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She Leads, She Heals TAHI Gathering - Dates: Friday, October 8th, 2025 - Sunday October 10th, 2026
Miss Matriarch presents
TAHI
STEP 1
Indigenous Leadership, Coaching & Professional Development Intensive
The story she never told anyone
She Came Home to Herself in Three Days.
She walked into the room carrying everything.
The meetings she had to run, the people who leaned on her, the grant deadlines, the community needs, the family needs — and somewhere buried under all of it, the quiet voice asking "when is someone going to pour back into me?"
By Day 3, she had her answer.
That is what TAHI does. And this October, it is coming to Red Deer, Alberta — on Treaty 6 territory — for three days that could change the way you lead, love, and live.
You Were Never Meant to Lead on Empty.
Here is what nobody tells you about being a woman in Indigenous leadership:
The more capable you are, the more people take from you.
The more grounded you are, the more others stand on you.
The more you give, the less you are asked how you are doing.
You are carrying weight that was never meant to be carried alone. And the tools the outside world offers you? They were not built for you.
You have sat in workshops where you spent half your energy translating the concepts back into something that made sense for your community, your culture, your worldview.
TAHI is different.
What Is TAHI?
TAHI Step 1 is an internationally accredited coaching and leadership intensive — accredited through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), one of the most respected professional coaching bodies in the world.
But here is what sets it apart from every other professional development programme you have attended:
You will not have to translate a thing.
The tools you learn here, you will carry into your meetings on Monday. Your family dinner on Tuesday. Your community work for the next decade.
October 8–10, 2026
Red Deer, Alberta
Three full days. In person. Fully immersive.
Your Investment
$2,400
CAD per participant · Meals included during training sessions
Reserve My Spot →This investment may be covered through professional development, leadership, wellness, prevention, or capacity-building funding from your organization or nation.
"I Didn't Have to Translate Myself."
"TAHI gave me tools and frameworks that I now carry into my work, my family, my leadership and my community. I came to a programme that felt wholesome, practical and deeply aligned with my own values as a Māori woman. I didn't have to translate everything back into an Indigenous worldview — it already made sense.
The greatest gift has been the relationships. Women doing this journey with sisters from across the world — women who deeply understand the challenges you face, because they are living them too. I am leaving knowing every Indigenous woman deserves to experience TAHI."
TAHI Graduate · Aotearoa, New Zealand
Is This for You?
- In leadership roles — formal or informal, organizational or community-based
- Working in wellness, prevention, education, administration, or community service
- Ready for professional development that honours who you are — not development that asks you to check your culture at the door
- Carrying the weight of others and ready to receive tools for yourself
- Ready to lead from a place of strength, clarity, and grounded confidence — not depletion
If you have ever thought "I wish there was a programme built for someone like me" — this is it.
A Note to Help You Get Funded
If you need language to bring this to your leadership or funding body, copy and send this:
Organizations wishing to be invoiced directly can contact Martina to arrange this.
Everything You Need to Know
Dates
October 8–10, 2026Three full in-person daysLocation
Red Deer, AlbertaTreaty 6 TerritoryInvestment
$2,400 CADMeals included during sessionsParticipants arrange their own travel and accommodation. Limited community billeting may be available for women travelling from outside the area — reach out to Martina to ask.
Spaces are limited — this is an intimate intensive, not a large conference. When it is full, it is full.
The Women Who Need This Most Are Usually the Last to Sign Up for It.
They are too busy holding everyone else up to invest in themselves.
Do not let that be you this time.
Three Days · October 8–10 · Red Deer, Alberta
Come Home to Yourself →Register at mismatriarch.com/2026-tahi-red-deer-canada
Come home to yourself.She Came Home to Herself in Three Days.
She walked into the room carrying everything.
The meetings she had to run, the people who leaned on her, the grant deadlines, the community needs, the family needs — and somewhere buried under all of it, the quiet voice asking "when is someone going to pour back into me?"
By Day 3, she had her answer.
That is what TAHI does. And this October, it is coming to Red Deer, Alberta — on Treaty 6 territory — for 3 days that could change the way you lead, love, and live.
