Girls Inc. Power of Stories
The Truth
In Canada, young Indigenous women and girls are 3.5 times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women and girls who face ongoing colonial violence. source
Locally, there are at least seven Indigenous women who are missing or murdered from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. source
Power of Stories
Power of Stories is an inter-cultural awareness and violence prevention program developed closely with local Cree, Métis, and Dene land-based knowledge holders as well as Indigenous liaison professionals across the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to offer true insight into their local experiences living in the Wood Buffalo region.
The program is taught through the lens of storytelling and Teaching of the Grandmothers, a set of local values passed over generations that promotes connection to Indigenous cultures and Indigenous way of life. These teachings serve as guiding themes from which we discuss other topics unique to Indigenous girls to build inclusive social transformation systems for greater gender equality in Alberta by understanding why girls of different age groups go through layers of different challenges through Indigenous-historical-feminist lens.
It reflects upon the past, explores the present, and aims to create a brighter future through documenting oral histories in Indigenous languages. It also raises awareness around how to address and prevent violence of all forms against and around women and girls in our community.
We aim to share this program with the greater communities across Canada with the creation of an accessible toolkit for community practitioners so that they may continue to share and grow the knowledge base.
Why is this program important for girls?
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta believes that girls have the right to have confidence in themselves and be safe in
the world. Girls have the right to feel safe as they go through life, in their homes, schools and communities. In Canada, girls and young women are disproportionately facing domestic violence, sexual abuse/harassment and gender-based violence of all forms personally and structurally.
We know that the reality and manifested trauma within it need to be understood through a historical and intersectional feminist
lens. We know that there are stories and voices that may not be heard, represented or even silenced — particularly ones
amongst Indigenous girls and women in Northern Alberta. Why is that? And How can girls of different identities act as advocates
for gender equ(al)lity and agents of change? This program allows girls and community at large to explore these questions.
Program Learning Outcomes
- To increase the sense of connection to land, culture, and Indigenous way of life through Teachings of the Grandmothers
- To learn how to advocate for change and be the leaders to prevent and tackle various forms of violence against Indigenous girls and women ('PAST')
- To be able to apply local Indigenous beliefs and values to everyday adversity unique to girls by standing up for themselves ('PRESENT')
- To gain knowledge, skills and confidence needed to develop and use their 'voice' to tell stories ('FUTURE')
About Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is a non-profit organization in Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo with a mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. We provide girls 6 to 18 years old with the knowledge and skills needed to break free from gender stereotypes, create social change, be proud of who they are and be confident in their own skin.
Power of Stories is funded by the Alberta Government and the supported by the Canadian Women's Foundation.
Program Outline:
Ready to find out more?
Download a detailed program outline .
If you would like more information about the Power of Stories program please use the contact form below or call 780 790 9236.