WIIKWEMKOONG—Indigenous women of all ages gathered in Wiikwemkoong to celebrate themselves at “Inspire: Strong Indigenous Kweok Seminar.” The event was hosted by Naandwechige-Gamig Health Centre’s Health Promotion and Prevention and organized by Courtney Wassegijig. Indigenous women from across various communities gathered at the Wiky Arena in Wiikwemkoong to celebrate empowerment and resilience. The event aimed to inspire Indigenous women to see beyond the challenges imposed by colonialism.
Presentations in the categories of ‘Women in Business,’ “Women in Health” and “Women in Sport” were the focus of the seminar featuring speakers Skyeanne Trudeau, owner and operator of Sweets and Treats and single mother of two of Manitoulin Island, Dr. Erin Peltier, Sudbury based physician of Wiikwemkoong, Marian Jocko Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General Indigenous Justice Division and Director Board of Hockey Canada hailing from Wiikwemkoong, Chef Hiawatha Osawamick of Hiawatha’s Restaurant, Sharlene Webkamigad, registered nurse in Indigenous Health in Sudbury, as well as Kelly Babstock, Women’s University Hockey also of Wiikwemkoong.
The intent of the very well attended seminar was to fire the imagination and to energize Indigenous women of the territory to see themselves outside of statistics and tragedy caused by colonialism, and the prominent speakers did just that, speaking from a wealth of lived experience marked not only by hardships but by community love and personal triumphs.
Ms. Jacko raised her eldest child as a single parent while earning three University degrees, including a Master’s degree in Social Work and a law degree from the University of Toronto. While working full-time as a lawyer and raising three children, Ms. Jacko obtained her Master of Law degree from York University in 2005. She spoke of “quitting law school every day” but persevering through many hardships, perhaps most relatable to Indigenous women. Marian has spent her entire 24-year legal career tirelessly working on behalf of children and Indigenous peoples.
Ms. Jacko strongly believes in community service, serving on many non-profit organizations’ boards and advisory committees over the years. Currently, she is the President of the Little Native Hockey League, ”Little NHL,” and President of Anishnawbe Health of Toronto. She also joins a volunteer Board of Mentors with the Future of Hockey Lab whose work is committed to values-based social innovation and culture change while growing the game of ice hockey.
She also spoke of sexism within the sport of hockey, and the yearning she felt as a young woman to play. While she did not personally play hockey, her daughters did and she became a coach and then went on to become President of the Little NHL, who hosted their 50th anniversary tournament in Markham Ontario last week.
She believes in the power of hockey as a sport to lift up Indigenous Youth and communities and to change them from viewing themselves as a statistic.
“When our people are involved in some way, shape or form with the justice system…accused or in custody and I read about statistics like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIW2SG) I think about that we are 12 times more likely to go missing just because we are Indigenous. And I feel that we need to start changing that narrative, we have to do this to change that narrative. Instead of saying we are twelve times more likely to go missing or murdered, how about we do things that make the narrative ‘we are 12 times more likely to play the provincial women’s hockey league, to be successful at your chosen career, at your skills, your trades or whatever the case is. You gotta start doing things to change that narrative and for me, I firmly believe its through Indigenous hockey that we can have our young people change that narrative,” Ms. Jacko stated emphatically and to great applause.
Chef Hiawatha Osawamick, owner and operator of Hiawatha’s Restaurant and Marina located in Capreol, Ontario and “Turtle Island’s Caterer” also spoke with great conviction, opening her presentation by stating “don’t be afraid to try something big and new,” encouraging the women of her community to step out of their comfort zones and when presented with opportunities to “just say yes, and figure the rest out later,” while also cautioning that immediate success is not typical and that consistency and perseverance is necessary for long term success.
She regaled attendees with her story about her bid for World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education in 2017 for 2800 guests being held in Toronto for the very first time. She went for the interview in Six Nations of the Grand River and was told there were three slots for the event, boxed lunches for 2800 people, the main course for 2800 hundred people and then the closing ceremony for the same number of attendees.
“So I gave my interview and was told ‘well we can pick you for one or we can not pick you for any’ so I said, well give the 2800 boxed lunches, thinking I’d ask for the easier one. That was what I was hoping for, just give me the easy one,’” Ms. Osawamick laughed.
“But then (the organizer) came back to me a week later and she told me she picked me for all three. So I just told her, yes! So going back to that quote from the beginning, ‘don’t be afraid to try something big and new and just say yes’, so at that time, I just said yes and then hung up the phone and thought ‘oh gosh what did I just do?”
Ms. Osawamick went on to rent all of the kitchen and staff necessary to make the event a success, which led to more opportunities to make her mark in the culinary world. As her business has expanded, she travels Turtle Island catering events and hiring Indigenous youth from within the communities where she travels, inspiring and giving opportunities to young people to try their hand in the culinary business. Some have gone on to pursue careers in the field, while others have had the learned experience to know it is not for them.
When the opportunity to take over the marina and restaurant came up, Ms. Osawamick jumped at the chance to make a presentation to Chief and Council. “I just spoke from the heart about my experience and my mom’s experience (in traditional cooking), we’re well known and what we have to offer and just being ourselves and who we are and letting that speak for itself. Out of the five (hopefuls) we were picked and so we purchased the restaurant and the marina last year. We were open for one full year as of October and in that first year we had to relocate the gas station so we decided to open a new gas station instead. And I was saying to myself, ‘how am I getting into the gas station business’ I don’t know anything about fuel. But I’m very grateful to have had mentors like my cousin Mark, my aunt Bev, my aunt Gertie all growing up with these supports.” Ms. Osawamick emphasized the importance of asking for help and support along the way.
The event, which saw a remarkable turnout created an ambiance of celebration of Indigenous culture and achievements. Throughout the seminar, attendees were inspired by the stories of resilience, determination, and community support shared by the speakers, reaffirming the strength and potential of Indigenous women across the territory.
As Indigenous communities continue to strive for empowerment and resilience, events like the “Inspire: Strong Indigenous Kweok Seminar” serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging individuals to pursue their dreams and create positive change within their communities.