You Were Never Meant to Lead on Empty
Here is what nobody tells you about being a woman in Indigenous leadership:
The more capable you are, the more people take from you. The more grounded you are, the more others stand on you. The more you give, the less you are asked how you are doing.
You are carrying weight that was never meant to be carried alone. And the tools the outside world offers you? They were not built for you. You have sat in workshops where you spent half your energy translating the concepts back into something that made sense for your community, your culture, your worldview.
TAHI is different.
What Is TAHI?
TAHI Step 1 is an internationally accredited coaching and leadership intensive — accredited through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), one of the most respected professional coaching bodies in the world.
But here is what sets it apart from every other professional development programme you have attended:
It was built inside an Indigenous worldview. You will not have to translate a thing.
Facilitated by Rachel Perere, Founder & CEO of Rise Global — travelling from Aotearoa, New Zealand to Treaty 6 territory to deliver this programme — TAHI gives you a coaching framework that is culturally grounded, relationally rooted, and practically powerful.
The tools you learn here, you will carry into your meetings on Monday. Your family dinner on Tuesday. Your community work for the next decade.
October 8–10, 2026 | Red Deer, Alberta
Three full days. In person. Fully immersive.
Here is what is included in your investment:
3 full days of in-person TAHI Step 1 training — the complete intensive, nothing held back
All materials and programme resources — yours to keep and return to
Meals during training sessions — so you can stay present and nourished
Pre-programme preparation + a comprehensive implementation guide
A global cohort — you will be connected with Indigenous women from around the world who are doing this work alongside you
A pathway forward — TAHI Steps 2–5 continue online; this is the beginning, not a one-time event
Investment: $2,400 CAD per participant
This investment may be supported through professional development, leadership, training, wellness, prevention, or capacity-building funding from your organization or nation.
There is a limited amount of tickets available for this right now, so now is the time to lock in early bird prices right now.
Once in A Lifetime Event
Be Surrounded by Some of The Most Influential Indigenous Women in One Space
Learn from Powerful Keynotes, Interact with Speakers, Network With Other Women, and Take Part in Life Changing Evening Entertainment.
- Be part of a transformative gathering where Indigenous women from around the world rise, lead, and build together—honour your voice, your story, and your power.
- Featuring keynote speakers, hands-on cultural workshops, and powerful panels led by matriarchs, knowledge keepers, and changemakers.
- Spots are limited and filling fast—registration closes once capacity is reached. Don’t miss your chance to stand in circle with global Indigenous leaders.
Meet The Speakers
Rachel Petero
Rachel, of Waikato-Tainui descent, is a leader in governance, business, and community development, advocating for gender equity, diversity, and Indigenous-led growth. She founded Rise Global, delivering internationally recognized leadership and coaching programs, and aims to impact 100,000 Indigenous women and families. With global experience spanning the UK, Middle East, and Aotearoa, Rachel has partnered with Shopify Canada, co-authored Take Your Space, and serves as Vice Chair of UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand.
Okalani Fulisialagitele Mariner
Okalani Mariner is a young Samoan business owner, artist, and climate advocate. She is the co-founder and Operations Manager of Onelook Studio, Samoa’s first coworking and creative space, where she supports Pacific youth in building fulfilling careers and meaningful connections. Through storytelling and art as activism, Okalani raises awareness of social and environmental issues, always centring care, culture, and community. She believes every conversation should be grounded in care and guided by the indigenous practice of talanoa, using her work to speak to the climate crisis and champion youth-led change.
JORDYN BURNOUF
Land Defender • Energy Leader • Indigenous Changemaker
Jordyn Burnouf is a powerhouse voice in the clean energy revolution—merging Indigenous knowledge with sustainable innovation. A proud Cree and Métis woman from Île-à-la-Crosse, SK, she leads as the Sustainable Energy & Sovereignty Specialist for Métis Nation–Saskatchewan. Jordyn is shaping Canada’s energy future while grounding her work in culture, youth empowerment, and environmental stewardship. As a global speaker, youth mentor, and board leader across multiple clean energy initiatives, she brings both vision and heart to every stage she steps on.
