She Is Wise Conference 2025

Feb 412 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

ONWA's She Is Wise Nibwaakaa Inaadiziwin: 6th Annual Conference is happening February 10-12, 2025 at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Stay tuned for up to the minute updates by exploring this blog or following ONWA on social media: onwa.ca/social

Highlights

About the Conference

Getting Ready

Day 1 - Grandmothers "Tides of Wisdom"

Day 2 - Mothers & Aunties "The Steady Currents"

Day 3 - Daughters "Ripples of Change"

About the Conference

2025 Theme

Nibwaakaa Inaadiziwin translates to “she is wise in ways of life.” This conference captures the voices and perspectives of Indigenous women and seeks to change the narrative of violence through collective cultural and gendered empowerment. It acknowledges the wisdom and intelligence of women, as well as our life-giving power.

The theme for this year’s conference is Grandmothers, Mothers, Aunties, and Daughters: Flowing with Resilience and Renewal. During this event, ONWA will be honouring Indigenous women and our vital roles and responsibilities with our sacred waters, reconnecting with our inner power through ceremony, providing opportunities for connection, learning and celebration of the strength of our communities.

Quotes from ONWA Leadership

Purpose

The She is Wise Conference represents ONWA’s commitment to creating a safe space that fosters capacity building for frontline workers.

During the conference, wise practices are shared through carefully selected speakers and workshops highlighting expertise and knowledge of established community-based healing supports. Learners are provided the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in trauma-informed, holistic and culturally grounded approaches.

The conference provides opportunities for frontline workers and those providing services to Indigenous communities to learn, build connections and celebrate the work done to address violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as incorporate their learning into their work to continue to support Indigenous women and their families.

Getting Ready

We are getting ready for the 2025 She Is Wise Conference, here are some highlights from last year. We look forward to seeing those who will be coming out this year, and can't wait to share highlights on our social media and blog!

A heartfelt chi miigwetch (big thank you) to the Six Nations Smoke Dancers for honouring ONWA with their incredible presence and traditional Haudenosaunee dances during the early registration for the #sheiswise2025 Conference.

Day 1 - Grandmothers "Tides of Wisdom"

🌅 The She Is Wise Conference begins today! The energy is rising as incredible women from all over arrive, ready to inspire, connect, and grow together. Let’s make #sheiswise2025 unforgettable!

She is Wise 2025 kicks off with a powerful day of teachings, reflection, and celebration.

Thank you to Elder Meeka Uniuqsaraq for the teachings of the Qilaut and the Strong Water Singers for starting us in a good way and leading us into a powerful journey.

As we begin this powerful gathering, we are honored to hear from strong Indigenous leaders who set the stage for three days of wisdom, connection, and empowerment.

"Every woman is a gift from Creator, and every woman has a gift from Creator; to be here, to be present in this moment, to be taking up our roles. We have so much beautiful leadership in community, and we must acknowledge what we are creating. Leadership is helping – ourselves, our families, our communities." - Joan Riggs

“I am feeling a sense of connection. Speaking from the spirit, whatever cabinet was empty yesterday, is full today.” – Stan Wesley

"As women we are amazing. We work hard. We keep it all together. Most of all we keep it all together when our lives are so complex. It's time for all of us to be that positive rippling effect of love and compassion!" - Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill, Six Nations of the Grand River

"We all need a foundation of belief to pursue our goals. We all have experience, skills and hope. Women are natural caregivers [...] learning to honour ourselves. It's way easier to honour others than honouring ourselves. But we must do this as part of our healing journey." - Chief Claire Sault, Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation

"We are all working to take up our leadership as passed down from our mothers, aunties, and grandmothers. All of us gathered here to acknowledge the wisdom that we all carry, and share our gifts." - Sophia Carnovale, Youth Director, ONWA Board of Directors

"It is an honour to gather with you all today. I have been honored to listen to the wise women who come before me...Indigenous women's work is heart work." - Ingrid Green, Interim CEO, ONWA

"We have many gifts. We are peacemakers. We have so much respect for everything that gives us life. Be gentle on the path walked on and take care of our future generations to come." - Audrey DeRoy, Cultural Program Manager, ONWA

Thank you to Audrey DeRoy for sharing the meaningful teachings and words of wisdom about cultural bundles.

