“The One Who Gives Us Breath, the Creator, is good because I got done what was important to me in this life” The Spirit Aligned Leadership Program expresses our love and condolences to all of you who gathered to celebrate the meaningful life of our dear sister, Maxine Wildcat Barnett.…
In this heartfelt interview led by Spirit Aligned Program Director Gail Small (Northern Cheyenne), Virginia and Ashley Gregoire of the Okanagan Nation share how they are fostering connections between generations of women and others within their communities. In capturing stories of the journey from girl to matriarch, while stressing the…
Meet Legacy Leader Levina Wilkins and Future Legacy Leader Leslie Swan, both of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. These powerful Indigenous women highlight the importance of being connected with one’s own body, mind, and culture. Levina and Leslie both stress the significance of life as it…
Meet Legacy Leader and Future Legacy Leaders of the Yurok Tribe – Abby Abinanti, Dr. Blythe George, and Jessica Carter. Abby, Blythe, and Jessica are working together to exchange their own Indigeous knowledge and traditions of the Yurok peoples, while also encouraging others within the community – especially young women…
Legacy Leader, Olive Elm (Oneida Nation of the Thames) has worked for her community’s Language Center for 30 years, served 12 years on the Oneida Band Council, and persevered in keeping her traditional language strong even when she was punished for speaking it in school. Olive understands the importance of…
Legacy Leader Serena Francis (Mi’kmaq), proudly asserts “we must know who we are and our ancestral connections… knowing this will help us honor our Mi’kmaq way of life.” Future Legacy Leader and granddaughter of Serena, Susan Bernard (Mi’kmaq), is aiming to uphold her grandma’s requests by working together to recover…
Lorna Williams (Lil’wat Nation) and chuutsqa L. Rorick (Hesquiaht) are focused on how activism can have a greater impact across international audiences. The pair are developing digital platforms and strategies to increase access to traditional teachings and language by interweaving traditional teachings into educational spaces and organizations. View Lorna’s…
Watch as Mililani Trask (Native Hawaiian) and Lihau Enriquez Rosehill (Native Hawaiian) are interviewed by Spirit Aligned Program Director Gail Small (Northern Cheyenne). Mililani and Lihau share how they are building new knowledge leaders. By encouraging their community to continue cultural mentoring as time goes on, they have been able…
Meet Norma Rendon (Oglala Lakota) and Jessie Taken Alive-Rencountre (Hunkpapa Lakota). The pair emphasize that the connection Indigenous women have to the Earth is something to be celebrated and cherished. In recognizing the power Indigenous women hold, Norma and Jessie are developing a community garden and are building access to…
Meet Mary Mabel, or Timberwolf, Joseph (Wet’suwet’en) and Molly Ann Wickham, or Sleydo’ (Wetsuwet’en). Mary Mabel and Molly Ann are restoring Wiggu, which translates to “the practice of respect.” They are aiming to highlight women’s roles in leadership and traditional governance, while also integrating traditional conflict resolution in Tribal governance.…
