b'MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL CHIEFMESSAGE FROMTHE REGIONAL CHIEFFOR ALBERTAMarlene PoitrasI ndigenous women areMarlene Poitras they need to know how to get out of underrepresented in leadership rolestheir situation gently, but not bully them across the country. The Iskwewakinto releasing anything. This child needs Mentorship program was developedAFN Regional Chief, Albertato know who their mentors are and who to assist in addressing barriers that existAFN Alberta Regional Officethey can look up to. We are the role for Indigenous women. Through theBox 1688models. I enjoy working with all groups program, female Indigenous mentorsMaskwacis, ABT0C 1N0of different ages.in leadership positions volunteered andPh: 587-588-7254 were paired with women across theEmail: MPoitras@afn.ca Khianna Ribbonleg was a mentee in age spectrum to share their skills andthe program and has noticed from a knowledge in leadership. ParticipantsExecutive Assistant: young age that Indigenous women were met monthly, were provided withAnn Gladue-Buffalounderrepresented in leadership roles in opportunities for learning from mentorsPh: 587-588-7254her Nation. I always wondered why and received teachings from Elders onEmail: afn.ab.region@gmail.com there is only men in leadership. Even the traditional leadership roles of womenin my community, there wasnt a Chief and girls.elected who is a woman, ever. Alberta Regional Chief Marlenecomments of a mentor and mentee ofReflecting on the Iskwewak program, Poitras says the existing barriers forthe AFN Alberta Iskwewak MentorshipKhianna shared the following: When Indigenous women, particularly inprogram: Elder Ivy Raine from LouisI heard about this program, I thought, areas of leadership and governance,Bull and 22-year-old Khianna RibbonlegFinally, an opportunity to learn from were the impetus for developing such afrom Treaty 8. women, why they dont get in, obstacles program. Before contact, women heldthey face, and how they overcome it. complimentary roles and responsibilitiesElder Raine has made a personalI see so many of us re-learning what to men in shaping our societies andcommitment to being a good role modelwe need from one another to function nations, she explains. Women werefor younger generations. She saysas a whole. A man, or a woman, is not the ones raising up our leaders. Theyyounger generations are disconnectedmore powerful than the other. Yes, we were the ones teaching our young peoplefrom traditional lifestyles that peoplehave different roles, but that has never how to be good leaders. Women hadlike her were fortunate to live in. Manymeant that one is less capable or stronger vetoes over decisions. Generations offactors, such as foster care, urban life,than the other. Women carry their own colonization and painful policies like theintergenerational trauma and more canimportant responsibilities. We need to get Indian Act and residential schools ledaffect mental wellness and the ability toback to a balance between all members to the marginalization of Indigenousheal. When reflecting on the program,of our communities for our Nations to women and Two-Spirit people. TheElder Raine shared the followingtruly succeed. We can accomplish so knowledge of the duality of ourthoughts with AFN Alberta: [Youth]much when everyone contributes to their responsibilities as men and women have to learn to return to their roots,full extent.was forgotten. realizing which avenues to go through. I teach all these traditional and everydayMarlene Poitras For this issue of The Circle, AFN Albertaskillshow to control your temper, grief,Regional Chief for Alberta proudly presents the thoughts andrecovery. To a youth who is confused,Assembly of First Nations30 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'