kakichihiwewin ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ
(the act of consoling and / or healing with words - nēhiyawēwin / plains cree)
the kakichihiwewin project aims to create strong bonds in Indigenous communities by continuing the healing process of those affected by the residential school system, boarding schools, the sixties scoop, foster care, and forced removal / assimilation.
We also know that many Indigenous peoples come from a legacy of shame – our parents and grandparents hiding their identity out of self preservation, and thusly we end up isolated from our nations, people and birthrights to culture.
kakichihiwewin isn’t a place to find culture, but to find your story – a stepping stone on your journey to healing. There are so many walls and barriers that we come up against, so creating those bonds with people who will support you, listen and encourage you to keep going is paramount to heal not only yourself, but generations back and forward.
The reality is that the ongoing traumas we face often make us feel like we’re walking alone, but we aren’t.
Through stories, community efforts and retrospect into how we’ve been shaped by a system set to dismantle us, we can ensure our thrival as peoples – by using our words and experiences to heal.
Above all else, kakichihiwewin is a grassroots effort with the goal to build Indigenous peoples back up and create safe community spaces for connection and consolation.
Make a donation to the kakichihiwewin project by visiting our page on Global Giving.
DONATE $100 OR MORE THROUGH THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AND WE WILL SEND YOU A CURATED GIFT BAG AS A THANK YOU!
When you donate $100 or more on Global Giving through the month of September, you will receive a gift bag that includes the limited edition Cheekbone x Christi Belcourt lipstick set alongside other gifts as a thank you.
Gift bags will be sent out the first week of October.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
Send a community care kit to a community member or to yourself.
These kits were created to remind folks that they are loved, valid, thought of and needed.
Each kit includes traditional medicines, tea, pânsâwân, self care items and more – all wrapped up in a handmade bag along with a letter written by a community member. No two kits are exactly the same.
You can sponsor a care kit by visiting us at GlobalGiving
You can also volunteer to write letters to for the care kits by mailing the director (email provided below).
*Kits will be sent out the first week of every month and are curated by the project director.
kakichihiwewin’s care kits are proud to partner with:
Mother Earth Essentials & Pânsâwân.
To partner / write letters / donate items to the kakichihiwewin project community care kits please email sa@seedingsovereignty.org
Seeding Sovereignty is proud to release “Healing Through Words”, the first zine from the kakichihiwewin project. This humble and raw look into the trauma of forced assimilation comes to you via the lens of project director S.A. Lawrence-Welch and Community Liberation and Land Defense project director, Kourtney Dunning.
Trigger Warning: There are detailed accounts of multiple forms of abuse and trauma in these pages, and as we acknowledge that our kin are all in various stages of their healing journeys, some of the things shared and described will be agitating.For our non-Indigenous kin – this is not trauma porn, this is a cold reality every Indigenous person you know has been affected by – these words however, only scratch the surface.
You can read the zine, and if you’re able, we ask that you consider donating to the kakichihiwewin project, to support its efforts to bring community healing to those affected by these not only historical, but ongoing / present day atrocities and traumas.
Sometimes our paths aren’t clear.
kakichihiwewin is proud to offer the stepping stone healing fund. This fund is two monthly, one time, $250 bursaries to Indigenous folks needing assistance in their reconnecting journeys.
This bursary is offered for those looking to travel to their homelands, access paid family records, language classes, and other related efforts that will help them on their healing journey.
kakichihiwewin is hoping to launch this effort in the fall of 2021.
If you’re interested in sponsoring this fund, please reach out to kakichihiwewin project director S.A. Lawrence-Welch via sa@seedingsovereignty.org
You are not alone on your path.
mamawapowuk means “gathering” in michif.
The first step to healing is not feeling alone, and with the ongoing impact felt by COVID-19 the kakichihiwewin project is offering “mamawapowuk”, a 12 week online community building group. Each week we will hear from a guest speaker, participate in activities together and create bonds to help facilitate the healing process for those of us affected by forced assimilation, generational / intergenerational and the present day trauma we carry as Indigenous peoples.
This space will not be run by a professional therapist, but will be a therapeutic setting for Indigenous folks who are in need of a sense of belonging and inclusion on their path to healing.
The gatherings will take place every Thursday from September 2nd until November 18th at 4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET and last 90 minutes.
***We ask that you can commit to the entire 12 weeks.
Understandably, there are obstacles at times, but to ensure the integrity of the group, we ask that you be present and mindful of the space and time of the other attendees. Additionally at this time we are only able to permit adults 18 and over to attend.
10 spots will be available, on a first come, first serve basis and this program will be offered three times a year.
There is no charge to attend or join the group.
Registration for September-November’s mamawapowuk sessions have been filled. Please check back in November for January’s gatherings.
pekiwewin means “the act of coming home or arriving” in nêhiyawêwin.
For many of us, “coming home” isn’t always an accessible act – but when we can find the feeling of home in community members who are on similar paths as us – it can truly feel like we are finding our way there.
This 90 minute, once a month Indigenous community talking circle will feature a variety of guests discussing the topic of identity and the issues that we face as Indigenous peoples. This is a safe place where lateral violence will not be tolerated, but rather where community members can ask questions without worry of social repercussions.
The sessions will not be recorded, and you are not required to turn on your camera. Your information will not be stored or shared.
Registration numbers are limited to ensure dialogue, and thoughtful responses / solutions are given.
*25 spots are available for each session.
Please stay tuned for September’s guest.
Past Guests:
Corinne Rice-Greycloud
Dr. Tomasina Chupco
Leah & Olivia Horzempa
Community is the best way to heal trauma.
the kakichihiwewin project will be hosting annual healing symposiums focused on sharing tools and skills that can be taken back to our respective communities to ensure the success and thrival of Indigenous peoples nationally and globally.
We are working to ensure our first gathering that will take place in 2022 will be both safe and accessible.
Our stories are our truths.
To understand where we are today, we must understand where we came from.
Join us as we hear stories from elders, the lost generation, and youth.
Hosted by kakichihiwewin project directed S.A. Lawrence-Welch, Storytelling highlights those affected by forced assimilation tactics and speaks to the resiliency and beauty of community building as a form of healing medicine. We will hear from folx that are putting in the work to ensure Indigenous peoples can hold onto their culture, identity and each other.
Episodes:
001 – November 2nd – Ivana Yellowback
002 – October 20th – Christine Diindiisi McCleave
003 – November 24th – Truth & Healing Commission Interview with Congresswoman Deb Haaland
004 – December 16th, 2020 – Jimmy Lee Beason II
With the escalation of trauma First Nations, Métis, & Inuit folks have been experiencing regarding residential schools in so-called Canada, the kakichihiwewin project has partnered with Healing in Colour to offer a four week community healing project directed towards empowering First Nations, Métis, & Inuit people to be able to process their grief in a safe environment with tangible tools to move forward with.
These four, two hour sessions will be led by Healing in Colour co-founder Yasmin and kakichihiwewin project director S.A. and will take place every Monday, starting July 26th and ending August 16th.
At this time we are only able to offer this program to First Nations, Metis and Inuit residents of so-called Canada. Non-registered First Nations, Métis, & Inuit are welcome to join as we know and understand that assimilation took many forms.
Space is limited to 10 participants and are available on a first registered, first served basis.
Registration is closed for Healing The Needs Of Now. We encourage you to check back early winter for our next offering.
WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EVENTADDRESSING ASSIMILATION & ERASURE
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