b"COVER STORYMessage fromTHE PRESIDENTINTERCONNECTED WORKMelinda Commanda Welcome to the 13th issue of She is Wise magazine. This time of year is our traditional period of reflection and connection, where we gather in our homes and communities to look back on time passed and consider where we are going next. It is a time for storytelling and togetherness, and it is through this process that Indigenous women are President, ONWA honouring the new knowledge we have been gifted throughout the year.On this winter solstice, we are honouring the teachings of the 13 Grandmother Moons onwa.ca by recognizing 13 exceptional Indigenous women and the significant work they do in their fields. The journeys these women have taken may vary, but two truths echo across @ONWA7 these pages: firstly, that their work is intergenerational and propelled by pride for their children; secondly, that for each of them, the work they do is heart work. We see here @_ONWA_ how interconnected we are with the work we do as Indigenous womenwe are both @onwa_official building on the actions of our ancestors and feeding the soil for the betterment of future generations. ONWA is honoured to recognize and share the stories of these incredible women who continue to create pathways of healing, learning and safety for our communities and nations. By sitting in circle with them through reading these pages, we take in the medi-cine we need to heal each other and ourselves, strengthening our spirits for what is yet to come. Published by: CONTRIBUTING EDITORDESIGN SPECIALISTAll rights reserved.Ingrid Green Bethany Giesbrecht The contents of this is published for Ontario Nativepublication may not bePRESIDENT Women's AssociationASSISTANT CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Kevin Brown reproduced by any means, in www.mediaedgepublishing.com Sarah McPherson whole or in part, without the SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTprior written consent of the 33 South Station StreetSENIOR EDITORRobert Thompson association.Toronto, ONM9N 2B2Justyne EsseryToll Free: 1-866-480-4717SALES / BRANCH She is Wise is printed robertt@mediaedge.ca MANAGERon 10% post-consumer Return undeliverables to: NATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVESNancie Priv FSC certified paper using P.O. Box 15-684 City Road,NATIONAL DIRECTOR April Hawkes, Ashley Huston, Published soya based inks. When Fort William First NationOF PUBLISHINGPat Johnston, Veronica Johnston December 2025 necessary to mail an issue ONP7J 1K3Maurice P. LaBorde in an enclosure, we use an 807-577-1492MANAGING EDITORSENIOR DESIGN SPECIALISTPublication Mail environmentally-friendly, 100% www.onwa.ca Andr MorriseauMarisa Giesbrecht Agreement #40787580 oxo-degradable poly-wrap. 10 Fall/Winter 2025"