Indigenous female role models inspire young women

Five Indigenous female athletes, all successful leaders in their chosen sports, are gathering together to inspire others this Saturday, April 15, at a fundraiser in Niagara Falls. 

It’s the third annual Blockers & Attackers: Indigenous Women in Sports Leadership conference hosted by the Niagara Chapter of Native Women (NCNW) at the Stamford Centre Volunteer Firemen’s Association.  

Wendy Sturgeon, executive director of the women’s group, says the event brings together a group of Indigenous women who share their unparalleled successes, insights and wisdom in the elite sporting world. They promote a vision of equity, healthy well-being and cultural integrity by sharing information about their special skills and unique talents with the larger community and the world.

Jessica Ghosen is one of five athletes on the panel at this weekend’s fundraiser. Ghosen is a yoga instructor and roller derby athlete who plays for the Buffalo Lake Effect Furies and Team Indigenous Rising. 

“Team Indigenous Rising is based out of Turtle Island,” says the Cayuga known in roller derby circles as Blackrock Bruiser. “It’s a borderless team composed of all Indigenous skaters, who come from across Canada and the U.S. We have skaters from California, Mexico and British Columbia.”

Ghosen was always an active child growing up, and was looking for community and a physical contact sport after high school. That led her to roller derby. It quickly became her passion, and she loves to share that passion with others. 

“It’s still a hobby for all of us,” explains Ghosen. “A lot of people don’t know that we don’t get paid for this. We just love to play the sport at a high, competitive level. This sport has allowed me to grow as a person both mentally and physically.”

Her participation in Blockers and Attackers for the second straight year is a way to lift other women up, to help empower them in mind, body and spirit. And connecting with other Indigenous women on Saturday’s event, she says, is an amazing experience. 

“When we get around our Indigenous family,” she says, “there’s a presence that’s felt that’s really powerful and motivating. I really looked forward to hearing about the stories the women shared last year, and I enjoyed learning that there are other Indigenous women out there in sports paving the way, accomplishing amazing things.”

Ghosen, the secretary on the current board of directors, says she grew up around the chapter. Her mother, Valerie, has also been a member of the board for many years.

“We have a number of women who have grown up in the chapter and have done amazing things,” Sturgeon explains. “Not just in sports, but at universities as professors, or private companies as partners in law firms, for example. We have a rich history of helping Indigenous women in particular to achieve great things in their lives.”

The organization supports Indigenous women across Ontario and New York state from their Garrison Road, Fort Erie, headquarters through a number of different programs.

“The work we do is trauma-informed,” explains Sturgeon. “We work with many families involved with child welfare, families involved with the justice system. We do a lot of work in education. Our Indigenous Women’s Health Program promotes health and wellness. We have our Breaking Free from Family Violence Program, which promotes healthy relationships and safety.”

She goes on to speak of the importance of Indigenous people, not just women, to be able to look to positive role models. 

“The stereotypes have been passed on for hundreds of years,” says Sturgeon. “Generationally amongst families we have young people growing up hearing discrediting, racist comments amongst their own family and friends. It’s so important for us to portray positive role models in all walks of life.”

Sturgeon says Blockers and Attackers is a unique, one-of-a-kind event. The first edition was held virtually during the pandemic, and last year’s second presentation was sparsely attended because of COVID restrictions. She’s hoping to see the interest grow with this Saturday’s third event. 

Besides Ghosen, this year’s keynote speaker is Claudia Jimerson (Cayuga), lacrosse champion and director of talent acquisition and development at Seneca Resorts & Casinos. Emcee Waneek Horn-Miller (Mohawk) was a member of the Canadian women’s water polo team that won a gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. She also became the first Mohawk woman from Canada to ever compete in the Olympic games.

Rounding out the lineup are guest speakers Amy Wilson-Hands (Anishinaabekwe), a Team Canada volleyball coach and member of the Team Ontario Mission Staff for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, and Kalley Armstrong (Anishinaabekwe), granddaughter of Toronto Maple Leafs legend George Armstrong. The former captain of Harvard’s women’s hockey team is currently a third-year PhD student at Western University researching hockey from Indigenous youth perspectives, and the complexities surrounding gender in Indigenous hockey.

“These are just some of the amazing women coming,” Sturgeon says. “The stories they bring with them are incredible. We have to recognize that there are so many Indigenous leaders in pivotal places right now in society.”

Sturgeon likens the event to Truth and Reconciliation through sport. 

“It’s about changing the behaviour that we’ve had to deal with generation after generation, whether it’s the peewee hockey team, or the baseball team, no Indigenous kid should have to hear inappropriate slurs while they are on the field. It’s learned behaviour, and we know that we can unlearn it no matter how old the person is.”

Blockers & Attackers: Indigenous Women in Sports Leadership is scheduled for this Saturday, 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at Stamford Centre Volunteer Firemen’s Club. For information and tickets to the event, visit ncnw.ca/blockers-attackers.