The Women of Nistawoyou

The Women of Nistawoyou

NAFC launches The Women of Nistawoyou virtual exhibit with Digital Museums Canada.

Fort McMurray, AB – The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (NAFC) is proud to announce the launch of The Women of Nistawoyou – a project funded by Digital Museums Canada (DMC).

The Women of the Nistawoyou virtual exhibit explores the life stories of ten exceptional matriarchs who maintained the livelihoods of their communities by preserving and teaching Indigenous traditions within the traditional land of Dene, Cree and Metis people in the Borealis forest.

The regional matriarchs include Nancy Woodward, Bertha Clark-Jones, Kay Waniandy Loutitt, Dorothy McDonald, Katy Sanderson, Elsie Cardinal, Lina Gallup, Elsie Yanik, Jenny Flett and Mary Rose Pudre.

“We are proud to have the stories of our Indigenous women leaders stories shared on the Digital Museums Canada platform and encourage everyone to discover how the matriarchs of the past and present have helped shape our region and Centre into what it is today,” said Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre’s Executive Director Stacy Gillingham.

The extraordinary group of women were, and are, trappers, political leaders, social innovators, environmentalists, teachers, community developers, business owners, midwives, healers, and nurses whose daily lives cultivated expressions of their heritage and culture.

They touched lives in their communities in various ways and have preserved centuries of teachings and traditions with humility, truth, courage, honesty, wisdom, respect, and love are most exemplified.

The Women of Nistawoyou virtual exhibit is now available to view online in English and French.

For further inquiries:
Stacy Gillingham, Executive Director
Ph. 780-743-8555
Email. ed@nistawoyouafc.com

NAFC launches Tending Our Hearts Fire pilot project to support MMIWG2S+ initiatives

NAFC launches Tending Our Hearts Fire pilot project to support MMIWG2S+ initiatives

Fort McMurray, AB – The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (NAFC) is proud to announce the launch of Tending Our Hearts Fire – a pilot project funded by the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association to support Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit+ peoples initiatives. The funding will be used to support Indigenous women & girls, as well as families that have missing or murdered loved ones, on their healing journeys.

“Women have always been the hearts of our communities,” said Jes Croucher of Pawâmiw Creative, advisor to the program. “The Cree word for fire is iskotew but what it actually translates to a woman’s heart. Our old people say that we all have a fire within us, and that it’s our responsibility to tend to that fire. That is what we aim to support with this program.”

Tending Our Hearts Fire will focus on building consistent and sustainable supports for families who have been impacted by Missing or Murdered family members, as well as prevention measures for Indigenous women and girls.

“We are grateful to be one of three Alberta friendship centers to receive funding to build a framework to address support gaps in the community,” said Stacy Gillingham, NAFC Executive Director. “There is an urgent need for Missing or Murdered-specific resources and we are thankful we can contribute to the community as it grows its support network.”

The program will host monthly support circles with international MMIP advocate Stephanie Harpe for families impacted by Missing or Murdered loved ones, as well as support and prevention workshops that will include safety and cultural identity. Culture will be the foundation of Tending Our Hearts Fire to ensure healing work is grounded in Indigenous ways of being.

The program aims to connect with key community organizations and grassroots advocates to build a resource network to support Indigenous women & girls and families impacted including search and rescue, court system navigation, prevention, mental health, and cultural supports. Information collected will be added to a resource database to be shared with organizations, families, and communities in times of need.

The NAFC calls upon the community to register their contact and resource information by emailing Georgina Sanderson at reception@nistawoyouafc.com or by calling 780-743-8555.

Mural Mentorship Program with AJA Louden

Mural Mentorship Program with AJA Louden

As part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Mural Mentorship Program, the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre is organizing an opportunity for local Indigenous youth to work with Edmonton artist AJA Louden to complete a mural at the Borealis Skate Park in August. 

Louden is a visual artist of Jamaican-Canadian heritage based in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Treaty 6, Edmonton, Alberta) and works primarily as a muralist, and also founded and directs the Aerosol Academy series, teaching people of all ages about art-making and art history through the lens of graffiti and street art. To learn more about the artist, visit www.ajalouden.com.

How Indigenous Youth Can Take Part:

In order to attend the Borealis Skate Park Mural development, youth need to attend the Mural Academy workshop on July 31. This is a two-hour workshop with AJA Louden to teach participants how to safely use aerosols and other tools on temporary walls. The workshops start with a 30-minute lecture, and safety instructions and are followed by a technique and tool demonstration. All materials will be provided. Limited to Ages 12+. Youth will also attend a two-hour program to determine the mural concept on August 5.

REGISTER FOR THE MURAL ACADEMY + BOREALIS SKATE PARK

Contact the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre’s Students Coordinator at studentsupport@nistawoyouafc.com to register for both. Please note: There are 15 spots available.

IMPORTANT DATES AND LOCATIONS: 

Mural Academy: July 31

Time: 4 PM to 6 PM

Location: Municipal Parking Lot, in front of the Bridgeport Inn (Biggs Ave. & Morrison St.)

Mural Concept Development: August 5

Time: 4 PM to 6 PM

Location: Unifor Local 707A (10019 MacDonald Avenue)

Borealis Skate Park Mural Installation: August 6 & 7

Time: 11 AM to 6 PM

Location: Borealis Skate Park

PROGRAM COLLABORATION: The Mural Mentorship Program is proudly presented by Public Art Wood Buffalo in partnership with the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre and the Wood Buffalo Integrated Youth Network. Click here to read the full news release online. 

POSTPONED: Sing-A-Long Campfire for Elders & Seniors

POSTPONED: Sing-A-Long Campfire for Elders & Seniors

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED – STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE!

The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre invites Elders and Seniors to enjoy an evening around the campfire roasting hotdogs and making s’mores with a special appearance from the Sacred Circle Drummers and musical entertainment.

Kokhoms and Mushums are encouraged to bring their grandchildren! This is a free event. Please bring your own chair. Please note: Any change of plans due to weather will be posted on our social media accounts.

For more information, contact NAFC Elders Coordinator Ashley Russell at elders@nistawoyouafc.com or 780-792-4306.

Bingo with Friendship for Elders & Seniors

Bingo with Friendship for Elders & Seniors

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED – STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE!

The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre invites Elders & Seniors for an afternoon of bingo. There will be many prizes to be won with light refreshments available. Dabbers will be supplied. This is a free event and no registration is required.

For more information, contact NAFC Elders Coordinator Ashley Russell at elders@nistawoyouafc.com or 780-792-4306.

MMEIP Support Circle – Virtual

MMEIP Support Circle – Virtual

The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre is hosting Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous Peoples Support Circles virtually to support anyone with barriers to travel or who prefers to be in the comfort of their own home. Virtual sessions are open for families impacted by MMEIP and who reside in the Wood Buffalo region.

The Support Circles will be led by International MMEIP Advocate, Stephanie Harpe, and supported by Jes Croucher of Pawâmiw Creative. Participants joining virtually will need to call the NAFC office at 780-743-8555 to register by providing their email to receive the link.

Please note: All information provided prior to and during the program will remain confidential to respect all guests’ privacy.