Across Canada, an important conversation is unfolding about how survivors of sexual violence experience the justice system. The recent federal investigation, Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence, brings forward something that survivors, advocates, and community leaders have known for many years: systems alone cannot heal harm.
Policies matter. Courts matter. Accountability matters.
But healing requires something deeper.
It requires relationship.
It requires community.
It requires a return to our shared humanity.
This is where Indigenous ways of knowing offer guidance that the broader systems around us are only beginning to understand.
At Grandmother’s Voice, we often speak about becoming human again. Not in the sense that we have lost our humanity, but in the sense that many of our systems have become disconnected from the values that make communities strong — compassion, listening, presence, and responsibility to one another.
When harm happens, the response cannot only be procedural. It must also be relational.
The SAVIS gathering this week brought together organizations, advocates, and leaders to reflect on the findings of the federal report and the barriers survivors continue to face. What became clear in those conversations is that many people working within these systems care deeply. They want to do better. They want to create spaces where survivors feel supported rather than retraumatized.
But the work of healing does not begin in courtrooms.
It begins in community.
Indigenous traditions have long understood this. Justice was never meant to be something that happened far away from the people affected by harm. It was meant to involve the circle — family, Elders, helpers, and community members who could walk alongside those who were hurting.
That approach does not erase accountability.
It strengthens it.
When people feel seen, supported, and connected, they are more able to face difficult truths, take responsibility, and begin the long process of healing.
This is the spirit behind the work of Grandmother’s Voice.
Our gatherings, teachings, and community circles are not programs in the traditional sense. They are spaces where people remember what it means to care for one another again. They are places where stories can be shared without judgment, where people are encouraged to reconnect with culture, and where healing is understood as something that happens together.
Many of the organizations present at the SAVIS roundtable are doing this work every day in their own ways. Groups like SAVIS of Halton, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Mental Health and Addictions Alliance, and other community partners are supporting people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Their work reminds us of something important: systems cannot function well if the people within them are exhausted, unsupported, or disconnected from their own wellbeing.
Investing in people — whether they are survivors, helpers, or frontline workers — is essential.
When we support those who are doing the work, they stay.
When we invest in their wellbeing, they can continue to show up for others.
In Indigenous teachings, healing begins within the individual but is never meant to stay there. We learn how to heal so that we can return to community stronger. We learn how to care for ourselves so that we can care for others.
Healing is not a private journey.
It is a communal responsibility.
The federal report calls for systems to become more trauma-informed and survivor-centred. That is an important step. But we must also recognize that many communities have already been practicing these approaches for generations.
They may not use the language of policy reports or legal frameworks. Instead, they practice something simpler and older: wrapping around those who need care.
This is the work of community.
This is the work of healing.
This is the work of becoming human again.
As conversations about justice continue across Canada, our hope is that systems and communities move closer together rather than further apart. The wisdom that exists in Indigenous traditions, community organizations, and grassroots networks is not separate from the justice conversation.
It is essential to it.
Because in the end, true justice is not only about outcomes.
It is about relationships restored, dignity protected, and communities strong enough to care for one another — especially in the moments when that care is needed most.
Presented by Samantha Doxtater
Presented by GRANDMA RENEE
In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.
Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.
Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny
Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.
Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.
Presented by Asha Frost
Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.
Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.
Presented by Allen Sutherland
The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.
In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.
Key Takeaways:
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.
Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater
In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?
