top of page
Search

The Gifts We Carry

  • ONWA
  • May 27
  • 3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

In honour of Indigenous History Month, ONWA is sharing the stories about the powerful physical and symbolic items that Indigenous women and gender-diverse people carry or have carried. Do you want to be featured?

Calling all Indigenous women and gender-diverse people: We want to share your story!


This June, for Indigenous Women’s History Month, ONWA is launching “The Gifts We Carry” — a campaign honouring the sacred, powerful, and personal gifts that Indigenous people carry with them.


These items—whether a braid, a drum, a ribbon skirt, a pouch, or teachings—hold medicine, memory, and meaning. They tell stories of strength, identity, and cultural connection.


We’re inviting YOU to be part of this campaign by sharing:

  • A photo of you with your meaningful item

  • A short written statement about its importance to you


Help us uplift the teachings that live in the things we carry. Please submit your story to: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608932160798784


Deadline for submissions: 11:59 PM (EST) Monday, July 30, 2025



The Gifts You Carry


We all have purpose in our life, how we honour our purpose is a choice we all have the responsibility to figure out. I’ve chosen to use my voice for systemic change, to challenge the systems that continue to do harm to Indigenous women. In order to do this sacred work I must be on my healing journey as we know ‘hurt people, hurt people’ however ‘healed people, heal people’ as well. My bundle supports me while I do this work and each item has a specific gift and purpose that I have the responsibility to honour. We have our own Indigenous ways of being and knowing that has more accountability than any colonial system. If we want change we need to relearn, remember and reclaim our ways. Our families and communities need healthy leadership now more than ever. Cora McGuire-Cyrette Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek

Cora carries the gift of using her voice to drive systemic change and healing for Indigenous women and communities through purposeful, accountable leadership.



This photo captures a powerful moment of my daughters and me wearing our first-ever ribbon skirts together at our first pow wow. It was a deeply grounding experience that connected us in a new way to our Indigenous heritage and traditions. Standing together in our skirts, surrounded by community and culture, was both emotional and empowering. For my girls to witness and be part of this moment at such a young age means everything to me. It was more than just a celebration, it was a return to who we are. Kendra Halabura Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB

Kendra carries the gift of reconnecting to and passing on Indigenous heritage, strength, and identity through shared cultural experiences with her daughters. 



My gift is my voice… and the stories told in my songs. Every song I write is medicine for me and others. Finding the bravery to share them and perform in front of people was a growth moment and knowing I am meant to was another. Layla Staats Mohawk Sjx Nationw

Layla carries the gift of healing and bravery through her voice and the stories in her songs, which serve as medicine for herself and others. 



I started hand drumming in February 2002 as a shy woman who would shake off leads and not speak up for myself in daily life. Today in 2025 I have a powerful, confident voice to sing on my own or in a group and also as teacher passing on that gift to other Indigenous women, to help them find their voice. This hand drum is such a powerful tool and has taken me to many places I have never expected to experience and I am so very grateful that I have it in my life. I will continue to sing and use my voice in community wherever spirit continues to lead me. Rebecca Loucks Curve Lake First Nation

Rebecca carries the gift of the hand drum, a powerful tool that has guided her journey from silence to confidence, and now helps her empower other Indigenous women to find their voices. 



The skirt my mom gifted me carries deep meaning, stitched with care and chosen with love. It’s as though she brought it home. Its colours and patterns feel like pieces of myself reflected back—bright, strong, and familiar. Each fold holds quiet stories, connecting me to the women who came before me. In wearing it, I feel their strength and grace wrap around me like protection. This skirt isn’t just clothing; it’s a reminder of who I am, where I come from, and the courage I carry forward. Amanda Hardy Temagami First Nation

Amanda's gift is the ribbon skirt, a powerful symbol stitched with care, chosen with love, and embodying the identity, heritage, and the enduring spirit of the women who came before her.



