On Monday we held the Awo Taan Focus Group for the Sisters in Circle Program. It was successful beyond all hopes and expectations.
Doreen Roy, coordinator of the Awo Taan Parent-Link Centre began the group with a prayer and a smudging circle. The women discussed for two hours how they might improve their communities by shifting thoughts around their own validity and empowerment, while keeping open and accepting of all within their community. That in approaching those in their community who are oppressive or causing pain as people who are in deep pain themselves, and so in need of deep healing, not only are the oppressed empowered as healers, but the community heals itself. It has no need to bring in administration or experts from outside.
This circle of Aboriginal women generated ideas around community healing and development strategies that I have only heard from wise elders and medicine people. And the only recommendation for improvement on the evaluation of the focus group was that they all wanted more gatherings like this and more implementation of their strategies. This was an example of the power of women coming together with care and respect and for the good of all. Thank you to all of you who made this possible.
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