TÂPWÊW

TÂPWÊW – ‘SHE SPEAKS THE TRUTH’
PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO HONOR AND PROMOTE ADVOCACY AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN THROUGH LOCAL, REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, SPECIFICALLY THROUGH POLICY CHANGE, PRACTICE, RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION, NETWORKS AND COLLABORATION.

THE PROGRAM WILL ADVOCATE FOR THE SELF-DETERMINATION OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS, THROUGH RECONCILIATION. TÂPWÊW WILL ADDRESS DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION, POLICIES, AND/OR PRIORITIES THAT PREVENT WOMEN AND/OR GIRLS FROM FULLY PARTICIPATING IN THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SPHERES WITHIN SASKATOON. OUR PROGRAM SEEKS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES TO ADDRESS INTERSECTIONAL BARRIERS FOR EQUALITY (E.G., ANTI-OPPRESSION AND ANTI-RACISM INITIATIVES).

We Are:

  • Natural Leaders
  • Life Givers
  • Resilient
  • Protectors
  • Empathetic
  • Motivated
  • Confident
  • Humorous
  • Warriors

Barriers We Face:

  • Stereotyped
  • Discrimination
  • Racial Profiling
  • Inadequate Housing
  • Vulnerable
  • Single Parenting

High Risks to Lifestyle:

  • Abuse
  • Prostitution
  • Rape
  • Addictions
  • Poverty
  • Missing
  • Abducted
  • Murdered

Objectives

  • Honour our Indigenous Women
  • Advocate for increased protection of our Indigenous Women and Girls
  • Help foster workplaces to be free from discrimination
  • Facilitate Culturally Responsive Education
  • Advocate for improved Living Conditions
  • Facilitate Provincial Planning Sessions and Community Partnerships

To Ensure Indigenous Women have a Voice that is:

  • Culturally Responsive
  • Culturally Compentent
  • Sympathetic and Commited to change

 

Iskotêw-ohci-iskwêw

ᐃᐢᑯᑌᐤ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ

“Women of Fire”

Origin Story!

The Tâpwêw program began in April 2022 with the hiring of a program coordinator (Delanie Passer) and an assistant (Gail LaRose). The program developed a strategic plan, and three influential Indigenous women (Claudia Whitehawk, Trina Gallagher, and Hailey Rose) were hired on contract to be the voice and face representing the program. Social Media accounts were created, and a photo shoot for brochures and a billboard located on 22nd street were used in marketing the program. The program held a pipe ceremony and a sweat lodge ceremony to work with women Elders on how to move in a good way.

Relationship building is currently in progress. Tâpwêw program partnered with Lia Reese Canada, Just For You Day Spa and SKN, which offered discounts and coupons for indigenous women. The influencers have engaged in public speaking at Batoche, Aboriginal Day, Folkfest, STC Powwow, Wine and Women Tour and Sept 30th Orange T-Shirt Day. Tâpwêw estimates that 4000 individuals have heard our influencers talk about our program. Our social media platforms have a total of 300 followers and the program has collected data from 150 Indigenous women, who have expressed various systemic issues that they would like the program to advocate for on their behalf. Five hundred brochures were created and purchased to spread awareness and give information about our program. The influencers handed out four hundred brochures to date. The program also designed hoodies and t-shirts to sell and spread awareness of our program. 

This is how the story of a spark is nurtured into a fire that is tended by inspired, powerful Indigenous Women, who are set on sharing that Fire to help and heal Women and Girls in the community.  

 

Join Us in Improving the Lives for Indigenous Women and Girls!