New Town, ND — Agnes Yellow Bear (Kawacatoose First Nation) wants families to be at the center of the movement to prevent violence against Indigenous Peoples. A national advocate for initiatives focused on murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people, she sees the exponential healing power when advocacy work prioritizes the voices and stories of families seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. She knows that equality between women and men is critical to this work. Through Indigenous cultural approaches that are grounded in equality and justice, and by listening to those with lived experiences with violence, she seeks to promote healing for and empowerment of Indigenous Peoples. To build her capacity to lead, she will learn from mentors from around the world who are engaged in violence prevention. She also will pursue training in organizing techniques to inspire connection, collaboration, and problem solving in her community.
What has informed your approach to leading change in your community?
Being born into a family deeply affected by assimilation policies, I have witnessed firsthand how intergenerational trauma affects Indigenous families. Rooted in colonization, tragically my aunt is one of over 4,000 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit folks in Canada.
Despite my parents' experiences in foster care and residential schools, they are resilient and fearless community leaders who prioritize righteousness over comfort. They have instilled in me a strong sense of justice, and a responsibility to carry on that work.
There is so much generational love, strength and resilience in our communities, but I believe the work does not end until we all have access to truth, justice and healing so that our future generations can thrive.
What would you say is the primary motivating factor behind your leadership?
My healing journey has served as a fundamental steppingstone in my role as a leader. However, what truly drives me forward is the well-being and future of my children. It is their birthright to live in a society that is devoid of violence, racism, and the lingering adverse effects of colonization. I consider myself to be of the "in between" generation, I bear witness to the resilience and adversity my parents have overcome through assimilation policies. Simultaneously, I have been granted opportunities that my parents were denied. And so it is a responsibility to leverage these advantages to foster equality within our communities.
What is your favorite quote or expression?
My mother's resilience has always inspired me, when I questioned how she could do such incredible community work while carrying the weight of her lived experiences she said, “I believe in all that is good in this world. I believe in the sun and its warmth, and I will never allow anyone to take that from me.” - Danielle Ewenin
