Page 46 - Restorative Journey: Indigenous Educational Wellness

Aileen Kanennakene Joseph, Mohawk, Wolf Clan, was the matriarch of a strong, loving, and beloved family on Six Nations. She was an advocate for the Sisters
in Spirit initiative at the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Kanennakene was a fierce advocate for the MMIWG2S+ movement. She had a daughter named Shelley, who was murdered in 2004. Shelley is one of the thousands of Indigenous women who are listed as either missing or are known to have been murdered.
Aileen was asked, “Why should our (spiritual leaders) help ‘them’ after everything that’s been done to us?”
Her final answer was so simple. “Love starts with us...”
May 5 is National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+
We pray for the health, safety and prosperity of the girls, women, and LGBTQ+ in all communities
We promise to protect you
To guide you with love and respect
We will support you when you set life goals
So you know that your sacredness is honoured
We promise to help create those safe boundaries by respecting you
So that you will grow with confidence and
You are able to walk upon Mother Earth without fear
To all the girls, women, and LGBTQ+ community members in our lives.
Figure 26. Unidentified Woman in a Red Dress, painting Elizabeth Doxtater
38 Commemoration • Education • Healing/Wellness