt it was imperative to incorporate and honor as many Indigenous women’s voices and experiences within both the educational programming and over all Indigenous initiatives at Coady. Since starting my role at Coady, I have been advocating for an advisory group to help lead and inform our work. My hope was that an advisory group would bring a diversity of experiences, networks and a plurality of voices to the table and strengthen our programming locally and globally. Taking an abundance focused approach to this endeavor required us to look to existing relationships with the dedicated members of our alumni,

mentors and supporters to help guide us. The work of this group was critical to act as ambassadors of our programs in communities across Turtle Island, bring their expertise to both the guiding of the program as well as into the classroom. As luck would have it, one of our mentors received an incredible opportunity to elevate Coady’s Indigenous work that would lead to Hollywood stars, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, contributing to a larger 1 million dollar fundraising campaign which was given the name, The Circle of Abundance. A group of amazing Indigenous women leaders were brought together to support and help fundraise for future Indigenous programming. Their work and commitment naturally lead to them becoming the inaugural members of the long awaited for advisory group. We are grateful for the gifts they share with us to move our work forward in the spirit of abundance, respect and reciprocity.

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“Circles of life, you start at the center with when you are born.

You are surrounded by people that care for and love you, as your circle gets bigger, you are about to enter schools where you bare in a new circle, learning all new things and meeting new people. The points that mean a lot to you and shape you. You continue to learn until you reach the point that you are connected, happy, and safe. You reach the final center where everything that has happened in your life there you create the last circle and you bind it and you weave it, braid it, reinforce it, so nothing will ever be forgotten in your circles of life.” ~ Mi’kmaq Elder, Mary Bernard

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“Nothing in our world will change,

nothing

in

our

country will change, nothing in our provinces will change, until

Indigenous

Women

are healed and take their rightful place back in the communities.”

Metis/Ojibway Elder Mae Louise Campbell

EVERYTHING INDIGENOUS IS EVERYTHING IN ABUNDANCE –––––

COADY StFX 2021