Women get together

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It may be impolite to ask a woman her age, but no one had a problem putting candles on the cake April 15 in Lebret.

The former White Calf Collegiate gymnasium was the site of the intercultural Grandmothers Uniting's sixth birthday party, featuring an afternoon of celebrations including drummers, music, good times and, of course, birthday cakes. About 100 people attended the event.

The Intercultural Grandmothers Uniting was created to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women. For people such as Shirley Bonk, it's a mission of unity.

"We are all brothers and sisters. It doesn't matter what color we are. That is my personal target, and the target of others involved with this," said Bonk.

The organization has worked as a network of older First Nations, Metis, and other Canadian women dedicated to building bridges of understanding, trust, respect and friendship between races and generations.

The organization's birth came from the closing of another elderly women's group in Saskatchewan, says intercultural Grandmothers' Uniting member June Mitchell of Regina.

"There was an organization called 'Prairie Cronies,' which was trying to unite woman from rural and urban areas, trying to get them to know each other. When they were finished, they thought the thing we needed was to get a chance for Aboriginal, Metis, and non-Aboriginal people to get to know each other."

"I was asked to join because I am Metis," said Bonk. "There's a bridge there already. We're trying to be role models, especially for our youth. We're trying to do our bit to stop racism."

Bonk does her part by going on visiting tours throughout schools in the area and in Regina. Bonk's story isn't an easy one - hers was a life of alcoholism and petty crime which climaxed one night in suburban Vancouver more than a decade ago with the death of her partner and her jailing.

"I tell my story and I speak against violence," she said. "I tell the children there are two results you get from going into drugs and alcohol and violence. It's either a violent death or prison. And I've been to prison. I know what I'm talking about. I want to give positive things in my life back to the younger generation."

For Mitchell, the fact that elderly Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women can be friends is very important to demonstrate to Saskatchewan's youth.