Submitted by Mary Jacobs
The North American Indian Women’s Association held their annual conference June 8 -12, 2025 at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, in Niagara Falls, New York. The host for the conference was, Turtle Island Women- Northeast Chapter of NAIWA. The conference, “Mother Earth’s Connection to Healing” had 158 registered participants from areas across the United States and Canada, with some as far away as Alaska. There was also a young lady’s group from the Cherokee Nation in attendance, learning how to organize a conference. The conference started off on a Sunday evening with the National officers and area chapter representatives meet and greet. As attendees checked in for the conference they were all given a gift bag with items donated by the various departments from the Seneca Nation. On Monday the event started out with a traditional tobacco burning welcoming and blessing to all those in attendance. Each morning the attendees were greeted to breakfast with beautiful songs sung by the Newtown Women’s singing society. Each day had a central theme encouraging and educating attendees about healing from past traumas. Monday’s theme was healing the mind through education. The keynote speaker was Tom Porter, a well-respected Mohawk Elder. Mr. Porter shared his wealth of knowledge about the concept of having a “Good Mind”. His presentation was followed by Dr Lori Quigley, and her perspective on the boarding schools. The attendees gained insight on how our past and our beliefs can affect our lives today. As the day continued the speakers shared how to care for yourselves through personal safety by Christina Porter, and self-defense with Nettie Hepner. The day ended with presentations on educating our youth with the “Rite of Passage” procedures with Joselyn Jones, and learning the elements of the “Gano:nyo:k with Derise Waterman. All of these presenters stressed the importance of respecting yourself, others and the environment around us.
As with all conferences official business needed to be conducted. Ending the first day and beginning on Tuesday the NAIWA National officers requested members only to attend sessions for discussions on resolutions and information sharing.
The second day of the conference was centered around healing the physical self. The afternoon presentations included healthy eating with Lorinda John, and gathering and using medicinal plants with Yolanda Smith. The importance of the environment to our health was also stressed in presentations about how we use clay for cooking pots with Cami Jones, and how we need to protect the water by Alyssa Warrior. The second day ended with an evening walk to view the Niagara Falls. For many, it was the first time viewing the majestic Niagara Falls.
The third and final day of the conference started with a meeting to finalize and vote on official NAIWA business. After official business was completed a workshop on Grief and Healing was led by Nicole Thompson. Many attendees appreciated the time to destress/decompress and reground themselves. At lunch time all attendees were able to view the movie “Lake of Betrayal”, leading into the afternoon panel discussion about Land Back. A panel of three Haudenosaunee women discussed how each of their home territories have struggled to maintain connections to the land. Odie Porter enlightened attendees about the Kinzua dam and removal of the Seneca Nation people. Jeanne Schenandoah discussed recent land returned to the Onondaga Nation. Christine Abrams encouraged us to help in the Tonawanda Senecas fight to STOP STAMP encroachment on their homelands. After the Land back panel discussion many attendees were rejuvenated in their spiritual connection to Mother Earth.
As the conference came to a close, attendees celebrated with a banquet honoring those who continue to unite for the general well-being of Indigenous people. Diane Booth, NAIWA Chairperson was presented with a beaded NAIWA medallion for her leadership and driving force of NAIWA. Mary Jacobs was presented a beaded medallion for her dedication to NAIWA within the Turtle Island Women- NE Chapter of NAIWA. Both beaded medallions were made by Alana Jimerson and presented by Kelly Edwards-Turtle Island Women Chairperson, and Irene Wheeler Turtle Island Women Treasurer /Conference M.C. As the evening progressed, the Newtown Men’s singing society was invited to end the program with Haudenosaunee social dance songs.
Since the conference has ended, we have had time to reflect and evaluate our progress as the Turtle Island Women-NE Chapter of NAIWA. The 53rd Annual NAIWA conference had double the average number of attendees. During the annual conference a silent auction to provide seed funds for the next conference is held. This year the auction raised over $4,000, the most any conference has ever raised. Another first was the addition of allowing young ladies groups to attend. It is the hope that more youth groups will form and attend the conference in the years to come. For the future, Turtle Island Women, will endeavor to enact the two passed resolutions of NAIWA. The Turtle Island Women are encouraged to increase NAIWA awareness utilizing communications such as, but not limited to, social media, Email, and advertising. The Turtle Island Women are encouraged to bring awareness of food sovereignty through sponsorship of programs such as, but not limited to, healthy eating, cooking classes, medicinal plant use, canning, and gardening. The Turtle Island Women appreciate all the members, old and new, for all their help. Many hands make light work.
We sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their generous contributions and ongoing support. Your sponsorship made it possible to host an impactful and memorable conference that brought together voices and traditions from across our Nations. Your partnership uplifts our shared vision for healing, learning, well-being of Indigenous people.
