b'LEAVES TURNING MOONPeoples, the Meech Lake Accord, theBut Omenihos impact stretches farsuccession, for Mtis women to step into Charlottetown Accord and the Kelownabeyond politics. Her work in child welfareleadership roles earlier and more often. Accord. Each era brought hope, possibilityand Indigenous education continues toWe cant go backwards anymore, she and heartbreak. transform communities across Albertasays. We need you.and beyond. One example is the school There was a lot of work, a lot of energymeal programs she helped develop yearsWhen asked what she would tell her put into those processes, Omeniho says.ago. I believed children couldnt learnyounger self, the girl too scared to Report after report, recommendationsunless they were fed, she says. We were for changeand the only people whotold there was no funding, so we raised itspeak, her answer is immediate. Be as remember them are us, as Indigenousourselves. Some of those programs stillbrave as you can be, she says. Dont people. The governments forget as soonoperate today. That makes me proud,be afraid of the things people say you as the documents are printed or anothershe says, knowing small things we builtshouldnt do. Every time I did something election happens. are still feeding our kids. I shouldnt have done, I learned from Omenihos voice sharpens when sheAt this stage in her career, Omenihoit. I became stronger.speaks about the National Inquiry intoremains clear about what sustains her.Through every chapter of her life, Missing and Murdered IndigenousI have a large base of Elders, she says.Omeniho has walked a path rooted in Women and Girls, a moment she describesKookums and mosoms who text me almost as both necessary and painfully familiar.every daychecking in, sending cere- courage, culture and deep responsibility. We pushed so hard for that inquirymony, sending blessings. They protectShe stands now as a Mtis matriarch, a because Indigenous women and girls weremy spirit. national leader, an advocate who refuses going missing and murdered every day,to let the stories of Mtis women be and nobody would listen, she says. TheOmeniho also notes, almost casually, thaterased. I want to leave this world better federal government wouldnt even meetshe carries multiple national honours,than I found it, she says. For my grand-with us. They told us we needed to healincluding the King Charles III Coronationdaughters. For all our grandchildren.our men if we wanted change. Medal and two Queens Jubilee medals, but she deflects any suggestion that theseAnd Omeniho is doing exactly that. Even after the inquiry, Omeniho says,accolades define her. Its the people, she implementation remains stagnant. Theresays simply. The people are what makesThrough LFMOs advocacy work, are calls for justice sitting on shelves. Andthe work meaningful. mentoring young Mtis women step-women are still going missing. Girls areping into leadership and the succession still going missing. It has to be a move- planning she champions, Omeniho ment that comes from within. BUILDING THE FUTURE SHEis ensuring the path she has walked HOPES TO LEAVE BEHIND becomes a thoroughfare for others. When asked about the most painful partOmeniho has spent more than four of her work, Omeniho doesnt hesitate.decades advocating for Mtis women,The fifth-generation child who grew up The colonialism that comes from withinand her message to the next generationsurrounded by strong women is now a us, she says of lateral violence. Evenis clear: Get involved. Be brave. Usematriarch, creating space for the sixth, when women are leading the ship, wereyour voice. She emphasizes the need forseventh and beyond. still not valued. Were still not considered. That hurts more than being ignored by mainstream society.The shift from valuing community to valuing materialism worries her deeply. Weve stopped valuing our history, our culture, our teachings, Omeniho says.Aecon is focused on being anWomen were always central to wellness, toindustry leader in advancingfamily, to stability. Without Mtis women doing what they didsacrifices, leadershipreconciliation and co-creating we wouldnt be here. Her commitmentopportunities that buildis to bring the Nation back to its roots.sustainable and mutuallyWe need to remember our culture, our families, our responsibilities. Thats whatbeneficial relationships withgrounds us. Thats who we are, she says. Indigenous Peoples.LEADING LFMO AND BEYOND aecon.comOmeniho became president of LFMO in 2010, continuing a legacy of Mtis womens leadership that predates Canada itself. Under her guidance, LFMOJOIN OUR TEAM!has expanded into a national force shaping justice, health, education andScan or visit aecon.com/careers systemic change for Mtis women and Two-Spirit kin.Ontario Native Womens Association35'