Aboriginal - Girls Action Foundation

Singers. It was an enlightening experience and one that will not be forgotten. I was able
to talk with the vice-president of NAWN, Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network.
From our conversation I gained insight into how NAWN began and what Sple’tk First
Nation women have accomplished since the band was formed in 1988. The leadership
that women from the Sple’tk First Nation have shown is truly amazing and inspiring.
They have started both a drumming group and a women’s group, the Exploits Native
Women’s Association. Both groups have played a key role in reviving the culture and
traditions, which were lost to us over time. By attending the drumming practice I was
exposed to a new experience and I took part in drumming a song to honour mother
earth. I saw first hand how Aboriginal women’s leadership has impacted Sple’tk First
Nation, and it inspired me to show leadership within my own life. Leadership is diverse
and the path I take with leadership may not be the path someone else would choose. By
writing this essay I feel as though I’m starting a journey to take leadership within my life
and I am deeply appreciative that I had this experienced.
I am surrounded by both older and younger Aboriginal women than myself who show
strength in their lives. My younger sister Amanda is what I would call a fighter. She
was a child who had more broken and fractured bones than most people I know. She
suffered through pain in her joints for years and doctors gave our family two possible
explanations, childhood arthritis and growing pains. Finally in the winter of 2009 after
more symptoms arose she was diagnosed with lupus, and her lifelong regiment of
medication began. But Amanda does not let Lupus control her; she has a full and active
life and she loves to sing her way through it. She is truly a strong young woman and
she continues to show to me that everyday. My close friend Jillian is Inuit and she has
showed me what a strong woman she can be. I have always looked up to her and I think
of her as an older sister. Jillian fought through medical struggles and completed high
school two years after I did. She is now a second year student in the Social Work program
at Memorial University of Newfoundland and her grades are remarkable. The effort
she puts into her work and how she faces challenges in life has made her one of my role
models. Another strong Aboriginal woman in my life is my mother. I was born a year
and half after she graduated from high school. She raised my sister, brother and I before
thinking about her own career. Once I was old enough to help care for my younger
siblings she entered college and completed a business administration course. My mother
Natasha Jones
73