Saskatchewan Mets Women's circle
On June 28, 2018, twenty-one Michif women from six different neighbouring Metis communities (in the Batoche region) gathered in ceremony on the South Saskatchewan River bank to launch the Metis Women's Wellness project (Canadian Institutes of Health Research-CIHR funded). With keeoukaywin (visiting way) at the heart of being and living well, we feasted, shared stories, prayed, listened, laughed and received women's teachings from Elder Elsie Sanderson and Leah Dorion. United in this beauty way, we remembered our lives, our families, and our responsibility to extended kinship relations.
It was a historical moment that needs its own recognition in light of this time of reconciliation - this time of healing and honouring the vital contribution of Indigenous women to the betterment of society. I salute our inter-disciplinary research team: Dr. Anna Flaminio, Leah Dorion, Knowledge Keeper, and Dr. Maria Ospina and the Metis community leaders, Christine Tournier-Tienkamp, Lucille Tetarenko, Brenda Hryciuk, and Doris McDougall for their commitment, generosity and caring ways.
I am grateful to the helpers at CSJ on many levels - research, administration, colleagues and students, who value community-centered research that gives voices to the best parts of our communities. Campus Saint-Jean's master student and research assistant on the project, Danielle Charest, joined us to learn by doing, listening and helping. Land-based learning and wellness can create new pathways and possibilities to learn from each other and to live together differently.
Hiy Hiy!
Cindy Gaudet
It was a historical moment that needs its own recognition in light of this time of reconciliation - this time of healing and honouring the vital contribution of Indigenous women to the betterment of society. I salute our inter-disciplinary research team: Dr. Anna Flaminio, Leah Dorion, Knowledge Keeper, and Dr. Maria Ospina and the Metis community leaders, Christine Tournier-Tienkamp, Lucille Tetarenko, Brenda Hryciuk, and Doris McDougall for their commitment, generosity and caring ways.
I am grateful to the helpers at CSJ on many levels - research, administration, colleagues and students, who value community-centered research that gives voices to the best parts of our communities. Campus Saint-Jean's master student and research assistant on the project, Danielle Charest, joined us to learn by doing, listening and helping. Land-based learning and wellness can create new pathways and possibilities to learn from each other and to live together differently.
Hiy Hiy!
Cindy Gaudet