Circle of Sisters: A Day of Empowerment

Event Description:

Join us on Treaty One Territory (Winnipeg, MB) at the Fort Garry Hotel and Conference Centre for Circle of Sisters: A Day of Empowerment, a special one-day wellness event intertwining meditation, movement, and medicine. It is a day dedicated to honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people across Canada before National Awareness day of MMIG2S+ on May 5th.

This day of wellness is hosted by Matriarch Movement and features three workshops led by Indigenous wellness facilitators, as well as a special opening from Gramma Geraldine Shingoose and Honorable Nahanni Fontaine, Ministers of Family NDP.

Elder Carey Sinclair will be offering cedar brushing throughout the day for anyone who wishes to partake.

Notes:

Please wear something comfortable for movement and if you feel called to wear something red to honour MMIWG2S+.

Coffee/Tea, light snacks and a lunch will be provided.

Participants will be gifted yoga mats and water bottles, generously sponsored by lululemon.

This event is open to individuals aged 16+.

This event is open to Indigenous women and 2-spirited and gender-diverse participants.

Limited seats are available for this event. If you can no longer make it, please email us at [email protected] and we will give your spot to someone on the waitlist.

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DAY SCHEDULE:

Opening: Circle of Sisters: A Day of Empowerment

Gramma Geraldine Shingoose will offer a welcoming and grounding to start our day in a good way. From there, we will hear from Honorable Nahanni Fontaine, Ministers of Family NDP, followed by remarks from Shayla Stonechild about the Matriarch Movement and Circle of Sisters: A Day of Empowerment.

First Workshop: Wahkohtowin: Weaving Generational Wellness

Join Shayla Stonechild, founder of the Matriarch Movement, on a transformative journey. We will begin with partnered meditation, an active breathwork session, a medicine wheel-inspired yoga flow, and powerful collective calls to action through a sharing circle. Participants will nurture a deep connection to the land, their story, and our shared responsibility for generational well-being.

Second Workshop: Details coming soon…

Lunch: provided by Fort Garry Hotel

Please email us if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.

Third Workshop: Mashkiki: to draw strength from the Earth

Sarah-Anne Tourond will take you on a journey of self discovery, inspiring you to claim the gifts you carry. We will come together in a standing meditation to root ourselves to the earth, followed by an empowering yoga practice to remind you of the strength you carry, eventually winding down into stillness and allowing yourself to be held by the earth. This practice will align participants back to the innate connection we have to the land and serve as a reminder of the medicine you carry.

Closing Sharing Circle and Prayer with Gramma Geraldine Shingoose

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Get to know the Speakers and facilitators:

Geraldine (Gramma) Shingoose:

Geraldine (Gramma) Shingoose is a grassroots grandmother. Her spirit names are Sky Woman and Northern Lights Woman, and she comes from the Bear Clan. She is a Saulteaux Woman from Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory. She is 9 year Residential School Survivor.

Nahanni Fontaine:

Nahanni Fontaine was first elected as the MLA for St. Johns in 2016. She is a member of the Sagkeeng Anishnaabe First Nation, holds a bachelor of arts in environmental studies and international development from the University of Winnipeg, as well as a master's degree in native studies, women's studies and critical theory from the University of Manitoba.

Fontaine is globally recognized for her expertise in missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals (MMIWG2S), Indigenous women's rights, Indigenous-police relations, and gender equity. She served as the official opposition critic for justice, families, as well as spokesperson for MMIWG2S and veterans affairs, and was the second woman to ever hold the position of official opposition house leader. As an MLA, Fontaine has passed legislation to honour MMIWG2S families, prohibit employers from forcing women workers to wear unsafe footwear, recognize the work of animal rescue shelters and incorporate more inclusive language into Manitoba's court system.

She is a dedicated mother to her two sons and her fur baby.

Shayla Stonechild:

From hosting the award-winning TV show Red Earth Uncovered, to being the first Indigenous woman on the cover of Yoga Journal magazine and a global yoga ambassador for lululemon, Shayla has established a significant footprint in the sphere of Indigenous advocacy, not just as a prominent influencer, but also as a cultural trailblazer.

At 16, a personal tragedy reshaped her world when she lost her father. This fueled her commitment to promoting life and advocating for the reclamation of Indigenous values through her non-profit organization, online platform and podcast, the Matriarch Movement. Shayla is currently running the Amazing Race Canada alongside her brother, Joel, for Indigenous youth across Canada.

outh led professional services social enterprise that operates at the intersection of climate and racial justice.

Sarah-Anne Tourond (She/Her)

Sarah- Anne Tourond is a Metis, Mixed European and Anishinaabekwe (Ojibwe Woman) from Gambler First Nation in Treaty 4. She weaves the knowledge gained in 10+ years training and practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor with her lived experiences and traditional teachings, to share wellness through a decolonized and community focused lens.

Sarah-Annes is also a published childrens author and illustrator, her first childrens book “You Are Sacred” released in 2023. It is the first of a 4 book series titled “All That You Are” that is rooted in the teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel and guides children in how to be well, mind, body, spirit and emotion by reminding them of their connection to the Earth. You can currently find her first book on display at the Manitoba Museum as a part of “Manidoo Miiniigooizowin, A Gift From The Creator” an exhibit that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Southern Chief Organization.

Carey Sinclair

Carey Sinclair is a Traditional Knowledge Keeper. Carey is from Pukatawagan Cree Nation, and carries many teachings and healing practices including Cedar Bath ceremonies. More details coming soon…

Host or Publisher Matriarch Movement