CHELSA BULL
Chelsa Bull is a nehiyawskwew from Little Pine First Nation and Kehewin Cree Nation, deeply connected to her culture and identity.
She is a mother, a Women’s Traditional dancer, and a woman who carries her story with quiet strength and humility.
Chelsa has worked with young children in the early years program at the local elementary school, bringing a calm presence and cultural grounding into the classroom. Today, her focus is on raising her children and staying active on the pow wow trail—continuing to live in ceremony and show her family what it means to walk a healthy, balanced path.
Her journey speaks through action more than words: in the way she dances, the way she parents, and the way she continues to choose healing, every single day.
JODETT
Meet Ms. Jodette Bull — Thriving in Love and Resilience
Jodette Bull is an Indigenous educator dedicated to nurturing the spirit and mind of her early years students, colleagues, and families. A proud nehiyaw woman, she lives by traditional laws and models love, patience, kindness, humility, and respect.
Her journey has not been without struggle—facing trauma, barriers, and a search for belonging. Now celebrating six years of sobriety, Jodette flourishes through cultural practices like sewing, singing, and powwow dancing.
As a devoted mother, she draws strength from family and community. Her dream is to guide young women and those overcoming addiction, sharing hope through compassion and spiritual guidance. Jodette is a living testament to resilience, inspiring others with her honesty, gentleness, and unwavering faith in healing.
JAMIE GADWA
Jaime Gadwa is a proud nehiyawskwew from Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Kehewin Cree Nation. She is a third-year student in the Leadership and Management program at Blue Quills University, where she continues to grow as a community-rooted leader committed to healing, culture, and growth.
After stepping away from her culture for many years, Jaime has returned to it with strength and purpose. She reclaimed her identity as a women’s fancy shawl dancer after a 25-year break — a powerful act of reconnection that continues to guide and ground her. Dancing has become a source of healing and transformation, inspiring her to rise, lead, and live in a good way.
Jaime walks the sweetgrass road with humility and determination, carrying the teachings of her journey into every space she enters. She speaks from lived experience, and her path is a reminder that it is never too late to return to who you truly are.
JODI GADWA
Jodi Gadwa-Cardinal, a nehiyawskwew from Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6), is a mother of three and a Birth Support Worker/Doula with Kehewin Health Services. She holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from Blue Quills University, is pursuing a Master of Social Work, and training with the National Indigenous Council of Midwives. Recently, Jodi supported the first birth on her Nation in over 60 years and is honoured to serve community.
TAYLOR BELANGER
Taylar Belanger, Founder and Director of Askîy Healing Lodge and Program Lead for The Sîhtoskâtowin Program, blends Traditional Healing and Naturopathic Medicine to support balance in the Mental, Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional aspects of health. Guided by the Cree Code of Conduct and mentorship from Elders, she carries forward knowledge with integrity for future generations.
AMBERLY DESJARLAIS
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Kim Verrier
Kim Verrier is the Exhibitions Curator at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG). For over 10 years, she has led exhibitions and programs that connect the MAG with Indigenous, Métis, and Immigrant communities. Kim was project manager and interpretive writer for the award-winning Powwow! Ochiwin The Origins exhibition and has coordinated volunteers for Powwow Times’ International Powwows.
Allyship Panel.
Tamara Takabrown
New Zealand Delegate
HEATHER STRONGARM
INDUSTRY
KAYLA AHENAKEW
A Leader in Health and Fitness, she will teach her philosophy on Indigenous health and movement.
CHELSEY STOYKA
WELLNESS
KENDRA ROSYCHUK
Meet Kendra Jessie — Cree, Métis & Ukrainian Leader in Sport and Wellness
Kendra Jessie, a proud Cree, Métis, and Ukrainian woman from northern Alberta, is a community member of Sucker Creek First Nation with roots in Gift Lake Métis Settlement and Whitefish Lake First Nation. An athlete from a young age, she earned a Bachelor of Sport Management from Brock University and is a certified fitness trainer.
