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Book inspires workshop

Article Origin

Author

Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Edmonton

Volume

11

Issue

2

Year

2004

Page 9

A six-day program run over six months called Women Who Run with the Wolves will help women tap into their innate ability to be intuitive, and discuss how they do not always use their gift, said Kim Ghostkeeper, organizer of the workshop-styled program.

Facilitated by Fiona Fieldwalker, a storyteller, artist and musician, Women Who Run with the Wolves is inspired by the book of the same name by author Clarissa Pinkoa Estes. Ten women will take part beginning Jan. 31. Ghostkeeper said the women will read the stories in the book and then interpret what they mean and discuss those interpretations.

"This gives them an opportunity to talk about their strengths as women. It is a great medium to get us talking about ourselves and what our values are," she said.

"This is a pilot project. I organized it, so we are going to see if this idea will be of value to us as women. We are going to try it and see how this works out. If it is a success, meaning if women think that it is great, interesting and valuable, then maybe we will offer it again," she said.

"We have a group of dynamic women who have committed to coming together once a month. Frankly, I'm pretty excited to be a part of this group. Elder Margaret Cardinal has agreed to be part of this group and we are hoping that as our final get together we will go over to Margaret's place and have a chance to meet on the land and also to spend some time with her as well," she said.

Ghostkeeper said that although the stories were hard to read she believes that they will be helpful to women who are looking for this type of healing.

"I have to say that when I've spoken to other women who've read the stories, and listened to what their interpretations were, I found their response fascinating. It gives me a chance to kind of think about my own journey and this book does have the capacity and ability to do that. It is a neat book. It is not an easy book. It is difficult in that the language is complex, but I think that there is something really intriguing about the stories and I believe that if everything we did were easy we would not learn a thing."

Ghostkeeper said the classes are held on the last day of every month.

"We are looking forward to it and if someone wants to replicate what we are doing, then by all means they can get a hold of me and we sure would help them put the pieces together." You can reach her at (780) 443-0340.