Grandmothers Panel - Left to right: Suzanne Knapp, Parm Burgie, Renee Thomas-Hill, Meeka Uniuqsaraq, Joan Riggs

Our Grandmothers carry the wisdom of generations. Today, they remind us of our responsibilities as leaders, community members, and water carriers. 💙 #TidesOfWisdom

What advice would you give your younger self?

"Believe in yourself, you're good enough. You'll never know if you don't ask and you'll never do it if you don't try." - Parm Burgie

"I'm daring how to live healthily [...] Release the guilt and shame and those things you feel have taken away your power. Be resilient." - Renee Thomas-Hill

"Try to learn as much as possible about your traditional heritage and teachings to pass on to future generations. Our youth want to learn from parents and Elders [...] Teach one another." - Meeka Uniuqsaraq

The Lyons Sisters are renowned Métis Jiggers, sharing their passion for dance across North America as performers and teachers.

Being Swampy Cree Métis from the Métis Homeland of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, they learned traditional jigging at an early age. Their unique style blends First Nations and European dance influences, including Irish, French, and Scottish traditions.

Their performances celebrate the resilience and beauty of Métis culture, keeping traditions alive for future generations.

We were honoured to with their performance and teachings at the She Is Wise 2025 Conference.

We put on our dancing shoes and learned a basic Métis jigging step from the Lyons Sisters at the She Is Wise 2025 Conference.

Today had a powerful lineup of Self-Care Workshops, focusing on healing, culture, and resilience.

✨ Cultural Safety for Indigenous Women

✨ Healing through Art Therapy

✨ Indigenous Astronomy

✨ Inuit Teachings Session

✨ Resilience and Renewal: Raised Haudenosaunee Beadwork

✨ A Resource Guide for Families of MMIWG2S

✨ Roots and Raven: Natural Salves & Scents with Medicines

✨ Telling My Truth

These sessions were a space for reflection, creativity, and connection.

🌊 Water is life. We close our first day with a sacred Water Ceremony led by Laini Lascelles

“We are the ones our ancestors prayed for.” - Laini Lascelles

Together we watched Josephine Mandamin: The Anishinaabe woman who walked for water rights (from Canada History Week 2020) video (above) and Dr. Masaru Emoto's Rice Experiment video.

"As Indigenous people, we have known these truths about the importance of water forever. [... These videos] are a good reminder to remember what we already know from our water ceremonies, our water songs, and our lodges." - Laini Lascelles

At #SheIsWise2025, we honored the wisdom of our Elders and envisioned our roles as the Kookum of Tomorrow in the Awakening you Inner Elder - Walking in their footsteps workshop! Youth stepped into the shoes of their Elders, celebrating their teachings and committing to carry their knowledge forward for future generations.

Day 2 - Mothers & Aunties "The Steady Currents"

A new day begins at She Is Wise 2025, honoring the strength of Mothers & Aunties—the steady currents that guide and uplift our communities. Today is about resilience, leadership, and the power of women’s wisdom.

“Wherever you go you are going to touch, and you are going to leave the greatest gift of all, love.” – Elder Renee Thomas-Hill

“We don’t know exactly when things are going to happen – when the storm is going to come, when the sap is going to run, when our families are going to need something. Indian time is all about preparing, about being ready for what is coming.” - Stan Wesley

These words remind us to be ready to embrace the teachings and connections as we set the stage for a day focused on the strength of Mothers & Aunties – The Steady Currents at She Is Wise 2025.

We started the panel with an impactful video of Chief June Black addressing Nishnawbe Aski Nation representatives on the things happening in community that need to be addressed. Her powerful words kicked off the panel, setting the tone for a meaningful conversation. Click here to watch the video!

