Under The Northern Sky 'Aboriginal Women Breaking The Trail'

by Xavier Kataquapit
www.underthenorthernsky.com

First Nation women I have met over the years in general have always impressed me. My earliest recollection of Native women are positive. My mom and my two sisters always seemed to be strong people who could pitch in and help when they were needed.

In my professional life as a writer, I have met so many strong and capable

Native women. Many of our First Nation organizations feature the leadership

of these women at all levels. I know many women Chiefs and I see the good

work they are doing in communities right across Canada.

Recently, I met with some of these women leaders involved with the

Temiskaming Native Women's Support Group (TNWSG). These ladies are a force

to be reckoned with. Over the years, they have worked together to create an

incredible facility that offers all kinds of high quality programs in

Kirkland Lake and New Liskeard. I toured their Keepers Of The Circle

daycare. I sure wish I had access to a program like this when I was a

little child. I watched as children in several age groups played, sang and

learned in a safe, Native oriented daycare. I was impressed by the care of

the qualified instructors and the positive feeling of the cozy and creative

environment.

It felt really good to see little First Nation children and non-Native

children exposed to and nurtured with Aboriginal culture and traditions. It

made me feel so happy to see these little children being taught that they

should be proud to be Aboriginal.

The facility which features many learning tools and visual aids, having to

do with Native culture, is designed around concepts and teachings of the

circle and the medicine wheel. A lot of thought was put into developing the

facility and in particular the daycare centre.

Aboriginal women like Laura Jean Flood, Anne Batisse, Roberta

Oshkawbewisens and Stephanie Wincikaby have been instrumental in developing

the facility and its programs including: an early learning program, Canada

prenatal nutrition program, diabetes prevention, health and wellness and

life skills. Area First Nation women like these special ladies have

produced a place where Aboriginal women can find support, life skills

teachings and a safe learning environment for young children. It made my

heart feel good to see my people taking care of each other. Women really

are the backbone of the Aboriginal culture and here in Kirkland Lake and New

Liskeard they have provided a shining example of what can happen when our

grandmothers, mothers, daughters and sisters organize together.

These days strong First Nation women are making headlines with the

courageous work they are doing right across the country. Ladies like Chief

of Attawapiskat Theresa Spence are letting the world know how difficult

things are for Aboriginal people in remote First Nations right across

Canada. Women Chiefs all across the country are helping to make their

communities more successful and positive even in dire conditions. The work

they are doing today will provide a better tomorrow for future generations.

Aboriginal people really believe that our future generations will blossom

and provide the leadership we need to face challenges in this new

millennium.

Part of the reason of the successful development of First Nation women has

to do with the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA). This not for

profit organization was established in 1972 to empower and support

Aboriginal women and their families in Ontario. ONWA has grown to develop

into one of the most progressive Aboriginal organizations in Ontario with a

head office in Thunder Bay and satellite offices in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux

Lookout, Geraldton/Greenstone, Ottawa, Napanee and Hamilton. They have

programs that include Aboriginal diabetes education, healthy babies-healthy

children, Aboriginal justice, building Aboriginal women's leadership,

community health outreach, community wellness, employment and training,

mental health demonstration, Nihdawain "My House - a place where I live",

policy and research and problem gambling awareness. The many First Nation

women across the province belonging to ONWA work on the basis to keep

grounded in Aboriginal culture, language and heritage. They believe it is

important to share cultural teachings, teach the language and embrace family

traditions and heritage. ONWA is also affiliated with the Native Women's

Association of Canada.

I would like to say Meegwetch to the strong and positive Aboriginal women

we have working for us all across Canada. They are breaking the trail.

www.underthenorthernsky.com

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