Women’s Healing Circle Ikwewag Noojimo’iwewin Growing Stronger Together

Celebrating One Year

By MARY SAM, MAAJIITAAZIIBIIKWE

Founded by Asinikwe Sam, the Women’s Healing Circle is celebrating one year of bringing Indigenous women from the area together, to learn and practice traditions and crafts, promote healing, and to support one another through life’s challenges. Healing grief and loss has been a central theme for many involved. Breaking the cycles of trauma is a common goal for participants. In addition to a weekly gathering and other activities, members share events and promote daily messages to empower women and support healing via social media posts from Asinikwe.

Some of the members the group talked about why the Circle came together and the lessons learned this year that will help them continue to grow and heal. Given the significant issues with safety and trust in healing for women, this group aims to offer a safe place for local Indigenous women to gather. The members have been working hard on themselves and their families, and to help the community break the cycles of trauma so many were raised in or currently live in.

Many of the women talked about how stepping outside of, or away from, the current systems in place sometimes needs to happen in order to feel safe. They know that their voice matters. The group shared that relying on and trusting our teachings and finding common ground to proceed in a good way based on our collective family teachings (regardless of where each person is from) creates safety and hope. Trusting the power within has been rewarding and affirming for many of the women involved. They shared that sometimes the systems in place are not safe or welcoming. Sometimes those in positions of helpers may not be safe and the environment does not feel okay.

Although some women were raised in traditional families, some have not been, and some struggle to define what is traditional or who gets to define this for us — for the group. Many shared concerns around shaming and judgmental ways that humans sometimes put towards one another. Defining spirituality and healing based on our teachings, practicing humility, and listening in a welcoming environment is helping women feel a sense of place, belonging, and personal safety. It is not uncommon to hear a Circle participant say, “Miigwech for listening to me,” or “Miigwech for welcoming me.” Asinikewe said, “We are growing and learning together.”

Each week, the Circle gathers, starting with a smudge, and through a talking Circle they share about how their past week has been. The women listen, cry, laugh, and learn from one another in a solution-centered manner. Laughter and tears are two medicines of healing. There is much laughter. The group shares a light meal together, discusses upcoming projects and/or works on a craft project, participates in a self-care activity, and for some, ending the evening with a walk. Keeping their hands busy, while listening and learning, helps reduce fears about learning something new. Sewing and crafting has been a long tradition of our mothers and grandmothers, which helped to create community.

The group has learned to make birch bark earrings, lanyards, star quilts, asemaa pouches, ribbon skirts, and more. A sense of community and safety has been created within this group.

The group hosted the “Honoring those who didn't come home — Boarding School Survivors” event last fall and has collaborated with the Men’s Empowerment Group on projects as well as the District I office on a few events, including the New Year’s Eve Sobriety Pow Wow.

The Women’s Healing Circle hopes to serve as a voice of change and to create a safe place for women to gather, they said. They hope to teach, model, and create activities that support women being together, without competition, bullying, or judgement that can sometimes interfere with a woman’s healing process. They hope to continue to collaborate on local events to lift up healthy changes in our community. They want to support activities that create solutions and support healing, even when the work is difficult. “This starts with us,” said Asinikwe. “Women are the backbone of our families. Our children and grandchildren are watching and need us.”