June 2024 Recap

In June 2024, Matriarch Movement hosted the “Medicine Circles: Matriarchy, Indigenous Wellness & the Medicine Wheel” series on the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories also known as Vancouver, BC. 

This four-week Indigenous-led wellness series at The Garden Strathcona brought together 26 BIPOC women and two spirit participants to explore the teachings of the medicine wheel through meditation, movement, and communal sharing.

Co-hosted by Shayla Stonechild (she/her) and Malina Dawn (she/they), each week focused on a different direction of the medicine wheel, providing unique insights into mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Shayla and Malina guided participants through a blend of meditation, breathwork, and yoga practices, and facilitated a sharing circle at the end of each session to encourage reflection and connection.

Each week began with a traditional opening, song, and welcome by elder and knowledge carrier Kelly White, from the Musqueam territory.

Here are some highlights from each week:

• Week One: centered on the Eastern direction, emphasizing mental wellness. Elder Kelly White opened with a song and prayer, creating a sacred space for intention setting. Shayla Stonechild introduced the medicine wheel’s teachings, while Malina Dawn led a breathwork session to foster inner clarity. Yoga instructor, Shireen, concluded with a restorative yin yoga practice, focusing on aligning mental wellness with heart-centered intentions. The week ended with a sharing circle that encouraged participants to reflect on their personal journeys.

• Week Two: focused on the Southern direction and emotional wellness. Guest instructor Deanne Hupfield, a pow wow dancer and educator, led participants in a dynamic session using dance as a form of emotional expression and release. The sharing circle provided a supportive environment for participants to explore their emotional experiences and healing.

• Week Three: explored the Western direction, focusing on redefining wealth and worthiness. Jacqueline Jennings, Founder of the Fireweek Collective and coach, led a transformative workshop on healing our relationships with money and redefining generational wealth rooted in matriarchal values. This powerful session encouraged participants to reconnect with their inherent worthiness and envision a future of abundance rooted in community and cultural values.

• Week Four focused on the Northern direction and spiritual wellness, led by Dr. Jacqui, a naturopathic doctor specializing in plant medicine. The workshop included a guided plant medicine meditation, where participants deepened their relationship with a specific plant, enhancing their intuition and ability to listen to the wisdom of their relatives. To conclude, participants crafted a custom herbal medicine to take home, while also remembering the sweetness present in these connections. We ended week four with a beautiful drumming and singing circle led by Malina.

Reflections on Medicine Circles

The “Medicine Circles” series was a profound journey of learning, healing, and community. Participants expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to connect with Indigenous wellness practices and to learn from experienced Indigenous wellness facilitators. The focus on the medicine wheel provided a holistic framework for understanding wellness, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Throughout the series, participants were encouraged to engage deeply with the teachings, to reflect on their personal journeys, and to share their experiences with each other. The sharing circles, in particular, were a highlight for many, providing a space for honest conversation, mutual support, and collective healing.

The event was made possible through generous donations, which will be used to support future Indigenous-led wellness events across Canada. The Matriarch Movement team extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, donated, and contributed to making “Medicine Circles” a success. Special thanks go to our co-hosts Shayla Stonechild and Malina Dawn, our guest instructors, and our sponsor, lululemon, for their unwavering support. 

As we look forward to future events, we are reminded of the power of community and the importance of continuing to create spaces for Indigenous wellness and healing. “Medicine Circles” has been a testament to the strength and teachings found within our communities. Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey. We hope to see you at future events as we continue to honor and celebrate Indigenous wellness.