Kendra has represented Team Alberta as a player, coach, and mission staff at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship and the North American Indigenous Games. Today, she coaches with OHA Edmonton, mentoring the next generation of female athletes.
Beyond sport, Kendra is a fancy dancer, influencer, and wellness advocate with over 200,000 followers. She inspires Indigenous people to embrace culture, healing, and wellness, and her work has been featured with Nike, Bauer Hockey, the Toronto Raptors, Manitobah Mukluks, and even on the runway at New York Fashion Week. Through sport, culture, and advocacy, Kendra continues to be a role model and inspiration to many.
JULIA OUELLETTE
Julia Ouellette, a grandmother from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation in Saskatchewan, posts Cree-language videos regularly on TikTok, where she has more than 16,800 followers.Ouellette is part of a growing community of Indigenous-language speakers using social media as a teaching tool.“It’s never too late. As long as you have it in your heart that you want to learn your language, you can do it,” Ouellette says. “Just keep speaking it. Every day.
Megan Hanson
Mayor of Sylvan Lake - Mayor Megan has called Sylvan Lake Home for 17 years and was elected mayor in 2021 after 2 terms on council. She leads with a passion for community, connection, and creating space for others to rise. She will be on the Allyship panel.
OSA Roan
Indigenous Fashion Designer • Vogue-Recognized Artist • Cultural Storyteller
Osa Roan is redefining Indigenous fashion with bold beadwork, vibrant colors, and deep-rooted storytelling. Featured in Vogue, her designs are not just wearable art—they’re acts of cultural preservation and personal healing. With a collection inspired by her grandparents, residential school survivors, Osa brings emotion, heritage, and style to the global stage. Don’t miss this powerful voice at the intersection of tradition and couture.
EMERY ASSINIBOINE
Emery-Rose Assiniboine, a Dakhota and Nehiyaw mother of two, is a mental health counsellor, facilitator, and Parenting Coach specializing in Indigenous parenting and trauma-informed care. She is the creator of Parenting with Resilience, a program that helps families heal, reconnect, and reclaim traditional parenting practices rooted in Indigenous worldviews and kinship roles.
KEYA CLAIRMONT
Champion Dancer • Cultural Storyteller • Youth Mentor
Keya Clairmont is a multi-tribal Fancy Shawl dancer and visual storyteller whose movement and message uplift the next generation. With roots in the Sicangu Lakota, Sisseton Dakota, Taos Pueblo, Meskwaki, and Ojibwe Nations, Keya has danced across North America, choreographed with the Colorado Ballet, and continues to inspire Indigenous youth through both dance and photography. Her powerful presence and heartfelt voice will move you—just like her shawl in full flight.
Italy Ngaropo
Italy Ngaropo is a proud Māori wahine and mother of five, dedicated to empowering Indigenous women through ancestral wisdom, movement, and trauma-informed healing. As a Tahi Indigenous Coach and founder of The Indigenous Virtual Assistant, she supports Indigenous leaders with heart-led wellbeing and executive support. Deeply rooted in the values of kaitiakitanga and maramataka, Italy helps wāhine reconnect with their bodies, purpose, and cultural strength through empowered coaching and sacred space holding.
MELODY HUNT
Melodie Ayoungman-Hunt ~ Ahsaopamo is the CEO of the Kakato’si Kristian Ayoungman Foundation and holds a Master’s in Education. A passionate educator in her home community of Siksika Nation, Melodie is also a powwow dancer, regalia designer, and proud mother.
Following the tragic loss of her son, Kristian Ayoungman, she became a strong advocate for First Nations education and reconciliation. Alongside her husband Steve and family, she leads impactful initiatives such as the Lead by Example Powwow.
Her healing journey is guided by the teachings of her grandparents, Ootskapini Arthur and Iinaksistsiiksiina Nora Ayoungman Sr., and grounded in the Siksikaitsitapi way of life.
TBA
GRIEF AND LOSS
JANINE MORIN
GRIEF AND LOSS
ANDREA LANDRY
Andrea Landry is a mother, life skills coach through Red Echo Associates, and a university instructor. She has a passion for creating space for families and individuals to grow and heal in liberation based ways.
