Centering Our Women and Two-Spirit Leaders
In our recent Four-Year Reflection Report, SGF looked back on the work we’ve done and the impact we’ve had within the Indigenous community in the years since the COVID-19 crisis took hold. As others pulled back, we did our best to reach out. Our grantmaking grew, our Fellowships expanded, our Affiliates thrived, and when it was safe to gather together again, we did. Below is an excerpt regarding our work in producing the Heart of Her Nation event.
As a largely matriarchal organization, we deeply respect and honor the strength of our women and Two-Spirit leaders who are truly the heart of their nations. In 2021, the first Heart of Her Nation gathering was organized in Sumeg Village for Indigenous women to collaborate in thought and healing and to strengthen generational ties with each other. This first convening brought together 124 women leaders. Coming out of COVID-19, we knew we had to start healing and reconnecting by recentering Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirits, many of whom experienced increased violence as a result of isolation. This spirit persisted in planning for the second Heart of Her Nation gathering, with the theme “Renewal,” in October 2022. Over 156 Indigenous women joined us worldwide, from 12 different countries, on Ohlone territory at the Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds.
For many of us, gathering in this capacity was a big step in breaking isolation, especially for the rural communities we serve worldwide. Mindful of the journeys and challenges that each community has faced throughout the pandemic, the spirit of renewal was centered throughout the two days of cultural sharing, wellness activities, and speaking engagements. While keeping this focus, we honored the migration of the monarch butterflies taking place during the gathering in Northern California. Like the butterflies, we traveled long distances intending to continue our Ancestors’ generational fortitude.
The gathering’s agenda reflected spaces of healing and rest while simultaneously fostering an environment of dialogue and new relationships. We had an array of speakers, from longtime community partners to new grantee projects. Topics included birth keeping, motherhood, and kinship; a plenary panel and talking circle discussing aspects of honoring the rights of Mother Earth; an empowering and heartfelt plenary conversation on reclaiming a world without violence against women, girls, and Two-Spirits; and a plenary conversation focusing on women and girls’ cultural vitality and leadership. This event also included an interactive art exhibit in honor of our missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls that was curated by Tara Trudell. Participants were able to contribute to the exhibit as well as create art in honor and memory of our sisters that they could also keep.
We look forward to bringing our communities together once again for the next Heart of Her Nation gathering in the Fall of 2025.
If you’re interested in learning more about our work over the last four years, you can read the full Four-Year Reflection Report which goes into greater detail on the work we’ve been able to achieve.