This was the first ribbon skirt added to my bundle, lovingly crafted by my dear friend Stephanie Quisess, who passed away in 2022. Three years have passed since her journey to the Spirit World, and I continue to hold this skirt close to my heart. It has been a powerful part of my healing and has supported me through the imposter syndrome I’ve experienced during graduate school. Stephanie was proud of me as I approached the end of my undergraduate studies, and I carry the belief that she’s still proud of me now as I near the completion of my Master’s. Mallory Solomon Constance Lake First Nation

Mallory carries the gift of healing and self-belief through their first ribbon skirt, a cherished creation by their late friend Stephanie, that supports and empowers them on their journey.



My symbolic item is comprised of sweet grass and an eagle feather. Sweet grass is a powerful medicine that I rely on heavily, having navigated me through some very difficult moments in life, symbolizing courage and bravery for me. An eagle feather is also an exceptionally important sacred item that has fostered substantial clarity and peace in my everyday life. Tyrell Lynx

Tyrell carries a symbolic gift made of sweetgrass and an eagle feather, representing the courage, clarity, and peace that have guided him through life.



My ribbon shirt represents individuality and the opportunity to communicate, trade, and express myself through tradition. The colours I chose for this specific shirt are for personal reasons, but the ribbon skirt and shirt hold the colours of our people, and allow us to create and individualize based on personal preference. It’s another amazing way we get to express ourselves through tradition! Kyle Community advocate

Through a ribbon shirt Kyle carries the gift of communication, honoring both self-expression and cultural tradition.



Its not necessarily an ‘item’ but a feeling of connection with horses. Horses and the teachings of the horse are a integral part of my bundle. I carry a braided piece of horse tail which for me symbolizes the strength and resilience of our people and the importance of truth. Horses are sacred beings and are the tellers of truth. Horses connect my worlds and provide infinite ways to learn and heal. Tressa Beaulieu Métis Nation of Ontario (Region 1, Treaty 3)

Tressa carries a braided horse tail that symbolizes her by a sacred connection with horses and the teachings they carry.



Nitii Minikwemin-Red Teapot Sessions The Red Teapot represents our language forever changing and growing. It holds the stories of our people and our identity as Anishinaabe people. In every sip, in every word, in every sound is Ga’ineyiing. Giizihgokwe’s inspiration for storytelling comes from her Kokum. She enjoyed listening to her stories spoken in Anishinaabemowin. Today she creates videos for others, enjoying their stories, their dialect and visit over tea. Sandra Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation

Sandra carries the gift of the Red Teapot, a vessel of Anishinaabe identity whose every sip and story honours the language.



Learning how to make a ribbon skirt with jingles connects deeply to my identity as a 2Spirit Anishinaabe woman. This skirt is a practice piece to help me get ready for when I make my own jingle dress regalia. It allows me to build my skills and grow my confidence while learning traditional ways. Sewing the ribbons and adding jingles helps me connect with my culture and express who I am in both spirit and identity. Being 2Spirit is a part of my strength, and this journey of creating regalia is helping me reclaim and honour that. Melissa

This 2Spirit Anishinaabe woman is embracing the gifts of self-discovery and reconnection through the journey of creating regalia.



I carry the gift, and medicine of beads. I create, teach, heal, and tell stories through the work I make. Growing up in Thunder Bay enfranchised I felt like a piece of a puzzle with no space I belonged to. Beading was one of the first ways to express that hurt, regain my identity, and build a sense of community. Beads may be small but they carry big medicine. Savannah Fort William First Nation

Through the gift of beading, Savannah channels healing, identity, and storytelling, transforming small beads into powerful medicine.



As a neurodivergent my journey has been met with many trying paths, and natural disasters, and periods of spiraling out of control in all facets of my human existence. My jingle dress allowed me to harness the power within my neurodivergence and contribute community healing. Kimberly Kennedy Red Rock Indian Band

Carrying the gift of the jingle dress, Kimberly dances through adversity, turning personal trials into collective healing.



