The Native American Christian Ministry of Fargo Moorhead is set to host an afternoon of education, community and spiritual awakening for local Indigenous women at the Neighborhood Church located at 730 27th St N in Fargo. The event will be held in September, and registration is appreciated. JT Shining Onesided, a respected Ojibwe leader, will guide participants through important ceremonies that honor and celebrate womanhood. The event will also include a hands-on ribbon skirt-making workshop and close with a communal meal of traditional Indigenous foods. The event is focused on traditional women’s ceremonies from the Ojibwe culture but is open to anyone interested in deepening connections with themselves and the world around them.
Reflect
“Women are the backbone of our community,” said Amanda Vivier, event organizer and Spiritual Director for the Way at the Native American Christian Ministry of Fargo Moorhead, “If we can strengthen and heal her, give her the courage to move forward, we can heal families, communities today and for the generations that come after.” For Ojibwe, the important role women play is celebrated with special clothing and ceremonies that help them reconnect with their spiritual power. Once forcibly removed from these traditions and rituals, the Ojibwe and other indigenous peoples are now recovering their culture and spirituality. “Native people are proudly recapturing these traditions by retelling and living into them in daily and periodic routines,” Vivier said. To help educate and guide local Indigenous women through these empowering ceremonies, the organization has recruited JT Shining Onesided. Onesided is an educator and spiritual leader in the Ojibwe community. Onesided will lead participants in a Moon Ceremony, honoring the phases of Nookomis, Grandmother Moon, as well as a Berry Picking Ceremony, a coming-of-age tradition for young women. The day will be steeped in smudging, singing, and prayer to the Creator.
Reawaken
In addition to the large group celebration, a smaller breakout session will teach participants about the traditional Ojibwe ribbon skirt. This sacred garment has special significance for Ojibwe women as it strengthens their connection with Mother Earth and encourages mindfulness, compassion, and empathy.
“Our Ribbon Skirt ties us to the land, our Creator, our identity, and our place in Indigenous society,” Vivier said. “It is a symbol of resilience and perseverance, reflecting the survival and adaptation that native people have endured and brought forward during a long season of colonization. The colors have specific spiritual significance, and reflect the identity of the woman wearing the skirt.”
