Native American Heritage Month
Dear Community,
LeaderSpring Center is proud to honor and recognize the rich and diverse cultures, and histories of the Native American people. This Native American Heritage Month, we are sharing Indigenous-owned businesses, captivating art works, impactful organizations, and community-led events that highlight Native American communities.
Last month, we welcomed our inaugural Native American and Alaska Native Women (NAANW) LeadStrong Fellows during an opening retreat! A gathering that cultivated a space for deep reflection, where our fellows, along with our co-facilitator, Ginna Brelsford, a 2020 WOC LeadStrong alumna, shared beautiful words and quotes that captures the essence of the collective gathering.
Words from Ginna Brelsford: “For three days our cohort of Native American and Alaska Native women gathered in Tamal-liwa, now known as Tomales Bay, on the ancestral lands of cohort member Theresa Harlan. We laughed, broke bread, danced, drummed, sang, held space for each other, and told our stories to sisters who knew our pain and our joy on a mutually spiritual level. We connected as friends and relatives looking to build up each other's strengths, fortify each other in our healing, and validate each other in our experiences as Native women. We found safety in - finally - not having to educated people about our existence and our trauma. The ease that was created over these three days was a testament to the vital need for programs like this that center our stories, that insulate our pain, and that open up space in our spirit for healing together. Over the next 18 months these amazing participants will lead each other toward something big and we'll let you know what it is as soon as we catch our breath from all the laughter, joy, and freedom we create within each other.”
Quotes from the NAANW LeadStrong Fellows:
“How empowering and healing to be in a space defined by our values and process.” - Adriana Betti, R.I.S.E.
"Creating time for sharing reflection, processing, healing, helping us to grow helps us step into each of our leadership roles, strengthens one another, grounds us, builds an alliance, makes me hopeful for the future, knowing we got each others backs and support one another. The deep sharing and an open space to be raw and vulnerable gives us strength knowing that we all go the same experiences and come out even stronger and better with clarity and direction." - Aurora Mamea, Native American Health Center
“A cohort of collective sisters and aunties is needed in my life. Being recognized/seen and appreciated brings happiness. And I'm only imagining the networks we all carry and communities we connect to." - Kanyon Sayers-Roods, Kanyon Konsulting
We are grateful for the Native American and Alaska Native Women LeadStrong cohort for sharing heartfelt words about the gathering and its significance. Our hope in sharing this with you is that these stories and leadership reflections inspire you, just as they inspired us.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating Native American Heritage month and supporting our efforts to empower Indigenous Womxn leaders! Together, let’s honor the strength, resilience, and beauty of the Native American Communities.
In service and gratitude,
The LeaderSpring Team