My role and prayers for our people and Our Way of Life lead me to where I am today. It is with the humbleness of a grandmother that I carry our True History, Our forgotten Wampum Belts. They speak of my and your purpose in life of carrying the Good Message. Our Wampum Belts were given to guide us through time. They would provide an understanding of life. They are our oral stories of how to come from a place of grieving, from the wars of our mind and our heart to a place of peace. These stories supported me in my life’s journey. Grandmother Renee Thomas-Hill Bear Clan of the Cayuga Nation, Haudenosaunee Confederacy of the Grand River, Ontario

The gift Grandmother Renee carries is the living memory of our people—Wampum Belts that speak of our past, our purpose, and the Good Message meant to guide us forward.



This artwork is and has been my journey from 1978-2025. I am sharing this because that is my life and work as Anishinaabe Ekwe. Angelina Ice

Angelina carries the gift of storytelling through art, sharing her lifelong journey as an Anishinaabe Ekwe.



This image is a visual expression of the One Dish Wampum, showing the sacred items that have fed me — physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Each piece around me holds memory, responsibility, and medicine: corn, moccasins, a rattle, a basket, beadwork, and more. These gifts are teachings that connect me to land, ceremony, and those who came before. As a Haudenosaunee (Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan) woman and dietitian, I carry them with love and care. They remind me that we are never alone — the dish is still full, and our ways continue. Deyowidront Six Nations -Cayuga

Rooted in Haudenosaunee tradition, Deyowidront bears the gift of cultural continuity and connection through her sacred items.



I graduated from ONWA day treatment in Thunder Bay last June. It’s been over 365 days I’ve been sober from not only alcohol but from smoking tobacco. I am unsure of my gift yet as I am still yet to learn. But Chi Meegwetch for all the staff at ONWA and also my chief and my mother who gave me life, for their support. I am taking my journey on the red road, one day at a time. And also I am grateful for our culture, it really has helped me in my sobriety. Adrienne Marten Falls First Nation

Adrienne walks with the gift of perseverance, grounded in cultural teachings and supported by community support and the courage to change.



This ribbon skirt was made by me for my daughter. It is her first ribbon skirt and my first time learning how to sew. The ribbon colours chosen have special meaning between us and the fabric was chosen as it reflected the floral beadwork we are connected too. With every cut, seam, and fold I put forth intentions for my daughter to be proud of who she is, to stay true to herself, and to continue to explore her Métis heritage because that right was taken away from so many of our ancestors. Deanna Métis Nation of Ontario citizen, Region 2

The gift Deanna carries is a mother’s purposeful act of reclaiming tradition, woven into a skirt that honors both past and future.



Beading is medicine. It’s helping me reconnect to my culture, pass along my teachings, and help others in their reconnecting journeys. Megan Timiskaming First Nation

Megan carries the gift of reconnection through beading, using it to share teachings and support others on their own paths of rediscovery.



I’m an Ojibwe Anishinaabe Kwe, jingle dress and women’s traditional dancer. One of my gifts is being able to make breastplates without a pattern. I’m humbled dancing with it on, the real bone on it makes it heavy. The colours of my regalia, my breastplate all have meaning to me as those colours were given to me long ago by an Elder. I dance for the people, those who cannot dance, who can no longer dance. I dance old style how I was taught. What I learn I’ve passed on that knowledge and taught others to make breastplates when asked. Being able to dance is a gift. Louise Whitefish River First Nation

Louise’s gift lies in honoring culture by crafting breastplates intuitively and dancing for those who cannot, guided by teachings from Elders.



My regalia was made with love by my nephew from our community, and it holds deep meaning for me. Last summer, I re-entered the dance circle wearing it, carrying with me pride, gratitude, and the strength of my ancestors. Each stitch and ribbon represents parts of my journey resilience, connection, and cultural identity. When I dance, I do so for my family, for the people, and for healing. It’s a way to honour where I come from and the generations before me, while also creating space for future healing. Natasha Lariviere Nbisiing - Nipissing First Nation

Natasha carries the gift of connection—stitched with love, culture, and ceremony—as a means of personal and communal healing.



More entries coming soon! Want to be included?


bottom of page