Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit 2018 Days of Awareness - October 1st - 6th, 2018
Every year on October 4th we gather as a united front for social change and to spread awareness
for the alarming amount of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People across Canada. Our Wolastoq
communities have honoured this day individually for many years. For the third year, all six Wolastoqiyik
(People of the beautiful and bountiful river) communities have united to spread awareness & honour the lives of our stolen sisters.
October 1st - 6th has been dedicated to educating and engaging not only Indigenous people,
but all Canadians.
Wolastoqiyik Blanket Exercises - October 1, 2018
The Wolastoqiyik Sisters In Spirit 2018 Days of Awareness will kick off with the Wolastoqiyik Blanket Exercise held in four locations across the Wolastoq territory. Standing on blankets that represent the land, participants will take on the role of Indigenous peoples of Canada and walk through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. The process will be guided by a narrator representing European colonizers.
Blanket Exercise #1
Location: Chickadee Hall at the Fredericton Public Library, Fredericton, NB
Time: 2pm
Call to Register!
Blanket Exercise #2 - in partnership with St. Mary's First Nation Mental Wellness & Addictions Program & Wolastoqiyik Family Service
Location: St. Mary's Cultural Centre, 25 Dedham Street, Fredericton, NB
Time: 6pm
Blanket Exercise #3
Date: October 4, 2018
Location: L. P. Fisher Public Library, Woodstock, NB
Time: 6pm
Call to Register!
Blanket Exercise #4
Date: October 5, 2018
Location: Bibliothèque Publique MGR-W-J-Conway, Edmundston, NB
Time: 9am
Call to Register!
Self-Defense & Yoga Workshop(s) - October 2, 2018
The Wolastoqiyik Sisters In Spirit and its partners invite participants of all ages to take part in an opportunity to explore self-defense techniques & yoga designed for relaxation and trauma. Learn how to protect yourself and take responsibility for your own safety while practising breathing techniques and yoga poses to foster relaxation and self-care. Classes will be held in Fredericton, Woodstock, and Edmundston.
FREDERICTON
Self-defense & Yoga Workshop in partnership with St. Mary's First Nation Mental Wellness & Addictions Program
Location: St. Mary's First Nation Cultural Centre 25 Dedham Street, Fredericton, NB
Self-Defense & Yoga for Trauma Workshop
DATE: Saturday, October 6, 2018
Location: Woodstock Public Library, Woodstock, NB
Time: 2pm
Poetry Slam - October 3, 2018
Our Poetry Slam gives voice to those who want to express their feelings about missing and murdered
Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people through poetry. The power in our words will unite us in our attempt to understand and to help us heal. If you're interested in performing please register as a performer by clicking the EventBrite (available soon) link below. For those of you interested in experiencing this powerful event register as a Guests by clicking the EventBrite link as well.
Location: Musée Historique du Madawaska, 165 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston
Time: 7PM
Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit Vigil - October 4, 2018
Every year on October 4th we gather as a united front for social change to raise awareness
for the alarming amount Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited across Canada.
The Wolastoqiyik Sisters In Spirit would like to invite you to attend our 2018 Vigils hosted in Wolastoq territory to honour the lives and legacies of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-spirited.
Fredericton, NB
Meet at St. Anne’s point on Woodstock Road and walk in solidarity to honour the lives of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-Spirited to Carleton St, Fredericton, NB where we will gather together as a united front for social change.
Time: 6pm
Tobique First Nation - Community Vigil
Paul Pyres Community Hall, Main St, TFN, NB
Time: 5pm - supper to follow
Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit Sweat Lodge Ceremony - October 5, 2018
The Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit will conclude the Days of Awareness in a positive way by hosting a sweat lodge ceremony. The sweat lodge ceremony is a sacred space for spiritual cleansing and healing.
The Wolastoqiyik Sisters In Spirit would like to invite you to conclude the Days of Awareness in a positive way by participating in our sweat lodge ceremony. This sweat lodge ceremony will be a mixed (co-ed) ceremony and particpants are invited to bring an item for the feast.
Location: The Lodge, 50 Sacobie Court, St. Mary's First Nation, NB
Time: 3PM - Feast to follow
Wolastoqiyik Sisters In Spirit Bursaries
In partnership with Whisper N Thunder and Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, the Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit is proud to offer two $500 bursaries to Indigenous students who are currently enrolled in post-secondary education. It is our hope that these bursaries will support the selected Indigenous students in accomplishing their future endeavors.
Bursary Details:
• Two (2) bursary of $500;
• Preference may be given to applicants who are pursuing post-secondary education in
either mental or physical health-related programs, however, applicants from all areas of
study are encouraged to apply;
• Preference may be given to those enrolled in University Degree programs, due to the
depth of commitment and expense involved;
• Application deadline is October 31st, 2018.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Full time Indigenous ( First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) student;
• Currently studying in New Brunswick or originating from New Brunswick;
• Proof of studies at a post-secondary institution – preferably a letter from the registrar’s
office confirming enrollment and full-time studies;
• In 500-1000 words, the applicant is to write an essay illustrating their need, objectives,
future goals and aspirations, their commitment to their education, volunteer work, and
their desire to help NB First Nations’ communities thrive;
• A copy of the applicant’s resume.
Application Process:
• Application forms are now available below
• Application packages will be accepted between October 1st - October 31st
• Submit completed application, resume and essay to sistersinspiritnb@gmail.com
by October 31st, 2018. Successful applicant will be notified in November 2018.
How are the bursaries applicants selected?
A selection committee will review applications in early November and
a final award of the bursary will be issued in late November 2018.
Lisa Bianco married Alan Matheny in 1977. They lived in
Mishawaka, Indiana in St. Joseph County. They had two daughters. Alan Matheny was described by his
mother-in- law, Millie, as every woman’s dream of a son-in- law. He was handsome and charming.
However, he was certainly not every woman’s dream of a husband. For the first seven years of Lisa’s
marriage to Alan, Millie had no idea her daughter was living through a nightmare. Lisa divorced Alan
in 1985 after enduring eight years of very serious abuse.
Shortly after the divorce was finalized, Alan
kidnapped their two daughters and fled out of state. Lisa agreed to not press charges if he brought the
girls back home. In 1987, Alan was charged with seriously beating and raping Lisa. He pleabargained
to a single felony charge of battery and was sentenced to the Pendleton Reformatory for eight years,
with three years suspended. Lisa began to make a new life for herself. She attended a northern campus
of Indiana University. She went to work at the Elkhart Shelter for victims of domestic violence. She
told everyone she would have to leave the community when Alan was released from prison. She knew
better than anyone how dangerous a man Alan Matheny was.
On March 04, 1989, after serving two
years of his sentence, Alan was granted an 8- hour furlough for a trip to Indianapolis. He headed
straight for St. Joseph County and parked two doors from Lisa’s home. He kicked in the back door.
Lisa fled through the front door. Alan pursued her throughout the neighborhood. When he caught her,
he bludgeoned her to death with a shotgun he had stolen from a friend’s home. He hit her so hard, the
handle of the shotgun shattered. Lisa’s brutal death took place in front of their six and ten year old
daughters. Alan Matheny was executed Wednesday, September 28, 2005 for Lisa’s murder. Lisa’s death
brought about much change in Indiana and the nation. We now have victim notification laws—where
victims are notified when the perpetrator is being released and the “furlough” policy was revisited. We
also have the purple ribbon—the symbol representing domestic violence awareness—so that
we will not forget Lisa. Purple was Lisa's favorite color and her family and friends tied purple ribbons
throughout St. Joseph County as they mourned her tragic and violent death. Today, the purple ribbon continues to be the symbol for domestic violence awareness.
Order your Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit T-shirt today
Get your Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit T-shirt
$15 Adult Size S - 3XL
Add an extra $5 per shirt if you require shipping
Please send E-tranfer to -
sistersinspiritnb@gmail.com
In the comments, include: size, address & phone number
Secret Question: What day is the vigil held?
Answer: october4
The Wolastoqiyik Sisters in Spirit Initiative would like to thank - you for your support!
Woliwon, Welalin, Merci, Thank - you!
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