Left to right: Jaime Black-Morrisette, Chief June Black, Grand Chief Linda Debassige, and Stephanie Mikki Adam, hosted by Stan Wesley

Leadership is not given, it is lived. Today’s panel features powerhouse Indigenous women leaders, sharing their strategies for creating change. 💪🏽

Inspiring words from the Indigenous Women Leader Panel:

“If we all stand together, our power is going to change the world. […] Our power is not in competition with each other, it is in amplifying each other.” - Jaime Black-Morrisette

“We need to prioritize love, compassion, and respect for each other. Love is an inherent trait; hate is a learned trait. […] Together we can build a world that uplifts and inspires.” - Stephanie Mikki Adam

“Women are powerful when they are together. Women are powerful when they are working together. Women are such good medicine. When they tap into that medicine, there is no length that women will not go to, there is nothing we can not do.” - Chief June Black

"The most important thing to know is that we are not alone in figuring things out. [...] Organizations that serve our communities are being lead by smart, talented, beautiful Indigenous women. Which isn't that amazing?" - Jaime Black-Morrisette

“If Creator works through us as women, then what we have to say is important, no matter where we are on our journey.” - Grand Chief Linda Debassige

“Emotional intelligence is power. It will let you ask the questions that need to be asked. […] A lot of time we doubt ourselves, but your spirit and your gut speak to you. Don’t doubt, speak and ask questions.” - Chief June Black

“While we carry our intergenerational trauma, we must remember that we also carry our intergenerational strength.” - Stephanie Mikki Adam

“Ever single person in this room can teach us something, and we will be better for it. […] You don’t need a title to be a leader. That is a colonized perspective. […] My hopefulness is that through these gatherings we all grow, and inspire each other and all the future generations that will lead our people.” - Grand Chief Linda Debassige

Highlights from Jody Wilson-Raybould's Keynote

“Whoever we are and wherever we are, whatever we may be doing, we can all be leaders. We can all use our voices. We can act and inspire action.”

“When a woman speaks out, pushes back, or stands up their principles, relies on their lived experiences, or brings forward actual knowledge and experience… They are very easily called, and reflexively labeled, as difficult while doing all of those things. I am proud to be difficult every single day of my life!”

“Balance is viewed as the proper state of things, where conditions of harmony and justice flourish. Well, imbalance is what gives rise to conflict, contention, and harm. Everyone has a role to play in the community. To ensure that communities work well, the roles are different but equally important in ensuring society functions the way that it should.”

“I encourage each and everyone of you to have courage. To continue to be audacious. To continue to be uncomfortable. […] We need you. We need us. Together we walk.”

She Is Wise 2025 offered Workshops on Practical Practices that celebrated culture, healing, and traditional knowledge:

✨ Birch Bark Teachings

✨ Cultural Safety for Indigenous Women

✨ Medicine Lines of Womanhood: Honoring Self & Living Well

✨ The Power of Dance, Healing Steps

✨ The Power of Equine Assisted Learning

✨ Reconnecting with Traditional Food

✨ Resilience and Renewal: Raised Haudenosaunee Beadwork

A day of learning, movement, and reconnection.

“You are a woman who holds deep, deep medicine. […] What is the medicine you are dreaming into being?” - Asha Frost

Thank you to Asha Frost for leading us through mindfulness exercises and meditations as we discussed being the in-between medicine, and what it means to build a community in a good way. Her teachings remind us of the strength, healing, and connection that flourish when we uplift one another.

Day 2 of the She Is Wise 2025 Conference was filled with the power of connection, resilience, and leadership. We end the day by honouring the Bear moon with a Full Moon Ceremony.

📢 Important Update: She is Wise Conference Agenda Change 📢

Due to expected inclement weather, we have condensed the schedule for tomorrow’s She is Wise Conference. We want to ensure everyone’s safety while still delivering a powerful and inspiring event.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to gathering in a good way. Stay safe and see you soon! 💜

Day 3 - Daughters "Ripples of Change"

We got the good energy flowing this morning by taking the chance to meet some new people through a friendly rock-paper-scissors game! Awesome connecting with new faces! Excited for the day ahead!