TBA
FEATURED KEYNOTE
ALY BEAR
Aly Bear is a force of nature—lawyer, mother, and was the Third Vice Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. She earned her law degree while raising two daughters as a single mom and overcoming life-threatening injuries. Now one of the youngest women ever elected to FSIN leadership, Aly uses her voice to champion Indigenous rights, legal reform, and post-secondary education. Her story of resilience, purpose, and unapologetic leadership will leave you fired up to pursue your own power.
Diane Gardipy
Community Leader • Cultural Advocate • Esquao Award Honouree
Diane Gardipy is a powerhouse of Indigenous community engagement and a beacon for women’s leadership. As Executive Director of the Indigenous Women's Association of Alberta, Diane has dedicated her life to cultural preservation, grassroots advocacy, and empowering Indigenous voices. Recognized with the prestigious Esquao Award for Community Engagement, her work continues to shape policy, inspire change, and uplift Indigenous women across Alberta.
Aisinay Bigchild
Losing my sister was one of the deepest pains I’ve ever felt. As a young mother, I could have let the weight of grief and responsibility break me, but I chose to rise. My child gave me the strength to keep going, and my spirit led me to a quieter, more grounded path. I began healing by turning inward, reconnecting with my roots, and choosing to live with more intention. I started breaking cycles that had held my family for generations, cycles of silence, trauma, and survival. I leaned into love, into growth, and into community. Some days were heavy, but I kept walking forward. My sister’s memory reminds me to live fully, and my child reminds me why. I’m not who I once was, I’m stronger, softer, and more aligned with the life I was meant to live. I am rewriting the story, not just for me, but for the generations after me.
Elder Corky
Respected Cree/Métis Elder • Ceremony Woman • Author • Advocate
With wisdom rooted in tradition and storytelling that touches the heart, Elder Corky is a passionate voice for justice, healing, and Indigenous empowerment. A founding member of Red Deer’s Red Feather Women and a celebrated author of The Sharing Circle, she brings humor, raw honesty, and deep spiritual insight to every room she enters. Come hear one of Red Deer's most cherished voices—this is a talk you won’t want to miss.
Event Schedule
Day 1 – Friday, Oct 24 (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
9:00 – 4:00 PM
Registration & Networking
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Opening Prayer, Land Acknowledgment & Welcome
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Keynote #1 (Opening Keynote)
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Panel Discussion #1
Voices of Leadership & Healing: Setting the Stage
5:30 – 8:00 PM
Cultural Entertainment & Networking Reception
Day 2 – Saturday, Oct 25 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Morning Reflection & Welcome
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Speaker 1 & Speaker 2 (20 min each + short Q&A)
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Coffee & Networking Break
10:15 – 11:00 AM
Panel Discussion #2 - Indigenous Women in Leadership & Community Wellness
11:00 – 11:45 AM
Speaker 3 & Speaker 4
11:45 – 1:00 PM
Lunch and Light Entertainment
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Keynote #2 (Midday Keynote)
1:45 – 2:30 PM
Speaker 5 & Speaker 6
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Coffee & Networking Break
2:45 – 3:30 PM
Panel Discussion #3 - Pathways for the Next Generation
3:30 – 4:15 PM
Speaker 7 & Speaker 8
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Speaker 9 & Speaker 10
6-12AM
VIP Powwow Times Powwow Showdown Entertainment Event
Day 3 – Sunday, Oct 26 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Morning Prayer & Reflection
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Keynote #3 (Visionary Closing Keynote)
10:00 – 10:45 AM
Speaker 11 & Speaker 12
10:45 – 11:30 AM
Panel Discussion #4
Restoring Balance: Women as Healers
11:30 – 12:15 PM
Speaker 13 & Speaker 14
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Lunch
1:15 – 2:00 PM
Speaker 15 & Speaker 16
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Speaker 17 & Speaker 18
2:30 – 3:00 PM
Closing Reflections & Circle
Short insights from select speakers
Closing Prayer & Farewell
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