For the past two years, Dr. Trudy Cardinal, professor of Elementary Education in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education, has been coordinating a program designed to empower young Indigenous women through culture and community. Housed through the University of Alberta, and coordinated by Dr. Cardinal, the young Indigenous women circle of leadership program offers girls from 8-17 years old a chance to strengthen their bond to their indigenous heritage – through sewing, singing, cooking, and other cultural practices. Cardinal says, it’s a program designed to bring the girls a new sense of self awareness.
“Ultimately, what we want them to feel pride in who they are, and who they are becoming. We want them to feel a strong sense of kinship with the people involved in the teachings and the different generations that come alongside them, and we want them to learn the pieces of their culture that they may or may not have access in their community. The language, the spirituality, the sense of self. To walk with their head held high and to acknowledge that are already are, and are becoming, this generation’s future leaders.”
Elders, skilled craftswomen, and other knowledge keepers lead the way. Based in south Edmonton, the program is now doing a pop-up style camps, adding North-Central Edmonton locations as well as in Wetaskiwin. You can find more information on the University of Alberta’s website.
Comments