“Healing is a lifelong journey, and I am committed to breaking these cycle, to being the best mother and kookum I can be. […] Healing is possible, no matter who you are or where you come from. Everyone is capable of creating a new future.” - Esther Maud

Chi Miigwetch (huge thank you) to Esther Maud for her bravery in sharing her powerful story and wisdom with us at #SheIsWise2025. Esther’s journey of resilience, healing, and advocacy is truly inspiring.

We were honoured to welcome Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat, a talented Fancy Shawl, Jingle Dress, and Hoop Dancer to the #SheIsWise2025 Conference! She blessed us with her story, teachings of hoop dancing, and demonstrations of her incredible gift. #5Hoops2Worlds

Here a few of the awesome videos Emilee shared with us during her presentation:

Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat (6 years old) teaching a few basic moves on hoop dancing.

Beautiful music video starring Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat.

Top photo, left to right: Janine Desmoulin, Liam Kablalik, Aliyah Diamond, Alyssa Lentz, Daanis Pelletier, Teanna Bertin-McLeod, Gabrielle Fayant

🌟 Indigenous youth are shaping the future! Today’s showcase celebrates young leaders creating ripples of change across Turtle Island.

Empowering words from the Youth Showcase – “They Are Happening”:

“We do have powerful voices. There is power within what we have to say. There is strength in what we have to say. We are sacred. Our voice is sacred.” - Alyssa Lentz

“I want to learn [about my cultural teaching], and I want to bring that to all the people that haven’t experienced it.” - Liam Kablalik

“We often hear that youth are the future, but I think we forget that youth are also the present. We are here. We are already doing the work.” - Aliyah Diamond

"Youth are sometimes looked over for being young. People forget being a youth doesn’t equal inexperienced. Many of our youth have lifetimes of experience, and they all have something important to share." - Teanna Bertin-McLeod

"I believe through having perspectives heard we are continuing a cycle of guaranteeing something new for the next generation as the previous generation guaranteed for us." - Daanis Pelletier

“All those good words, they were like a wave that overcame all those mean words. […] Please, with the young people in your lives, share just one small kind word. It can change someone’s whole day. Keep telling these young people how amazing they are doing. I am really proud of you all, and don’t give up.” - Gabrielle Fayant

Love Builds the Bundle

"Empowerment goes a long way. Role modeling goes a long way." - Janine Desmoulin

🌈✨ Youth are the ripples of change, and their voices matter. At ONWA, we listened to LGBTQIA+ youth, which inspired the creation of our Love Builds the Bundle resource. By amplifying their voices, we’re building inclusive spaces where everyone is valued and supported. 💬💖

Visit onwa.ca/love to learn more about this amazing resource!

“Every youth has a unique and individual story that they want and need to share, whether they are up here on stage or one of the quiet ones. They all have something important within them.” - Teanna Bertin-McLeod

Thank you to all the amazing youth leaders who attended ONWA’s She is Wise Conference! You are the change that will make a real impact in communities. Keep shining and leading! ✨

Join us in celebrating The Bearhead Sisters - two-time JUNO nominated and winner of the Juno award for Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year - as they take the stage today and share the beautiful gift. Their voices are powerful, their songs tell stories. 🎶

Here is a glimpse of some of what they shared with us!

#IndigenousArtists #IndigenousSingers

"Our grandmothers have carried us. Our mothers have protected us. Our aunties have always believed in us. Now it is our responsibility to use our voices and to share our stories. We are the medicine our ancestors have been making. Helping is leading, and leading is helping. All of us at ONWA are excited to witness the impact we know that you are all making and are going to make within your communities. Take care of yourselves and travel home safely." - Ingrid Green, Interim CEO, ONWA

“We matter. We are worthy. We are medicine. We are wise.” – Joan Riggs

Stories feed the soul. We hope the stories you heard, learned from, and made at the #SheIsWise2025 Conference will fill your souls.

She Is Wise 2025 may be over, but the wisdom we’ve shared will continue to ripple outward. What was your biggest takeaway from this year’s conference?