Shelter celebrates 10 years

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"We chose International Women's Day, March 8, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our shelter, Zhaawanong" said Darlene Ritchie, executive director of Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services Agency.

Zhaawanong means "south" in Ojibway, referring to the direction which signifies warmth, change, nurturing and renewal in Aboriginal culture, qualities that are promoted at the shelter.

The Zhaawanong shelter is one of three women's shelters serving the London region. It provides protection and safe shelter for up to 42 days in a supportive, healing environment. Programs focus on intervention and holistic crisis counseling (group or individual), the understanding of the cycle of violence; the promotion of health and wellness, the prevention of family violence. The shelter provides traditional healing circles, emergency transportation, and referral and advocacy while clients are in transition. A crisis telephone line is also operated.

Ojibway Elder Mary Sturgeon and Oneida Elder Howard Elijah opened the March 8 program with good words. Elijah was helped by a young Oneida girl, Kahnatine, a student from the Tsi'niyukwaliho:t^, the Natural Way Learning Centre on the Oneida settlement near London. He shared a teaching.

"If you want to be happy in this life, all you have to do is make sure that your mother feels good about what you are doing in your life. And if you want to be happy about life, and you have a grandmother, if she feels good about what you are doing, then you're doing the right thing. We should respect the female side, and if we do that then the women will understand what life is about...so, we want to thank you because life wouldn't be here if it weren't for the women."

The Ogitchidaw Kwe Ok Singers, a women's drum group, sang healing songs and helped to create a sacred atmosphere. A highlight of the afternoon was an eagle feather presentation to each of the founding grandmothers whose vision created Atlohsa and Zhaawanong.

The seven grandmothers honored were Bernice Ireland, Letitia "Tish" Antone, Donna Sears, Susan McPhail, Pauline Doxtator, Carol Trafford, and Rosemary Albert. An honor song paid tribute to their service to the Native community of the region.

A grand feast was prepared by Sandra Hopkins Catering, a new business founded by the shelter administrator, Sandra Hopkins, who welcomed everyone. She spoke of the dedicated commitment of the 16 staff members who ensure a safe 16-bed environment for women and families.

Hopkins noted the shelter is running over capacity at 101 per cent.

Gloria Mulcahy Alvernaz, president of the board of directors, outlined the history of Atlohsa from its beginning on Oct. 26, 1987.

A committee formed in l984 was helped by another London agency to become incorporated, with some limited funding, as Atenlos. The name was changed to Atlohsa in 1998, and means "spiritual seed" in the Oneida language.

Mary Deleary, a past board member, told how she and Dorothy Wassegijig-Kennedy were given tobacco to select a fitting name for the women's shelter. The word Zhaawanong "reflects the southern doorway and direction from which renewal and change take place in a person's life...This is the beginning for people so they can continue to grow strong and find healing, and then new life," she said.