Strong, loved and Indigenous
Confidence, security of self, mindfulness and hope collectively, uniformly, reinforce the girls at Stardale Women’s Group to permit them to take up the challenges of life and turn them into opportunities. This takes time. Stardale provides support to young Indigenous ladies who are committed to being part of the projects. They and their families are supported in these endeavours.
At Stardale they experience a safe, creative world - they get to act, they write, and they see that there is a world of wonder and of possibilities. The girl’s creativity and experiences are freed without apprehension to shape the projects built in places of safety. Their projects are then brought to the wider world where they teach society about the Indigenous experience as part of their lived life.
At Stardale they learn that their likes are just wonderful parts of themselves and they are accepted. They learn to be admired as they share their thoughts and experiences.
At Stardale, the girls learn to be themselves, strong, loved and Indigenous.
Photograph of Dr. Linda Many Guns taken by Vanessa Wenzel before the COVID-19 pandemic.
As I walk into the sessions held by Stardale, I see the girls seated together giggling in small groups happily chatting about what girls find interesting. An Elder can always be found seated close by and as I glance around the room I note seated here and there, artists, theatre people, and helpers everywhere setting up chairs while cooks are busy in the back kitchen.
Helen as always, smiling greeting people, making hot chocolate helping here and there as the evening takes shape. Soon we enjoy a meal quickly brought out with efficiency then swept away and a circle is shaped and we start. We are all seated, safely with COVID-19 in mind and the session starts with prayer. Then a theme is announced and each of the girls share their thoughts on the topic. This is powerful and the sanctity of the circle brings their realities forth.
Enlightenment reveals truths and pains that are sadly numerous and uniformly held. I feel and relate to their knowledge and find my truths are aligned with their reality although knowing that these experiences are still after many years a part of the Indigenous experience saddens me.
The work Stardale does must shine a light those facts. I am certain that these strong young ladies can make a difference with the help of Stardale.