Lead with love
Love is the most simple and basic part of our experience on this earth and therefore, the basis from which all our actions should be aligned. Love heals and sustains us in the darkest hour. Love is not just a feeling - it fuels agency. Love can potently break down barriers and create change.
As a nation, we have somehow become inured to violence inflicted upon Indigenous women and girls. Inured even to their violent and often mysterious deaths. The figures are alarming and depressing. Murders of Indigenous people in Canada account for over 20% of the total, yet they only account for 5% of the population. It's worse for women than men. Everyone knows it. But it never seems to change.
Will it change now?
Reconciliation will require open hearts and open minds, to acknowledge past harms and make a commitment to healing. Love opens the door to see and hear Indigenous women and girls for and as themselves, and neither reduce nor distort their experiences. Today, we ask you to lead with love, and help us ensure that every Indigenous young woman and girl feels seen and heard as equal participants in Canada's future.
At Stardale Women's Group, we want all Indigenous peoples to live in a strong, supportive and inclusive community. With your leadership and support, we can all move forward together and overcome adversity.
What love means to me
In this video, the girls share their perspectives and insights on self-love, love for their family and friends, and love for their community. Thank you to Vanessa Wenzel of Prairie Kitten Productions for beautifully capturing this moment.
Raise funds and help every Indigenous young woman and girl fulfill their potential
Stardale Women's Group relies on you to be able to continuously support Indigenous young women and girls, and their families. We are grateful for the generous support and creativity of the many individuals and corporations who support our fundraising efforts through third party initiatives.
Your contributions goes towards increased social and wellness programming; prevention efforts that aim to reduce factors that place youth at risk for perpetrating violence; opportunities for creative and artistic expression; honouring reconciliation and creating space for inclusion; and ongoing assistance and resources to the many young people we serve.
Click the button below to learn more about third party initiatives and download our Third Party Fundraiser Toolkit.
Equity Film Series: The Road
In partnership with the University of Calgary Indigenous, Local & Global Health Office, we invite you to a film screening of The Road, a short film written by and starring the Indigenous girls of Stardale Women's Group. It explores various themes pertaining to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the legacy and inter-generational impact of colonialism in Canada.
Health inequities among Indigenous communities arise from the multigenerational effects of colonization and need to be contextualized within the historical, political, social and economic conditions that have influenced Indigenous health.
Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with members of Stardale Women’s Group, an Elder and the film’s producer.
March 1, 2021
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM