A Cree author, speaker and teacher’s story of resilience has been highlighted by the province on International Women’s Day.
Kendra Weenie, who’s recent memoir Surviving Domestic Violence was shortlisted for a Saskatchewan Book Award, was among three female leaders by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Status of Women Office. The selections were for the fields of advocacy, agriculture and sport in the province. Minister Laura Ross said the day is a moment to showcase the resilience and perseverance of women, highlighted by the three selected.
“This campaign provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the strong female leadership we have right here in our province,” she said.
Kendra Weenie, who grew up in Sweetgrass First Nation and now lives in North Battleford, said it was a huge honour to be recognized for her work, as it wasn’t something she expected recognition for.
“I hope that I’ve reached as many women as possible, to create hope for women in those domestic abuse situations,” she said.
Weenie’s memoir, published in 2019, documented a number of adversities she faced growing up, including an abusive relationship with her then-boyfriend that left her with a brain injury. While her target audience was indigenous women, she said she’s learned it’s had an impact with the men who read it as well. Weenie hopes the book, and the video featured on International Women’s Day, encourages people to start or continue their healing, especially indigenous groups suffering during the pandemic.
“Just encouraging them to continue healing, doing what they can to break toxic cycles and create a better life for themselves and their families,” she said.
One example of progress Weenie mentioned is the Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol, or Clare’s Law, Act. Recently implemented in Saskatchewan, it’s designed to allow police to warn potential victims of domestic abuse about romantic partner’s who’ve been jailed for that sort of crime. Saskatchewan had the highest rate of intimate-partner violence among provinces in 2017 and 2018.
“After hearing that it’s being implemented, it gives me hope that the rates will go down in time,” Weenie said.
While’s she’s considering the approach for her second book, Weenie said it will be more intense and will take longer to write. In the meantime, she has gone back to teaching recently, handling virtual Grade 2 classes for Living Sky School Division, as well as fundraising for two non-profits. IndigiFund, which services indigenous youth across the country, and Crystal’s Gift, which is focused towards helping single mothers in Saskatoon.
“We don’t always have the things those mothers need, but we do our best to help them out,” Weenie said.
On this day, she said she thinks of women who have stood up in the past, showed courage and become change-makers.
“Not just for themselves, but creating equal opportunity for women across the world,” she said.
“Let go of that shame that holds us back, so that we can start healing, moving forward and achieving success.”
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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca
On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports
