The inner conflict while navigating your authentic self in this Western World as an Indigenous woman can be overwhelming like 90 km winds.

Tazbah Chavez, citizen of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, from the Nüümü, Diné and San Carlos Apache tribes, talked about how to empower future generations on the Urban Native Era Experience,

“There is no one here that belongs in any space, in this entire country, more than you belong in a space.”

I see you; you are valued, loved and have true purpose my girl.

I remember sitting in a sweat lodge on Treaty One Territory for the first time in my 20-year-old physical body yet knowing I have felt this drum’s vibration many times before.

My dad’s family transitioned from York Factory to Churchill, a northern community in Manitoba, to start another chapter once the Hudson’s Bay York Factory Depot closed their doors in the fall of 1957. The Anglican Church was heavily influential among many families in York Factory, including my dad’s family, and it was not until I was 18 years old, that I was introduced to the dark history of Canada and to Indigenous resilience and spirituality – the drum and rattle. It all began to make sense why things are the way they are.

By learning traditional knowledge, Swampy Cree language and ceremony throughout my twenties, I am slowly reclaiming knowledge and practices that I will pass on to my future children and children I have relationships with.

It is one of my life’s committments to align with my inner spiritual self, with an intention to reclaim space as an Indigenous woman, and to empower future generations. To reclaim, repair and strengthen my wholistic self to be of service for our future generations, so they too can thrive and carry on traditions.

How will you celebrate yourself as an Indigenous Woman?

If you are not an Indigenous woman, how can you celebrate and make space for them?