WOMEN'S INITIATIVES
pc: Shawna Mcleod
November 2014 | Somba K'e, Denendeh
The Gathering connected a diverse cross section of current and emerging Indigenous women leaders to explore themes including leadership, learning from our ancestors, arts and culture, decolonization and education.
From all accounts, the Gathering was a powerful success, achieving its objectives of linking almost 100 current and
emerging Indigenous female leaders from across the circumpolar Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik, creating momentum for ongoing engagement, establishing a central social media network for continued connection, provoking dialogue around powerful themes and ideas, galvanizing Indigenous women in a context of solidarity, progress and meaningful change.
RECOGNITION OF BEING:
A WOMAN'S SACRED JOURNEY
AUGUST 2018
Kakisa, Denendeh
19 Women and girls from across the north united for a five day on the land gathering near Kakisa, Denendeh. This was Dene Nahjo's second Recognition of Being gathering for women and girls of all ages to come together and share Indigenous knowledge and teachings. Our workshop leads and Elders Ethel Lamothe and Rebecca Martell held daily sessions in a canvas tent heated by wood stove and lined with spruce boughs. Our camp was set up next to Kakisa river, and we hosted all of our activities outside or in tents. Participants were invited to camp in cabins or tents.
RECOGNITION OF BEING:
A WOMAN'S SACRED JOURNEY
AUGUST 2017
Somba K'e, Denendeh
Grounded in reconnection, relationships and respect, Dene Nahjo’s Recognition of Being: Rites of Passage Indigenous Women’s Gathering facilitated the sharing of teachings between indigenous women surrounding traditional values and skills, rites of passage, spirituality and leadership. This was a 4 day gathering from August 28th-31st, 2017 at the Prince of Whales Heritage Centre in Somba K’e (Yellowknife). The 28 participants ranged from ages 12 to 65+.
Traditional Dene woman knowledge that was stripped away as an intentional consequence of colonialism was restored and passed down from the workshop leads Rebecca Martell and Ethel Lamothe. A strong support network was built among mothers, daughters, aunties and elders from communities across Denendeh.