Spirit of Care: Reflecting on Indigenous Wellbeing Gathering Conference

This FEELed Note is written by Dani Pierson, FEELed Lab Administrator, who was a presenter, attendee, and supporter for the recent Indigenous Wellbeing Gathering Conference

Earlier this month, the Urban Indigenous Wellbeing Collective hosted their first conference here on unceded syilx territory. As a part of the FEELed Lab’s ongoing collaboration with the collective, we shared our space for the conference’s Opening Ceremony. The opening in the FEELed Yard around the fire grounded the weekend in a spirit of care, for ourselves, for each other, and for the Land surrounding us.

This care that was centred in the opening carried through the rest of the weekend at Manteo Resort where the remaining conference activities occurred. It is always a pleasure and a privilege to be in a place brimming with knowledge meant to support Indigenous wellbeing. As a Métis MA student currently researching the political potentialities of rest, it was wonderful to spend the weekend engaging in this reciprocal exchange of knowledge on the many ways we do and can care for ourselves and all our relations.

All of the care that flowed through the conference could not have been present without the thoughtful planning of the entire Indigenous Wellbeing Collective, but especially Mimi Mutahi and Dr. Gabrielle Legault.

Mimi Mutahi approached the planning of this conference with such profound care that deeply impacted both the feeling and the smooth operations of the conference. Her planning prowess is exemplary and her ability to make people she just met feel cared for is truly special. The Urban Indigenous Wellbeing Collective must feel so lucky to have her on their team.

The little crew of fellow Indigenous graduate student pals I have refer to Dr. Legault as our academic auntie. She approaches all tasks in the university with such care and tenderness that is often absent in academic spaces. She ensures that we care for ourselves and each other, while still holding us accountable to do our best work. This care was certainly present throughout the conference weekend.

I am very appreciative for the knowledge sharing that the Urban Indigenous Wellbeing Collective facilitated with this conference. I look forward to the Collective’s future events. Be sure to follow the collective on Instagram for ongoing updates about their work.