Voices of resilience: Indigenous women’s stories fill Studio Bell

At Studio Bell, stories of strength, courage and resilience take centre stage. Stories like Indigenous Women's Empowerment, a four part film series by The Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY). The event brings together voices rooted in resilience, healing and lived experiences.

USAY strives to enrich the lives of all urban Indigenous youth by nurturing self-empowerment and fostering healthy collaboration and communication. By doing so they hope to build healthy future generations.

The film series aims to inform indigenous youth and the general public on important topics that can sometimes be difficult to access. Topics such as, sexual health and healing, cultural reconnection, financial literacy, self confidence and leadership.

In order to bring their vision to life USAY brought five young indigenous women to Canmore, Alta. for a long retreat.

“We immersed them in learning from incredible facilitators, powerful women in our community who shared their knowledge, care and their experiences with the group,” said LeeAnne Ireland, USAY Executive Director at the event opening panel.

Each part of the series reflects the lived and shared experiences of indigenous women. Exploring what it is like to be a part of this marginalized community.

According to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender, diverse people are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered in comparison to non-indigenous women in Canada.

Reported by StanCan, indigenous, women, and girls are also overrepresented as victims of violence in Canada. Between 2009 and 2021 the homicide rate among indigenous women and girls was six times higher.

Spaces like Studio Bell foster an environment for people to come together, connect and learn.

“I love the National Music Centre, Studio Bell… this a place to experience Canadian music, and to build community and to meet people,” said Irene Banchik, event attendee.

“This particular event today is empowering indigenous women, it attracts me and resonates with the power of women… it's good to see that indigenous women are gathering together to bring more community, to bring more health, wealth and contentment to our local Calgary,” Banchik explained.

For the women involved this experience went far beyond film making as they explain through their on screen interviews, why these lessons are needed and why they are needed specifically for indigenous youth.

Elizabeth Le, the director of Humanity Consulting Incorporated taught the women about self defense, the power of the word no, personal safety and leadership. The women highlighted what makes a good leader like being sure of themselves, confident, someone others can trust and someone who isn't scared to use their voice.

Alycia Two Bears educated the women on sexual health and what it feels like to be connected to your body. She taught them how to understand what they are feeling and advocate for their health.

The women also learned how to harvest traditional medicine and how to use it. They asked insightful questions like what to do when you feel like you're drowning in debt or what to do when you don't feel alone. And they learned how to ask for help when they need and not be scared to reach out to their community.

For those in the audience watching these five women explore, understandthemselves and their culture was a healing experience.

“When you hear people who have been through similar circumstances to what we experienced, it helps you to feel that you're connected to a greater community and you're not alone,” said Jan Vier, a indigenous woman who attended the screening.

Vier attended with her daughter and like her many generations filled the seats of the Studio Bell theater. Attendees from all ages, races and genders showed up for the screening, showing their support and eagerness to learn.

“Just taking the time to be educated, especially in this current climate where there is a lot of denialism. It helps to have allies that are here to support our communities and that come with an honest approach and an open heart,” said Vier.

And as the final credits rolled, the impact of the series lingered.

Spaces like Studio Bell continue to bring the people of Calgary together through storytelling and creating opportunities for those like USAY to continue spreading awareness and building connections for generations.